Keep Me: A BDSM Romance (3 page)

Is he saying that I do that to him? Or just playing up the crowd? Caleb’s always been nice, but it never occurred to me that he had those kinds of thoughts about me. Now that he’s bringing it up, though, I’m definitely getting some of those thoughts about him. Almost without thinking about it, I put a bit more wiggle in my step and try to position myself so he gets glimpses down my dress. More than one can play at this.

“Beautiful, right? Enough dusting. I’m sure the furniture is clean enough. Hang up your tools, Pet, then present before me. Quickly.”

I hurry, hanging the apron and duster on the hook, but I only make it one step towards him before I hear the light thump of the duster hitting the rug.

His brows furrow, but his eyes sparkle with amusement. “Pick it up.”

I’m in for it now. That’s another punishment, I’m sure. I get the duster back on the hook as quickly as I can, this time making sure it’s hanging securely. As soon as I’m sure it’s not going to fall again, I rush over and sink down to my knees in front of him, eyes down and wrists crossed.

“That’s two punishments. We’d better hurry, so we can take our time with them. Don’t you agree, Pet?”

It takes a second before I realize that he’s asked me a question.

“I said, don’t you agree, Pet?” His words are slow and there’s menace in his tone.

I reply immediately. “Yes, Master.”

“Three. Next time, reply immediately.”

“Yes, Master.” My heart flutters.

He paces back and forth in front of me, still holding the flogger. He swats it softly back and forth over his thigh while he walks, like an interrogating officer, the swish swish foreshadowing my upcoming punishments. I both dread and anticipate them.

“Present low.” His voice whips me into moving. Bending at the waist, I put my palms on the rug and slide them forwards until my forehead touches the floor, like I’m worshipping him.

He talks to the crowd. “It’s important that your slave is reminded of her station while you play. No position reinforces that you’re her everything as much as this one.” They murmur behind me as his pacing stops, his feet just beyond my fingertips. “Display.”

I hesitate. Not for him, but for all the others. Displaying is specifically for showing me off. When did I get shy about this stuff?

“I said, Display.”

“Yes, Master.” I get up on all fours, my knees wide apart, my ass up in the air, again glad I’m wearing panties. His hand lands on the inside of my thigh, startling me. Sliding his hand up, he pulls my dress along with it until my ass is fully exposed, only covered by thin, silky fabric. I chew my lip self-consciously. Could be worse. I could have worn a g-string. Or nothing.

“Beautiful.” He almost whispers it, so I’m not sure whether that was for the crowd’s benefit, or mine. His big hand is hot against my ass cheek. He gives me a squeeze, then a sharp smack that makes me squeak.

“Display front.”

My face burns. If I wasn’t blushing before, I definitely am now. I roll onto my back, grab my ankles and pull my legs back. If I was naked, both my breasts and my pussy would be fully exposed, both to him and the watching crowd. Instead, it’s just humiliating. I can’t deny the heat that courses through me, though.

Caleb puts his hand on the inside of my thigh. I remember the slap on my ass. He’s not going to—.

He doesn’t. Instead, he pats the inside of my thigh a couple of times. “Good girl. Stand.”

Thank God that’s over. I get up as quickly as I can, smoothing down my dress. I probably shouldn’t be thanking anyone just yet. There are still the punishments to go.

As if he reads my mind, Caleb lifts his flogger and swings it into his hand, his crooked smile full of promise. “Alright, Pet. This is the good part. Present in front of the stocks.” A shudder races down my back at his words.

I hurry over and get in position. I’ve already earned enough demerits. He follows, stopping next to me. I keep my gaze fixed forward, but I follow him in my peripheral vision. The anticipation has me on edge.

He lifts the upper part of the stocks, then catches my eyes with his. “I’d hate to damage that pretty dress.”

It’s not a command. Not quite a request either, but he’s giving me the choice, even if it’s not obvious to the people watching. For him, sure. For the others? If it’s what he wants. Why am I so certain? I’ll think about it later. For now, I just do.

“Master, may I take it off?”

He smiles. “You may, Pet.”

Crossing my arms in front, I take the bottom hem between my fingers and lift, peeling my dress up and over my head. For the moment while it passes over my eyes, I imagine what I look like, kneeling in just my underwear, in front of Caleb and surrounded by strangers. My nipples tighten up at the thought, the insides of my bra cups suddenly oddly rough against my sensitive nubs.

