Submission to Desire

Desire, Oklahoma 7

Submission to Desire Brenna Nelson roars into Desire, Oklahoma, for the express purpose of giving the owners of Club Desire a piece of her mind. She’s suffered pain, fear, and even the loss of her job at the hands of one of their trainees, and she places the blame directly on their shoulders. Trust doesn’t come easy for her, but their concern for her, and outrage at what their club member has done to her, eases some of her fears. Before she knows it, Royce Harley and King Taylor ensconce her in their floor at the club and she’s signed a contract to become a submissive at their hands for a month and then be auctioned to live out her wildest fantasies. The sexual journey Royce and King take her on, though, proves more powerful than she anticipated, and proves to her that she is right where she belongs. Genre: BDSM, Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre Length: 117,718 words

SUBMISSION TO DESIRE Desire, Oklahoma 7

Leah Brooke

MENAGE EVERLASTING

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK IMPRINT: Ménage Everlasting

SUBMISSION TO DESIRE Copyright © 2012 by Leah Brooke E-book ISBN: 978-1-62241-343-0 First E-book Publication: September 2012 Cover design by Les Byerley All art and logo copyright © 2012 by Siren Publishing, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

PUBLISHER Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

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SUBMISSION TO DESIRE Desire, Oklahoma 7 LEAH BROOKE Copyright © 2012

Chapter One “Yes, as a matter of fact, you can help me. You can take me to the bastards who own this place so I can give them a piece of my mind!” Stilling, King Taylor slowly raised his head from the supply list he’d been working on, dropping his pen on the bar as he came to his feet. His body tightened, the anticipation of turning that anger into something more productive igniting his imagination. Sebastian’s cold, proper tone followed, and although he didn’t hear what their butler said, it quickly became apparent that the woman at the door didn’t like it. “No! I’m not fucking leaving here until I tell them what I think of them. Do you know how much trouble they’ve caused me? I know, you probably don’t give a damn. They probably won’t give a damn, either, but I’m not leaving here until I tell those assholes what I think of them!” The anger and desperation in her voice tugged at something inside him, and before he knew it, he’d already crossed the bar, intent on reaching the furious woman at the front door. Hurrying down the wide hall, King smiled at Sebastian’s attempts to keep the determined and cursing woman from entering, his interest growing. “Let me in! Are they hiding in there? I’ll bet they’re hiding in there. Bastards. Don’t they have the balls to see me?” Getting his first look at the petite, breathtaking beauty, King laid a hand on Sebastian’s shoulder, fighting to recover from what felt like a kick to his stomach.

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She was magnificent! “I’ll take care of this.” As Sebastian moved away, King purposely didn’t block the door, letting the young woman rush inside. As he’d expected, she took advantage of the opening and stormed through the door and into the hall, the look of surprise on her face when she brushed against him, priceless. The look of consternation on her face when she realized that he stood between her and the door was absolutely adorable and made his cock hard enough to drive nails. As one of the Doms in an exclusive club, he’d seen a lot of women in his time, but his first look at the furious one facing him now nearly brought him to his knees. It figured. The first woman in years to stir him with no effort at all, and she was mad as hell at him, and he didn’t even know why. His body tightened at the thought of turning all that passion and energy into something far more productive. Disheveled, with her dark auburn hair wild and tangled around her face, and her cheeks flushed with anger, she had to be one of the most stunning women he’d ever seen. He’d bet she’d have much the same look about her after an hour or two in his bed, and vowed to himself to find out. Fascinated by his own reaction, he studied her, realizing that he hadn’t automatically let his gaze wander to see her body, absolutely enthralled by her flashing blue eyes and full lips, thinned in anger. He would love to have a chance to tame that gorgeous passion and make her purr. Letting his gaze drop, he took in her body, hiding a smile when she shifted restlessly under his scrutiny. About average height, her slimness would have made her seem frail if not for the luscious curves that made his hands itch to explore, but her delicacy appeared to end there. The fire in her eyes and stubborn tilt to her jaw told him she would be as wild and untamed in bed, and one hell of a challenge to master.

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His cock jumped and lengthened at the thought of being the man to do it. A mental image of her naked and on her knees flashed through his mind, making the pressure against his jeans uncomfortable as hell. Before she could change her mind and try to escape, he slammed the heavy door, his body tightening at the flash of vulnerability in her eyes. If he had his way, she would never lose that sweet look, an expression he knew would keep him awake tonight. Facing her, he kept his stance balanced, prepared to catch her if she made a run for it. Mentally changing his plans for the afternoon, he smiled coldly. “I’m King Taylor, one of the bastards who owns this place and I’ve got plenty of balls, Red, but you’ve got to be a good girl in order to play with them.” Watching her closely, he didn’t miss the shock and brief flash of what he immediately recognized as sharp hunger. Both seemed to shock her, the widening of her eyes and sharp intake of breath arousing him even more. The fact that she struggled to hide it challenged him as he hadn’t been challenged in some time. Anticipation flowed through his veins, and it took every ounce of willpower he possessed not to reach for her, throw her over his shoulder, and head for the playroom he shared with Royce. The day already looked better. If he had his way, tonight would be better yet. **** Brenna Nelson pressed back against the wall, wondering if she should have made a phone call instead of giving in to the instinct to confront them face-to-face. She hadn’t planned beyond getting inside, which she figured would be nearly impossible, and giving the owners hell. She’d expected meeting a man, or men, like Eugene Donner, not one so overwhelmingly masculine and sexy that she immediately forget everything she’d been about to say. Breathing heavily, she gulped, letting her eyes move over what had to be the biggest, meanest-looking man she’d ever seen, one that made her feel as vulnerable as if she stood naked before him. He did it with only a look.

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He stood a little over six feet tall, towering over her, his big body rippling with enough muscles for ten men. His dark blond hair had been cut in a short, no-nonsense style, as though he didn’t want to take the time to deal with it. His body, though, appeared to be something he worked at religiously. Wide shoulders tapered down to a small waist, and she would bet the entire balance of her savings account that he had a six-pack that would make grown women drool. Noticing the bulge behind the zipper of his jeans, she swallowed heavily and hurriedly looked away, her cheeks burning at the wicked thoughts racing through her mind. Her imagination went wild as visions of kneeling in front of him, his hands in her hair as she sucked his cock, fueled the hunger already burning inside of her. The need to touch him had her clenching her hands at her sides, her entire body stiffening against the arousal that made her pussy clench and her nipples tingle with anticipation. If he’d started ripping her clothes from her then and there, she would have helped him—her hunger so strong it dampened her panties and made her entire body flush. Taking a deep breath, she tried to get her heart to stop pounding, struggling not to gape at his huge biceps stretching the short sleeves of his shirt, but no matter where she looked, she found impressive muscle everywhere. She could almost feel his strength, a strength that would hold her securely, a power she couldn’t escape as he forced her to accept whatever he chose to do to her. Meeting his gaze, she recognized the confidence glittering in his bluegreen eyes, a confidence she’d only seen in the club back home. The self-assurance that he could control her with her own needs, and his own ability to handle the passion he unleashed, had to be the sexiest and the most alarming thing she’d ever experienced. Bristling at his arrogance, and with the sexual awareness it inspired, she shifted restlessly, her imagination running wild. Thoughts of being on her knees in front of him and begging for permission to suck his cock had her scrambling for composure.

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The realization that she’d rushed into something she might not be equipped to handle almost had her racing for the door. He didn’t appear easy to move, and the look in his eyes told her he didn’t plan to let her leave anytime soon. She couldn’t allow his intimidation or her lust for him to keep her from saying what she’d come here to say. Lifting her chin higher, she swallowed heavily at the flash of something dark and dangerous in his eyes, reluctantly drawn to the underlying gleam of male interest. “You’re one of the owners?” Inwardly cursing the hesitancy in her voice, she forced herself to face him squarely. The steadiness of his gaze made her decidedly uncomfortable, the threat in his eyes unmistakably sexual. “I just told you I am. I dislike repeating myself. What’s your name, Red?” She didn’t know why his nickname warmed her, or why when he said it in that deep, slow rumble, she wanted to crawl up his body and feast on him. Resisting the urge to look away, she frowned up at him. “My name’s Brenna Nelson. Don’t call me Red.” “Well, Brenna Nelson, you want to tell me what’s got your panties in a bunch?” His words and that superior look of his had the fury rushing back. Bracing her feet, she fisted her hands on her hips and glared up at him, wishing she’d worn higher heels. “My panties in a bunch? My panties in a bunch? You Neanderthal! You run a club that teaches men how to abuse women and then let them loose on the rest of the world. I get stalked, attacked, and have to file police reports to deal with one of your students, and you want to know why my panties are in a bunch?” His expression hardened with each word, changing dramatically by the time she finished. With a huge arm, he gestured toward an open door off the hall. “Come in and tell me what you’re talking about. Right now.” Gripping her upper arm in an unbreakable hold, a hold that sent even more violent need racing through her, he led her down the hallway.

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Chagrined at the rush of moisture that dampened her panties even more, she tried to keep up with his long stride. The concern in his eyes touched her, warming something inside her that made her want him even more. Clenching her jaw, she hardened her tone, not about to show any sign of weakness. “Your sheriff caught him and I had to go identify him as the man who’s been harassing me.” King surprised her by nodding. “Eugene Donner. And you couldn’t leave town without telling us what you thought about us. I can understand that. Come in.” Not about to let his tenderness get to her, or let the sympathy in his eyes take the wind out of her sails, Brenna crossed her arms over her chest and pulled away from him. Shaken and disappointed that he’d done nothing about Donner, she didn’t even attempt to hide her scorn. “You knew about this guy? You knew he was harassing me and you didn’t do anything about it? You know, you’re even sleazier than I thought. At least other Doms are out there who know how to treat a woman!” Something flashed in his eyes, something that looked suspiciously like jealousy. Wrapping a huge hand around her upper arm, he half dragged her the rest of the way down the hallway. “What the hell do you know about Doms? Do you have one?” Lifting a finger when she opened her mouth to tell him that it was none of his business, he shook his head and pulled her into a room off of the hallway, slamming the door behind him. “Okay, spill it. Tell me everything right now. Do you belong to someone? Who is it and where can I find him?” Trying to hide the leap of excitement at his anger and the intent to possess her glittering in his ever-changing eyes, now darkened to greenish blue, Brenna lifted her chin and glared at him. “Listen, buddy, my life is none of your business. I just came here to tell you I think you’re slime. Who the hell do you think you are, telling men it’s all right to abuse women—teaching them how to do it for God’s sake—and then letting them loose? It might be okay for you in your dinky town here…” She paused when he raised a brow at that and opened his mouth to speak, but she ruthlessly cut him off.

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“No. Don’t try to make excuses for yourself. Do you know what that man has been doing to me for the last year? He got this idea from you and all the other assholes here, that he was God’s gift to women. He figured that he could rape a woman and it was okay if he could make her come. He thinks no means yes. He’s been following me and bothered me so much at work that I ended up getting fired. He broke into my car, my apartment, and my locker at the gym. He called me day and night no matter how many times I changed my number. I called the police over and over and this bastard still managed to ruin my life!” “Did he hurt you? Did he rape you?” Taken aback by the underlying rage in his cold voice, Brenna blinked and stood frozen, held in a gaze so mesmerizing, it took several heartstopping moments before she could answer. Other than Donner, she’d never seen such rage in a man’s eyes before, his anger making them even bluer. Donner’s fury had been frightening enough. She could only imagine what it would be like to have King’s directed at her instead of at Eugene Donner. Shaking her head, she turned away to look out the window, uneasy in the presence of the sexuality he exuded with no apparent effort at all. “No, he didn’t rape me. He caught me at my apartment one night, though, after work. He wouldn’t leave and wouldn’t let me leave. I spent over an hour trying to escape, reasoning with him and fighting him until one of my neighbors came home and heard my screams. I needed stitches in my leg and had a broken wrist by the time my neighbor broke the door down. Eugene went out the sliding door and jumped off my balcony and escaped.” She purposely spoke in a monotone in an attempt to keep the horror of that night from her voice. Hearing the door open, Brenna spun, her jaw dropping to see the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen in her life come into the room, closing the door behind him. If his looks hadn’t been enough, the power in his eyes and in his graceful walk made it impossible not to stare. Realizing her mouth had dropped open, she snapped it shut, struggling to appear unaffected. He looked to be about the same height as King, but the similarities ended there. Instead of being heavily muscled, he was whipcord lean. Instead of the hard, almost primitive presence of King, this man oozed sex and

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sophistication—every movement filled with grace and seduction. His hair, black as midnight, hung well past his shoulders in curls she never would have considered sexy on a man until now. His smile, all white teeth and charm, and green eyes sparkling with male interest as they raked over her, made her weak in the knees. “Well, hello.” He glanced at King, frowning when he looked back at her, his eyes narrowing. “What’s going on? Sebastian said there might be trouble.” King never took his eyes from her, his expression thoughtful. With his arms crossed over his massive chest, he lowered himself onto the arm of a nearby chair, eyeing her in concern. Anger still swirled in his eyes, along with something else she couldn’t quite identify. “This is Brenna Nelson. She’s the woman that Eugene Donner was fixated on. She came by to tell us what bastards we are by condoning his behavior. Red, this is Royce Harley, another one of the owners of Club Desire.” To her shock, Royce rushed over to her and took her hands in his. “Are you all right? Did he hurt you? We knew he was obsessed with a woman, but didn’t know who.” Alarmed at the wave of heat that raced up her arms, Brenna yanked her hands out of his grasp and took several steps back. “I’m fine now, no thanks to you people.” She eyed them both scornfully. “I hope you take this seriously now and close this place down. It’s nothing but trouble. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be going.” She didn’t care for the fact that their concern had her softening toward them, not when she’d carried her rage for so long. Finding herself drawn to them hadn’t been in her plans at all. The need to get out of here as quickly as possible had her scrambling for the door. “Please don’t ever make another woman deal with what I had to deal with.” King came to his feet and blocked her, his eyes unreadable. “I’m sorry for what you had to go through, but you’ve got us all wrong. You’ve had your say, and now I’d like to tell you our side. I’d like to explain some things to you.” With both men moving closer and eyeing her in the strangest way, she sidestepped King and moved toward the door.

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“I really don’t want to hear anything you have to say. As far as I’m concerned, you’ve done enough!” Royce scowled and took a seat at one end of the sofa. “Our sheriff is the one who caught him. We’ve been looking for that son of a bitch for months. He’s been causing trouble here, too, and hurt a couple of women. He told the sheriff that he was mad as hell at the people in this town because a woman he wanted rejected him. He resented the people who live the kind of life here he thought he wanted. It turns out he didn’t understand us at all. He saw what he wanted to see and that’s it.” He smiled coldly, his brow lifted in challenge. “It seems you and he have a lot in common after all.” Knowing damned well that she was being manipulated didn’t take the sting out of his words. Storming back across the room, her hands fisted at her sides, she railed at him. “I’m nothing like him! I’m the victim here, remember, not you. Don’t try to make it my fault that those other women got hurt. Blame yourselves for creating a monster.” Damn it, as much as she knew it hadn’t been her fault at all, she felt terrible that other women had been hurt because of Donner’s anger with her. Blowing out a breath, she turned to find King staring at her. “How badly were they hurt?” King gestured toward the other end of the sofa from where Royce sat, a strong hand at her back guiding her to it. “Considering that he hit the sheriff’s wife with his truck and threw a Molotov cocktail through the window of the women’s club when they were having a demonstration, not bad. We were very lucky. Thank God. Still, they were hurt, not something we take lightly in Desire.” Stunned at how much trouble her stalker had caused, Brenna dropped onto the sofa, holding herself stiffly as King took a seat in a leather chair across from her. “He was deranged.” King inclined his head, fisting his hands at his sides. “Yes, he was. We knew he was dangerous, and that’s why we kept him on.”

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Brenna frowned, disappointed in them just when she’d begun to think they really cared about the damage Donner had done. “So, you liked the fact that he wanted to hurt women. I knew it. Any men who would own a place like this must really hate women. I’m sure he fit right in. You people make me sick.” She shot to her feet with the intention of getting the hell out of here before she threw something at their heads, but King moved fast for such a large man and caught her before she could even take a step. With fire in his eyes, he gripped her upper arms. “I don’t appreciate being judged by a woman who doesn’t know the first thing about me.” Royce came to his feet, no longer smiling. “Or what we do here. We kept Donner close to watch him. We all talked to him over and over about the way to treat women, and Blade, our partner, even went out to meet with him. We were afraid that he would be a danger to women in the club in Virginia, and even went so far as to warn the owners there.” King gestured toward the sofa, leading her back to it. As she sat, he braced a hand on the arm and loomed over her. “We knew that there was a woman he was fixated on, but we didn’t know who you were. We’re very sorry that you had to go through that. We do not promote abusing women.” Breathing a sigh of relief when King stepped back, and watching the play of muscle as he perched on the arm of the chair across from her, Brenna fisted her hands on her lap. “You’re Doms, right?” Even if she didn’t know that they owned this place, she would know that they were. Something about their presence reminded her of the Dominants she’d met back in Virginia. It was in their posture, in their eyes, and in the way they looked at a woman, as though not wanting to miss a single weakness that they could exploit at their leisure. The confidence, and arrogance, couldn’t be mistaken. King inclined his head. “We are.” Expecting that answer, and the cool tone, Brenna nodded. “So, are you going to try to tell me that you don’t use whips on women? You don’t hit them? Hurt them? Isn’t that how you get your kicks?” Royce shot to his feet, but King waved him back, the calculating gleam in his eyes sending off all sorts of red flags. “If you’re really curious, I’ll be

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happy to answer all your questions, but I’m not about to sit here and argue with you when you’ve already made up your closed mind about us and what we do here.” The disappointment and censure in his tone made her feel like a heel, but remembering Donner and his cruelty infuriated her all over again. “I’m not buying it.” She jumped when Royce came close and squatted down in front of her, stiffening when he ran his fingers over the back of her hands in a caress she assumed should have felt nonthreatening. Alarmed at the rivulets of heat that ran up her arm, she forced herself to remain still, shaken by his intense stare and the cool calculation in his eyes. Royce smiled knowingly and ran his fingers up her arm, sharpening the tingling sensation. “I’m afraid I’d have to agree with King. If you really want to understand, we’ll be glad to answer all of your questions.” He lifted a finger when she started to speak. “But, we’d like to show you. That’s the only way you’d truly understand. The only way you’ll be able to see the way we live is to experience it for yourself.” Brenna pulled her hand away and scooted as far as she could away from him. “Sure. Sign me up and make me pay an exorbitant amount of money for you and all your customers to beat me. I don’t care what you call it, it’s just an excuse to hurt a woman. Even those men in the club carried whips with them. The women thought it was sexy. I didn’t.” Hoping he didn’t see the lie in her eyes, she lifted her chin, silently daring him to call her a liar. Royce’s gaze sharpened, his eyes becoming the deepest green she’d ever seen. “So, you’re a submissive? Do you go to clubs regularly? Do you belong to someone?” Bristling at the bite in his tone, she shot to her feet and started forward, only to have King come to his feet and block her again. “Belong to someone? What’s with you people and that belonging crap? I don’t belong to anyone and I only went to that club once. And no, I’m not a submissive and I don’t ever plan to be. Frankly, I just don’t get why any woman would want to be.”

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Royce came to his feet and moved in behind her, the fingers he ran up and down her arm making her shiver. “Maybe you are. Maybe you’re not. Maybe you don’t want to know for sure because you’re afraid of the answer. You went to that club for a reason.” “That’s ridiculous.” She jerked out of his hold and started for the door, both relieved and disappointed when neither man made a move to stop her. “Just because you’re surrounded by women who let you do what you want to them, you think every woman you meet is the same. I’m not. I think you’re all assholes.” Proud of her exit line, she turned the knob and yanked, cursing when it didn’t budge. Whirling, she fumed. “Open the fucking door and let me the hell out of here.” King took the seat she’d just vacated, leaning back as though he had nothing in the world better to do and lacing his fingers over his flat stomach. “I want to say something first, and I have a proposition for you. Once you hear me out, I’ll unlock the door.” Looking from one to the other, Brenna shook her head, unsure of her ability to resist any proposition either one of them might make. “No. I don’t want to hear anything you have to say.” Royce shook his head and shared a look with King. “She sounds just like Donner. Not willing to listen to anyone.” Brenna stamped her foot, so furious she could barely speak. “How dare you compare me to him? I’m nothing like him. You’re turning this all around.” Both men eyed her steadily, neither saying a word. When it became apparent that they would willingly sit there all day, she blew out an angry breath and moved to the chair across from them, plopping into it. “Fine. Talk. But then you promise to let me out?” King inclined his head. “That’s one of the first things a sub has to learn. Trust. Trust is a fragile, but incredibly strong bond between a Dom and his sub. We won’t ever lie to you and you can trust that we will do whatever we say we’ll do. We don’t make idle threats and we keep our promises.” Brenna got an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. Waving her hand negligently, she looked away. “I’ll take that as a yes. Now, say what you have to say so I can get out of here. I’ve got to find a new place to live and a

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new job because of all this mess. Everyone knows I went to that club and I’m too embarrassed to go home.” The longer she stayed here, the more intrigued she became, something she wanted to avoid at all costs. She wanted to forget her curiosity and desire for something she fantasized about, and go back to normal. Their attentiveness unnerved her. They both watched her closely, their eyes sharp and filled with something that made her heart beat faster. They shifted their weight when she moved in a certain way, their gazes narrowing when she wrapped her arms around herself. She’d dated men who didn’t pay as much attention to her. It made it difficult to keep the emotional distance from them she needed, each word, each gesture drawing her in. Each time their eyes met, she sucked in a breath at the promise in theirs of something she would never forget. The sexual tension in the room could be cut with a knife. It was as if they saw something inside her, something private, something she’d tried for years to keep hidden. She didn’t want to acknowledge it, but found it harder and harder to keep her poise as her awareness of them continued to grow. She pictured herself naked with Royce, and then King, wondering which one of them she would choose if given the chance. Startled at her thoughts, she sucked in a breath and focused, unsurprised to find both of them staring at her intently. “Well?” King smiled. “I was just waiting until I had your attention. That must have been some daydream. Your cheeks are flushed and your eyes went a little unfocused.” Sitting back, he eyed her steadily. “We don’t abuse women. As a matter of fact, we take pride in pleasuring women—dominating them.” The emphasis he placed on the word dominating sent a warmth flowing through her, one that seemed to center between her thighs. Alarmed that the mental image of kneeling at his feet, she cleared her throat, her smile full of scorn. “Sure you do. You just beat them until they do whatever you want them to do.”

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King’s eyes cooled considerably. “It’s apparent you have no idea what you’re talking about. You’re letting one asshole form your opinion. I’d like to make you a proposition. You said you lost your job because of this guy. Stay here with us. You can send out resumes while you’re here. Your room and board are free, but in return, I want you to give us a chance to show you what we’re talking about. Let us train you.” Brenna crossed her arms over her chest to hide her beaded nipples, panic-stricken at the leap of desire that coursed through her veins. “I have no desire to be trained as a submissive, thank you very much. Now, unlock the door and let me out of here.” King started shaking his head before she’d even finished. “No. I’m not done. I wasn’t talking about training you as a submissive. I’m talking about training you as a Dominant. That way, you can see what we teach and understand that it’s all about pleasure and trust.” Intrigued, Brenna tilted her head. “I don’t trust you.” King inclined his head. “You have no reason to trust me. Trust has to be earned.” Forcing back the mental image of turning herself over to him and letting him do what he wished with her, Brenna stood, too restless to sit any longer. “So, if I’m a Dominant, I’ll be doing things to another person. You? Are you going to be my submissive?” King smiled coldly. “I don’t bottom. Ever. And you’re not touching another man. Would you like a woman to top?” Brenna shook her head, staring out the window. “I’ve never had any desire to touch another woman.” Turning, she smiled. “So, I guess your plan’s out of the question. Now, let me out of here, or I’m calling the sheriff.” Royce smiled disarmingly. “I don’t think King’s finished.” King eyed her thoughtfully. “No, I’m not. I think the best way to do this is for you to top yourself.” Brenna blinked, her anger dissipating more with every wild statement they made, her mind racing in all sorts of directions. “What? How is that even possible?”

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King came to his feet and approached slowly, giving her the feeling of being stalked. “We’ll train you on yourself. You don’t even have to worry about us touching you. We won’t touch you anywhere except your hands, unless we have to catch you or help you into a better position.” Confused, Brenna glanced at Royce, who stood and approached from the other side. “So I’m supposed to whip myself?” Royce sighed. “You’re really stuck on the whip, aren’t you? Interesting. Okay, we’ll progress to the whip, but not until you’re ready. By the time we get there, you’ll understand how pain can bring pleasure.” Backing away, she shook her head, not stupid enough to believe such an outrageous thing. “Pain can never bring pleasure.” King grinned. “Yes, it can. A great deal of pleasure. And we’re willing to show you. No charge, and you get room and board and a chance to look for a job while you’re learning. While you’re here, we’ll see what we can do to convince you that we’re telling the truth about Donner.” Royce tucked a strand of hair behind her shoulder. “We don’t want you leaving here thinking that Dominants are like him. Sure, there are assholes, just like everywhere else, but beating women is not what this is about. In Desire, especially, any man abusing a woman gets run out of town.” Brenna lifted her chin and took another step back. “How do I know I can trust you?” King reached behind the curtain and pushed a button, and with a small smile, gestured toward the door. “You’re free to go, Red. Like I said, trust has to be earned. Talk to people around here. Talk to the sheriff. Talk to whoever you want to talk to. Just don’t go around telling people that we beat women and teach others to do the same if you don’t have the courage to see what this lifestyle is all about, or to prove that we’re telling the truth.” Royce led her to the door, opened it, and ushered her through to the hallway. “You intrigue us. I’d like to have the chance to see more of you and to teach you about our lifestyle. It infuriates me that Donner hurt you and scared you. That’s not what this is all about. Think about it, Brenna. We’ll be waiting in the hotel dining room at seven. We’ll answer any questions you have then.”

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Brenna had no idea why she would even considering going along with their plan. Royce and King were dangerous and could change her life. The smartest thing she could do would be to get the hell away from them as soon as possible. She didn’t for one minute believe that a man or woman could get pleasure from being hurt, or being ordered around, and nothing they could say or do would ever convince her otherwise. “Don’t bother. I won’t be there.” Royce turned her and wrapped his arms around her from behind, his soft laugh against her ear sending shivers through her. “Yes, you will. You’re too passionate, too curious, and too headstrong to walk away without even knowing what you’re missing. You’d never be able to live with yourself if you walked away from the chance to satisfy the curiosity and hunger raging inside you.” Struggling against the wave of longing that weakened her knees, Brenna tightened her fists at her sides. Trembling at the authority in his soft tone, and the tingling awareness everywhere his body touched hers, she stiffened and pushed his arms away, missing his warmth almost immediately. “No. I won’t be there.” “Afraid we’ll prove you wrong?” After stepping out the front door, she turned and lifted her chin, shaken by the desire gleaming in his eyes. “I’m right and you know it. Hurting women turns you on, but you’ll never convince me that any woman could enjoy that.” Royce smiled slowly. “Are you afraid that you’d like it too much? What were you doing in a club like ours if you weren’t at least curious?” Feeling more secure now that she was outside, Brenna shrugged and told him the truth. “It was a bachelorette party for one of my friends. The club has a night open once a month for people who want to learn more. My friend wanted to go, and because the idea intrigued me, I went to the party. That’s where I met Donner, who assumed that I was there because I was a submissive. Asshole.” Royce leaned against the doorway, his green eyes hooded and unreadable.

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“Aren’t you still intrigued? Wouldn’t you like the opportunity to ask whatever questions you want to ask and see what it feels like to both be a Dom and a sub?” Forcing back the heat of lust that slammed into her, Brenna shook her head. “No.” She had to get out of here. Royce reached out to touch her hair when she turned away. “So we’ve been tried and convicted without even getting a chance to show you how wrong you are? We’ll be waiting. Seven o’clock.” Brushing her hair aside, he nipped her earlobe, sending a jolt of heat straight to her slit. “Seven sharp, Beautiful.” Sucking in a breath, she flattened a hand on her stomach to settle the butterflies. After several seconds spent struggling to will her senses to settle, she opened her eyes and turned to find he’d gone back inside. Cursing, she went down the steps and started across the parking lot to her car. They could take their proposition and shove it up their asses. Feeling better, Brenna got in her car and drove off, determined to forget all about Donner, and the bastards who encouraged him, and to get on with her life. She could live with the curiosity and the hunger he’d somehow known about. The last thing she needed were two more arrogant men to screw up her life.

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Chapter Two It appeared her life would indeed be screwed up for a while. The realization hit her when she went back to her hotel and found a plain white envelope taped to her door. Thinking it might be from someone at the hotel, she opened it, her heart pounding furiously when she read the short note. So you think you can escape me? The note from Donner left her shaken. Faced with the very real possibility that Donner had somehow gotten out of jail and found her, Brenna left the hotel without even going inside her room. She knew he wouldn’t have left the note if he’d been inside—he’d want to scare her when she walked in—but the possibility of him coming to the door later scared her enough to flee. Shaken, and unsure about what to do, she walked briskly to the center of town where all the businesses were located. One thing she’d learned about Donner over the months she’d spent trying to get rid of him was that he was a coward. He’d always run at any sign of trouble, so she knew he wouldn’t dare attack her with so many witnesses around. She counted on the presence of the people shopping and walking up and down the sidewalk to keep her safe while she figured out what to do. After several passes up and down Main Street, she became aware of curious looks following her and started to duck into stores to allay any suspicions. Curious, and weighing her options, she began to casually ask the people who worked in the stores if they knew Royce and King. Everyone she spoke to did, not surprising in such a small town.

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What did surprise her, though, was that everyone she spoke to sang their praises, telling her of their kindness and generosity. Everyone she spoke to seemed to respect them and have a general fondness for them, almost a protectiveness that kept them cool until she mentioned that they’d invited her to dinner and she didn’t know them very well. After that, none of the people she spoke to seemed to have any trouble assuring her that Royce and King were fine men who could be trusted. After several stops, their comments almost sounded like a sales pitch, but men and women alike all appeared to admire them. While sitting at the diner drinking coffee, she overheard the conversation of two women sitting behind her, two women who apparently didn’t live in Desire. “Oh, if I wasn’t a married woman, I’d move here in a heartbeat. Can you imagine what it must be like to live in a place where women were so appreciated and cared for?” “Yeah.” The other woman’s heartfelt sigh held such longing that Brenna sat up straighter to better eavesdrop. “I lived here for about six months, hoping to catch Blade Royal’s eye, but as soon as Kelly came to town, it was obvious he only had eyes for her. While I lived here, though, I couldn’t get over how the men watched out for the women. Women can even be out at night here, and not get accosted on the street. It was wonderful!” “Tell me. How do they watch over them?” The excitement in the woman’s voice couldn’t be mistaken. “It’s soooo sexy. It’s like they all feel they have a duty to keep women safe here. Everyone seemed to know my name—like they have some kind of file or something. I remember one time I got a flat tire on the road out of town. A man I’d never seen before stopped to change it. Wouldn’t you know, Lucas Hart happened to be driving by and stopped? He watched the other man like a hawk, asking him who he was and explaining to me that the man who’d stopped didn’t live in Desire. After the other man left, he lectured me about the dangers in dealing with strange men, and things I should have done differently. God, that man’s intimidating. I can only imagine what he and his friends would be like with a woman they wanted for their own.”

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“Yeah, I’ve heard about those three. It sounds like she’d have to be tough as hell to deal with them.” The other woman laughed. “The same could be said about a woman who eventually takes on Royce and King. Holy hell. Those two are intimidating, too, and so damned sexy it’s ridiculous.” “So why the hell did you ever leave?” “I got transferred and married Roy. Sometimes, though, I can’t help wishing…Oh well. We’d better go. I still have a little more shopping to do and I have to get home to start dinner. I want to hurry so I have time to drive by the Erickson ranch. A glimpse of Clay or Rio working with the horses would just make my day!” Brenna waited until the other women left before she did. She walked some more, and somehow ended up in front of the hotel shortly after seven, where she’d paced back and forth for several minutes, already knowing what she would do. When the door opened yet again, Brenna hurriedly straightened and ducked back around the side of the doorway to the restaurant. Her stomach rumbled again, reminding her that she’d had nothing to eat all day. She drew a deep breath, holding a hand to her stomach as she let it out slowly, telling herself for about the tenth time that she should just get back into her car and drive out of town. If she did that, she didn’t know where she would go, and might have to end up facing Donner alone. Deciding it would be smarter to stay where she felt relatively safe, she peeked around the corner again. She hadn’t expected King and Royce to still be here, and yet they sat in a back corner, apparently waiting for her. It was twenty minutes after seven and they looked as if they’d been waiting for some time. If the fresh drinks they’d just ordered were any indication, they planned to wait even longer. She’d had no intention of ever seeing them again after she’d walked away this afternoon, and yet here she stood, some of her reasons having nothing at all to do with Donner. Curiosity killed the cat. The phrase went through her mind again and again, almost making her turn away.

