Prue's Promises [Submissive Sirens 3] (Siren Publishing Allure) (21 page)

Now, as they sat waiting for Alejandro’s session to begin, Prue found herself hoping this next session would herald something just as exciting as punishment. She amended that thought quickly.
I hope it’s that exciting…but not that painful!

Alejandro cleared his throat, telling them all without words that it was time to begin. “Welcome again, friends.” He looked around the room, a wicked smile playing on his mouth. “I see that all the subs are able to sit comfortably. Doms, have they got you wrapped around their fingers so quickly?” He grinned at the groans from the subs. “Not to worry, ladies. No more punishment today.”

Prue wasn’t ashamed to admit she joined in the collective sigh of relief from all the subs in the room, making Alejandro laugh. Prue noticed for the first time that Callie wasn’t with him today, and she felt a twinge of disappointment that whatever they’d be learning this afternoon didn’t feature a demo.

“Today is a day all about the fine art of torture.” Alejandro’s look was decadent as he took in the gasps and cries from the subs. “Doms, you’ve already had the opportunity to explore your sub’s limits when it comes to pain and punishment, and you should have a good idea now if you’re dealing with a pain slut. Chances are all the subs have a little masochism in them, the same way it’s likely you’re all slightly sadistic.”

Alejandro held up a hand. “Please understand I don’t limit these terms exclusively to the physical, nor do I deny that all of us have a little of both in our makeup. I simply say that the subs wish to please their Doms, and if it means enduring some discomfort to make their Masters happy, they will do so.”

Prue bit her lip. She hadn’t ever considered herself to be a masochist before, and she doubted that there were oodles of people in the world who actively sought out pain and humiliation. She was willing to admit that she’d enjoyed being punished at Cyrus’s hands, and she could also see where he was a little sadistic. Somehow though, the things they did together, even the really dirty stuff like eating each other’s asses seemed affectionate and sexy. Prue shrugged mentally. Maybe she was a bit of a masochist, because she was certainly willing to put up with some discomfort if it meant making Cyrus happy. She knew he wouldn’t actually push her to do something she was vehemently opposed to doing, and she kind of liked that he pushed her limits.

Alejandro was still talking, and Prue’s attention snapped back to what he was saying.

“Doms, this is where you begin to feel the sacred trust that your sub has placed in you. She trusts you to know her limits, and she wants to play within them. Torture is a very personal expression of the bond between you, which is why Callie isn’t with me today.”

Prue felt her eyes widen in understanding. She guessed there were just some things that were too personal to share, even in this line of work.

“I would suggest, since all of our subs are relatively new to the lifestyle, that you limit your torture for the next couple of days to denial of orgasm.” Alejandro laughed as the subs shrieked their displeasure. “You are welcome to be as creative as you like. Ice cubes work particularly well, I might say, when inserted into a sub’s pussy. And remember,” Alejandro said, leering, “if a sub comes while she’s being tortured, punish her and begin again.”

* * * *

Prue was beyond nervous. After Alejandro’s session, she and Cyrus had returned to his house and had spent the afternoon and evening companionably, him working from home and her puttering in the garden before making supper for them both. They’d eaten together as they usually did, and it was easy for Prue to be lulled into the comfort of the routine they’d established. Dinner, news, movie, shower, bed.

As she knelt for her evening maintenance though, she felt like the nerves in her body had been fine-tuned to Cyrus’s touch, hypersensitive to his every movement. She didn’t know how—or when, for that matter—he intended to torture her, and while at first the anticipation had been delicious, now it was in overdrive. She shivered every time he touched her.

Cyrus laughed softly as he caressed the skin of Prue’s bottom, making her tense. “Pet, you’re going to give yourself an ulcer. You need to relax.”

“Easy for you to say,” Prue grumbled, forcing her fingers to release their death grip on the footboard. “You’re not the one waiting to be tortured.”

Cyrus delivered the first spank, rubbing his big hand all over Prue’s bottom before delivering the second. “Honestly, pet, do you think I’m going to do something you won’t be able to handle?” The question was casual, but Prue could hear Cyrus’s serious undertone. She hastened to clarify.

“No, Cy, I know you’ll take good care of me. It’s just nerves, not knowing what you’re going to do.”

