Desert Surrender

DESERT SURRENDER Melinda Barron

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Desert Surrender Melinda Barron This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author‟s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Published by Loose Id LLC 870 Market St, Suite 1201 San Francisco CA 94102-2907 www.loose-id.com

Copyright © May 2009 by Melinda Barron All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

ISBN 978-1-59632-923-2 Available in Adobe PDF, HTML, MobiPocket, and MS Reader

Printed in the United States of America

Editor: Maryam Salim Cover Artist: Marci Gass

Chapter One “That dress is hardly appropriate for this event, Clarissa. Perhaps you should take a moment and go home to change.” Clarissa Alexander ran her hands down her sides. The bright yellow evening dress was soft to the touch. It was tight, but the salesperson convinced her it was perfect for her. Low cut to show off her boobs, and high cut to display her long legs. She‟d picked this out specifically for this event, with the idea of rattling her mother‟s chain. She was happy to see it had worked like a charm. Clarissa wasn‟t the size 2 her mother wanted her daughters to be. Even after having children, her sisters were only a size 4. Clarissa was proud of her size 18 body, which was curvy and never failed to attract male attention. “Why, Mother? Because it shows off my luscious hips and bodacious boobs? Or because you can see one of my tats?” “Must you be so crude?” Her mother glanced around, and Clarissa knew she was looking to see if anyone was close enough to overhear them. “That dress is much too tight and much too low cut.” “Of course, how could I be so silly? We‟re the Alexanders”—Clarissa wrinkled her nose, then lifted her chin—“we have an image to protect, don‟t we?” “Yes, we do. My daughter looking like a common streetwalker at one of the biggest charity events of the year is hardly the image we want to project.” Clarissa snorted out a laugh. “On the contrary, Mother, a common streetwalker could never afford this dress. Besides, maybe some of the old codgers here will put a few more zeros on their checks if I let them see a little more cleavage.” Her mother closed her eyes for a few brief seconds, then signaled for a waiter, who appeared with a tray of champagne. Each of the ladies took a glass before the server disappeared. She watched her mother take a sip, then inhale ever so slightly, a

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move Clarissa knew was meant to help Lydia Alexander get her emotions under control. “Henry is here tonight.” “Bully for him.” Clarissa tipped her glass, taking half the contents in one swallow. “Your father is inviting him to our August outing in the Hamptons. He‟ll have the room next to yours.” “Oh goody. Maybe we can treat it like an old-fashioned Victorian house party, and he can come and hump me in the middle of the night.” Clarissa snapped her fingers. “Oh wait, that won‟t work, because I won‟t be there.” “Oh yes you will.” The steel in her mother‟s voice surprised Clarissa. “Your father has gone to great lengths to build you up to this young man. He‟s willing to overlook your…eccentricities…and date you with an eye to marriage. His family is well-heeled and he would be a perfect match. You‟re almost thirty, Clarissa, and it‟s time you lived up to your responsibilities to this family; it‟s time you married and started having children.” “Well, bully for me then,” Clarissa said before draining the rest of her glass. “Tell me, did Father tell him to look past the fact I‟m fat or that I‟m wild? Maybe he wants to check my teeth before he purchases me. Or wait, isn‟t Father purchasing him for me? Maybe I should check his teeth.” Her mother pasted a smile on her face and gave a small wave to a woman across the room. “Go home, Clarissa. Change your dress, and don‟t come back until you‟re wearing something more appropriate. I won‟t have you embarrassing your father at this event as you‟ve done at so many in the past.” Lydia left without saying another word, and Clarissa exchanged her empty glass for a full one, gazing around the room to see if there was anyone who could provide a spark of excitement. It certainly wouldn‟t be Henry Isaacs. He was good-looking enough, she supposed, but boring as the day was long. She imagined herself sitting across the breakfast table from him, his nose buried in the paper as she slathered a bagel with cream cheese. She would eat, and he would read, and they would speak only enough to ask someone to pass the sugar or the marmalade. They could be just like her parents: seen together just enough to keep up appearances before she went on a huge spending spree, and he went to work, then went to visit his mistress. “No, thank you,” she whispered to herself as she continued to scan the crowd. A slight wave caught her eye. Anna. Thank the heavens. Clarissa hurried across the room, smiling and exchanging greetings with people she knew. “Nice dress, Rissa,” Anna said, bussing her cheek. “It‟s very you.” “Thank you. My mother hates it.” “That‟s why you bought it, right?” “Exactly.”

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Anna flashed a grin at her. “You are so bad. Give the woman a break. She just wants grandchildren.” “No, not just any grandchildren, well-heeled grandchildren. Besides, both my sisters are popping out puppies. Why can‟t I enjoy myself before they force me to marry Henry Isaacs?” Anna gave her a sympathetic look. “He‟s not so bad, really. Nice-looking and lots of money. I hear he has an apartment in London. You could spend time there. I know you like England.” “Thanks for planning my marriage for me, or should I say my marriage avoidance. I want to find someone who loves me for me, just like you did with Loren. I bet you guys had sex before you came here tonight.” “I went down on him in the limo. He likes to leave the divider down so the driver can listen to me suck him off.” Anna licked her lips. “And he was delicious, down to the last drop.” Clarissa imagined Anna, her head in her husband‟s lap while his hands were buried in her hair, urging her to quicken her pace. Clarissa felt her nipples tighten at the image. Her nipple rings pressed against the tight bodice of her dress, making her sensitive buds ache with need. Damn, but she needed sex. Good sex. She wanted someone like Loren was with Anna, someone who loved her for herself and not for her copious amounts of money. She hadn‟t had sex in months. Almost seven to be exact…not since she‟d broken up with Serge, the Soho artist she‟d dated just to piss her parents off. In the end, he too was boring. Plus, he‟d started to ask questions about how much money her father actually had. At least he wasn‟t like the others, asking on the first date about her family‟s fortune. Serge had waited a month before broaching the subject of money. And he‟d been subtle about it, asking if he could “paint” one of her family‟s many houses, then asking exactly where those houses were. Clarissa had dumped him a month later. Why couldn‟t she be like her friend? Anna had found the perfect man, someone who had money of his own and loved her. Their other friends, though, were all married to someone who “fit the bill.” They would end up like her mother, alone most of the time with nothing more to do than visit stores and spend money. Clarissa was determined that wouldn‟t be her. She had two older sisters who‟d followed the same path and were now miserable. They were raising their children alone, while their husbands, who didn‟t really love them enough to marry but did it to increase their fortunes, lived their own lives. “I‟m jealous,” she said softly, taking a small sip of champagne. “Sorry,” Anna whispered. “Maybe Henry won‟t be so bad. Give him a chance.” “And condemn myself to a lifelong sentence of the missionary position? Not a chance. There‟s no way he‟d ever allow me to be on top. Ever. And I‟d be surprised if he‟d let me suck his cock.” She scanned the room, depression setting in. Maybe she should just go home. It would make her parents happy, and she had no desire to talk to

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Henry. If she stayed, she‟d be forced to interact with him. She examined every man; her gaze ran across, then back, to a man standing near Loren. Her always firm nipples tightened. Damn, where did he come from? Tall and muscular with dark blond hair, he wasn‟t classically handsome. He had a strong face that gave him an air of danger, a sense that he could handle just about anything that was put in front of him. She imagined he had blue eyes that could see straight through to her soul. The tuxedo encased his broad shoulders, and when he lifted a fat, unlit cigar to his mouth, she was treated to the sight of a strong, large hand. Her pussy twitched as she imagined his thick fingers pulling on her clit ring. Beside her, Anna was going on about how Henry might turn out to surprise her. “I mean really, Rissa, maybe you should…” Clarissa put her hand on her friend‟s arm to stop her talking. “Who is that?” She used her champagne glass to indicate the man with Loren. “I have no idea. He‟s handsome, though, in a rugged way.” “Let‟s go.” Clarissa grasped her friend‟s arm, and they started moving through the crowd. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her father, standing next to Henry. Their heads were bent together, and she could imagine the conversation about how if Henry and Clarissa were married, he could control what she wore to events like this. She would be damned if she would let anyone, especially Henry, control her. “Hi, darling,” Clarissa said, scooting up next to Loren and putting her arm around him. “You never call me anymore.” “You charged me with stalking, remember?” Loren gave her a wounded look. “You‟re violating the protection order right now.” “Oh, that‟s right. I remember now. I need someone to protect me from you.” She moved to the stranger, threaded her arm through the crook of his elbow. His body was hard and thick, and a zing shot through her, centering in her clit. “Will you defend me?” “Of course,” he replied, a grin tipping up the side of his mouth. “I‟ll be your knight in shining armor.” “Thank heavens.” Clarissa gripped the stem of her glass between her thumb and forefinger. She used her free fingers to fan her face. “He‟s such a meanie sometimes.” “Quit talking about my husband that way, you little witch.” Anna wrapped her arms around Loren‟s waist. “He‟s never a meanie.” They kissed softly; then Loren laughed. “Maddox Perry, may I present my wife, Anna, and her best, if not craziest, friend, Clarissa Alexander. Ladies, this is Maddox Perry. He owns the Moonglow Casino in Las Vegas and is here visiting with the Tremonts.” “Oh I love to gamble,” Clarissa said, tightening her grip just enough so that her breast pressed against his arm. He pushed back ever so gently. Nice signal, thank you. “It‟s so much fun.”

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“It can be,” Maddox replied. “If you‟re playing for the right stakes.” His rich voice sent shivers up her spine. Coupled with the fact that he hadn‟t pulled away from her, and she thought she just might have found herself a bed partner for the night. “Rissa loves roulette,” Anna said with a laugh. “In Monte Carlo she nearly lost every cent we had on us.” “I did not,” Clarissa replied. “It was just the money we‟d brought from the room that I lost.” “And I kept you from going to get more, if I remember right.” Clarissa pouted. “She‟s a meanie too.” “I‟m beginning to see a trend here,” Maddox replied. “Is everyone mean to you?” “Mostly. It‟s just not fair.” “Oh, poor thing. Perhaps you do need a protector.” He brought the cigar up to his mouth. “Stick with me for the evening, and I‟ll make sure you come through unscathed.” Next to them, Loren whispered something to Anna, then leaned forward. “Excuse us for a moment.” He led his wife away, and Clarissa batted her eyelashes at Maddox. “That Loren is so subtle.” “Very.” Maddox took the cigar from his mouth. “He‟s trying to be nice and polite, give us a moment alone.” “He‟s just happy because he got a blowjob on the way here.” “Lucky him.” He turned so they were standing face-to-face, and Clarissa mourned the loss of his warm body. “I wish I could say the same thing.” The smoldering look he gave her made her fingers tingle. “Well, you know the old saying, better late than never.” “So true.” The corner of his mouth twitched, and he offered her his arm. “Shall we?” “By all means.” She let him lead her across the room. She‟d thought he‟d go for the corner, where she knew there were smaller rooms that were probably not in use tonight. Of course he had no idea they were there, so she pressed against him and pointed. “Over there would be private.” “For what?” He kept steering her toward one of the bars. “For a, um…you know.” He stopped and placed his lips near her ear. “For you to give me a blowjob?” When her breath came back into her lungs, she whispered, “Yes.” “Maybe later.” They stepped up to the bar, and Clarissa felt a keen sense of disappointment. She‟d hoped to have nice, hard, nasty sex with him, right here and now.

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“I‟d like a scotch, neat, and the lady will have a butter baby.” “A very sweet drink, but not one that will get me looped if you‟re trying to get me drunk and take advantage of me.” She took the offered concoction of butterscotch schnapps and Irish cream and took a sip. “Very good.” She watched him store the cigar in his pocket, then grasp his drink in one hand. He took her hand in the other and walked toward a far wall where booths were set up. This part of the room was dark, lit only by candles on each table. Most of the tables were empty, and he claimed the last one in the line. When she sat down, he sat down right next to her, their legs pressed together. “It‟s so nice to meet a naughty girl like yourself.” She took a drink, then licked the rim of the glass, gazing at him as she did. His eyes narrowed in obvious desire, and she licked her lips. “If you thought it was nice to meet me, I‟d be using my tongue on you instead of on this glass. If we were someplace more private, I would be sucking your cock right now.” “You are wicked. I like that, very much. Being eager can be good, but I‟d like to savor the moment, let it build for both of us.” He leaned closer, kissed her cheek. “Is your clit pierced, as your nipples are?” “Would you like to see?” She inched up the dress, eager for him to touch her. Feel her. He grasped her hand to stop her movement. “Not yet. I‟d ask you to give me your panties, but something tells me you‟re not wearing any. Am I right?” “You‟re very astute.” Clarissa tried to wiggle out of his grasp, but he held her tight. “If I were wearing any, they‟d be yours.” “I have no doubt about that. Tell me a little about yourself, Clarissa.” She took a drink and inclined her head. “What‟s to know? I‟m Clay Alexander‟s daughter. The bad seed. I‟m sure you‟ve read about me.” “A few words, maybe. The tabloids love your exploits.” “They can‟t wait to see what I‟m going to do next.” She swirled her finger in her glass, lifted it out. Her tongue captured the drop of liquid hanging from the edge before she sucked her finger into her mouth. “Would you like me to trail liquid across your cock, lick it off?” “Are you trying to shock me?” “Is it working?” “No.” His hand moved to her thigh, and she murmured in appreciation. He trailed it up her skirt, tracing the elastic of her thigh-high stocking. “You look very beautiful. I love a woman who‟s not afraid to show off her beauty.” “Right.” She spread her legs to allow him access, but he didn‟t take the invitation, leaving his hand where it was. “My mother says I look like a harlot.” “You look like a woman who‟s not afraid to be a woman. I like that. And it‟s obvious you enjoy sex.”

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“Yes, very much.” She flashed him what she hoped was a coquettish look, taken aback by the look of pure lust he gave her. If he wanted her so much, why were they just sitting here? “Are you submissive?” That question made her eyes widen. She laughed nervously and shifted in her seat. “No. Sorry.” He pressed his lips to her ear, making her close her eyes in pleasure as his warm breath wafted over her. “With me you will be. Very submissive.” Her denial caught in her throat, refused to pass through her mouth. She wanted to tell him she‟d never be submissive, never allow herself to be subservient to any man. She knew that wasn‟t true. She‟d experimented with light bondage with a lover a few years back and had enjoyed it. It had been just light bondage, though. Somehow she knew Maddox wasn‟t talking about just tying her hands to a headboard. “I‟m sorry I‟m not the meek little thing you obviously want.” His hand was still on her thigh, the warmth driving through her. His words might trouble her, but his touch made her hot and very wet. “I‟m not looking for a „meek little thing.‟ I‟m looking for a woman who will give over power to me to bring us both extreme pleasure.” Clarissa giggled, knowing it made her sound foolish but not being able to stop it. She was too nervous to talk, and truthfully she wasn‟t sure how to form words to say what she felt at this moment. What could it hurt, really? He was just in town for a few days, and maybe it might be interesting to see what submission entailed, exactly. And if it meant sex, good sex, then she was all for it. “While you‟re thinking, let me ask you something, Clarissa. Do you usually orgasm with your lovers, or do they leave you hanging, having to take matters into your own hands?” Good heavens above, was she that transparent? How could he know that? She hadn‟t even told Anna that, keeping her lack of orgasms without batteries to herself. “I‟m not really sure what to say.” Her giggle was gone, replaced by nerves that grasped every fiber of her being. “Let‟s not say anything, then. Let‟s test your submission. Would you like that?” Her heart raced, and her mouth went dry. “What exactly are you proposing?” “It‟s easy, isn‟t it, when you‟re in charge of sex? The idea of giving a man you‟ve just met a blowjob didn‟t faze you at all, really. It fascinated you. The minute I asked for something more, you became nervous, frightened to give over.” “Yes.” What the hell was happening here? She‟d just wanted to suck his cock, not discuss feelings and exchanges of power. “Tell me what you‟re proposing.” “I‟m saying that for the next hour you‟re mine, to do with as I like. Agreed?”

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“Here? In the main room? We can go to my apartment or find an empty room. Or we could—” He held up one finger and shook his head. “No questions, no plans or suggestions given by you. I am in charge for one hour. Agreed?” He put an emphasis on the last word that made her stomach flip-flop. She should say no, tell him there was no way. Truthfully, this was the most exciting thing anyone had ever suggested, and she was fascinated. “Yes.” The word slipped out, and there was no way to bring it back. She lifted her gaze to his, noticing for the first time how truly blue his eyes were, almost like the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean. “Good. Now spread your legs and relax. This will bring us both great pleasure.”

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Chapter Two Maddox reached into his pocket, and Clarissa worried about what he‟d bring out. This little outing wasn‟t exactly going as she‟d planned. She‟d wanted to enjoy his company in the fashion of a nice quickie by sucking him off. She hadn‟t expected him to turn the tables, take control like he had. He‟d pulled a key ring from his pocket and was now taking something off it. “Hold out your hand.” She did as he asked, staring in confusion at the small coin he placed in her palm. It was about the size of a quarter and was attached to a lanyard hook with a small chain. “Is this some sort of prize?” “You could say that. We give them to our guests at the Moonglow. One of those free little trinkets that spreads advertising when people see it. It has a moon with our phone number on it.” “Is it for me?” “Yes. You‟re going to wear it on your pussy for the next hour.” He gave her a seductive smile. “I assume you have a slave ring on your piercing?” “Yes.” “I thought as much.” His hand moved back under her dress, slid over the elastic in her thigh-high stockings, and teased her bare pussy. Their gazes locked as she widened her legs just enough for his fingers to dip inside her pussy lips. He immediately found and tugged her clit ring. His hand moved lower, and Clarissa moaned softly. She couldn‟t have found a better man tonight than if she‟d designed him herself. He tugged again, and she thought she might come on the spot. “A piercing on each side of your inner labia. Very nice.” “Thank you.” Good Lord, this was exciting, more exciting than anything she‟d done in a long time.

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“Clean the coin.” She took a napkin, rubbed the coin down. It didn‟t weigh that much, maybe a few ounces. When she was done, she looked at him, trying to gauge his expression. It was blank, however, as he slowly slid his hand from underneath her dress. When he held out his palm, she placed the coin in there, gasping when he slipped his hand back under her dress and caressed her folds. Within seconds, she heard the faint click of the lanyard sliding over her slave ring. He let go of the coin and removed his hand. The plastic lay against her wet folds. She shivered as he raised his finger to his face, sniffed, then tasted her juices. “Delicious.” Clarissa felt strangely shy as she watched him. “Thank you. What now?” “You wear the coin for an hour. After that I‟ll find you.” “Find me?” Confusion filled her. “You don‟t want me to stay here with you during that hour?” “No. I want you to mingle, talk to people, be a party girl.” He leaned over and kissed her neck. “And I want you to think about the fact you‟re wearing my coin on your clit ring.” That got her attention. Her body tingled even though he was pulling away from her. “While you‟re talking to people you‟ve known for years, ponder what they would think if they knew what you had on under your dress, if they knew my coin rested in your folds.” He patted her thigh before taking a drink. “Go on, now. I‟ll sit and watch you for a little while.” Clarissa stood, running her hands down the sides of her dress. The coin moved slightly. It didn‟t weigh enough to pull on her ring very much, but she could still feel it, still knew it was there. The chain rubbed against her sensitive flesh, though not enough to trigger overwhelming desire. “One hour,” Maddox said. She turned, stopping when he called out her name. “One more thing. You may not bring yourself to orgasm, no matter how much you desire it. Do you understand?” “Yes, sir.” She saluted him, picked up her drink, and moved into the crowd of people. The coin moved against her, heightening her already tight sensations. It felt deliciously wicked to do something like this, especially with someone she‟d just met. It made her wonder about Maddox even more than she had when she‟d first seen him. What sort of man turned down a free blowjob to sit and watch a woman wander around a room with a coin hanging from her clit ring? One who knows how to build excitement, she knew, because that was exactly what was happening. Each step she took ratcheted up her desire to suck him, to let him do whatever he wanted to do to her. She smiled at people, stopping to talk to those she knew as she worked the room. What would some of these people say, she wondered, if they knew she had a key chain

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attached to her slave ring? It added to the allure of what she was doing, making her wetness flow more freely. If she wasn‟t careful, her thighs would feel like she‟d been out in the rain. “There you are.” Clarissa stopped in her tracks. Well, this was one way to stop the flow of wetness forming in her pussy. “Hello, Henry.” She turned a blank gaze to him. “Fancy meeting you here.” “Your father‟s looking for you. He wants to talk about the Hamptons week. I think he wants the two of us to ride up together, spend some time alone in the car.” “Don‟t get your hopes up, Henry. You‟re a nice guy and all that, but it‟s not happening.” Henry smiled like someone indulging a spoiled child. “One of the things your father likes about me is that he knows I‟ll be able to tame you. It will be fun.” Tame me. You and what army? “It will be”—she paused for effect—“not happening.” She tried to push past him, but he put his hand on her arm. What’s the harm in talking with him? She gazed up at the man her father had chosen as her husband. He was handsome enough, with dark hair and dark eyes, but when he touched her there was no spark. Not like what she‟d felt when Maddox had touched her. If anything, her nipples felt deflated when Henry touched her. He put his arm on the small of her back, propelling her in front of him. “He‟s over by the dais, waiting for a photographer to arrive.” “Of course, to mark the donation he made to this charity. What‟s this charity again?” The chain rubbed against her clit as she walked. A soft moan escaped her lips. Damn, that felt good. How good would it feel to go into the bathroom and get herself off, right now? Fantastic, that‟s how it would feel. She remembered his final words about keeping her hands off her pussy. “That school for underprivileged children. I can‟t remember where it is or what it‟s called.” Right. Focus, Clarissa, focus on what you’re doing, not what you’re feeling. She wondered if her father could remember the name of the charity. Probably not. His sizable donation would get him a photo in the newspaper, along with other donors. At least the money was going for a good cause. She made a mental note to write a check before she left, then spotted her father talking with a few of his cronies. Unlike her mother, when he spotted her, he smiled, shaking his head. She was sure it was at her choice of dress. “Hello, dumpling.” Crap, she hated that nickname. It was a constant reminder that he thought she was too fat. Every time he said the word it hurt, and she knew he thought it was a funny way to remind her she was fat. She‟d asked him a thousand times to stop, and he‟d only laughed, saying it was his pet name for her. Now he pulled her close, kissed her forehead. He always showed affection in public and rarely did it in private.

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“Hello, Father.” “I‟m glad to see you two found each other.” He patted her shoulder, hugging her closer. “I‟m sure you have lots to talk about to prepare for our trip. It‟s in less than a month, you know.” Clarissa knew it was no use arguing about this with her father. He would give her the standard, “We‟ll discuss it later, dumpling,” when she objected. “We can take my car,” Henry said. “I have a brand new Beemer. It will be nice to get it out on the road.” The men laughed, and Clarissa was about to tell Henry he could drive it up his backside for all she cared, when she caught sight of Maddox. He was leaning against a pole, his eyes fixed on her crotch. The coin in her pussy seemed to flare to life, almost as if it could burn her insides. Her clit throbbed, begging for attention. She shifted her hips, pleasure shooting through her as the coin caught in her folds and the chain pulled on the ring, rubbing it against her clit. Maddox licked his upper lip, then stroked his hand down his fly as if he were adjusting himself. Oh sweet heavens above, he’s hard. She shifted again, the movement making her clit ache even more. She wanted to touch him, suck him, have him fill her with every inch of him. “Dumpling, answer me.” Clarissa turned toward her father, who narrowed his gaze at her. “I‟m sorry, what?” Don’t think about your throbbing clit. Just ignore it, and the need will diminish. Right? “I said, you will go with Henry next Saturday to his firm‟s party. Do you hear me?” “Oh, I heard you.” She nodded at her father. I heard you. I processed the information. I let it fly in one ear and out of the other. Screw his damn party. “Good.” He father planted a kiss on the top of her head just as the cameraman arrived. “Henry, see to it she gets home tonight, will you?” “Of course, Clay.” Henry‟s chest seemed to puff out, and Clarissa wondered if his buttons would pop. Across the way, Maddox shot her a look that made her gasp for breath. Then he glanced at his watch and inclined his head toward the area where they‟d been sitting earlier. Had it been an hour already? No way. Her body tingled when Maddox gave her a slight nod. She turned to Henry and frowned. “Have a good night.” Before she could walk away, though, he put his hand on her arm, tightening his grip when she tried to pull away. “I told your father I‟d see you home.”

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“I don‟t need a babysitter. Thanks anyway.” When he wouldn‟t let go, she thought about slapping him but decided it would cause a scene, something she didn‟t want tonight. Finally she looked up at him and pasted a sweet smile on her face. “Listen, I have to pee. If you want to help, then by all means keep hold of my arm. If not, let me go.” The red spots that appeared on his face made her want to laugh. “I‟ll wait here.” “Excellent choice.” She hurried away, her heart dropping when she noticed Maddox wasn‟t in the same spot where he‟d been. The coin seemed to grow heavier as she walked, the feel of it pressed against her folds more erotic. The chain rubbed against her clit, and she thought if she just walked a little faster she would come, right in front of all these people. She stopped, her breathing just a little more labored than she cared for it to be. She needed sex. Now. If he didn‟t give her his cock the minute she saw him, she might die from need. Where was Maddox? She reached into her purse and pulled out her cell phone, checked the clock. Her hour wasn‟t up yet. In fact, it had twenty more minutes left on it. So what exactly was he doing? And where the hell had he gone? Maddox sat at the table, his gaze glued on Clarissa. It was obvious from the utter look of concentration on her face that she was close to orgasm. Good. He wanted her on edge, wanted her to feel the small claim he‟d put on her body. When she moved, she felt it more. It hadn‟t meant much when she was standing still, as she had been when she was talking to the two men. From the fatherly kiss the one had given her, he‟d decided he was just that: her father. He‟d seen photos of the store owner over the years, but seeing him tonight showed that the publicists were obviously only allowed to use older photos. The man was much older than what Maddox thought he would be. Of course he guessed Clarissa to be around thirty, and he knew she had two older sisters, one who was his age, thirty-six. Maddox had done his homework, because at one point he‟d been tempted to ask Clay Alexander if he wanted to open a boutique in Moonglow. He‟d dumped the idea, however, when he‟d heard murmurings about how elitist Alexander was. Maddox‟s casino wouldn‟t be good enough for the Alexander name. He wondered how the old man would feel when he realized Maddox had set his sights on his youngest daughter. He watched as she scanned the room, then strode toward her friend Anna. He could tell from the way she held her hands, almost clenched into fists, that she was fighting against the pleasure building inside her. Good. That meant the chain and coin served their purpose, kept her on edge. Of course, thinking about the chain rubbing her clit kept him on edge too. She was the ideal submissive. She just didn‟t realize it yet. Her adventurous nature was perfect, and

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he couldn‟t wait to see how she reacted to her first spanking, her first everything, for that matter. A smile tugged at his lips as he watched her look around for him, her hands on her generous hips. Her body was just right, luscious and full. Her dark hair would look beautiful when it hung down her naked back; her big brown eyes would seem even larger when she focused on her orgasm, on pleasing both of them. He glanced at his watch, then dug his cell from his pocket. He dialed a number from memory, then slugged back the rest of his scotch. “Yes, Master Maddox?” “Is that the way you answer a business phone?” Maddox shook his head in mock disgust, even though his friend Doyle Forster couldn‟t see him. “I hate caller ID. I want to make a purchase.” “Terrific. Want me to outfit a dungeon for you at your host‟s home? Does she have a free room? I‟d love to see the look on her face when you start moving stuff in.” “I have a dungeon at home, and I don‟t need one here, thank you very much. What I want is a selection of books, beginner‟s books, delivered to Clarissa Alexander‟s house. Do you know where she lives?” Doyle‟s whistle made Maddox laugh. “Shooting high these days, are you? And yes, I know where she lives. Her father owns a lot of property, but it‟s well-known she lives in one of his lavish apartments near the park. I‟m sure I can find an apartment number. Will tomorrow do?” “No. Tonight.” “What? I‟ve got a club to run, you know. I don‟t have time to fill your special order right now.” “It‟ll take you five minutes to pick out some books, put them in a box, and give them to a flunky to deliver. Five minutes.” He gave instructions on what to write on a card to place inside the box. “You owe me.” The phone clicked dead, and Maddox put it back in his pocket. Yes, he owed Doyle for the favor, and he owed Clarissa an orgasm. He would pay her debt right now. And they‟d both savor every second of it.

***** The press of a large, masculine hand against her back made Clarissa inhale sharply. “Come with me.” The commanding tone of his voice was like an aphrodisiac to her already overheated body. Where had he been? She‟d looked for him, and when she couldn‟t find him, she‟d asked Anna and Loren if they‟d seen him. When they‟d answered no, she‟d gone hunting again, only to have him sneak up behind her like this. “Come where?”

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“No questions, remember?” Oh yes, she remembered. She also knew wherever they went, he‟d better bend her over and give her exactly what she needed. His cock. “This thing is driving me insane. At first it wasn‟t so bad, but now, every step I take inches me closer to coming.” He didn‟t answer, instead leading her toward a door, which he quickly opened and closed behind them. They were in a smaller room, complete with a bar. “How did you find this place?” “Go to the bar.” “Say please.” She turned toward him, hoping to see a smile on his face. Instead, he frowned. “Go to the bar.” The commanding tone was back, and she swallowed hard. “Fine.” She walked slowly, swinging her hips in an exaggerated manner. The chain rubbed her clit, and she wondered again if it would get her off. “Shall I bend over and lift my skirt?” “No. Stop when you get there and turn to me.” She did as he asked, running her fingers along the edge of her neckline, over the swell of her breasts. “Shall I get on my knees?” “Did you remember the part where I said no questions?” “That was for the hour. It‟s over now, isn‟t it? Easiest hour I ever spent.” “Really? So you didn‟t want to come? Didn‟t feel the coin or the chain?” The giggle was back, and she hated it. “Of course I felt it. And I wanted to come, but I was a good girl and didn‟t. Do I get a reward?” “Indeed. Lift your skirt up over your hips.” “With pleasure.” She pulled the skirt up, holding it with one hand while the other strayed to her pussy. “No. Hands off.” Clarissa glanced over at him. He hadn‟t moved an inch away from the doorway. “What?” “Spread your legs and just stand there, on display for me.” Shock ran through her, and she tried to process what he‟d just said. He wasn‟t going to touch her? Just look? “But…” “Shush, do as I say.” For a split second, she thought about saying no. She‟d just worn his coin for an hour, and now he was just going to look at her? Was there something wrong here? Was he setting her up for potential embarrassment? Was someone hiding with a video camera? If something like this made it on the Net, her father would never forgive her. He had enough troubles dealing with photos of her at parties or clubs. If he saw one of her standing in high heels with her dress around her waist, he‟d probably die of embarrassment.