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Damn it, she wanted to know. After asking about them in town, she’d heard that, not only could she trust them, but every woman she talked to seemed to wish they could have a night with King and Royce, who remained elusive. Learning that they didn’t sleep with every woman who came along made them even sexier and more desirable to her—something she hadn’t thought possible. After what she’d heard in town, she’d begun to believe them about Donner. They’d keep her safe from him. More than that, though, she couldn’t resist the chance to see them again. Taking another deep breath, she wrapped her cardigan more firmly around herself and stepped into the restaurant. Surprised that both men saw her almost immediately and rose to their feet, she almost tripped. King strode across the restaurant toward her, waving off another smiling man, a tall, handsome blond who’d started toward her. His eyes never left hers as he strode past the other man, his deep voice carrying across the restaurant. “She’s with us, Ethan.” The other man smiled. “That figures. It was too much to hope for that you’d been stood up and I would get to entertain this beauty.” He grinned and offered his hand, but King was already whisking her away. “Hey! Come on. Have a heart.” Brenna found herself the object of several speculative looks as they crossed the restaurant, looks that became even more curious when King led her to their table. Taking the chair that Royce held out, she stilled when his warm breath teased her neck. “You smell delicious.” King took the seat to her right, while Royce took the one on her left. Taking a deep breath, she stared at the candle in the center of the table, wondering how to begin. Trembling with nerves, she dropped her purse on to the floor and laced her fingers together, wincing when her ring dug into her finger. “I wasn’t going to come. I’m not quite sure why I did.” Royce sat forward, taking her hand, and loosening her fingers to lace them with his. “You’re here and that’s all that matters. I appreciate that

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you’re giving us a chance to show you that abuse is not something we take lightly. I hope that while you’re here, you’ll talk to the women who live in this town. Some of them are very much into the lifestyle, and enjoy submitting to their husbands.” A little surprised at that, Brenna sat back and pulled her hand from his, finding it hard to concentrate with sizzling awareness racing through her. She’d thought herself prepared to face them again, figuring much of her response to them had been because she’d been unprepared. This time, she’d been prepared, but it hadn’t lessened the effect either one of them had on her at all. Clearing her throat, she looked from one to the other. “You mean for sex, right?” King eyed her thoughtfully. “It depends. It’s all up to the people involved. Most of the men around here are very strict with their women in some areas, but are firmly wrapped around their wives’ fingers in others. It’s all a matter of choice. For example, Royce and I want a woman who would understand that her submission wouldn’t end when we left the bedroom, or the playroom.” Stunned by the sudden desire to be that woman, Brenna looked away. “I’m not sure I understand what you mean.” King shrugged, keeping his voice just above a whisper. “For example, you were late. You kept us waiting. If you belonged to us, that would earn you a form of punishment.” His gaze sharpened. “Unless there was a good reason, of course. Otherwise I’d see it as a bid for attention, or an effort to defy me. Either way, you’d get punished.” “Punished?” Mortified that she’d blurted it out louder than she’d intended, and several heads turned in her direction, Brenna lowered her eyes and began to play with her napkin. Her face burned and she wondered how many of the people sitting at the surrounding tables would think that she belonged to either Royce or King, and would now be getting some sort of punishment. Inwardly cursing at her own weakness, she glared back at the people who stared at her, until they turned away. Shaking her head, she looked back at King. “I knew it was a mistake to come here.” She should have just driven away…and always wondered.

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Even without Donner, that alone would have been reason enough to stay. Royce shot a warning look at King, who blithely ignored it. His eyes sharpened and narrowed, the look of a man who saw too much. “It wasn’t a mistake, Brenna. You followed your instincts. King was just trying to answer your question. The level of submission depends on the people involved. There’s no right or wrong, as long as all involved give their full consent. The most important thing is that everyone involved is happy.” Brenna blinked. “Wait a minute. Are you trying to tell me that when you men beat a woman, it’s because it makes them happy? He’d only hit her with her consent?” Royce smiled and, with a graceful flick of his wrist, waved away the waitress who’d started toward them. “In a manner of speaking. He couldn’t—wouldn’t—do it if she used her safe word.” She looked from one to the other, unused to and uncomfortable with their attention. She’d never thought to shy away from any conversation, and had spoken about this a number of times with friends, but talking about it with two Doms made her more insecure than she could have imagined. It also made the conversation more intense than others she’d had dealing with the same subject. She couldn’t let them know of her interest, beyond that of making sure they didn’t condone behavior like Donner’s, but she couldn’t resist the opportunity to find out more about this lifestyle—from men who could give her real answers. For years she’d fantasized about having a man take over, one who would force pleasure on her even as she fought it, something she did with annoying regularity. She’d love to be the object of a man’s desire, to have a man who liked to experiment with sex instead of allowing it to become mundane and boring. She couldn’t, though, come to terms with the idea of being hit. Clearing her throat, she forced herself to look at them. “I’ve heard of safe words before. I find it hard to believe that a woman wouldn’t just use it at the first sign of trouble and walk away. Why let herself get abused? It doesn’t make sense.” Royce’s jaw hardened, his eyes turning cold, but still patient. “It’s not abuse.”

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Brenna smiled coldly. “Sure, it’s not. So, you’re telling me that as soon as a woman used her safe word, you would stop whatever you were doing to her? That’s it? You’d stop right then and there, and let her go?” Royce nodded immediately. “Absolutely. And then I would be mad at myself for taking her further than she was prepared to go. It’s very important for a Dom to know his sub’s limitations. I’d take that as a failure on my part.” Intrigued by that, Brenna settled more comfortably in her seat. “You would?” She believed him. The seriousness of his expression surprised her. More curious by the minute, she leaned forward. “How would a Dom be expected to know his…a woman’s limitations?” Royce smiled and ran a finger over her hand, his eyes never leaving hers. “He pays attention. Very close attention.” His voice lowered, taking on a seductive quality that made her nipples bead even tighter. “If it was our woman, I’d be furious with myself. A man needs a close bond with the woman he makes his own.” Mesmerized by the male interest in his deep green eyes, she shivered at his touch, wondering how many other women he’d treated this way. Every word, every gesture spoke of elegance and strength, the air of sophistication surrounding him leaving her unsettled and needy. The knowledge in his eyes and the sharp scrutiny in them as he studied her unsettled her even more. The fact that this man knew his way around a woman’s body, and probably knew more about pleasing one than any man she’d ever met, shone in his eyes. It captivated her, making her yearn to experience it for herself. Her gaze lowered involuntarily to his hands, the mental image of them moving over her body making her shiver in delight. Long, tapered fingers that would move expertly over her skin held her attention, the fluidness in his movements as he lifted his glass of wine to his lips making her skin tingle in awareness. Forcing herself to look away, she accepted the menu from the waitress who’d appeared when Brenna hadn’t been paying attention, and hurriedly opened it, sparing a glance at King. Fidgeting under his stare, she watched as he waved away the menu the waitress offered, his eyes never leaving hers. Waiting until the other woman

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left before speaking, Brenna kept her voice low, sneaking glances at his hands and trying not to imagine them heating the skin of her bottom. Knowing she shouldn’t ask, she asked anyway, unable to resist. “What did you mean by punishment?” His lips twitched, a brow going up. “That, too, depends on the people involved. You seem to have a lot of questions. We’ll be glad to answer them if you accept our offer.” He shrugged and smiled at the waitress when she brought a basket of fragrant bread, not reacting at all to the waitress’s flirtatious grin. “If not, you’re not interested enough for me to take the time to answer them.” Royce gave King another of those looks, before glancing at her. “What King means is that—” “She knows what I mean.” King leaned toward her, crowding her space. “If Red here wants to be assured that we aren’t in the business of hurting women, she’ll accept our offer and find out for herself. If she’s not willing to go the distance to find out, she isn’t all that concerned and is just being nosy.” Bristling, Brenna glared at him from above her menu. “That’s ridiculous. If you didn’t have anything to hide, you would have no trouble answering my questions.” He jerked the menu out of her hands, startling her, and leaned close. “Don’t hide behind the menu. I’ve already told you that I would be happy to answer your questions, but we’ll do it my way. I have nothing to hide. You, on the other hand, seem to have plenty.” Her stomach clenched, a cold knot forming. “What do you mean?” Setting the menu aside, King sat back, eyeing her thoughtfully. “Why did you go to that club? Curiosity?” He leaned closer, running his finger up and down her arm and creating a riot of tingling awareness through her. “Have you ever fantasized about surrendering yourself to another man?” “No!” Brenna jerked her arm away, alarmed at the image of surrendering herself to him, and the sharp stab of arousal that went with it. King clicked his tongue. “Remember what I said about trust. It’s vital in this kind of relationship. You’re a liar. You’ve fantasized about submitting. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Is that why you went to that club? To see

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what it was like? I’m surprised they let you in. Did you know someone there?” Brenna sighed. “Nothing that dramatic. The club near my home has kind of an open house every month. It’s for people who want to dip their toes in the water, so to speak, but it’s also for fun. A friend of mine was getting married, and she wanted to have her bachelorette party there. The members are all invited, but my understanding is that it’s very different from a usual night there. There’s a lot of talk and flirting, but clothes don’t come off and no one goes to another room. The owners chaperone and make sure nothing gets out of hand.” Royce nodded thoughtfully. “She told me about it earlier. I think it’s a great idea. We might just have to do something like that here.” Brenna turned to him, inordinately pleased that he liked the idea. “It was a lot of fun. We knew we were safe there, and that there was no chance of being accosted. We learned a lot. The members that wanted to go that night seemed happy to answer our questions—unlike some people.” Her smile fell at the memory of how that night ended. “Everything was fine until Donner decided that since I was there, I was looking for a man to dominate me. It got ugly after that. He made a scene and the owners ended up throwing him out. I found out later that he was waiting outside and followed me home. That’s when he started harassing me.” Royce covered her hand. “He contacted us, and as soon as we met him, we knew he had the wrong idea about all of this. We tried to get him to understand. We talked to him until we were blue in the face, chatted with him online, anything we could to get through to him. Hell, Blade went out to talk to him when he started talking about a woman rejecting him. Blade went to that club and warned the others about him.” King’s face hardened. “They kicked him out. We would have kicked him out of ours, but we thought we could make him see reason before he hurt someone. He was never allowed to be alone with a woman while he was with us.” He stood abruptly and turned away. “Order me a steak. I’ll be back in a minute.” Surprised at his show of anger, Brenna watched him walk away, his long strides carrying him across the restaurant and out the door in seconds. When she could no longer see him, she turned to Royce. “Your friend seems really angry.”

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Royce’s eyes hardened. “We’re all furious about this. We talked to Blade earlier and told him about you and he’s beside himself. We care very much for our women in Desire, and our club reflects that. There are laws in this town that we all abide by, not only because it’s the law, but because that’s the way we choose to live. We value our women very much here. Donner’s actions go against everything we believe in.” His lips twitched. “That’s one of the things that make Club Desire very popular. The women know how well they’ll be treated and respected here. We have a waiting list for submissives who want to come here. There are many who come every year when they take vacation from work—a chance to live the fantasy of being the object of another man’s desire—to be put through their paces at the whim of a man learning all he can about dominating a woman.” Royce sighed. “We teach here. We have classes for men who have no one else to ask—men who have the need to dominate, but don’t know how to go about it, or aren’t even sure what they want. We have men here from all walks of life, some who just want answers. We have others who know what they’re doing and have been doing it for a long time, but either haven’t found a woman they want to be with yet, or aren’t interested in having a permanent partner. But, Brenna, none of them are ever allowed to abuse a woman here. Even King, Blade, and I would be run out of town if we did that, or allowed it. We adore women here. We protect them at all costs—in the club, and in the town.” Brenna shook her head. “I’ve heard that women are protected here, but I have a hard time believing you could beat a woman and still claim to want to protect them.” Royce nodded. “It’s not something that’s easy to comprehend, but it’s true. Why don’t you take us up on our offer and find out?” Lifting his hand, he motioned to the waitress, who stood several feet away, apparently waiting for a signal from him to approach. By the time they’d finished ordering, King had returned, looking a little calmer. “I called Blade. Kelly’s resting.” Royce stiffened. “Everything all right?” Chuckling, King took a sip of the fresh beer the waitress placed in front of him. “Blade said they went to the doctor today and everything looks fine.

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He’s a nervous wreck, though, and it sounds like he’s not letting Kelly out of his sight.” Brenna reached for her water. “Who’s Kelly?” Royce smiled, but his eyes held concern. “Kelly is Blade’s wife. She’s pregnant again, but she’s had two miscarriages already. Blade is doing his best to wrap her in cotton and keep her calm until the baby’s born. The miscarriages really took a toll on both of them.” Frowning, Brenna looked at each of them in turn. “How can a man who’s married work in a club like yours? Doesn’t his wife mind that he cheats on her?” King scowled. “Blade doesn’t cheat on Kelly. Do you think we have sex with all the women who come in there?” Brenna blinked, not sure she believed that men working in such a place would be able to resist all the opportunities that must be thrown at them. “Not all, but at least with some of them.” Royce laughed softly. “I’d never get any work done. I’ll admit to taking my pleasure here and there, but I don’t fuck indiscriminately. We guide. We teach. We provide a service. We run a business, Brenna.” Shaking her head, Brenna traced a drop of moisture down her glass. “Okay, then. I have to admit I have no idea what your proposition entails. What, exactly, do you mean about teaching me how to dominate? Will I be watching you teach men what to do to a woman?” King shook his head. “No. Our customers and students value their privacy. Confidentiality is very important. Royce and I will be working with you alone.” “Both of you?” Royce smiled. “Something you might not know is that King and I share women. Ménage relationships are prevalent in Desire. Although you don’t belong to us, for the time you’re here, we’ll both be working with you.” Brenna sucked in a breath, rubbing her thighs together against the throbbing ache that steadily got worse. Thrilled that she wouldn’t have to choose between them, she found her pulse racing at the thought of being naked with both of them, a thought that aroused her so much she had trouble sitting still.

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Part of her wanted to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming, but another part of her trembled in trepidation, not exactly sure what all of this would mean. She had to take another sip of her water to ease her dry throat before she could ask. “How would that work?” King leaned forward. “We’d teach you how to dominate yourself. You’d be the subject and we would show you what we show other men.” Not sure she understood, she stared down at the table, moving her silverware. “Would you touch me? Would I have to be naked?” Royce shared a look with King again before answering. “At first, we would only touch your hands, and help guide you. Yes, you would be naked, but not at first. We’ll go as slowly as you need to go. After that, it’s up to you, perhaps a little further each day until you decide you don’t want to do it anymore.” “I can stop anytime I want to?” She couldn’t believe she might actually be doing this and wondered if her brain had taken a leave of absence. It sounded innocent enough, and she had to admit she was more intrigued now than she’d been when she’d arrived. She also couldn’t ignore the unexpected flood of arousal that seemed to grow stronger by the minute. She’d begun fantasizing about being dominated for years, but that was all it had ever been—fantasy. She’d toyed with the idea and had even made a few hints to her last boyfriend, but after a few halfhearted efforts that did nothing to satisfy her, sex had gone back to normal. She yearned to make the fantasy come true, if only for a little while, but after the trouble she’d had with Donner, fear had held her back. She’d wanted it, but she’d never needed it the way she did since meeting Royce and King. Royce smiled, a smile filled with anticipation. “You’ll have a safe word.” She didn’t know why, but she trusted them, and their offer seemed like the answer to her dreams. She could find out all she wanted to know, to make sure that they weren’t urging men to abuse women, and at the same time, possibly explore a little of her own desires, desires she’d keep private.

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Royce and King would never have to know about her little fantasies, fantasies she could keep hidden while assuring herself that they weren’t encouraging men to act like Donner. She wouldn’t feel comfortable, though, until she told them about the note and what it could mean. Brenna drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I have something to tell you that might change your mind about getting mixed up with me.” Royce smiled and touched her hand. “There aren’t that many things you could tell me that would make any difference. What is it?” Bending, she retrieved her purse and drew out the white envelope. “I found this taped to the door of my room here when I got back from seeing you this afternoon.” Royce took the envelope, his eyes narrowing as he slipped the small piece of paper out. His eyes widened, turning to green ice as he read it. With a curse, he covered her hand with his and held the note out to King. “That son of a bitch.” Coming to his feet, Royce moved behind her, rubbing her shoulder. “I’ve got to make a call.” From her other side, King cursed soundly and jerked Brenna out of her chair and onto his lap as though Eugene Donner would pop out any minute and attack her. Drawing the attention of the nearby patrons in the crowded restaurant didn’t seem to bother him at all. The smiles from the other customers surprised her, though, as though many of them were already used to the antics of the men in Desire. Embarrassed to be the center of all the attention, Brenna pushed at the restraining hand he pressed against her stomach. “King! You’re making a scene.” “Too bad. Stay put.” Royce slid a hand over her hair before turning away. “I’m calling Ace. See what Ethan has to say. Maybe they got him on camera.” “I hope so.” A grim-faced King lifted his hand to get the attention of the waitress, who hurried over, her smile falling when he asked for Ethan. As soon as the waitress left, Brenna leaned close, a flash of warmth going through her when King immediately turned toward her and tightened his hold. “King, people are staring. Donner’s not here. Let me up.”

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The hard muscles in his thighs tightened and shifted as he adjusted her position on his lap. “Let ’em stare. You’re fine right where you are.” The blond man she’d seen when she walked in approached, sobering when he saw King’s scowl. “What’s wrong?” King gestured toward Brenna’s vacant chair. “Sit down. Look at this.” Lowering himself into the chair, Ethan picked up the small piece of paper and frowned. “I don’t understand.” Lifting his head, he eyed Brenna, and then King. “What’s this about? Who wrote this?” King leaned forward, his arms tight around Brenna. “We think it’s from Eugene Donner.” Ethan’s eyes went wide. “They guy who’s been causing all the trouble around here? I thought Ace arrested him. Is he out on bail? Did he escape? Did they let him go?” Shaking his head, King sighed. “Royce is on the phone to Ace right now. Brenna Nelson, this is Ethan Sullivan. Ethan, this is Brenna Nelson, the woman Donner was so fixated on—the one who turned him away.” Ethan’s eyes widened again. “No shit. Oh, sorry, Brenna. He didn’t hurt you, did he?” The concern in his eyes touched her deeply. King ran a possessive hand down her back. “Damned right he hurt her, but thank God, not the way you’re thinking. Broken wrist, cuts and bruises.” “That son of a bitch.” “Yeah. I need a favor.” Ethan nodded. “Name it.” “Brenna’s staying at the hotel here. She found that note taped to her door when she got back from coming to the club to give Royce and me hell for condoning behavior like Donner’s. Do you think you could have caught him on camera?” Ethan smiled, intensifying his devastating good looks even more. “She came to the club to give you and Royce hell, huh? I’d love to have seen that.” King grinned, his eyes shining with pride. “Damned right she did. Really laid into us. Now, we’re keeping her.”

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“Damn.” Even though he smiled, she could see the concern still in his eyes. Combined with King and Royce’s reaction, it convinced her she’d made the right decision in deciding to stay here. Ethan got to his feet. “I’m going to go check the tapes and talk to Brandon. I’ll be back to talk to you before you leave.” When he left, Brenna patted King’s shoulder. “I’d feel better not making a spectacle of myself. Let me sit back in my chair.” King finally relented. “I don’t like this, Red. You’re coming back to the club with us tonight.” Brenna blew out a breath and took a sip of her water, missing his warmth. “I have to admit, I’m a little nervous about staying here alone now.” She looked up at King through her lashes. “Does this mean you haven’t changed your mind? I wanted to let you know that you could be in danger if Donner’s on the loose again.” “He’s not.” Royce came up from behind her, touching her hair as he passed her and took his seat again. “I just talked to Ace. Donner’s still in jail. The judge denied bail and wants him to have a psychological analysis before they move forward.” A cold chill went up and down Brenna’s spine. “He’ll fail it.” Wrapping her arms around herself, she missed King’s hold even more. “I have to admit, I’m relieved that he’s still in jail, but if it’s not him, who is it? I’d have felt better knowing exactly who the hell was coming after me.” Royce’s jaw clenched. “And why?” He looked at King. “What did Ethan say?” “He’s talking to Brandon and checking the tapes. He’ll know something in a few minutes. In the meantime, let’s eat.” King handed her a buttered biscuit, speaking to Royce, but his eyes never left hers. “Red’s coming to the club.” Royce frowned. “Of course, she is. She can’t stay here alone with someone after her. We can protect her, and as soon as word gets around town, she’ll be even safer.” “I’d hate to put both of you in danger.” Royce paused with his glass halfway to his mouth and started to speak, but King beat him to it.

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“Do you really think that we’d stand aside and let someone hurt you? Besides, how scared do you think we’d be of some asshole who tapes notes to doors and runs away?” Brenna couldn’t deny her relief. “If you’re sure.” “We’re sure.” Royce smiled. “So, are you coming home with us tonight, where we can protect you and start your training as a Dom?” “Are you sure you still want to do that after finding out about the note?” King sat forward. “Of course. Besides, it’ll keep your mind off of this asshole. So, what’s it gonna be, Red? Whether or not you start training, we’ll still protect you. No strings.” Satisfied that she’d made the right decision, she nevertheless shifted restlessly at their intent stares. Forcing a smile, she took a deep breath to calm the butterflies in her stomach. “So, when do we start?”

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Chapter Three For the rest of the meal, they skirted questions about their proposition and the club, telling her that they’d have plenty of time to answer her questions once they were alone. Royce gestured toward the food she’d pushed around her plate. “Eat your dinner. Let’s talk about you. Tell us about your last boyfriend.” Brenna shrugged, not quite sure what he wanted to know, but from the way he kept glancing in the direction Ethan had gone, she knew he still thought about Donner and the note. “He was nice. I was the problem.” King scowled. “You just weren’t right for each other. I hope no one ever calls me nice. Hell, that’s boring. What’s your favorite color?” “Red. No, blue. I don’t know.” Their random questions kept her off guard, which she figured they did on purpose. She assumed part of their plan was to distract her—to keep her from thinking about whoever taped that note to her hotel room door. “I guess it depends on my mood. Sometimes, I love black.” Royce smiled and leaned closer. “You’d look like pure sin in black.” King nodded once and took a sip of his beer, his eyes steady on hers. “Those expressive eyes and those full lips scream sin already. She’d be devastating in black. Tell me you like pizza and beer.” Startled by the unexpected shift in conversation, Brenna laughed, nearly choking on her iced tea. “Love them.” She slid a glance at Royce, her face burning. “Sorry. I’m not sophisticated. I like wine sometimes, but usually I prefer beer.” King grinned. “Thank God.” Royce’s eyes moved over her face as he took a sip of his wine. Everything about him—from his clothing to his mannerisms, to his voice— screamed of cool sophistication.

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“Women are such complicated creatures. Layers and layers to peel away. Only when they’re peeled away does a man discover if a woman’s hot or cold at the core. So, Brenna, are you prepared to have your layers peeled away, and to learn what’s at the center?” Attempting to appear unaffected by his provocative question, Brenna took a bite of baked potato and almost choked on it. Shaken by the wicked gleam in his eyes, she swallowed, and took a sip of her tea before attempting to speak. “You sound pretty confident. Most men sound that way at the beginning, but it doesn’t last. I hope you realize that women know that. I’m sure you’ve spent a lot of time peeling layers in your lifetime.” Royce’s lips twitched. “None more important than yours.” Brenna smiled sarcastically. “Sure. You are slick, but I don’t buy all that crap.” Royce’s eyes narrowed. “So I see. What kind of job did you have back in Virginia?” The reminder of how Donner had gotten her fired angered her all over again. “I worked as a receptionist in a very conservative dentist’s office. He hated that I got phone calls all day from Donner. When I stopped trying to reason with Donner and just started hanging up on him, he started coming to the office and creating scenes in front of the patients.” Her face burned when she thought about the day she got fired. “I lost my temper and threw a box of toothbrushes at him. That’s when the doctor fired me.” King threw his head back and roared with laughter, drawing the attention of several other people in the restaurant. Making a scene didn’t appear to bother him a bit. “I’m sorry, but I would have loved seeing that temper, Red. I’m very much looking forward to dealing with it again, but in a much more intimate way.” Brenna bristled with indignation. “I’m tired of being accused of having a bad temper. Just because my hair is red doesn’t mean my temper is worse than anyone else’s.”

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Royce smiled and sat back, taking another sip of his wine. “I think that’s something I’d rather find out for myself. I didn’t see the scene when you first arrived at the club, but I understand it was quite a show.” Brenna glared at him and reached for her iced tea. “I had a right to be mad.” “Indeed you did.” Royce smiled. “You’ll be mad again, this time at us. I can’t wait to see it. There’s nothing like a truly passionate woman to make a man feel alive.” His smile fell. With careful deliberation, he placed his fork back on his plate. “Here comes Ethan. He looks upset.” In fact, the handsome hotel owner looked furious. At Royce’s gesture, he took the empty seat across the table from her, his jaw clenched tight as he tossed several pictures onto the table. “We tried every angle, but none of them show his face.” Brenna picked up one of the pictures, unsurprised that her hand shook. “This is the man who put the note on my door?” Ethan nodded, the apology in his eyes making them dark and mysterious. “Yes.” He shuffled through the pictures, choosing another and handing it to her. “You can see him tape it to the door in this one.” Shaking his head, he looked from Royce to King, who passed the other pictures back and forth between them, their expressions grimmer with each one they studied. “He had to know those cameras were there. When you watch the video, you can see how careful he is in avoiding them. I called Ace.” He looked at Royce. “He told me that you’d already called him, and that he’ll be here as soon as he checks something out. He wants the security disk and the note.” He paused, gesturing toward Brenna. “He also told me that she’ll be staying with you. If she wants to stay here, we’ll look out for her.” Royce nodded, not looking up from the pictures. “I know that, but Brenna will be staying with us. After we finish here and talk to Ace, we’ll get her things and get her checked out.” Ethan studied another picture. “Ace doesn’t want anything touched until he gets here.”

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Setting aside the picture she’d been staring at of the man standing in front of her room, Brenna fought the chill that went through her, and picked up another. “I haven’t unpacked. I just dropped my suitcase inside the door and headed to the club.” Frustrated at the inability to see the man’s face, she tossed the picture toward the center of the table. “Dark, hooded sweatshirt. Dark pants. You can’t see anything! This could be anybody.” Tossing aside the picture he’d been staring at, King picked up his beer. “Yeah, but why the hell would anyone but Donner send you a note like that? It doesn’t make sense.” A muscle worked in Ethan’s jaw. “I’m sorry this happened. I’m going to have Lucas take a look at the video and see what he can do about those camera angles.” He looked up, coming to his feet. “Here comes Ace now.” Turning in her seat, Brenna gasped at the sight of the giant crossing the room and heading straight toward them. He wore a sheriff’s uniform and looked coldly furious. She found herself leaning toward Royce as the huge man approached the table and held out a hand to King. “I understand we might have a stalker.” Royce folded Brenna’s hand in his, caressing the back of it. “One thing I admire most about you, Ace, is your habit of coming straight to the point. Have a seat and I’ll introduce you.” Ace frowned. “I get the point across, don’t I? I don’t want to interrupt your dinner. Has she eaten?” Brenna pushed her plate back, no longer hungry, and held out her hand to him. “Hello, Sheriff. I’m not hungry anymore. My name’s Brenna Nelson. I’m sorry to cause so much trouble.” Ace slipped into the seat Ethan vacated, his eyes darkening. “I’m sorry for all the trouble you’ve had with Donner. I wish I could have caught him sooner.” Brenna nodded, holding Royce’s hand tighter. “I understand he caused trouble here because he was mad at me. I’m sorry for that.” His eyes gentled. “You have nothing to apologize for. This is all his doing. Not yours.”

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Brenna smiled. “Or yours.” Royce lifted her hand to his lips, brushing a kiss over her knuckles. “She’s got you there, Ace.” Ace’s jaw clenched, his eyes becoming hard and cold again. “I’m the sheriff. Women shouldn’t be getting hurt in my town.” King glanced at Brenna. “His wife was one of the ones who got hurt, and her business was destroyed. How’s Hope doing?” The change in Ace’s expression stunned her. His eyes gentled and darkened, the love and tender indulgence shining in them unmistakable. “Just as feisty and stubborn as ever. She’s been busy rebuilding the club, but not busy enough to keep her from trying her hand at matchmaking. She’s driving Beau and Charity nuts.” King laughed and looked at Brenna. “Charity is Hope’s sister. She and Beau have the hots for each other, but for some reason, Charity’s too stubborn to admit it.” King shook his head, chuckling softly. “Beau has more patience than I do.” His hooded gaze held Brenna’s. “When I see something I want, I don’t see any point in waiting.” Ace’s eyes sharpened. “So I see. Does this mean you’ll be watching out for her?” Royce nodded. “We will. We want to get her suitcase from the room so we can take her to the club. That’s where she’ll be if you need to talk to her.” Ace got to his feet. “She looks shaken. Why don’t we go now and I’ll question her on the way to her room. I’m sure you want to get her out of here and somewhere safe so she’ll settle.” As he stood, he pulled a pair of rubber gloves out of his pocket. “Linc’s on his way to check for fingerprints.” The big sheriff got to his feet, coming around to help her from her chair, leading her from the restaurant and leaving King and Royce to follow. “Miss Nelson, can you tell me what time you left your room today?” **** In an amazingly short amount of time, Brenna found herself back at the club, ensconced in a spare bedroom that screamed of decadence.

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From the pale, thick carpet under her feet, to the silk bedding on a bed piled high with pillows, the entire atmosphere was one of comfort and seduction. A huge chaise sat on one side of the room, one easily large enough for three or four people. She could imagine curling into it with a good book as easily as she could picture herself snuggling in it with Royce or King. Almost immediately, she dismissed both ideas as foolish. She doubted that she would have a chance to sit and read while she was here as every minute she had free would be spent looking for work. Eyeing Royce in his designer clothes and shoes, she reminded herself that he wouldn’t be the kind of man who snuggled. After setting her suitcases on the bed, Royce started out, pausing at the door. “If you need anything before one of us comes to get you, just pick up the phone. Sebastian will get you whatever you need.” “The man who answered the door?” Royce grinned. “Yes. He knows that you’ll be our guest. He has strict instructions pertaining to you, and where you’re allowed to go. Don’t leave this room until either King or I come to get you.” Surprised that he planned to just leave her here, she frowned. “What am I supposed to do?” “Get some rest. Take a bath, if you’d like. When you’re done, put on the robe that’s on the back of the bathroom door.” Brenna wrapped her arms around herself, suddenly chilled. Trembling, she pulled her sweater tighter around herself. “Where are you going? Have you changed your mind? When are we supposed to start? You’ll really stop if I don’t like it? Why did you say one of you will be back later?” Royce straightened, leaning against the doorway. “King and I are going to set up some things in our playroom for you. No, we haven’t changed our minds. We start later tonight. Yes, we’ll stop if you don’t like it. The reason only one of us will be back later is because we have a business to run. Tonight will be just a brief lesson to go over the rules. Your lessons begin tomorrow—during the day when we’re not so busy. With Blade gone, King and I have to take care of the club.” He turned away, pulling the door closed behind him, pausing again. “Just for the record, the rules would be much harsher for you if you were

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here as our submissive. Since we’ll be showing you a bit of the other side, you’ll have a little more leeway. That doesn’t include looking around, though. If you snoop, you’ll be locked in.” She gasped in horror. “Locked in?” Royce’s brow went up. “Trust, remember. It works both ways. You’ll learn to trust us and we’ll have to learn to trust you. Besides, it’ll be a hell of a lot safer to keep you under lock and key until Ace figures out what’s going on. I know it’s been a rough day for you, but a little play might be good for you tonight.” He went out before she could reply, his absence giving her the chance to breathe easily for the first time all night. Staring at the closed door, Brenna again had misgivings. Unnerved that she understood very little about the lifestyle Royce and King lived, she couldn’t imagine walking away until she had some of her answers. She didn’t know how long she’d be able to stay, and understood that fantasy and reality were far too different things. In her fantasies, the man dominating her did what she wanted him to do. She had a feeling that reality would be far different, but she had to experience it for herself to know for sure. She sure as hell wouldn’t let a note taped to a door get in her way. In fact, she felt safer already. Royce and King’s attention and air of confidence had her thinking about things a lot more pleasurable. She wanted—needed—to satisfy the curiosity that had plagued her for years, the yearning for something more that consumed her thoughts since the night she’d gone to the club back home in Virginia. She’d lost interest briefly after the reality of dealing with Donner, but it had still been present, and the time she’d spent with King and Royce had reignited the fire burning deep inside her. Intrigued and curious to see what kind of things they would teach a Dominant, she found herself agreeing to their terms. She tried to convince herself that her desire for them, or her fantasies of submitting, had nothing at all to do with it, but she knew differently. They would be damned good at it. Hopefully, though, she would be able to keep the truth about herself hidden from them, a truth she wondered if they already suspected. She tried to ignore the fact that she shivered with need each time they looked at her in that certain way. She tried not to respond to the indefinable

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gleam in their eyes, one that made her feel they saw more than she wanted them to see. She tried to convince herself that it had nothing to do with the air of authority that seemed such an integral part of them, or the fact that she couldn’t look at their hands without wanting to know how they would feel on her body. She couldn’t deny that a simple dinner with them had aroused her, with barely a touch, or that even now, all alone in the room they’d given her, she shook with a need far stronger than it should have been. The anticipation of experiencing their intimate touch made her body hum with delight, a riot of sensation that wouldn’t settle even now that she’d been left alone. She didn’t want to believe that each step she took toward learning more about this kind of lifestyle fascinated her even more, or that she’d begun to suspect that she’d found the missing element that had kept her from complete fulfillment in her relationships. She yearned to find the key to letting go, and to do it without giving too much of herself away. Confident that she could keep her secret, and hopeful that she would learn that everything they’d said about handling Donner was true, Brenna headed into the bathroom, bubbling with excitement and trembling with nerves and need. Struck by the vast array of bath salts and creams she found, she sat on the edge of the large tub to sniff several of them, wondering if any of the scents would remind them of another woman. Eyeing the robe on the back of the door, she got to her feet again, her nervousness growing by the minute. To her surprise, instead of finding the seductive concoction of silk and lace she’d anticipated, she found a long thick, white terry robe, one so luxurious looking that she couldn’t resist reaching out to touch it. Unable to hold back a moan at its softness, she continued to fondle it, a wave of apprehension rolling through her as she thought about wearing only this while waiting for King or Royce to appear. Not knowing how much time she had before one of them came back, she dropped the sleeve of the robe with a sigh and moved to the tub and started filling it. Hoping a hot bath would calm her, she tossed in some of the bath salts. Breathing in the scent of blue raspberry, she smiled,

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wondering if King and Royce would find the sweet fragrance as mouthwatering as she did. Sure that none of their sophisticated women would ever use a scent so sweet and fruity, she added a little more. Laughing to herself at the thought of two such men taken in by the way she smelled, she slipped naked into the tub and leaned back, hoping the warm water would soothe her. Now that she had some time to think, the enormity of what she’d committed herself to started to sink in. Remembering the horror of being on the receiving end of Donner’s unwanted attention, she sat up, lifting her knees to wrap her arms around them. She didn’t want to believe King or Royce would terrorize her that way. No matter how much she wanted both of them, she knew that she wouldn’t tolerate being beaten. She wanted a chance to experience that something more that she’d heard and read about. The burning desire to belong to someone in ways she’d only fantasized about grew month after month, year after year, until it ruined every relationship she’d ever had. She’d read about it, talked about it, fantasized about it, but she needed to experience it. She’d be thirty-four on her next birthday, and had been proposed to twice, but the feeling that something was missing made it impossible for her to accept. As soon as she’d learned a little about this kind of lifestyle, something clicked for her and she hadn’t been able to shake it. Even though she’d faked indifference to her friends, the chance to visit the club in Virginia had seemed like a dream come true. She’d left there even more convinced that she’d found the missing piece in her life, the one thing that kept her from the closeness she craved. She’d never be satisfied until she knew for sure. Just when she’d started to investigate how to go further, Eugene Donner had begun stalking her. After that, what she’d yearned for seemed too dangerous to pursue. Until she met Royce and King. They seemed to be the answer she’d been looking for.