Then I can see again, and I don’t have to imagine anymore. They’re all there, watching us with big eyes. I’m so exposed, and it’s exciting and scary and embarrassing and sexy all at once. Wish I’d known earlier how much fun playing with Caleb was.

“Put your head and hands in the stocks.” His steely voice urges me forward. I get into position and he locks me in. My head and hands are trapped, and I can’t see anything of what’s going on behind me. All I can do is wait.

Thin leathery strands brush across my ass. The flogger. Here it comes. I close my eyes, anticipating the first strike, but he keeps stroking my skin with it instead. I got in here expecting punishment, and when it doesn’t come, it’s kind of strange. I want it, but he’s not delivering. Just teasing.

I can’t help it. I wiggle, chasing the tails of his whip with my ass, eager for sensation.

“Still.” His voice cuts through me, and I freeze. “I’ll tell you when you’re allowed to move.” He continues, to my frustration. To obey, ignore the touch of the flogger and hear what he’s saying, all at once is beyond difficult. “Four transgressions. Not using your mouth on the slippers. Dropping the duster. Not answering a direct question. Hesitating to obey. Think about what you’ve done.”

His touch disappears. I wait. And wait. Why isn’t he doing anything? Even the soft touch was better than nothing. It’s getting harder and harder to stay still. I’m so tense I’m vibrating.

“Good girl.” His soft voice soothes, just before he thwacks my ass hard with the flogger. I cry out, more in surprise than in pain.

He strikes again, and again, alternating sides, leaving scorching hot trails across my soft flesh. Down onto my thighs. Up on my shoulder blades. Rhythmic and steady, satisfying a need I didn’t realize had grown so deep. It’s been way too long.

I don’t care about the transgressions tonight. They’re just part of the game. If I hadn’t messed some things up, he would have made something up. But his punishment goes deeper. It drives feelings out of me that I’d bottled up. Jealousy, regret, anger. Every strike of the flogger strips out some of those negative emotions along with a layer of skin, peeling me bare.

I love it. There’s a release in it that I’ve missed. When I haven’t played in a while, I forget how good it is. Caleb’s doing a great job reminding me.

When he stops, I whimper. I’m not done. Not ready. I want more, but I don’t want to ruin his demo. He calls the shots.

“I’m afraid that’s all the time we have today.”

What? It can’t be. I’m nowhere near done. My moan of disappointment carries, to judge by some of the chuckles in the crowd. Laugh it up, jerks. You’re not the ones left hanging over here.

Caleb addresses the crowd. “This was a simple punishment, but I’ll be doing a session at Susan’s retreat next weekend on punishment strategies, where we’ll cover some more advanced and some pretty fun punishments. So if you guys are interested in more, sign up if you haven’t yet. It’s going to be a good time. Or a bad time, if you’ve been naughty.” The crowd laughs and begins to disperse, while I’m still stuck in the stocks, frustrated.

He makes me wait, but finally he comes over to let me out, a sexy grin on his face. “You did awesome, Viv. Thanks for helping me out.”

“Not like I had much of a choice. Thanks a lot for setting me up.” My voice drips with sarcasm.

He laughs, a rumble deep in his large chest. “Oh, you enjoyed it. I could tell.”

“You could at least have finished the job.” I find my dress and slip it back on. If he’s not going to fulfill his part of the deal, the show’s over.

“Think of it as a warmup.”

“Huh? A warm—”

“Caleb, that was wonderful!” A slightly heavyset woman approaches us, beaming with enthusiasm. Her round face is framed by a halo of curly blonde hair that seems nigh uncontrollable. “I’ve already gotten four more signups for the retreat.” That has to be Susan.

“Make that five.” A new voice breaks in and we all turn to find its owner. Dressed in a black silk shirt, black jeans and expensive-looking shoes, the man approaches with confident strides. “That was a captivating demo, Master Caleb. I’m very impressed.”

“Thank you. And you are?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m Mason.” He puts out a hand, which Caleb shakes. “I can’t wait to see what you have planned for the retreat.” His dark brown eyes find me, pinning me in place. Holy crap, that guy’s got intensity. “And your lovely assistant did an excellent job as well. Please tell me she’s coming too. You two work so wonderfully together.” He talks to Caleb but his eyes never leave me, like a predator stalking its prey.

“Oh yes! She should. You two are dynamite.” Susan turns to me. “I’m sorry, I’m being rude. I’m Susan Deangelo. What’s your name, dear?”