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“Maybe this isn‟t a good idea.” He walked toward her slowly, his steps measured. “Don‟t you want to come?” “Yes, but—” She glanced around the room. He stopped in front of her, placed his hand on her hip. “Lift up your skirt.” His touch felt like fire, even through the dress. All thoughts of pranks ran away, and she focused her gaze on his mouth as she gathered her skirt in her hands and inched it upward. The material rustled against her stockings, the feeling decadent and oh so sexy. “That‟s a good girl.” He stroked her hip, lifting his hand long enough for her skirt to rise above her hip, and then he got down on his haunches, his breath hot against her pussy. “So beautiful,” he whispered, his fingers tracing her slit. “Somethi ng tells me it won‟t take much for you to come.” He parted her lips, stroked his index finger over her clit, and pulled on her ring. Clarissa soared, her orgasm rolling through her body rapidly. She braced one hand against the bar, the other still holding up the skirt as she bucked against his hand, trying to increase the pressure. “Yes. More please, more.” He leaned forward and blew on her clit, his hot breath on her wet folds making her shiver. He tugged on the coin, and she came again, feeling as if she could melt right on the spot. It took her a few moments to realize he was standing now, watching her intently. “You‟re very beautiful.” She dropped her skirt and wrapped her arms around her chest. “Right. I know better.” What was wrong with her? She never felt this way after sex, never allowed this close contact. Of course they hadn‟t really had sex, had they? He still had his clothes on, and he‟d seen her half-naked. “We‟ll work on that.” He winked at her, and she smiled back. “We will?” “Oh yes. That and much more.” Their gazes locked, breaking only when the door to the room opened. “There you are. What are you doing in here?” “Henry, go away.” Heat flooded her as she realized what he would have seen if he‟d opened the door just one minute earlier. “What are you doing here anyway?” “I told your father I‟d see you safely home. When you didn‟t come back from the restroom, I got worried. Stuart said he saw you come in here.” “Wonderful.” Henry crossed the room, stuck out his hand. “Henry Isaacs. Clarissa‟s fiancé.” “Wrong.” She pushed Henry‟s hand away before Maddox could take it. “You are not my fiancé.” “I will be.”

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“Wrong again.” She cleared her throat, then stepped away from them. “I‟m leaving. Maddox, would you escort me home?” “That‟s my intention, Clarissa.” Henry put his hand on her arm, and she shrugged him off. “Go away, Henry. I‟m not interested in you seeing me home, no matter what you said to my father. I‟m a grown woman and can do as I please.” She looped her arm through Maddox‟s, and they started for the door. She wasn‟t surprised when Henry didn‟t say anything or call out for them to stop. If anything, he was as conscious of appearances as her parents and wouldn‟t want to make a scene. They stopped at the front to pick up her wrap, then stepped up to the taxi queue outside. Maddox opened the door to the first one, then helped her inside. He bent down to lean in when she was seated. She stared at the card he produced. “What is that?” “My phone number. Call me tomorrow.” “What? You‟re not coming home with me?” “No, not tonight. I want you to—” She shook her head violently. “Are you kidding me? You get me all worked up and then it‟s good-bye? I don‟t give a crap what you want. I want some sex. Now.” “You just had an orgasm, if you remember. Tomorrow we can—” “You know what, screw you.” She gave the driver her address. “It was fun. Goodbye.” “Clarissa, listen to me—” “No. You listen to me, you big ass.” She pulled on the door handle. “You‟ve got about ten seconds to get away from this door before I slam it, and any body part of yours that is nearby gets caught in the action.” He moved his fingers from the car door. “As you wish. We‟ll talk later.” She sneered at him. “Doubtful.” He moved, and she pulled the door shut. Tears stung her eyes as the driver eased into the traffic. Damn men. She hated them. Hated them all and their overwhelming urge to try and tell her what to do. Even one she‟d just met. She‟d be damned if she‟d be bossed around by him or anyone else. “Maybe I should go back to being a lesbian.” She snorted. “With my luck, though, I‟d find another woman who wanted to tell me what to do all the time.” “What?” The driver glanced back at her. “Nothing. Just drive.” She‟d had such high hopes for tonight. At least she got two good orgasms out of him before she figured out Maddox Perry was a huge jerk. She shifted in her seat, then moaned when she realized the coin key chain was still attached to her clit ring. “Great. A Las Vegas souvenir, and I didn‟t have to make a trip there. Lucky me.”

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Chapter Three Clarissa slid the key ring over her index finger and let the coin drop down. It twirled slightly, then stilled, and she focused on it, once again questioning her sanity. He rejected you, Clarissa. What are you doing here? He also gave me a fantastic orgasm and made my fingers itch to touch him. Maybe I’m just a glutton for punishment and want to see what he’ll do next. Or maybe… “Can I get you a drink?” Clarissa lifted her gaze to the pretty cocktail waitress standing next to her. The blonde smiled, her blue eyes twinkling. “Why not? How about a”—she paused in the act of ordering her usual gin and tonic, her mind going back to Maddox—“a butter baby. I don‟t want just a shot. I want a full-size drink.” “Excellent. I‟ll be right back.” She bounced off, and Clarissa wondered briefly if she had springs in her shoes. Being happy and chipper probably meant she got better tips from the gamblers, but being on her feet for so long was tough. Not that this waitress showed any fatigue. She‟d stopped at another table, laughing at something someone said. The place was packed, and Clarissa thanked whatever forces governed the Moonglow reservations desk. She‟d been able to walk in and find a room without a reservation. Even the clerk had seemed shocked when she‟d announced a suite had come open at the last minute. When she‟d quoted the price, Clarissa hadn‟t blinked, simply handed her a gold card. She‟d been very impressed with the casino upon first inspection. The building itself was in the shape of a crescent, with fountains shaped like stars in the center. Inside, everything was sleek and clean, decorated in black and glass. The furniture was all in black, sitting on beautiful cream-colored carpet. The walls were all mirrors. The outside wall of her room was full glass, leading to a balcony that gave a great view of the Las Vegas strip. Definitely prime real estate, proving her Internet search of Maddox

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Perry provided good information. He was loaded, which meant he wouldn‟t be after her for her money. If he deigned to be after her at all, that is. Clarissa glanced around the bar, wondering if she should go upstairs, collect her unpacked luggage, and get back on a plane to New York. After all, Maddox didn‟t know she was coming, and she wasn‟t sure of the reception she would get. She hadn‟t exactly been pleasant to him last weekend. She thought back to their encounter, to her mind-blowing orgasm and the ensuing interruption from Henry, then the horrible incident at the taxi stand. Then she‟d come home to find a box of books all dealing with the subject of BDSM. There had been a handwritten note inside, telling her to call when ready. There was no doubt the books had been sent before she‟d called him an ass. Not just an ass, Clarissa, a big ass. She stared at the coin, running her tongue over her lower lip. If she went to his office to say hello, he would probably tell her he didn‟t need the aggravation and for her to pack up and go home. That idea was humiliating, even if she did deserve it. “Here you go. Four dollars, please.” The waitress set down a tall glass full of light brown liquid, and Clarissa opened her purse, handed the woman a ten. “Keep the change.” The waitress‟s eyes brightened even more. “Thanks. Been lucky, have you?” Not yet. “I just arrived, actually.” Do you happen to know if your boss is in a good mood today? “Well, I hear the slots are paying out heavy today, and somebody hit it big at the wheel. Have a good time, and let me know if you need anything else.” The blonde winked at her and bounced off to another table. Clarissa had no doubt she told customers that same information every day in an effort to get them to gamble. From the bells and whistles filtering into the bar from the casino, there was no doubt the practiced ploy worked. Maybe she should find a slot machine, sit down, and play a little to calm her nerves. Or some blackjack might work too. She‟d never been much for roulette after her disastrous try in Monte Carlo. She took a sip from her drink and made an appreciative moan low in her throat. Or maybe she‟d just sit here and have a few more of these until she worked up the courage to go to Maddox‟s office and apologize for her behavior. What would he say? From the little she knew about him, it seemed he would accept her apology and then maybe take her over his knee and spank her. That could be fun. Lots of fun. Maybe he‟d fuck her this time. She hoped so, because she‟d dreamed of little else all week while she‟d been reading the books he‟d sent her. Well, that wasn‟t exactly true. She‟d dreamed of lots of things, involving ropes and clamps, paddles and whips. They‟d always ended in fucking, her bent over while he pounded into her. He always held a leash attached to a collar wrapped around her neck, holding it tight. Of course he‟d used that same leash to whip her before he fucked her.

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Clarissa shifted on her seat, her pussy tingling as she thought of the wonderfully nasty things she wanted Maddox to do to her, of the amazing orgasms those things would produce. She took another, longer, drink from her glass, then gasped slightly when the chair next to her was pulled out and a man sat down. Her eyes widened as she focused on Maddox‟s face, his expression unreadable. “Surprise.” She laughed softly. “I—” He held up a finger, shaking it back and forth. “You will remain silent until I address you.” A week ago she would have told him to go to hell. Today, with the words from the books he‟d sent still swirling in her mind and her clit pulsing at the sight of him, she clamped her mouth shut. “Nicole.” He signaled for the waitress, who bounced over. “A club soda, please, and a deck of cards.” “Yes, Mr. Perry.” Clarissa watched her leave, then turned to Maddox. “How did you know I was…” She closed her mouth again when he lifted an eyebrow at her. “Sorry.” He nodded, then lifted her hand from the table. The key chain dangled down from her finger, and she swallowed hard as he looked first at it, then at her. “I believe this belongs somewhere else.” Clarissa almost came on the spot as he fingered the coin. “Did your pussy grow tired of it?” “No, I just…” Just what? She couldn‟t think of an appropriate response, so she repeated the first thing she‟d meant to ask him. “How did you know I was here? Did you just come to the bar and see me?” “No, the staff told me.” A feeling of dread snaked through her. He‟d told his employees to be on the lookout for her? Maybe the suite had been waiting for her. Maybe he‟d expected her to come. She wasn‟t exactly sure how she felt about that. “We keep a few suites open, for high rollers. When an unknown woman comes in without a reservation, lays down a gold card, and doesn‟t bat an eye at the price of the room, the staff becomes a little suspicious. They think you‟re either a whale that no one knows about or someone using a stolen credit card that just hasn‟t been reported yet. Either way, they contacted me.” “They‟re well trained.” “Very.” He nodded as Nicole put down his drink and cards, then left after bestowing another wink on Clarissa. “She‟s very perky.” “Yes, she is.” He unwrapped the cards, pulled them from the cardboard, and shuffled them between his fingers. She watched them carefully, wishing those fingers were on her clit, making her come as he‟d done last weekend. “Go to the bathroom and put the coin on your clit ring, and don‟t waste any time. We have things to do.”

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She gave him a seductive smile. “Shouldn‟t we go up to my room? Or your office?” “Do as you‟re told.” The dark tone of his voice made her body tingle, and she stood. “And Clarissa? Don‟t come.” She looked down to where he continued to move the cards between his hands. “Are you kidding me? One tug on my ring to attach the coin, and I might just shoot off into the atmosphere like a rocket.” “Don‟t. Come. Now go.” He nodded his head in the direction of the far wall, and Clarissa didn‟t hesitate. If she stood there much longer, she thought the look in his eyes might make her climax on the spot. She found the bathrooms easily, grateful they were mostly empty. She took the stall against the wall, leaning against it as she locked the door. Her body pulsed with energy, and she wanted nothing more than to reach under the skirt of her sundress, tug her ring, and let her orgasm take over. She was determined, though, to do as he asked. She waited a few minutes, hoping the danger would pass. When the sensations of impending climax subsided, she bent at the waist, spread her legs slightly, and found her clit ring. She wasn‟t wearing panties; she never did unless she wore pants. Her fingers fumbled with the hoop a few times, and the tingly feeling started to grow. She finally pushed the key chain onto the slave ring and wound it around, letting the coin fall into her folds. She stood still, afraid if she moved, the feeling of the coin in her pussy, the slight pull on her ring, would make her come instantly. That was not what he wanted, although it would thrill her to death. What had the books said? A good sub only climaxes when her master allows it. And that‟s what she wanted, right? To play submissive to his Dominant? That‟s why she was here. Clarissa concentrated, breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth. After a few long, painful minutes, she tentatively rubbed her thighs together, praying she didn‟t orgasm from the friction. When she didn‟t, she came out of the stall, washed her hands, and headed back to the table, sitting down quickly. Their chairs had been moved so that they were facing each other. There was a fresh drink sitting next to her partially filled glass, and she smiled at Maddox, who glanced at his watch. “Seven minutes.” He gave her a questioning glance. “That‟s a long time to do one simple task. Were you a good girl?” “Yes.” He started to shuffle the cards between his hands again. “Good.” A slight smile tugged at his lips, and she smiled shyly in return. “It‟s good in two ways: I followed your instructions, or I enjoyed every second of my orgasm. You have to decide which.” The grin tugged harder at his lips, and she watched as he set the cards down, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a tin cigar case. He cracked the top, stuck the

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cigar in his mouth, and put the tube back in his pocket. He picked the cards back up and shuffled them more before fanning them out on the table. “You know, all you need is one of those little green hats and we can play some strip poker.” He took the cigar out of his mouth and focused on her face. “Pick a card.” “Card tricks? I want to talk about orgasms, and you‟re doing card tricks?” Frustration swept through her. “You know, if you‟re not interested in me just let me know. Maybe I misread the gift you sent, the books. Why did you have me put the key chain back on? I mean—” He held up his hand, jerking the unlit cigar in her direction, and she stopped talking. “Pick. A. Card.” “Why?” He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “Why are you here? Did you come to apologize or to play?” “Both.” The word came out of her mouth in a rush. “Good. Your apology is not really necessary. I have very fond memories of the last time we were together, and watching you come far overshadows you calling me an ass. Now, pick a card.” Clarissa let her fingers dangle over the cards, moving back and forth before she finally picked one out. She held it up for him to see. “The ace of spades.” He leaned back. “You pick them well. I consider that a wild card.” “Wild card? What does that mean?” “It means I can assign the number.” Before she could ask what he meant, he signaled to someone standing behind her. A man in a well-cut gray suit came up, nodding in Maddox‟s direction before smiling at her. “Clarissa, this is Andrew Lockhart, my second in command. Andrew, this is Clarissa Alexander, and before you ask, yes, she‟s that Clarissa Alexander, bad little rich girl.” “A pleasure.” Andrew‟s green eyes twinkled as he looked at her. Clarissa took his outstretched hand and tried to look innocent. “They‟re all lies, you know. Everything you‟ve read.” “That‟s too bad,” Andrew replied. “I rather liked the stolen moped story from Italy.” Clarissa barked out a laugh. “Well, maybe that one is true.” “I have a feeling they‟re all true,” Maddox said with a playful shrug. He turned to Andrew. “Please have a bellhop take Ms. Alexander‟s luggage and place it in the trunk of my car. Make sure to take all charges off her credit card.”

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He turned to Clarissa. “You have a rental?” “Yes.” He watched her intently for a long minute, then turned to Andrew. “Have it returned to whichever agency it‟s from.” Clarissa opened her mouth to object, closing it when he tipped the cigar toward her. “Yes, sir.” Andrew tipped an imaginary hat. “Ms. Alexander, we‟ve enjoyed having you as a guest at the Moonglow. Please come back and see us anytime.” “A guest for all of two hours,” Clarissa said as he walked away. “And I‟d like to keep my car.” “I have one you can use during the day.” He scooped up the cards and put them back in the case. “A little measure of control,” she whispered, looking up to him for confirmation. When he just gave her a slight smile, she looked at her card. “Are you not worried that everyone will know we‟re fucking?” “We haven‟t fucked. Yet.” He put the cigar back in his mouth. “Do you ever smoke that thing?” “One a week,” he said around it, chewing on the end. “Why only one?” “It‟s a guilty pleasure,” he replied. “If I allowed myself to smoke more than that, it would become a habit. My discipline helps me to enjoy the one I allow myself.” “I see. Does that mean you‟ll only fuck me once a week?” Amusement made the edges of his eyes crinkle. “No, you‟re about to become my favorite habit. You‟ll get my dick more than once a week.” Pleasure shot up her body at his words. She rotated her hips, the coin resting in her pussy, rubbing her soft folds. “Then fuck me. Please.” “Not yet.” He leaned forward, placed his hand on her knee, and slowly slid it under her dress. His thumb caressed the inside of her thigh, and he gently squeezed the soft flesh. “Don‟t worry, you‟ll get my dick. In your pussy, your mouth, and your ass, but all in good time. We have things to discuss first, and I have a meeting in twenty minutes. I won‟t be done here until around seven. Why don‟t you do some sightseeing? Or if you don‟t want to do that, I keep a room here. Andrew will let you in.” “Maybe that‟s what I‟ll do. I can go play with my pussy while you work.” She licked her lips, a little disconcerted when he didn‟t respond as she‟d hoped. “No, that‟s against the rules for the afternoon. You can sightsee or gamble or drink, eat, watch TV. You will not touch your pussy for pleasure until we see each other again. The same goes for your breasts or your ass. Do I make myself clear?” Clarissa nodded. He narrowed his eyes slightly, and she whispered, “Yes.” “Yes, Sir.”

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“Yes, Sir.” Pleasure swept through her again, and she wondered how she would make it through the afternoon without an orgasm. Her body felt as if it were on fire. He stood and cupped the back of her head, caressing her neck through her hair. He kissed her forehead, then put his lips near her ear. “Meet me here at seven.” Maddox took a few steps away, stopping when she called his name. “What‟s the card for?” She held up the ace of spades. “You‟ll find out. And I think you‟ll be very pleased with it.” He moved off, and she sat down, twirling the card between her fingers. When his voice sounded in her ear, she gasped. “Make sure you drink lots of water. It will be rather hot outside today, and I don‟t want you to dehydrate before I can claim you properly.” This time she turned to watch him walk out of the bar. It was hot outside? If someone took her temperature right now, it would probably read a hundred and two. She had a feeling by the end of the day it would shoot even higher.

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Chapter Four Maddox checked his watch, then glanced at the doorway to the bar. It was now ten after seven, and Clarissa wasn‟t back. That didn‟t surprise him too much. Once a person got on the strip it was easy to lose track of time while you were checking out the various casinos and other tourist sites. He had no doubt in his mind that Clarissa wasn‟t the type to live by the clock. She was going to have to learn about punctuality, though. If a person was two or three minutes late, that was one thing; five minutes was pushing it. Ten minutes was over the line, though. A thought lingered in the back of his mind that she hadn‟t taken well to their earlier meeting and had decided to bail on him. She was intrigued, obviously, by the idea of submission, but the actual physical and mental aspects of it might send her running. No, he corrected himself, not the physical part, but the mental part. If therewas one thing he knew from what he‟d seen and read about her, Clarissa was a free spirit who refused to be caged in. Of course he had no plans on caging her in. He loved her spirit and the challenges that would come from topping her. There was nothing worse, to him, than playing Dom to a sub who gave in to every little thing asked of her without putting any thought into the why of it, the outcome. He didn‟t want someone he could lead around by the nose. He wanted a sub who was a challenge. And Clarissa was just that. Another glance at his watch showed it was now sixteen minutes after seven. He would ping her on her cell phone, but he didn‟t know the number. He thought for a minute that she might be in his room, resting. A call to the desk showed the room had been accessed once since he‟d left it at eight this morning, and that was at ten by the housekeeping staff. He hadn‟t expected company today, but hearing her name from the desk clerk had made him sit up straighter and had sent blood rushing from all other parts of his body

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straight to his cock. He‟d finished a few odds and ends to get ready for his meeting, then called the desk to see where she was. A quick check showed she‟d left her room a half hour earlier. The clerk had noticed the famous heiress going into the Rising, one of the many bars at the casino. Maddox had no doubt his employee hadn‟t been the only one to notice the playgirl roaming around the hotel. He was sure the local media had been alerted and would be on the prowl to see if Clarissa raised any hell, which she inevitably did in the cities she visited. This visit would be different, though. Once he had her ensconced in his house, he planned to keep her busy there. She wouldn‟t have much time to raise hell. Another glance at his watch. It was now seven twenty-five. He wasn‟t used to waiting. Clarissa could use a little discipline in her life. He imagined her tied to the rack in his dungeon, aroused but unfulfilled, nipples hard, a weight hanging from her clit ring. She would beg to be touched, twisting as much as her bonds would allow, searching for his hands, his lips, his cock. Please, Maddox, please, fuck me, make me yours. “Damn it to hell.” He whispered the words as his cock pounded painfully under his pants. He needed to get himself under control before she arrived. If this afternoon‟s meeting hadn‟t been so important, he would have blown it off, taken her up to his room, and fucked her mouth before bending her over to ponder his choices: pussy or ass? He would inevitably choose the latter. He loved to fuck a woman up the ass, especially one with such generous hips. He imagined her whimpers, her pleas for more as he slid in and out. Fuck! If he wasn‟t careful, he‟d come the second she touched him. If she ever got here, that is. It was another ten minutes before he saw her at the doorway, glancing around. Her face was flushed, as if she‟d had just a little too much sun. She saw him, and a smile crossed her face as she hurried across the room, her arms laden with several packages. “Sorry. I lost track of time.” “I noticed.” He gave her an indulgent smile. “Did you enjoy yourself?” “I did, as a matter of fact.” She slid onto the stool next to him. “Where else in the world can you go from Paris to Monte Carlo to Egypt in the span of a few hours?” “Only Las Vegas.” He pulled out his phone, flipped it open. “Send a bellhop to me in the Rising.” When he‟d flipped it shut, he took the packages and set them on the counter. “Thirsty?” “Yes.” “Monica, a butter baby for Ms. Alexander and a club soda for me, please.” When the waitress was gone, he turned to Clarissa. “Do you not drink?” He could tell she was thinking back to their first meeting, trying to remember if he‟d had a drink or not.

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“Not at work, no. And never when I have to drive.” He held up a hand to signal the bellhop, then gathered her packages and handed them to the young man. “Put these in my car.” He watched as she handed the man a five-dollar bill. “It doesn‟t look like you bought out the city. I expected much more.” “Only a few things. I like to shop.” “So I‟ve heard.” He handed her a drink and took a sip from his own. “What sort of clothes did you bring with you?” She looked a little taken aback at his question, then shrugged. “Vacation-type clothes. Sundresses and things that I wouldn‟t sweat to death in. Why?” “We‟re going to Laughlin this weekend, and there will be at least one formal dinner. You may need to shop tomorrow for something to wear.” The pleasure that bloomed across her face made him smile. “Something like what I wore last weekend or something more conservative?” “I rather like the dress from last weekend. Why don‟t you send for it? Today‟s Monday, and I‟m sure it can be here by Wednesday. You can ask your friend Anna to send it.” “I can do that. Will your friends be shocked by seeing my boobs and my tats?” “On the contrary, both of them will be a pleasant diversion for many of the people there. Give us good dinner conversation.” She fidgeted nervously. “I didn‟t think about you having plans. I should have called. I can leave and come back when you‟re not busy.” Maddox leaned toward her. “I‟m always busy. And if you think you‟re doing a fuck and run, you‟re nuts. You read the books, and that‟s why you‟re here. And you‟re going to be here for a few weeks at the very least. Months would be better.” Delight shone in her eyes, and he held out his hand. “You have the card?” She reached into her purse, dug out the ace of spades, and flipped it around for him to see. “Are you going to tell me what it means?” “Later.” He downed his soda, then stood. “Let‟s go home, shall we?”

***** Home. He made it sound like she went there with him every day, instead of this being the first time for her to ride beside him in a car as he traveled down the highway. “Do you live in Vegas proper or one of the suburbs?” “I live in Henderson, but don‟t call it a suburb. It‟s a town, nice and quiet with lots of golf courses. I like to golf. What about you?”

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“Nope. Sorry.” She fiddled with her seat belt. “That‟s one of those things my parents like to do. I judged it on that alone, I‟m afraid.” “You‟re allowed to not like it. Having the same hobbies as her Dom is not a prerequisite for being a good sub.” She murmured softly, then cleared her throat. “Speaking of which, what is expected of me?” “We‟ll get to that. Relax and enjoy the ride. It‟s beautiful here.” “I hate to be the one to break this to you, but we‟re in the desert.” She looked out the window. “It was a hundred and three degrees today.” “Yeah, but it‟s a dry heat.” They both chuckled at the overused expression. “It really is pretty, and it‟s so different from New York where buildings are wallto-wall. There are actually spaces in between these homes.” “Yeah, I know.” There was a wistful tone to his voice that surprised her. “I can go back to New York every once in a while for a visit, but I could never live out there again.” “Again?” She turned to him. “You have no New York accent.” “We moved to Vegas when I was twelve, but I spent every summer in New York with my grandmother.” “And who is she?” “Jessica Tremont.” “Oh my, she‟s richer than God.” She cleared her throat. “I‟m sorry, that was rude. I‟ve heard she‟s been ill.” He nodded. “That‟s why I was in New York last weekend. She loves me, but I‟m the bad seed, running a gambling establishment where hookers probably work, or so she thinks. She blames my father for how I turned out, because he moved us away from New York. She wants me to sell and move „back home,‟ to take care of her. I tried to tell her I am home, and that she has my mother to take care of her. She wasn‟t buying any of it.” “Your mother would be Nadine Tremont then?” “Yes. When she and my father divorced, she went back to being a Tremont.” He exited the highway and drove into a residential area. Palm trees lined the streets. She guessed the houses sitting far off the curbs went for a half million each, easily. “I can‟t believe I didn‟t put two and two together. And here I thought you might want me for my money.” “Nope. I just want to play with your body.” “You know how to make a girl feel all tingly inside.” She licked her lips. “If you want my body, how come you didn‟t have me get naked on the drive over?” He pulled into a driveway and hit a button on a remote built into the car‟s roof. The garage door started to rise, and he turned to her. “Thought about it, but I don‟t

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want to do anything that might get me sent to jail. I have a gaming license to protect, remember?” “Oh.” She studied the stucco house in front of them. Two story, with dark wooden shutters flanking each window. The lawn was immaculate with yucca plants and some very colorful flowers in a garden that lined either side of the walkway to the front door. “You must pay your gardener a fortune.” “Nope. I do it myself. Stress reliever.” He pulled the car into the garage and put it in park. He killed the engine, then turned to her. “Before we start, I want to give you a safe word. If, at any time, you want to stop what we‟re doing, you say the safe word and I‟ll stop. I‟ve selected „spoiled‟ for you.” “Nice.” She laughed and shook her head. “Lets me know what you think of me right off the bat.” “No, it‟s a word that you wouldn‟t normally use while having sex, yet it has been used in connection with you, so it will be easy to remember.” “Okay, that makes sense.” “I‟m glad you think so. And speaking of naked, which we were earlier, take it off.” “Here?” “You‟re going to have to learn not to question what I say. Yes, here.” She glanced back at the open garage door. “What about the not doing things in public?” “We‟re not in public, we‟re in my garage.” He studied her carefully, and she felt as if he already knew what she looked like without her clothes on. “Take it off.” “What if a neighbor comes up? Or—” “Now.” The dangerous look in his eyes made her pussy clench. She was already wet; she had been pretty much all afternoon from wearing the coin. She wiggled the dress up over her hips, then lifted it over her head, tossing it into the backseat. “Delicious.” The look in his eyes had turned to full-blown lust. “Tip the seat back so you‟re lying down.” It took her a minute to find the button, and as the seat reclined under her, she moved with it, her body opening up for him to see. She felt her skin flush under his appraisal, and when she was lying down, he tugged on her belly button ring, then traced the tat of the flaming sun that ringed her belly button. “Which one came first?” “The tat.” “I like it.” His hands moved up to her breasts, cupping first one and then the other, weighing them in his palms. “And the turtle on your shoulder, the one I saw last weekend?”

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“I love turtles. They‟re fascinating animals that can hide from the world when they want. Sometimes I want to do that; hide, I mean. It‟s my newest tat, barely three weeks old.” “How many altogether?” He tugged gently on a nipple ring, then moved his hand to the other, giving the ring the same treatment. He went back and forth between her nipples until she moaned softly; then he increased the pressure, pulling harder on each one. “Four. No, wait, the turtle makes five.” She wiggled in the seat. “I can‟t think when you‟re playing with my boobs.” “Good. Are you going to turn to mush when I play with your pussy?” “Maybe.” She moved her hand down her stomach, intent on pulling on the key chain hanging from her clit. He caught her wrist in his hand before she got there. “Oh no, that‟s my toy now, and you can only play with it when you have my permission.” Shock spread through her. She knew this from reading the books, but reading it and hearing the words come out of his mouth were two different things. “It‟s my body.” “Not anymore. You‟re my toy, aren‟t you?” He held her wrist firmly, and she swallowed hard, the dark look on his face making her wonder if she‟d stepped into something she couldn‟t handle. She quickly pushed the thought aside. She‟d come to explore, and that was exactly what she was going to do. “Aren‟t you?” “Yes, I‟m your toy.” “Good.” He released her wrist. “Now, just lie there and let me explore.” “Your toy‟s very excited, and she might just leave a wet spot on the seat.” “Well, we can‟t have that, can we?” His wicked grin made her smile. He reached into the backseat and found her dress. She lifted up while he moved it under her; then she lay back down. “Lie still.” Clarissa didn‟t question his edict this time. She closed her eyes and gave in to the sensation of his hand gliding over her skin. His touch was gentle, his fingers lightly trailing down the valley between her breasts. He traced his finger around each orb, moving in a figure eight fashion. Her breasts jiggled as he moved, her nipples tightening under their rings. Need built inside her as he continued to touch her, and she nibbled on her lower lip to keep from asking him to please, please move his finger down to her pussy. He drew a line down to her belly button, tugged gently on the ring, then moved back up to her breasts. She arched up into his touch, trying to move so that his hands would come into contact with her nipples. “What did I say?” His deep voice made her shiver.

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“To lie still.” “Why are you moving then?” “Isn‟t it obvious? I want to come, and you‟re missing all the best parts of my body.” “Actually I think I‟m feeling all the right spots.” He put his hand on her thigh and squeezed, and she moaned, thinking he would inch over just a little, touch her pussy. Instead he moved his hand totally off her body. “Roll over.” “Excuse me? There‟s not enough room in this car for that particular movement.” “Find a way.” “Who am I, Houdini?” For a moment he was silent, and she worried that her tone had been a little too harsh. “I didn‟t tell you to disappear; I told you to roll over.” She sat up, glancing over at him as she did so. In the dim light of the garage, she could see his face, but his expression was very neutral. Was there a reason they were in the car like teenagers groping after a date? Or were they outside because there was someone inside the house? Somehow she didn‟t think so, but she found it odd that they were not going inside. Maybe it was a test, to see if she‟d follow directions or tell him to go to hell. She studied him for a few minutes, then started to turn. The car was a midsize luxury sedan with split seats. She put her hand on the center console, feeling vulnerable as she turned. She came to rest with her knees on the seat. One hand stayed on the console, the other holding a support strap near the rear passenger door. Her breasts hung down, and her ass was high in the air. “Very nice. You follow directions quite well. We‟ll work on the back talk later.” “I‟ll mark it on my calendar.” He chuckled at her response, then cupped her pussy, one finger diving into her folds as if searching for her opening. “Oh yes, deeper.” She pushed against him, rocking her hips back and forth. When he pulled away, she groaned. “Maddox!” “I‟m in charge, remember?” “Yes, but…” “No buts.” The interior of the car grew silent for a long minute. Clarissa stayed where she was, wanting to beg him to touch her, stroke her. Her clit throbbed with anticipation, the weight from the coin, however slight, adding to the sensation. “I like you in this position, on your hands and knees. And you know, you‟re right. It‟s light enough outside that if my neighbor came up, he‟d see you in here, naked, displayed for me.”