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She just hoped her obsession to learn more about what she needed, and why, hadn’t made her jump into something that could prove to be more than she could handle—something even more dangerous than dealing with Donner. **** Royce stood back and studied the mirror, finally satisfied with the angle. “I’m looking forward to this more than I thought I would. I think Brenna actually thinks we believe that she’s only interested in learning how we train Doms. She’s so curious about surrendering to a man that she might as well have it painted in neon on her forehead.” He’d seen it in her eyes—the combination of excitement, fear, and curiosity nearly driving him mad to have her. King nodded, frowning as he adjusted the light. “She is. I’d bet money on it. She just needs to be treated with kid gloves after that shit with Donner. I still wish I’d beaten the hell out of him when I had the chance.” Dropping his hands to his sides, he cursed. “He couldn’t have taped that note to her door.” He lifted his head, his eyes pure fury. “I’m sure as hell looking forward to getting my hands on the person who did.” Royce clenched his jaw, feeling much the same way. “I agree, but he’s got to be behind it somehow. Nothing else makes sense. Even if Donner gets out, everyone knows who he is. He wouldn’t dare show his face in Desire again.” Pushing thoughts of Donner aside for now, he made up his mind to spend the rest of the night focusing on a stunning redhead with the most expressive eyes he’d ever seen. “I’m very much looking forward to see the shock and pleasure in Brenna’s eyes when some of that curiosity is satisfied.” King lifted one of the small whips from a shelf, his expression thoughtful as he ran his fingers over it. “She doesn’t understand why a woman would consent, hell, beg to be whipped or spanked. We’re going to have to go slowly with her, but that excitement and arousal in her eyes is damned near irresistible.”

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He looked up, his eyes glittering with the same anticipation that ran through Royce’s veins. “I wonder how long she’ll last before she asks us to take over.” Royce grinned, his cock pressing insistently against his trousers. “I don’t know, but I can’t wait to find out. She needs this, especially now. It’ll get her mind off of that note, and that fucking Donner.” “I can’t believe I lost the coin toss and you get to have her tonight.” Slapping his friend’s back, Royce started for the door. “Too bad. You get to be with her tomorrow night, though. After that, we’ll work with her together. I just think that being with both of us at once might be too much for her this soon.” He found himself almost yanked off his feet when King grabbed his shoulder and whipped him around. Shocked at the anger in his friend’s eyes, he broke King’s hold, finding it more difficult than he’d expected. “What the fuck?” King surprised the hell out of him by getting in his face, his eyes full of fury. “You scare her off tonight and I’m going to kick your ass.” Royce shoved him back. “What the hell’s wrong with you? I have no intention of scaring her.” Eyeing his friend thoughtfully, he grinned, the anticipation of being with Brenna growing. “You’re thinking that someone like Brenna would be perfect for us, aren’t you? You’re scared to let her see how much she’s gotten to you already. You’ve always been a sucker for a damsel in distress, and you’re afraid you’re going to get attached to her, and when the danger’s over, she’ll leave us.” King turned away, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck. He didn’t speak for a while, staring at the chair they’d set up for Brenna. “She’s scared already and I don’t want to run her off before we’ve had a chance to show her how we do things around here.” Royce crossed his arms over his chest, watching his friend closely. “You and I have known each other a long time. I’ve got to say, I don’t remember ever seeing you like this. I know you worried about the woman Donner was after, but I didn’t realize you’d become so obsessed with her.” “I’m not obsessed with her.” King started for the door. Opening it, he turned. “I’m just concerned. I’ll be in the bar. Come find me when—later.”

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Royce could only stare as King walked out, slamming the door behind him. He’d seen his friend in a lot of moods, but never anything like this. With women King was usually very playful, devious even, pushing their limits until they became putty in his hands. A lot of the submissives that came back here vied for his attention, flocking to him, begging him to master them that night and even fighting each other for him. His cell phone rang, distracting him. “Royce.” “I’m just calling to let you know that Miss Nelson called down, requesting a glass of wine. I thought I’d check with you first.” Royce had already started for the door. “No. Don’t bother calling her back. I’ll take care of it. I’m not taking any more calls.” Disconnecting, he started down the hall toward Brenna’s room, grateful that he and King shared a private floor. His cock jumped at the thought of what he had in store for her tonight, and if his earlier reaction to her meant anything, he knew he’d be pushing the boundaries of his control by the time he finished with her. The anticipation of seeing the surprise and delight he knew would be sparkling in those beautiful blue eyes quickened his step. Pausing to take a deep breath, he knocked on the door to Brenna’s room, anxious to get started. **** Startled out of her musings by the knock at the door, Brenna gasped and spun toward it, pressing a hand over her pounding heart. With shaking hands and rubbery knees, she tightened the belt of her robe and made her way to the door. Pausing with her hand on the doorknob, she wondered which one of them stood on the other side. Surprised at the realization that she couldn’t decide which one of them she wanted it to be, she pressed a hand to her stomach and opened the door, sucking in a sharp breath at the sight that greeted her. For some reason, Royce appeared far more dangerous than he had sitting next to her at dinner.

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Dressed entirely in black, he had an aura about him that screamed with a threatening sexuality far more potent than any she’d ever encountered. His hair had been loose when she’d met him and in the restaurant, but he’d tied it back since then, which only served to emphasize his good looks. He was even more beautiful than she’d remembered. His deep green eyes sparkled with male interest and purpose, a look so sharp it stole her ability to breathe and sent a shiver of apprehension through her. Filled with confidence, as though he knew all of her innermost secrets, his eyes held hers. “Hello, Brenna. Are you ready to begin?” His voice dripped with sex, a low intimate tone unlike anything she’d ever heard, the cool timbre of authority in it unmistakable. A sharp awareness washed over her, awakening every erogenous zone more effectively than any intimate touch she’d ever received. He raised a brow at her continued silence, his faint smile making her even more nervous. He didn’t rush her, as calm and patient as if he had all night. Of course he would have to be patient in order to get a woman to submit. The reminder of the kind of man he would have to be, a man who knew so much about pleasuring a woman that he could convince her to do anything, had her shifting restlessly. She hadn’t anticipated the power emanating from him, much stronger now than it had been before, as though he’d turned a switch. Even on her trip to the club in Virginia, she hadn’t experienced anything so intense. “I don’t know if I’m ready. How the hell could I know that?” Wringing her hands together, she took a step back. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I don’t know what you’re going to do to me. I want to make sure you’re not teaching men like Donner to abuse women, but how can I be sure you’re going to be honest with me about what you’re teaching? I don’t know if—” The finger he placed over her lips effectively silenced the rest of her babbling, the stroke of his finger over her lower lip sending sharp, sizzling heat from her lips to her nipples. In a slow move, he gripped her shoulders, his expression softening.

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“Stop. You’re getting yourself all worked up because you’re afraid of the unexpected. Is that why you asked for the wine?” She had to swallow before speaking, the slow glide of his thumbs over her collarbones sending a wave of longing through her that weakened her knees. “Yes. It should be here soon. Maybe after I have a glass—” “No.” Royce shook his head and took her hand, leading her out into the hallway. “I don’t want anything to dull your senses, and I want to make sure your head is clear tonight.” Holding the robe closed at her neck, Brenna looked around, worried that someone might see her. Royce squeezed her hand, leading her to a heavy, ornate wooden door at the end of the hallway. “Don’t worry. No one will see you. This floor belongs to King and me. The only other person that comes to this floor is Sebastian, and he knows I don’t want to be disturbed.” Nodding, Brenna held her breath as he pushed the door open, shaking so badly she had trouble walking. To her astonishment, the only light she saw came from directly above a leather chair placed several feet just inside the door. In front of the chair sat a full mirror, one that would reflect every inch of the person sitting in front of it. Something told her it would be her. She stopped abruptly, disconcerted by the fact that she could no longer see Royce very well. “What’s going on?” Moving to stand behind her, he placed his hands on her shoulders and guided her to the chair, bending to meet her eyes in the mirror. “As a Master, you need to see your submissive. You need to focus on her.” Lifting his hands from her shoulders, he stepped back, the low light making it impossible for her to see him. She couldn’t see anything but herself. Pulling together a gap in her robe, Brenna curled her toes against the hard wooden floor. Feeling stupid and uncomfortable, she squinted, searching for Royce in the darkness. “I don’t understand how this is supposed to work. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”

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“I’ll tell you everything you need to know. Are you comfortable?” Royce’s voice came from behind her and a little to the right. Nodding, she fisted her hands in the robe. “As comfortable as possible. Royce, I—” “Quiet, Brenna. When we’re in this room, I’m the teacher, and you’re the student. Now, before we begin, there are a few things I think we need to discuss. We’ve bypassed the usual application and interview for this…unusual arrangement, so while you’re here, you’re not permitted to mingle with our other guests. Unless King or I take you to another part of the club, you’re confined to this floor while you’re here. Do you understand and agree to that?” Brenna nodded, the fluttering in her stomach becoming stronger. “Yes.” “You’ll be permitted to go out whenever you want, except for the times that King and I will be working with you. While you’re our guest, we’re responsible for you and you’ll follow our rules. Do you understand and agree to that?” “What kind of rules?” She wished he would just get on with it. With her nerves stretched to the breaking point, she didn’t know how much longer she could sit here. Tapping her feet, she fought the urge to jump up and run from the room. Royce’s tone seemed to become firmer and colder each time he spoke, adding to her nervousness, but effectively keeping her in her seat. “You will not give yourself to any other man, and you won’t do anything that might put you in danger. You’ll have to be careful because we have no idea who sent that note. You’ll only be permitted to go out when it’s safe. Are we clear?” Brenna nodded, trying to see him in the darkness. “I have no intention of endangering myself and I’m sure as hell not planning to go looking for a man.” She jumped as Royce suddenly appeared in the mirror. With an efficiency that impressed her, he fastened a silver choker around her neck. “This tells the people of Desire that you belong to the club. No one from the town will attempt to proposition you as long as you’re wearing this. It’s locked, and can only be removed by King or me. You will not, under any circumstances, leave the club without wearing this. Understood?”

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Moving her neck experimentally, Brenna grimaced. “It’s heavy.” “It’s worn to remind a submissive that she’s owned, but in your case, it’s to keep you safe. Now that we’ve finished with the preliminaries, let’s begin. Look at your sub. She needs your attention.” Brenna jumped at his demand and stared at her reflection, her eyes going to Royce at yet another abrupt shift in conversation. Royce stepped back, once again disappearing from view. “Don’t take your eyes from her. She needs you. She’s learning something about herself, something that’s been missing from her life, and she needs your guidance. She’s depending on you to keep her safe. She must trust you implicitly. Are you ready for that kind of responsibility?” Brenna blinked, searching desperately for a glimpse of Royce in the mirror. She’d been expecting nothing more than fun and games, but Royce sounded far more serious about this than she’d expected. “I don’t know what to say. I thought you were going to show me what kind of things men did to make women obey them. I thought it was just sex.” “No, Brenna. It’s more—much more. Don’t look away from her. She’s the most important thing in your world right now.” Trying not to let him see how much the silkiness in his tone affected her, Brenna once again stared at her reflection. “Okay. I’m looking. I look like me. I don’t know what I’m supposed to be seeing.” She glanced up, meeting his eyes in the mirror. “Damn it. I knew I would suck at this.” Royce chuckled softly. “You’re doing fine. You’re two different people now, Brenna. The Dominant you is sitting in the chair.” He trailed a finger just inside her robe to stroke her collarbone, his touch sending tingling waves to her nipples. “The submissive you is in the mirror. Try to separate the two.” Brenna nodded, not understanding how she could do that. “Okay.” “What do you see in her eyes?” Brenna blinked at the question, and studied her reflection, not quite sure what she was supposed to say. Surprised at the emotion swirling in them, she spoke without thinking. “Fear.” Royce’s reflection appeared in the mirror again, directly over her shoulder, his devastating good looks made even more intimidating by the hard glint of authority in his eyes. “Yes. What else? You must be able to

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read her eyes, Brenna. You must be able to read her body language. You have to know what she’s thinking and feeling if you’re going to please her. She needs you to understand her, to understand things about her that she can’t even voice.” His voice lowered dangerously. “If you’re going to get her to submit to you, to your every whim, you have to know her more intimately than she knows herself. What is she feeling, Brenna?” She hadn’t ever considered it that way. The thought of him having that much control over her scared her so much she almost walked out. In her fantasies, she’d never lost control of what he did to her. Stiffening, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, reminding herself that he couldn’t have what she didn’t give. She opened her eyes to study her reflection again, shivering at the feel of Royce’s warm breath against her neck. “Um, confusion.” Damn it. She was supposed to be learning how they trained Dominants, and already she found herself giving in to the urge to submit. Straightening, Royce remained standing behind her, his hands curled around the back of her chair. “Very good. Your sub is confused, which can sometimes be a good thing. You want to keep her on her toes, but you have to be careful with that. She has to know what’s expected of her. It’s all right for her to be confused this early, but you have to make sure she understands what’s going on.” Brenna hoped that part of it would come soon, because panic kept creeping in. To her surprise, though, focusing her attention on the mirror had reduced some of her nerves. “What’s next?” “We’re going to have to give your sub a safe word—a word she can use whenever she’s in trouble, or when she feels she can’t get past whatever she’s being subjected to. Since you’re her Dom, it’s your choice. Do you want to pick a safe word for her, or would you rather let her do it? It has to be a word that wouldn’t normally come up in conversation.” She caught his faint smile in the mirror, and relaxed a little more. “I’ll do it. It’s crystal.” Royce nodded once. “Crystal it is. There’s something very important you need to explain to her about her safe word.”

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“What’s that?” Royce’s eyes hardened. “As soon as she uses it, it’s over.” A cold knot formed in Brenna’s stomach. “Over? You mean that you’ll move on to something else?” Royce shook his head. “I mean, over, Brenna. Like I said, it takes a lot of trust to have a relationship such as this one. You have to be sure that your sub is able to handle whatever you have planned. In return, she has to agree to have her limits explored. The only way to do that is to take her deeper. Now, if you’re sure that she tried, it might be something she just can’t handle, but using her safe word just because she feels uncomfortable won’t be tolerated. If that’s the case, she’s not really interested in exploring that part of herself and is a waste of your time.” Brenna swallowed heavily. “But I—she can use it?” “Only if absolutely necessary. If she uses it each time you’re together, either you’re an awful Dom, or she’s just playing games with you. She has to want to explore the pleasures to be found in submitting and surrendering herself to someone who wants to form a bond with her, one in which he agrees to take care of her in all ways. Understood?” Brenna nodded, hoping she did. The reality of this fantasy seemed far more complicated than she’d expected. “Yes. Only in emergencies.” Royce smiled. “Something like that. Of course there’ll be times when she’s gagged, in which case she won’t be able to use it at all, but trust must be created between you before then.” Knowing she’d never get to that point in the brief time she planned to be here, she nodded again. “Okay.” Just the thought of being unable to use her safe word scared her, but with it came an excitement she hadn’t anticipated. Imagining being bound and gagged, unable to escape as they forced pleasure on her while they prevented her from objecting or using her safe word sent a fresh wave of arousal through her, one so strong it stole her breath. She would be nothing more than an object for them to play with and she wouldn’t be able to do a thing to stop them. Hopefully, they would take over and push her past her fears. He waited until she met his eyes again. “Now that we’ve gotten a few things out of the way, it’s time to get to know your submissive a little better. Let’s begin the inspection.”

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Royce’s matter-of-fact tone as he announced his erotic intentions weakened her knees, making her glad that she was sitting. “In–Inspection?” Just the word made her tense and sent her hunger soaring. Royce smiled patiently, his eyes alive with anticipation. “Of course. We have to learn what your submissive likes and doesn’t like. You need to learn which places are very sensitive, and which places she doesn’t like to be touched. You need to know her body as intimately as you know your own. She belongs to you, remember. She’s yours to take care of. She’s your possession—your most valuable and precious one.” That low, silky timbre in his tone made her nipples bead and press against the soft robe, while her clit throbbed incessantly. Everything he said sounded provocative, but one word had her pulse racing. “Possession?” Royce’s brow went up. “Of course. At least when you’re involved in a scene—or for our purposes—when we’re in this room. She belongs to you. Her pleasure. Her pain. Her fear. You must be able to anticipate everything she’s going to do or say. It takes exploration, experimentation, patience and a lot of attention. For now, though, you don’t even know what she looks like. You don’t know how she likes to be touched, or what issues she needs to overcome.” Brenna let her eyes drift to his in the mirror, her heart pounding nearly out of her chest. Wondering how much he knew, she gulped and nodded. Royce smiled. “You’re going to have to be gentle with her, especially at first. She’ll be uncomfortable with her nakedness, but you can’t allow her to hide herself from you. She belongs to you. You must have access to every part of her body in order to make her aware of that.” Royce’s eyes narrowed on hers. “She’ll never be completely comfortable with it, in fact, it would be a shame if she ever did, but she’ll do better as time goes by.” Brenna came to her feet, taking a moment to steady herself. Royce held her eyes in the mirror. “She’ll want you to help her, but taking her clothes from her doesn’t command her compliance. She has to take off her own clothing. It’ll make her feel more helpless, because she knows she’s submitting to you of her own free will.” He knew what she felt!

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He didn’t take. He enticed her to give. Biting her lip, Brenna reached for the belt of her robe, her eyes held by Royce’s in the mirror for several long seconds before he disappeared into the darkness again. Of course he would know what a submissive felt. He was a Dom, after all. Pausing, she gulped again, nervously wrapping the belt of the robe around her hands. “What if she doesn’t undress?” The silence that followed made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. After several long seconds, seconds that dragged out with excruciating slowness, Royce spoke again, his voice low, but with a steely edge. “There are a variety of reasons for that, but the bottom line is that she strips or she’s taken back to her room. It’s over. She has to give herself willingly, Brenna, or there’s no submission. There’s just rape.” Brenna sucked in a breath at the ugly word. It wouldn’t be that at all, but she didn’t know how to give him what he wanted. Her mind went blank, the riot of sensation building inside her blocking out everything else. She felt more alive than she’d ever felt in her life, every nerve ending tingling with awareness. With her heightened awareness came arousal, a kind of arousal she couldn’t have imagined, made more intense because it originated in her mind. Damn, he was good. Too good. Royce appeared in the mirror again, bending low, his eyes gleaming with knowledge of her arousal and a calm assurance that he could handle it. “The submissive has all the power, Brenna, something every Dominant knows very well. That’s the only way this kind of relationship can really work. She must know she’s in good hands and that she can trust the one mastering her. With one word, everything comes to a halt.” Inclining his head, he gestured toward her reflection. “Does she want to use that word and walk out of here, or does she want to let her robe fall to the floor so we can continue to explore her? Her Dom would be anxious to explore those luscious curves. He would want to know the texture of her skin. He would want to feel the trembles beneath it. He would want to know how each soft touch, each firm touch, affected her. He would want to know everything about her and teach her more about herself than she could have ever imagined.”

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Each word he spoke slid over her skin like a caress, heightening her desire. He used the curl he’d wrapped around his finger to stroke the sensitive spot at the base of her neck, and gestured toward the mirror. “She’s counting on you to teach her—to show her things about herself that she hasn’t even fantasized yet.” His warm breath caressed her ear, his deep voice lowering and becoming even silkier. “Pleasure. Pain. A soft stroke. A firm one. Look into her eyes, Brenna. She wants to know. She’s hungry, and she needs someone who will take the time and patience to satisfy that hunger.” Desire hummed through her veins like the finest wine, making her just as dizzy. Never taking her eyes from his, she unbelted the robe and let it fall to puddle around her hips, feeling her nakedness with acute awareness, one that made every inch of exposed flesh tingle. Shaking with nerves, she looked into the mirror, not knowing what she should do next. Disappointed when he straightened and disappeared into the darkness once more, Brenna met the reflection of her own eyes in the mirror. Shocked that the lust she felt showed so clearly, she started to close her eyes, jolting at the snap in Royce’s tone. “Keep them open. You need to see her, Brenna. Remember? Don’t let her close her eyes, and let her believe this is a fantasy. Don’t let her escape into her own world. She needs you. Isn’t she beautiful? I’m jealous, you know. I would love to have the chance to master such a beautiful and responsive woman, one who doesn’t truly realize her capacity for pleasure. Passionate women are so vulnerable, so you need her to know you’re there for her.” Brenna took a shuddering breath, her heart racing. She could feel his eyes moving over her, his gaze as potent as a caress. “I’m there for her?” God, she’d give anything to have him take over. She had to bite her lip to keep from begging him to do just that. Royce’s voice lowered, the seductive timbre combined with the sharp edge of authority in it dancing over her skin like thousands of fingers. “Yes. She needs you for guidance, remember? She’s trusting that you’ll care for her. Why would she submit to you if you didn’t take care of her? She knows

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that there’s pleasure in store for her. You can see that in her eyes, can’t you? She just doesn’t know how much yet. Little by little, you’re going to show her. You’re going to show her that the deeper the submission—the deeper the pleasure.” Brenna swallowed heavily, wishing she could see Royce’s face as the line between her and the woman in the mirror became even more blurred. “I don’t know how.” It came out as a breathless whisper, but seemed loud in the heavy silence in the room. Her nipples ached so badly, she barely resisted the urge to rub them, the robe beneath her bottom becoming even damper. Another of those lengthy pauses followed, stretching her nerves and heightening her arousal even more. Sitting half-naked in a room with a virtual stranger, her body clearly illuminated, she felt the full effect of her exposure. Fear, excitement, nerves, vulnerability, and lust made a powerful combination, one that left her confused and shaken and hanging on eagerly to Royce’s every word. She didn’t feel like herself at all, becoming a creature of need that would do anything to be what Royce wanted her to be. She stilled, drawing a sharp intake of breath and holding it as he reached out and removed the belt. She shivered when the robe fell to the sides, leaving her completely naked. Looking at herself in the mirror, she couldn’t deny that she hardly recognized the woman staring back at her. Her eyes, dark with need, appeared not quite focused. Her cheeks had become flushed, her breath coming out in short pants through parted lips. Her nipples stood out, beaded and needy. Not until she studied her reflection—really looked at herself, did she realize that she’d arched her back, thrusting her breasts out in an involuntary invitation to Royce. She knew she had a good body, but she’d never been as proud of it until now, eager to show Royce every part of her. Royce’s disembodied voice came from behind her, silky smooth, but with an underlying steel. “You’re here for her, remember? Look at her. Look at that beautiful body. To master her, you’ll have to learn every inch of it.” Unable to speak, Brenna nodded, her skin tingling as she imagined his hands touching her everywhere.

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“She’s waiting, Brenna.” His tone had cooled considerably, a tension in it that hadn’t been there before. Wrapping her arms around herself against the sudden chill, Brenna swallowed again. “Waiting for what?” “You can’t allow her to hide herself that way from you. She must be open. She needs to have her arms at her sides and keep them there unless you tell her otherwise. She needs to spread those thighs. That pussy belongs to you and she has no right to hide it from you. She belongs to you. Are you really going to let her keep you from seeing parts of her she’s uncomfortable showing you? That won’t be permitted, Brenna.” Even though he spoke to her as though telling her how to handle the woman in the mirror, she felt as though he spoke to her the way he would have done if she really belonged to him. Still staring at her reflection, and even more confused, Brenna dropped her arms to her sides and spread her thighs, shaking so hard now that she could barely stand. Her stomach quivered, her pussy clenching, the need becoming unbearable. Frustrated, she lashed out at him. “What’s she waiting for? What am I supposed to do?” “Make her stand, Brenna. You need to see all of her.” He waited until she got unsteadily to her feet before he appeared in the mirror again, moving the chair away to stand directly behind her, his tone soothing and warm. “Calm down, darling. You can’t lose control. She needs you.” His eyes narrowed, the heat in them unmistakable. “You know damned well what she’s waiting for, but is too scared to ask.” “I can’t do this, damn it! Help me.” The last came out as a sob, her voice choked with tears. Nearly beside herself with frustration, she groaned as waves of warning tingles washed over her. And he’d barely touched her! Royce held her eyes in the mirror once again. “Do you want me to touch you? To help you explore her? If so, you’re going to have to ask. She’s your submissive. Yours to give to me.” Brenna couldn’t think of anything in the world that she needed— wanted—more than Royce’s touch. Shaking uncontrollably now, she stared at the mirror, surprised that she could no longer even see herself, her vision blurred with tears of frustration. “Yes. Touch me. Hold me. I can’t stand it anymore.”

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She sagged with relief when Royce’s arm came around her waist, taking her weight. Shivering at his warm breath against her ear, she closed her eyes, leaning back against his shoulder. “I’m sorry. I’m so confused.” “No, you’re not. You know exactly what you want. You’re just too scared to ask for it. Open your eyes, Brenna. Look in the mirror.” Doing as he asked, she sucked in a breath at the sight of her naked and in his arms. She’d never seen anything so incredibly erotic. She looked so small and fragile against his much larger frame. Need clawed at her, and she had to bite her lip to keep from begging him to take her. His dark skin made hers seem even paler, his dark hand appearing exotic and masculine against her quivering belly. “Look at her, Brenna. Look into her eyes.” Wrapping his free hand around her wrist, Royce lifted her hand to her breast, trailing her fingers over her nipple. “What does she need, Brenna? Look into her eyes. What does the woman in the mirror need?” Her stormy eyes met his calm ones in the mirror, a confidence in his that somehow reassured her and the only thing that kept her panic at bay. She wished with everything inside her that it was his hand touching her instead of her own. Her own touch didn’t even come close to appeasing this rampant hunger. She needed his. She’d never needed so much to belong to someone. Ten minutes with Royce and she ached so badly she’d do anything for relief. After only ten minutes, she felt connected to him in ways she’d never felt with any man, even when making love. He intrigued her, excited her, and made her feel more desirable and sexy than she’d ever felt before. More than that, she found herself connected to him, captivated by his strong presence so much that she yielded herself to him before she made any conscious effort to do so. She’d do whatever he wanted, be anything he wanted her to be—if only he would make her his.

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Her stomach quivered as the throbbing of her clit became unbearable, her pussy clenching and releasing even more of her juices. She ached everywhere. Tingled. Burned. Other than holding her up and wrapping a hand around her wrist, he hadn’t even touched her, and yet she began to come. To her amazement, one small orgasm after another took hold of her, each sending shimmering waves through her that didn’t even come close to satisfying the raging hunger Royce had ignited inside her. Choking, her body wracked with sobs, Brenna shook her head, closing her eyes against the disappointment she knew she would see in his. “She—I—need you. God help me, I need you. And I can’t.” Wrenching herself from his hold, she ran for the door, running naked down the hallway and into her room, slamming the door behind her. Leaning back against it, she sank to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably and feeling like a fool. Still incredibly aroused, she wrapped her arms around herself and began to rock, the small movement soothing her. It had only taken Royce a few minutes to discover her biggest secret, one she hadn’t entirely believed herself. She needed to surrender herself to a man. To submit. To him. To turn herself over to his care. She wanted to belong to him, and to see pleasure and hunger in his eyes as he took her. The few minutes she’d spent with Royce had made her feel more than she’d ever felt. It hurt—so much she couldn’t breathe. The hard, impatient knock, much louder and more insistent than before, made her jolt. Slapping a hand over her mouth to hold back a cry, she looked around wildly, wondering what she should do. She couldn’t face him, especially naked and crying, her body still humming with the remnants of something too strong to be considered merely lust. “Brenna, I can hear you crying. Move away from the door so I can open it.”

