Luke didn’t seem interested in what she found or didn’t find on her phone. He simply inclined his head. “If you change your mind, I’ll be around.”
“When pigs fly.”
Luke’s expression changed in an instant. “That’s the second time, Meagan. I’ve worn out quite a few backsides for less. Next time, your ass is mine.”
Meagan wisely didn’t say anything, but sank into the love seat between Sasha and Abby. Luke nodded to Nathaniel and Cole and then turned back to the crowd and walked away.
“Seriously, Meagan,” Abby said. “What’s with you two?”
“Long, boring history no one cares about anymore.”
“From the looks of the scene I just witnessed, there are at least two people who still care,” Abby said.
Meagan waved her hand. “Nah, I don’t. Really.” She turned to Sasha. “Tell me all about that fine-looking man sitting with Nathaniel. Is he yours?”
Sasha bit back the I wish and simply said, “I’m his trainee. Right now we’re doing some twenty-four/seven.”
“I’ve never been interested in full-time service, but for him? I could probably be persuaded.”
Meagan was probably more like the women Cole normally played with. With just one look, Sasha picked up on her strength. She practically oozed it. Meagan probably never had a panic attack because someone called her the wrong name.
But something else struck Sasha about Meagan’s words. She, too, had never been interested in twenty-four/seven service before Cole. In fact, she still couldn’t imagine doing it with anyone else. Did that mean she was changing herself for him?
How could she move forward if she didn’t know with 100 percent accuracy who she was and what she wanted? She needed to take off the Cole blinders. The truth was that after next week, she’d be going back to her apartment and picking up her life where it left off. She needed to remind herself this time with Cole was only temporary.
“That’s an awfully serious expression, slave,” Cole said.
Sasha jumped. She hadn’t even noticed him moving. “Sorry, Sir. I was thinking about something.”
“I came over just in time, then. Time to stop thinking and let me take over.” He held out his hand. “We’re going to the cross over in the far right corner. I’d have you crawl, but I don’t want you to mess up those black hose.”
She stood and discovered her knees were wobbly. They were going to play in front of people. She and Cole. She’d played in public numerous times before. She enjoyed it, but how different would it be to play with Cole?
“I’ll be at the cross in five minutes. I want you kneeling and waiting for me.”
She nodded and went to the empty play station he’d indicated. Because she had a collar on, no one spoke to her, though she did feel the weight of several people watching her.
As she waited on her knees for him, she wondered if he would have her take her shirt off. Surely, he’d remember she didn’t like to be topless. Especially in front of all these people. But she knew if she dwelt on it, she could inadvertently bring on a panic attack. To head off any potential fear lurking inside her, she closed her eyes and took several cleansing breaths. She could do this. She was strong. She was whole.
“Very nice, little one,” Cole said from behind her. “I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of seeing you wait for me like this.”
She didn’t think she’d ever grow tired of kneeling for him.
“Stand up and strip for me. Your back will be against the cross so no worries about that. And I’ll ensure you’re covered until you get into position.”
“That is very kind of you, Sir. To go through that trouble for me.” Even as she said the words, she felt the relief course through her body.
“It’s no trouble, little one. It was, however, one of your limits and though you trusted me, I know you don’t want to share that part of your body with the club.”
She felt forty pounds lighter as she stood and began to take her clothes and lingerie off. She left her shirt and bra for last. Cole stood in front of her, looking around to make sure everything was clear.
“Go ahead and step in front of the cross,” he said. “With your back to it. Then you can finish undressing while I keep prying eyes away from your back.”
She did as he bid and then watched as he approached her, his eyes filled with evil delight. He took one wrist and bound it above her head.
“Are you ready to play, little one?” he whispered in her ear. “Ready to get all hot and bothered in front of all these people?”
“Yes, Sir.”
He bound the other wrist above her head. “I’m going to bind your ankles, too. Spread those legs for me. Give me room to work your body over.”
He continued his wicked whispers as he bound her ankles to the wooden frame. He stepped back and looked at her with lust heavy in his eyes and she’d never been more thankful to be restrained. If she wasn’t bound, she’d no doubt be a puddle on the floor.
He picked up a heavy flogger and her heart started to race. He’s going to start with that one? She swallowed.
“No talking unless I ask a question or you need to safeword. No moving. No coming. All clear?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“You will take this for me.”
It wasn’t a question, so she took it as a command. Yes, she would. A movement behind him caught her attention and she looked closer. Nathaniel and Abby. It made sense they would want to watch. Abby said Nathaniel had been worried because he hadn’t heard from Cole. Maybe after tonight he wouldn’t be so worried.
“Close your eyes,” Cole commanded.
She closed them and braced for the first stroke of the flogger to hit. Because he’d picked up a heavy one, she expected it to hurt. But in a move that shouldn’t have surprised her, it landed with a pleasant thud on her upper thigh.
“I know what you were thinking, little one.” He spoke as the tails struck her other thigh. “And if you remember, I told you to expect to be unbalanced when it came to me. Didn’t I?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“I’m going to bring you so close to the edge, but you’re not allowed to come without permission.”
He didn’t talk after that, but he must have picked up another flogger, because soon there were two different types of tails landing on her. A light one teased the upper part of her body while he focused the heavier one on her thighs. She never cared for the heavier floggers, but in Cole’s hand, it felt like nothing she’d ever experienced.