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A thrill shot up her back, and she let her head drop down, then moved her hips suggestively. “Yes, you like that idea. You‟d like me to fuck you before an audience, wouldn‟t you? Fuck your mouth, your cunt, your ass. Or maybe I would just bind you while others watched? They could see all your pretty tats, your piercings. They could see you submit to me.” “Wouldn‟t that make tabloid headlines? Heiress displayed as sex toy.” “Film at eleven,” Maddox said. He cupped her ass cheek, squeezing it slightly. “Step out of the car and go to the front and place your hands on the hood, then bend over and spread your legs as wide as they will go. Make sure you keep your head down.” Her vulnerability increased as she followed his instructions. A large SUV was parked next to them, and she opened the door of the sedan as carefully as possible, trying not to ding the door. She stepped out, gazing at the open garage door, wondering if his neighbors could see. In New York, they would have drawn a crowd already. Of course they would have been parked in a large parking garage or on the street. The car was still warm when she put her hands on it and bent. Maybe he would fuck her now, come up behind her and slip his cock into her pussy. She was wet enough for him to take her in one single stroke. She‟d probably come with his first thrust. Clarissa listened for the sound of his car door and didn‟t hear it. What was he doing? Was he jerking off while watching her? Damn him, this was getting frustrating. If she put her hands between her legs and made herself come, would he be able to see? Would she be able to hold still while an orgasm raced through her body? No, she‟d probably scream to the heavens above, and then his neighbors would come running to see what was wrong. “It‟s about time,” she said when he finally opened the car door. “If I stood here any longer, people might see me as a new hood ornament on your car.” He stood next to her, his stomach pressed against her side. “Do you want to fuck?” “Yes.” When he didn‟t respond, she continued, “Please, Sir.” “Good girl.” He stroked her hair, and Clarissa almost came undone. Crap, this was driving her insane. He stepped behind her, and she felt his gaze on her displayed body. His fingers went to her pussy, opening her lips slightly. One finger teased her opening, then pushed inside. “I like your tight cunt.” “It likes you.” She groaned as he slipped his finger in and out. “Give me more.” He pulled away, and she cried out at the loss. “Maddox!” “You don‟t give orders or make demands. Do you understand?” “You‟re a pussy tease.”

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“Thank you.” He slapped her ass, the sting spreading straight to her clit. “Did you hear what I said?” “Yes, I don‟t make demands. I‟m sorry.” “No, don‟t be sorry. Just learn.” His finger went back inside her, and she groaned, holding still while he moved it in and out, adding a second one. “Do you like that?” “Yes, Sir.” “Very good.” He thrust harder. “See, you‟re learning, and it‟s only been a little while.” “Does this mean I‟ll get an A on „works well with others‟ on my report card?” “Well, maybe not an A, not quite yet.” He withdrew his fingers and pushed her cheeks apart. “What an inviting little asshole. I can hear it begging me to fuck it.” He dipped his fingers back into her wetness, slid them up to her ass, pressing against her back passage. Would he take her anally now? Or was he just exploring, as he said? His finger slipped inside her, and she groaned. She‟d only taken a man that way once. Serge had tried it; it had not been a successful operation. This time would be better, she thought. However, she wasn‟t sure she was ready for it now. “Nice and tight,” he said, working his finger into her. “You‟ve not played much back here, have you?” “That road is generally closed to the public.” “Not anymore.” There was a slight popping noise as he withdrew his finger. “On your knees.” She turned to look at him. “It‟s concrete.” “That A you want is dropping down to a B.” She felt his gaze on her. Considering the amount of time he‟d taken with the things they‟d already done, she figured she would be on her knees on concrete for a while. Not a pleasant idea. Still, she was here to play, and if she wanted that good report card… Clarissa stood, turned to him. She put one hand on the car for support as she dropped to her knees. The concrete was cool and hard. “Very nice.” He stroked her hair again. “Let‟s go inside now.” She stood abruptly, frowning. “You could have told me this was just a pop quiz to see if I‟d do it.” “If you knew, it wouldn‟t be a surprise, would it?” She put her hands on her hips, cocked her head at him. “Did I pass?” “With flying colors. Now come inside, so we can both come.” He stepped toward the door and then stopped. “And don‟t forget to bring the ace of spades.” Before she could ask what for, he hit the button to lower the garage door, then went inside the house. “Infuriating man,” she whispered, going back to the car to collect her clothing and her purse.

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Chapter Five The house wasn‟t exactly what she expected. They‟d passed through a kitchen adorned with bright blue Mexican tile that gave it a rich, homey feeling. From the looks of the room, though, very little cooking was done there. The coffeemaker was the only small appliance she saw as they moved through. The living room was tastefully decorated, with no touches that seemed to mark it as his. She envisioned a decorator picking out furniture and paint to give it the southwestern flair it had. The floors were entirely hardwood with colorful rugs with Indian designs on them. The furniture was leather and wood. A large dream catcher hung above the sofa, and the wall opposite that had a bookcase filled with Indian pottery. She didn‟t know a lot about the culture; however, the items looked to be things you wouldn‟t find in a tourist trading post. “Wow. Your decorator did a great job.” “Thank you. I rather like what I did.” She shook her head. “Well, that‟s a surprise.” “I‟m full of them.” This time he smirked at her, and she laughed. “Stay right there, and I‟ll be back.” “Stay right here?” She pointed to where she stood. “As in right here?” He narrowed his eyes. “I can see I‟m going to have trouble with you.” He left without answering the question, and she moved to the bookcase to examine the artifacts she found there. Bowls, vases, and little broken pieces of pottery filled the shelves. She wondered what the broken pieces had been before they‟d become pieces. Obviously these were genuine artifacts. “You moved.”

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“You didn‟t say I couldn‟t.” She innocently batted her eyes at him. “Or is it not a „Maddox says‟ type game? Maddox says drop to your knees; Maddox says stay in place.” “Maddox says somebody needs her little butt whipped.” “Oh yes, spank me.” The look he gave her made her swallow anything else she‟d planned to say to make it seem like a joke. “Sorry.” “What did I say about sorry?” “Right, just learn.” “Exactly.” He set a few items on the end table before going to the kitchen. She studied what he‟d put down. A slender silver chain wrapped in a coil, a few condoms, and lube. Did he mean to fuck her in the ass tonight? She hadn‟t expected that so soon. Maybe that was a way for him to assert his dominance over her, bend her over and take her in the most private of places. He‟d already had his finger there, after all. Or maybe he was trying to psych her out and make her think that was what he had in mind. Either way it kept her a little on edge. He returned carrying a tall bar stool with a ladder-back and placed it in front of the couch. “Sit here.” “For someone who was worried about being arrested for having me get naked in a car, you sure seem to like the idea of others watching. The sliding glass door is right next to the couch. The blind is open, and anyone could see inside.” “I‟m in my home now and can do what I want. Right now, what I want is to have a naked woman sitting on a bar stool.” He shrugged. “Plus, as you pointed out, this isn‟t New York. For someone to see in that window, they‟d have to be in my backyard.” “Works for me.” She sauntered toward him and hopped onto the chair. “Are you going to fuck me anytime soon? Because I‟m getting sort of impatient.” “What a shame.” He stepped forward. “Spread your legs so that one is on either side of the chair, then lift your feet to the rungs. After that, reach behind you and grab the slats of the chair back.” Excitement coursed through her as she followed his instructions. The position pushed her breasts out and left her pussy bare for his inspection. He looked her over, nodded his approval, then reached for the silver chain he‟d set on the table. When he held it up, it became obvious to her it was several small chains instead of one long one. He knelt down, tying one end of the chain to one ankle before threading it around the chair legs and tying it off around the other. He stood, stepped behind her, and tied her wrists together, then secured them to the chair slats. The chains felt cool and sensual against her skin. “Not exactly strong material to use for bondage.” In response, he held up another length of chain and, with one swift move, attached the chain to her clit ring.

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One gentle tug sent the key chain still on the ring jingling against her wet folds. Clarissa pulled against her restraints. For a minute she thought the chair would topple, and she gasped. He put his hands on her shoulders to steady her, the chain pulling her ring up. “Easy, just relax.” “I‟m a little large for this stool.” Clarissa‟s chest heaved with her words, her breasts moving up and down rapidly. “I think I might tumble, and I‟m not exactly Olympic material to land a perfect dismount.” “You‟re going to be just fine.” He stroked her temple. “I won‟t let you fall; plus this chair is very sturdy. This is how I want you right now, open to me, feeling vulnerable.” “You‟ve succeeded, because I feel very vulnerable.” He pulled gently on the chain, sending tendrils of pleasure through her clit. “You like it.” The chain trailed behind him as he walked to the couch and sat down. He let it slack a bit, hitting the floor. “Tell me what made you come here.” He tightened the slack just a little. “What did you read in the books that intrigued you?” “Fun sex.” “No. You can get that anywhere. I have no doubt of that. Something you read made you jump on a plane, specifically ignoring my request that you call first. Tell me what it was.” Clarissa hadn‟t expected this, not exactly. The bondage part was perfect. The interrogation was making her a little nervous. What answer was he looking for? “Fun sex with a sexy man?” “Is that a question or a fact?” “Fact. Hopefully, anyway.” He gave her a seductive smile. “You‟re going to get sex. I want you to answer my question first.” He tugged on the rope, tightening it so that her ring pulled away from her pussy. She groaned at the tension, rocking her hips slightly, the pull pushing her right to the edge. “Please.” “Answer me.” “Maddox, I—” “Answer me!” “Because I want to know what it feels like to submit.” He pulled harder, and she gasped. “Because you‟ve kept all your other lovers on a chain, haven‟t you? Spoiled little rich girl always got what she wanted. If you wanted to suck cock, that‟s what you did. If you wanted your pussy eaten, they dined until you

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had your fill. If you wanted to get fucked, that‟s what you got. You controlled it all, and they submitted to you to keep you happy.” “That‟s a pretty crappy way of looking at it.” “It‟s true, isn‟t it?” He released the tension on the chain, and she undulated her hips, trying to move the coin. The pull had felt exquisite, and she wanted more. “It‟s why you‟ve never stayed with anyone for very long. You got bored because they didn‟t present a challenge.” “Gee, Dr. Freud, who do I send my payment for this session to?” She pulled on her bonds. “Untie me.” “You need someone who can send you to the edge. That‟s why you came to me.” “Untie me.” “Untie yourself.” She struggled again. Though the chains looked small and delicate, she couldn‟t break them. “You like this, admit it. Someone finally told you no. Someone‟s not kissing your ass. It pisses you off, which is good. Pissed off means you‟re feeling emotions instead of just going through the motions.” “Untie me!” He pulled hard on the chain, and she gasped at the hard pressure on her clit. “Maddox, please.” “Please what? Please untie me or please make me come?” “Damn you! Make me come. Please, I‟m begging.” Her efforts to break free proved fruitless, and her body trembled. He was driving her insane, physically and mentally, because she knew he was right. Not one of her lovers had ever denied her, made her wait. He stood quickly, crossing to her. “Ask me very nicely.” “Oh good Lord! Fine! Please make me come.” She sneered at him, and his answering chuckle made her groan. “Well, that was nice, and very sarcastic. What I want is a heartfelt plea, a very soft, sweet murmur. „Maddox, please allow me to come.‟ Can you do that, Clarissa?” He whispered the last words in her ear, and her already throbbing clit went into spasms. She fought the urge to spit out more sarcastic words, knowing they would get her nowhere. Her tongue darted over her lips, and she rubbed them together. “Maddox, please allow me to orgasm. I‟m begging you. First the car, now this? I can‟t take any more. Please.” “See, that wasn‟t so hard, was it?” He spoke as if to a spoiled child; then he let go of the chain, moved his hand to her pussy, and found her clit. “Come for me, Clarissa. Scream for me.” He pinched her clit, and she soared, pleasure roaring through her body as he increased the pressure. Her body jerked against the chains around her ankles and wrists, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her head into his chest.

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The chair moved with her as she bucked against his hand. “Maddox!” His chest muffled the sound. He tugged on her ring once more, and her body shuddered in aftershocks. “Fuck me! Oh please, give me your cock.” Clarissa sagged against him as he held her close. She could smell the spicy hint of his aftershave. She lifted her face to his neck, inhaling sharply. His hand was on her neck, stroking it through her hair. “Feel better?” “I‟ll feel perfect once your dick is inside me.” “I hate to be the one to break it to you, that‟s not on the menu at this particular moment.” Her eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you kidding me? Please tell me you‟re joking.” “I never joke about things like this.” He stroked her thighs. “Where‟s the card?” “The ace?” “That‟s the one.” He stepped back from her, and she looked down to the bulge in his pants. “Tell me you‟ll change your mind about fucking me, and I‟ll tell you.” His gaze drifted to where she‟d set her purse on the table. She watched his ass muscles flex as he walked across the room. Damn, he had a fine body. “I don‟t get you. You‟re obviously hard. Why don‟t you want to fuck?” “Who said I didn‟t want to?” He upended her purse, spilling the contents over the table. He found the card easily, then picked up her cell phone. “You have several missed messages.” “I silenced it while I was on the strip. My mother called, wondering where I was. Then my father called, then Henry, twice. I got tired of it.” He flipped it open, hit the Power button. “When you‟re with me, it‟s off, understand? I want your undivided attention.” “On that point we agree totally.” She wiggled. “Let‟s get back to this „not wanting to fuck‟ business. You brought condoms and lube down. You made me think we‟d fuck. I don‟t think it‟s fair for you not to follow through when you knew I…” He strode back to her, the ace in his hands. “One thing you need to learn is never to question me. I make the rules and set the scenes. We fuck when I think the time is right, and right now I don‟t think it is.” The ace of spades flashed before her face. “I‟m not much on punishment, except maybe denial. Every once in a while punishment is needed. For instance, you showed up without announcing your arrival after I told you to call. That‟s a complete disregard of an order. Since you read the books, you know that can‟t be tolerated.” She almost said sorry, then remembered he didn‟t like that word. “I understand that from what I read.”

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“Good. When punishment is needed, you‟ll draw a card. The card will decide the punishment and the amount of time you have to endure that punishment.” “Okay.” Her heart beat just a little faster. “Where‟s the chart to show what each card means?” “All you need to know right now is spades mean whippings. The ace is wild, which means it can last as long as I want.” “So you‟re going to whip my ass as long as you want. I‟m not sure I like that idea.” “Who said anything about your ass?” He trailed his finger over her wet pussy. “There are other places to spank. And your pussy‟s very sensitive right now after that fantastic orgasm I just gave you.” “You‟re going to spank my pussy?” She shook her head violently. “No, I can honestly say that idea doesn‟t appeal to me.” “We need a different position, though. This one isn‟t exactly conducive to pussy spanking.” “If I let you do this, do I get to come again?” “You‟re a greedy little girl, aren‟t you?” He put his lips right next to hers. “And you‟ll „let me‟ spank you. We‟re going upstairs to my bedroom. I‟ll secure your wrists to the headboard, and then you‟ll spread your legs and take your punishment, won‟t you?” The soft, even tone of his voice made her shiver. Hell, if he kept talking like that she wouldn‟t refuse him anything. “Yes, Maddox.” “Good.” He made quick work undoing the chains around her ankles, helping her to stand after he‟d undone the one binding her wrists to the chair. He picked up the chain still attached to her clit ring and led her toward the stairs. Her legs felt wobbly as she walked behind him, and she wondered at the picture they made. Him dressed in slacks and a shirt that, she knew from the feel, was Egyptian cotton. Her walking naked behind him, her wrists bound in front of her, and what was essentially a leash attached to her pussy. She had wanted a new experience, and she was definitely getting that. None of her lovers had ever led her around by the pussy. She admired his ass again as he walked up the stairs. He was definitely a fine specimen of manhood. She was a little nervous about what was to come, but there was no doubt in her mind he would follow what he‟d said about a safe word. If she said it, he‟d stop. She had thought about using it downstairs; however, it would have been more from anger about him not fucking her than from fear about what was going to happen. And that, she knew from her readings, wasn‟t the proper way to use it. The safe word was for when things were getting to be too much for the sub. She‟d been frustrated downstairs, true, but it wasn‟t from something that made her feel bad,

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unless that was not being screwed. And somehow she didn‟t think using her safe word would make that happen any sooner. At the top of the stairs, he led her to the end of the hallway, pushing open a door and flipping on the light. The room was decorated in a southwestern style, with large wooden furniture and various prints from southwestern artists. There was another dream catcher, this one above the bed. This room also had hardwood floors, with large cream-colored throw rugs placed about. To the side she could see an open door that led into what she assumed was a bathroom. French doors were in the center of the outside wall. The bed was enormous, covered in a midnight blue comforter with four pillows sitting against the frame. “It‟s very you,” she said. “Love your prints and the dream catcher.” “I have some artwork you might like in another room. I‟ll show it to you tomorrow or sometime thereafter. I know you like art, or at least I figure most art history majors do.” They exchanged knowing glances. During the week after they‟d met, they‟d both done research on the other. It didn‟t surprise her, especially after learning he was Nadine Tremont‟s son. He was probably used to people chasing after him for money too. “Come here, you.” He tugged gently on the leash, and she walked over to him. He tipped her chin up, then gazed down into her eyes. “On the bed, hands above your head.” “Yes, Sir, General.” She saluted and moved toward the bed, not bothering to turn back and see his reaction to her words. The swat he gave her on the bottom was answer enough. “You‟ve got a very smart mouth.” She giggled and lay down, stretching her arms above her head. “How am I doing, boss?” She groaned with pleasure as he straddled her, wrapped a coil of rope around her bonds, and attached it to the headboard. “You tell me.” He sat back, his butt barely touching her stomach, and looked down at her. “How are you feeling?” “Like a fresh flower on the first day of spring, just waiting to be pollinated.” She ran her tongue over her lips, hoping to entice him. Instead he moved off the bed, heading toward the bathroom doorway. “Maddox?” He paused at the door, then turned. “Spread your legs as wide as possible and bend them at the knee.” “Oh goody, is this like riding the stirrups at the doctor‟s office?” She‟d hoped for a smile and didn‟t get one. Instead he just went into the bathroom without saying a word. “I don‟t think he appreciates my humor.”

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He was back within minutes wearing the same clothes he‟d worn all night. So much for hoping he‟d get naked while he was in there. He had a paddle in his hand. Her eyes widened as he knelt between her legs and showed her the paddle. “Have you seen this at the doctor‟s office?” She studied the paddle, about twelve inches in length, with the egg-shaped head measuring about four inches across. “Can‟t say as I have. Do I need a prescription for that?” This time he did crack a smile, however faint. “I‟ve already written the script. Consider this an experiment. I want to see what sort of reaction this implement arouses in you.” She nodded, afraid to trust anything that came out of her mouth right now. She‟d been tied up before, but spanking was going to be a whole new experience, and she wasn‟t exactly sure how she was going to take it, especially when he was spanking her pussy and not her ass. Clarissa glanced down to where he knelt, trying to get a good look at herself. Even though her breasts parted, she still couldn‟t get a good look. “Lay your head on the pillow and keep it there. Doctor‟s orders.” “Okay.” Was her voice shaking? She was pretty sure that it was. “Relax, Clarissa. I‟m not going to beat you, I promise.” A nervous laugh escaped her lips. “I know; it‟s just a little disconcerting. I don‟t think I‟ve ever felt like this before.” “Good.” She jumped slightly when he rubbed the leather against her pussy, which was soaking wet. The wetness would make the stings hurt more, she knew. She pulled against the rope binding her wrists to the headboard. “Relax, Clarissa. Or may I call you Rissa?” “Sure.” This time there was no mistaking the nerves in her voice. “Listen, can we talk about…oh.” He rubbed the leather against her thigh. It was smooth and cool, and she moaned softly. “Talk about what?” The leather moved to her other thigh, and she arched her hips off the bed. That felt delicious. “The spanking. I‟m thinking that maybe, we could, um, just continue to do what you‟re doing. That will satisfy the ace of spades, don‟t you think, I mean…oh jeez.” The leather was back on her pussy. He rubbed it in circles, applying pressure in the area of her clit, which throbbed in response. Her clit wanted attention, but she wasn‟t sure it wanted the attention it was about to receive. She closed her eyes, started to count to ten in an effort to calm her nerves. She‟d made it to four when the first swat landed. It didn‟t sting nearly as much as she thought it would, and was quickly followed by a second swat that almost felt silky against her skin. She glanced down, earning a tsk-tsk from Maddox. “You‟re peeking.”

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“And that‟s not the leather you showed me.” He held it up, flashing her the black leather, then turned it around so she could see the other side, covered in what looked to be white suede. “You‟re horrible. I was expecting something harsh.” “I know. Got you all worked up, didn‟t it?” “You‟re messing with my mind.” Another swat landed, this one a little harder than the last. She groaned softly, twisting her hips to try and increase the pressure on her clit, which was ready to shoot off again. “I have a confession to make. I lied when I said all I wanted was your body. I want to play with your mind too. You‟ll never know what to expect from me, so don‟t even try to figure it out.” The spanking grew more intense as Maddox switched between using the suede and the leather. The leather swats stung while the suede ones seemed to soothe the sting. He moved the paddle up and down her pussy, making her entire mons feel as if it were on fire. “Please, enough.” She tried to inch up the bed. He set the paddle on her stomach, grabbed her hips, and pulled her back down. “I guess we should be checking your ears instead of spanking your pussy. Did you miss the part that said the spanking would last as long as I wanted it to?” He squeezed his thumbs into her hips. “Don‟t you dare try and get away from me.” “I…please…” Please what? Her mind was going in ten different directions at once, trying to follow the sensations that streaked through her. She couldn‟t put together a coherent sentence right now to save her from certain death. And frankly, she didn‟t care. She teetered on the brink of orgasm. Each time he struck her right near her clit and she thought she would come, he moved the paddle, taking away the pressure that she needed to send her over the edge. “Please!” “You know what to do; you know what I like.” Oh yes, she knew. Ask real nicely like she‟d done downstairs. The chances of that happening right now were slim to none. “Rissa? Do I need to remind you?” “No.” She swallowed hard, me…a…oh…I…”

then

gasped.

“Please,

Maddox…give

The paddle landed harder now, the leather striking just at the opening of her slit. “Finish your sentence.” “Make me…come…please.” He moved to the side of her, pushing her leg up so that her calf lay over his shoulder. His fingers delved inside her wetness, finding her clit. He rubbed it gently, then slapped the paddle against her again, the leather hitting at the soft spot between her pussy and anus. One, two, three more swats, combined with the pressure on her clit sent her flying.

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She screamed as the intensity of it moved through her, sending tingly bursts of energy to her feet and hands. Her hips bucked against his fingers, and her eyes widened in shock as seconds later she felt the head of his cock slip inside her. Both her legs were over his shoulder now, his hands planted on either side of her as he slowly penetrated her. Was she so far gone she hadn‟t noticed him moving, taking out his cock? Maddox held totally still, and her eyes widened. “You‟re pierced. Oh. My. God.” “You like that, huh? Wait until that big ring slides in your ass. You‟ll really like that.” He thrust harder, and she moaned as he slipped inside her. “Are you still with me?” She nodded, bucking up into him in encouragement. In response, he pushed her legs up more, making her feel as if he had folded her in half. He gave her one final, long assessing gaze; then he pounded himself into her, the long, hard thrusts drilling into her body, making her feel as if his cock would possess her totally. The sound of him slamming into her filled the room, and Clarissa grasped the rope that held her hostage, her boobs shaking as he continued to ride her. He slid over every sweet spot in her body, making aftershocks from her orgasms roll through her. His deep moan let her know he‟d hit his peak. His thrusts gained in intensity as he spilled inside her, then collapsed next to her, her legs landing on his. She felt the softness of his pants pressed against her skin and knew then he hadn‟t even taken his clothes off. He‟d told her to not be surprised at whatever he did. She wondered now if he had surprised himself by fucking her, something he clearly hadn‟t planned on doing. Clarissa tensed just a little. He rubbed her thigh and glanced up at her. “Don‟t worry, I wore a condom.” “That was a very pleasant surprise,” she said, her voice finally under control. “If that‟s submission, sign me up.” He gave her a cockeyed grin, then moved to untie her hands. “Baby, that was some very, very fun play with a few BDSM elements thrown in. It wasn‟t total submission, but it was a start. A damn good one.” “Did I just pass another test?” “With flying colors. The next one will be a little bit harder. Will you be up for the challenge?” “Bring it on, baby. The sooner the better.”

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Chapter Six “Why didn‟t you tell me Maddox was Nadine Tremont‟s son?” Clarissa tried to balance her cell phone between her shoulder and ear as she poured a cup of coffee with one hand and pushed the lever down on the toaster with the other. She was starving. They‟d forgone dinner last night for more pleasant diversions. Thank God Maddox had food in his house. She‟d found coffee, cream, sugar, both real and fake, bread, peanut butter, and jelly. There was also cereal, although the milk did look a little worse for wear, so she‟d gone for the toast. “Loren didn‟t tell me until after you left for Vegas,” Anna said, humor evident in her voice. “And if you didn‟t know right out, you should have seen that information when you googled him.” “It didn‟t exactly give his life‟s history, just information about the casino.” There was a slight pause. “Have you enjoyed yourself in Vegas?” “I have indeed, although I‟m not in Vegas, I‟m in Henderson, at his house.” “Well, hot damn, tell me everything.” Clarissa giggled, thinking back to last night. The toast popped up, and she grabbed it, then slathered peanut butter on it. “Did you hear me? Quit holding out on me. Did he fuck you?” “Oh yeah, he did.” She grabbed her coffee and toast and went to the outside deck. “Jeez, it‟s already over a hundred degrees here, and it‟s not even noon. It‟s like a furnace outside.” “Yeah, but it‟s a dry heat.” They both laughed, and Clarissa took a sip of her coffee. “Are you happy?”

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“Last night was thrilling,” Clarissa replied. “I was feeling very satisfied until I saw the dozen messages from my father, mother, and Henry this morning.” There was a pause in the conversation. “Anna?” “Um, I hate to tell you this, but your dad‟s already been here this morning—hotter than hell—wanting to know where you are.” Her friend‟s voice held more than a hint of anxiety. “What did you tell him?” “I told him you didn‟t tell me.” Clarissa put down her coffee cup. “I‟m sorry. I know you hate to lie.” “It‟s for a good cause. How can I deny my best friend the chance to screw a really hot guy?” “And I appreciate it, in spades.” Clarissa burst into laughter and almost dropped the phone, grabbing it up before it totally slipped from her fingers. “What‟s so funny?” “Nothing, I‟m just…happy.” Anna‟s laugh was soft. “I‟ll say. Might I put in that it‟s a wonderful emotion to see, even if I‟m really only hearing it over the phone.” “It‟s a good thing you can‟t see me. I‟m half-naked.” “And where is Maddox?” “At work. I feel like Suzy Homemaker, eating breakfast after languishing in bed to recover from being banged to perfection last night. And it‟s fantastic. I‟ve never felt like this.” He‟d left a note saying he was at the casino. He‟d given strict instructions for her to “enjoy her day, explore, and make herself at home.” There was also a postscript saying a car would pick her up at five thirty to bring her to the casino. She was to dress for dinner. The words “no panties” had been underlined. Before then, though, he told her to use the car to go wherever she wanted. The keys to his sedan sat on top of the note, and a quick look in the garage showed the SUV was gone. Her bags had been left by the foot of the bed. She vaguely remembered him leaving that morning, leaning over to kiss her gently. “Make sure you come at least twice today,” he had said softly. “There’s a box of toys in the closet. Use anything you like. And think of me when you play.” There would be no problem with that. She‟d done nothing but think of him, until she‟d found her phone and seen the missed messages and calls. The only one she‟d returned was the one she was on right now. “How long are you staying?” “If I had my way, forever. Or at least a few weeks, whichever comes first.” They shared a laugh. “What if he‟s the one, Clarissa?”

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A soft sigh escaped her lips. “You know how I feel about that, Anna.” “Yeah, I‟m just saying he seems like a pretty good catch. Your parents can‟t complain. He comes from a very good family, and he has money of his own. Is he hung?” “He‟s not too shabby.” Clarissa swirled her finger through the peanut butter on her toast. “Not too big, not too small. He‟s just right.” “Goldilocks had words to that effect, if I remember. And that fairy tale has a happy ending.” She licked the creamy treat off her finger. “Yeah, well, it‟s just that, a fairy tale.” Her words were muffled by the food, and Anna laughed. “Enjoy your peanut butter, and enjoy your time there. I‟ll hold off the troops here as long as possible. If your father doesn‟t find you within the next day, he might call the cops.” “Maddox will protect me.” “Oh really? Let‟s see: he‟s a good lover; he‟s rich; he‟s protective. Sounds to me like he has all the makings of a good husband.” Clarissa shook her finger at the phone, even though Anna couldn‟t see the gesture. “Listen you, don‟t go putting a ring on my finger. This is just fun. Nothing more.” A beep sounded on the phone. Clarissa glanced at the display. “Crap. It‟s my dad.” “Answer it, Clarissa. You can‟t hide forever. Besides, you‟re a grown woman and can do what you want. Tell him you‟re getting laid and to leave you the hell alone.” “Anna!” It wasn‟t like her friend to say things like that, not as a suggestion as what to say to her father, that is. “Well, I really think you need this time alone with Maddox. I‟m keeping my fingers crossed here.” Another beep signed a new voice mail. “I gotta go. Take care, sweets.” “You too, Rissa. I love you. Be safe.” “Love you too.” She clicked off, then dialed her voice mail. “Clarissa Marie Montgomery Alexander, pick up this phone. Right now.” The anger in her father‟s voice made her cringe. There was a pause, then a sharp, “Damn it! You call me back young lady, this instant!” The recorded message signaled the “end of message,” and Clarissa flipped the phone shut. Then she opened it again and hit the Power button, turning it off. Maddox didn‟t have the number, and besides Anna, she didn‟t want to hear from anyone else. She would do exactly what he said. She‟d enjoy her day, maybe shop or just lie around watching TV. Sometime during the day she‟d masturbate twice and come hard while thinking of him.

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She‟d dream of his cock in her pussy, her mouth, and in her ass. “Crap, I‟m wet again.” She cupped her bare pussy, then groaned as her fingers found their way inside. She didn‟t want toys. She wanted nothing inside her but Maddox, his fingers, his tongue, his cock. She rubbed her clit as she thought about his cock. She would tug on his ring with her teeth, tasting it in her mouth. She imagined it sliding inside her again, teasing her slick folds as he thrust in and out. What would it feel like when he took her from behind? It was a new idea that thrilled her to death. He would bend her over, sliding his hard dick into her ass, the ring gliding along her sensitive walls. “Maddox!” She came hard, grasping the side of the chair with one hand as her other hand continued to massage her clit. It pulsed under the attention, and when her orgasm passed, she slumped into the chair. Yes, definitely a day to lie around and play. Best to do it indoors, under the airconditioning. She waited for her heart rate to slow, then picked up her coffee mug and plate and took them back inside. She rinsed them off, then turned to the house. “Time to explore and see what I can find. Maybe I‟ll get lucky and he‟ll come home early from work.”

***** Maddox gnawed on the end of his cigar as he finished the last of his paperwork. A quick glance at his watch showed it was just before six. Clarissa would be here soon. The thought made him smile. She‟d been so wonderful last night, so accepting of everything. She had reacted to his teasings, to the ropes, to everything just the way he thought she would. When he‟d slipped inside her, the look of surprise, and pure bliss, on her face had made it hard to hold back. He‟d wanted to take her by surprise, gauge her reaction to his piercing. And it had been perfect. It crossed his mind that he‟d found the woman who was just right for him, except she wasn‟t a natural submissive. She wasn‟t the type of woman to crave it or even wonder if it was what she wanted. She was willing to try. Last night had been a good start, and tonight would build on that start. His suite upstairs had been prepared, and everything he‟d asked for had been laid out. By the end of the night, she would be screaming, just like she had last night. He loved the fact that she screamed. It sent shivers of pure lust up his spine when she did. And making her control her urges would be an incredible thing to watch. Not right now, though. Tonight he wanted her to test the soundproofing in his rooms. More than that, tonight was about building trust, about learning to communicate, and reading her wants. About watching her react to what he had to offer. Tonight, more than last night, would show whether she was suited to a BDSM relationship.