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She closed her eyes as his deep voice, now low and soothing, washed over her. If she opened the door, she knew she’d fall into his arms and beg him to take her. She’d dreamed of feeling this way, but the reality proved to be more intense and frightening than any fantasy. “No. Go away.” “I can’t do that, Brenna.” The door opened a few inches. “Let me give you your robe. Put it on and we’ll talk.” “I don’t want to talk to you.” It came out as a hoarse cry, her emotions in tatters. Curling into a ball on the floor, she stilled, wondering if she only imagined the tension in Royce’s voice. “Too bad. Move back a little so I can give you the robe. Sebastian’s bringing you some wine to help you settle.” After a pause, he knocked again. “There’s no lock on the inside of this door, Brenna. What are you going to do, stay there all night?” “Yes.” After this, she’d never be able to face him again. She’d wait until he left, and find a way to escape. “All right. I’ll come in through the hidden door.” “What?” Brenna jumped to her feet, looking around to see where Royce might come in. As soon as she moved away from the door, he opened it another few inches and stuck his hand inside, her robe dangling from his fingers. “Put this on, and we’ll talk.” Brenna snatched the robe from his hand and hurriedly slipped it on, keeping the side of her foot pressed against the door to keep him from entering. Her hands shook so badly that it took three attempts to tie it, but she finally managed it. “I don’t want to talk. Please go away.” She wiped the tears from her cheeks, surprised to discover that she’d stopped crying. “I’ve already made a fool of myself. I just want to be alone.” “I’ll leave you alone as soon as we’ve talked. Now, open the door, right now. Your wine’s here. You can’t stand there holding the door closed all night.” Realizing that he spoke the truth, Brenna closed her hand around the lapels of the robe at her throat and stepped back from the door. Turning her back to the door as it swung open, she moved to the window and curled herself onto the window seat there, pulling her robe

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tighter. From the corner of her eye, she saw Royce coming toward her, grateful that he stopped at the round table that stood several feet from where she sat. She heard the sounds of him opening the bottle of wine and pouring a glass, but she didn’t dare look in his direction. Several lights illuminated the parking lot below, where some cars were already parked, and another pulled in as she watched. Two men got out, but from where she sat, she could see little more than the tops of their heads. They walked briskly, though, as though rushing to get inside, making her wonder just exactly what went on downstairs. A glass of wine appeared at her shoulder, forcing her to turn toward him to accept it. “I thought you preferred beer to wine.” “Thank you.” Careful not to touch his hand, she took the glass from him and turned back to the window, just in time to watch a pickup truck pull in. “Some occasions call for wine.” She took a healthy swallow, hoping the wine would help her settle. Royce lowered himself to the cushioned seat, running a finger over her toes that peeked out from beneath the hem of the robe she wore. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about, Brenna.” Snatching her foot away, Brenna took another sip of her wine. She let her gaze slide to his reflection in the window, unable to ignore him, but reluctant to face him after what had happened. “That’s bullshit and you know it. I was supposed to be in charge, and within just a few minutes, I completely lose control, like I’m a virgin or something, and start coming before you even touched me. You must be very proud of yourself.” She must have seemed so easy to him—just another in a long line of women who couldn’t resist him. Royce sighed, touching a finger to the underside of her chin. “Look at me, Brenna.” She pushed his hand away. “No.” She just wanted him to leave so she could get dressed and get the hell out of here. His tone softened, but still held a slight edge. “I learned early what I needed. I don’t apologize for it and I won’t accept anything less. You shouldn’t either.” Brenna held her breath as he traced a finger over her cheek. “That’s easy for you to say. You’re a Dom—the one in charge. There’s nothing

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embarrassing about that.” Coming to her feet, she moved away, taking another sip of her wine, too restless to sit any longer. Royce touched her hair, a slight brush of his fingers that made the back of her neck tingle. “There’s nothing for you to be embarrassed about. You had the courage to experiment. Now you know what you need. I’d call that a success.” Brenna snorted inelegantly, whirling to face him. “Yeah, sure. What I need is to be some man’s slave. Look, just because you have a never-ending string of women coming through here to give you what you need, it’s not like that in the real world—at least not in mine.” “Tell me.” Closing her eyes against the silky persuasion in a tone she suspected he’d mastered over the years, she swallowed heavily. She took another sip of wine, knowing that the effects of it had begun to loosen her tongue, but at this point, she figured it no longer mattered. “I’ve had a few boyfriends in the past. When sex was…lackluster, at least for me, they accused me of not liking them anymore, or worse, accused me of being too outspoken and demanding. When I tried to add a little…spice, to hint at them to be a little more active, I got shoved around and taken so fast that it was over before I could even become aroused. If I got aggressive, they just lay back and let me take over without a protest.” She took another sip of wine and shrugged. “I guess they didn’t get it and I only have myself to blame. It’s hard to explain what I want when I don’t even know myself.” She took another sip of wine, liking the way it warmed her belly. “So, I find that I want something, hell, apparently need something that’s nearly impossible to get, or explain, and you call that a success. Remarkable.” Royce came to his feet to stand behind her, his hands settling on her shoulders. “People like you—and me—are the reason we opened this club. There are a lot of people out there looking for something that they can’t seem to find anywhere else, or are too embarrassed to ask for.” Unsettled by the way his light touch reawakened her desire, she tried to step away. “I don’t want just sex, Royce. I’m not like that.” Remembering what had happened only a few minutes earlier, she stared down into her glass, even more depressed. “Hell, maybe I am. I don’t know. I want more. There

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always seems to be something missing.” She shrugged, trying to hide the hurt and confusion. “Maybe I’m some kind of freak.” Royce took the now-empty glass from her hand and set it none too gently on the table next to her before gripping her shoulders and spinning her around to face him. The anger on his face sent a chill through her, making her wish she’d just kept her mouth shut. “You’re not a freak, just because you need something more. Jesus, I’m so sick of that attitude.” Running a hand through his hair, he sucked in a breath and blew it out slowly. “There’s nothing wrong with going for what you want. We all need what we need. It’s just stupid to settle for less. People like Donner give the rest of us a bad name, and then you go and compare us to him. Then, you learn that your suspicions were true, that you do need to submit, and you call yourself a freak. I’ve got news for you, Brenna, a relationship between a Dom and a sub is closer than most marriages. There’s a level of caring and trust involved that most people don’t experience in their entire lives.” His hands circled her neck, his thumbs under her chin keeping her face raised to his. His eyes glittered, holding her mesmerized. “Maybe that’s part of what you’re looking for, Brenna. The connection. You want to lose yourself with a man, or men, you can trust to keep you safe—trust to care for you enough to give you what you need. You’re a passionate woman, a very passionate woman. You need someone you trust to help you explore that passion to the fullest.” She knew herself well enough to know that she wouldn’t have responded to just any man the way she had with Royce. She’d felt a connection with him, and with King, from the moment she’d met them. Scared of what they might think of her if they suspected, she kept the knowledge to herself. Her experience in the other club gave her enough insight to know that he and King could have their pick of the submissives that came to the club looking for satisfaction. She could never compete with that. She’d never wanted a man she’d have to share, knowing that when they went to work, they would be fucking other women. She knew enough about herself to know that she could never live with that. Shrugging, she lowered her eyes and turned away, picking up the bottle of wine and refilling her glass before moving back to the window.

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“Maybe you’re right, but finding such a man could prove difficult.” Hoping to change the subject, she gestured toward the window, half turning to look at him. “The club looks busy. Is it always like this?” “The club is usually busy with people like us looking for satisfaction. Tonight, though, there’s an auction.” Brenna whirled, almost spilling her wine. Shock and lust slammed into her, along with no small amount of alarm. “Do you really auction women off?” She’d found herself drawn to a world she didn’t understand and to a man she couldn’t seem to resist. Crossing his arms over his chest, Royce regarded her steadily. “Yes. Once a month.” His lips twitched. “There’s a waiting list.” A mental image of being stripped and inspected by potential bidders raced through her mind, sending a surge of lust through her, one so intense she nearly doubled over. In her mind, though, the man running his hands over her and forcing her to comply with his demands looked like Royce. Shaking her head to get rid of the image, she opened her eyes, gasping to find Royce’s face only inches from hers. He’d moved without her knowing, his footsteps silent on the plush carpeting. “That excites you. Interesting. Would you like to be auctioned off?” Lifting her chin with a firm finger, he held her eyes with his. “Many women do this in order to live out their fantasy, and some even find permanent Doms. The arrangement is for one night only, but after that, who knows? It’s entirely up to them.” The wave of longing inside grew with a force and speed that staggered her. Still shaken from what had happened earlier, she jerked away from him, her breathing labored. “No. I couldn’t. I can’t just sleep with anyone.” She gulped down the rest of the wine in her glass and set it aside, her hands shaking so hard she feared she would drop the delicate glass. “What would it be like?” The words slipped out before she even knew she would utter them, and with a strangled cry, she whirled away, gripping the back of the large chaise for support. “No. I don’t want to know. Forget I asked.” She sucked in a breath when Royce crowded her from behind, a low moan escaping when his hands went to the belt of her robe.

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“You do like that. Is that one of your fantasies? To have a man want you so badly, he’d fight others to have you? To belong to him? To be helpless? Inspected? Explored?” He worked the belt of her robe loose with slow, deliberate intention, holding on to the ends. “First, King and I would prepare you. We’d take all of your clothing, blindfold you, and tie your hands together behind you. You wouldn’t be able to cover yourself at all, or stop anyone from touching you.” Brenna watched his hands, fascinated at the smooth strength in them, lost in a web of seduction as his cool, silky tone poured over her. He let the robe part, still holding the ends of the belt. “You would have already bathed in scented salts, and would be required to have your pussy shaved. Have you ever had your pussy shaved?” Brenna sucked in a breath when the robe parted even more and fell from her shoulders to puddle at her feet. “Once. I—um—did it for a b–boyfriend. As a surprise.” Royce stilled behind her. “Why did you do that? Did he ever ask you to?” “No. I just thought it would—um—inspire him.” “I take it from your tone, it didn’t. Pity. If you belonged to King and me, you would be required to keep your pussy waxed and smooth at all times. I want nothing hidden from me.” His lips touched her ear. “I’m already inspired.” Warm heat flowed over her, like the thickest honey. Her skin suddenly felt too hot and tight to contain her excitement. Her imagination went wild, wondering what it would be like to be Royce and King’s possession—to have them touch her and do things to her she’d only dreamed about. Royce touched the ends of the robe he still held against her nipples. “Tell me what happened.” Struggling to concentrate, Brenna gripped the back of the chaise until her fingers hurt. “He—he liked it—but then it was over so fast—I didn’t bother anymore.” The feel of his cock pressing against her back made her weak at the knees. Her ragged breathing sounded loud in the room. She didn’t care. She just wanted to feel. More. Anything he would give her. Using the ends of the soft belt, Royce traced a pattern over her belly, making her stomach muscles quiver.

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“Pity. A woman like you needs to have her passions explored—needs to have her boundaries crumbled and pushed beyond what she thinks are her limits. You need to be taken, Brenna, in ways that you’ve never been taken. You need to belong, as you’ve never belonged to anyone before.” No longer caring about anything but pleasure, Brenna fell back against him—drawn in—connected—in a way she didn’t entirely understand. “How? How can I do that? I wouldn’t know where to begin.” “You begin right here. Let’s begin to explore together, Brenna.” Not sure she understood exactly what he meant, she sucked in a breath, gripping his forearms as the belt moved lower and caressed her mound. She’d give anything to be his right now, knowing that belonging to him, even for a short time, would go a long way toward fulfilling her fantasies. Struggling to keep her voice steady, Brenna took a shuddering breath. “What do you mean? Are you asking me to stay until the next auction?” She closed her eyes against the tears that stung them, hoping with everything inside her that he would pull her against him and tell her she belonged to him. Just the thought of any other man touching her filled her with revulsion. She wanted Royce. Her body knew its master, and her soul knew that this was the man she’d been waiting a lifetime for. Royce tensed behind her. “If that’s what you want.” His cool tone had a bite to it that sent a chill running up and down her spine. “You stay here for the next month and King and I will teach you all you need to know about submission. When the auction comes up next month, you’ll be auctioned off to the highest bidder. That is what you want, isn’t it?” “Yes.” But only if it’s you! Brenna wanted to cry. Feeling bereft at the distance in his tone, she tried to move away, but Royce used his body to crowd her against the back of the chaise. Trembling, she swallowed a sob. “None of the men there will be anything like Donner, will they?” “No. They won’t. The man—or men—who buy you will give you everything you need.”

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Fisting her hands on the back of the chaise, she stood stiffly. “I still don’t understand how a woman can enjoy being beaten.” “Not beaten. Whipped. Spanked. From this minute on, you’re a submissive in training. You obey King and me to the letter. Believe me, we’ll spend the next month putting you through your paces, and teaching you to submit completely to us. By the end of the month, you’ll beg to be spanked, whipped, restrained, and made to do things you’re not going to be comfortable doing. And you’ll beg for more. Do you know why?” If he spoke to her in that erotically silky tone, she’d do anything he asked. “W–Why?” “Because you’ll become addicted. Once you experience the pleasure of surrendering, you won’t be able to live without it. It gets in your blood. You’re already beginning to crave it, aren’t you?” “Yes.” He turned her in his arms, wrapping a hand in her hair to pull her head back and staring into her eyes, his own dark and hooded. “So it’s agreed. You’ll belong to King and me for the next month. You’ll be ours to do with as we please. We’ll teach you to submit, and the rewards to be gained from surrendering yourself completely. Agreed?” God help her, she couldn’t deny this chance, one she may never have in her life again. She’d fill this month with memories that she could carry with her. She’d never forgive herself if she walked away now. She’d know if this was what she’d been missing. She had to lick her dry lips before speaking. “Agreed.” Royce released her with a speed that stunned her and stepped away, leaving her feeling bereft. “Get some rest. Tomorrow, Sebastian will come up with a contract for you to sign. Once you sign it, we begin.” Brenna watched him walk away, fighting not to run after him. He turned at the doorway. “You’ll be locked in. If you need something, pick up the phone and Sebastian will get it for you.” “Why are you locking me in?” Royce raised a brow, his eyes unreadable. “You’re my possession now, Brenna. I always keep the things most valuable to me under lock and key. Sleep well. You’re going to need your rest for tomorrow.”

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Brenna watched him go, her body still trembling with need. Turning, she went to the table to pour the last glass of wine from the bottle, not even bothering to put on the robe. It would be too hot anyway. Feeling more sensuous than she’d ever felt in her life, she took another sip of wine and let her fingers trail over her breasts and lower. Maybe if she masturbated, she could relieve some of this tension and get some sleep. The ringing of the phone startled her. Jumping to her feet, she raced to it, lifting the receiver with no small amount of trepidation. “Hello?” “Keep those hands away from that pussy and clit. Since you’re my property now, I’ve turned on the camera in your room. I’ll be watching you. That body belongs to me now and I haven’t given you permission to touch it.” Brenna blinked, setting the glass of wine on the end table for fear of spilling it. “What?” “Your orgasms belong to me as well. You won’t be permitted to come without my permission. Go to bed. Now.” The phone clicked in her ear before she could reply. Not daring to defy him for fear that he would change his mind, she hurriedly scrambled into the bed, pulling the covers high. Reaching over, she turned off the light, plunging the room into darkness. She needed release desperately, but she needed Royce to give it to her. It was a long time before she slept.

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Chapter Four “Nice.” King’s grin widened. “Very nice. That gives us an entire month with Red.” He leaned back in his chair, folding his hands behind his head, surreptitiously attempting to ease the knots that had grown steadily tighter all evening. He usually enjoyed the auction. He looked forward to the sexual tension in the room and the thrill of heightening the women’s arousal by allowing the other men to inspect what they bid on. He loved the teasing, loved whipping the men attending and the women into a frenzy. Tonight, however, he’d been distracted, his mind on a pint-size redhead, and what Royce was doing to her. Anticipation rushed through his veins, warming him more effectively than the shot of good whiskey he’d had just before coming upstairs. They’d closed the club just a short time ago, and in less than an hour the sun would be rising. He knew he should try to get some sleep, but also knew he wouldn’t be able to rest until he heard more about what happened this evening between Royce and Brenna. Sitting in the large room that separated his and Royce’s bedrooms, King shifted to a more comfortable position, his cock still hard from listening to his friend’s account of tonight’s encounter with Brenna. He eyed his business partner and friend, curious about the turmoil swirling in his eyes. “You’re too quiet. Is something about Red bothering you?” To his surprise, Royce moved to the window and stared out, his expression closed. “No.” King sat up. “So you didn’t tell her that we normally don’t train submissives—or that we don’t see them until the morning of the auction? You didn’t tell her that Sebastian usually prepares them and we don’t even see them until it’s time to blindfold them and lead them out?”

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“No.” “Interesting.” He sat back again, his eyes drifting once again to the large-screen television. Smiling when Brenna rolled over again, he glanced at Royce. “I’ve been thinking about her all night. The mood you’ve been in ever since you came down to the auction only makes me more curious. You said she came before you really had a chance to touch her?” Royce crossed the room and sat on the large sofa, staring at the television screen, his bland expression not fooling King for a minute. “Not enough to give her any satisfaction. Then, she ran out.” King found himself looking forward, very much, to the time he would be spending with Brenna later on in the day. “And now she wants to experience life as a submissive to prepare for being sold at next month’s auction?” Royce sighed, never taking his eyes from the screen, frowning when Brenna turned again. “She’s awfully restless, isn’t she? She’ll probably be tired tomorrow. Why don’t you let me—” “No.” King came to his feet and stretched. “You got her tonight. Tomorrow, she’s mine—something I’m looking forward to very much.” To his surprise, Royce shot to his feet. “Be easy with her. She’s not used to this.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, his eyes going back to the screen. “She doesn’t even know what she wants. She still can’t understand how a woman could like erotic pain. She’s never experienced it, King.” He sighed again. “It’ll probably be temporary, just until the auction. She hasn’t experienced any of this. She would have no idea what men like us would expect from her.” King nodded, eyeing Royce thoughtfully. “Then I guess it’s up to us to show her.” For the first time since they’d come back upstairs, Royce smiled, a slow smile filled with a combination of devious intent and something that looked remarkably like concern. “Yeah, I guess it is.” King studied his friend, wondering if Royce realized that he was trying to convince himself not to get too attached to Brenna by reminding himself that this was only temporary. Royce had already started to fall for her. Suddenly, tomorrow seemed a long time away.

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Brenna’s hand shook as she signed the contract that had been on the tray with her breakfast, a contract that would be broken as soon as she used her safe word. When Sebastian came to retrieve it along with her tray, he informed her that Master King would be arriving soon and she should be showered and ready for him. She’d been shocked to find that sometime during the night, all of her clothing had disappeared from the room, leaving her nothing to wear except the robe she’d worn the night before. She’d been pacing for the last fifteen minutes, nervous about King coming for her. She would have felt more comfortable if she knew that she would be spending time with Royce. After all, she knew him a little better, while King was a virtual stranger. She didn’t know him or what he had planned for her. She knew, though, that if she used her safe word with him, she would never be able to be with Royce again. All night she’d thought about Royce, and remembered the need glittering in his eyes. She desperately wanted the chance to be with him again, to see if she could give back some of the pleasure he gave her. In order to do that, she had to be strong, and endure whatever King had planned for her. She was confident in herself to a certain degree, but had serious doubts that she would ever be able to handle a man like King. Masculine. Possessive. Wicked. Powerful. She saw it in his eyes, felt it in his touch. In bed, a man like King would be a force to be reckoned with, one that no woman would be able to tame. Pacing back across the room toward the window, she gasped in surprise as the door swung open, whirling toward it. Her mouth went dry, her heart pounding nearly out of her chest. King stood just inside her room, wearing black leather pants and boots, his wide, muscular chest bare. He looked larger than life, and easily the most threatening man she’d ever encountered in her life. His chest was

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huge, the muscles in it, and in the arms he crossed over it, appearing even larger without his shirt. Filling the doorway, he oozed strength and masculinity. She’d never been with a man so frightening. She automatically took a step back, her eyes raking over him. She nearly stumbled when she saw the short whip dangling from his belt, one with several leather strips at the end. “Hello, Red. It appears you belong to us for the next month. Do you understand what that means?” Shivering at the cool, gravelly tone in his voice, Brenna nodded. “I think so.” King smiled coldly. “You’d better know so before we go any further. It means that you belong to us. We can do whatever we want to do with you, within reason. Neither Royce nor I will do anything to you from which you can’t recover. If you use your safe word, it’s over. That body belongs to us. To touch. To taste. To explore. To fuck. To punish—whenever we want, and to the extent that we want. It was all spelled out for you in the contract you signed.” Brenna nodded again, remembering some of the things mentioned in the contract, and not wanting to admit that she’d been too nervous and distracted to absorb all of it. Just the thought of Royce doing some of those things to her had aroused her beyond belief. To imagine allowing King that kind of complete access terrified her. “So, Red, I want to see what belongs to me.” Brenna blinked. “Excuse me?” Unfolding his arms, King came forward. “You’re hiding my property from me. I want to see it. Take off the robe.” Glancing at the open doorway, Brenna hesitated. “All of my clothes are gone.” King inclined his head, his eyes going hard and cold. “I know. If Royce or I want you to wear something, we’ll provide it. Otherwise, you’ll have a robe, one that you’ll remove when I tell you to.” He came forward, his long legs covering the ground between them at a speed that terrified her. Brenna panicked and took several steps back, crying out when he grabbed the belt of the robe and tossed it aside.

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Taking her chin in his strong grip, King lifted her face to his, running his thumb over her lips as though testing their softness. “I dislike explaining myself, Red. I know you’re new to this, which is why I’m going to let this slide. Once. When I tell you to do something, I expect to be obeyed. Immediately. Take off the robe, Red, or use your safe word. Now.” Releasing her, he stepped back, his eyes narrowed as he waited. Trembling at his touch and chilled by his cold, distant tone, Brenna swallowed heavily, nearly breathless at being so close to him. Heat poured from him, the bunch and shift of the clearly defined muscles in front of her making her hands itch to reach out and touch him. “Hesitation and refusal to obey will earn you punishments. Is that how we have to begin?” Brenna blinked, snapping her head up to meet his gaze again. “No. I’m sorry, I just…” He looked pointedly at where she held the edges of her robe together before meeting her eyes again, lifting a brow expectantly. “Well?” Nodding again, Brenna released the tight grip she had on her robe, sucking in a sharp breath at the surge of awareness going through her when King’s gaze lowered to the skin she’d revealed. Her stomach tightened as she shrugged the robe from her shoulders, her nipples beaded tight under his stare. Vulnerable and insecure, she wrapped her arms around herself, one over her breasts, the other hand over her mound. King frowned in disproval. “You think hiding what belongs to me from me is allowed? Put your hands at your sides. Don’t ever try to hide yourself from me again.” Shaking uncontrollably now, Brenna let her hands fall to her sides, standing stiffly under his intense scrutiny. She couldn’t remember ever feeling so completely defenseless and, short of using her safe word and taking a chance of never being with Royce again, there was nothing she could do about it. The only thing she wore was the choker Royce had placed around her neck the day before. It suddenly felt tighter and heavier than ever, a sharp reminder that she’d been branded as theirs.

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She’d already made the decision to explore this fantasy, and even though she was scared, the excitement and beginnings of lust bubbling through her veins wouldn’t let her quit now. “Head up. Shoulders back. Thrust those breasts out.” Shocked at the surge of heat and rush of moisture from her pussy, she sucked in a breath and obeyed him, her nipples so tight they ached. Pressing her thighs together, she stood as still as she could, her breathing becoming harsh as he circled behind her. Her skin burned everywhere his gaze lingered, every inch of her body coming alive with need. He came back around, stepping back and staring at her mound. “You’ll go to the spa tomorrow and have that pussy waxed. I don’t like it hidden from me, and once you’ve been waxed, you’ll be more sensitive there.” She remembered the feel of it from the time she’d shaved her mound a few years ago, but she couldn’t imagine what it would be like feel so bared with King and Royce. She would love to find out, though. She met his eyes, her cheeks burning. “Okay.” His brows went up, his brilliant gaze holding hers. “It was an order, Red, not a request. Follow me into the playroom. Royce tells me that he didn’t get a chance to finish inspecting you.” He turned and walked away, leaving her to follow behind him, somehow knowing when she bent to retrieve the robe. “Leave the robe, Red. Move.” Scurrying to catch up with him, Brenna couldn’t help but feel selfconscious when she stepped out into the hallway. Despite Royce’s assurance that others didn’t come to this floor, she knew Sebastian did, and nearly sagged in relief to find the hallway empty. As she followed King to the far end, she hoped Royce would appear, knowing his presence would ease some of her anxiety, an anxiety that increased the closer they got to the heavy wood door. She found it more difficult to keep her arms at her sides than she would have imagined, but she didn’t dare cover herself, glad that she hadn’t when they reached the room and King turned, his eyes raking over her. He pushed the door open, gesturing for her to precede him. “Very good. You didn’t try to cover yourself. I know you wanted to. Since you’ll be

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naked most of the time, you’ll get a little more used to it. Not entirely, though.” His cold smile sent a shiver through her. “We wouldn’t want that to happen. That sense of vulnerability you feel now at being naked will never completely go away. Go stand over there.” He closed the door behind him, the click of the heavy door catching making her jump. The first thing that that struck her was that every light had been turned on, illuminating the entire room, and allowing her to see items she probably would have been better off not seeing. Shelves filled with a variety of ominous-looking leather and metal contraptions that she had a feeling would be used on her at some point lined an entire wall. Tables and benches of different heights and sizes stood scattered around the room, almost each one made of leather. Looking in the direction King pointed, Brenna gulped, her steps faltering when she saw the chains hanging from the ceiling and lying next to a bar on the floor. She couldn’t help it. She stopped, looking at him fearfully, her mind racing. “What are you going to do to me?” King’s cold smile chilled her. “I’m going to beat your ass if you hesitate or question me again. Stand right here.” It took a tremendous amount of willpower not to cover herself as she rushed to where he pointed. Painfully aware of her nakedness, she lifted her gaze to King’s in a desperate attempt to find a clue to what he was thinking, but his expression remained closed, his eyes remote and assessing. “Very good. There’ll be no running away like you did with Royce. Frankly, I’m surprised that he allowed it. He must be getting soft.” Brenna shivered. She couldn’t even imagine what he would do to her if he thought Royce had been soft. “Put your hands over your head and grab the bar above you.” The sharp demand in his voice had her scrambling to obey him. Lifting her arms, she became aware of how the movement lifted her breasts, leaving them even more vulnerable. The feel of the leather pants he wore brushing over her bare bottom made her stomach jolt and sent a fresh wave of moisture to coat her thighs.

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She hadn’t expected to become so excited with King, his cool presence and hardness nothing like the way Royce had been with her yesterday. She looked up at the bar as he wrapped something around her wrist, instinctively trying to jerk away when she saw him wrapping a strap around it. “No. Don’t do this. I’ll be still.” King chuckled. “No doesn’t work in this room. Just use your safe word, and you’re free to leave.” She couldn’t do that and he knew it. Trembling, she watched helplessly while he fastened the buckles. Once he finished, she tested the bonds, her alarm growing when they didn’t give at all. “I think I hate you. Royce is much nicer.” She had no idea what prompted her to provoke him, and wished she could call the words back, but it was too late. King stilled and moved around to stand in front of her, his fingers closing around her nipples, pinching them until she cried out and went to her toes. “Don’t ever try to play one of us against the other. Believe me, Royce can be just as cruel and devious as I am. Spread those legs, Red.” Shocked at the surge of lust at the sharp pain in her nipples, Brenna had to grab the bar tighter to remain upright. She didn’t want to admit to herself how much it excited her, and she sure as hell didn’t want him to see in case it spurred him to do something even more wicked to her. Releasing her nipples, he knelt at her feet, running his fingers through the curls at her mound. “It’s nice to see that you’re a natural redhead, but this has to go. I want to see and feel that pussy without anything in my way.” Trembling with need, she looked down, shaking even more when he pulled her legs wide, hooking them to either end of a bar, which he then attached to the floor. Frightened at being put in such a completely defenseless position, she bit her lip, struggling to control her ragged breathing. King stepped back, eyeing her critically before nodding. “Very good. Now I can inspect my property. If you speak, other than to use your safe

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word or answer my questions, I’ll gag you, then you won’t be able to use your safe word at all.” “Yes. Do it.” Brenna shook, her arousal so intense she wanted to scream. “I’m not going to be able to be quiet and I don’t want to use my safe word. I’m going to mess this up. I know it. Please. Don’t let me. I want, no, I need to do this. I need to see Royce again. Please, just gag me and do whatever you want.” King grinned, but she would swear she saw a flash of anger and hurt in his eyes. “Interesting. You’re really worked up over having to deal with me, aren’t you? It also appears you have no idea what submitting is all about. Well. Let’s see how well you do without the gag. I think I want to hear you beg, Red.” “Please take me.” King’s brow went up. “Do you mean fuck you?” “Yes. Fuck me. Please. I can’t stand any more.” His eyes hardened, making him even more intimidating. “When I want to fuck you, Red, I’ll fuck you. I don’t need your permission, remember? You haven’t done anything to deserve my cock. You can’t be still and you can’t shut up. You’ve been so bad that I might not even let you come today.” “I’ll do anything you want. Just don’t hurt me or let me use my safe word.” Holding her gaze, his eyes watchful, King cupped her breasts, rolling her nipples between his thumbs and forefingers, and then just as quickly, released them, slapping the underside of her breasts. “You’ll do anything anyway. You have no choice, Red. Have you ever had your nipples clamped?” With her breasts on fire and the waves of heat flowing to her center, Brenna had trouble concentrating. Closing her eyes, she swallowed heavily, crying out, her eyes popping open when her nipples were pinched again. “Answer me, Red.” “I—uh—sort of.” King’s brows went up. “What do you mean, sort of? Either they’ve been clamped or they haven’t.”

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Brenna shuddered at the memory. “I tr–tried to g–get my b–boyfriend to be more…and I bought them, but didn’t have the nerve to ask him to use them. I p–put them on m–myself, but it hurt too much.” King ran a thumb over her chin. “You’ve fantasized about it but couldn’t get what you wanted?” Brenna nodded, slightly panicked that he would clamp her nipples now, while they were so vulnerable. “He said I was too bossy and demanding. You’re not going to clamp them now, are you?” The thought of having them clamped when they were so sensitive and when she could do nothing to stop him scared her to death, but also excited her enough that a fresh rush of moisture coated her thighs. She’d die if he found out. King chuckled coldly. “You have a right to be scared. Believe me, Red, I’m bossier and more demanding than you could ever be. When you’re in this position, I can clamp your nipples and there isn’t a thing you can do about it. You’re very lucky that today is only an inspection. Have you ever sucked cock?” Brenna nodded, her stomach fluttering at having a man like King weak and desperate as she sucked him to completion. “A few times.” Her eyes went to the bulge at the front of his leather pants, her mouth watering. She’d love to have the chance to feel him shake with arousal and become putty in her hands. “Have you ever been forced to suck cock?” Her gaze flew to his, once again dropping to take in his massive chest and arms. He could force her so easily. He could make her get on her knees and shove his cock into her mouth and suck him. The thought of being bound while he did this, his hands fisting into her hair to work his cock in and out of her mouth, sent another wave of longing through her. “N–No.” The few men she’d been with would never have had the balls to try. King cupped her jaw, forcing her mouth open. He ran a finger back and forth over her bottom lip, startling her at the absolute dominance in such a simple act. “You will. When I think you’re ready, I’m going to shove my cock between these soft, pink lips and teach you how to take me all the way to your throat.”

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Keeping her face lifted, he ran a hand down her body to her center. Avoiding her clit, he slid a hand between her thighs and sank a finger into her pussy with a firm thrust that forced a cry from her. Brenna bit her lip to hold back another cry, but couldn’t smother her moan. Her toes curled in an effort to prevent her pussy from clamping down on him. He pressed against her pussy walls as if testing her and moved his finger inside her with a firm touch, holding her gaze with his steely one the entire time he explored her. Those tingling waves began, tightening her pussy on his finger as her orgasm raced toward her. She tried to stop it, to hold herself steady, but couldn’t. She didn’t want to come with King. She wanted Royce. Coming now would be like a betrayal to Royce. King was too rough, too raw in his dominance. Her body wouldn’t listen, trembling helplessly at his touch, each stroke like fingers of electricity moving over her—inside her. Her body tightened, her breath coming out in gasps as the pressure built. She stiffened, sucking in a breath at the powerful wave inside her. She only needed one more stroke. With a growl, King slid his finger free with a speed that left her clenching at emptiness, cries of distress pouring out of her. Tears of frustration blurred her vision. “No. Please don’t stop. I was starting to come. I need—” “Quiet!” He slapped her breast, a light slap on her nipple that sent another jolt of sizzling heat to her clit. Her frantic cries echoed in the room as she wiggled as much as the bonds would allow in an effort to get closer. King tapped her nipple, his eyes hooded and watchful as she squirmed and cried out again. “I know damned well you were starting to come. You’re not dealing with one of your boyfriends, Red. I know what you need, perhaps better than you do. You’re remarkably passionate, and probably the most naturally submissive woman I’ve ever met. Have you ever had this clit clamped?” Just imagining it scared her to death. Her fantasies had never involved anything painful. “It would hurt.”

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The cold smile King gave her scared her even more. “That’s entirely the point, Red. You’ll love it.” “But—” King’s brow went up as he tapped her nipple again, keeping her body primed. “You want to be sold at auction. You really don’t think the Master who pays handsomely for you is going to allow you to dictate terms, do you?” “King, I—” “Master. When you wish to address me in this room, you will refer to me as Master.” Brenna bristled at his arrogance, but some part, deep inside, got an erotic thrill from it, one that left her stammering. “M–Master.” The word stuck in her throat, but sounded so right. “I don’t think I could stand that.” King ran his fingers over her belly and thighs, his touch light and exploring as though testing the resiliency of her skin. “When you’re aroused enough, and you need relief enough, you’ll take anything I give you. You’ll do absolutely anything you’re told to do without hesitation. It’s going to be a hard lesson for someone as headstrong as you are to accept, but you’ll have to.” He sounded just a little distracted, as though talking to himself as his fingers moved lower. “As passionate as you are, I think it’ll be a long time before we reach your limits.” Lifting his gaze to hers, his eyes full of curiosity and fascination, he ran a finger over her clit. With her legs spread in a wide stance that kept her folds parted, she couldn’t do a thing to get away from the sizzling heat, no matter how hard she struggled. It took every ounce of willpower she possessed to keep from crying out at the growing pressure. She didn’t want to come with King—especially when he watched her with that possessive look in his eyes. What would it be like to belong to such a man? “You’re a magnificent sub, one that any Master would be thrilled to take on.” Something in his eyes, regret perhaps, and a wonder she found irresistible, had her arching to get close to him. The words tumbled from her lips before she could stop them. “Would you like to try? I mean, instead of auctioning me off?”