“Uh, Vivian.” This is all getting to be a bit much at once, between surprise slavery, retreat signups and intense admirers. And I thought this was going to be a normal day.

“Pleased to meet you, Vivian. I’m organizing the weekend retreat. You
are
coming, I hope. You and Caleb work so well together.”

“Um... I don’t know.” What’s my schedule again? And why am I actually considering this? “Actually, I think I have to work that weekend. New job, you know. I can’t miss days so early. I think Caleb will have to find someone else.”

Her face falls, but only briefly. She doesn’t strike me as a woman who dwells on disappointment for very long. “That’s too bad, dear. Hopefully you’ll do more demos here in the club, at least. You two look
so
good together.” Then she winks at me. What the hell? Does she really think we’re—.

Caleb clears his throat. “No worries. I’ll find someone to help me. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” He makes as if to leave, sounding as embarrassed about the attention as I feel.

Mason’s still focused on me. “What are
your
plans for the evening? I’d love to get to know you better after that performance.”

Caleb pauses at his words.

I laugh. “You don’t beat around the bush, do you?” To be honest, I’m not sure whether to be flattered or a little creeped out. He’s really handsome, though. Regular face, deep brown eyes, nicely styled black hair. Maybe he dyes it. He does seem to have a thing for black. I suppose I can’t say much with my bright red.

“I like to be direct. In control.” His voice carries an air of command, like he’s used to being obeyed or at least wants me to think he is.

I glance at Caleb. Whoa. That’s his bouncer face, and a stern one at that. Does he know something about this guy that I don’t? Mason’s pretty pushy, but he doesn’t seem that bad to me.

I turn to my surprise suitor. His eyes are so intense, it’s hard to meet them. Like you’re in a neverending staredown. I try. “Thank you, but I need to get to bed early tonight. I have to cater at a conference in the morning.” I hop down from the little stage to get closer to Caleb. “I hope you have a good time at the retreat, though.”

His smile doesn’t falter, but his look changes somehow. “Thank you. I’m sure I will. Maybe I’ll see you around here sometime.”

“Yeah. Maybe.” I turn to Susan. “It was nice to meet you. Good luck with your arrangement.” And then I’m out of there, hot on Caleb’s heels. As soon as we’re out of sight, I tap his arm. “Hey, who
is
that guy? You don’t seem to like him.”

He stops, looking past me like he expects we’re being followed or something. “Never met him before. Or seen him. Something about him rubs me wrong, though.”

I grin. “Sure you’re not... jealous? He did seem pretty interested in your lovely assistant, after all.”

His face softens as he looks down at me. “If only he knew how difficult she could be.”

“Hey!” I whack him in one on the arm. It’s like hitting steel.

“Alright, I’ve got to work. Sorry about cutting things short. Next time?”

I pout. “No aftercare, even?” His face falls, and I feel bad. I was mostly joking. Mostly. I put on a smile. “It’s alright. I know you have to work. It was just building up so nicely.”

“It was, wasn’t it?” He smiles apologetically. “I’m sorry, Viv. Next time I’ll set off time to do it right. That’s my fault.”

Next time. The more I think about it, the more I like the sound of it. He’s just turning to go when I stop him again. “Wait, didn’t you say that this was paid?” I hate asking stuff like that, but I do need the money.

“Oh right. Yeah, demo assistants get a fee. Eighty bucks an hour. Figured that might be better than the rates they pay you at the caterer.”

I blink. Yeah, that’s a bit more. “Wow. I take it you don’t have full time positions?”

He laughs. “Afraid not. They’re usually one-offs like this one. I’ll keep you in mind for more, though.” He shrugs, his massive shoulders shifting. “What are friends for, right? I’ll get the paperwork done tomorrow. Anyway, I have to get going. See ya.” He throws me a quick grin before he puts on the bouncer face. “Time to go be a tough guy.”

“You know you love it.”

“Oh, totally.” He turns and walks off, probably to find his work clothes. His broad naked back looks good, corded muscles writhing under his skin as he walks. I’ve never had quite so much of an appreciation for his hard ass as I do now. Then again, I’ve never seen it tightly outlined by tight leather pants either.

Friends. After that session, I have to admit some things that go well beyond plain old friendship are occurring to me. With Gabriel’s best friend, though? Might be more trouble than it’s worth. Oh well, I need to get home. The conference tomorrow wasn’t an excuse, and Diane will flip her shit if I’m late.