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There was a knock at the door, and he swept the papers on his desk into a single pile. “Come.” Andrew pushed inside, looking around. “I hope I‟m not interrupting.” “No, come in. She‟s not here yet.” “Too bad. I had hoped to see her again.” Maddox huffed out a short laugh. “She‟s mine.” “I know, but she‟s fascinating. Does she have a twin?” “Not that I know of.” “Too bad.” Andrew laughed, and Maddox shook his head in mock exasperation. The two had been friends for a long time, and their tastes in women were much the same. In this case, Andrew was on his own. Maddox had no intention of sharing. “You still planning on leaving for Laughlin Friday morning?” “Yup. I won‟t be home until Monday afternoon now.” “Humph. You‟re just trying to make me jealous, aren‟t you?” “Yup.” Maddox glanced at the grandfather clock. “Who did you send to Henderson to pick her up?” “Lance. I told him to make sure the house was secured, so you don‟t have to worry about anything.” Maddox nodded. Lance was one of his most trusted employees, a top member of the security staff. He had no doubt the young man would get Clarissa here safely and on time. “Before she gets here, we need to talk about the man in eleven-oh-six. I‟m pretty sure he‟s cheating; I‟m not sure how. Justin is checking the tapes to see if he‟s counting or using another method. He might be working with someone else.” “Go on.” Maddox listened intently as Andrew discussed their guest. “We‟ve already checked with the gaming commission. He‟s not on their list of names. That doesn‟t mean he‟s not using an alias or something of that nature. I‟ve got Bart working on it, to see what he can find.” Maddox nodded. Catching cheats was hard sometimes. And sometimes it was impossible to do, and you just had to live with it. He hated that fact. His cell phone beeped to signal an incoming text, and he smiled. “She‟s here.” “Have a good time.” Andrew stood. “I‟ll hold down the fort, and if you need any help…” “Doubtful.” His friend snapped his fingers and shook his head in dejection. “I was afraid of that.” “Get the hell out of here.” Maddox walked to the door, opened it to push Andrew out, and found Clarissa standing on the other side, her hand poised to knock. She

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looked stunning in a midnight blue dress. The bodice draped over her shoulders, dropping in loose material to her waist, where it clung to her hips and ended just above her knee. She wore four-inch fuck-me pumps that sent his blood rushing to his cock. One glance at Andrew showed her attire had done the same for him. “Hi.” Her voice was low and sultry. “I‟m ready for dinner.” “Enjoy yourselves,” Andrew said, inclining his head toward her slightly before walking around her. “Don‟t leave on my account.” “Have to.” He leaned toward her. “The boss is a real asshole and a slave driver. If I‟m not working twenty-seven hours a day, he gets really pissed.” Clarissa‟s giggle made Maddox‟s cock swell even more. “Yeah, if you don‟t get your ass to work, said boss is going to kick it for those missing three hours.” “Gotcha.” Andrew winked at her. “Good night.” “Bye.” She waved after him, and Maddox took her free hand and led her inside. “Will this work?” “Baby, you look good enough to eat.” “Promise?” Her blush accentuated her eyes and made him think of the way she‟d flushed while he‟d fucked her. “Of course, I guess Doms don‟t eat pussy.” “Why would you guess that?” “Well, it just seems like something they wouldn‟t do.” He shook his head. “On the contrary, I rather enjoy it. I can control orgasms that way.” “I see. Well, that makes sense.” He leaned toward her. “Denial can be a wonderful thing.” “Well, I‟ll have a double helping of make me come, please.” He returned her smile, then stroked her hip. “This dress is gorgeous.” “Thank you. I hope it suits wherever we‟re going.” “It‟s very nice, although I would like to see the bodice a little tighter, to show off those breasts.” “Well, I would hate for the other diners to be jealous, so I‟ll keep them just for you to see.” “What a wonderful idea.” He took her hand and led her toward the door. “Do you have any food allergies I need to be aware of?” “Just an intense dislike for pickles.” He stopped and turned to her. “There‟s a story there, right?” “Yeah, but not one I like to talk about.” Her nod was slow. “As far as allergies go, no. I don‟t meet food I don‟t like. And I‟m not a vegetarian or anything.” “Good.” He guided her toward the elevators, then pushed the Up button.

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“The cars are generally kept on the bottom floor, unless you have some new technology you haven‟t told me about. Or are we flying to dinner?” Maddox turned slowly, narrowing his eyes at her. “Do you question everything?” “Sorry. Old habits and all.” He studied her for a few minutes, then nodded. “All you need to do is let me guide you.” “I can do that.” She nibbled on her lower lip, and his cock pulsed. “Maybe.” “Try, very hard.” Inside the elevator, he inserted a key for the top floors. Another couple already on there smiled, and he inquired about their trip. “Not too bad,” the man said. “Not exactly raking in the dough, but I haven‟t lost that much either.” “Good,” Maddox replied. He gave them several suggestions for places to visit before they got off on the eighth floor. The elevator started back up, and he turned to her when she laughed. “I would think you‟d want them to lose money. It would mean more money for you.” “I don‟t want them to lose their shirts,” he said. “Then they wouldn‟t come back. Yes, I make most of my money from the gambling. I want people to continue to play, so that means they need to win a little.” She nodded. “You want them to spend their money gambling. That‟s why you have cheap food and why drinks in the bar are only four dollars, right? Because you want them to spend their money at the tables.” “You learn fast.” He leaned against the wall. “The bigger players—the whales— get comped. Which means they get freebies, and save their money for the tables.” “Which means more money for your pocket when they lose.” She leaned close to him, and the smell of her sweet perfume wafted toward him, making his groin tighten even more. “How capitalistic of you.” He shrugged. “If it helps, I donate lots of money to charity, and I pay my employees more than some of my competitors.” “I suppose I‟ll cut you some slack then.” She leaned closer, putting her lips right next to his. “I want to suck your cock.” “I think I already knew that.” He moved his head just enough to gaze down at her. “And if you‟re a good girl tonight, I might let you.” The doors opened on their floor, and he held his hand out in front of him. “After you.” He watched confusion light her eyes. “We‟re not going out?” “No.” She stepped out of the car, and he put his hand on her arm right after the doors closed. “Take off your dress.”

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“Here? What happened to the man who didn‟t want to do anything to jeopardize his gaming permit? The door to any one of these rooms could open, and one of your guests could come out.” He watched her face. The idea excited her; he could tell. It still made her feel vulnerable. “There are four rooms on this floor. So the odds are high that someone might come out. I want you to do it. Now.” He didn‟t tell her that he‟d checked the security before she‟d arrived, seen that the rooms had been empty most of the day. He‟d told them to buzz him if anyone went upstairs. And they hadn‟t, so the rooms were empty. The real danger was someone coming up in the elevator, and he was willing to take that chance. “The longer you wait, the more chance you have of being discovered.” He watched her process the probability of being discovered. “Do this for me. It‟s not like you‟ve never been naked before. I read about Rome.” “I wasn‟t totally naked there, just down to bra and panties, and I‟m not wearing any panties, if you remember.” Before he could say anything, she said, “Oh, what the hell.” She handed him her purse and wiggled out of her dress. His cock pounded with each jiggle, and he considered putting her up against the wall and taking her right there. He shook the idea away as he picked up her dress. “It‟s nice to see you followed my instructions about not wearing panties. Good girl. Take your bra off. You can leave on your shoes and those lovely thigh-high stockings. We‟ll have to find you a garter belt before we go to Laughlin.” “Maddox!” “The longer you wait, the more chances there are of discovery.” Her gaze focused on a camera as she reached behind her back. “If one of your security guards posts this on the Internet, I‟ll never forgive you.” Maddox took her bra and nodded. He didn‟t need to tell her that he‟d ordered the cameras on this floor to be turned off from six twenty to six forty-five. He glanced at his watch. That meant they had six minutes to get to his suite without her being seen. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a long silver chain, much like the ones he‟d used on her the night before. “No!” “Spread your legs.” “No! Maddox, please, not out here.” She shook her head violently, and her refusal confused him. This certainly wasn‟t the daredevil who had stripped in Rome while cameras rolled. “Listen, I was drunk that night, and that video made it everywhere, and my parents hated me, well, even more than they already hate me, and some people‟s reactions, well…”

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“This is me and no one else. Do as I say.” She waited a long minute and then nodded slightly. He leaned over to attach the chain to her clit ring, then tugged it gently. “Come along.” A glance at his watch as they walked showed there were four minutes to spare. He unlocked the door and led her inside, shutting it firmly behind them. “Talk to me,” he said, turning to her. “This wasn‟t about your parents being upset. What sort of bad memories did this dredge up?” “Well, I‟m not exactly Twiggy, and the comments on blogs and such were less than complimentary. If someone sells that footage… I don‟t want to be called a pig all over cyberspace again.” “I promise you that won‟t happen.” He stroked her hair. “I had the security cameras disabled for a short time frame. We were within that time frame; I swear it.” He could almost see relief surging out from her pores. Then anger set in. “That was mean.” “Was it?” He tugged on the leash. “Your pussy‟s wet. I can tell.” He cupped a breast, then pinched a nipple. “And these little buds are nice and hard. You enjoyed doing as I asked.” He dropped the clothes and pulled her close and claimed her lips, holding her tight as his tongue darted into her mouth. Her soft moan made him want her even more, but he would not rush things. He‟d made careful plans for this evening, and they would go exactly as he wanted them to. A hard tug on the leash made her gasp, and he savored the sound. “Now let‟s eat; I‟m starved.”

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Chapter Seven His calm announcement that it was time to eat made her want to throttle him. They could have been discovered out there in the hall. And while she‟d gotten partially naked in Rome, on a bet, getting totally naked and being led down a hallway with a chain attached to her pussy was a whole new ball of wax. The real problem, as far as she could see, was that he was right. She liked it. A lot. Her pussy was drenched, and her nipples throbbed like there was no tomorrow. Maddox moved toward a long table that sat empty in the middle of the room. He pulled out one chair and set it so it faced the other one. Then he patted the seat. “This one is for you.” He tightened the slack on the leash. “Come along.” “You like saying that, don‟t you?” “As a matter of fact, yes.” She sat down, the wood cool against her bare skin. “Am I going to be tied to this chair?” “No. Tonight‟s scene will be a little different. If you don‟t follow the rules, well…we‟ll discuss consequences later.” Clarissa nodded, still a little shaken from walking down the hallway naked. She sat down in the chair. “What are the rules?” Maddox leaned over to caress her cheek. “You look very delicious sitting there.” “Oh, does that mean you‟re going to eat me for dinner?” She wiggled her eyebrows at him. “Things are definitely looking up.” The smile he gave her made her nipples tighten. “Food first, play later.” “Good. I‟m starving.” She squirmed a little. “Are we going to order something?” He sat down in the chair opposite from her. “I‟ve already ordered. You‟re going to eat what I tell you to eat. It‟s a very simple thing.”

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This wasn‟t exactly what she‟d expected for tonight. She remembered reading about this in books, where the Dom controlled what the sub ate and drank. She remembered thinking it would be a cold day in hell before she allowed someone that much control over her. Yet here she sat, naked and not objecting. Why would this bother her, she wondered, when being tied last night hadn‟t bothered her one bit? Was it because the bondage had led to sex, and she knew it would? This seemed so strange, to allow complete control like this. “Has the idea soaked in yet?” “Yes. Basically you‟re taking away my right to choose what I eat.” “Exactly. I have total control over what goes in your mouth tonight.” He leaned toward her. “We‟ll see how well you follow directions.” “Although you might not guess it from what you‟ve read about me, I can follow directions with the best of them. Bring it on.” “Stay right where you are.” His lips curved in a slight smile, and then he stood and walked through another door and disappeared from sight. She took advantage of his absence to look around. The room they were in contained an oval table and six chairs. Parts of the books she‟d read had talked about people being used as tables, which worried her a bit. She didn‟t exactly have a flat surface on which to place a glass or plate. “Don‟t get ahead of yourself,” she whispered as she glanced at the living area. Decorated in a contemporary style, the furniture was white leather and seemed very stark. Throw pillows of dark blue added the only color. The tables in that room were all glass and brass. No knickknacks or paintings showed Maddox‟s interest in southwestern art or the lifestyle. This room, unlike his house, had definitely been done by a decorator. She wondered what the bedrooms looked like. Curtains lined the far wall. She imagined a glass wall behind them. The wall would overlook the strip, but she didn‟t remember seeing any balconies on the building‟s facade. She tapped her shoe against the floor. What was taking him so long? Or she supposed the better question should be, what was he doing in there? Somehow she didn‟t think the kitchen was in that direction. She glanced around, found another doorway. Through it she could see a refrigerator. She supposed there was a stove in there too, or at least a microwave. Becoming restless, she slid her shoes off, then put them back on. Waiting wasn‟t one of her stronger points, and she wanted nothing more than to go and see what was happening in the other room. Or was he waiting for her to do that? Was this a mind game? Was he testing how long she would hold out before giving in to her curiosity? He‟d told her to stay in t he seat, and she would. That didn‟t mean she had to like it.

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He hadn‟t, however, told her she couldn‟t talk. “Maddox? Did you get lost? This is your house, you know. I didn‟t think you‟d need a road map to make it back to the dining room.” No answer came, and she tapped her feet again. She wanted to stand, to move around. She hated just sitting. And just sitting here naked made her feel very vulnerable. She was sure that‟s what he wanted. She drummed her nails on the table, then slapped the heel of her shoe against the hardwood floor. “Relax, Clarissa.” She turned to watch him push a covered cart into the room. He stopped beside her and sat down. “You act as if you‟ve been sitting here for hours.” “I thought maybe you had to go to the market or run out and kill the fatted calf or something.” She eyed the tray. “What happens if I don‟t like what you‟re offering?” “You already said you don‟t have any food allergies.” He shrugged. “I don‟t see what the problem is.” “Well, if you‟re going to make me eat something gross like liver, then there‟s a problem.” “A good submissive doesn‟t question her Dom. She does what he asks, when he asks.” He pushed the lid of the tray up, revealing several plates. One of them held shrimp, which made her mouth water. There was also crab, shredded chicken, and cubes of steak. Besides the meat, there were plates of vegetables: carrots, zucchini, celery, mushrooms, cauliflower, and broccoli. There were also two dishes that both contained unidentified substances, one brown, the other white, that made her cringe slightly. “There‟s no dip for those raw vegetables,” she said. “Perhaps we should send for the waiter.” He gave her a sly smile but remained silent. “I‟ll take some shrimp and some carrots. I don‟t really care for celery.” “Then eat a piece.” Clarissa opened her mouth to ask if he‟d heard her, then clamped it shut. Tonight, he‟d said, was all about seeing how well she followed orders. She reached over, picked up a piece of celery, and moved it toward her mouth, pausing when he held up a finger. “Only a small bite, for now.” This was strange, being told what she could and couldn‟t eat and how much of it to eat. She‟d much rather have a bite of shrimp than the celery. Hopefully that tasty morsel would come later. She bit off a piece of the celery, chewing slowly, then swallowing. “I always thought this was like eating cardboard, except with strings.” “Take another bite, a larger one.” The sound of the crunch filled the room, and she felt like every time she moved her teeth it echoed. “You may put that down now.” An empty plate sat on the tray, and she put the celery on there, then turned her gaze to him expectantly.

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He nodded, then ordered her to pick up a carrot. They went through much the same movements with it as with the celery, then followed with mushrooms and broccoli. Clarissa‟s fingers itched to pick up the shrimp or at least a piece of chicken or steak. Doing as he asked was getting harder by the second as the small bites of vegetables only served to fuel her hunger instead of feed it. “May I have some shrimp?” “The plate in the middle. There‟s some crackers around it. Use that to dip out the food and eat it.” She stared at the concoction. “What is it?” “Food first, questions later.” A slight shake of her head showed her reluctance. “It looks vaguely like liver.” She leaned closer to it. “Now that I‟m looking at it, I‟m pretty sure it‟s ground-up pâté.” “I didn‟t ask for a review, I asked you to eat it. Just a small bite on a cracker.” Clarissa wrinkled up her nose. “I don‟t like liver. I‟ll pass.” She picked up a piece of shrimp and popped it in her mouth, chewing noisily. “This is much better.” She reached for another one, stopping with the prawn in midair when he cleared his throat. “Put it down.” Their gazes locked. His expression was impassive, and she wondered what was going through his mind. If she failed this test, would their fun be over? What harm could it do to push it a little? On the other hand, she didn‟t want to jeopardize what could turn out to be a fantastic relationship. The shrimp dropped noiselessly back onto the plate, and she put her hand in her lap, feeling a little like a child who had been caught stealing cookies between meals. “You‟re a bad girl, Clarissa. I told you to eat the other food, and you ate the shrimp. What am I going to do with you?” “Um, spank me?” “No, much too easy.” He folded his hands in his lap. “Stand up and walk around the table until I decide.” The order took her aback just a little. She hadn‟t expected something like that. She stood and started to walk, the long chain still hanging from her pussy dragging behind her. “Hands behind your back, head down.” She followed his instructions, feeling strangely exhilarated. When she‟d made one pass around the table, she stopped. “Continue walking until I say otherwise.” She wanted to snap at him, to ask what her walking had to do with his thinking. Instead she heaved a huge, put-upon sigh and started off again. The table wasn‟t that big, so making a circuit didn‟t take too long. She‟d made six when he finally told her to stop.

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“Come over here.” He pointed to a spot right in front of him. She moved toward him, feeling the same sense of excited vulnerability she‟d felt last evening. “Hand me your leash.” She lifted the chain from the floor, gathered up its length before handing it to him. He stood as she placed it in his hand. “Spread your legs, arms at your side.” “I‟m not sure I like instructions like that. Makes me feel like a disobedient child.” “You‟re a submissive doing as she‟s told.” He trailed the chain up her stomach, threading it around one nipple ring and then the other before looping it around her neck and taking it back down to her pussy. She felt a slight tug as it passed through her clit ring before he let the length of it drop to the floor. “Very nice. Climb onto the table and lie on your back.” Clarissa glanced at the table, swallowing hard. “It looks rather small.” “Do as I ask.” She nodded, sitting on the edge and scooting back. The wood was very cold against her backside, and she shivered as she lay down. She fit on there perfectly, which surprised her just a bit. From this position, he would be able to get to her from wherever he wanted. “Are you going to tie me?” He remained silent, and she felt her chain move just a little, heard a click. “What was that?” He ignored the question and trailed a length of it back up her body to the other end of the table before she heard another click. “Maddox, what are you doing?” He ignored the question and moved to the tray. She watched him carefully as he lifted the plate of shrimp, then came back to her. “Didn‟t your mother teach you it was dangerous to eat when you‟re lying down?” She shivered as he trailed a piece of shrimp over her nipple, then jumped when he dumped the entire plateful on her stomach. Her movement pulled on her rings, and she gasped. “Just so you know, I attached the chain to a little hook in the table. I made sure it was nice and taut, so anytime you move it will pull on your rings. Really, you should just lie still.” “But…” “Since you didn‟t want to eat, I‟m going to, and I‟m going to use you as my table.” He walked back over to the table and picked up the plate full of brown goo. She watched him walk toward her, trailing his finger through it. He lifted it to his mouth, licked at the substance. “Chocolate. Yummy.” He scooped out a handful and put a little bit on each breast. The food was cold, and she moved slightly. Her rings pulled again, making her groan. The feeling was half pain, half pleasure, and heightened by the cold from the food. How could she have been so stupid as to turn down one of her favorite foods? “It didn‟t look like chocolate.”

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“Looks can be deceiving.” He went back to the tray, picked up the other plate of food she didn‟t recognize. “Hummus.” “Of course. Chickpeas and yogurt.” She groaned loudly as he tipped the plate over her pussy. The frigid food slid over her mons, and she arched her back, pulling yet again on her rings. “Ouch.” She lay back down, trying not to move as the cold seeped into her body. “You really should do as I say. I wrapped the chain around the rings several times, to provide maximum pull when you moved.” “Yeah, I noticed that.” She clasped the edges of the table with her hands in an effort to stay still. It was hard, though, since he was now trailing his fingers through the hummus, moving it onto her stomach and thighs. He went back to the tray several times, decorating her body with vegetables, chicken, crab, and steak before picking up a fork. “Dinnertime.” Clarissa watched him as he perched on the edge of the table, lowering the fork toward her stomach. Her breath came in short, wispy gasps as he pushed it into a piece of shrimp. She felt the pressure but no sting from the tines as he speared his food. He lifted the morsel to his mouth and popped it inside, chewing slowly. “Cocktail sauce,” he said around a mouthful. He walked back to the tray, picked up the sauce, and then dumped it over the shrimp on her stomach. The cool liquid seemed to seep into her bones as he speared another shrimp and dragged it through the red paste. He took a bite and nodded his approval. “Much better.” She wiggled as he stabbed something else, the tine of the fork pressing against her skin. The pull from the chain intensified as she wiggled, and she groaned. “Does the pain, even the slightest bit of it, feel good or bad?” Clarissa watched him eat a piece of steak, her mouth watering. Strangely enough, the pain felt good. She wasn‟t sure she wanted to tell him that, though. How would he use that information? She groaned loudly as he trailed the fork through the hummus, the tines sliding along her slit. “Answer me.” “Feels good.” She closed her eyes as the tip of the fork slid into her slit, sliding along her soft inner folds. The movement made her body stir in ways she‟d never felt before, her clit jumping as if to beg for a taste of the metal utensil. He used his free hand to widen her lips, then lightly pricked her pussy with the fork. The stabs weren‟t painful, and they certainly didn‟t pierce her skin. What they did was make her want to beg for more. He continued his prodding, never once touching the fork against her clit. She arched into him several times, the movement causing the same pulling sensation on her clit and nipples. Wetness flooded her, and she wondered if he would use his tongue on her, make her come.

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The thought flew away as he traced the fork up her body, gently pricking her as he went. He stopped from time to time, spearing a piece of food and lifting it to his mouth. Clarissa forced herself to lie still, even as she wanted to scream at him to stop playing with her, to put his hands back on her pussy, to make her come. Finally he picked up a piece of the shrimp, dragged it through the sauce, and then lifted her head. The movement tightened the tension on the chain and made her groan. “Eat.” He put the shrimp in front of her mouth, and she ate it, chewing slowly as he watched. “Thank you.” “You‟re welcome. Would you like more?” “Yes, please.” He laid her head down gently, then walked behind her and unsnapped the link above her head. The tension on the chain released, and she sighed in relief. “Thank you, again.” “Sit up.” She did as he asked, and food fell to the table, some of it spilling onto the floor. She started to get off the table, and he pressed down on her shoulder. “Stay on the table.” He fed her several pieces of shrimp, running each one through the sauce that still lingered on her stomach or had dropped to her thighs. Then he put both hands under a breast, lifted it toward her mouth. “Lick.” The chocolate, mixed with the saltiness of her skin, tasted delicious. He stroked the back of her hair as she lapped at herself. “Such a good girl. Suck your nipple, clean it off.” He tilted her large breast up to give her better access. The chain and her ring tasted strange as she followed his instructions. The sweetness of the chocolate won out, and she cleaned her nipple totally, her nipple popping from her mouth as he released her breast gently. “I guess there‟s something to be said about having fatty boobs, huh?” She laughed nervously, then watched him move to the other side of the table. “Now this one.” She licked herself again, not sucking her nipple into her mouth until he gave her instructions to do so. This time his free hand traced her thighs as she suckled herself. When he let her go, he stroked her cheek. “You‟re such a good girl. Too bad you can‟t lick your own pussy. I‟d like to see that.” Laughter bubbled out of her mouth. “I‟m fat, so my boobs are real and big and can move. I‟m not a contortionist.” “You‟re not fat; you‟re extremely beautiful and very delectable.” Heat rushed through her at his words. Even Serge, who had professed to love her, had told her at times how heavy she was, how much he wanted her to slim down. Maddox leaned toward her, kissed her gently.

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“I‟m still hungry, and I hate to see good hummus go to waste. It‟s one of my favorite foods.” He trailed his hand down her body as he moved to the end of the table. He grasped her thighs and pulled her toward him until her ass barely rested on the table. Then he sat in the chair, and his head disappeared between her thighs. She cried out as his tongue speared her lips, diving inside her folds and licking greedily. His soft murmurs of approval as he feasted made her feel more wanted than she‟d ever felt in her life. His tongue teased her pussy, lapping at her clit from time to time. She gasped and undulated into him, the pull on her rings as delicious as the softness of his tongue. When he pulled her clit into his mouth, then flicked the tip of his tongue over the tight nub, she came, her body tightening with pleasure as he continued his luscious assault. “Maddox! Oh fuck.” She fell back onto the table, pressing herself into his mouth as he continued to eat. When his head finally lifted, she wanted to scream at him to go back for more. She propped herself up on her elbows and gazed down at him, her eyes heavy with desire. “So good.” “Yes, it was rather tasty.” He smacked his lips, then squeezed her thigh. “Now it‟s time for you to have something substantial to eat. On your knees.” Clarissa thought she‟d never heard such a great offer. She dropped down, ignoring the tension on her chain and put her hands on his fly. “No, hands behind your back.” Her excitement doubled as she obeyed. Was it because she knew she was about to taste him, or was it the appealing way he ordered her to do things that made her feel so wonderful inside? She didn‟t know, and right now she didn‟t care. All she wanted was to suck him. Her gaze fastened on his hands greedily as they went to his belt, slowly undoing it. Would he spank her with that belt one day? The idea thrilled her. He didn‟t pull it loose from its loops today, though. He let it drop, then unbuttoned his pants, his hands going to the zipper. “Are you hungry?” He lifted one of his hands to her head, lightly brushing hair away from her face. The soft touch made her nerve endings sizzle even more. “Starving.” She leaned her head into his hand, and he cupped her cheek, caressing her jaw with the pad of his thumb. “Do you remember last night?” She nodded, leaning into him more. “Then you know what to do.” She lifted her gaze to where he stared down at her. “Please, Maddox, may I have your cock?” “Yes, you may. So very sweet.” He undid his zipper slowly, the sound seeming to fill the room and drown out her own ragged breathing. When he lifted his cock out of

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his shorts and stroked it, she wanted to push his hand away, swallow him whole. She inched her mouth toward him, and he pulled back. “Not yet. Don‟t be in such a hurry.” “I asked nicely.” She could hear the whining in her voice, and it made her cringe. “Yes, you did. I‟m not ready yet. I‟m enjoying watching you kneel before me, ready to suck me at my command.” Clarissa licked her lips, hoping that would encourage him to come back toward her. She put out her hand in an effort to touch him, and he leaned away. “No, back in position and wait for permission.” “Why?” “Because I want you to, that‟s why.” Clarissa clasped her hands behind her back, then looked down at the floor. It was best to try and focus on anything besides his dick, which seemed so close and yet so far away. She smiled at the often-used analogy and thought back to the books she‟d read last week. A submissive followed her Dom‟s commands, let him control their time together. She trusted him to do what was right, and he trusted her to place herself in his hands and let him lead. “Good girl.” He stroked her hair again. “I‟m going to put my cock right in front of your mouth, and I want you to lick. That‟s all, just lick. If you take me in your mouth, I‟ll move away. Understand?” “Yes, Maddox.” Should she be calling him that? Or was it time for her to call him Master? He hadn‟t said anything about that, and she hadn‟t asked. Since yesterday they‟d been content to play, and maybe that‟s all they were doing now, playing. Would it lead to something permanent? She‟d never thought it would, because permanency wasn‟t something she envisioned in her life, unless her parents forced her into the situation. He stepped in front of her, one hand resting on the base of his cock, the other moving to her hair. “Just lick.” She thought this would be the hardest thing she‟d ever done in her life. She wanted to swallow him, taste as much of him as possible. He wanted her to lick, and she was determined to do as he asked. Her tongue snaked out and flicked at his piercing, moving it up and down. She bent a little and ran her tongue along the ridge of his head, lapping at him, forcing herself to set a slow, leisurely pace. She moved around, savoring the salty taste of his skin. “That‟s it.” He moved his fingers around in her hair, caressing her scalp. “Very nice.” She licked her way down his shaft until she got to his fingers, lightly running her tongue along them. Then she moved to the other side, licking back up. When she got to

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the head, she ran her tongue along the ridge once more and whispered, “Please, Maddox, I‟m begging.” “And so very nicely too. You may do as you like, but keep the pace slow and even. Don‟t allow yourself to rush through it.” Clarissa kissed the head of his cock, then opened her mouth, planting her lips around the tip and sucking gently. “Ahhh, yeah.” His murmur of assent almost drove her crazy. She fought to stay in control, taking him little by little, sucking back and forth before sliding out and licking him again, relishing the taste, craving what was to come. When he let go of his cock and clasped her head with both hands, she sucked faster, sliding her tongue around him as she worked. Her hand moved to the spot he had vacated, working that part of his shaft she couldn‟t get into her mouth. “Bad girl,” he whispered, his voice ragged with desire. She knew instantly what he meant. It wasn‟t her sucking he was referring to; it was her hands. He‟d told her to keep her hands behind her back. She quickly moved them back, and his whispered, “good girl,” sent shivers up her spine. He tightened his grip in her hair, guiding her head a little faster, and when she felt his cock pulse, she knew what was to come. He pulled back from her, one hand still in her hair, the other on his cock. He let loose with a stream of cum, spraying her breasts as they rose and fell in excitement. When he was done, he let go of her hair and stepped away. “Beautiful.” “I would have—” “Swallowed? That‟s for sweet subs who follow exact orders. Next time you‟ll remember to keep your hands behind your back, won‟t you?” “Yes, Maddox.” “I‟m very glad to hear that.” He put his hands on his hips and smiled down at her. “Let‟s share a shower, shall we? Then we‟ll stay here tonight. In the morning, you can take the car back to Henderson and check on things.” She nodded, standing on shaky feet. “May I take my shoes off for the shower?” “Yes, you may.” “Good. These things cost a fortune, and I would hate to ruin them on the first day I owned them.” She held out her arms while he unhooked the chain, letting it fall to the ground. Then he cocked his head toward the room he‟d disappeared in earlier. “Let‟s go.” There was room in the shower for both of them, but it looked like a tight fit. Maddox told her he‟d had this bathroom designed that way. “Nothing like playing in tight, enclosed spaces,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows lasciviously. Clarissa giggled. She couldn‟t remember the last time she‟d felt this relaxed with a lover. She‟d always been worried about motives, about them getting close, making her

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feel wanted, then asking about money. She didn‟t have to worry about that with Maddox, though. He had money of his own. He turned on the showerhead, testing the water temperature. “I like it hot. And you?” “Scalding.” She looked down at his cock. “In more ways than one.” “Good.” He stepped back with a flourish. “After you.” She moved inside, realizing there was more room than it appeared. When he was next to her, he closed the door. He placed a small bag on the nozzle, then gave her a washcloth and a bar of soap. “Serve me.” She didn‟t have to ask what he meant. She thoroughly wetted the cloth, then rubbed the bar of soap on the inside, producing a great deal of lather. She started with his chest, marveling at the firmness of his abs, plucking gently at the soft covering of hair. He stood silently and let her work. She could feel his gaze on her as she moved to his arms, washing his biceps and forearms, taking great care with every finger. When she was done with the top, she knelt, washing his legs, scrubbing his knees and ankles and running the cloth between his toes as he lifted each foot. She relathered the washcloth several times, building up a good amount of soap before going back to her task. When she was done with the front, he turned and she did the same with his back, sliding the soap over him, exploring every inch of his body, kissing each buttock as she washed him. As she worked her way up his body, she realized that taking care of him like this only strengthened the bond she felt. If Serge had stepped into the shower and said, “Serve me,” she would have told him to kiss her ass. But with Maddox it felt right, felt perfect. She stood and washed his shoulders, then kissed the back of his neck. “Anything else, Master?” Her voice was soft and dreamy, matching the mood that filled her so completely. This was a dream, a sensuous dream that left her aroused, craving his cock. He turned back to her, and she looked down. The part of his body in question stood at attention, and she wrapped the washcloth around it, keeping it tight as he groaned in pleasure. “Wash yourself while I watch.” Clarissa obeyed immediately. The cloth felt sensuous as it slipped over her skin. She lathered each breast, her aching nubs tingling as she touched them. She wanted to offer them to him, beg him to suck her. She slid the cloth between her legs, rubbing against her pussy until she groaned. “Turn around.” Not one inch of her thought of disobeying. He tugged the cloth from her hand, then popped it against her ass. “Bend over.”