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His eyes softened, the hands at her waist clenching once before he released her and turned away. “We’ll have to see about that, Red. But make no mistake—if I decide to be your Master, there would be no trying about it.” He moved to stand behind her, his breath warm against her ear. His fingers moved over the silver choker around her neck. Although he didn’t touch her anywhere else, she felt the heat from his body all along the back of hers. “You’re going to have to prove that you want to be mastered. Forever. Every day. You’re going to have to prove that you can handle having two Masters in your life. Do you have any idea how close a Master and submissive get? It’s a strong bond, Red, one that most people can’t handle. I’m not about to get wrapped up in a woman who can’t go the distance. Remember, Royce and I share women. You would belong to both of us. Our property.” Brenna shivered at the deep rumble in his soft voice. Her nipples beaded even tighter, her breasts feeling swollen and heavy. Her bottom clenched at the brush of his leg against it. Being tied in this wide-open position left her so open and exposed, the air caressing her slit increasing her sense of vulnerability. “I don’t think I know how to submit. Teach me.” King cursed under his breath and straightened, his hands moving over the globes of her ass. “Have you ever been fucked in the ass?” Her bottom tightened in response, the puckered opening tingling with awareness. She’d always wished one of her boyfriends would suggest it, but they hadn’t, and she’d been too embarrassed to ask for it herself. She gulped. “N–No.” Her choked answer seemed to please him immensely. Inwardly cursing the show of weakness, she lifted her chin, trying to ignore the way her nipples tingled for attention. Instead of filling her pussy with his finger again, or stroking her clit the way she expected, he ran his hands over the cheeks of her ass. His lips touched her ear, his words slow and deep. “A virgin ass. Mine to explore. I wonder how much you’ll like having your ass breached. Explored. Stretched. Used. Fucked. Filled with whatever I want to fill you

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with at my whim. You’ll fight me. Yes, Red, you will. You’ll never be completely tamed, but it would be a hell of a lot of fun to try.” Brenna closed her eyes, trying to clench her bottom closed, but with her legs spread so wide, she couldn’t. “I don’t know if I can, King, um, Master. I’ve never—” “You don’t have a choice, remember, Red? This ass is mine. I can use it as I see fit. I can give it to someone else to use if I choose.” Her stomach dropped. She was already in over her head with him. She couldn’t imagine trying to get used to someone else. “No! Please. I can’t. I only want to belong to you and Royce. I can’t give myself to anyone else.” King slapped her ass, a sharp slap that surprised her with its heat. No man she’d been with had ever had the nerve to spank her before, one of her darkest fantasies. “You give nothing. This ass is mine to give, not yours. How do you expect to be auctioned off if you don’t want another man to touch you? Every man in the room will be able to handle the merchandise up for sale. I can bend you over and let every man in the room take turns shoving their fingers inside your ass, and there won’t be a damned thing you could do about it.” Brenna shook, unable to bear the thought of any man other than Royce or King touching her. Even though neither one of them had actually taken her, she already felt as if she belonged to them more than she’d ever belonged to any man. The lingering heat on her bottom spread, making her hot all over. Hot. So hot. No one but Royce and King had ever made her feel this way. Now that she’d had a taste of it, she wanted more. Much more. Throwing her head back, she groaned. “Please. I don’t want anyone else to touch me.” “You’ll change your mind. A few minutes ago, you didn’t want me to touch you, remember?” King scraped his teeth over her shoulder, sending a thrill of alarm through her. King laughed softly, a sinful laugh that sent shivers up her spine. “Now, you’re trembling with need, and you shiver each time I touch you. Your thighs are soaked with your juices.” He ran a finger over her inner thigh. “Soaked, and I’ve barely touched you.”

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Bending low, he unhooked her feet from the bar, keeping them spread wide, and helped her straighten before reaching over her head to release her wrists. Free from restraints, she had to lock her knees to keep from falling. Turning, she flattened her hands on his chest, marveling at the feel of his huge muscles bunching under her palm. “What do you want me to do?” Wincing at the tremor in her voice, she dug her fingers into him, needing the contact and the strength of it to steady her. King looked pointedly at her hands before lifting his head, a dark brow going up. “Did I give you permission to touch me?” Brenna jerked her hands away, afraid that in her inexperience, she would do something that would make him change his mind. “No. I’m sorry. I didn’t—” “No, what?” Brenna shivered again at the steel in his tone, stiffening so he wouldn’t notice. Staring into his eyes, she suddenly realized what he wanted. “No, Master. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize I wasn’t allowed to touch you.” Something seemed to be changing. She found herself more in tune with him by the minute—more aware of his mood and sensitive to the changes in his tone. Calling him Master didn’t seem as ridiculous as it had just moments earlier. She wanted to earn another of those smiles from him. She wanted to be special to him—to give him more pleasure than any woman ever had. To her relief, King’s lips curved. “I know, Red. You’ll learn. It’s my job to teach you. I just don’t know if you’re strong enough to take on two Masters.” Bristling at the idea of her not being strong enough when her strength had scared away every boyfriend, Brenna opened her mouth to tell him that only her inexperience made it possible for him to shake her now. He touched her lips when she attempted to speak, effectively silencing her. “All the words in the world won’t convince me. You’re going to have to prove it.” Brenna snapped her mouth closed, surprised when he led her to one of the smaller benches.

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“Bend over this and spread your legs.” Willing to bet that he’d purposely used an icy tone to scare her, Brenna nodded once, trying not to look as nervous as she felt. Her bottom clenched tight, his threat of taking her ass still echoing in her mind. Shaking, she bent over the cool, leather bench, one that stood at an angle so that when she bent over it, her hips were higher than her head. “Spread those legs, Red.” A rush of moisture escaped at the command in his uncompromising tone. It was the tone of a man in charge, one who wouldn’t accept anything less than complete surrender. Instead of scaring her, the confidence in it gave her a sense of security, one that warmed her from the inside. She had no doubt of King’s ability to handle whatever came up. She would rely on his experience and strength to guide her. Trusting him now a little more, she found her arousal sharpening. Her bottom hole clenched tight against the sensation of the air moving over it. She had a feeling King would be well aware of the vulnerability she would be feeling at knowing he could see her pussy, ass, and clit, and she couldn’t see him at all. He seemed to be an expert at arousing her mind as well as her body, one of the aspects of intimacy she realized she’d been searching for. Gripping the padded bench, she closed her eyes tightly and obeyed him, spreading her feet as wide apart as she could. And waited. She waited, not daring to move, curious and apprehensive about what he would do to her. Resisting the urge to turn her head to see him, she remained in that position, her nerves stretched to the breaking point. She gasped at the sound of the door opening, jolting and turning to look over her shoulder, stopping abruptly when his deep voice rang out. “Don’t you dare move.” King’s tone promised retribution if she disobeyed him, but the thought of someone else seeing her this way mortified her. Fighting tears, she forced her shaking legs to remain in that position and squeezed her eyes even more tightly closed. “M–Master?”

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A hand slid over her bottom, a touch she recognized from the day before. “Yes, my darling sub?” Slumping at the sound of Royce’s amused tone, Brenna opened her eyes and looked over her shoulder at him. “I—um—King wants to put me in the auction, too.” She cried out at the hard pinch to her clit, alarmed that she started to come at the sharp pain. Writhing, she cried out again as another rush of moisture escaped, coating her already drenched thighs. Royce released her almost immediately. “Who?” “Master King!” Brenna kicked her feet, wiggling her ass in an effort to get some relief. King sighed. “Master Royce has been watching us the entire time, Red. I told you. We share. He knows everything I do to you and I know what he does. You signed the contract, remember? The contract that says we will train you to be sold at the next auction. Now, be quiet.” She heard soft sounds, but couldn’t identify them, her mind whirling with the fact that both men stood between her splayed thighs, and that Royce now wore leather pants similar to the ones that King wore. Rubbing a hand over her bottom, King sighed again. “She’s completely undisciplined.” “I’ll do better. Ow!” A sharp slap landed, this time on the delicate skin at the top of her thigh. She didn’t want to think about the heat that quickly spread to her slit. She was so close to coming that she feared only willpower would keep her from going over. King sighed again. “Like I said, she’s totally undisciplined. She speaks when she isn’t supposed to. She can’t hold back her orgasm, something we’d really have to work on if we’re going to try to train her. She’s got a temper. You can see it in her eyes. It’s going to have to be overcome. She questions everything, and can’t quite latch on to the concept that we own her body now, not her. I really don’t think a month is going to be enough time to train her.” Royce ran his fingertips through the moisture coating her inner thighs. “She is passionate, though. Full of fire. You’re right, though. I just don’t think she’s adventurous enough to see this through. Or disciplined enough.” “Agreed. She touched me, for God’s sake, and without permission.”

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Royce continued to stroke her inner thigh, moving closer and closer to her slit. “On the other hand, we can’t give up. We made a promise and signed a contract. She’s new at this. We’ll just work with her as much as we can. At least the Dom who buys her will get someone already partially trained. He’ll have to finish her training himself.” Brenna shuddered, unnerved by the way they talked about her as though she wasn’t there, and shaken at the thought of being sold to a stranger. “I’ll be good. I swear. I just want to be here. I don’t want to go to anyone else. I want to stay here with you.” Never in her life could she ever have imagined uttering those words, but at that moment, they seemed perfect. King slapped her ass again. “I swear, if you open that mouth again, I’m going to gag you. You want to prove that you’ll do anything? You want to show us that we own every inch of you? Part those ass cheeks and let us see what we own.” Scared to speak, Brenna spread her legs a little wider. Royce clicked his tongue. “With your hands, Brenna. Spread those cheeks.” Oh, God! Reaching back, she gripped her ass cheeks and spread them, wincing at the pinch at her puckered opening. Shaking in earnest now, she buried her face against the leather, feeling their stares. She never even knew she could feel so vulnerable. The ease in which they smashed through every defense stunned her, earning her respect as nothing else could have. She wanted them to take her, touch her, bend her to their will. In giving herself over to them, she found something she’d spent years looking for, and wouldn’t give it up without a fight. King patted her ass. “Very good. Now, beg me to inspect your ass. Don’t forget to address me properly.” “Oh, God!” “Not even close.” His amused tone fired her temper. “Why do I have to ask for it? I thought you said you owned me.” King sighed. “We do, but we want you to understand that you’re giving yourself to us. We’re not taking. But, once you give it, we won’t allow you to take it back. Each part of you that you give to us is ours, Red—until we

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give it to someone else. Now, do you have something to say to me, or would you like to leave now?” She couldn’t believe they were making her do this. Drawing a shaking breath, she squeezed her eyes closed before letting it out again. “M–Master, please inspect my ass.” “Of course, Red.” Brenna let out a strangled cry when a large, lubed finger pressed against her puckered opening and forced its way inside her. Curling her toes, she struggled to adapt to the extremely decadent and foreign sensation. She’d never felt anything so intimate. She’d never felt so owned. He began to move his finger, pressing against the inner walls of her anus, his finger circling, as though he wanted to make sure he didn’t miss a single spot. Fighting to remain still proved difficult, especially since she kept losing her grip on the cheeks of her ass. Overwhelmed at the decadent assault, she shook uncontrollably, whimpered cries pouring from her. Her thoughts jumbled as she tried to keep track of Royce and King’s conversation, in case they said something to her. But the roaring in her head and her ragged breathing and whimpers made it hard to hear anything, especially while struggling to remain still under the most intimate and shocking experience of her life. King said something low to Royce, who answered in a tone just as low, making it impossible for her to make out what they were saying. King moved his finger inside her, rotating it before pushing deep. Brenna cried out, groaning as her body gathered, and the warning tingles grew sharper. She was going to come! Oh, God! With his finger in her ass! Gulping in air, she tightened against it, knowing she’d never be able to look either one of them in the face again if she came now. King pressed a hand at her lower back, slipping the finger in her ass almost free. Keeping it at her opening, he pressed against the tight ring of muscle, making it burn. “I don’t believe it. I’m inspecting her and she’s about to come. It’s going to take a lot of patience to train someone so responsive and so undisciplined.” “Let me feel.”

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One finger slid from her, and just a second or two later, another slid deep. Tears stung her eyes, the need to come overwhelming. “I can’t help it. I’m sorry. I’m gonna—ah!” The finger in her ass thrust deep and began stroking, fucking her with a force that made it nearly impossible to breathe. It hurt a little, but the pain only sharpened the pleasure. This was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. Her orgasm hit her hard, so hard she couldn’t breathe. Something shifted inside her, her body jerking as the most sublime pleasure ran through her. Yes. So good. No one ever made her feel this way. Royce. King. Men unlike any she’d ever met. They made her want more. Surrendering brought her so much pleasure, more pleasure than even she’d imagined. Waves of the most incredible heat and sensation washed over her, making every inch of her body come alive. She jerked, crying out weakly as it released her from its grip. She slumped and grabbed on to the leather table for support, belatedly realizing that she must have let go of her bottom at some point. Shuddering as Royce withdrew, she buried her face against the leather. She could do this. She could submit to them in the playroom. Whenever she had the urge, she could go to them. She would walk away satisfied while giving them the kind of sex they needed. She didn’t want to think about this time ending in a month, though. Now that she’d found the kind of physical pleasure and closeness she’d dreamed about, she sure as hell didn’t want to take a chance of losing it. She couldn’t imagine never experiencing this kind of pleasure again. Slowly, she became aware of the disapproving silence all around her. Realizing she’d made a mistake, she swallowed heavily and rushed to apologize. “I’m s–sorry, Master.” When the silence continued, she started to cry. Shocked at herself, she swallowed heavily to hold it back as an overwhelming sense of loss nearly consumed her.

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For the first time in her life, she felt connected to a man, two men, and she’d already ruined it. She’d never be able to go back to the way she’d been before. She needed this as much as she needed to breathe. Finally, King lifted her to a standing position, turning her to face both of them. Cupping her cheek, he smiled when she automatically turned her face into his palm. “You’re forgiven this time. You really are an incredibly passionate and responsive woman.” Brenna smiled, thrilled to have another chance. “I’ll do the best I can. I’ll try so hard. You’re going to be so happy with me.” Royce reached out to cup her breast, while King reached a hand between her thighs to run a finger over her clit. “We’re already happy with you.” Brenna’s knees felt rubbery, and she realized for the first time that both men touched her at the same time. It felt so naughty to be touched by two men at once. It also made her feel desired and sexy. King tapped her clit, making her jolt. “Back to your room for now.” As they started for the door, Brenna looked from one to the other, still self-conscious at her nudity. “What do we do now? Do we have a certain time for sex? Do you just want me to let you know when I’m ready?” King sighed, sharing a look with Royce before meeting her eyes again. “You belong to us, Red. We’ll take you when we want you. We’ll fuck you when we want to. You’re ours, Red, something you seem to have a great deal of trouble understanding.” He ran his hand down her back to her bottom, his touch possessive. “You have a lot to learn, and I have a feeling you’re going to fight us. Just remember, you can go at any time, but when you go, don’t expect to come back.” Filled with dread, Brenna swallowed and turned to Royce. “When should I expect you?” Royce’s eyes hardened. “When we come for you. Go take a shower and get some rest.” He opened the door to her room, gripping her shoulder to stop her from entering.

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Reaching down, he tugged a nipple, staring down at it as he rolled it between his thumb and forefinger, his eyes narrowing as she cried out at the intense pleasure. “Don’t masturbate. Your body and orgasms are ours now.” Once inside, Brenna stared at the closed door, jolting at the loud click of the lock. She was a prisoner. A possession. A toy. She had to somehow learn to live with that, at least until she figured out another plan, because for the life of her, she couldn’t imagine walking away from them now.

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Chapter Five “So you’re the woman who has Royce and King all riled up. Congratulations. It’s about time.” Brenna searched the smiling woman’s features for any sarcasm, relieved when she found none. Smiling back, she shrugged. “I can’t imagine Royce and King all riled up, but I am the one staying at the club with them—at least for now.” “For now? Oh, by the way, I’m Natalie—Nat—Langley. You’re Brenna, right?” Curling her toes inside the slippers she’d been given to wear, Brenna pulled her robe tighter. “Yes. Do you live here in Desire?” Dressed as Brenna, in a terry robe and slippers, Nat studied her nails and frowned. “Yes, for years. Damn, I need a manicure worse than I thought.” Looking up again, she sat back, crossing one leg over the other. “How do you like our little town so far?” She’d spent the majority of her time at the club. “I haven’t seen much of it yet. I was walking the other day, but I have to admit, I didn’t pay much attention.” She’d been so shaken by the note that, even though she’d gone into stores, she hadn’t paid much attention. “I like what I’ve seen so far, and just know that everyone seems to like Royce and King.” Brenna couldn’t help but noticed that the woman seemed distracted, her thoughts apparently somewhere else. When her eyes cleared, they held an unhappiness in them that tugged at Brenna’s heart. Nat looked almost…lonely. Hoping to change the subject, Brenna forced a smile. “I’m nervous. I’ve never been to a place like this before.” To her relief, Nat smiled.

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“If you stay with Royce and King, this place will be like a second home to you.” Grinning, she raised a brow. “Full treatment, I presume?” Brenna shivered. “I think so. They were still talking to the woman out front when another brought me back here. This is going to hurt, isn’t it?” “It’s worth it. So, tell me about what happened with Donner.” Laughing, she patted Brenna’s knee. “If you stick around here, you’ll get used to my bluntness.” Letting out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding, Brenna shook her head. “I’m usually blunt, too, but being with Royce and King and learning things about this town have left me a little stunned.” The two women sat alone in a small alcove, out of the way of the bustling activity of the salon, where several women had their hair and nails done. Nat grinned, a mischievous grin that invited friendship. “You’ll get used to us. Ever had your pussy waxed?” Brenna’s face burned. “I’m almost thirty-four and the people in this town can still embarrass me.” Sitting back, she rubbed her damp palms over the robe covering her thighs. “Shaved. Never waxed. I did it to jump-start a lackluster sex life.” Nat sat forward. “Did it work?” “No.” She couldn’t believe she’d told a complete stranger something so intimate, but Nat was easy to talk to. She’d bet anything it would take quite a bit to shock her. Sitting back again, Nat nodded. “A man who makes you wax, or shaves you himself has no desire for a lackluster sex life.” “You sound like you speak from experience.” “Yep, I’m a sub.” Brenna blinked, finding it hard to imagine the woman sitting in front of her submitting to anyone. “You?” “Yep. My husband, Jake, is quite a man.” Her smile fell, and that sadness came back into her eyes. “I’m sorry.” Instinct had her sitting forward, covering Nat’s hand with her own. “I overstepped, something I do too often. I guess I’m more nervous about this whole thing than I thought.” Glancing around to make sure no one could overhear them, she lowered her voice.

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“I’ve never been with men like Royce and King before—you know— Doms. It’s exciting as hell when it’s not scaring me to death.” Nat smiled, taking Brenna’s hand in hers. “As long as it’s exciting and scary, you’re fine. It’s when he gets distracted and hangs up the phone when you walk into the room that it gets really scary.” “Mrs. Langley, we’re ready for you.” Nat got to her feet, gesturing toward the large room. “I’ll meet you in there afterward. I’m sure you have a lot of questions, and you can tell me all about yourself.” Hours later, a very relaxed Brenna made her way to the spa waiting room, the impossibly high heels forcing her to walk slowly. She’d dressed in the sundress she’d found lying on her bed when she came out of the shower, one in a bright floral pattern. Over it, she wore her own denim jacket, and red fuck-me pumps that Royce and King had also left for her. Taking a deep breath, she paused at the doorway as Royce and King came to their feet. Aware of the covetous stares at Royce and King from the woman behind the counter, Brenna shot her a look and stepped toward them, stopping abruptly when Royce held up his hand. With a possessive gleam in his eyes, he twirled a finger in the air, a silent demand that she turn. She hadn’t expected them to come with her, or to wait until she finished. “Have you been waiting all this time?” Royce twirled his finger again. “No. We had them call when you were almost ready.” She didn’t want to admit that it warmed her, but somehow made her feel like a possession. Deciding that she was thinking into it way too much, she did as he wanted and turned. After being treated to a full spa package, she knew she looked her best and, she had to admit, felt better than she had in years. Her hair, now a glossy wave of curls, had been trimmed and styled, while most of the other hair on her body had been ruthlessly waxed off. She loved the decadent feel of the air moving over her now-bare mound with each step, but more than that, she loved knowing that they knew she’d been waxed. She couldn’t wait for them to run their fingers over her smooth mound, knowing how sensitive it would be there now.

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She hadn’t been given a bra or panties to wear, and when she’d asked about them this morning, King had told her that if he wanted her to wear a bra or panties, he would damned well have provided them. Both men nodded their approval as King stepped closer, not bothering to keep his voice down. “You look beautiful. How does that pussy feel, now that it’s waxed?” Brenna’s face heated, and she couldn’t help but glance at the woman behind the counter. “Fine.” “Fine? I’ll bet it feels a hell of a lot better than fine. Let me see.” Brenna froze. “What? Here? Now?” He couldn’t be serious! King frowned. “Of course, here and now. Lift that dress. I want to see if they did a good job.” He raised a brow when she hesitated. “If you’d like to have me put you over my lap and that dress lifted over your head while I spank your ass first, that’s fine with me.” “No!” Hell, he would do it. Drawing a shaky breath, she pressed her thighs closed against the rush of heat there, inwardly cursing the fact that his threat had turned her on. Knowing he’d see and feel that her thighs had become coated with her juices, she turned her back to the woman at the counter, she grabbed the hem at the front of her dress with shaky hands and lifted it. Baring her mound to them, she made sure to keep her ass covered so the woman behind her didn’t see it. Royce smiled. “You don’t have to be shy about showing that ass. It’s a damned fine ass. Of course, if you let another man see it, I’ll have to beat you and kill him.” Brenna shivered as King knelt in front of her, sucking in a breath as his fingers danced lightly over her mound and folds. Thanking her lucky stars that no one else was in the waiting room, she locked her knees against the surge of lust and stared up at Royce through her lashes. “How are you going to keep my ass hidden when you auction me off?” Royce frowned. “We’ll deal with that when the time comes. For now, you’re ours, and we don’t share with others.” King tapped her thigh, sending a jolt of heat to her slit. “Spread ’em, Red.” He looked up when she hesitated. “Are you willing to accept the consequences of making me tell you twice?”

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Swallowing heavily, she spread her thighs, very much aware of the woman behind her. She’d die of embarrassment if King spanked her naked ass in full view of the smiling woman behind the counter. King, the devious rat, ran his fingers up and down her inner thighs. “She’s soaked again. It seems our little sub likes having her pussy waxed.” Straightening, he took her hands in his, allowing her dress to fall back in place. “Very good, Red.” To her surprise, he bent forward and brushed her lips with his. “Very good. Let’s get out of here.” With a steady arm around her waist, he led her outside, holding on to her when she would have fallen. “Sorry. I like wearing heels, but these are higher than what I’m used to.” Royce patted her bottom before sliding a steadying arm around her. “Your legs look a mile long in them.” King lifted her hand to his lips. “You know you’re allowed to touch us whenever you want, as long as you’re not in the playroom.” Brenna blinked. “Really?” Royce, who’d moved ahead to hold the door open, burst out in laughter when she pushed King against the wall. She knew she’d only been able to do it because she’d surprised him and because he wouldn’t hurt her. Taking full advantage of her position, she ran her hands all over him, thrilling at the chance to explore his hard body. His chest muscles flexed beneath her touch, his thighs as hard and large as tree trunks under her fingers. She squeezed his tight butt and started to reach for his cock before he stopped her. “Whoa! What do you think you’re doing?” He pulled her back and managed to get both of her wrists manacled in one of his hands. Brenna moaned, her heels making it possible to nuzzle his neck. “You said I could touch you.” Royce chuckled. “You did.” King’s eyes twinkled as he held her away and smiled down at her. “You’re right. I did. But, I didn’t think you would attack me. Maybe you’ve got a little streak of dominance in you.” Pressing against him, she sighed. “Probably. Now you see why I’m such a mess. I’ve intimidated every man I’ve ever dated.” King opened his mouth to speak, but she pushed out of his arms.

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“Please, don’t try to placate me. I like the sex, but it’s hard for me to submit. I realize that I’ll never be that sort of person. Hell, even during sex, I want to control everything. How the hell am I supposed to be submissive when I want to be the one in control? Fuck it. I’m sorry I said anything. Can we just go?” Feeling like a fool once again, she stormed through the door Royce held open, struggling when he grabbed her arm. “Let go of me. I already know I’m not going to last the month.” She looked around, embarrassed to see that they’d started to draw the attention of others. Seeing another man, one as dark as Royce and handsome as sin, she lowered her head. “Can we just go, please?” “We’ll talk about this later.” Royce turned, offering his hand as the other man approached. “Hello, Jake. Is Nat inside?” Brenna lifted her chin, instinctively stepping back at the cold anger and stark power swirling in Jake’s eyes. The other man held her gaze, not blinking, and raised a brow at her continued stare, smiling slightly when she lowered her gaze and snuck glances at him. Royce slipped an arm around her waist, tugging her closer in a possessive move that made her heart beat faster. Jake’s eyes followed the gesture, his brows going up. “You’re kidding. Yours?” King took her hand. “For now. So how’s Nat?” Jake nodded abruptly. “Fine. She’s fine. She wanted a day at the spa.” The tension in his tone had Brenna glancing up at him again. The frustration in his eyes tore at her, and she spoke without thinking. “Is Nat your wife?” His eyes, laser sharp, shifted to hers. “Yes. Why? Do you know my wife?” Brenna nodded hesitantly, thinking about the sad eyes on the women she’d met in the spa. “I met her inside.” “Did you?” His cold tone made her shiver. “Yes.” She looked from Royce to King and then back to Jake, knowing that none of this was any of her business. The sadness on the Nat’s face and the frustration on Jake’s loosened her tongue. “She loves you so much.”

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Jake blinked, his eyes clearing. “I know. Thank you. If you’ll excuse me, my wife’s waiting, and tonight’s our anniversary.” **** King lifted her into the front seat of the large SUV with an ease that made her feel small and fragile. “Scoot over.” Brenna hadn’t even settled in her seat before Royce turned to her. “Now, show me.” Sitting on the seat between them, she sucked in a breath at the sharp stab of lust at his steely command. Her stomach quivered as she reached for the hem of her dress and lifted it slowly, teasing all of them. Royce lifted a brow at her daring, but King merely whipped the hem of the dress to her waist, his hot hand pressing flat against her belly and holding it there, revealing her mound. Reaching out, Royce traced a fingertip over her bare mound, his eyes hot as they followed the movement. “Very smooth. Now, darling, you’re silky everywhere.” She’d expected to be more sensitive there, but even King and Royce’s lightest touch proved to be so much more. The need and fascination on their faces made her feel like the most desirable woman in the world, a feeling that made her head spin. She had to keep reminding herself that they’d perfected that look after years spent charming a woman into submitting. Their hooded gazes, sharp and alert, glittered with heat as they moved over her, as though she was the most important and irresistible thing in the world to them. They made her feel feminine and beautiful in ways she hasn’t felt in years. How could any woman resist feeling this way? Royce tapped her thigh. “Spread them, darling.” Sucking in a breath, Brenna obeyed him without hesitation, excitement racing through her veins at the need on both of their faces. She gripped a shoulder on each side for support, tilting her hips higher as Royce’s fingers went through her folds. A cry escaped when he touched a

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finger to her clit, her breath coming out in gasps as he toyed with the swollen nub. He lifted his head to look at King. “She’s so sensitive everywhere. As soon as we touch her she goes up in flames. We’re going to have to ease her into the whip, especially on her clit.” The air blowing over her folds and the feel of his fingers exploring such a sensitive place made it difficult to concentrate. Biting back another cry, she threw her head back. “You’re not serious? How the hell am I going to get the real one?” Damn it. She hadn’t meant to say that. Both men stilled and looked at each other. Royce stopped playing with her clit to run a hand over her thigh. “Real one? Real what?” “Nothing. I don’t know what I was saying. You get me so worked up that—oh!” She jumped when Royce ripped the front of her dress open, instinctively gripping his forearms when his fingers closed over her nipples, pinching them hard before releasing them. Staring into her eyes, he reached into his shirt pocket and drew out a nipple clamp, dangling it in front of her eyes. “I asked you a question.” She tried not to look at the clamp, but found her gaze drawn to it. She’d seen them in magazines, but even the one she’d used on herself hadn’t looked so frightening. She figured it had more to do with the large hand holding it than the clamp itself. Her nipples tightened almost painfully, the threat of having one of them clamped sending another jolt of heat to her clit. Tearing her gaze from the clamp, she touched the choker at her neck, staring into his eyes. “N–Nat said that this choker was a club choker. Sh–She said that, uh, if I belonged to you, my choker would match your rings.” With a shaking hand, she touched a finger to the brilliant emerald he wore, one that almost exactly matched his eyes. Reaching behind her, she touched the hand that King used to caress her hip, touching the ring there. “You both wear the same stone. When I mentioned it to Nat, she told me

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why. I saw that Jake wore a ring matching Nat’s choker. She belongs to him.” Her breath caught when Royce let the end of the clamp dance over her nipple. King lifted a brow and sat back in his seat. “And you think you want to belong to us when your month is over? You don’t even know what that entails. You do know the kind of club we own, don’t you? I don’t want to hear a bunch of nagging or deal with bouts of jealousy because we touched another woman. Right now, you’re taken in by the sex. There’s a hell of a lot more to it than that.” Brenna drew in a breath at the cold stab of hurt to her stomach. “You have sex with other women all the time, don’t you? I’m just an easy lay to you, aren’t I?” Royce, sitting in the driver’s seat, set her none too gently back in the center, covering her breasts before he started the engine. “Of course not. We’re selective in who we fuck, Brenna. We help Doms. We don’t train subs, except for our own enjoyment.” King yanked her from her seat, pulling her across his lap to look down at her. “You’re innocent of this lifestyle. Do you really think a woman like you is going to be able to take on two Doms? One is difficult enough, as I’m sure Nat told you. It won’t be easy and you wouldn’t always like how possessive and overbearing Royce and I can be.” Turning into him, she cuddled close. “She did. She also told me that it’s worth it.” Reaching up, she cupped his strong jaw, deciding to go for honesty. “I didn’t know men like you existed. Well, I did, but I didn’t realize everything involved. You make me feel like a woman in ways I never have before, and the sex is fantastic. I’ve never felt so fulfilled. If you teach me how to please you…” King’s hand slid inside her torn dress. He covered her breast and squeezed, his eyes unreadable. “There’s a lot more involved, Red. Some Doms share their women with other men. If you belonged to us, we wouldn’t. We’d be very possessive of you, so much so that it would probably drive you nuts.” Royce slid a hand up her leg to her slit. Spreading her wider, he plunged a finger into her pussy. “We would both demand complete obedience from

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you. Any show of temper or defiance would earn you a punishment. We admire temper in a woman, but we won’t have it used against us. We would see that as a play for attention and treat it accordingly. You would get attention, but probably not the kind you’d want.” Closing her legs on his hand, she grabbed the hand King used on her breast, urging him on. “Tell me. You said a whip. I have to admit, that scares me. Would it hurt bad? Would you use it if you got really mad at me?” Royce pressed his finger against a spot inside her that had her writhing on King’s lap. “No Dom worth his salt would ever punish in anger. A whip would hurt, especially on your clit.” Brenna stilled, finding it hard to imagine such a thing. “You would really whip my clit?” She knew she would never be able to stand the pain and tried to push away. King growled. “Stay where you are. Open those fucking thighs right now. Wide.” Brenna hesitated, knowing she’d bitten off more than she could chew, but she wouldn’t dare defy him and take the chance of being sent away. Not now. Not when there was so much more to discover. King pinched her nipple, making her whimper. “Now, Red. Wide open. One foot on the back of the seat and the other on the steering wheel.” Brenna bit her lip and obeyed him, certain that Royce, with his finger in her pussy, could feel it clench and release more of her juices. He would know how much this excited her. Royce smiled. “She liked that. She’s almost ready to come.” He slid deep and almost completely withdrew, his whole demeanor one of a possessive man who wanted what he considered his. “Your clit, your breasts, your ass, would all be whipped. It would hurt, but for the rest of that day, the slightest touch would reawaken every nerve ending there and heighten your arousal and your senses. You’re ours for now, Brenna. Leave it at that. You’re not ready to commit to this lifestyle. You’ve barely gotten your toes wet, so you sure as hell don’t know what you want yet.” King shoved aside the top of her dress, baring her breasts completely to their gazes again. “There’s also a bond that forms between a Dom and his

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sub. We don’t have that yet. Maybe we never will. Who knows? For now, you’ll just have to accept what we give you.” Brenna wanted to cry when they removed their hands and set her back in her seat. Covering herself, she stared straight ahead for several minutes before attempting to break the tense silence. “There might be a job for me here in town. I wanted to go check it out.” Both men whipped around to her in surprise. King’s eyes narrowed. “Where?” “A place called Indulgences. Nat said that her sister is one of the owners and that they’re so busy with orders, they need someone to take care of them. Nat said she works there sometimes, and that Kelly, one of the other owners, is home now. She’s pregnant and has to stay in bed.” King nodded. “Kelly is Blade’s wife. Our partner.” “Oh. That Kelly. I guess it’s a small world.” Royce nodded. “Especially in Desire. You can go see about the job as soon as we get home and you change.” King frowned. “If you get a job, though, we’ll want to know the hours you’re working. We’ll work it out so that we can have our time together. You’re also going to have to be watched closely, at least until we figure out who sent that note.” Royce touched her thigh, tugging her dress higher. “You’ll have time of your own, but we’ll demand time for us.” “It sounds perfect.” Brenna fought back a smile at how well things had begun to fall in place. She loved feeling wanted, loved the sex and the sense of fulfillment, but they’d been right in the fact that she’d only just begun and had so much more to learn. She was scared, though, of them giving up on her and feared if that happened, she’d never have this delicious feeling again. Even more frightening was the realization that they didn’t seem to feel the connection with her that they needed. Grateful that she had a month to learn all she could learn about this new way of life, Brenna leaned against Royce. “Thank you for the spa trip. I’ve been buffed, waxed, and shined. What are we doing now? I’d like to go meet Jesse Erickson. Nat called her and she’s expecting me.” King nodded. “We’ll take you by there now.”