Cyrus delivered the rest of Prue’s maintenance before speaking. “That’s the point, pet. This is part of your torture.” He leaned down and kissed Prue’s flaming bottom, making her moan. “I love when you’re nervous.”

Prue glared at the footboard, too nervous to glare at her Dom. “Of course you do. Sadist.”

Cyrus flipped Prue over, hauling her up to lie beside him on the bed. “Of course I’m a sadist. I love spanking you, turning your ass red. I love making you nervous. I find you delicious when you’re equal parts frightened and aroused.”

Prue considered his words. “Maybe sometime you should let me turn the tables.” She grinned at him suggestively, raising a challenging eyebrow.

“Not a chance, pet.” Cyrus’s voice was firm. “I don’t bottom.”

Prue sighed. “It was worth a try.”

Cyrus kissed her hair, tucking her against his big chest. “Now that that’s out of your system, go to sleep. You have a busy day tomorrow. You’ll be spending a big part of it at the spa, and then we’re going dancing tomorrow night.”

Prue perked up, even though she was sleepy. “Ooh, that sounds awesome!” She frowned as a thought struck her. “Wait. You’re not going to torture me in the middle of the night, are you, Sir?”

Cyrus snorted. “If I’m going to put in the effort to torture you, pet, you’re going to be awake and aware. Where’s the fun in torturing a sub who can barely keep her eyes open?”

“If I was less tired, I’d swat you,” Prue muttered, her eyelids already beginning to droop.

“Please, feel free.” Cyrus sounded just as tired as she felt. “I’ll add it to your tab.”

Prue yawned, hoping her Dom realized he was getting a reprieve from her wrath. She murmured softly, snuggling closer to Cyrus. Her last thought was that she’d better be on her game tomorrow. Between spa and dancing, how the hell was Cyrus planning to torture her?

Prue couldn’t believe her ears. “What do you mean, Violet’s been let go?” Cyrus had delivered her to the spa at the prearranged time, squeezing her still-throbbing ass softly before reminding her to go straight back to his house after she was finished. His eyes had been full of promise.

Prue had turned to the receptionist, disgruntled that Cyrus still hadn’t allowed her to come, and had requested that Violet be made available for part of her treatment today. She was getting another Cyrus Special, and she wanted to top off all the cleaning with a pedicure. It would be her reward for getting through another enema, although now she understood why Cyrus insisted she go through with the embarrassing procedure. Hell, he’d even admitted that he went through it himself on a regular basis!

Prue had been stunned when the receptionist had informed her that Violet was no longer working at the spa. Determined to figure out why, Prue felt like a dog with a bone as she questioned the receptionist.

“I’m sorry, Miss, but we had to let her go.” The receptionist examined her nails as she spoke, showing Prue she really didn’t give a damn about Prue’s concern for the sweet young woman.

“Why did you
have
to let her go?” Prue emphasized the word, aware that she was bordering on being rude.

The receptionist abandoned her examination of her nails, pinning Prue with an icy glare. “It’s really no concern of yours, Miss.”

Prue smiled tightly. “You’re absolutely right. But since I am indeed concerned, don’t trouble yourself about it. I’ll just ask Cyrus.”

The receptionist blanched. “No need to trouble him with something so trivial, Miss, really.”

Prue raised an eyebrow. The receptionist clearly didn’t want Prue to mention this to Cyrus, which Prue found immensely interesting. She decided to push a little more. “You consider a former employee to be trivial? Interesting perspective,” Prue murmured.

The receptionist had gone ashen, and now seemed like she was about to trip over herself in her attempt to explain. “You see, Miss, Violet was found to be embezzling funds. We can’t keep an employee on who steals from us. I’m sure you understand.”

Prue frowned. This didn’t fit together at all. Violet could barely speak English, for goodness sake! Prue thought it was unlikely in the extreme that the Asian woman had been embezzling funds from the spa at
Cuero
, but she wasn’t about to argue the point. She could tell something was way off with this story, and she hoped to be able to use it to her advantage later. For the receptionist’s benefit, Prue hauled her mind back to their conversation.

“Oh my, embezzling! Well, why didn’t you say so? Of course you had to let her go!” Prue leaned forward, acting like she was completely caught up in the drama. “I hope you called the police. I can’t even imagine what Cyrus must have done when he found out.”