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Desire coursed through her as he caressed her bottom, his hands seeming to glide over her skin. She turned her head to watch him lift the bag from the nozzle, undo the ties, and place it on the center of her back. “Turn back around.” There was an edge to his voice, halfway between humor and chastisement. He clasped a buttock in each hand, firmly shaking them, them pulling them apart. A finger slipped between the crease, skimming over her anus, and she groaned as feelings of pleasure snaked out from her core and through her body. He wiggled his finger, her opening granting him entrance as she groaned softly. “Do you like that, Clarissa?” “Yes.” Having her ass played with had never felt so good. She relaxed as he worked his finger inside her, gently probing as she panted in need. When he pulled away from her, cries of pleasure turned into ones of despair. “Would you like me to fill your backside?” She nodded, grateful for the bar in front of her. She held it tightly as he played. Her legs were shaking, and she worried about them going out from under her. When she felt the tip of something hard at her ass, though, her body tensed and she tried to stand. His hand went to her back immediately, caressing her in gentle, soothing circles. “Trust me. Bend back over; it‟s just a plug.” She closed her eyes, centering on his hand as he continued to stroke her. The water cascaded off her body, and she watched as it swirled, sliding down the drain as Maddox worked the plug into her ass. When the wide end slipped into her, she grunted, then laughed nervously. “How do you feel?” He was still touching her, his hands reaching around to fondle her breasts. “Full.” She heard something rip, whimpering in pleasure as he stepped up behind her, his hard cock fitting into the ridge of her ass. Without saying a word, he slipped into her pussy, fucking her hard and fast. She grasped the bar, worried she would pull it from the wall as he banged into her; the plug moved with his thrusts, bringing her double pleasure. Her fucked her long and hard, then suddenly stopped, one hand taking something from the bag and reaching around to her pussy. Soft sobs of pleasure escaped her as he attached a lanyard to her clit ring, then let it go. A chain fell, the weight on the end of it pulling on her ring as it stopped abruptly. She cried out as he clasped her hips, fucking her with more intensity than before. The weight swung as they moved, and Clarissa knew she couldn‟t take much more. The intensity was high, her body feeling as if it might implode. Maddox‟s heavy breathing seemed to wrap itself around her, letting her know he was as close to climax as she was. “Maddox, I…”

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“Yes.” He slammed into her hard, and she screamed, the weight pulling on her clit, her orgasm spreading through her. His cock pulsed inside her, and he leaned over, his teeth nipping at her neck. They stayed that way afterward, neither of them speaking. Their breathing seemed to fall into complete harmony as he held her. When he finally pulled away, she felt a great loss. She wanted him to stay, to hold her close forever. Water hit her back, and she realized it had turned colder, and that he had taken the brunt of it as he‟d fucked her. Had he noticed? Or, like her, had he been so caught up in what they were doing that he‟d lost sight of everything around them, including the lukewarm water? “Is something wrong?” She stood and pulled him close as he turned off the water. “No, I‟m just marveling at the fact that I found a woman like you. I want to ask where you‟ve been all my life, but all I have to do is go back and check a few newspapers to find out, don‟t I?” “Yeah, it‟s too bad I didn‟t catch you a few years ago. I‟m sure twice a night is too much for your old body.” He snorted out a huff, then smacked her bottom. The plug inside her shifted, and she groaned. “I may be over thirty, but I haven‟t lost my sex drive. Trust me.” “We‟ll see.” She stepped around him and opened the shower door. “But so far I‟m impressed.” She ran for the other room, dodging the wet cloth as it sailed past her head.

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Chapter Eight “So, pizza with sausage and mushrooms but no onions. You know, if we both had onions it wouldn‟t matter.” She picked at the slice of pizza in her hand and looked over to where he sat, cross-legged on the opposite side of the bed. After the shower, they‟d cleaned up the mess in the other room, or most of it, anyway. After that, Maddox had announced he was hungry and had ordered a pizza from the kitchen. It was almost midnight now, and he‟d opened the curtains. The lights from the strip illuminated a good portion of the room, since they‟d left the overhead lights off. “I don‟t like onions, although I‟m sure it‟s nothing near the reason why you don‟t like pickles. I just don‟t like the taste of onions. Tell me why you have, and I quote, an intense dislike for pickles.” “I don‟t like the taste of pickles,” she said, deepening her voice to mimic his. “Nice try.” He lightly pinched her nipple. “I want the truth.” Clarissa put her slice of pizza on the box lid, then reached for her glass of soda. “Listen, only two people know that story, and that‟s me and Anna. And if Anna hadn‟t been there, there‟s no way I would have told her. It‟s very, very embarrassing.” “I‟m hurt that you don‟t want to share with me.” He tore off a hunk of his pizza, and she watched as he chewed and swallowed. Even when he was eating, his mouth was sexy. “Darling, I‟m taking this secret to my grave.” She picked off a mushroom and ate it. “We‟ll see about that.” He finished off his slice, selected another one. “Tell me, then, about Henry Isaacs.” “Talk about coming out of left field. What brought that up?”

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He turned a serious gaze on her. “I‟ve been thinking about it ever since you showed up here. When he came into the room in New York, he introduced himself as your fiancé. You immediately said that wasn‟t the truth, and he said it would be. Would you like to clarify what he meant?” Clarissa turned her head toward the window, focusing on lights across the street. “Do you think anyone can see in here? I mean, the lights are off, but we‟re sitting here naked.” “Answer the question, please.” “Okay. He‟s not my fiancé, and if I have anything to do with it, he never will be. I don‟t plan on getting married, but my parents are determined to end my wicked ways by marrying me off to someone who can „handle me,‟ and who „accepts my eccentricities,‟ as my mother puts it.” He clicked his tongue against his teeth. “How old are you again?” “I‟ll be thirty in December, and you know it, because I know you googled me.” “Yes, I did. That makes you a few years younger than I am. And in my opinion, it makes you old enough to make your own decisions. Why are your parents determined to make them for you, and why are you letting them?” “I‟m not letting them. I‟m here, aren‟t I?” “And you left your cell phone at my house so you could dodge calls from your parents, right?” His words shocked her to the core. “How did you know that?” “I‟m right, aren‟t I?” She nodded. “It goes back to my wild and wicked days. My parents have never been very good parents, really. Father was always too busy with work and whatever mistress he had on the side at the time. Mother was busy with charity work and screwing whichever gardener we employed at the time. We had a nanny that kept us on a pretty tight leash.” She leaned over and kissed him gently. “And it was nothing like the leash you put on me, I can guarantee it.” “That‟s good to hear.” He kissed her back. “Now, continue.” “When I went to college, I sorta broke away from everything. I studied art history and got my degree, in between my partying and friends. I did so much partying it took me almost six years to get that degree.” “Yes, I read that. It was after you graduated that you went a little wild.” “It‟s a good thing the lights are off so you can‟t see me blush,” she said softly. “Yes, I went wild. I came into my trust fund at age twenty-five, and I used it to travel everywhere I could think of. Anna came with me, and we had a great time. We partied and raised hell all over Europe and Asia, and then we hit the Caribbean and South America.”

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The room was silent for a few minutes, and then she sighed. “Of course, two rich girls raising hell and getting naked in public attracts attention. My parents were „ashamed and embarrassed‟ when various videos and photos would show up on gossip programs or in tabloids and magazines. Somehow it was me getting naked and not Anna.” They both laughed. “She has better sense than I do, I think.” “That doesn‟t explain why your parents are intent on controlling your life.” “Well, I‟m an Alexander. I have a responsibility to uphold the good name, and if I won‟t do it, then by God, he‟ll find a way to rein me in.” “With Henry Isaacs?” Clarissa shrugged. “The first in a long line of suitors. I scared most of them away by telling them about my tats and piercings and explaining I‟d had a girlfriend at one point. I think they were afraid my past would come back to haunt them. Henry‟s the only one who has stuck around. It makes me wonder if he needs money or something.” “You had a girlfriend?” He sat up a little straighter. “I burned all the videos from that time, so you‟re out of luck.” He snapped his fingers and shook his head. “Damn it.” He winked at her. “So, why are you staying in New York if you don‟t want to get married? Why give up the travel and partying?” “Well, Anna got married, and it seemed like everyone else who wanted to tag along was only after my money. So I came home to live for a few months and just sorta stayed. That was when my father started pushing „appropriate‟ men in my face.” She cleared her throat and started to speak in an imitation of a man‟s voice. “Time to get married, time to settle down and have children. You have responsibilities to your family. You can have those tats removed, you know, and the holes from the piercings will grow back together.” “Do they know about them all?” “Oh yes, they do. My mother was mortified when she realized I had pierced nipples, not to mention a ring in my pussy. I think she cried for days about what a horrid daughter I was and how people talked about me being a slut.” He pushed her backward, and she landed on the pillows. She inhaled sharply when his fingers invaded her pussy. “We need to put several more rings in here. Two or three on each side of your labia and I will be able to lace it together. That would be pretty.” “Kinky, I like that.” “Me too.” He leaned over and captured a nipple in his mouth, sucking greedily before letting it pop free. “I would like to talk about us.” “Us?” “Yes. I haven‟t had a collared sub in years, and as far as I‟m concerned, you‟re a candidate for the position.”

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Her heart raced out of control, and she clutched the bedspread next to her. “What exactly are you proposing?” “You know we‟re going to Laughlin this weekend?” When she nodded, he continued. “I have a house out there, in the middle of nowhere. I like to go there to get away. I propose when we get there, we play some heavy games, discuss BDSM and what would be expected of you, and of me, in our relationship.” “Go on.” “If we decide to make things permanent, Rissa, you‟d have to surrender yourself to me in every way. I would control your body and mind sexually. You would accede to all my wishes in physical matters and in our private life together.” There was another comfortable silence while she contemplated his words. “You‟re talking about me moving to Las Vegas, into your house?” “Yes.” “Would I have to wear a collar?” “Yes, a sign that I own you.” Excitement mixed with fear at his words. “My parents want to own me, and so does Henry.” “There are different types of ownership. They want to change you, to mold you into what they want. I want you to be the same fun-loving woman that‟s lying naked before me. I want us to take a journey together, led by me, yes, but participated in by both of us. I can promise you, I don‟t expect you to join the country club and pop out babies. The last thing I want is a clone of your mother and mine.” He held up a finger. “That came out harsh. I‟m sorry. I love my mother, but she‟s much like yours, except for the fact she married my father, a broke archaeologist she met on a dig at Mesa Verde. She tried, and failed, to break out of the mold.” Clarissa sat up and toyed with another piece of pizza. “I had no idea Nadine Tremont was your mother. It floored me, because it doesn‟t say it anywhere in your bios.” “My parents divorced when I was twelve. I wanted to stay out here, with my father, and my mother agreed. When I opened the casino, she asked that I keep our relationship silent. She‟s embarrassed by the fact she has a son that runs a „gambling establishment,‟ where „hookers‟ might frequent. Her words, not mine.” Clarissa scooted closer and put her head in his lap. “It seems everyone already knew, though. Well, everyone except me.” His touch was light against her face. “What do you say, Clarissa? Shall we take this to stage two?” She didn‟t even have to think twice about her decision. “Throttle up, Maddox, or should I call you Master now?”

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His seductive smile made her groan. “Maddox, for now. It‟s your last night as a free, unattached woman. When we get to my house in Laughlin tomorrow, you surrender yourself to me totally, agreed?” “Agreed.” “Good. Now, I‟d like to discuss this girlfriend you had. Are you sure there are no videos or photos of the two of you eating each other? A sixty-nine maybe?” She pushed at his chest even as he gathered her close, spreading kisses over her cheeks. She tried to get away, and they wrestled, sending the mostly empty pizza box onto the floor and overturning the glasses full of soda that had been resting on the tray nearby. Clarissa gasped in mock horror, then pointed to his groin. “Will you look at that! You can get it up three times a night. I think you‟re a keeper.” “I‟ll show you a keeper.” She tried to scramble off the bed, but he held her close, flipping her onto her stomach before climbing on top of her. He straddled her, his erection planted firmly in the crack of her ass. Her pussy throbbed with need, and she bucked her hips as much as she could with him resting on top of her. “Now, let‟s see if you can take it more than once a night, shall we?” “Bring it on, baby. I‟m more than ready.”

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Chapter Nine Clarissa stretched, then yelped when Maddox‟s hand came down on her bare ass. “Ouch!” She fluffed out her hair and turned to him with an innocent smile. “What exactly was that for?” “General purposes. You‟ve made me late for work, and I‟m never late for work.” “Obviously you are now, so that statement is patently false.” She turned and sat on the marble bathroom counter. “Want to play some more before you go to the sawmill, darling?” His lips were soft against hers for a brief minute before he pulled back and looked down. “Close your legs. That sight is much too inviting, and I really do need to get things done before we leave today.” “Too bad.” She leaned back against the mirror, drawing her legs up onto the counter and spreading them wide. She stroked her slit, then slipped her fingers inside , rubbing her clit. “Oh, that feels good.” “Enjoy it while you can, little one. When we get in the car for Henderson, that pussy becomes mine, and mine alone. You will play with it when I say, come when I say, do exactly as I say.” Clarissa raised her free hand to her breast, teasing her nipple. “Sounds wonderful.” “Shall we test your ability to follow orders? Come for me. Now.” She moved her fingers faster, her clit drawing tight in response. “When I say right now, that‟s what I mean. Come now.” “I‟m almost there.” “Not good enough. Do it right now.” The hard tone of his voice made her shiver, and she pinched her clit, peaking instantly.

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“Maddox! Oh fuck! Need. Your…dick.” She continued to rub, intent on another orgasm while he watched. “No!” she screamed out as he grasped her wrist and pulled her hand away. “I said come, and you did. You don‟t have permission for another one. And you will learn to come exactly when I say, not a minute after, exactly at that time.” Her body quivered as he stared at her. “Do you understand me?” No one had ever talked to her like that before, and it produced an exhilaration that made her senses soar. “Yes.” “Yes, Master.” “Yes, Master.” Heavens above, what was she doing? She swore no one would ever have control over her, and yet here she was, allowing him to tell her what to do. And she liked it. A lot. “I will know, Clarissa, if you violate my order. If that happens, I‟ll stop the car on the way to Laughlin, put you over the hood, take off my belt. Do I need to continue?” She shook her head violently. There was no doubt in her mind he would do exactly as he said, despite his earlier insistence about not doing things in public because of his gaming license. Somehow he‟d find a way to spank her on the side of the road. Problem was, she would probably encourage it and enjoy it very much. “Good. Now, I have work to do, and you can hardly wear the dress you had on last night all day long. Charge some clothes at the boutique. Tell them to put it on my account. Then you have the day to play. Be back here at three, and we‟ll go to Henderson, close up the house, and leave from there.” “Yes, Master.” He cupped her neck, guided her head toward his. She moaned into his mouth as he kissed her gently. “Go by the front desk sometime today. They‟ll give you a key to the elevator and the room.” “Aye, aye, Captain.” She tried to hide her smile as he shook his head. He turned for the door, calling out behind him, “Three o‟clock.” She heard the front door open and close, then leaned against the mirror, closing her eyes as her hand absentmindedly disappeared between her legs. Just one more. She‟d stroke herself to the image of her bent over the car, him behind her, his belt doubled over in his hands. She‟d never been spanked, never had the fantasy of being spanked, and yet when Maddox proposed it, she wanted to do it, right then and there. What did that say? Was it because of the action he proposed or because it was him? She knew the answer to that without hesitation. It was him. All him. Her fingers found her clit and tugged gently. One more wouldn‟t hurt. And he‟d never know. She stroked the still-buzzing pulse of her pussy, gasping when his voice rang out. “I see how you are. It seems we need to start your lessons now.” She saw him leaning against the doorjamb, studying her. “What did I tell you?” “I‟m sorry, Maddox, I…”

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He held up his index finger. “No, you‟re never sorry. Maybe disappointed you got caught, but never sorry.” He straightened himself, his hands going to his belt buckle. “Stand up and bend over.” “You said—” “Now, Clarissa.” Her heart seemed to skip a beat as she studied him, standing there in dark slacks and a light green shirt and dark tie. He pulled the belt from the loops in one swift movement, then doubled it over in his hands. “I‟m waiting.” She inched off the countertop, then turned and braced her hands against the marble. He advanced behind her, his reflection in the mirror making her gasp. He looked menacing with the belt in his hand. He also looked so damn sexy she thought her juices would wet the floor. “I can‟t believe you disobeyed me so quickly. Why did you do that?” “Because, I…” She licked her lips and then looked down at the marble. “Look at me.” She glanced back up. He grabbed her hair and drew her head back toward him. She kept her gaze trained on him in the mirror. “I‟m not one of those Doms you‟ve read about who likes lowered gazes. I like to see my sub‟s face and eyes when she talks to me. Now, answer the question.” “Because, I…”—she moaned softly—“got excited when you mentioned spanking me. I didn‟t want to wait. I‟m sor—” “No, you say, „I‟ll do better next time, Master.‟ Never say you‟re sorry when you disobey an order. That word is reserved for accidents only, and this situation doesn‟t warrant that. If you were sorry, you wouldn‟t have done it in the first place.” A blush crept up her face. She once again felt like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar. “I‟ll do better next time, Master.” “Very good.” He ran the leather up her thigh, and she shook with need. “And since you want this belt so much, you can‟t have it. Not yet.” “Master?” Good Lord, what was happening to her? She felt like a puddle of goo right now, ready to sink to the floor and do anything he wanted. If she thought it would do any good, she‟d beg for a spanking; she wanted it so badly. “Don‟t worry, you‟ll get it later, when I deem the time right. Now, what are you not going to do when I leave?” “Not play with my pussy.” She shot him a sly grin. “Truthfully, I‟ll probably check the door to make sure you‟ve really left.” She watched a smile play across his lips. Then he stepped back and threaded his belt back through the loops. There was a huge part of her that hated that sight. She wanted to taste the leather, see what it felt like. The clink of the buckle made her look down; then she looked back up to see him studying her. “Three o‟clock, missy.” “Missy?” “Your new name, short for Miss Smarty Pants.”

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“I already have four names. What‟s wrong, can‟t you remember one of those?” Without answering, he turned toward the door. “Three o‟clock.” The door opened and closed, the sound seeming to reverberate as it hadn‟t the last time. Clarissa stayed in place, her hands on the counter. She took several deep breaths to try and calm her nerves, which were on edge, waiting for him to come back; then she looked up, gasping when she saw Maddox‟s reflection in the mirror. “Good girl.” And then he turned and left, and a huge smile broke over her face. She‟d definitely passed some sort of test, even if she‟d missed a few of the questions in the process.

***** Clarissa held out her credit card. When the young woman wouldn‟t take it, she jiggled it in front of her face. “I apologize, Ms. Alexander, we‟re under strict instructions from Mr. Perry that all your purchases are to go on his account. I can‟t accept your credit card.” “Oh, well, isn‟t it nice of him to let everyone know we‟re screwing.” She smoothed her hand down her new sundress. The woman let out a laugh, then put a hand in front of her face to hide a smile. “If you call the tabloids to report this, make sure they pay you. They usually give tipsters at least a Benjamin for information on me. In this case, I‟d ask for two, since you have confirmation from me. „A source close to Ms. Alexander said she sucked Mr. Perry‟s cock last night, and it was delicious.‟ Sorry, we didn‟t take pictures.” She picked up the bag containing the dress she‟d worn last night and glanced inside. The two linen shirts she‟d bought were nestled in paper. She‟d also bought two T-shirts with the Moonglow logo on them—a crescent moon nestled in the center of the shirt with sequined stars twinkling around it. She planned to use part of her free time today to mail one of them to Anna as a token thank-you for putting up with her angry father. Thinking of him made her wonder about her phone, sitting at Maddox‟s house. How many missed calls were on it now? How many messages from her parents, her father‟s anger rising with each one, her mother‟s mock crying in despair about the shame Clarissa brought to the family with her actions? She could almost hear her mother now. Really, Clarissa, I don’t care who his mother is. He’s a casino owner. He’s just not up to our standards. Clarissa winked at the obviously shocked clerk, then headed out the door. She would retrieve Maddox‟s car from the valet, find the nearest post office, and mail Anna‟s package. Then she‟d do what she did best. Find a mall and do some shopping. Or maybe she should find a tattoo parlor, get a moon inked on her ass or her pussy. She dismissed that idea immediately. Too much healing time, and she wanted her body ready for Maddox to play with while they were in the desert.

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“Clarissa!” She closed her eyes and counted to ten, praying what she‟d just heard was a call for someone else with her name. But it wasn‟t. She knew that voice. She opened her eyes to see Henry walking toward her as fast as possible without seeming like he was running. “What the hell are you doing here?” She held out her hand to stop his progress when he tried to close the gap between them. “Get away from me, Henry.” “What am I doing here? What are you doing in this…place? Your parents are worried sick. They‟ve been trying to reach you for days.” She shrugged. “Good for them. And good for you, their loyal retriever; you found me. Now, let‟s go to the kitchen, and I‟ll ask the cook if he has a spare bone. You can take it and crawl back home.” Anger boiled inside her as she watched him shake his head. “Your father sent me to collect you, and that‟s exactly what I‟m doing.” Her anger increased with each word. “How did you find me?” “Your credit card company, of course. They said there was a charge here that was immediately taken off. They became suspicious and tried to call you, and when they couldn‟t reach you at your home or on your cell, they called your father.” “How dare they!” “Clarissa, the bank has his name as the person to call in case of emergency. You know that. They were worried someone had stolen your credit card.” She snorted, laughing when he looked around to see if anyone noticed her unladylike noise. “Yeah, thieves often charge something on a credit card, then have it taken off.” “They said there were also numerous charges at stores here in Las Vegas, and in Henderson.” Clarissa made a mental note to close that account and get a new credit card that her father wouldn‟t have access to. The one she‟d always used had originally been opened in his name, which was why the bank so readily gave him the information, she was sure. “Henry, you‟ve done your duty. Tell my father I‟m fine, and if I wanted to talk to him, I would have answered my phone. Maddox is showing me the time of my life, and I‟m enjoying myself immensely. So shove off.” She pushed at him when he tried to close the gap again. “I mean it, Henry, get the hell away from me.” Her voice rose with each word, and people stopped to see what was going on. She strode around him and headed for the bar. Screw getting the car. She could have the concierge send Anna‟s package out today. Right now she needed a drink. She had a nice, juicy erotic novel nestled in her purse. She‟d sit and read and drink, and if she got bored, she‟d take a walk down the strip or maybe play some slots.

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“Perry?” he said in disbelief as he followed her into bar. Clarissa signaled Nicole, the waitress who‟d waited on her before. She held up her finger and mouthed the words, Butter baby. Nicole nodded, and Clarissa found an empty table and sat in one of the chairs. When Henry slid into the seat across from her, she groaned. “What did they teach you at Harvard? Did „get the hell away‟ mean something there that it doesn‟t mean here?” “Is that what this is about? Maddox Perry? He‟s not a nice man, Clarissa. Your father is worried.” Nicole sat her drink on the table and turned to Henry. “Can I get you something?” “He‟ll have a large „I was just getting the fuck out of here.‟” Clarissa handed Nicole a ten-dollar bill. “Keep the change.” The waitress nodded and hurried toward the bar. Clarissa had no doubt that someone in the hotel, Nicole or one of the security guards who‟d been in the lobby, was now reporting to Maddox that she was fighting with an unidentified man. “Listen to me very carefully, Henry. You have about ten seconds to get out of here before you‟re wearing my drink. Understand?” “He‟s been in jail; did he tell you that?” Her heart leaped in her chest, but she managed to control it, keeping her anger in check, something that was a minor miracle for her. Still, his words stung. He was lying. She and Maddox had bared their souls to each other last night. They‟d talked about everything. Surely if he‟d been in prison, he would have told her, wouldn‟t he? He wouldn‟t be able to get a gaming license if he had a record, would he? No, it was just another trick from her father, trying to get her to toe the line. “Go back to my father, Henry; tell him I‟m a grown woman who can make her own choices. Right now my choice is Maddox Perry.” “I can‟t believe you‟d embarrass your family this way.” His voice sounded just like her father‟s, and it turned her anger into rage. “Get your things, now, and—” “You can‟t tell me what to do. Get the fuck away from me!” The room grew silent except for the bells and whistles drifting in from the casino. People turned to stare at them, and the hold she had on herself snapped. She picked up her drink and threw it in his face. He sputtered and stood quickly, brushing liquid from his shirt. “Clarissa!” She heard the telltale click of cell phone cameras as she turned to the table next to hers and grabbed their drinks. She tossed the first one in his face and was about to throw the second one when Maddox grabbed her wrist. “Enough.” He turned to Henry. “Mr. Isaacs, I think it‟s best if you leave. Now.” “I‟m not leaving without Clarissa,” he said, his voice deep. “I‟m not going anywhere with you, asshole; don‟t you get that yet?” Maddox inserted himself between them. “You may leave on your own, Mr. Isaacs, or I will have you escorted from the building. It‟s your choice.”

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For a moment, she thought Henry would tell Maddox to go ahead and make him leave. He straightened his jacket and picked up a napkin, wiping his face. “This isn‟t over.” He pushed his way out of the bar, and Clarissa watched two security guards fall into step behind him. Maddox turned to her and shook his head. “I can‟t leave you alone for a minute, can I?” There was a smirk on his face and humor in his voice. The din in the bar rose as people discussed what just happened. Clarissa shrugged her shoulders. “He started it.” “Really? You don‟t look wet.” He eyed the empty glasses on the table and glanced back at her. “He‟s going to be looking for a way to catch you alone again, which means he‟ll be waiting outside. If you want to leave, have Andrew paged. He‟ll have my car brought round back and you can leave from there. I‟d rather you not put yourself in his path again.” “That‟s fine with me.” She put her hand on his arm. “This time I am sorry for causing a scene in your hotel.” “Don‟t worry about it; you‟ve heard the term even bad publicity is good publicity? Well, it‟s true. It‟ll be just fine.” He leaned toward her and kissed her gently, his lips lingering on hers. “Now behave until we‟re ready to leave. Or I may have to spank you in front of all these nice people, really give them something to talk about.” “Yes, Sir.” She held up three fingers. “Scout‟s honor.” “You were never a scout.” “You‟re right, I wasn‟t. How did you know?” “You‟re using the wrong hand for the salute. It‟s a dead giveaway.”

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Chapter Ten Clarissa tightened her grip on the door handle, then reached for the window button, pulling her hand back at the last minute. “Would you like me to turn up the air?” She glanced over at Maddox, who expertly wove his way through traffic. “Or would you like to talk about your conversation with your father?” She shook her head. “Oh no, I think going through it the first time was plenty for me, thank you.” Her father had screamed at her at first, calming down only when she hung up and he had to call back. He‟d called her ungrateful, berated her for embarrassing Henry, since there was now a video on the Internet of her throwing drinks in his face. “You were cussing like a drunken sailor,” he‟d yelled. “Your mother is beside herself with grief.” Clarissa had resisted the urge to sing the old Irish ditty about what she could do with a drunken sailor. Instead she‟d said, “You sent him, so this is your fault, not mine. Plus, you never should have shown Mother the video. It’s not my fault she saw it.” Her calm words set her father off again, reminding her that she “never took responsibility for her actions.” “They said you were in jail,” she said abruptly. “I know all they‟re trying to do is discredit you. I told them it wasn‟t true.” “You‟re right, it‟s not true. They had to dig deep for something resembling that. They must have forked out some good money for a PI. I was arrested once when I was eighteen after getting into a fight on the UNLV campus. I paid a fine, spent no time in jail. It was a misdemeanor. I‟m not a felon, if that‟s what you‟re worried about. “It‟s the only trouble I‟ve ever been in. My father said it would be good for me, teach me to keep my nose clean. He was right.”

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She laughed, the first time she‟d laughed since Henry had appeared, and it felt good. “That‟s good to hear. I‟m telling you the truth when I say I didn‟t believe them. If I had, I wouldn‟t be here right now.” “Good.” He put his hand on her knee and squeezed. “We have about an hour-anda-half ride until we get to my house outside Laughlin. Why don‟t you tell me, what‟s really bothering you? Besides the incident with Henry this morning.” “It‟s something you said last night. Why are they so caught up in my life? Why won‟t they just leave me alone? Like you said, I‟m of age, and it seems to me that they should have just given up by now. I didn‟t really think of it until you said that last night. Now I have to wonder.” “You have money of your own, right?” “Yes, remember I came into my trust fund when I was twenty-five.” “Who did the money come from?” “From my mother‟s parents. They died in a plane crash when I was five. They had trust funds set up for every one of their grandchildren. It was about four million apiece. Add onto that twenty years of interest, and it became a nice, tidy sum.” “I‟ll say. Maybe I should turn around so you could put some of that money into the slot machines at my casino.” “You wish, buster. Keep driving.” “Buster,” he said. “Not sure I care for that name.” She put her hand on his thigh, inched it up to his crotch. “Shall I soften the sting of my words?” “Soften‟s not a term I‟d use right now.” He clasped her fingers and squeezed gently. “Keep your hands to yourself for the time being, missy.” The words “I‟m sorry,” almost slipped from her mouth. She caught herself at the last minute and said, “I‟ll try and do better next time, Master.” “Good girl.” The traffic wasn‟t bad, and Clarissa settled into her seat to watch the scenery. It really was beautiful, with brown sand and green yuccas and bushes. Cacti dotted the landscape, and she marveled at the different shapes and types. “Let‟s go over the rules, shall we?” She nodded, licking her lips. “What you say goes; isn‟t that the rule?” “The main rule, yes. There are others. You will be naked at all times while at the house. If we are in Henderson, the same rules apply, but here, in the desert, you will remain naked indoors and out. The only thing you will wear is the training collar I put on you when we arrive and any chains or clamps I use. And sometimes shoes, depending on the activity.” She nodded slowly. “You will follow my commands at all times.”