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Brenna looked down at her torn dress and grimaced. “I need to change first, remember? Besides, I want to go alone. I’m sure she wouldn’t like—” “Jesse wouldn’t blink if we went with you.” Royce smiled and patted her knee. “She’s lived here long enough to understand the way things work here. She probably knows about Donner and the note already. Word travels fast in Desire.” Brenna nodded. “She knows. Nat told her, but I still want to go alone. Look, just because I’m your submissive for now, that doesn’t mean—” King ruthlessly cut her off. “Yes, it does.” Sliding his hand into her hair, he tilted her face to his. “That’s exactly what it means, and what I’ve been trying to tell you. Belonging to us means belonging to us, something it’s becoming very apparent you’re not prepared for.” He released her just as abruptly and cursed. Shooting him a look, Royce took her hand in his. “We’re not unreasonable, though. You can try to convince us.” Eager to do so, and spurred by the playfulness in his eyes, Brenna cuddled up to him. Looking up at him through her lashes, she toyed with the top button of his white shirt, slipping it free. Caressing his warm skin with her fingertips gave her more of a thrill than she would have imagined. “Please, Royce. I’d be so grateful. I’ll be careful. I promise. It’s broad daylight. The streets are full of people. Besides, how are we ever going to find out who’s doing this if I spent all my time locked in the club with you two watching me like a hawk?” She couldn’t believe that Royce’s body stiffened beneath her touch, something that made her feel even more desirable. “I’d really like to see a little more of the town, and it’s only a few blocks.” Royce stopped at a stop sign, his hooded gaze searching hers. “Very good convincing. It’s fine with me, as long as it’s okay with King.” She turned to find King watching her expectantly. “What can I say to convince you?” King grinned. “I want a kiss.” Sucking in a breath, Brenna turned and leaned toward him, lifting her face for his kiss. “Nope. You kiss me.”

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Brenna had to get to her knees to reach him, holding on to his shoulder as she bent toward him. She realized she’d forgotten to hold her dress closed when his hands covered her breasts, making her gasp just as her mouth touched his. He took over almost immediately, sliding his tongue over hers and deepening the kiss as he gently massaged her breasts. By the time he broke off the kiss, her head spun and her stomach had tightened with a fresh surge of arousal. “Come here.” King pulled her closer to him, waving in response to a greeting called out as they went through town. “We’re going back to the club. After you get back from Indulgences, you’re going to go to your room, strip, and go straight to the playroom.” Royce nodded and turned to her, his eyes gleaming. “Today, we’re going to enjoy you together.”

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Chapter Six Brenna nearly danced on her way back to the club, delighted that she’d not only managed to find a job in Desire, but that she’d also met potential new friends. With her body tingling with anticipation, she secured her hold on the bag of samples that Jesse Erickson had given her, smiling at the people she passed as she walked down the sidewalk. Walking had given her a chance to check out some of the places in town, some she wanted a chance to return to, but she didn’t dare stop now, knowing Royce and King would be waiting for her. No one had approached her, and there hadn’t been any more notes, leaving her wondering if the note had been a mistake, or possibly intended for someone else. Feeling much better, she had a spring to her step as she hurried back, anxious to be with Royce and King again. She’d missed them, and couldn’t believe how much. The need to belong to them deepened every day, especially now that she’d begun to understand that they genuinely cared about her happiness. They’d given her the clothes they’d had hidden away, letting her choose an outfit to wear. Of course, they’d stayed and watched her get ready, Royce reclining on the chaise in her room, while King stood by the window. She’d chosen a plain black pair of pants and a blue sweater, which both men had approved of, but she could still remember the looks of disapproval on their faces when they saw her in her plain cotton panties and bra. “Excuse me?” Brenna paused at the sound of a male voice coming from behind her, and turned, still smiling, to face him. Her heart raced, but she kept her smile in place as she glanced around to make sure there were still people around.

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Taller than both Royce and King, the man standing on the sidewalk had the same air about him that Royce, King, and even Jake had. Struck by the graceful power and authority, she stiffened as another thought occurred to her. Would be one of the men bidding at the next auction? Taking a step back, she touched the choker around her neck, nervous now. “Are you talking to me?” He smiled, gesturing toward her neck. “I recognized the choker. You don’t have to be nervous. I’m not your stalker. Are you Brenna?” “Yes.” She took a step back. “How did you know that?” He smiled, holding out his hands as if to prove he meant her no harm. “Royce and King have everyone on alert. Don’t be afraid. My name’s Logan James. I own the leather store here, and the special order King and Royce wanted is ready. I wondered if you’d take it to them for me.” Brenna nodded, blowing out a breath in relief. “Of course.” Grinning, he turned and headed back inside. “Thanks. I’ll be right back.” Curious, she moved closer to the window to see the kinds of items he’d put on display. Her mouth dropped open when she saw, in addition to clothing, whips of all sizes and types and several things that she couldn’t even identify. She even saw leather dildos, their tasteful arrangement in one of the corners making them appear no less threatening. Wondering what King and Royce had ordered, after all, they appeared to have a vast assortment of whatever they might need already in their playroom, she looked again at the clothing, but her eyes kept going to the dildos in the corner. When the door to the shop opened again, she stepped back, feigning interest in one of the skirts near the front. Logan walked out with a package in his hand, wrapped with brown paper and tied with a string. “Thank you. It shouldn’t surprise me that they guessed your right size. It was nice meeting you, Brenna. Hopefully, we’ll be seeing a lot more of you around here. Ever since Jesse got here, the men of Desire have been finding the perfect women for them left and right. She’s been our good luck charm.”

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He smiled, the flash of white only intensifying his masculine good looks, but doing nothing to diminish the aura of power and strength surrounding him. She decided he appeared to be a combination of Royce and King, with some of Royce’s grace and good looks, tempered with King’s strong masculinity. Smiling, she accepted the package. “Have you found yours yet?” He sighed, his smile falling slightly. “No. It takes a hell of a woman to put up with the rules in this town. If you ask the women, it’s worth it, but not a lot of women appreciate how the men here take care of them. They call us bossy—and that’s one of the better names they call us.” He leaned closer, speaking in a stage whisper. “Even some of the women who live here now occasionally claim we’re a little arrogant.” Brenna had already heard a great deal of it from Nat, and experienced some of it for herself. Feigning shock, she smiled. “No kidding?” Laughing at his narrowed gaze, she lifted the package he’d given her to her chest, curious about its contents. “You mentioned Jesse. Did you mean Jesse Erickson?” Inclining his head, Logan smiled. “I did. I see you have a bag from her store. Have you met her?” “Yes. As a matter of fact, she just hired me. I start the day after tomorrow. She gave me some samples to try.” “Congratulations. You’d better get back to the club before Royce and King start to worry. Tell them I’ll drop by later.” Brenna nodded and turned away, turning back impulsively. “May I ask you a question?” Logan cocked a brow. “Yes. What is it?” “Do you…I mean…are you…do you…are you looking for a woman? You sounded…I mean, the reason I asked is because you looked so—” His eyes iced over. “Are you offering yourself?” Nervous now, she rushed to explain. “No! Oh, God, I always make a mess of things.” She blew out a breath, and took another before starting again. “I have a friend, one who’s been hurt a lot. When I called her earlier and mentioned that I was here and that I’d found Royce and King…well, she sounded so depressed. I was hoping that once I settled here…I mean if I settle here, she might come for a visit. She’s very nice, but she has this habit of intimidating men, well, kind of like I

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do—did—until I got here. Nothing seems to intimidate the men here. I thought maybe…” “That I would like to meet her?” He smiled, the ice replaced with amusement. “Perhaps. I don’t care for blind dates, Brenna. I prefer the hunt. If she’s looking for a man—” “That’s just it. She’s sworn off men completely. She’s beautiful and smart and, you wouldn’t believe this, but she designs leather clothing for women. I just thought…” “Interesting. We’ll have to talk about it later.” He gestured over her shoulder. “Royce is coming for you and he doesn’t look too happy.” **** Brenna walked across the parking lot with Royce. “They’d be perfect together. I mean, I don’t know him very well, but he seemed like the kind of man who isn’t easily intimidated. At least she could meet him. I can’t believe I got the job. Jesse seems so nice. She gave me a bunch of samples to try, but I like the blue raspberry.” Royce lifted a brow. “That’s not for you to decide.” “Damn it, Royce. I like the raspberry.” She reached for the bag again, but he pulled it out of her reach. “Maybe we’ll let you have it. Maybe we won’t. Do you know how worried I was about you?” “I’m sorry. There was no reason to worry. I talked to Jesse a little while and then when I walked past the leather store, Logan came out to give me that package.” Gesturing toward the package he held, she touched his arm, thrilled that they’d considered her special enough to buy something for her. “He said that you guessed my right size. What is it?” Royce grinned, taking her hand and leading her up the steps. “Something for you to wear when you’re being punished. We figured that as undisciplined as you are, we’re going to have to work really hard to train you. This is guaranteed to turn you into a quivering little sub who’ll do anything not to wear it again. You’ll be begging for relief and just the thought of having to wear it again will keep you in check.”

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Brenna laughed, as she figured he’d expected her to, knowing nothing could accomplish all that. “Sure. What’s in that little package is going to do all that. Get real. I’m hungry. Where’s King? I have to tell him that I got the job.” **** Royce watched her run up the steps, not even bothering with the elevator. He followed at a much more leisurely pace, deep in thought as he nodded in Sebastian’s direction. He hadn’t wanted to tell her that King already knew she’d been hired. He and King kept close watch on her and had already arranged for Clay, one of Jesse’s husbands, to call when Brenna left the shop. He smiled when he heard her squeal, figuring she must have found King. Slowing his steps, he listened to her babbling about all that had happened since she left, ending with a plea that she be allowed to keep the blue raspberry. Hell, he didn’t care which one she wore, but he wanted to see if she would be capable of deferring to them. He wanted to know how she would react to not getting her way, if she’d be mad and throw a tantrum, or if she’d use her feminine wiles—wiles she seemed to have forgotten—to change his mind. He could handle the first, but looked very much forward to the second. He wanted to claim her, to make her theirs in every way possible, to chain her to them so she wouldn’t stand a chance of escaping. But it was all about choice. Fearing that what they wanted from a woman would be too much for her, they moved slower with her than they had with any other woman. Hell, they hadn’t even taken her yet! The slow teasing had started to tell on both of them, from their short tempers to their insomnia. How the hell could he sleep with his cock so fucking hard it hurt? Although she was headstrong and opinionated in some areas, she appeared to lack a great deal of confidence in her own sexuality and femininity.

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She’d taken some blows in those areas, and it showed. He and King had long given up on ever finding one woman they could share their lives with, and if he was honest with himself, he would admit that he’d never imagined himself with a woman as naïve or as much of a challenge as Brenna. He pictured himself with someone more experienced in this lifestyle, a woman who knew what would be expected of her and would act accordingly. He’d wanted a woman who would satisfy the need to dominate, one that would respond to his every touch and who would be eager to please. Brenna was all that and more. She submitted eagerly once she was aroused, but the rest of the time, she wanted to be independent. She also displayed a hesitancy as she fought her own instincts, one they would need to overcome. He could see the struggle in her eyes, and knew that she gave in when it suited her, just to satisfy her curiosity. She didn’t want their time to end together until she got the answers she was looking for, something he and King couldn’t let her get away with. He knew that even a look from him had the power to arouse her. He doubted that she knew he could see it, even her inner struggle not to let it show apparent to him. God, she excited him. She had the softness, the femininity that his friends had fallen for in the women they married, a softness he’d believed wouldn’t be right for him. Somehow, though, it enhanced her surrender, the power of her passion such a contrast to the softness she struggled to hide. Feminine to the core and afraid to show it. Remembering her anger the day she’d met them never failed to excite him. He knew then that she would be something special, but he hadn’t planned to get so lost in her. It was hard for him to face the truth. He was scared—gut-wrenching scared—that once he had her, he would never be able to give her up. If Brenna decided she couldn’t handle this lifestyle, one he knew he could never live without, he would be devastated.

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When she’d spoken about belonging to him and King, he’d had the most incredible urge to throw her over his shoulder and run back to the club with her. He couldn’t get attached to her, though, not the way he wanted to. Keeping some distance between them had to be one of the hardest things he’d ever done, but he needed to protect himself. So, he and King had used the excuse of the auction as a way to get close to her without committing themselves, an automatic defense mechanism to keep from getting hurt. He’d only known her for a few days and already he could feel his defenses crumbling down all around him. Part of him wanted to be easy on her, hoping that she could get through the month, while another part of him wanted to do his worst to her, in the hopes of scaring her away before he became too attached to her. He could see the confusion in her eyes as he and King went from one extreme to the other, but could do nothing about it. He’d convinced himself that if she ended up being a permanent part of their lives, she would have to deal with the many different levels of submission. If she couldn’t handle it, they would be better off knowing now. Because, God help him, he couldn’t change who he was. It appeared, though, that neither could she, and she had just begun the road to discovery of the kind of life she needed. He would help her on her journey, teach her what she needed to know and learn her boundaries. He thought he knew everything about himself and his own needs, but since meeting Brenna, he learned even more. Before the month ended, he feared—very much—that he would lose his heart. **** Brenna straddled King, who sat in a big leather chair at his desk, pressing her mound against the large bulge behind his zipper. “I’m so excited. Jesse seemed really nice.” King nodded. “Jesse is very nice. Why are you wearing clothes?” Brenna blinked. “Because I was out.”

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King’s hands clenched on her thighs. “I thought you were told to come back, go to your room, strip, and go to the playroom.” Brenna pouted, alarmed when his eyes narrowed. “I wanted to tell you I got the job. I was excited. I thought you would be happy for me.” “I am happy for you. Kiss me.” “What?” Brenna trembled. Other than King brushing his lips over hers in the spa, and the kiss he’d wanted after her spa visit, neither one of them had kissed her. “You want to kiss me?” His eyes narrowed. “Very much.” Flattening herself against his chest, Brenna bent forward and touched her lips to his, pushing her tongue against his to gain entrance. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him, brushing her tongue over his, but once again found her control of the kiss quickly stripped away. King wrapped his arms around her, sweeping her mouth with his tongue and exploring the recesses of her mouth, with a passion and dominance that took her breath away. She loved it. When he lifted his head, she slumped against him, her head spinning. “Wow. You’re a good kisser.” King laughed, slapping her ass. “So are you. Get off my lap and strip. You’ve been dressed all day.” Rubbing her ass and turned on by both the heat and dominance of it, Brenna crawled off of his lap, need already flowing through her veins. “Most people spend the day dressed, you know.” King grinned. “You aren’t most people. You belong to me and I want you to be naked when you’re around me. You’ll be naked more often than not, Red, something you’re going to have to get used to.” Royce entered the room, tossing both bags onto King’s desk. “She’ll be working part time. She said she already talked to her friend to send for the rest of her things. We’ll go through them and pick out what she can wear.” Brenna finished tugging off a sneaker, his words sending a chill through her. “You can pick what I wear?” Royce sighed. “You really have no idea what’s expected of you, do you? Of course we’ll pick out your clothing, just like we’ll pick out the

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scent you’re going to wear. You belong to us, Brenna. Every inch of you is ours to do with as we want.” He glanced at King. “We have a lot of work to do.” King nodded. “That we do.” Brenna finished taking off her other shoe and paused with her hands on the fastening of her pants. “Why haven’t either one of you taken me? Don’t you want me?” King raised a brow and came to his feet. “If we didn’t want you, Red, you wouldn’t be here. Are you trying to tell me you want my cock?” She wanted more than that. She wanted all of him. She wanted the chance to be closer. She wanted to break through that distance she sensed between them. Nodding, she took a step toward him, shooting a glance at Royce. “I want to be yours. In every way.” Royce smiled faintly. “That remains to be seen. I’ll be waiting in the playroom.” Standing with his arms crossed over his chest, King stood patiently, his eyes unreadable. Brenna didn’t waste any time, throwing her clothes off with abandon and tossing them aside. Without a word, King gestured for her to precede him. Walking down the hall, she carefully kept her arms at her sides, once again remarkably aware of her nudity. She found it much different than being naked with a man in a bed. She was naked while they still wore clothing, which already made her feel vulnerable, but on top of that, she had to parade around in front of them. When she got to the door at the end of the hall, she found Royce waiting just inside, holding out a mask. “Come here, Brenna.” “You’re going to blindfold me?” King slapped her ass from behind. “I think we should gag her, too. You want to use your safe word, Red, do it now.” “Kiss my ass!” Brenna froze, slapping a hand over her mouth, horrified at what she’d done. “I’m sorry, King. Shit. I mean, Master. Does it count if we haven’t started yet? Damn it, I forgot.”

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More self-conscious than ever, she covered herself, finding it difficult to be so exposed when sex wasn’t involved. Royce smiled faintly. “Yes, it does. I guess we’re going to have to do something about your memory.” He looked pointedly at her body, and his eyes lingered on her arms she’d instinctively used to cover herself until she dropped them to her sides. She’d made the mistake of relaxing around them after being out with them today, and after their teasing when she’d come home from town. It had been a mistake to take that attitude into the playroom, one she would bet they would make her pay for. “I’m sorry. It’s hard to be naked when sex isn’t involved. I feel selfconscious.” King came into the room behind her and closed the door. “Too bad. When we want you naked, you’re going to be naked.” Royce moved in behind her and put the blindfold over her eyes, plunging her into complete darkness. **** Once Royce had her blindfolded, he met King’s gaze and nodded, relaxing just a little. Christ, she was adorable. They’d decided to blindfold her tonight in order to build some trust, but also to heighten her senses. With Brenna, that could be an experience to remember. He didn’t like to admit, even to himself, that they wanted her to wear a blindfold so they could enjoy her tonight, to feast on her, without letting her see their faces. For tonight, he didn’t want to have to hide his feelings for her, to hide his joy at her responses and his constant surprise at her reaction to what they did to her. He’d dominated many women in his life and never had such trouble keeping his thoughts and feelings to himself. Most of the women he’d been with had been sophisticated and practiced in submission, but none had ever done so with the abandon that Brenna did—or the fight in getting there.

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She shook him, something he hadn’t thought possible. When she’d stormed out the other night, he’d been so surprised, more with himself than with her, that it had been several minutes before he ran after her. Stunned at himself, he’d stared after her, trying to recover from the kick to the gut he hadn’t been expecting. Looking at her now as she waited expectantly, her bottom lip trembling, he knew he’d never wanted a woman more. His hands itched to take her full, high breasts into them, to stroke her pink beaded nipples until she cried out her pleasure. He could almost put his hands around her slim waist, something he imagined doing as he lifted and lowered her onto his cock. Her now-bared pussy begged for his attention, and that rounded ass of hers looked ripe for an erotic spanking. He started stripping off his clothing, grateful to release his cock from its confinement, watching King as he did the same. “Well, Brenna, since the club is closed for the night, I guess we’ve got several hours to work on improving your memory.” He smiled at her shiver, looking forward to this more than he’d looked forward to anything in a long time.

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Chapter Seven Plunged into darkness, Brenna sucked in a breath, shaking with nerves. Even after only a minute or two, her other senses seemed much sharper. Hearing the rustle of clothes, her pulse leapt, and she desperately wished she could see them. She’d love to have the chance to explore their bodies, to have the freedom to run her hands all over them. She couldn’t see them, however, but she was intensely aware that they could see her. She felt even more exposed now than ever, something she hadn’t thought possible. She stood naked in Royce and King’s playroom. With both Royce and King. Blindfolded. Every fantasy she’d ever had seemed to pale into insignificance. Feeling their gazes moving over her, she burned everywhere. Her head spun, and overcome with the need to steady herself, she reached out a hand, breathing a sigh of relief when Royce took it in his. “You’re all right. I’ve got you. We won’t let you fall.” King came up behind her, running his hands from her hips to her breasts, his naked body hot against hers. The feel of his cock pressing against her lower back made her jump, her pussy clenching with anticipation. “Before we gag her, I’m going to make use of that smart mouth of hers. I believe she told me to kiss her ass.” Royce’s low chuckle filled her with apprehension. “Yes, she definitely did.” Trembling helplessly, Brenna moaned when King turned her and reached up to cup her breasts, crying out when he pinched her nipples and released them. The pain quickly turned to pleasure, sending arrows of sizzling heat to her slit.

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Her body came alive with sensation, every inch of her skin sensitized and aching for attention. Even her hair moving over her back aroused her. She had Royce and King to herself, two of the most dominant men she’d ever met, men who could fulfill every fantasy she’d ever had, and some she hadn’t even thought of yet. She wanted to be taken. Used. Enjoyed. But she’d learned enough about herself since being with them to learn that she wanted something more. She wanted them to want her, need her with the same desperation that she needed them. She wanted this to be a night none of them ever forgot. Royce came up behind her, making her jolt at the heat when his naked body, hard and hot, pressed against hers. He gripped both of her wrists in one of his hands, lifting them over her head and with a speed that amazed her, hooked something to each one, and locked them together. Having her hands pulled over her head left her defenseless to protect her breasts and nipples, giving Royce and King the freedom to do whatever they wanted to them. Shaking at the sound of a chain being lowered, she bit her lip to keep from crying out, determined to be as quiet as she could be. She didn’t want to appear as naïve as she had before, and fought not to show how nervous she got each time they restrained her. Fantasy didn’t even begin to prepare her for reality. The feel of her right nipple being pinched again shocked her and had her crying out, the pain almost more than she could bear. She got to her toes in an instinctive effort to escape it, but it didn’t help. Royce caressed the underside of her breast, his breath warm against her cheek. “Easy. Breathe through it. You can do this. It’s not nearly as tight as it could be. For some reason, King’s taken pity on you.” Obeying him, she took several deep breaths, shocked that the pain began to lessen, and the pleasure began. Sharp, unrelenting waves of it. Every movement caused the weight of the clamp on her nipple to move, heightening the sensation. Instead of remaining still, she struggled against her bonds, each movement sending a flash of heat to her slit. Royce brushed his lips against her forehead. “Very good, darling. Now you see how pain can add to the pleasure.” Stroking the underside of her

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breast, he ran his lips to her cheek. “You need this, don’t you, Brenna? You need this as much as we do. Do you know how beautiful you look, taking whatever we give you? It makes you feel alive, doesn’t it? You’re thinking about nothing except us. You feel us everywhere, don’t you?” King chuckled and tugged at the clamp, making her cry out again, the pain and pleasure mingling into an erotic surge of delight unlike anything she’d ever experienced. “She does. Look at the way she trembles. You’re right, though. I’m going easy on her because she’s new to this, but she needs to be taken in hand. She wants to top from the bottom. She’s a control freak. She’s getting her nipples clamped and then she’s going to suck cock before she’s gagged. Once I work on her ass, she’s going to think twice before talking like that to me again.” Sucking in a breath as King hooked a clamp to her other nipple, Brenna stood on her toes, breathing deeply until the pain lessened, and the pleasure once again took over. “W–What are you going to do to my ass?” A tense stillness filled the air, one filled with disapproval. Royce sighed. “Allow me. I’ve been anxious to take a whip to her ever since she ran out of here that first night. I don’t think she quite grasps the fact that, as long as we’re in the playroom, she’s not permitted to question us, or to speak without being asked a question.” Brenna had never been as scared in her life—or as turned on. “No!” Royce’s voice came from directly in front of her, the heat of his body burning the front of hers. “That doesn’t work, Brenna. Use your safe word and you’re free to go.” “No.” She couldn’t walk away. She wanted everything they had to give, and would never forgive herself if she put a stop to this now. The strike of what felt like a hundred leather strips hitting her breast startled her so badly she would have fallen if not for the chain attached to the leather bands at her wrists. Alarmed, she struggled to lock her knees again, surprised to find it didn’t hurt as badly as she’d feared. She’d expected to be spanked, or for the whip to hit her ass. She hadn’t expected her breasts to be whipped.

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The heat was incredible, especially where the whip hit the clamp. So hot. So exciting. Her breasts felt swollen and heavy, more sensitive now. The increased sense of vulnerability and realization that they could do whatever they wanted to her, sent her senses and arousal soaring. Her pussy clenched hard, releasing her juices, her clit swelling. She hardly had the chance to catch her breath before the whip came down on her other breast. The leather strips hit her skin like hot caresses, not biting into it as she’d expected, but just painful enough to keep her on guard and ignite the hunger, building it into something she didn’t recognize. The whip came down again and again in an unpredictable pattern so she never knew which breast would be next. When it hit the sensitive underside of her breast, she came to her toes, and found herself arching her back, thrusting her breasts out in a silent plea for more. She couldn’t believe it. She loved it. She actually loved knowing that they could do whatever they wanted to do to her. Knowing they did it, not to hurt her, but to give them all pleasure, heightened her senses, the fear just strong enough to add to her excitement. Anticipating another strike to her breasts, Brenna cried out when the whip began to strike her all over, not hard, but with enough power to warm and awaken every nerve ending on her body. Her arms, her legs, her belly, all received attention, the whip leaving her skin hot everywhere it touched. The strike of the whip on her mound startled her, but before she could react, the whip landed on her bottom. Several strikes in rapid succession covered every inch of her ass, making her cheeks hot and igniting the awareness in her puckered opening. “Spread those legs, Brenna. Wide.” The ice in Royce’s voice held an underlying edge of tension that excited her even more. Nervous now, but no less excited, she spread her legs wide, surprised when King’s chest brushed against her nipples. A second later, she heard the sound of the chain and her hands were lowered. “On your knees, Red. Spread those thighs as wide apart as you can.”

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With her wrists held in King’s strong grip, Brenna lowered herself to her knees, spreading her thighs until the muscles in them quivered at the strain. “Suck.” She opened her mouth wide as a cock touched her lips, taking the large head of it inside. Tasting King for the first time, she moaned, reveling in the chance to please him this way. She wanted to thrill him, to give him so much pleasure that he thought of nothing else but her. The need to gain some sort of control over him through pleasure excited her, and a battle of wills ensued. She sucked him hard, using her tongue on him, her own arousal making it difficult to concentrate. Starving for him, she used her mouth on him with abandon, thrilling when his body stiffened against hers. The hand he tightened in her hair, a sharp reminder of who was in charge, thrilled her on so many levels, reinforcing his need for control. Holding her hands against his chest, King groaned, his hand fisting in her hair. “You’re going to have to concentrate now, Red. Royce isn’t done. That pussy, clit, and that tight, little puckered opening haven’t tasted the whip yet.” In a panic, Brenna tried to close her legs and pull away from King, but he’d obviously anticipated her reaction and tightened his hold, another sign of just how good he was at this—and how well he already knew her. King held firm, not allowing her the leverage she needed to close her legs, and pulled her head closer, forcing more of his cock into her mouth. “Concentrate. Breathe through your nose. I’m going to give you more. Slowly. When Royce whips you, I’d better not feel your teeth. Pay attention to sucking my cock.” The low, gravelly tone thrilled her, telling her how much he enjoyed this. Wanting to give him more pleasure than he’d ever gotten, she sucked harder, careful to breathe through her nose as he pushed his cock to the back of her throat. He filled her mouth, forcing her lips wide to accept him. “Suck me good, Red, and I just might take it easy on you when I shove a butt plug in that tight ass.”

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Her bottom clenched in response, just as the whip struck her there, the ends of it hitting with deadly accuracy right on her opening. Bucking her hips against the sharp heat, she whimpered in her throat, her struggles moving the clamps on her nipples and reawakening the sharp tug there. Her pussy clenched, releasing a gush of moisture just a second or two before the whip struck her there. Crying out around King’s cock, she forgot everything else in her struggle to get past the blazing heat. King moved her head on his cock. “Suck, Red, while I fuck this mouth. You should see Royce’s face. He’s having a real good time with that whip. Looks like he wants to fuck this mouth, too. You ever swallow?” Brenna tried to adjust to the increasing speed of his strokes, sometimes gagging when she forgot to breathe through her nose. Each time, King would slow and let her get her bearings, something nearly impossible to do with the heat at her center. He caressed her hair, murmuring soft words of encouragement, his tenderness totally unexpected. Brenna shook her head, wondering if he would think her even more naïve. She couldn’t stop crying out around his cock, whimpering as the pleasure and pain mixed and began to build. She felt primitive, sexy, uninhibited. Pleasure and pain. Vulnerability and power. She needed this—to surrender every part of herself into the safekeeping of another. “You’re going to now.” The deep rumble in his chest excited her, filling her with a sense of power that she could bring a man like him such pleasure. Royce kept the whip moving over her back and bottom, hitting her just hard enough to heat her flesh and sensitize every inch of her. The cock in her mouth jumped a second before King’s hot release hit the back of her throat. She kept sucking him, swallowing every drop, thrilled with each groan of pleasure coming from him. The whip hit again between her legs, the ends of it striking her swollen and throbbing clit. The shock of it tore through her, leaving her frozen in place for several seconds before she realized she’d started to come. The pain fled almost immediately, leaving behind a tingling heat in her clit, one that had her struggling against her bonds. Her release vanished as

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quickly as it started, leaving her on the razor-sharp edge. Bucking her hips to try to relieve the ache, she groaned hoarsely over and over. She couldn’t stand it. She needed to finish coming. She needed release from this torment. Her clit burned and swelled, sizzling with sensation. Whimpering, she bucked her hips, blinking back tears. She tried to pull her hands free to rub herself, to ease the incredible ache there, but couldn’t work them loose from King’s strong grip. She fought. She struggled, but she couldn’t get free. The whip hit her clit again, startling her so much that she froze, just a split second before her orgasm hit her. The rush of pleasure hit her with a force that left her breathless for several heart-stopping seconds before cresting. The scream torn from her, muffled by King’s cock, didn’t sound anything like her at all. Long, overwhelming swells of pleasure hit her hard, making it nearly impossible to breathe. She tried to close her legs against it, but couldn’t, crying out when the whip struck there again. King slid his cock from her mouth, and to her surprise, knelt in front of her. Dropping her hands behind his neck, he took her face in his hands and lifted it to his, making her wish she could see his face. “You’re an amazing woman, Red. You like having that pussy and clit whipped, don’t you? You’re a Dominant’s dream.” Royce ran the strips of leather over her ass. “We’ll see. I’ll bet she uses that safe word before we finish here tonight.” The muscles in her ass quivered at the attention, her body so sensitized that the slightest touch anywhere made her tremble. A fine sheen of perspiration covered her, every inch of her body shaking in the aftermath of the explosion of sensation. King enfolded her in his arms, taking the weight of her body when she slumped, his hands moving up and down her back. “After she rests a minute, we’ll continue.” He tugged at one of the clamps on her nipples. “I’m going to remove these. She’s had them on long enough for now, especially since she’s going to be wearing them when we put her over the bench.” Brenna choked, turning her face to breathe in King’s scent while the taste of him still lingered on her tongue.

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“I can’t believe the way you make me feel. I came from pain. I didn’t think that was possible. What’s wrong with me?” Frowning when her voice broke, she snapped her mouth shut. King smoothed back her hair, pulling her closer. “Not a fucking thing. It’s not just pain, honey. You need to surrender, as much as we need to have you surrender to us. It’s a need, Red, one that you have no reason to be ashamed of.” His calm, soothing words and the touch of his lips on her forehead thrilled her as nothing else could have. They always seemed to know exactly what she needed. She didn’t feel any shame at all now, reveling in the attention both men gave her. In King’s arms, she felt cherished and sheltered, the realization of how much she trusted both of them warming her from within. With her senses sharpened, she heard Royce move. Wrapping an arm around her from behind, he caressed her shoulder with his lips before straightening and lifting her off of her feet. “I want that hot mouth on my cock.” King removed her wrists from around his neck, running a hand over her bottom as he turned her over to Royce. “Royce wants you badly, Red. Don’t disappoint him.” Royce carried her across the room, with a speed and ease that made her feel even more feminine and reminded her of their strength. “She won’t, will you, Brenna? You want to please me, don’t you?” His low voice dripped with sin, the promise of pleasure in it unmistakable. “More than anything. Take me, Royce.” She knew her mistake almost immediately, but it was too late to take it back. He froze, his entire body going still. The chill coming from him made her shiver as he set her with cool deliberation, on her feet. She shook with apprehension as he moved around her as if in slow motion, every one of her senses on alert with each brush of his body against hers. He moved behind her, the heat of his body warming her back. Holding her arms back with his own muscular ones, he reached down her body with one hand to part her folds wide, and with the other, delivered a sharp slap to her clit.