The receptionist smiled, looking relieved. “Honestly, we just let her go instead of calling the police. Hopefully she’s learned her lesson and will behave herself at her next job. Since Cruz handles a big part of the day-to-day business at
Cuero
, he took care of it. Master Cyrus is busy enough that he doesn’t need to be troubled with little matters like this. I hope you understand.”

Prue nodded conspiratorially although her stomach was churning. “I understand perfectly. I won’t say anything to Cyrus.”

The receptionist smiled. “Good. I’m glad we understand one another.”

Prue smiled back, hopeful that the receptionist didn’t see how fake the smile was. Whatever had happened with Violet, Cruz had been involved. This seemed to be the first solid lead Prue had had, and although it made her queasy to think about the kind, easygoing man being involved with something as ghastly as what Prue suspected, she deliberately hardened her heart. If she was right, Cruz was a first-class bastard.

“All right.” The receptionist’s attention had shifted back to her computer monitor. “You’ll be starting with Angie today. And don’t worry.” She smiled once more at Prue. “She gives a great pedicure. Trust me, you won’t miss Violet at all.”

Prue thanked the receptionist, her stomach twisting. She was willing to bet that somewhere, someone was missing Violet. And now the woman had disappeared.

Prue walked slowly to the change room to don her robe and slippers, and turned to the receptionist almost as an afterthought. “Hey, what happened to the funds she embezzled?”

The receptionist looked blankly back at Prue. “What funds?”

Prue’s eyes narrowed. “The funds you said Violet embezzled. Did you get them back?”

The receptionist nodded vigorously. “Oh absolutely. Cruz wouldn’t have been satisfied with anything less.”

“Good, I’m glad to hear it.” Prue continued to the change room, lost in thought. If there had actually been funds in play, they’d be traceable. And if, as she suspected, there was no embezzlement to be found, then Cruz had just made the top of her suspect list.

* * * *

“Hi!” Prue bounded into the house and threw herself at Cyrus. She’d finally managed to set aside thoughts of Violet long enough to lose herself in the treatments she’d received at the spa, and it had been heavenly to be so pampered. Not rushed like the last time she’d been to the spa, this time she’d been able to really take her time for each treatment, and the spa staff had been amazing. She felt squeaky clean, almost like her skin was glowing, and she kind of wanted to show it off for Cyrus. Unfortunately, it seemed like Cyrus had other plans. He greeted Prue enthusiastically, grinning at her as he kissed her thoroughly.

“The spa was amazing! I think my skin is as soft as a baby’s. Wanna see?” Prue peeked up at Cyrus hopefully, willing him to order her to take her clothes off.

No dice.

“At the moment, pet, I’m much more interested in your tummy. Let’s have dinner first, and then I’ll tell you what we’re doing this evening.”

Prue frowned. She could really, really go for some playtime right now. As Cyrus’s words registered, she turned to him in wonder. “Did you cook?”

Cyrus laughed. “No need to sound quite so shocked. You’ll bruise my delicate ego.” He grinned as Prue snorted. “Nothing fancy, just tacos.”

Prue smiled up at him. “I love tacos.” She spun around, pulling him behind her as she made her way to the kitchen.

The two of them loaded plates with hard taco shells, fragrant chicken, and the other toppings Cyrus had prepared from fresh guacamole to rice and refried beans. Prue slathered her shell with sour cream and sprinkled cheese liberally over everything as she started to assemble her first taco, nibbling bits of things as she went. She snuck a glance at Cyrus and smiled to see that he was starting with a modest three tacos. He was such a big man, and she’d often wondered how he managed to keep his energy up. Apparently a soft spot for guacamole helped.

The two of them sat, eating heartily and laughing at one another as the taco fillings spilled out all over their hands and plates. Cyrus mopped Prue’s face with a napkin when it became covered with sour cream and tomatoes, and she marveled at how his big hands were able to keep things together so much better than her smaller ones. She laughed as she finally admitted defeat, grabbing a fork and using it to toss everything into a taco salad, scooping bites off her plate with her corn taco shell.

Both she and Cyrus were stuffed by the time they finished, Prue taking a long drink of her lemonade and Cyrus pulling on his beer. They sighed, almost in unison, and smiled at one another as they recognized the small intimacy.