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“Fine.” “You will refer to me as Master when we are alone.” “Got it.” “You will maintain eye contact with me when speaking, and when I tell you to remain silent, you will.” “Got that too.” “You will not climax without my permission.” “That one‟s going to be tough. I come easily where you‟re concerned.” His nod was barely perceptible. “I‟ve noticed, and I like that. Just the same, you will learn to control it until I give permission. Understand?” “And if I don‟t, do I have to draw a card?” “The card system will be used for punishment when I deem it necessary, yes.” She took a sip from the soft drink they‟d stopped for. “What else?” “I want a submissive, Rissa, not a doormat. I expect you to retain your spirit while serving me.” “In other words, I don‟t have to just lie there and take it.” “Exactly.” He exited onto another highway. “So many people think BDSM is about abuse or just being able to bend a person to your will. What it is, is an exchange of power that is mutually enjoyable for both parties. If you‟re not enjoying it, neither will I. Which means if something bothers you, I expect you to tell me.” “Don‟t worry, I will.” “Good. Now tell me the pickle story.” Clarissa snarfed her drink, the liquid going into her nasal cavity as she coughed and choked. When she was finally in control of herself again, she sniffed. “That came out of left field.” “The best way to get a reaction. I can beat it out of you, you know.” The humor in his voice made her laugh. “Doubtful.” “We‟ll see.” He pulled off the highway onto a side road, riding a little ways on pavement before it turned to dirt. They bumped their way a little farther before coming to a gate. He hit a remote, and the gate opened. It closed after they drove through, and he went about a hundred yards and stopped the car. “I don‟t see a house.” “It‟s up a ways.” He switched the car off. “You need to get out and step to the front of the car.” Clarissa nodded, anxiety grabbing hold of her. This was it. The things they‟d done until now hadn‟t really been BDSM, just play BDSM. Now he would have control of her. Complete control. She could back out now. She knew she didn‟t want to.

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She opened the door at the same time she heard his opening; then she stepped around to the front. “Take off your clothes. All of them.” It was still light outside, and she had no doubt this was private land. After what had happened today, she wouldn‟t put it past some enterprising paparazzi to try and follow them and snap some pictures to make some money. Wouldn‟t her parents love this? Undressing was easy. She pulled her sundress over her head, then unsnapped her bra and placed both items of clothing on the SUV. “Shoes too.” She looked down at the rocks in the road. There were a few, most of them small. He wasn‟t planning on making her walk barefoot out here, was he? What had he said earlier? “I expect you to follow my commands.” She took off her shoes and placed them on the SUV, her feet now pressing into the dirt. “Hands on the car hood, legs spread.” That one was easy. “Back up just a little. More. More. There.” Clarissa felt very exposed now. Her breasts hung down, and her pussy and ass were on display for him. “Delicious. You‟ve done very well, missy.” “Thanks, Master.” His chuckle made her smile. “Not exactly respectful. We‟ll work on that.” He ran his finger up her spine. “Stand up, drop your hands to your side, leave your legs spread.” She exhaled nervously as he walked around, placing himself between her and the SUV. He held out a leather collar, wide with a silver D-ring in the middle. “Kiss it. Show me you accept my collar and your servitude toward me.” Clarissa swallowed hard, then looked into his eyes. They shone down on her with resolve and extreme desire that made her clit twitch. It’s just a training collar. He’s made that clear. You’ll be fine, and you know you want to do this. Try this. She leaned over and placed her lips on the leather, which was not as cool as she thought it would be. He stroked her hair with one hand as he held it close to her face with the other. “Good girl. Do you accept my training collar, missy?” “Yes, Master.” The words rushed out, and she didn‟t regret them one bit. He placed the collar around her neck, doing the catch slowly. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small lock. He placed it on the catch and snapped it into place. He showed her the key, dangling from his finger. “I have the only key.” She nodded, and he turned the collar so the lock was in the back, the ring in the front. He reached into his pocket again and took out the chain he‟d used on her pussy, then attached it to the D-ring. “This will change from time to time, depending on my mood. Sometimes I‟ll attach your leash to your pussy, sometimes not.”

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Leash. She was on a leash. He had used it before, but this was different. Before it had seemed like play, since it had been attached to her clit ring. Now, with it attached to a collar around her neck, it felt permanent. It made her feel like Maddox‟s pet. It was a feeling she hadn‟t expected, but one that she definitely enjoyed. Was it just an adrenaline rush or was it something that would continue? Only time would tell, she knew. “Get back into the original position.” “Yes, Master.” She put her hands on the hood, bending and then spreading her legs. “Very nice,” he whispered, stroking her back. “Good girl. Do you remember this morning?” “What about it? When you fucked me or when I played with my pussy?” “When you disobeyed me.” “Oh, that part about this morning.” The clink of his belt buckle made her stiffen. “Yes, I remember.” “Five swats ought to do it, don‟t you think? Sort of a „welcome to your new home, but sorry you disobeyed me this morning‟ spanking.” She wasn‟t so sure about the leather thing anymore. This morning, when she‟d been hot and ready for action, it had sounded like an interesting idea. Now, standing naked out in the desert, she wasn‟t so sure. “It sounds like you‟re up for negotiations. How about two?” “How about seven?” She wheeled around. “Wait. You added two because I said two?” “You‟re right; I should have added three since that‟s the amount you wanted taken off. So we‟ll do eight. Plus, you moved when you were told to stay in place. That means I‟m taking it up to ten. That‟s double the original amount.” This wasn‟t exactly what she had in mind. She had turned, yes, but that didn‟t mean she should get more swats for it, did it? “Maybe we could negotiate a little more?” Suddenly the collar around her neck felt heavier, tighter. “Maybe you should turn back around and stay in your original position.” The hood of the SUV felt warmer under her hands this time, which wasn‟t a big surprise. It was well over a hundred degrees outside and just after seven p.m. “Explain your reasoning that you should get less than five swats.” “Well, it‟s my first spanking, and I don‟t think we should go overboard.” She waited for him to laugh, to snort out his derision, to do something. Instead there was a short pause before he said, “You think five is overboard?” “For a first spanking,” she repeated.

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“Five barely warms your bottom.” He was right behind her now, his breath hot against her neck and shoulders as he leaned over and ran his hand down her thigh. “Tell me some of the things you remember about your readings, about spankings.” He wanted to talk? What the hell was this, a lab class? She giggled at the thought. She supposed it was in essence. “They are never done without warming a sub up first.” How could she have been so stupid? He wasn‟t just going to lay into her with the leather. He would give her a few swats, ease her into it, get her body ready for the real thing. Then he‟d give her the promised five. Wait, now it was the promised ten. “Do you think I know those things?” “Yes.” She paused for a few seconds. “I‟ll try and do better next time, Master.” He stroked her hair, and she leaned into his touch. “That‟s my good missy. Ten it is, and I know it‟s your first, so don‟t worry. Don‟t tense up, and don‟t move away from the position you‟re in. Understand?” “Yes, Master.” “Good.” He took a few steps away from her, and she felt a chill despite the heat that surrounded them. In through your nose, out through your mouth. In through your nose, out through your mouth. She inhaled sharply when the leather met her bottom, the feel of it sharp but not overly painful. It came down a few more times, landing in different areas. This is not so bad. I can do this. I can do this. Truthfully, the pain issue had been the one thing in her readings that had caused her to reconsider the desire to submit. She wasn‟t into pain, not really. This morning‟s desire to be spanked had surprised her, but that had just been the heat of the moment, she was sure. Plus she hadn‟t been standing naked in open country, with a collar locked around her neck and a leash hanging to the ground. Maddox tapped the leather against her bottom several more times, and she started to relax. This wasn‟t so bad. She could… “Ouch!” Three hard swats made her flinch. The sound of the leather hitting her bottom crackled through the open air. She stood, moving away from position. “Missy, get back.” “No.” She rubbed her bottom where the sting from the swat still lingered. “Get back into place.” His voice was calm and even, despite the fact she was breaking the rules. That didn‟t surprise her very much, not really. He had a good hold on his emotions. Yes he does. And if you don’t get back into place, he’s going to do one of two things. He’s going to increase the number of swats, or he’s going to take the collar off and end the whole thing. And you don’t want either of those to happen, do you? She licked her lips, then stepped back up to the SUV. “I‟m so… I‟ll do better this time, Master. I just…it was…”

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“It‟s all right. I‟ll allow that little slipup, since you‟re so new at this. Let‟s see if we can make it through the next seven, though, shall we?” “Yes, Sir.” She could do this. She‟d never backed away from anything in her life, not once, and she didn‟t intend to start now. She lowered her head as the leather came down two more times. It didn‟t seem as bad this time as it had the first three swats. The stings took hold and moved through her body, not quite igniting nerve endings, but making them tingle in a way that wasn‟t totally unpleasant. Two more landed, and Clarissa could imagine her backside quivering as the leather hit. Would her ass be red now, with stripe marks? She didn‟t think so, since the swats had not been that hard. When the last three were delivered, though, she wished for something to grasp hold of rather than the slick hood of the SUV. The last three were definitely harder than the rest, and she knew she‟d tensed more than she should, increasing the amount of pain she‟d felt. Maddox stood right behind her now. She could feel his presence, the heat from his body. He obviously had the belt stretched out between two hands, because he was rubbing it over her backside, back and forth until the friction produced a pleasant sensation that made her pussy clench. “You did very well, missy, after your initial problems.” “Thank you, Master.” How easily she had slipped into calling him Master, into letting him have control over her to the point of stripping on command and bending over for a spanking. “Will there be many spankings?” “That depends. To tell you the truth, I‟m not big on spankings as punishment. I prefer more creative ways to extract discipline. I have been known to spank, especially when a spade card is drawn.” He pressed his cock against her ass, and she groaned. “You‟ve made me all hard, standing there like a good sub, obeying me. And fucking your ass with its fresh stripe marks will be luscious, for both of us.” Clarissa ran her fingers down the hood of the car, grinding herself back into Maddox‟s crotch. “Yes, you‟d like that, wouldn‟t you? Bending over for me, groaning while I bury my cock deep in your backside, riding you.” “I‟ll take anything you want to give me, Master.” “Somehow I knew that‟s exactly what you would say.” He tipped her head back, kissed her gently, then turned toward the car, taking her leash and then pulling her behind him. He opened the car door and swept his hand out in front of him. “In you go.” She settled herself in the seat, tensing a little when he used the chain to bind her wrists together. Her ass didn‟t hurt at all from the spanking, which really didn‟t surprise her, she supposed. It just proved the spanking hadn‟t been as hard as she was

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expecting. He shut the door, then gathered her clothing and threw it in the backseat when he climbed behind the wheel. He drove slowly, and Clarissa glanced out the window. “You own all this land?” “Yes, ma‟am, I do. About seven hundred acres.” “What do you do out here?” “Retreat from reality. I have set up something that you‟re going to love to see, tomorrow, and I have a fully stocked dungeon that we‟ll make good use of.” “Oh.” A tinge of jealousy reared its ugly head at the thought of him bringing other women out here. She wasn‟t sure why. It‟s not as if she hadn‟t had her share of lovers before meeting him. Somehow the idea of him whipping women, binding them with the ropes that he would use on her, made the green monster take hold of part of her brain. That was bad, very bad. It was a sign what she was feeling was real, and it scared her more than a little. “What are you thinking about so seriously over there? Does you ass hurt that bad?” “No. Just admiring the scenery.” “Yeah, right.” He wound around a corner, and a house came into view, a singlestory, ranch-style house with a wraparound porch. “You don‟t believe me?” “No, I don‟t.” He pulled up in front of the house and parked. “Do you want to know why?” “Yes.” “Because you didn‟t have a pithy comeback about your ass hurting. You always have something smart to say. The fact you didn‟t showed your mind was focused on something else, something fairly serious you didn‟t want to tell me about.” “Well, thank you, Dr. Freud. Just add that assessment to my ever-increasing bill. Do you accept insurance?” “See?” He turned to her. “Tell me what‟s wrong. Communication is important, you know. If you hold things back from me, it will just cause tension.” She thought long and hard about telling him there was nothing wrong. That would do no good, she knew. When she said the words, they came out quickly, as if she was afraid to say them. His eyebrows drew together in a frown. “Jealous?” He didn‟t sound angry, just confused. “Yeah, and it‟s a feeling I‟m not familiar with, so it‟s freaking me out.” She glanced out the window at the house. “I shouldn‟t have told you.” “I‟m glad you did. Never hold anything back from me, and I promise to do the same with you.”

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She turned her gaze back to him. “Thank you.” “You‟re welcome. You know, jealousy is a normal emotion. I have to admit to being a little jealous about you and that woman you were with.” “That‟s because you didn‟t get to watch.” “True, I would have liked to have watched, and I might still get that chance with another woman if I so desire. There‟s still a little jealousy about your previous lovers. It‟s a natural thing.” Clarissa stayed silent, then laughed. “You‟re right. I have no reason to be jealous. I‟m no nun.” “Too bad. I‟ve got a habit inside.” This time it was her eyebrows that drew together. “Excuse me?” “Yeah, we could play stern priest and naughty nun who gets caught doing things she‟s not supposed to, like stealing food from the kitchen or having nasty thoughts about the priest‟s prick. She gets a good, hard spanking for being a bad, bad girl.” “You are terrible.” Her nipples tightened at the role-playing idea. “I thought you weren‟t that into spanking?” “That‟s spanking for pleasure. I‟m into that. That‟s why I have a few beautiful floggers that will tease and tempt both of us.” “Somehow I don‟t think the priest would use a flogger.” “A fake one would. Don‟t like that idea? What about stable hand and ranch widow? She hasn‟t had sex in ages, and he has just the right equipment to fulfill her needs and desires, along with a nice set of reins that he makes her wear while he‟s fucking her. Giddyap.” Clarissa couldn‟t contain her laughter. “I suppose that outfit comes complete with a riding crop.” “You can pick which one you want me to use.” He cupped her breast, teasing her nipple. “In fact, I‟m thinking that might be the perfect way to start our time here.” “What about fucking my ass?” “Who says I‟m not going to?” “I just assumed that—” “Never assume anything, missy, especially not out here. There‟s no one around for miles, and you‟ll spend all your time naked, remember? Leaving you wide open for whatever I want to do to you.”

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Chapter Eleven He had her sit in the car while he checked things out. A pass through the house showed nothing was amiss. There were no snakes or spiders or other creepy, crawling things that had taken up residence. He turned on the tap, and the water ran clear and cold, which meant no problems with the pipes. The house was fairly large with a master bedroom and guest bedroom. The other two rooms were set up for play, one a dungeon they would use for what he had planned for tomorrow, and the other they could use for the game they would play right now. Both games would mess with her mind as well as her body, and he couldn‟t foresee anything but perfect results. Clarissa and he were suited to a T, and he knew she felt it too. That‟s why she felt jealous at the thought of him bringing another woman out here. He‟d bet more than half the money he had, a considerable fortune, that she‟d never felt a tinge of jealousy with any of her former lovers, male or female. That thought made him smile, because he knew giving up Clarissa Alexander would be a hard thing, and the best way around doing something you didn‟t want to do was not to do it at all. That meant keeping her around. For good. She was the perfect playmate, and she would be the perfect sub, trained to his collar and leash, bringing them both hours of pleasure. His cock throbbed at the idea, and he patted the front of his pants. “Give me a little bit to get everything done. Then I‟ll go get her and we can have some fun.” He found her in the car, sitting exactly as he‟d ordered her to. He opened the door and tweaked a nipple. “You stay here and look pretty for me. I‟m going to unload the car. I‟ll come back for you when I‟m ready.” “You don‟t want me to help?”

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Her eyes widened when he frowned, and he loved the fact she could read him so well and react just like he expected, with a perfect show of her personality. “Fine, I‟ll just sit here and do nothing. Hope I don‟t get bored.” “Think about my cock and how you‟re going to serve me. That‟ll keep you nice and wet and give you plenty of things to occupy your mind.” “I‟d rather suck your cock than think about it.” He leaned into the car and ran his finger down the chain that led from her collar to her wrists. “I love to see you bound like this, sitting here, waiting for my instructions. Perhaps I need a different view. Something that will keep us both entertained.” “What have you got in mind?” She ran her tongue over her lower lip, then flicked it back and forth over the top one. He knew exactly what that tongue could do, the pleasure it could bring. That would have to wait. He wanted her ass first. He smiled as his cock tightened at the thought of her tight anus stretching for him, taking him deep inside her. He grasped the chain and pulled gently. “Come along, missy.” Once in the living room, he pointed to a spot. “Wait right here.” “Yes, Master.” She cocked her head and batted her eyes flirtatiously. The throb in his prick turned into a full-fledged pounding. “Nice try, but not yet.” He knew exactly the piece of equipment he wanted from the dungeon, finding it easily. He‟d had it made especially for him, two sawhorses nailed together to be used as a support to keep her bent over, ready to be fucked at a moment‟s notice. The craftsman who had made it installed levers where it could be adjusted to fit women of varying heights, but Maddox had never used it on any of his subs, not until now. This was a perfect implement of sweet torture for his missy. Being bound in place for a length of time would drive her crazy. Her legs would be wide apart, baring both entrances to his view. Her beautiful breasts would hang down. Thinking of that made him think of her rings. He went to the sideboard, selected a few items, and put them in his pockets. Clarissa was all about instant gratification, and this session wouldn‟t be instant; it would make her very hot, though. And he would love watching her squirm.

***** Not moving was one of the hardest things Clarissa had ever done. She wanted to explore Maddox‟s little hideaway, see what was where, especially in the dungeon that he‟d mentioned. What did one put in a dungeon? She knew the items that she‟d seen in the books, crosses for binding and various whips and chains and other things that were used for who knew what. Still, waiting here naked and chained was sort of fun. Maybe when he came back she could tease him into giving her an orgasm. Lord knew she wanted one, needed one.

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The spanking had made her hot, even if it had been a little painful. What did that say about her, she wondered? A movement from the hall caught her attention. Maddox came out, carrying sawhorses in his arms. “You going to remake me? Hope you don‟t need some sort of building permit for that activity.” “I‟ve got the only permit I need,” he replied. “It‟s called a collar, and you‟re wearing it.” His words produced immense pleasure, her body tightening as he sat up the apparatus he carried, two sawhorses that were linked with boards between the legs. The top part was covered in carpet, and she had a feeling she would be grateful for that before long. She examined it closely, noticed the leather manacles at both ends. “Oh my,” she whispered to herself as he fiddled with them, adjusted the slats between the boards. “Come over here.” He stood as she walked to him. He tweaked her nipples, pinching them until she groaned before letting his fingers slide to the rings where he pulled them out, moved them around. “You like that?” “Yes, Master.” “Good.” His hand disappeared into his pocket, and he withdrew several small objects, which he held out. She frowned as she looked at them. “Weights. Not too much, just enough to keep tension on your clit and nipples while I‟m getting us settled.” He attached one to each nipple ring, then knelt and clipped the final one on her clit ring. She knew what was coming, and a sort of panic flittered through her. She would be bound to the sawhorses, the weights hanging down, pulling on her sensitive spots. It wouldn‟t take long in this position for the need to fuck to get out of control. Even if she begged, she was sure he wouldn‟t provide her with release. Maddox would make her wait. He seemed to have an endless supply of discipline that left him able to delay fucking her while she wanted nothing more than to do it now, so they could do it again later. “I think you know what to do, missy.” “Yes.” She stepped up to the sawhorses and placed her legs so they were even with the boards. He fastened the manacles around her quickly, running his hand up to her thigh each time, making her shiver. “Bend over.” She obeyed, and the weights dropped down, tugging each ring with them. He undid the chain from her arms, then attached a manacle to each wrist. The leather bindings were then secured to the legs of each sawhorse. She pulled against her bindings, and the movement sent the weights moving again. Sharp pricks of pain spread through her nipples and clit, quickly dropping to a dull throb. He caressed her back gently as he stepped around her, walking to where her ass and pussy now faced the front door. He caressed her buttocks, then slapped each one sharply.

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She tried to bite back her groans. Clarissa knew she failed when he whispered, “Good, make noise for me.” He flicked his finger over the weight hanging from her pussy, making it move slowly. “Oh, yes, Master. Feels so good.” Pressure built inside of her as the movement rocked against her clit. If he gave it a few sharp pulls, she would probably come and come hard. “Please, Master, harder. Make me come.” He didn‟t answer her, and his fingers moved away, slipping through her folds to find her opening. He worked two fingers inside her. “Who decides when you come?” She wanted to scream at him that it was her choice, her body. Instead she whispered, “You.” “That‟s right; I control your pussy now.” He thrust his fingers back and forth. “And from the amount of wetness coating you, I‟d say you like that idea.” He trailed his wet fingers to her anus, and she tensed. Anal sex had never been her favorite thing to do, after the less-than-satisfying attempt with Serge. Hopefully with Maddox it would be different. His fingers pressed against her tight opening, and he rubbed her ass. “Relax, let me in.” “Maddox, I—” “Shush, where‟s my adventurous sub?” Clarissa took several deep breaths and tried to relax her muscles. When he pushed again, she felt him slip inside, her body immediately trying to expel him. He delved deeper, though, moving past the initial resistance. “Nice and tight,” he said. “A perfect place for my cock.” “Then do it, please. Fuck me.” “Where should I fuck you, missy? Here?” He pushed his fingers farther into her ass, wiggled them around. “Yes.” It felt good, very good. Much better than what she‟d felt with Serge, and this was just Maddox‟s fingers. He moved them gently, back and forth until she groaned, and then he withdrew from her totally. “Master.” “Hush. I‟m going to get us set up, and every time I come in and out of the house I‟ll see you, bound and ready for me, your pussy and ass displayed for my pleasure. I can think about coming in and out of them while I‟m working. Just hang tight.” He slapped each of her butt cheeks, and she heard him walk off. She struggled briefly against her bonds, until she worried her weight would somehow damage the apparatus, and then she stilled, her nipples throbbing, her clit pulsing. “Master, please.” Her answer was the slamming screen door as he went outside. How long would he leave her like this? Five minutes? Ten? Fifteen? The weights

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weren‟t that bad, so she knew they wouldn‟t damage anything. They would leave her in a constant state of arousal, though, her body begging for release. The door opened. She heard him move into the kitchen, heard the thud of a box hitting the countertop. They‟d brought food to cook, so she figured that‟s what that was. He whistled while he worked, making her want to scream at him that this was not a fairy-tale movie and for him to get his ass over here and fuck her, right now. He‟d made several passes in and out of the house before Clarissa finally lost it. When the door opened for the fourth time, she said, “Maddox, fuck me. Now.” “Excuse me?” He sounded incredulous, and she cringed. “Please.” She heard the shuffle of his feet as he moved into the kitchen. He was back seconds later with a deck of cards in his hand, shuffling them back and forth. “You‟re determined to derail our fun, aren‟t you?” He leaned closer. “Subs do not order their Masters to fuck them. That is not your decision to make; it‟s mine. Do you understand?” “Yes but…” She wiggled. “I can‟t stand any more. I need release.” “You‟re fine.” He knelt down next to her and expertly fanned out the cards, pulling a few of them up above the others in random spots. “Use your mouth to choose one. Let‟s hope you don‟t draw a spade. I‟d hate to have to whip you.” The cards were down enough that she couldn‟t see what she was drawing. She used her tongue to move one, then grabbed the edge of it with her teeth, pulling. He took it from her and turned it over. The seven of hearts. “Hearts is not bad,” he said. “Except for the punishment you need right now. I‟ll have to modify it. Seven is a pretty low number, hardly any amount of time to get my point across. I may have to invoke executive privilege and increase the time. The best part about it is we can do it right now, from the position you‟re already in.” He tugged her hair back so that her head moved. He locked his gaze with hers, his stern and hard. “Who owns your pussy?” “You do.” “And your ass, your mouth?” “You do.” “That‟s right; I own your body, Clarissa. I‟ll do with it what I want, when I want. Don‟t ever order me to fuck you. Not while we‟re in Master/sub space. If I want you to ask to be fucked, I will tell you to beg for it. Do you understand?” “Yes, Master. I‟ll try and do better next time, Master.” His gaze softened. “That‟s my good girl.” He walked toward the back end of the house, and she exhaled loudly, wondering what was coming next. Her body was on fire with need, and she didn‟t want punishment. She wanted sex—hot, hard sex with

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Maddox. She wanted his cock pounding in and out of her as it had done the last several days. He came back carrying a small table. A dildo rested on top of it. “The table‟s adjustable,” he said, turning the top of it from side to side. “Hearts is fucking a vibrator, without being allowed to climax. Since you want to fuck, though, I‟m going to position this right behind you, put the head of it so that it barely touches your folds. And then I‟m going to turn it on. You‟ll feel the vibrations, hear the sounds of the vibrator. Your body will crave it, but you won‟t be able to get to it.” “No, please, Maddox, I can‟t take any more.” He stroked her hair gently. “Maybe if you wiggle enough, you‟ll be able to touch it to your pussy. If that happens, I‟ll just move it back more and add more time. So if I were you, I‟d stay still.” He moved behind her, and Clarissa bucked against her bonds. Her shoulders were starting to ache. Couple the pain from being in the same position with the need for sex that was now turning painful and she wasn‟t sure how much she would be able to take. She felt him place the vibrator between her legs, adjust it so that the top of it was right under her pussy. And then he turned it on. The tip of it moved against her, and she cried out. “No! Please, I can‟t take this. Please!” “Very nice,” Maddox said, moving away from her. She could feel the vibrations from the dildo, hear the noise. She thrust back, trying to find it. She failed and tried again. And again. And again. If she couldn‟t have Maddox, she wanted that thing inside her pussy. Right now. He was still behind her, she knew, watching, making sure she didn‟t touch his instrument of torture for more than just a few seconds. “Master! Please, I‟m begging you. I need…” Don’t say fuck me. Don’t say fuck me. She repeated it over and over in her mind as she tried to hold still. “I can‟t take any more.” The whine in her voice was very hard to take. She didn‟t want to sound that way, didn‟t want to beg. She couldn‟t help herself. She needed him inside her. Now. “Please.” “Of course you can. You‟ll take whatever I want to give you. Your reward, when I decide to allow it, will be an orgasm so sweet you‟ll think you‟ve died and gone to heaven.” His footsteps moved away, but the door didn‟t open. Was he watching her even now, standing near the doorway to the kitchen, or was he still in the living room? She imagined him behind her, stroking himself, his hard cock throbbing as he decided which place to enter her. The picture threw her body into even more of a frenzy, and her clit now throbbed painfully. She hit the dildo several more times, then finally, out of sheer frustration, she screamed. And then she screamed again, praying he would take pity on her.

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His hands were on her back instantly, stroking her, caressing her shoulders and moving down. “Just a little longer. You can take it.” “No, no, I can‟t.” He moved the dildo so it was touching her folds, the vibrations making her pussy rock. “Please.” He knelt down, put his finger on the clit weight, relieving the pressure. Her body sighed with relief, and then he released it again, making her cry out. He did the same thing several more times, until finally the weight was on and off again so quickly she wasn‟t sure what was happening. “Come for me, missy, come hard.” He clasped her clit and squeezed it, and Clarissa came, her scream louder than any of the others she‟d let out that afternoon. The orgasm was intense, almost painful, and it was beyond anything she‟d ever felt in her life. Her body throbbed as he stroked her, one hand on her back, the other buried in her folds. She heard movement, the turning of screws, and then she was full, the vibrating cock whirling as Maddox slid it in and out of her pussy. He pushed it in deep, then lightly slapped her ass. “Keep it there.” “I…don‟t…” His cock was in front of her now, butting against her barely open lips. She swallowed him greedily, sucking him in deeply, swirling her tongue around him. She wished she had her hands, to fondle his balls, to caress the part of him she couldn‟t get into her mouth. He fucked her slowly, the vibrator in her other end again driving her crazy with need. He pulled out and held himself near, and she knew that meant to lick him. She did, savoring the taste of his cock on her tongue before he invaded her mouth again. When she sensed he was close, when his hips moved faster, she wanted to move away, beg him to let her swallow his cum this time. She didn‟t have to. She felt him pulse, felt him release, and she swallowed all she could, savoring the feel of him inside her. When he was spent, he stroked her back again, then leaned over and undid the bonds on her wrists. He went around back and freed her legs, then helped her to stand. Her legs shook, and she collapsed into his arms. He drew her close, holding her against his chest. “How are you feeling?” His whisper made her sigh. “What was the term you used? Died and gone to heaven?” He laughed softly, then kissed her forehead before removing the weights from her rings. “Shall we take a nap? A little rest will do us both good.” She nodded, and he led her down the hall. The bedroom was much like the one in Henderson, with a large, wood-frame bed in the center. He pulled back the covers and indicated she should crawl inside. Clarissa didn‟t need any more encouragement. She lay down, scooting over when he lay down next to her, wrapping his arms around her.

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“A little rest might do you well, and it will prepare you for tomorrow. You‟ll need it.” “What‟s happening tomorrow?” “It‟s a surprise, one I‟m sure you‟re going to embrace and enjoy very much.”

***** Clarissa woke alone. The faint smell of cigar smoke drifted in through the bedroom door, and she smiled. One cigar a week. And she hadn‟t even seen him chewing on one in the last few days. She got out of bed and headed for the living room, stopping in the doorway. He sat in the recliner, the cigar in his mouth. He twirled it around, took it out, and blew out a long stream of smoke. Without looking her way, he said, “Good evening, missy.” “Hi.” She crossed the room and knelt on the huge throw pillow on the floor. “Is this for me?” “You‟re good.” “I read the books.” She took the cigar, put it in her mouth, and mimicked his actions before handing it back to him. “I couldn‟t resist.” “I‟ll forgive you. This time.” He smoked for a few seconds. “Did you sleep well?” “Yes, thank you.” “Good.” He pointed the cigar toward her purse, which lay on the table. “Your phone‟s been ringing, quite a few times. I‟m surprised it didn‟t wake you.” “Who was it?” “I didn‟t look. It‟s your phone, not mine.” He cocked his head. “I may be your Dom, but I still respect your privacy.” “That‟s nice to hear.” She put her head on his knee, the feel of his linen pants soft against her cheek. “Aren‟t you going to check on it?” “No.” He stroked her hair, and she closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of togetherness. “Good, then we‟ll play a little more, see how you do with following instructions. Stand up.” When she didn‟t move, he cleared his throat and she shifted her gaze toward him. “Aren‟t you supposed to say Simon Says?” His chuckle was deep. “Stand up.” This time she obeyed, turning to face him and standing with her hands clasped behind her back. “Better?”

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“Much.” He put his cigar in an ashtray on an end table, then drew the long, delicate chain from his pocket. He swiftly attached it to her clit ring, jingling it a little. The movement sent pinpricks of pleasure to her clit. “Shall we go for a walk?” She looked down at her bare feet, then up at him. He released the slack on the chain and pointed to where her shoes were near the front door. “Go and put them on.” The chain trailed behind her as she walked, and when she bent over to slip on her sandals, he tugged slightly, upping her pleasure quotient yet again. Before she was done with her shoes, he was beside her, his hand on the screen door handle. He led them outside into the still-hot air. Being on a leash in the open air should have made her feel strange. But somehow it didn‟t. She was much more relaxed here than she had been when he‟d had her naked in the hallway, in front of cameras, even if he‟d said they‟d been turned off. He kept her close, walking them around the property, discussing various cacti and other desert plants that littered the ground. He acted as if they were just out for an evening stroll. The fact he had her on a leash seemed to mean nothing to him, although it meant everything to her. She felt bonded, connected to him. Maybe he felt the same way too, but his outward movements didn‟t reveal it if he did. He was describing a plant, his words going in one ear and out the other while she thought about what they could be doing. Having sex. Lots of hard, sweaty sex. He tugged on the leash, and she gasped. “Are you listening?” “Is this a test, ‟cause I didn‟t catch the name of that green thing?” “You weren‟t listening.” He shook his head in disapproval. “I said, spread your legs and clasp your hands together behind your back.” “Sorry, Master.” She did as he asked, her gaze focused on him. “Now, leave one hand behind your back. Stroke your clit with the other.” Her hard nub throbbed as she followed his directions, her orgasm building quickly. She closed her eyes, savoring the sensations coursing through her, moaning softly as the feelings intensified. “Stop.” “What?” Her eyes flew open, her fingers still working. But the brusque order had stripped away some of the fervor she‟d had going. “I said stop. Disobey me and we quit playing. We‟ll go back to the house and cook some dinner. If you want to continue to serve me out here, then stop.” “I did.” Her body heated under his scrutiny. “Not at first. When I say stop, I mean completely and at that very moment, not a fraction of a second afterward.” “Yes, Master.”