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Despite her cry, he did it again. “What did you call me?” Struggling through the sting and ensuing heat, Brenna whimpered in her throat, the too-sharp sensation nearly flinging her over the edge again. Her knees turned to rubber, forcing her to lock them in order to stay upright. Hot. Tingling. Her clit swelled and throbbed. The heat at her slit was like nothing she’d ever experienced. She couldn’t believe he’d actually slapped her there. She couldn’t believe she wanted him to do it again. Pain. Pleasure. She couldn’t tell one from the other. She couldn’t hold back her cries as he held her open, keeping the hood of her clit held back to expose her completely, her clit so sensitized that even the air moving over it proved too much. Shaking uncontrollably, she held on to him, knowing she shouldn’t, but unable to help herself. Her juices ran free, coating her thighs even more. Her pussy and ass clenched, the muscles in her stomach so tight it hurt. “I’m s–sorry, Master.” Even her voice sounded raw and gravelly. Her blindfold had become soaked with tears of frustration, whimpering cries still pouring out of her when Royce released her folds, and with slow deliberation, slid a finger over her clit. The perfect touch. No fumbling. No angry demands to know what the hell she wanted. She’d never felt like this. She never even knew this side of her existed. She’d dreamed, but never really believed that it could be this way. Fantasy and reality became one. Thrusting her breasts out, she parted her thighs, silently offering him everything. She was his, theirs, in ways she’d never even known about. She wanted to give them everything. She wanted to take everything from them. She wanted more. She wanted all. In less than a minute, she found herself flat on her back on a padded leather table, the leather cool under her heated flesh. Royce adjusted her position so that her head dangled back over the edge and his cock pressed at her lips. “Open.”

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Eager for the taste of him, and excited to give him the same fulfillment she’d given King, she parted her lips, moaning at the taste of the moisture at the tip as she took the head of his cock inside. He belonged to her as she belonged to him, and she desperately wanted to please him. With slow, shallow thrusts, Royce worked his cock into her mouth, the head of it pressing dangerously close to the back of her throat. “Since you can’t remember to call me Master, maybe it’s better if you don’t talk at all.” A hint of teasing in his harsh tone, followed by another groan, enhanced the closeness that had begun to form between them, easing her fears and increasing her excitement. His hand pressed flat on her belly, holding her in place while King moved to stand between her thighs. With a ruthlessness she wouldn’t have expected from the man who’d just held her so tenderly, King spread her legs high and wide, attaching her knees to padded stirrups. She never knew what to expect from either one of them, their rapid mood changes keeping her on her toes. He folded the end of the table down so that her bottom hung slightly off the edge, leaving her clit, pussy, and puckered opening tilted high and wide open and available for whatever he wanted to do to her. Squirming as the air caressed her slit, she whimpered, wanting more. Shaking, she fisted her hands, moaning as she sucked Royce harder. She wanted to drive him wild, wanted to give him more pleasure than anyone had ever given him before. The feel of the whip caressing her breasts made her gasp, and had her automatically reaching to cover them, only to discover that her wrists had been secured to the top of the table. Finding herself in yet another extremely helpless position, she writhed on the leather table, unsurprised that she could hardly move at all. Unused to being restrained, she couldn’t believe how much struggling against her bonds excited her. No matter how much she fought, she couldn’t protect herself, and could do nothing to hide anything from them. She couldn’t escape the pleasure, the greatest fantasy of all.

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They kept her exposed, and being blindfolded prevented her from bracing against whatever they decided to do to her. The uncertainty added another level to her excitement. Sex had always been predictable. With few exceptions, she knew what came next. Royce and King proved far from predictable. She ran her tongue over Royce’s cock, stroking the thick heat, breathing heavily at the feel of the whip moving over her. Like a threatening caress that made her skin quiver beneath each decadent stroke, it enthralled her, focusing her attention on the smooth slide of it over her skin. When it struck her, she cried out at the shock of it, breathing even heavier when it began to caress her again. She never knew when it would strike, and even though it didn’t hurt much at all, it heated her skin and kept her on edge, unsure when or where the whip would deliver another sting. “Your mouth is incredible. Little by little, we’ll teach you to take our cocks into your throat. Don’t panic. Just breathe through your nose.” Fighting against her bonds excited her, and she could tell by the firmness of Royce’s and King’s hands and the rough growl in their voices, that they liked her struggling just as much. King danced his fingers through her folds, an unexpected pinch to her clit forcing a cry from her. “You can struggle all you want but you can’t move an inch. Look at this clit, all shiny and swollen. Nice and red. This pussy and ass are just begging for attention, aren’t they?” Royce slid his cock free from her mouth, using his thumb to press against her bottom lip. “What’s my name?” Her need to rebel against addressing him in such a way made her hesitate, a hesitation that earned her a tug at both nipples. She fought as he pulled them, her struggles only intensifying the sharp pain. Panting through the pain, she stopped resisting. “Oh, God. Master. You’re my Master.” “Very good.” Releasing her nipples, he placed his hands over her breasts, warming them with his palms. “And you belong to us. Every inch of you belongs to us to use as we wish. Is that right?” Shaking, she tried to listen for King, wondering what he planned to do. She couldn’t hear him, but pictured the two of them, one at her head and the other between her thighs, their eyes on her body spread out for their

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pleasure. Swallowing heavily at the mental picture, she whimpered again. “Yes, Master. I’m yours and Master King’s to use as you wish.” “This mouth is mine to fuck?” He lifted his hands from her breasts, using the tips of his fingers to dance over her nipples and sending even more sensation shooting to her clit. “Yes, Master.” “Yes, Master, what?” Brenna couldn’t believe he would make her say it. Impatient for relief, she struggled harder, the words coming out in a rush. She needed to come. She needed their touch. Anywhere. Everywhere. “Yes, Master, my mouth is yours to fuck.” She’d barely gotten the words out before the head of his cock passed her lips and over her tongue, his short thrusts coming quickly now. Ravenous for the taste of him, and desperate to gain some sort of control, she sucked him hard, closing her lips tight on him to drive him as quickly as she could to the edge. Thrilling at the deep groans coming from him, she shivered at the fingertips tracing over her mound. A finger pressed into her pussy, shocking her and making her lose concentration until Royce pinched her nipples. “Suck. Focus, Brenna.” Her pussy clamped down on the finger inside her, a moan escaping at the press of it against a spot inside her that never failed to drive her wild. She tried to rock her hips to get King to move, just as Royce came with a groan and pushed his cock deeper, his fingers moving through her hair. Her body gathered, her pussy clenching hard on King’s finger, the sensation growing stronger when King delivered a series of light strikes of the whip to her clit. Jolting at each one, she used her legs to rock on the table, moaning around Royce’s cock. Her nipples, still tender from the clips, beaded so tightly it hurt. Her stomach muscles trembled with the effort to absorb the bombardment to her senses, so many she couldn’t process them all. The hot tingling began with no warning, her clit pulsing with every beat of her heart.

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She burned, her clit feeling ten times its normal size. Struggling against her bonds, she swallowed once more as Royce withdrew from her mouth, her cries of completion sounding weak and primitive to her own ears. The pleasure grew and exploded, the tingling heat of it rolling through her until she even felt it in her toes. Her body tightened, straining against her bonds as her orgasm washed over her. Too hot. Too strong. Her clit throbbed. Pain. Pleasure. She didn’t know. She just knew it had to be the most incredible thing she’d ever felt. Nothing existed except coming, the slow, rolling waves of it seemingly never ending. After one last thrust, King withdrew his finger, running a hand over her quivering abdomen. “Beautiful. Now, Red, you’re going to get fucked.” Brenna fought for air, her body still shaking. She’d never even suspected she could come more than once, but knew she couldn’t take another. “I won’t. Be able. To come again. I’m sorry.” She couldn’t catch her breath. She wanted to close her thighs, to close against the extreme sensations. She needed to protect herself, to curl into a ball until she could settle. It appeared, though, that Royce and King had other plans. Royce released her hands and cupped her breasts, toying with her nipples despite her struggles to get away. “Who told you that? We’re not done with you yet, darling. Have you forgotten my promise to stretch that ass?” “Oh, God! Please. You can’t be serious. I burn everywhere. I can’t stop shaking.” Limp and drowsy, her body still trembling, she found herself turned over to her belly, her hands once again attached to the top of the table. They somehow adjusted the table, raising her ass high in the air, her knees spread wide and attached with leather straps to either side of the table. Her puckered opening tingled with awareness, making her clench there, but her thighs had been spread too wide for her attempts to close against them to be effective. It didn’t matter. If they wanted to touch her there, fill her there, she knew she wouldn’t be able to stop them. Her body was there to play with and use for as long as they wanted, and for the first time it hit her how seriously Royce and King took their pleasure.

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She could feel it in their touch, hear it in their voices and in their breathing. They thrived on this. When the leather beneath her breasts fell away, she squealed in surprise, alarmed now that it left her breasts hanging free—and once again vulnerable. She couldn’t keep from struggling, the fight against her bonds exciting and intensifying the fantasy of being taken against her will. She struggled even harder when a clamp was attached to first one nipple and then the other, the weight of them tugging her nipples, a sensation that intensified with every movement. “No. Stop. Let me go.” Royce slapped her ass. “No. Beg Master King to lube your ass while he fucks your pussy. If not, when I put the plug in, it’s going in dry and it’s going to hurt even more.” “No. Leave my ass alone.” Something inside her demanded that she fight, the thrill of defying them and struggling to get away an added bonus and something she’d never realized she needed. “Don’t touch me there. My ass is off-limits to you.” Her ass tingled with awareness, and she hoped they would realize how desperately she wanted to be forced to accept them there. No one else had ever dared, and asking for it would never give her the same thrill as having her ass taken. She didn’t know why, but the weaker she became, the need to fight grew stronger. Secure in the knowledge that she could end it all with her safe word, and that short of that, they wouldn’t stop no matter what she said, she let herself go, finding her control stripped from her despite her best efforts. Being restrained and forced freed her in ways she could never have imagined. She could fight all she wanted to and they wouldn’t let her get away. Royce laughed coldly. “Still some fight in you? There won’t be by the time we’re done. And we are taking that ass, Brenna. How much it hurts is up to you.” Her squirming increased the tugs at her nipples, each sharp pain sending more heat to her slit. Her pussy and ass clenched, both desperate for attention.

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“No. Leave my ass alone.” With a speed that forced her breath from her, King thrust his cock into her pussy. “That’s no way to speak to your Masters. Apologize right now.” Brenna kicked her feet, desperate for him to move. Several slaps of the whip over her raised bottom only made the heat stronger. She clenched on him repeatedly, needing the friction of his cock moving over her inner walls. “Please. Fuck me. Please. I need to come.” She’d lose her mind if she didn’t come soon. She didn’t even remember when her satisfaction at coming had ended and her arousal began again, but she suddenly found herself on the brink of yet another orgasm. She couldn’t seem to stop. No matter how they touched her, her body responded whether she wanted it to or not. Tears stung her eyes, wetting the blindfold as the tingling heat became unbearable. “I’m sorry, Masters. Please move. Please take me.” King rubbed her ass, sliding a finger down to caress her puckered opening, which instinctively squeezed tight in defense. “Beg me to lube your ass.” She couldn’t believe they would make her do this, but it seemed they wanted her complete surrender. They wanted her to beg to have the most intimate place on her body used as they wished. “Please, Master, lube my ass.” “Of course, honey.” A firm finger, slick with lube, forced its way into her ass just as King began to fuck her pussy. The dual invasion felt like nothing she’d ever experienced before. Her nipples swayed with every thrust, the painful tug adding to the pleasure. His finger felt huge in her ass, the tight ring of muscle stretching wide as he moved his finger around, lubing her ass good. He was in there, stroking her most intimate place as if he owned it. She struggled, unable to adapt to the stark intimacy, but she couldn’t stop him. She could only take it. Whimpering at the feel of him using her in such a way, she couldn’t stop clenching on his cock and his finger, making the sensation of having her ass invaded even more extreme. “She’s fucking tight.” King’s voice sounded more ragged with tension than ever.

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Royce ran a hand over her back. “I know, but she’s defiant. I’m not going to use the smaller plug. Maybe wearing this up her ass for the rest of the night will get through to her.” King fucked her in earnest, the smooth, deep thrusts of his cock taking her closer and closer to the edge. With her ass high in this position, his thrusts went deep, the finger he held deep inside her ass making his huge cock feel even larger. “I think she should have her ass plugged often.” “Agreed. There’s nothing like a full ass to remind a woman that she’s owned. Impaling her ass seems to be the most effective way to deal with our sub’s defiance.” Brenna couldn’t help it. Just the thought of having them shove things in her ass excited her so much, she clamped down on King’s cock and his finger, the huge waves of release washing over her in a rush. Crying out her pleasure, she tried to buck, but her restraints made it impossible to move. The tingling heat raced from her ass to her pussy and clit, and then to her breasts and back again. She couldn’t stop coming, even when King groaned and surged deep, withdrawing his finger from her ass to grip her hips tightly. Shaking uncontrollably, she started to come down, alarmed that her ass clenched with anticipation for Royce’s attention. She’d learned long ago that the mind was the most powerful erotic tool, but she’d never believed it as strongly as she did now. Royce and King had mastered that aspect of it, giving her just enough information to keep her body humming with expectation. She also trusted that they would do what they said, which meant she was getting a butt plug shoved up her ass whether she wanted it or not. The only thing that could stop it was using her safe word, and that had long ago ceased to be an option for her. She sucked in a breath as King withdrew, knowing that an even more decadent invasion awaited her. Royce took his place between her thighs, running a hand over her ass, his fingers dangerously close to her puckered opening. “Beautiful.”

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The fact that he could see everything didn’t embarrass her as much as it had earlier, but she still wiggled, feeling his heated gaze over her most intimate places. He laughed softly. “You can move all you want, but you can’t get away. This plug is going up your ass. You could have had a smaller one, but you’ve been a bad girl, haven’t you?” Brenna bit her lip, her breathing ragged as she waited for the plug to touch her. Instead, a sharp slap landed on her ass. “I asked you a question. Either you answer me, or I’m going to whip this delicate little opening before I shove an even bigger plug into you.” Trying to hold back the rush of excitement at what he expected from her, Brenna swallowed heavily. “Yes, Master.” Oh, God. She hadn’t even realized this was part of her fantasy, but it seemed they knew her better than she knew herself. “Yes, Master, what?” Oh, God. “Yes, Master, I’ve been a bad girl.” She couldn’t believe he’d actually made her say it. She shivered, almost coming right then and there. She should have known he wouldn’t leave it alone, every word drawing her fantasy out and making it more complete. “You need to be punished, don’t you? Don’t you want to be a good girl?” The silky decadence in his tone had the warning tingles swirling in her clit. Throwing her head back, she curled her toes, knowing if she said the wrong thing, she might get something she couldn’t handle. “Yes, Master. I need to be punished. I want to be a good girl.” “I think having your ass plugged will make you behave. What do you think?” Every nerve ending in her ass, still tingling with awareness from King’s ministrations, flared to life like never before. Something inside her still needed to rebel. With excitement flowing through her veins, she kicked her legs. “No.”

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Royce’s hold on her tightened. “I’m going to prove to you just how wrong you are about that.” Brenna screamed as the plug started to enter her. The cone shape widened as Royce pushed it deeper, stretching the tight ring of muscle at her opening and making it burn. Standing beside her, King rubbed her ass. “Fucking beautiful. Red likes to be forced to have her ass filled. Perfect.” Oh, God! She’d never survive it. Too much. Too hot. Too wicked. “No. You fucking bastard. Take it out. It hurts. It hurts.” “Too bad.” Royce’s cold tone added to the chills racing up and down her spine. “You could have had the smaller one, but you’re a naughty girl. Maybe this’ll teach you to behave.” God, she wanted more. Wanted it all. She wanted to be used and taken and pleasured. She wanted to be the object of their passion, the only one they’d ever want or need. Knowing she would only add to the excitement, Brenna struggled, the tug of her nipples thrilling her even more. “No. Take it out. You son of a bitch. I hate you. You can’t put that inside me. It’s too big. Take it out, you bastard. I hate you.” Royce slid a finger over her clit. “You’re going to hate me even more. It’s only halfway in and I’m going to make you come while you take the rest of it.” “No! I won’t.” They would have it all then. They wanted it all and knew how to get it. They knew her. They knew her desires, her fantasies, her body, mind, and soul. Royce chuckled. “Yes, Brenna. You will.” He pressed against the plug, pushing more of it into her until she thought she would burst. The feel of the hard rubber making the inner walls of her anus give way took over, the defenselessness of her position complete. They could do anything to her, and she couldn’t stop them. Invading her most private place with a determination and ruthlessness that she’d only dreamed about, they still somehow made her feel safe and wanted, and the most important thing in their world. The entire time he pressed the plug into her, Royce used his fingers with erotic expertise over her clit, the sensitive nub so tender she couldn’t hold back.

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She came hard and fast, clamping down on the plug and making her ass burn even hotter as it slid the rest of the way into her. It narrowed sharply, allowing the tight ring to close around it, but now the widest part of the plug was inside her. Still in the throes of her orgasm, she struggled to adjust to the too-full sensation of Royce’s cock plunging deep into her pussy. Each cry, each moan they forced from her made her belong to them more. Each hard thrust moved the plug in her ass, giving her the sensation of being taken in both openings at once, a secret fantasy she couldn’t wait to explore. Stiff, with every inch of her body tingling, she cried out again and again, the pleasure searing her everywhere. King ran his hands over her, crooning soft words of praise to her, words she clung to. “Such a good girl. So beautiful. So soft. You’re being so good. That plug looks beautiful in your ass, Red.” He pressed against it as Royce fucked her pussy, increasing the pressure. When Royce thrust deep and groaned, Brenna realized she’d never stopped coming, her orgasm seeming to go on forever. The huge swells of it took over, leaving her heaving and shaking so hard the clips hanging from her nipples never stopped moving. Not until Royce stilled did she start to come down, her body trembling in the aftermath of more pleasure than she would have ever thought she could experience. She felt numb, almost drunk. Weak and unsteady, she didn’t move at all as they released her from her bonds. She whimpered at the shift of the plug in her ass, the hard rubber keeping her stretched as Royce lifted her against his chest. Blinking against the light when he removed the blindfold, she struggled to get her eyes to focus. When they did, the tender affection in Royce’s eyes took her breath away. Bending, he touched his lips to her hair. “Sleep, baby. We’ll take care of you.” Sleep? How could she sleep with this frightening thing inside her? She must have drifted because she woke as Royce lowered her into King’s arms. She moaned weakly at the feel of warm water caressing her worn-out body.

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King chuckled softly. “Go back to sleep. We’ve got you.” After they’d washed her thoroughly, and just as tenderly dried her, they placed her in her bed and tucked the covers all around her. She barely managed to open her eyes, moaning when the slightest movement caused the plug in her ass to shift. “The plug. It’s still in me.” Royce reached under the covers to caress her breast, forcing another moan from her at the touch of his hand against her sensitive nipple. “I’m well aware of that. It stays there until I take it out. Go to sleep. King and I will be watching you in the monitor while we do some paperwork. Then we’ll be in.” Brenna blinked, forcing herself to focus. “You’re sleeping with me?” Some indefinable emotion flashed in Royce’s eyes, but disappeared before her tired mind could interpret it. “We’re sleeping with you. Go to sleep.” Brenna needed no further urging. She closed her eyes and fell asleep before the door closed behind them.

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Chapter Eight Brenna woke with a start, blinking against the harsh sunlight streaming in through the tall windows. Turning her head to the right, she frowned at the empty space next to her. She vaguely remembered King lying there last night, pillowing her head on his chest. Running a hand over the sheet and finding it cold, she came up to her elbows, turning toward the heat coming from her other side. Smiling to see Royce sleeping, she rolled toward him, biting back a moan at the shift of the plug still inside her. Delighted to have this chance to observe him in such an unguarded moment, she let her eyes roam over him, drinking him in. His dark lashes, ridiculously long for a man, looked silky to the touch, and she longed for the chance to find out for herself. She knew his lips, so soft-looking now, could firm in a heartbeat in disapproval. His handsome features appeared even more so in sleep, something she hadn’t thought possible. Frowning again as she wondered how many women had seen him this way, she reached out to touch his hair, playing with a soft curl and fascinated by the way it wrapped around her finger. The sheet had fallen to lie low on his hips, revealing a wide chest, carved with muscle. Her mouth watered, her fingers itching to explore his darker skin. She glanced up at him to make sure he was still sleeping before studying his chest again, wondering what he would do if he woke to find her exploring him. She’d never in her life met a more handsome man, and, other than King, none more compelling. He could make a fortune as a model. His expertise with a woman’s body, his seemingly inexhaustible patience and irresistible charm probably had women everywhere falling all over themselves vying for his attention.

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Picturing what he looked like in those leather pants, walking through the club with a bevy of naked women trailing after him, she stiffened, gritting her teeth. Realistic enough to admit she would never be able to compete with the sheer number of women he would be able to choose from, she bit her lip, inching the sheet down another inch or two. Cringing at the memory of how she’d practically begged them to take her, she realized that she was probably no different than hundreds of others who’d done the same. She couldn’t stop thinking of them as hers, despite the fact that men like Royce and King would probably never allow themselves to belong to anyone. Knowing she’d get hurt if she expected more, she also knew she had to accept that this month would be all she had of them, and of this lifestyle—a lifestyle she barely even understood. She could pretend for a little while, though, and store up memories that would have to last her a lifetime. His right hand lay over his hard stomach, and unable to resist, she traced her finger over the green stone of his ring. The brilliant emerald appeared to glow in the morning light, seeming to mock her wish to wear the matching collar. With a sigh, she looked up at his face again, startled to find him staring at her. “We used condoms when we fucked you, if that’s what you’re worried about. We’re healthy, anyway.” She frowned, not wanting to admit that she hadn’t even thought of that. The time had been so magical that things like diseases or pregnancy hadn’t even crossed her mind. It just showed how far gone she was. Royce lifted his hand, pushing back her hair. “Something wrong, my little sub?” The reminder of her temporary status only depressed her more. Wondering how many women he called that every night, she shrugged and turned away, suddenly needing some privacy. She was nothing special to him, just another in a long line of women who couldn’t resist him. “Other than the fact that I have a plug up my ass?”

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She started to roll to the edge of the bed, yelping when Royce wrapped an arm around her waist and flung her to her back. Moaning at the feel of the plug moving inside her, she tried to scramble away again, her efforts restrained when Royce rolled on top of her. Using his thighs to push her knees apart, he made a place for himself, his cock hard and nudging at her slit. His eyes, heavy with sleep, darkened in concern. “What’s wrong?” “Nothing’s wrong. I want to get up and take a shower.” Her hands went to his shoulders in an automatic gesture to hold him close, loving the feel of his hard body pressing hers into the mattress. She couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to wake up with him every morning, to have the chance to explore his magnificent body, to feel him just hold her and whisper to each other before they ever started their day. “Do you think you’re going to get away with lying to me?” Brenna sighed, sinking deeper into her pity party. “We’re not in the playroom, Royce.” She looked away, scared that he would see the misery in her eyes. Royce tensed, lifting himself slightly off of her. With a gleam in his eyes she didn’t recognize, he braced his weight on one arm and reached between them. Taking a nipple between a thumb and forefinger, he rolled it, applying just enough pressure to trip her pulse and send an answering surge of need to her clit. “Perhaps you should read the contract you signed. You belong to us twenty-four seven for a month. We’ve already told you we would make allowances for your work schedule. If you want out, use your safe word, Brenna.” Shivering at his cold tone, she lifted her gaze to his, shaken by the ice in his eyes. It didn’t matter. Her body still responded as though made for him, and when he used his knees to shove her own wider, she instinctively tilted her hips upward in a silent demand for his possession. She wanted that same warm look he’d given her when he woke up, but knew in her heart that it would probably be better if she didn’t allow herself to become more emotionally attached to him than she already had.

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Using the word that would put an end to ever seeing either him or King again, though, wasn’t an option. With them she felt more alive than she ever had in her life, more desired. Even if it could only last a month, she wanted it, and she wouldn’t give up one minute of it. “And you? What if you wanted out?” She couldn’t remember reading anything about that in the contract, but she’d been so excited and aroused, she’d skipped over a lot of it. Royce’s eyes narrowed. “We committed a month to training you. The only way of breaking the contract is for you to do it.” Breathing a sigh of relief, she smiled, thrilled that they couldn’t get out of it. The cock pressing against her inner thigh seemed to grow larger, the punishing pinch to her nipple strengthening the need inside her. Royce smiled, a slow smile filled with evil intent. “Do it, Brenna. Use your safe word. Admit that you already know the truth—that you want this too much and you’re scared to reach out and take it.” Royce ran a hand down her body to her slit, parting her folds and stroking her clit with an expertise that never failed to excite her. “You need what we can give you.” Feeling trapped now, and fearing he spoke the truth, Brenna looked away as panic bubbled inside her. “You’re awfully arrogant. Just because you know how to press my buttons, don’t think you can control me. I’m not one of your bimbos.” Her breath hitched at the slide of his finger over her clit. “I’m just here to, ah, make sure that you’re not training men like Donner.” She hoped he attributed the huskiness in her voice to the early hour and not to the need she fought to contain. “That’s bullshit and you know it. You know what you want. Us. You don’t really think you’re going to be able to get on that stage and be sold to the highest bidder, do you?” Lifting her chin, Brenna struggled to breathe normally as a devious finger slid into her pussy and began to stroke her inner walls. Scared that if she admitted she couldn’t, then they would use that as an excuse to kick her out, she forced a confidence in her voice she didn’t feel.

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“Of course. Looking forward to it.” Her hips tilted of their own volition. “Or aren’t you going to honor the contract?” Staring down at her, Royce studied her face as he continued to manipulate her clit, his eyes darkening when she bit her lip to hold back her cries. “To the letter, my little sub.” Reaching over to the nightstand, he retrieved a condom, his eyes steady on hers as he rolled it on. “Your submission isn’t confined to the playroom. It’s just more defined there. Keep those thighs spread.” The rough edge of demand in his voice had her hurriedly parting her legs, which she’d inadvertently let come together several inches. Royce, on his knees between them, loomed over her, his eyes possessive as they lingered on her breasts, as though master of all he surveyed. It struck her suddenly that, in many ways, he was. She belonged to him, and to King, in ways she’d never belonged to anyone else. She found herself attuned to him in ways she’d never been with the few men she’d known in the past, but then again, Royce and King were in an entirely different class of men. The slightest shift of his body, the slightest change in his expressions, the slightest inflection in his voice created an answering response in her, an instinctive one that she seemed to have no control over. Alarmed to realize the power he had over her, she tried to fight his hold on her senses, to no avail. Her breath caught, her stomach muscles tightening as he pushed the head of his cock inside her, the feeling of fullness too overwhelming to fight. “Royce, the plug. You can’t take me with the plug inside me. Oh, God!” As he pushed forward, the plug shifted, giving her the sensation of being taken in both openings. Using his powerful thighs to lift hers high and wide, he flattened a hand on her abdomen, using his thumb to manipulate her clit. “I know very well that you have a plug in your ass, Brenna. I put it there, remember?” He withdrew an inch or two, only to press deeper, causing the plug to shift inside her again.

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She felt so full, too full to even think. The dual penetration and the thumb caressing her clit sent her senses reeling so fast, she didn’t even have time to adjust, going from mild awareness to full arousal in just a few thrusts. She couldn’t stop clamping down on him, the tightness making her ass burn around the plug. Her clit, still sensitive from the previous night, felt too swollen and heavy for his touch, and without thinking, she reached for his hand to push it away. “No. It’s too much.” The inner walls of her pussy spasmed as her body struggled to adjust, the tingling growing stronger with every stroke. Royce tensed, the glint of challenge in his eyes making her realize what she’d done. “Put your hands above your head!” Brenna obeyed immediately, whimpering at the too-strong sensation of his insistent finger moving over her clit. “I already told you that no doesn’t work with me. Are you really trying to tell me that I can’t touch this clit whenever I want to? It’s mine, Brenna. I’ll do what I want with it. Now, hold on to the headboard and don’t let go until I tell you.” Short of using her safe word, she couldn’t escape his touch, the feel of having her pussy and ass filled while he manipulated her susceptible clit had her racing toward the edge. Her ass and pussy felt too full, his manipulation of her clit too sharp. Everything seemed intensified to the point where pain and pleasure combined and she couldn’t tell where one ended and the other began. Royce withdrew almost all the way and surged deep, his hard thrust shifting the plug inside her and stealing the little breath she had. “You need this, Brenna. You need to have this pussy and ass filled. When King and I take you together, you’ll be fucked with a hard cock in both openings at the same time.” “Oh, God. I won’t be able to take it.” She whimpered, imagining how taken she would feel then, her body clamping down tight and making her feel even fuller. She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t take any more. She couldn’t escape it, forced to take whatever he gave her. She didn’t know it could be possible

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to feel so much, to be lost in a world where nothing mattered but fulfilling the needs of her body, and his. She needed to come. The pressure kept building until she thought she would burst, but she didn’t go over. Frustration and need had her struggling against him, but her struggles didn’t appear to faze him at all. The bed shifted as King dropped down beside her, startling her because she hadn’t even known he was in the room. “Yeah. It won’t be a plug in there. It’ll be my cock. But for now, open that mouth.” King’s rough growl came from her right, and she turned toward him instinctively, jolting when the head of his cock touched her lips. The need to come had tears stinging her eyes. Each thrust, each stroke of Royce’s finger over her clit made her wild. The tingling heat never seemed to end, but as soon as the swells threatened to consume her, Royce ruthlessly pulled her back, slowing his thrusts and releasing her clit, drawing her back from the edge. As she bucked under him, King placed a hand on her abdomen to hold her in place, slipping the head of his cock between her parted lips and over her tongue, almost to her throat. Filled everywhere, and with her body pulsating in sensation, she panicked and pushed at King, realizing her mistake almost immediately. To her surprise, King withdrew, his eyes searching as he bent to cup her jaw. “Tell me.” A shiver went through her, followed almost immediately by a warm glow that only made her burn hotter. Words came tumbling out of her before she could stop them. “So much to feel. I can’t take it in. I need to come. When I start to come—ah, please—Royce stops. My clit burns. Every time Royce moves, it moves the plug in my ass. My pussy’s full. My ass is full. I need to come so bad. Let me come. I burn everywhere. Please. I’ll do whatever you want. Please let me come.” With her body so overloaded with sensation, like little bubbles popping in her veins, Brenna could barely speak, her words coming out in a series of breathless whimpers.

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King grabbed her hands and used the belt of her robe to tie them to the headboard, straddling her head with his powerful thighs. “You can do this, baby. We’re going to let you come, and when you do, you’ll see that it’s worth the wait. I want to fill your mouth with my cock. I want your pussy, ass, and mouth all filled. That’s my girl, let me in. Breathe through your nose, Red. Take me a little deeper. I’ll go nice and slow. Yeah, that’s it. Good girl. A little more this time.” Relaxing under his crooning tone, and thankful that Royce slowed his strokes even more to allow her to settle, Brenna kept her mouth open wide and relaxed her tongue, taking King’s cock almost all the way to her throat. Each time Royce’s thrusting increased, or he started to play with her clit again, she lost her concentration and panicked when she started to choke. Each time, though, King talked her through it. “Pay attention to my cock, Red. Think about what you’re doing. You’re going to have to be able to concentrate. You’re here for our pleasure. Your job is to give us pleasure. If I don’t come, you don’t come. I can tease you all day without letting you come if I want. Your job is to make sure that we’re pleasured.” Groaning her frustration, she tried to pump her hips, but Royce’s strong hold wouldn’t allow it. She ached everywhere, her body rigid as Royce fucked her just hard enough to keep her hanging there, stroking her clit just often enough to keep those warning tingles hammering at her senses. She fought at her bonds, kicking her legs in helpless fury. In her hunger, she sucked King harder, trying to take him deeper into her throat than before. His thighs trembled against her, thrilling her that she had such a strong effect on him. “That’s my girl. Swallow every drop, Red.” Her frantic cries grew even louder as King came, becoming groans when his hot seed hit the back of her throat. Swallowing hungrily, she savored the taste of him, wishing her hands were free to pull him closer. Hearing King’s groan, sensing his momentary loss of control, Brenna opened her eyes to look up at him, surprised and a little dazed by the tenderness and confusion in his eyes. His hands gentled, sliding through her hair as he reached for her nipples, pausing as if he changed his mind about something. It lasted only a

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heartbeat before his face hardened again, his eyes sharp and filled with wicked intent as he tugged her nipples. Royce surged deep, pinching her clit at the same time King withdrew from her and moved aside, tightening his fingers on her nipples. Clenching hard on the plug, she let out a shocked cry as the pleasure and pain combined. The sudden swell of release stunned her, the pleasure bursting free in one huge wave, followed on its heels by several smaller ones, each taking her higher and higher. She felt them everywhere, her ass and pussy full and clamping hard, making her feel even fuller. The sharp pinches at her nipples had her arching higher into King’s hands, the need to give him total access burning strong. Her clit throbbed unbearably under Royce’s firm pressure, the sizzling heat from it spreading throughout her entire body, suffusing it with a warm rush that left her momentarily frozen. Her body bowed as the pleasure erupted, feeling as though a jolt of electric current ran through her. Filled everywhere, feeling them everywhere, she soared, clenching at Royce’s cock as it pulsed and he found his own release. King released her nipples, reclining beside her. “Well, I guess that answers the question of whether you’re ours only in the playroom.” Reaching above her, he freed her wrists, gathering them in his big hand and massaging them. “You like having your ass and pussy filled at the same time, and you like pain. You’re also good with that mouth.” King surprised her by leaning over her and touching his lips to hers. Lifting his head, he stared down at her with that same look of tenderness and confusion in his eyes. “The perfect woman.” Some impulse had her reaching for him, cupping his strong jaw while covering Royce’s hand with hers. Looking from one to the other, she smiled. “There’s no such thing as a perfect woman, but I’d like very much to be perfect for you.” Stunned by the looks of shock on their faces, she stiffened, yelping in surprise as Royce withdrew and with a sudden move, flipped her to her belly. “Her new Master will be very pleased.” The chill in his tone alarmed her.