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“Good. Come along.” They walked a little ways down the path. Clarissa tried to concentrate on the scenery around her, but it wasn‟t easy. Her body was on fire, seeking completion to what they‟d started. The more they walked, though, the more the vibrations lessened, leaving behind a dull throb. They‟d gone about ten minutes more when he turned to her. “Again.” “Oh, Maddox.” She lowered her head, heard his sharp intake of breath. Her head snapped up, and she looked into his eyes, which blazed in disapproval. She immediately assumed the position she‟d been in earlier. “I‟ll try to do better next time, Master.” “Good.” She rubbed slower this time, but the tingling came just as quickly. She knew he wouldn‟t let her come, and she tried to fight the blossoming need in her, but it was hard, especially since he watched her so intently. “Stop.” Her hand flew behind her back even as her hips thrust forward. “Very nice.” She wanted to cry out, scream, or throw herself on the ground and have a big hissy fit. Instead she stood there, her chest heaving, fighting the urge to call him a pussy tease. “Missy?” “Yes?” “How are you feeling?” “Like I need to come.” She gave him a look she hoped conveyed it should be obvious how she felt. “I like seeing you like this, all flushed and hot.” She snorted. “A hundred-and-two-degree heat will make a person look that way.” “So will extreme desire. If that‟s not what you‟re feeling, let me know.” Clarissa laughed softly. “You hit the nail on the head.” “Good. Let‟s go back to the house and see how well this plays out, shall we?” He stopped once more on the trip back, making her bring herself to the edge again before stopping. This time the sensations were more than intense; they bordered on painful. He stroked her cheek as she stopped, and she leaned into him. “Please, Master.” Her voice shook with emotion as he softly traced her jaw. “Shush, not quite yet.” She inhaled sharply at his words, her body shaking. “Just relax, hold on to that.” “Hold on to them? Are you kidding me? They‟ve got hold of me, and they‟re not letting go. I…I…” “Shush.” They stood still until she finally sighed and nodded.

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“I‟m okay now.” She wasn‟t sure she was, though. A dull throbbing had taken up residence in her pussy, making her feel as if it would never again feel pleasure. She wasn‟t sure she liked this, at all. “Let‟s go now,” he said, turning and tugging her along behind him. The tingling in her clit intensified, and when he walked away from the front door toward the side, she wondered what was going on. He went to a side door, opening it with a flourish and indicating she should go in before him. When she got inside, she stopped short. In the center of the room there was a large wooden rack. Her thoughts immediately flew to stories of prisoners in dungeons, and her gaze shifted around the room. “Oh my.” Straps of leather, crops, cuffs, and ropes lined the walls. She looked back at the rack. It was large enough to have a person standing spread-eagle, tied to either beam. He tapped her rear end, and she jolted, turning to face him. “Yes?” “You know what that‟s for, don‟t you?” “Torture?” “Extreme pleasure.” He stepped around her. “Follow me.” She didn‟t move, and he turned back toward her. “Do you remember what I said we were doing today?” Clarissa blew out a breath of air, her hair moving away from her forehead as she did. “Yes, I remember. We‟re seeing how well I follow directions.” “Exactly.” He walked to the rack, parts of the chain falling out of his hand as he went. She knew what that meant. He wouldn‟t force her to the rack. He wanted her to go to it of her own free will. She glanced at the wall, saw the leather. He‟d said he wasn‟t that into whippings, yet he had the implements that would be used for them. She needed to trust him. He wouldn‟t hurt her; she knew that. If he said what they were about to do would bring pleasure, she needed to believe he was right. She followed him slowly, stopping at the edge of the frame. “Step into the middle.” When she was in place, he took her left wrist, attached it to a cuff hanging from the top beam. He did the same with her right, then bent and attached her legs. She was at his mercy. The pleasure she‟d felt earlier was now a bundle of nerves, soaring around her body, hitting at her stomach and making her feel as if she would lose her sanity at any moment. “Don‟t you look beautiful.” He stroked her nipple, and she moaned softly. “Don‟t be frightened. I promise you, you‟re going to love this.” “Yeah, my nanny used to tell me the same thing when she took me to the doctor‟s office. At least I got ice cream after getting a shot.”

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He stepped behind her, his breath hot on her shoulder. “I promise you something much better than ice cream.” She wasn‟t so sure of that. “Ice cream compared to a whipping? I think I‟ll take the former, with sprinkles, please.” Clarissa watched him pick up a chair and set it down in front of her. “Who said anything about whipping? You‟re assuming that‟s what‟s happening because of what you see. Maybe I just want to watch you squirm.” He sat down and stretched his legs out in front of him. “Excuse me?” She stared at him, shock overwhelming her. “You tied me up just to watch me?” She pulled against the cuffs, which held firm. “Let me go.” “I think not.” He stood, his eyes on her navel. “Let‟s see, five tats, right? We have the sun around your belly button. The turtle on your shoulder.” He traced his finger around the sun, varying the intensity of his touch. Her body responded immediately, her clit throbbing harder than it had before. “Master.” “There are different forms of torture, missy.” He leaned over and kissed her nipple. “Sometimes it‟s making you want and then watching you go without.” Suddenly their little walk made sense. Stop and start, over and over, making her body crave his cock. Now here she was, tied up, and he intended to play with her and then leave her hanging. Literally. “I‟m voting for the ice cream. Do you have syrup?” He chuckled, then gazed down her body. “What other tats do we have? I see an ankh on your ankle.” “Yes, the ankh was for Denise, my lover. I thought she was forever, and then I realized she was only after what others wanted. My money.” “The sun?” “For Serge, because he burned so bright. And before you ask the turtle is for me. We‟ve discussed it before.” “Yes, because you want to be able to retreat into a shell.” She nodded. “There are two more. Anna and I have matching butterflies on the napes of our necks. We weren‟t lovers, not in the physical sense. But she‟s been my best friend for so long. She wanted it there so she could hide it with her hair.” “The last one?” “A Celtic eternity symbol, right next to the butterfly.” He moved behind her and lifted her hair. “Very nice. I like that, the butterfly signifying friendship and the eternity symbol for forever.” “Exactly.” She was calmer now that she knew she wasn‟t going to be whipped. Her arms were starting to ache, but she could deal with that, depending on the amount

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of time he left her here. He smacked her on the ass, and she shifted, her arms pulling more. Then he was back in front of her, his fingers delving into her pussy. “You‟re so wet.” He caressed and tugged gently, making her hormones shoot into play again. She rocked into his hand, that wonderful feeling of completion settling inside her, getting ready to burst free. Just when she thought it would, he pulled his fingers away and sat back down. “Master!” She watched as his cock sprang to life as he moved away the loose pants he wore. He grabbed it in his fist and pumped. No! She had a sickening feeling he was going to jack off and make her watch while her body screamed to be fucked. He pumped harder, and she fought against her bonds. “Master, please.” “That‟s it, baby, struggle for me. If you‟re a good girl, we‟ll get ice cream tomorrow. You can even have sprinkles.” “I can‟t believe you‟re doing this to me.” She pulled harder, groaning as she realized she was doing nothing but causing herself pain. “Like I said, different forms of torture. This is my favorite one, because you control it. You can just be still and watch and know that later I might allow you to come. Or you can move and jerk around like you are, putting yourself in pain. It‟s your decision. You decide what to do.” He pumped harder, and Clarissa‟s body tensed, her pussy clenching as she watched him. Her clit seized with need, the feeling beyond painful. She tried to slow her breathing, but when he looked as if he was about to come, she cried out, squeezing her eyes shut. When he didn‟t cry out, she opened them and gazed at him. He stroked himself gently, his cock still hard, no signs of cum anywhere. “Denial works for Doms too.” He waited a few minutes, then started to pump again. Clarissa thought she would lose her mind. She tried to stay still, but it was hard, and at times she would jerk, crying out for him to please untie her, please fuck her. She wasn‟t sure how long she‟d struggled before realizing the room was silent. She fixed her gaze on Maddox, who sat, his hand still holding his rock-hard cock. “Tell me what you want.” “Fuck me, Master, please.” Her body quivered, and she moaned. It felt as if someone were using a jackhammer on her chest as she watched him saunter toward her. He stepped in front of her, his cock pressing against her pussy as he clasped her hips and pulled her close to him. “You know what I want to hear.” It wasn‟t a question. Clarissa knew, but she wasn‟t sure she was capable of asking nicely. She wanted to fuck, wanted to feel his

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cock slamming into her pussy, jarring her body against her restraints as he pounded her. She nodded, biting her lip as his lips trailed over her neck, his breath hot on her skin. “Say it.” “Master.” The need inside her grew until she felt like a volcano, preparing to erupt. She opened her mouth several times, but the only thing that came out were whimpers, soft pleadings for his cock. “You can do it,” he murmured in her ear. “Ask me very nicely.” He took a step back, his cock sliding into her slit. His cock pulsed, but he did not thrust, and Clarissa took a calming breath, then mumbled, “Please, Master. Fuck me.” “Good girl.” He nipped at her neck, sucking skin into his mouth. “Once more.” “No! Fuck me!” She clamped her lips shut as soon as the words escaped her mouth but it was too late. He was stepping away, moving back toward the chair. “Master, I‟ll do better.” She took several calming breaths. “Fuck me, please.” He stopped and turned to her. “Once more.” “Fuck me.” The words were soft and gentle, and the smile they produced on his face made her body clench with passion. “Good girl.” He stepped behind her, and she almost cried out in triumph when she heard the rip of a package. She imagined him sheathing his cock in a condom. He undid the manacle on her right hand, then pulled her flush against him. “Play, but don‟t come.” Clarissa‟s hand dived into her pussy. Her clit throbbed under her fingers, and when she felt the tip of his cock at her entrance, she almost came, using every ounce of willpower to stop her fingers as he slid inside. He undid her other wrist, and she bent over, one hand on the floor to steady herself, the other hovering over her pussy. She was afraid if she went near her clit again she would come, and he would take his cock away. His movements were torturously slow, and Clarissa felt as if her whole body would melt under him. Her muscles quaked as she tried not to push herself back at him. One, two, three measured strokes, and then he increased the tempo, just enough for her to wonder if she would be able to follow his instructions and not peak without permission. He smacked her ass, the sound echoing in the room. “Did I give you permission to stop playing with your clit?” “No, Master.” Another sharp slap made her groan. She found her clit, rubbed it as gently as possible to keep from climaxing. “Better.” He smacked her ass again, his hips moving faster. “Master?” Her waiting orgasm made her nerve endings tingle. “Almost. You‟re doing so good.” The thrusts were hard now, his cock slamming against her walls. When she heard his breath catch and a strangled “now,” escape his

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lips, she came, screaming louder than she thought she ever had before as Maddox pounded into her, one arm wrapped around her waist as his free hand went to her pussy, his fingers pushing hers aside and clasping her clit, pinching hard. Clarissa screamed as her pleasure increased, the orgasm unlike anything she‟d ever felt before, the intensity of it making her feel as if she were outside her body, as if somehow she were floating on air, when she was actually still tethered to the rack. When the feelings subsided, he stroked her back, smacking her ass every few seconds, his cock still buried deep inside her. It was a fantasy come true, and it was better than she‟d ever expected it to be. “Good girl.” He pulled her against him as he slid out from her pussy. Maddox held her close and kissed her shoulder, then nibbled on her ear. “I think a soak in the hot tub will help soothe your muscles, don‟t you?” “A perfect idea, as always,” she whispered. “Just lead the way.”

***** It was full dark outside when they emerged from the tub. Maddox pronounced he was hungry and went to the kitchen. Clarissa went to her purse, then checked the call log on her phone. “I have lots of missed calls. My father called three times, Henry once, and Anna twice. It‟s not like Anna to call more than once if she‟s left a message.” She plugged into voice mail, deleted both her father‟s messages when they first started, then listened to both of Anna‟s. “She wants to me to call her, ASAP.” “Then you better do it.” It took Anna no time at all to answer the phone, her voice full of concern when she said Clarissa‟s name. Then she launched into a conversation before Clarissa could mutter a word. “Slow down, Anna, I can‟t understand you. And I‟m going to put you on speaker so Maddox can hear too.” Clarissa put her hand over the mouthpiece. “It‟s something to do with Henry, so I wanted you to hear too.” He relit his unfinished cigar from earlier in the evening. Cigar smoke wound around his head as he nodded. “Okay, Anna, go.” “Hey, Maddox. Listen, sweetie, I had lunch with Daphne Brooks and a few other ladies today, and you know what a gossip she is. She told me her husband told her about something Henry said at the tennis club last week. Seems he was bragging about how much money he would have once he reeled you in.”

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“Fat chance of that happening. For one, I‟m not marrying him, and for two, I‟d make him sign a prenup. He wouldn‟t get his hands on a cent of my money.” Anna cleared her throat. “Daphne said he indicated this wasn‟t your money. This was something else altogether.” Clarissa‟s blood grew cold. “You mean like my father is paying him to marry me?” “I don‟t know, sweets. All I know is they were all laughing about it, and it really pissed me off.” “Knowing you like I do, I‟m sure you didn‟t keep that emotion to yourself.” “Damn straight. And that‟s when they told me Henry had gone to Las Vegas to bring you back. Why didn‟t you tell me he was there? I had to see it on the Internet after hearing it from them. Nice aim, by the way.” Maddox‟s chuckle made Clarissa smile. “It was rather nice to see,” he put in. “I should have let her get the other one off too. She had one more missile to launch, and I stopped her. Now I wish I hadn‟t.” Her friend giggled in pure Anna fashion, and Clarissa joined in the laughter. “Take care, and be careful.” “Don‟t worry, I‟ll take care of her.” Maddox‟s voice had a gruff tone that warmed Clarissa‟s heart. “Yes, I can see that. See ya.” They said good-bye, and Clarissa clicked the phone shut. “Rissa, come and sit with me.” She moved toward him, intent on sitting on the pillow at his feet. “No, on my lap. I want to talk to you about something.” “If your leg goes numb, let me know.” She flashed him a smile when he lifted both eyebrows at her. “You‟ll pay for that remark. I like you just as you are.” Warmth suffused her as he stroked her arm. “Tell me how much you know about your finances.” “You mean how much money I have? I don‟t know an exact number. I might have lost some in the stock market, but I‟m not going broke anytime soon.” Maddox continued to stroke her arm. “That‟s not what I meant. I‟m talking about different accounts. For instance, you have your trust fund and a checking account and savings account, right?” “Yes.” “Plus a portfolio.” “Yes.” “Is there anything else?” She shook her head in confusion. “I have no idea. I have an accountant that takes care of my bills, and my credit card always works when I want it to, so I know she‟s doing her job.” He pulled her closer. “Have you ever signed any papers you didn‟t read first?”

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The cold she‟d felt when Anna told her story about Henry returned. “Yes, but it‟s been a while.” “Oh, Rissa.” He shook his head in disbelief. “How could you?” “They were from my father. He said, sign this, and I did. I was a kid intent on partying, not reading legal papers.” She flipped her phone back open. “I‟m calling my accountant.” “It‟s getting late back there. Some people go to bed early.” “Like I give a shit.” She punched buttons quickly, found the right number. “With the amount of money she makes off me, she can answer the phone at midnight. Jane? It‟s Clarissa Alexander. I want to check my account. How much money is in there? Yes, now. Yes, I‟ll hold.” There was a pause, and Clarissa tried not to scream out in frustration. “Okay. Thanks. No, nothing‟s wrong. I was just a little paranoid after watching the news.” Maddox tapped her arm. “Ask her who has access to your trust fund.” She relayed the question and waited. “Only me? Okay, thanks again. No, I‟m not in New York. I‟m sorry if I woke you.” Clarissa tossed the phone onto the coffee table. “How many times did you sign papers without reading them?” “I don‟t know, three, four, more? I never thought anything about it.” Tears swam in her eyes. “He‟s my father. He might piss me off, but I don‟t think he‟d…steal from me.” Maddox was silent for a few minutes. “Listen, I have a lawyer in Vegas who knows a good computer hacker. He‟s discreet, and he‟s trustworthy. I‟ve used him myself a few times to deal with less-than-scrupulous gamblers. Let me call him, see what he can find out by fishing in records he has no business fishing in.” “Do it.” She reached for the phone. He took his own from his pocket. “He‟ll recognize my number. This will be expensive.” “Well, from what Jane just told me, I can afford it. I‟ll sign whatever papers he wants me to. This time I‟ll make sure I read them first.”

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Chapter Twelve “I‟m sorry I ruined your plans for the day.” Clarissa glanced over at Maddox, who watched the road intently despite the light traffic. “You didn‟t ruin anything, missy. We‟ll still play; we‟ll just change the rules around a little.” “Thanks.” She took a sip from a water bottle. “You‟re welcome.” He put his hand on her knee, slid it under her dress. “So soft. I like it.” “I‟m glad.” Very glad, she thought. After he‟d gotten off the phone with his lawyer last night, they‟d sat and watched movies. He‟d attached the leash to her collar and held it while she sat on the cushion at his feet. It made her feel warm and cared for, which surprised her. If someone had said, even just a month ago, she‟d be wearing a collar and sitting at some guy‟s feet, she would have told them they were out of their mind. She‟d done it. And done it very eagerly too. Maddox Perry was a man she could see herself staying with forever. Waking up next to him, playing games with him, serving him, making love with him, would be the perfect way to spend the rest of her life. She knew some people would say it was a bit early to think something like that, but she knew it wasn‟t. It was a feeling she had deep inside her. And she also knew, just from the way he looked at her, that he felt the same way, although neither of them had voiced that option. If he did happen to mention it, she would say, Yes, take me, make me yours forever. “Well, did you?” “What?” “You weren‟t even listening to me. At least tell me you were daydreaming about my dick.”

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“Most definitely.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Shall I demonstrate?” “Tempting but…” “Indecency in public not allowed for fear of losing gaming license. Got it.” She put her hand to her neck. It felt strange there was no collar there. In less than twenty-four hours, she had grown used to wearing it, feeling it around her neck, binding her to him. “Don‟t worry, I‟ve got a plan for that too.” He glanced at her hand, and she nodded. “I like that idea. Wanna share all the plans for today?” “Nope. You had your chance. I was asking questions, and you were thinking about my dick instead of paying attention, so now you have to wait.” She pouted, and he laughed evilly. “Andrew is bringing the papers you need to sign to have the lawyer start the search, and after that we‟re back on our time.” “Is Andrew a Dom?” “Yes, he is.” He took a right off the highway. “He has a submissive down here that he sees sometimes. If this deal goes through and we get approval for the new casino, he‟ll run this branch and that will bring them closer together. I think it will be very good for him.” “Why doesn‟t she move to Vegas? This place seems pretty remote to me.” “It is, and they both like it that way. I‟m thinking of selling him the house if he moves here.” Her heart beat just a little faster. “I thought this was where you came to get away from everything.” “It is. Still, I thought between the sale from this and the house in Henderson, we could find a different place. One that has no memories to make my new sub jealous.” He glanced over at her for a second before turning his gaze back to the road. “Don‟t act so surprised. You and I both know I don‟t want you to leave here.” “Well, I don‟t know. I lead a pretty exciting life in New York. What can you offer me here?” “I can promise to cherish you, to respect you, and not keep you in a box. Unless it‟s part of a scene. And I promise to care for you and see to your needs.” “Thank God you didn‟t mention love.” He pulled into a casino parking lot and put the car in park. “Most women would want to hear the word love in that sentence.” “It‟s way too soon for that, Maddox. I like you, a great deal. What I feel for you is more than I‟ve ever felt for a person, and it scares me. I admit it. It could head in the love direction very easily, except I‟ve never been very good with that word. I think it‟s because my parents were terrible with it.”

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His touch against her hand was gentle, his fingers warm as they grasped hers. “We‟ll take the journey together. Just know if you waver and talk about leaving, I‟m going to fight for you to stay. That‟s a promise.” “How are you going to do that? Wrap a collar and leash around my neck while I‟m on the airplane?” “If need be, yes.” “I‟m sure the air marshal would love that.” She gasped softly. “Oh look, there‟s the L word. I guess I‟m getting better at using it already.”

***** “Is this the casino you‟re buying?” Clarissa toyed with the straw in her glass, glancing around. “I have to say it‟s not as sleek as Moonglow. Will you change it up?” “This isn‟t it,” Maddox replied. “We‟re considering empty space that‟s a little ways down the river. We just thought we‟d meet here so there‟s a table to sign papers, after…” “I read them. I know.” “Good for you.” “So, will this new place be the Moonglow II?” “No, just Moonglow in Laughlin.” She put her hand near his on the table. “How did you come up with the name?” His smile jabbed at her heart. Yes, the L word could definitely come into play with this man. “You know my father is an archaeologist. He took me to digs with him, and we spent lots of time outdoors, camping and the like. He would always tell me that nothing was impossible. „Reach for the moon,‟ he‟d say. So I did. Turned out to be a pretty good deal.” “Sorry I‟m late.” Clarissa pulled her gaze away from Maddox to greet Andrew. “There was some traffic, plus I had a run-in with a friend of yours, Clarissa.” “Henry.” “Yup, he insisted on knowing where you were. He‟s outside, or maybe he came in with me and is afraid to come near Clarissa when there are drinks nearby.” He winked at her. “He‟s not very good at being secretive. I had to slow down a few times in the city so I didn‟t lose him.” Clarissa turned to Maddox. “You knew?” “Yes. Andrew called me earlier to say Henry started to tail him when he left the hotel. I thought it would be nice if we could have a chat, convince him to go back to New York like a good boy.” Clarissa pushed back her chair. “I‟ll go talk to him.”

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“No.” Maddox stood, putting his hand on her shoulder to hold her in place. “You stay here and do your paperwork. Let me handle him. I can promise there won‟t be any video from this encounter that will find its way on the Internet.” “Spoilsport.” She picked up the papers Andrew placed in front of her. “If you knock him out, at least snap a picture for me.” “I want you to stay here.” She responded to his stern look with a nod; then she watched him walk away, his butt encased in tailored pants that made him look like a finely carved statue. She wanted to go with him, maybe get a chance to punch Henry in the nose for so obviously being in collusion with her father to try and get his hands on her money. If no one had access to her trust fund but herself, how were they doing it? What was going on? “Do you need some help signing those? Or reading them, maybe? I thought you were a Sarah Lawrence graduate.” “Good one, Andrew.” She took the pen he held out. “If you‟re not careful, someone might think you‟re funny.” “Happens to me all the time.” He winked at her, and she picked up the papers, skimmed them. It seemed a standard contract with the law firm to hire services of a “consultant” to look into records. The opening paragraph asked for a retainer of two thousand dollars, and Clarissa pulled out her checkbook. She wrote the check, signed it, then scribbled her name on the contract, handing them all back to Andrew. “Thanks for doing this for me.” “No problem.” He tucked them into an envelope, then put it in his pocket. “I‟ll wait with you until Maddox gets back.” “Really? He led me to believe you had someone to visit here. A woman. Does she work at one of the casinos?” Andrew‟s laughter made her smile. “No, she owns one, the one we‟re in right now.” “A rival. That ought to make for interesting pillow talk.” His smile increased. “We never talk about work, only sex.” “Always a good thing.” She looked toward the doorway. Maddox should be coming back at some point soon, shouldn‟t he? How long could it take to tell someone to stay the hell away? “Stay here,” Andrew said. “He‟ll be back.” She wiggled in her chair, knowing she needed to follow Maddox‟s instructions, yet wanting to tear out the door and confront Henry again. “That rat bastard.” “Well, Maddox is good at exterminating rodents, so you needn‟t worry. Just relax and take another drink.”

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She knew Andrew was right. Plus she didn‟t want to disappoint Maddox by disobeying him. She would stay here, and then, if Henry happened to follow Maddox back into the building, all bets would be off.

***** Maddox had to give the other man credit. When he saw him coming across the walkway, he didn‟t run. Instead he stood, his back to the Colorado River, and crossed his arms over his chest. He‟d expected to find him in the front of the casino, waiting for them to come out. Instead he‟d been in the back, watching Clarissa and Andrew through the glass doors. “I want to talk to Clarissa.” “Clarissa doesn‟t want to talk to you. And right now what she wants is the most important thing to me. Mr. Isaacs, I strongly suggest you leave. Clarissa and I are very happy right now, and frankly, all you‟re doing is making a fool of yourself.” “Is that so? Her parents will never let her marry you.” Maddox put on his poker face. He could tell it was effective by the nervous look that came into Isaacs‟s eyes. “She‟s a grown woman, and can do as she pleases. Plus, what makes you think we‟re talking about marriage?” The other man snorted, and Maddox wanted to plant his fist in his face. “That‟s the only way you‟re going to get her money.” The urge to say, Just like you want to do, pushed forward, and he suppressed it. That would give Isaacs the knowledge they knew something was up, and he didn‟t want that. If they knew, they would have time to try and hide things and possibly get away with whatever they were doing. “Do you need directions back to Vegas? Or would you like to wait for Andrew to leave so you can follow him? I think he has a lunch date with a friend first, so it might be a while.” “Fuck you, Perry.” Maddox leaned against the railing, keeping his expression neutral. “Impressive. Can you say that in more than one language?” “You son of a—” “Listen, before you insult my mother, let me remind you that Clarissa is inside. Last time she had a few drinks at her disposal. This time she has the whole Colorado River. Who knows what she could do with that.” “Are you threatening me?” He loved the red that appeared in the other man‟s face. It meant he was rattled. Good, hopefully he‟d just leave now. And stay gone. “Just stating facts. You should leave before she comes out. Sometimes it‟s tough to control her, especially when she‟s

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angry. On the other hand, I love the way she loses control. I‟m sure your buddies at the club are laughing about the video floating around.” For a minute, Maddox thought Isaacs would throw a punch. Instead the other man turned sharply and headed toward the front of the building, hopefully for the parking lot. He wouldn‟t follow him, though. He had better things to do than that, like play a game with his new sub. This was supposed to be a vacation, and he wouldn‟t let Henry Isaacs ruin it. He looked through the open doors, saw Clarissa sitting at the table, toying with her drink. Andrew sat across from her, a smile on his face. He was proud of her for following his instructions and not causing a scene. Now it was time for a reward, something that would please the both of them.

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Chapter Thirteen “Let me get this straight? It‟s a race?” “Sort of.” Maddox stopped the car in front of the empty hotel he hoped to buy. It was a little less than a mile down the river from the casino they‟d just been in. “I left something with Emily, Andrew‟s friend. Your job is to make it back there, on foot, without me catching you. If you make it and retrieve the item, you win. If I catch you, I win.” “What are the stakes?” “Winner‟s choice.” He leaned toward her and kissed her gently. “No holds barred.” “I like the sounds of that. Is this a BDSM game?” “Yes, the hunter and the hunted.” She frowned. “I just didn‟t expect this type of thing. I guess I expected whippings and the like all the time.” “Don‟t look so shocked. Those books I sent you are guidelines. I‟m sure you read that every Dom is different, and there is no right and wrong, really, unless you‟re abusing a sub. That‟s wrong. I like games, and I like to enjoy myself. I don‟t think Andrew would ever do something like this.” She glanced out the window. The building in front of them was obviously empty, but the parking lot was full. “So all I have to do is make it back, either by way of the street or the boardwalk. And avoid you.” He murmured an assent, and she reached for the door handle. “Where shall I meet you when you fail to find me?” “If I haven‟t caught you within the next thirty minutes, meet me in the bar at Muir‟s.”

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“Are you going to move the car down there and wait so that I have to do all the walking and you‟ll just nab me when I walk into the building?” “Wouldn‟t you like to know? You have a five-minute head start, beginning right now.” Clarissa barreled out of the car, taking off for the abandoned building as quickly as she could. She spied a walkway between that building and the one to its left. Maddox was watching, she was sure, so he would know she was using the boardwalk. When she was around the back, though, she would go into the casino and come out the front way, wind her way through the parking lots. That way she would have cars to use as coverage while she walked. Hiding behind vehicles was much more effective than hiding in a crowd. And maybe it would throw him off her trail. Thinking of that made her think of Henry. Had he left after his little talk with Maddox or was he hanging around, waiting to find her alone? Maddox didn‟t seem worried that he was still here, so she shouldn‟t be either. Besides, she could handle him. This time maybe she‟d kick him in the balls. That would be satisfying. She wished Maddox had related more of their conversation. Instead he‟d just said, “He’s gone.” Somehow she didn‟t expect Henry to give up that easily, not when there was money involved, which there obviously was. Maybe she would find out what was going on. If the hacker was as good as they said, it should be pretty quick. The boardwalk was crowded. People jostled for position as they made their way from one casino to the other. Heat rose from the sidewalk, and Clarissa looked down at the Colorado River. Maybe for her reward she‟d tell Maddox to rent a boat. They could take a leisurely cruise, enjoy the cool breeze off the waters. That would be perfect. And they could fuck. Almost right out in the open, really. There had to be some way of doing it without being caught, maybe lying with her back to his front while on a ski boat. After they were downriver, of course. It was best not to do things too close to shore, where there was a chance they could be caught. She darted into the hotel, looking around. No Maddox, and more importantly, no Henry. Maybe the creep did leave. The bells and whistles of gaming machines filled the air. She wound through the crowd, enjoying the hoots of people who won as money dropped from slot machines. She wanted to tell those people to cash in now, that the old saying the house always wins was generally true. When she was almost to the front door, she stopped. Maybe this wasn‟t such a good idea. She stepped back inside to consider her options. Maybe she should go back to where the crowds were. She thought about what Maddox would do. He would stay outdoors; she knew that. And if she stayed inside, walking between the people would slow her down, keep her from meeting her time frame. Then again, she would have the same problem with the crowds on the boardwalk. Still, she didn‟t know this area, and he did. Did one parking lot bleed into another, or were there hedges or, worse yet, fences between them, trying to keep patrons from

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going over to the competition? She should have paid more attention on the trip over. Instead she‟d been distracted by the gorgeous hunk of man sitting next to her. She looked down, a smile brightening her face when she saw a large white boat pull up to a dock. The word taxi was printed on the side. A glance at her watch showed she‟d been gone for ten minutes. She had twenty left. Surely the taxi would make it back up the river in plenty of time. She hurried down the steps toward it, trying not to knock into too many of the people who were coming up. Damn, this was easy. The only thing she had to worry about once she got there was getting to Emily before Maddox found her, and that shouldn‟t be a problem. She‟d just gained the last step when a hand on her shoulder made her stop. “I thought you said you were going to walk.” She‟d been so busy patting herself on the back for finding the water taxi that she hadn‟t looked around to see who was behind her. She wheeled on him, sticking her finger in his face. “I‟m warning you, there better be an orgasm involved in your reward.” “Oh, there is. For me. I don‟t know about you. Sticking your finger in my face, making demands. I thought we‟d already discussed things like that, remember?” “So I suppose you‟re going to pull out a deck of cards, sentence me to forty lashes?” “Maybe thirty.” He gave her a cockeyed grin, and she laughed. “Are we going back to the house now?” “Not yet.” He indicated she should walk, then fell in step beside her, his hand on the small of her back. “We‟re going to the old casino.” “I didn‟t know you owned that building yet.” “I don‟t. But it‟s pretty much a done deal. The meeting this week is more a formality.” They wound through the crowd, and he unlocked the door, ushering her inside before locking it behind them. “We‟re going all the way to the top floor.” “Is the elevator working?” “Yup. Everything‟s turned on: electric, gas, water. They did it for the inspections, and I told them to leave it on.” They stepped into the little box, and he hit the button for the top floor before turning to her. “It wasn‟t much of a chase, you know. Less than ten minutes. Pretty sad.” “I was hindered by not knowing the terrain. You‟ve been here lots of times, so you had an unfair advantage.” “What a good excuse.” The elevator dinged to announce its arrival, but the door didn‟t open. “Maddox?”

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“Miss, may I ask what you‟re doing in this building?” Confusion took hold of her body. “What? You brought me here. Why isn‟t the door opening?” “When I find a woman in an abandoned building, I have to wonder what she‟s up to. Something tells me it‟s no good. Now answer my question. What are you doing in this building?” “Open the door, Maddox.” “It‟s Agent Perry to you, and prisoners don‟t make demands. Now either tell me what I want to know, or I‟m going to have to strip-search you.” Excitement replaced confusion. “Oh yeah? Go ahead.” “Very well. Take off your clothes.” “Make me.” Surprise flashed briefly in his eyes before he reached for her blouse, pulling her close to him. “Don‟t make me rip your beautiful dress, ma‟am. I can promise you, I will if need be.” He pulled a little harder to prove his point, and Clarissa had no doubt he would rip the dress, and even in the pursuit of fun she didn‟t want that to happen. “Okay, okay. I don‟t want any trouble, officer. Maybe we could come to some sort of an arrangement?” She cupped her breasts, holding them up for him. “Would you like to fuck me?” “So you want to add bribing an officer of the law to your charges? I‟ll tell you one more time. Take it off for your strip search. All of it.” Clarissa nodded, then lifted the dress over her head, letting it drop to the floor at his feet. She added her bra to the pile and then her shoes. “Turn around and put your hands on the wall. Make sure your feet are planted firmly apart.” She followed his instructions, wondering if he would fuck her here or take her to another room. How had he made the elevator stop? She hadn‟t seen him turn a key or hit a button. The answer dawned, and she smiled. Andrew. It wasn‟t fair he had a confederate and she was alone in the game. His hands were warm as they ran down her sides. He cupped her breasts, testing the weight before running his fingers under them. “Nothing under here.” “I could have told you that.” He slapped her ass, and she yelped. “Silence, prisoner.” “Screw you!” He slapped her ass twice more, and she tried to move around him. He lunged for her, clasping her around the waist. The elevator moved with them, swaying slightly, and she pressed herself into him. She knew it should scare her; instead it thrilled her, adding a level of danger to the excitement already running through her.

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“Back in position.” She struggled against him, and he grabbed her arms, pushed her against the wall. He held her hands above her head with one hand while his other hand went down her back, cupping her cheeks. She tried to move away, and he let her hands go, capturing them seconds later and winding them behind her back. He wrapped one hand around her wrists and pressed her forward, his other hand moving between her thighs again. “Someone‟s wet. Are you a bad girl?” “Let me go and you‟ll find out.” He pressed his thumb inside her pussy, his fingers pressing against her clit. “Keep doing that and you‟ll find out anyway.” Clarissa groaned and pressed herself down into his touch. “You never did answer my question. What are you doing here?” “Waiting for you, officer. It was my sincere hope a man would come along and fuck me, and here you are.” “Trying to distract me? Well, it‟s not going to work. I‟ve heard tell there‟s a certain story about you and…pickles.” He narrowed his eyes at her, his expression fierce. Clarissa barely held in her laughter. “I have no idea what you‟re talking about, officer.” “It‟s agent.” “Toe-mato, to-mah-to. Besides, I have no clue what you think you‟ve heard. Let me go, or I‟ll call my lawyer.” Maddox took a step closer, pushing her back into the wall, the ridge of his cock sliding over her ass. “Call him. There‟s a whole truckload of pickles missing, and something tells me you‟re the culprit.” This time she couldn‟t contain her laughter. She brought a hand to her face, wiping away tears. “I swear to you, I didn‟t take them. The pickle thing was a onetime caper, and it didn‟t exactly go as planned. I promise you, officer, I have no idea where your pickles are.” She tried to move away from him, and the elevator car rattled. “It‟s getting a little stuffy in here, don‟t you think?” “I‟m fine. Only guilty ones sweat. Tell me why someone would connect your name to pickle thefts.” She turned her head to him and kissed him gently. “No.” He stared at her for a long moment, and then he jumped, once, twice, three times. The car bounced and shook, and Clarissa grasped at the wall. His hand was back on her pussy now, the sensation intense as he tugged on her ring. “Maddox! Stop it. Please, let us out.”

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“I can stay here all night if need be.” He found her clit, rubbed it just enough to make her body tremble with need before removing his fingers. She‟d been right there, ready to come. “Please.” “Tell me what I want to know, and I‟ll let you come.” He was back again, tormenting her, caressing and stroking until her hips moved, then pulling away when her body was right on the edge. “Maddox.” She tried to grind herself into his hand, but he moved it out of the way. He kept her pinned to the wall, and her body quaked with desire. She needed to come now. “Tell me, and it will all be over.” He barely touched her now, the slight pressure making her clit ache. “Yes, yes, I‟ll tell you, just…make me come.” “Confession first.” The words rumbled in her ear, and she knew if he hadn‟t been holding her up, she would have collapsed, her fingers going immediately to her clit to alleviate her need. Her breasts rose and fell heavily, her breathing rapid. When she could tell he wasn‟t going to relent, she cleared her throat, the words coming out in small increments. “When we were freshmen in college, Anna and I decided to conduct a little experiment. Neither of us had ever given head, and the girl across the hall said her boyfriend taught her how using a pickle, after she bit him on the first attempt.” The barely concealed humor on Maddox‟s face made her laugh. “You didn‟t.” “We did. We went to the store and searched through the aisles. You should have seen us looking through the jars, trying to find the largest pickle we could. We bought a few jars and took them back to the dorm.” “Go on.” “Well, you can guess the rest, can‟t you? I went first, since Anna was chicken. The only problem was I started laughing and sucked it into my mouth too far. My gag reflex reacted, and I tried to hurl, only the pickle was in the way. By then it was one of those situations where I panicked and couldn‟t get it out of my mouth because I‟d bit down and it had lodged on my lower teeth. Anna ended up having to pound me on the back with one hand and pull with the other to get it out, and then, well, the rest is really gross.” He was leaning against the wall, half bent over. Tears of laughter were streaming down his face, and she stomped her foot. “It‟s not funny.” “Oh yes, it is. Admit it, baby, you‟re laughing.” She put her hand in front of her mouth to hide the smile. “Am not.” The words were muffled, and she said, “I haven‟t eaten a pickle since. If I get one on a hamburger, I feel nauseous.”

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He exhaled several times, and she could tell he was trying to get control of himself. Finally he cleared his throat, then put a key in the control panel and the elevator started to rise. “I haven‟t laughed that much in ages.” “Did this little scene go the way you‟d planned?” “It was worth the change. I hadn‟t intended on bringing up the pickles, really.” He pulled her into his arms. “I hope you‟re not angry.” “No. Still, I think it cancels out me having to pick a card for sticking my finger in your face.” He thought about it for a moment, then nodded. “Never again. Understand?” “I‟ll try and do better next time, Master.” The elevator door opened, and she stepped into a large room, empty except for dozens of candles sitting on stands around the room. They were all lit. A large animal skin was placed in front of the open windows of the balcony. “Don‟t worry, it‟s fake.” “The room? Did you do this in the ten minutes it took you to find me, or do you have magical powers I‟ve yet to discover?” “I‟m talking about the rug being fake. It was less than ten minutes, and no, I didn‟t do it. Emily and Andrew came up here and did it. They didn‟t leave until the elevator started again, so it was safe. I thought if you were going to be interrogated and accused of breaking into a building, you should at least have some fun afterward. However, things went awry, didn‟t they?” “Who cares?” She walked toward the faux fur. There was an open bottle of champagne, some strawberries and, sitting next to that, condoms a nd lube. There was no doubt what had been on his mind when he‟d set up this scenario. She turned her head back to watch him undress; then she lay down on the soft rug. “This is your way of having sex in public, right? Being in front of the open doorway even if we are twenty-four floors up?” “Yeah. There‟s nothing on the other shore high enough for people to see us. Still, there‟s always the chance.” He was behind her now, his hands cupping her breasts. “You‟re so beautiful.” “You don‟t have to flatter me, Maddox. With you, I‟m a sure bet.” She jumped when he slapped her ass. “Behave.” He kissed her neck, nibbling lightly. “Do you know when I saw you walking across the room in that yellow dress you wore in New York, my first thought was, how could I get her to take it off for me?” “Really?” “Then I thought, I wonder if she‟s submissive, if she‟d let me guide her.” She reached behind her, put her hands on his hips. “I‟ll guide you right inside me.”

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“Everybody knows what a wild woman you are. It‟s fantastic to know you‟ll obey, although I still need to teach you to come on command. Put your fingers on your clit. We‟ll start tonight, and you‟ll practice every day. Rub yourself until you‟re almost there, then stop and let it sit, feel the pleasure seep into your body, the anticipation flow through you. Keep your touch light and gentle.” Her body hummed as he talked, her fingers dancing over her clit. “May I come? You owe me for my confession, remember?” “Not yet. Patience.” He helped her to kneel, then whispered, “On all fours.” Clarissa gladly obeyed. Her body was on fire, her clit throbbing with need. She played until the need built to an almost overwhelming crescendo. Then she stopped, letting her clit rest. “Good girl, that‟s it.” He stroked her back, his hands soft against her skin. Warm air blew in from the open window, and she turned her face to it, placing her shoulders against the fur as she continued to stroke herself. Maddox‟s hands were on her buttocks, gently caressing. She felt them slip between her cheeks, groaned at the feel of cool lube against her anus. He massaged it into her as she continued to stroke her clit. Right now she felt as if she was ready for anything, could take him any way he wanted to give himself to her. His finger slipped inside, increasing her pleasure. She inhaled softly, then exhaled loudly. “Maddox.” “How does it feel, my beautiful Clarissa?” “Wonderful.” She groaned as he slipped his finger deeper inside her. He slid in and out slowly, the pressure building inside her. It felt wonderful, but she needed something more. She needed his cock. “I‟m going to break a rule and make a demand. Fuck me.” “Where, Rissa? Where do you want me?” “In my ass.” That was the only thing she wanted right now. She heard the rip of a condom package, savored the feel of his finger inside her. One hand was gentle on her hips as he clasped her tightly. The other guided the head of his cock to her ass. She pushed back, stilling when he stroked her. “Slowly, little one. Let me guide us. You just continue what you‟re doing.” She nodded, words not wanting to form. “Oh.” The head of his cock pressed inside her, stretching her tight opening. She groaned and tried to pull away, but he held her close. “Shush, it‟s all right.” She nodded, lifting up on one hand. “More.” He gave her just what she wanted, stroking in and out unhurriedly, filling her completely. When she felt his hips press against her buttocks, she turned her gaze to him. “Please, don‟t stop.”

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His smile made her body shake as he began a sweet, sensual assault, moving slowly back and forth inside her. She felt utterly full and completely bonded with him. His hands went up her back as his cock slid out, then back down when he filled her again. “My Rissa, come for me.” Her fingers moved faster, and it didn‟t take much. Her body quaked as her orgasm overtook her. She bucked into his cock, loving the tempo he now set, hard and steady, driving into her with such sweet force she thought she would die from the pleasure. “Again,” he whispered, and she did, her clit aching under her touch. She felt him quicken, then go rigid behind her before pounding himself into her. Beads of sweat, his and hers, mingled together on her back as he trailed his fingertips over her hips. When he moved away, she felt as if she‟d lost a part of herself, something she never wanted to lose. She collapsed onto the blanket as he got up, returning moments later with a wet cloth, which he ran between her buttocks. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you, sweet one.” He lay down next to her, cuddling into her back. After a few long minutes, she rubbed her head against him. “I‟m beginning to think the two of us were made for each other.” “Indeed. It‟s something I‟ve already known.” “You know, I have a piercing or a tat for all my ex-lovers that meant something. Shall I get a moon tattooed on my pussy? Or my ass?” “How about piercings? On your labia, five on each side I can use to make a beautiful corset that I can tie up, binding your pussy so that it gains its freedom only to bring us pleasure at my command.” Her mind whirled at the idea. She‟d seen pictures, but that was one piercing she‟d never considered having done. Could she give him that much control over her body? It would be a strong statement that her pussy belonged to him and not to her. “That would be total surrender, wouldn‟t it? I mean, letting you tie my pussy up in a corset?” “Yes, it would. Do you surrender to me totally, Clarissa?” “Yes. Let‟s do it the minute we get back in Vegas.” He nibbled on her ear. “We don‟t have to wait. If you‟re serious about it, I know a piercer here in town who could do it tomorrow. How does your body take piercing?” “I‟ve never had a problem. And I think I could do five on each side.” “Are you sure? Completely sure?” “Yes, I surrender my body to you, Maddox. I want to be yours, totally.” “You already are, sweet Rissa. Hearing you say it makes me the happiest, and the luckiest, man in the world.”

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Chapter Fourteen Clarissa shifted in her chair, her new piercings throbbing just a bit. They‟d decided on six rings on each side. The design was for a full pussy corset. The piercings started at her lower labia and moved upward toward her belly. They‟d done three rings on the first pass. In two weeks she would get the other three done. Once they were healed, Maddox would be able to corset her pussy closed. He‟d already taken her on a shopping trip to find padlocks he could use on each ring, small tiny locks that would keep the lacings in place until he unlocked them. She‟d been thrilled with the piercings. The woman Maddox knew did a fantastic job, and the pain had been minimal. Maddox had held her hand, kissing her knuckles with each ring that had been added, reminding her that she belonged to him and he couldn‟t be more thrilled about it. Clarissa had replied that she was more than thrilled with the situation and couldn‟t wait for the new rings to heal enough to be used. Of course the events had basically ended their play for the weekend, which was fine with her. She still stayed naked while they were at the cabin, and he still held her close. They discussed things they would want in a house, how it would be decorated and how they would go about selecting a new one. On Monday morning, she‟d been sitting in Maddox‟s office when he‟d called a realtor to put his house on the market. Not a great time for it, he knew, but he said they would work with what they had. Then he‟d called Andrew in and told him the casino in Laughlin was a go. When he offered Andrew his house, Clarissa thought the other man would come undone with excitement. He couldn‟t wait to get started. All they needed now were a few more inspections on the building, and renovations could begin. Now it was Monday afternoon, and they sat and waited on Blake Turner, Maddox‟s attorney. When he‟d called them to say he had news Clarissa had been astonished.

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“The hacker must be good if it took him such a short amount of time.” Maddox squeezed her hand and winked at her. “It‟s going to be fine, don‟t worry.” The door to the conference room opened, and the man who entered was not what Clarissa expected. This man looked like he could pass for a college-age student when you first saw him. As he drew closer to them, though, she could see the tiny lines and figured he was closer to forty than his looks implied. He shook her hand and smiled. “My wife is thrilled about you being here. She thinks you‟re, and I quote, very cool.” “Well, tell her I said thanks.” Her legs were moving, seemingly on their own. She applied pressure to stop them. “You have news for me.” “Yes.” He sat down opposite them and took out a few sheets of paper, passing one to her and then asking her if he could pass one to Maddox also. “Yes.” “I wanted to check, since you‟re the client.” She scanned the paper and frowned. “What is this?” “That is a wedding present from your mother‟s parents.” Before she could open her mouth, Blake held up his hand. “When you and your sisters were born, your grandparents deposited a healthy sum of money into a savings account for each of you. According to records at the bank, the money was supposed to be a gift, on your wedding day. And since you were minors at the time, the accounts were set up in the name of your father and mother. Over the years, it‟s changed to just your father.” “I think I don‟t want to hear any more.” She pushed the paper across the table, then groaned in frustration. “Okay, go on.” “When your sisters got married, their accounts were closed and the money transferred to an offshore account in your father‟s name. They probably never knew it was there, just like you.” “That doesn‟t explain why the conniving thief is so eager for me to marry Henry Isaacs.” “It‟s simple. The rules of the fund state that if you‟re not married by the time you‟re thirty, the money is donated to charity. That part he couldn‟t mess with.” There were rocks in her stomach, and she felt like she might throw them up at any moment. “So he ripped off Diane and Claire. Since I wasn‟t finding a husband before I turned thirty, he had to make sure he found one for me or he lost all that money. “What about the papers we signed?” “We couldn‟t find anything you signed. Again, I‟m guessing they were papers that waived your rights to the money. I‟m sure your father had you sign them when you were young but over eighteen so it was legal. He would assume, rightly so, that you wouldn‟t read something he asked you to sign for legal purposes.”

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“That rat bastard! Why didn‟t he just take it outright when he had us sign the papers?” “Well, from what I can determine, his attorneys are not part of this deal,” Blake replied. “Your grandparents had a firm that did it all. The papers say it was all supposed to be a surprise for you until your marriage. What I would guess is that once you were married, your father would file papers that transferred the money to him, since it couldn‟t be touched until then or your birthday. I‟m only assuming, of course, that he hired Henry Isaacs to marry you and promised to split the money with him.” “How much?” “Over nine million. Twenty-nine years of interest can add up.” “Nice wedding gift,” Maddox said. “What about taxes and such? None of this was ever listed on my returns.” “It wasn‟t in your name,” Blake reminded her. “I‟m sure your father kept it aboveboard. Until he stole it from you and your sisters.” “I‟m calling Diane and Claire tonight to let them know.” She put her head in her hands. “If those papers I signed lifted my rights, I couldn‟t get the money now if I married, could I?” Blake laughed. “Oh, we could work on that. Something tells me your father wouldn‟t want you to make this thing public. I‟m sure he would deny the papers ever existed and just slink off quietly. From what I know of you, you‟d make it public.” “Damn straight I would.” She tried to laugh, when inside she thought she would die. Her own father stealing from not just her but her sisters as well. “Your hacker sure earned his money, plus a bonus.” “He‟ll be happy to hear that.” Blake leaned toward them both. “He stays in the closet, so to speak, and will love the extra money.” Clarissa stood and held out her hand. “Thank you.” Blake shook her hand and Maddox‟s. “Anything else you need, just let me know.” “What about prenups?” The words were out of her mouth before she even knew she was going to say them. Beside her, Maddox didn‟t even seem to bat an eyelash. Blake‟s eyes widened in surprise, and then he nodded. “Yeah, I do that too.” “Good,” Maddox said. “We may need you soon.” Blake laughed. “Just say the word.” Clarissa wrote out a check to give to the “consultant” before leaving. When they were back in Maddox‟s SUV, she buckled her seat belt, then sat looking out the window. “I‟m sorry,” Maddox said after climbing inside. “I know this has to be hard on you.” “It shouldn‟t surprise me. It‟s not like he ever really gave a shit about us.” “Rissa.” He clasped her hand. “Don‟t think that.”

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“Why? It‟s true. I don‟t know if it would have been different if we were boys. It makes me think, though, about my life. If he hadn‟t always pushed me to follow his rules, would I have been so eager to raise hell like I did?” He leaned over until his face was right next to hers. “Yes, you would have. Some of us are products of our environment, yes. And that could have partially shaped you. Face it, baby; you were born to raise hell.” Maddox pressed his lips against her cheek, and she turned her head, kissing him back. “I don‟t know what to do. For the first time in a long time, I‟m stumped. I want to hurt him in some way, but he‟s my father, no matter what he‟s done.” “You know what to do. Think about your options. Lay them out for me.” “Well, I could let the deadline pass, and the money would go to charity. Or”—she turned to him—“I could marry before December and take the money. If Blake is right, my father will let it go without a fight. Then I could donate it to the charities that I want it to go to.” She clicked her tongue a few times. “I wonder if Henry‟s left town yet?” “Watch it, you.” Their gazes locked for a few long, meaningful moments, and then he cleared his throat. “Clarissa Marie Montgomery Alexander, will you marry me? Today?” “No.” She watched disbelief spread across his face. Then she smiled innocently. “I‟ll marry you tomorrow, though. I want Anna to be here.” “Fair enough. I‟ll book a chapel.” “I want the Elvis chapel or the alien one, you choose. And I want lots of media. And I want a huge ring that will make my father cringe when he sees it on the cover of every gossip rag in the country.” “Done. Let‟s go shopping.” He turned to start the car, and she put her hand on his to still his actions. “First we need to go inside. A prenup?” She looked at him questioningly, and he nodded, taking the keys from the ignition and pocketing them. He crossed to her side of the car to help her out. “We‟re going to have to tip Blake for the rush job. I‟ll pay this one.” He held her face between his hands, gently caressing her cheeks before kissing her, nibbling on her lower lip. “Just so you know, I‟m voting for Elvis since you left it up to me.” She kissed him back, then grinned. “Excellent choice.”

***** They had Nicole the waitress call the media, and Clarissa instructed her not to give them the news until they‟d delivered tip money to her, in cash.

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“Don‟t worry, they have photographers on staff for this type of thing. They‟ll be here to give you money as soon as you mention marriage and my name. Just don‟t tell them where or when until you see the green.” And in the end, they‟d decided to use a new chapel owned by a friend of Nicole‟s. It had only been open for a month, and Richard, the owner, was ecstatic about his new clients. Clarissa was sure he was over the moon right now, since the place was full of TV cameras and tourists who had come in off the streets to see what the fuss was about. “Your mother‟s here.” Humor tinged Anna‟s words. “I saw her talking to Maddox‟s mother, and they both seemed a little taken aback.” “I imagine so. This isn‟t exactly the wedding she had planned for me.” Clarissa hugged her longtime friend. “Thank you for being here.” “Are you kidding? I wouldn‟t have missed this for anything. This is just too, too cool. Do you love him? Or are you marrying him because of the story you told me about the money. Be truthful.” Clarissa‟s heart thumped louder, and she sighed. “I don‟t know if I love him. I know I don‟t ever want to be without him. Of course that could just be because he fucks me harder than anyone ever has, and he makes me come so fucking hard and…” She fingered the silver chain choker Maddox had placed around her neck that morning. “This is to wear in public; only you and I will know what it really means, that you’re mine.” “Always yours,” she‟d replied. “Earth to Rissa.” She turned to Anna. “Give it six months. If that feeling hasn‟t faded into „I can‟t believe I did this,‟ then you love him.” Clarissa ran her hands down the tea-length dress she wore. It had a scoop neck with a beaded bodice. The skirt was full. Under it she wore no panties. The only thing that would make it better, she knew, was if she‟d been healed enough for Maddox to tie the first rings of her pussy corset. That could wait, though. By the time she had the second set of piercings done, it would be six months before she was healed enough to tie. Six months to heal. Six months to figure out if it was love. How strange was that? “Is this okay?” “It‟s white.” Anna laughed again. “It just amazes me.” “I know.” Clarissa grinned. “The gossip columns are going to have a field day. Horny heiress heads to altar in white. Who does she think she‟s kidding?” The door opened, and Maddox strolled in, wearing a black tux that looked like it had been form fitted to his body. Clarissa‟s pussy grew wet at the sight of him, and she smiled. “Hey.” “Hi.” He crossed the room and kissed her, ignoring Anna‟s, “what are you doing, it‟s bad luck! Go away, go away!” “Your mother wanted to talk to you before the wedding. I told her I‟d ask.”

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“Maybe I should have waited to call her until afterward. „By the way, I got married. Maybe you can come and visit someday.‟ Not.” Indecision took hold, and she thought about the pros and cons. She was so happy right now, and her mother could put a huge damper on it. Then again she was her mother. Maybe she would be nice. “Yeah, when pigs fly,” she whispered to herself before lifting her gaze to Maddox. “Stay with me?” “Always.” “Let her in.” Anna kissed Clarissa‟s cheek, then moved out the door as her mother came inside. “Hello.” Why was she nervous about this? It wasn‟t as if her mother could change her mind or stop the wedding. She could make her feel bad about herself, though, as she‟d done so many times in the past. Not now she can’t. Not with Maddox standing right next to me. “Clarissa.” Her mother glanced at Maddox, then took a deep breath. “You‟ve caused quite a stir. Again.” “I‟m getting married, Mother. Isn‟t that what you‟ve always wanted?” “Yes. I would prefer a more formal ceremony, but perhaps this is for the best.” Dread knotted her stomach. She should have said no, kicked her out of the building. “I want you to know that I had no idea what your father had done, and I‟m appalled, but he is my husband.” “Stand by your man,” Clarissa said, frowning. “I get it, Mother.” “I just don‟t…” Her mother cleared her throat, and Clarissa could see this was hard on her, probably one of the hardest things she‟d ever done. “I don‟t want that to sever our ties. Now that you‟re getting married, and…well, when grandchildren come along, I‟d like to know them.” Tears stung Clarissa‟s eyes. She could see the same thing in her mother‟s face, almost as if she were about to cry. Was her mother actually asking her to stay in contact, to not push her away? She reached for Maddox‟s hand, felt the comforting warmth of his touch as he grasped her. “It doesn‟t matter, Mother; I mean, you‟ll know them. I promise.” Her mother turned her head, and when she looked back again, she had her emotions under control. “Thank you.” Her formal tone made Clarissa want to laugh. Lydia Alexander was nothing if not polite, even in strained circumstances. “I have something for you.” She held out a box. “This is the garter your grandmother wore and I wore and both your sisters wore. It has blue lace, so it can be counted as two of your items, I believe, something borrowed and something blue.”

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Clarissa took the box and opened the lid. The garter was white lace and was in pristine condition. “It‟s beautiful. Almost too beautiful to hide. And it‟s small. I‟m afraid if I put it on my thigh, it will stretch out.” She glanced at her mother, then handed the garter to Maddox, holding out her arm. He understood immediately, slipping it over the sleeve and up to her biceps. “We might have to pin it, to make it stay,” he said. “It‟s a little big for your arm.” “Mother?” She turned toward her mother. “What do you think? Will I shock everyone by wearing the garter on my arm?” “Clarissa, from you, I‟d expect nothing less. I think it‟s perfect.”

***** Six months later “Is that the last of it?” Maddox picked up several envelopes, scanning the addresses. “Every dime of it is gone. Charities around the world love me now. Of course you know this means they‟ll be back, begging for more.” “We‟ll see what we can do,” he said, putting the envelopes back on the desk. “And your father? How did last night‟s conversation go?” “He still thinks I‟m a witch, but he‟s agreed to give the money back to my sisters, who have agreed to donate it to charity. I‟m afraid, though, that he will never talk to me again.” The conference call had been hard to take and just as hard to set up. Lawyers had to be called, and schedules had to be looked at. It had been set up three times in the past, and her father had canceled on all those. This time she‟d reminded him it was January, the time of resolutions and changes. She‟d also threatened to make the story public if he didn‟t follow through. “It‟ll be fine,” Maddox replied. “He‟ll realize you‟re his daughter, and he‟ll want to meet grandchildren, just like your mother said at the wedding.” “That‟s a ways down the road.” “It‟ll be here before you know it.” She blinked at him. “Awfully sure of yourself.” “Awfully sure of my desire to be inside your sweet pussy. Most of the time. Tonight‟s the night, you know. And I have different plans for that pussy.” Oh yes, she knew. Her piercings were all healed and ready to be put to use. Tonight her pussy would be laced shut for the first time. The two of them had spent hours the past week going from one fabric store to another, searching for just the right lace. When they‟d finally found it, Maddox had purchased yards of it in every color they had.

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“That way I can match your pussy to your clothes when we go out,” he‟d whispered in her ear as the clerk had cut the fabric, eyeing them curiously. “I selected white for tonight, since it‟s our virginal attempt.” “Thank you, Master. You‟re so thoughtful.” “Sarcasm?” “Not at all.” She shook her head, then batted her eyes. “It‟s been a long time since I was a virgin, in anything. I‟m glad to let you have your way with me in this matter.” “Hum, sounds like someone might need to pick a card. Later. Right now I want you to come with me.” He attached her leash to her collar and tugged until she stood. It hadn‟t been hard to adjust to being naked when they were alone. When she was around Maddox, she didn‟t want to wear clothes. Doing it because he wanted it was just a bonus. She walked behind him to the dungeon. They hadn‟t sold his house, instead opting to stay in there until the real estate market improved. Plus, she‟d reminded him, they would have to find a new place to buy first, and move all the interesting equipment he had in the dungeon before allowing a realtor inside. Maddox patted the seat of the medical chair, and she jumped up, placing her feet in the stirrups without being told to. “So beautiful,” he whispered. “It‟s almost a shame not to fuck you tonight. I‟m sure we can think of other pursuits that will be just as much fun.” “You‟re just looking for an excuse to fuck me in the ass.” “I don‟t need an excuse. That asshole belongs to me, doesn‟t it?” His commanding tone of voice made her shiver. “Yes, Master.” He took her leash off her collar and attached it to her clit ring. “Ask me.” Emotion surged through her, and she swallowed hard, trying to lie still and not guide his hands to her pussy. “Master, lace up my pussy. Bind it for your pleasure.” He held the lace in front of her lips, and she kissed it, letting her lips stray to his fingers. When he started to lace, she thought she would come instantly. She breathed deep, in through her nose and out through her mouth as he worked the lace through the rings, winding them around and pulling them tightly. The feeling was incredible, the pleasure almost unbearable. The soft material against her skin reminded her of what was happening and why. Maddox owned her, he owned her pussy, and the sensual slide of the lace reinforced that she was his possession, and she savored every second of it. He wrapped it around her leash, tying a huge bow at the top of her pussy. “Oh, missy, that is the most incredible thing I‟ve ever seen.”

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She glanced down, trying to get a look. Maddox went to the cabinet and picked up a camera, then snapped off several shots before helping her to stand. He slipped off his clothes, then sat in the chair. She sat on his lap, lying back against his chest as he held the camera out for both of them to see. The first photo made her gasp. It was indeed beautiful, and it bound her to him in ways she couldn‟t imagine. By lacing her together, he‟d bound their bodies, their very souls, given him complete control over her. Her chest rose and fell with her rapid breathing as he kissed her temple and whispered, “Who do you belong to?” “You, Master. Only you. I love you, Maddox.” There was not one whiff of fear or regret at the words. She loved him, with all her heart. And she always would. “Oh, Clarissa.” His voice was tight with emotion. “I love you too.” He reached between her legs and grasped her leash, pulling it up her body. He put a length of it in her mouth. “Come for me.” She tugged on the leash and soared, pleasure arcing through her like wildfire. He lifted her hips, and she felt his slicked-up cock press at her anus and slide into her ass. He toyed with her lacings as he slowly thrust in and out of her. Her body felt as if it were floating on air. He increased the tempo of his thrusts, then whispered, “Again.” Clarissa surrendered to his command, a second orgasm racing through her. And she knew there was nowhere else in the world she‟d rather be than in her master‟s arms.

Melinda Barron Melinda Barron loves to explore Egyptian tombs and temples, discover Mayan ruins, play in castles towers, and explore new cities and countries. She generally does it all from the comfort of her home by opening a book. Melinda is the fourth of five children born to an Army officer and his wife. A longtime newspaper journalist, Melinda has loved to read and write from an early age. Now she lives in the Texas Panhandle with two cats, Amelia and Pippin, and enough books to, according to her brother, open her own library. In addition to reading and writing Melinda enjoys travel, cross-stitching, watching movies and spending time with her friends and family.