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Nervous when King stilled beside her and more alarmed at the long silence that followed, Brenna lifted her head. “New Master?” Royce gripped the plug by the base, moving it inside her until she whimpered. “That’s what this is all about, remember? Didn’t you just tell me you were looking forward to being sold to the highest bidder?” Brenna stilled, her breath coming out in harsh pants as Royce worked the plug out of her ass. Careful to keep her face hidden in the pillow, she fisted her hands in the sheets. She would do whatever she had to stay here, to have their attention like this. If she had to promise to be auctioned until then, so be it. She could always use her safe word then and get out of being sold. “Yes, but—” **** King clenched his jaw, staring up at Royce as he slowly ran a hand up and down Brenna’s back, unable to help himself. “You’re staying right here and being sold at the end of your training. That’s it. There won’t be any negotiating. You signed it, Red. You’ll fucking stick to it.” Lowering his voice, he ran a finger down her spine, delighting in her shiver. “You need this, Red.” God help him, so did he. He needed her. So sweet. So responsive. So expressive. He could spend the rest of his life with her and never get tired of her enthusiasm, her willingness to experience it all. Her need to fight it excited him on so many levels, it would take the rest of his life to explore them all. She brought excitement and wonder into his life, and he hadn’t even realized it had been missing. His head was so filled with things he wanted to do with her, to her, that he lay awake every night with a hard-on that only she could satisfy. He couldn’t believe someone so naïve and inexperienced could take him and Royce on with such abandon, and still remain sweet. They’d kept her in a fog of lust, but he could see the temper in her eyes and just the thought of conquering it made him hard as a fucking rock.

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Chapter Nine To her surprise, Royce and King both hustled her into the bathroom, apparently planning to shower with her. Seeing them both naked for the first time put her senses on overload. She wanted to take the time to enjoy the view, and found she didn’t even know where to start. Everything was gorgeous. Royce’s body, roped with lean muscle, held her transfixed as he stepped inside the shower and reached back for her. From the top of his head, his long black hair wet now and streaming down his back, to the chiseled perfection of his features, to his wide shoulders and lean muscular body, he exuded sophistication, sex and power. His eyes, always sharp, studied her as she studied him, heating her skin everywhere his gaze touched. “Get in here, Brenna.” Taking his outstretched hand, she let him pull her into the shower, falling against him when he tugged. Running her hands over his gorgeous chest, she stared up into his compelling green eyes. “You’re so beautiful.” Royce smiled, running a hand over a breast and down to part her folds. “I was just thinking the same thing about you.” Before she could answer, he pushed her under the spray, laughing when she sputtered and fought him. “You’re going to drown me!” One hand held her under the spray, while the other slid erotically over her wet skin. Chuckling, he captured a nipple between his lips, sucking it to the roof of his mouth before releasing it. “Stop yelling and you wouldn’t swallow so much water. Haven’t you learned yet that struggling with me won’t do you any good?” “Just because you’re stronger than me—”

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She wished she could open her eyes to see him, but he kept her under the spray. She’d never imagined playing this way with him and didn’t realize how much she’d needed a break in the intensity. She realized suddenly that they seemed to recognize her need, and that they’d done the same thing several times already. The last few minutes in the bedroom had been too tense, the distance he and King put between them a tangible thing when they’d flipped her to her stomach. Now, though, they seemed to want to play, but she still felt the distance that existed between them, a distance that would take more than a little play to close. Parting her folds, Royce slid a finger over her clit, laughing softly when she went limp and grabbed his shoulders for support. “I can control you with just a finger, darling.” She shuddered as his manipulation continued, opening her thighs wider to give him better access. “Royce. God, I love when you touch me.” Reaching down, she wrapped a hand around his cock, surprised to find it hard again. “I love touching you.” Slumping against him, she buried her face in his neck and ran her hand from the base of his cock to the tip and back again. “I love the times when I have the freedom to touch you this way.” With the warm water of multiple sprays hitting her body and the feel of having her clit stroked, Brenna moaned and held on to him for support, her legs shaking at the mind-numbing pleasure. Releasing her clit, he ran his hands over her breasts, his touch both arousing and comforting, the hesitation in his caress making her lift her face so that she could see him. His cock jumped, hard and thick in her hand and becoming harder with each stroke. Royce clenched his jaw, his eyes unreadable. “I love touching you, too. You’re exquisite.” Wrapping an arm around her, he pulled her from the spray, backing her against the shower wall. “Perfect, in fact.” He removed her hand from his cock and kissed her fingers. “I’ve got some work to do. King got up early to get his done, but I stayed in bed with you. King’s free now to go through your clothes and feed you, while I get some things done so I can spend time with you later.” He touched his lips to hers, something, she realized with a start, they did with increasing regularity. He didn’t deepen his kiss, but let it linger, as

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though reluctant to break contact. Lifting his head, he ran a finger over her bottom lip and stared into her eyes. “I’ve got to get showered and get out of here.” Something flashed in his eyes, a possessive steel, tempered with tenderness. “I want you to be a good girl for me today.” She wanted to be indignant at his words, and really tried, but found instead that they made her feel special, giving her the impression that he would be thinking about her all day. It did something to her stomach when either one of them spoke to her that way, made her feel warm and very feminine inside, soft against his strength. She found that the most irresistible lure of all. Each time he looked at her that way, she found herself imagining having Royce and King in her life permanently—imagining how happy she’d be seeing that tenderness in their eyes every day. Knowing thoughts such as that would only end up getting her hurt, she forced a small laugh and looked up at him through her lashes. “I kind of thought you and King preferred it when I’m a bad girl.” Royce ran a hand down her back, pulling her closer. “We haven’t seen the bad girl side of you yet, though, have we, darling? We will. Before this month is over, we will.” Uncomfortable under his knowing stare, she looked away and reached for the shampoo. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She’d done everything she could to hide the independent and outspoken woman that had already intimidated so many men. Royce took the bottle of shampoo out of her hand. “Yes, I think you do. We’ll bathe you, Brenna. We take care of what belongs to us—and you, my darling spitfire, definitely belong to us.” The arrogance in his tone irritated her slightly, but when he rubbed a dollop of shampoo between his hands and started massaging it into her hair, she went limp, moaning as her head fell back. No man had ever done anything so tenderly possessive to her before. Stunned at the intimacy, and the sensation of being cherished, Brenna had to swallow the lump in her throat before speaking. “That feels good.” Good didn’t even begin to describe the incredible delight of his firm fingers massaging his scalp.

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“Good. Close your eyes so I can rinse you.” She smiled at the amusement in his tone and let her eyes close as he rinsed her hair. The door to the large shower opened, and she shivered as a gust of cool air hit her body, her eyes popping open again. “Hey! That’s cold.” King came up behind her, his big hands coming around to cup her breasts. “You’ll be plenty warm enough in a minute.” She let King support her as she watched Royce shower. Letting her gaze follow the trail of soap down Royce’s body, she reached out to run a finger over a male nipple. “Damn, you look good wet and with those soap bubbles all over you.” He grinned, a flash of white against his dark skin. He reached out to tug at one of her own slippery nipples, his eyes filled with amusement. “So do you. Now, I’m going to spend the next several hours thinking about you naked and wet.” King brought his hands, full of scented shower gel, around to massage her breasts. “As soon as we go through her clothes and decide what she can keep, we’re going out. Rachel’s expecting us, and I think we’re going to pop in to see Logan again. I want her in lace and leather when she’s not in that cotton stuff she’ll be wearing to work.” Brenna sighed as King’s hands moved lower, leaning more heavily against him as her body went weak under his tender assault. Moaning when he reached her mound, she frowned and had to struggle to get her thoughts together. “What do you mean—you’re going to decide what clothing I can keep? Who’s Rachel? Where are we going?” Royce finished washing his hair and rinsed, smiling when she reached out to trace a line of bubbles over his chest. “I’d like to see the look on Rachel’s face when you walk in there.” Jealousy reared its ugly head, and she tried to push King’s hands away, but she probably would have had more luck moving a brick wall. “Who’s Rachel? I’m sure you’ve probably fucked every woman in town, but that doesn’t mean I want to meet them.” She couldn’t believe they’d be so cruel. Sucking in a breath when King parted her folds and delved between them, she gripped his forearms for support. “Son of a bitch!” One strong hand against her abdomen held her still, his fingers holding her folds spread wide, while with the other, he ruthlessly

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stroked her clit, the pleasure so sharp she couldn’t even breathe. “Damn it, you’re not going to—ahhhh!” Royce watched in interest as she came, his eyes glittering with male satisfaction. “Make sure Rachel takes all of her measurements. I don’t want Logan touching her.” Her sensitive clit didn’t stand a chance, throbbing and then burning as King sent her over with a casual calm as he continued his conversation. She missed part of it, but the part that she did hear sent her soaring. “We’re also going to have to measure her ass for plugs. Since you used one of the smallest ones on her last night, we’re going to have to gradually go larger until we find the perfect one for her punishments.” Brenna gaped at him. “Small? It was fucking huge. You said so yourself.” Moving his hand from her abdomen, King wrapped a forearm around her waist and lifted her off of her feet, leaving her bent over his arm and dangling several inches off the floor. “Nope. It just wasn’t the smallest, as we’d originally intended. Your ass is remarkably tight.” Kicking her feet, she reached frantically for something to grab onto, gripping the only solid thing in reach—King’s hard thigh. “That’s because no one ever shoved anything up there before! King! Shit. Put me down.” Running his other hand over her ass, he paused to deliver a sharp slap before squirting the cold shower gel over her heated bottom, laughing softly when she squealed. “I think our little sub wants desperately to be bad, but she’s just too scared of letting us see that side of her. I can’t decide if she thinks we’re too stupid to see it, too weak to handle it, or lazy enough to let her get away with it.” Brenna struggled, kicking her feet in alarm when the cold gel slid over her puckered opening. “Damn it, stop talking about me as if I wasn’t here!” Royce ran a hand over her wet hair as King started to wash her. “We know you’re here, darling. Do you think King and I would be in the shower together if you weren’t? We share you, Brenna. That means there are things we need to discuss regarding you and your care. Since we want to spend as much time as we can with you, some of those discussions

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are going to take place in front of you. It’s something you’re going to have to get used to.” A slippery finger went up her ass, surprising a scream from her, and just as quickly withdrew again, leaving her bottom clenching in a frantic need to close against such an intimate thing as being impaled at whim. She could never quite come to grips with their possessiveness of every part of her, and wondered if she ever would. King chuckled. “Gotta wash you, darlin’.” Brenna turned her head, glaring at Royce over her shoulder. “Next time I’m taking a shower by myself.” King set her on her feet under the spray and began to rinse her, pausing to deliver a sharp slap to her ass. “That’s not up to you, Red.” Pulling her against him, he tilted her head back with a fist in her hair, dropping a hard kiss on her lips. “By the time this month is over, you’ll know exactly what it means to belong to Royce and me.” **** Less than an hour later, Brenna started to wonder how she could have underestimated the full extent of the submission they expected from her. After giving her a lingering kiss, one that made her toes curl, Royce left to go about his business, leaving her alone with a very devious and controlling King, a man she hardly recognized. After helping her out of the shower, he dried her thoroughly, his attention to her nipples and slit leaving them warm and tingling. “Be still. Stand at the counter and spread your legs.” Nervous now, she did it, watching him in the mirror, blinking in shock when he reached for a comb and began to work the tangles from her hair. His tenderness made her feel even more cherished, so much so that she had to clear her throat before speaking. “I can comb my own hair.” King frowned as he worked another tangle loose, meeting her eyes in the mirror. “You’ll probably have to with me. Royce is a hell of a lot better with this than I am, but I can at least get the tangles out. Look straight ahead.” Staring in the mirror, Brenna tried to avoid looking at herself, watching him instead.

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“I want to put on my robe.” “No.” “That’s not nice.” King met her eyes in the mirror again, his smile pure sin. “Who the hell ever said I was nice?” “Why can’t I put on my robe?” “I like you naked.” “Why do I have to keep my legs spread while you comb my hair?” “You’re going to find that I make you spread your legs for a lot of things. I like them spread, so you’ll spread them.” Brenna took a moment to think about that, relaxing more with each pass of the comb through her hair. “You know, when you say that kind of thing, it arouses me, but pisses me off at the same time. What makes you think I’ll spread my legs every time you tell me to?” King finished with the comb and tossed it aside. “Because if you don’t, I’ll spread them for you and then punish you for disobeying me.” Brenna shot out a hand when he reached for one of the bottles of moisturizer from Jesse’s store. “That’s the wrong one.” Ignoring her, King uncapped it and squeezed a generous amount into his palm. “I like this one, and it really doesn’t matter, as long as I can get my hands on you.” ” Brenna braced herself for the cold, but King rubbed the lotion between his palms before putting them to her skin. Melting under his long, smooth strokes on her back, she held on to the counter for support. “That feels good, King, but you don’t expect me to let you do this every day, do you?” She could already feel herself becoming addicted to this sort of caring. It would be dangerous to get used to something she’d have to live without. It would only be one more disappointment to deal with when the month ended. Raising a brow, he met her gaze in the mirror. “Let me?” His hands moved to her bottom, massaging the lotion into her skin. “I told you that we take care of what belongs to us, and we can check you over to make sure you’re not bruised or hurt anywhere.” Pausing to squeeze more of the lotion in his hand, he met her eyes in the mirror again, his eyes twinkling. “You tend to get violent when you come.”

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Once he’d filled his palms and put them together, he grinned and covered her breasts with his hands, chuckling softly when she gasped. The cold felt even more shocking on skin still warm from the shower, creating a contrasting flash of heat to her slit. The warmth of his hands soon heated the lotion, allowing them to slide over her slippery skin. Falling back against him, Brenna closed her eyes and reveled in the feel of his hands moving over her. Supported by King’s hot, tight body, she let out a series of moans as his hands worked their magic, his long, firm strokes rubbing the lotion in thoroughly before moving lower. Neither spoke, and lulled by the silence and his soothing touch, Brenna started to relax. He smoothed the lotion over her belly and hips, taking his time as though he had nothing to do all day except this. Working it into her folds, he kissed her shoulder. “Nice and soft. How does it feel to be waxed?” Brenna moaned hoarsely and tilted her hips upward, hoping he would give her tingling clit some relief. “It makes it more sensitive there.” Lifting her head from his chest seemed a monumental effort, but she did it, meeting his gaze in the mirror. “It makes me feel a little naughty.” King smiled and kissed her shoulder. “I like when you feel a little naughty. Be still so I can do your legs and then we can go through your clothes.” Brenna went willingly when he turned her, bracing her hands on his shoulders as he massaged the lotion into her legs. “You must work out a lot.” “I do. Where did you get this bruise?” Lost in the sensation of having her legs massaged, and with King’s face so close to her mound, Brenna had to swallow heavily before speaking. “Hit it on the chaise.” Frowning, she looked down in surprise. “I don’t have any bruises from the whip.” “Not supposed to.” King kissed her mound before rising and taking her hand. “Come on. I want to see what we need for you.” As they entered the bedroom, she reached for the robe hanging over the back of the chaise, only to have King slap her hand away. “No clothes. Come on. Your breakfast is here.”

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King pulled out a chair and seated her. “Today I’ll let you eat by yourself, but sometimes Royce or I will feed you.” “Feed me? I can feed myself.” She watched as he slipped on a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt before coming back to the table. Once again, being naked while he was dressed made her feel even more naked and exposed. Bending over her from behind, King cupped her breasts, running his thumbs over her nipples. “I know, and you can bathe yourself, too, but as your Masters, Royce and I have the right to do it whenever we want to.” Brenna sipped her coffee, almost spilling it when King rolled her nipples between his thumb and forefingers. “King, I can’t eat like this. I’ve never eaten naked before.” “You’re going to be doing it quite often, so you’d better get used to it.” Releasing her nipples, King took the seat beside her, lifting the silver lid on the plate in front of her. “I hope you like waffles. If you ever have a preference for something, call down and let Sebastian know.” With her nipples still tingling, and the low level of arousal still humming through her, Brenna reached for the fork and stabbed one of the strawberries on top. “Are you going to keep me up here forever? Can’t I go downstairs?” King shook his head. “For the length of the contract, you’re in training. You’ll only go downstairs when Royce or I take you. Of course, you’re welcome to take the elevator and go right out the front door whenever you want, but only after you’ve cleared it with Royce or me. We want to know where you are at all times, especially until we figure out who’s behind that note. Since Donner’s in jail, Ace is checking for a connection to anyone living here.” Brenna cut into the waffles. “I think it was a mistake. Maybe it was meant for someone else. Maybe somebody just thought it was funny.” Shaking her head, she soaked the bite of waffle into the syrup. “That note couldn’t have come from Donner. He’s in jail a hundred miles away. If he got someone to do it—to scare me, or to teach me a lesson—I’m not going to let it mess with my head. I’m not going to let him make me his victim again.”

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Reaching across, he ran his finger over where her neck, where she usually wore the collar. They took it off before she went to bed, or before a shower, but she never left the room without wearing it. “There’s a device built into your collar that helps us keep track of where you are.” Offended, Brenna paused with a bite of waffle halfway to her mouth. “You don’t trust me?” King shrugged. “We’ve had problems in the past, usually when we have our seminars. We have several women who come here to sub for the men we’re training. They wear those collars to let the people in town know that they’re under the protection of the club. Only Royce, Blade, and I can unlock them, so if one of them isn’t back on time, we can find her. In your case, it’ll help us keep tabs on you. I don’t know who’s behind the note, but I’ll feel better knowing where you are at all times. Lean forward. I want your breasts on the table while you eat.” Brenna froze in surprise, looking up at him to see if he was teasing her. King met her look with a stony glare, lifting a brow when she hesitated. Another surge of need tightened her stomach and increased her awareness in her clit as she obeyed him, bending forward until the underside of her breasts touched the cool surface of the table. “Is that better?” His brow went up again at the sarcasm in her tone. Inclining his head, he smiled faintly. “For now.” After taking several more bites, she paused again. “So women want to come here to be used by men who’ve signed up for instruction?” If she’d known that, she might have eventually tried it for herself. Thankfully, she hadn’t. If she had, she may never have had this opportunity with Royce and King, men who could make eating breakfast a sexual experience. “Absolutely. Some of them take their vacation time from work to come here.” He grinned, filling her coffee and pouring a cup for himself. “There’s actually a waiting list.” Having already eaten more than she usually did in the morning, Brenna set down her fork. “Why would they want to do that?” “To live out a fantasy. You can sit back now. Don’t cover yourself. I want to see those breasts. Drink your coffee so we can get started.”

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Jealous now, Brenna reached for her coffee. “So you and Royce do the same thing to them that you’re doing to me? You train them, and then auction them off? After that, they come back to let other men dominate them?” King came to his feet, moving to stand behind her again. Reaching down, he tugged at her nipples. “I already told you, we don’t train subs here. We train Doms. They practice on them, learning how to read their responses before they feel confident enough to find a sub of their own.” Turning, she watched him move to the suitcase she hadn’t seen in days. “So, who do you and Royce practice on?” He unzipped the suitcase and began to rifle through her things, lifting an article of clothing to inspect it and toss it onto the bed before lifting the next. Turning at the waist, he smiled at her over his shoulder. “I don’t need practice, darlin’. I’m very adept at mastering a woman, but if you’re asking if I’m fucking another woman while mastering you—no. I’m selective about who I fuck. So is Royce.” Setting her coffee cup aside, Brenna turned, struggling not to cover herself. “So, as long as I’m here with you, you won’t be doing anything with another woman?” King shrugged and straightened, moving to the chaise. “Royce and I will occasionally touch them, but only to demonstrate something to one of the men. We won’t be fucking them, not their pussies, their asses, or their mouths. When we have auctions, we display them, but neither one of us has any interest in them. You’re the only one we’re interested in that way.” Intrigued, Brenna shifted in her seat, rubbing her thighs together as another wave of heat made her clit throb. “Display them?” King nodded. “At the auction, you and several other women will be blindfolded, naked, and with your hands tied behind your back in a roomful of men. They’ll want to inspect you before they bid on you, to see just what they’re buying.” Struggling not to show her shock, or sharp surge of lust, she bit her lip and looked away, trying not to imagine how it would feel to have Royce and King do such a thing to her. The thought of several strange men touching her, however, sent a chill through her.

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She had a find a way before then to make Royce and King want her for themselves. Getting to her feet, she crossed the space between them and curled against King’s back, smiling when he stiffened. “I like spending time with you this way.” King turned, taking her into his arms in what appeared to be an automatic gesture, but his hooded gaze held a hint of hesitancy. The brief flash of warmth in his eyes turned to suspicion. “What way is that?” Brenna shrugged. “You know. Talking. Just being together. I wish we could have had breakfast together, though.” King chuckled, some of the stiffness leaving his big frame. “I’m an early riser. Grew up on a farm. By the time you got up, I’d already eaten, worked out, showered, and got a couple hours of work done.” Running her hands over his chest, and sinking the tips of her fingers into the muscle there, Brenna smiled up at him. “I would love to see you work out.” King grinned and smacked her ass, his gesture playful. “Tomorrow, before you go to work, you can work out with me. Come on, we’ve got to look at your clothes and then we’ve got some shopping to do.” Turning, he lifted a handful of cotton panties and bras from her suitcase. “Let’s start with these. You can wear them to work, but that’s it. If I see them on you at any other time, I’ll rip them off of you. Now, let’s go through the rest.” Chuckling softly, he rubbed her ass. “I hate shopping, but dressing you is going to be fun.” It only took a few minutes to go through her suitcase, and Brenna had to admit it unnerved her for King to go through her things, as did the realization that she hadn’t even needed any of it since she arrived here. King nodded and gestured for her to put away the jeans she’d held up. “Jesse said for you to wear jeans and something comfortable to work, right?” Brenna folded them and placed them in the drawer before turning. “Yes. I want to look nice in case she needs me to wait on customers, but for the most part, I’ll be in the back, boxing orders to get them ready to be sent. She said they’ve been getting very busy online, and with Kelly not there, it’s

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been crazy. Nat’s also making a lot of the supplies, and may need me to help bottle it. I can’t wait. It sounds like they’re very busy over there.” She very much looked forward to starting a new life with a job that sounded like a challenge and a lot of fun, and working with women she’d already began to like. A satisfying love life would be the only thing she needed to make everything perfect. King nodded. “Clay and Rio have said the same thing. They think Jesse’s working too hard and they sure as hell didn’t expect her business to boom that way. Now, with Kelly out, Jesse and Nat are working all the time to get caught up. I’m glad they hired you. It helps them and keeps you close by.” Trying to appear as nonchalant as possible, Brenna lifted a nightgown from the bed and turned, holding it in front of her. “King, I like the people here. If I like this job, I was thinking about staying here. It’s a wonderful town, but…” King took the nightgown from her hands and tossed it in the direction of the garbage can. “No nightgowns. But what?” Looking toward her nightgown on the floor, she frowned. “I need nightgowns sometimes. They’re comfortable and I like wearing them when I don’t feel good. Sometimes I just need…” She rubbed her arms, a chill going through her as a fresh wave of vulnerability hit her. King smiled and kissed her forehead. “I’ll buy you a new one. I don’t want you wearing a nightgown for me that you wore for some other man.” Brenna found it increasingly arousing to stand toe-to-toe with a man as large as King, especially not wearing a stitch of clothing. “I just wanted you to know that I may want to stay in Desire, even if you auction me—” King whipped his head around, his eyes narrowed and searching. “When we auction you. That’s what you want, isn’t it?” Brenna forced a smile. “Of course.” She wouldn’t give either one of them a reason to get rid of her. “I just meant that when you’re done with me—I mean, done with my training—I still want to live here.” King nodded once, his blue-green eyes flat and giving her no clue to his thoughts. “Fine. You’ll wear the green dress today. Go get your collar and bring it to me.”

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She didn’t know what she’d said to upset him, but she wanted him in that playful mood again. “Why do I have to wear the collar if I’m with you? Isn’t the idea of it so that people know I’m with you?” King waited until she placed the collar into his outstretched hand before answering. “When people see you with me, they might think you’re a friend or acquaintance. Hell, I could be giving you directions. When they see you with me and you’re wearing this, they know that Royce and I are fucking you, and will kick the ass of any man who tries to move on you. That collar signifies that you’re under our protection. Big difference.” He fastened the collar around her neck, his eyes possessive. “This lets everyone know that you’re off-limits. If you get into trouble, or need anything when we’re not around, we’ll get a call.” Brenna shivered at the feel of the cold metal against her skin, her emotions in an uproar. She wore nothing else, only the collar signifying that he and Royce owned her. Part of her wanted to rebel at his arrogance and high-handedness, while another part of her thrilled at the warm possessiveness and affection in his eyes. She reached for the dress he wanted her to wear, stilling when he shook his head. “I’m not done with you yet.” He moved to one of the high dressers and opened the top drawer, coming back with something that looked like little silver chains. “Throw your shoulders back.” Obeying him, Brenna eyed the chains dubiously, her nipples already tingling in anticipation. “I thought we were going out.” “We are going out.” Frowning in concentration, King pinched her nipple and then slipped a loop over it. “Be still.” Trembling, she looked down, unable to tear her gaze away as he tightened the loop on her nipple just enough to make her aware of its presence, but not enough to cause any pain. “Oh, God. King, please don’t tell me you expect me to wear these while we’re out.” “Okay.” Once he’d finished, he dropped the chain, the weight of it tugging her nipple, and moved to the other. Once he’d finished, he met her eyes, smiling faintly. “I won’t tell you. I’ll let you figure it out on your own. Stick those

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nipples out at me. If you don’t, and I attach them while you’re slouched, you won’t be able to stand up straight without them pulling. Either way is fine with me, but this’ll be the last time you’re ever warned.” Alarmed, Brenna thrust her breasts out as far as she could. Shuddering as he attached the chains to her collar, she locked her knees against the overwhelming need that never strayed far from the surface. “King, when I agreed to this, I didn’t think I would be submitting to you outside of sex. You and Royce want me to be like your…possession. I’m a grown woman, but I feel owned, and a little defenseless.” King finished fastening the second chain before meeting her eyes, his eyes glittering with promise. “One thing you’ll never be is defenseless.” He drew a deep breath and let it out slowly. “We do own you, at least until the auction, or you use your safe word. You can work if you want. You’ll have free time, but Royce and I want to know where you’ll be at all times and with whom. We’ll tell you what to wear, bathe you if we want, and feed you if we want. You’ll have your own life, but you’ll always defer to us—that is, for the rest of the month. Turn around. Elbows on the bed, legs spread wide.” Not trusting the steel in his voice, Brenna rushed to obey him, jumping up again when the door opened. A hard slap landed on her ass, startling her. King glared at her as Royce closed the door and crossed the room. “Who the hell gave you permission to move?” She looked at Royce for help, but he merely raised a brow, eyeing her in disapproval. “I didn’t know it was Royce. It could have been anyone.” Shaking his head, King sighed. “Only Royce and I will ever come in here without knocking. Sebastian will knock first, but none of that matters. I gave you an order, Brenna. If I want to parade you naked up Main Street, I will.” Hurrying to turn around again, Brenna stopped short when Royce grabbed her arm. “Wait. I want to see.” With a fingertip, he traced the loop over her nipple, nodding in satisfaction. “They look good on her. I just came up because Jake delivered the last piece. I didn’t know whether you wanted to put it on her or not.”

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King nodded and took the box from Royce’s hand. “Absolutely. She’s having a little trouble with the idea that she’s ours all the time, not just the playroom. I was going to give her a few reminders while we were out to drive that point home. This’ll help.” Brenna jumped when King knelt at her feet, immediately regretting it as he scowled at her again. Holding her hip, he frowned up at her. “Why the hell are you so jumpy?” Royce smiled, circling both King and her to stand behind her, a hard arm wrapped around her waist pulling her against him. “She’s not used to this, poor baby. She’s probably a little overwhelmed.” Brenna looked over her shoulder at him. “Ya think?” Royce slapped her ass in exactly the same spot King had just minutes ago. “Behave yourself.” “I—oh, my God!” Brenna nearly collapsed when King sucked her clit hard, and just as suddenly released it. “What did you do? King, there’s something on there.” She reached for her clit to relieve the pressure there, trembling at how exposed it felt now, only to have King catch her hand in his before she could reach it. Kissing her fingers, King rose to his feet, holding on to yet another of those small chains. With a smile, he gave the chain in his hand a small tug. She cried out at the pull to her clit, and would have fallen if Royce hadn’t been holding her upright. “What is that? What are you doing?” King straightened the chain and attached it to the center of the collar she wore, before stepping back to admire his handiwork. “Perfect. Now, turn around and bend over. Spread those legs.” With a glance at Royce, and with his help, Brenna turned, her legs unsteady. Each small movement she made created an answering tug to her nipples and clit. A hand slid over her back, one she recognized as Royce’s. She didn’t know how he realized, or even if he did how much she needed the contact with one of them at that moment.

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As she watched King move to the nightstand, it hit her that the stronger the connection between them became, the more she counted on their touch, or sometimes just the sound of their voices. She didn’t like being so dependent on anyone, no matter how good they made her feel. She didn’t like the hold they had over her, one that had begun to become about more than just sex. King met her gaze before moving to stand behind her again. “Don’t worry. This is the same small plug you wore last night. Push your ass out, honey.” Royce continued to rub her back. “That’s a good girl.” Biting her lip, she sucked in a breath at the shock of a lubed finger inserted into her ass. Fisting her hands on the bedding, she took several quick breaths as King moved his finger inside her, her legs shaking so hard she didn’t know how long she would be able to stand. Whimpering at the too-intimate invasion, she bent forward and pressed into Royce’s hand at her back, sending the chains swinging as King slipped his finger free and pressed the cold plug against her puckered opening. “Damn, baby. You’re beautiful.” Applying pressure, he forced the tight ring of muscle at her opening to give way, rubbing her bottom cheek when she shuddered. “That’s a good girl. Just a little more.” Taken. Stretched. Her most private opening invaded at whim. It once again stole her resistance, something they seemed to understand very well. When her ass was filled this way, she just couldn’t work up the focus to resist anything they did to her. Her entire body, alive with sensation, trembled helplessly. Her nipples, clit, pussy, and ass came alive from too much attention, or not enough, she couldn’t be sure. Whimpering at the overwhelming fullness and too-sharp awareness that had her defenses crumbling all around her, Brenna cried out as King shoved the last of the plug into her, forcing the inner walls of her anus to stretch to accept it. Feeling the base of it against her, she instinctively reached back, only to have her hand caught in Royce’s. “No, darling. It stays in. Now let’s get you dressed for your shopping trip.”

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Brenna shivered as he helped her to stand upright, each movement tugging at her nipples and clit and shifting the plug in her ass. “I can’t go out like this. Please don’t make me go out like this.” The whimper in her voice pissed her off. She had to lift her arms carefully for King to put her dress over her head, crying out at the tug to her nipples and clit when she did. “I can’t. I can’t walk. Damn it, I can dress myself.” King finished dressing her and reached under her dress to pat her ass, a sharp reminder that he hadn’t permitted her to wear a bra or panties. “You can dress yourself when Royce and I allow it, and you’re going out like this because that’s what I want.” Coming around to stand in front of her, he tilted her head back, his eyes flashing when she whimpered at the pull to her clit and nipples. “Trust me. I won’t ever do anything that I don’t think you can handle. I won’t leave your side.” To her amazement, he pulled her close, running a hand up and down her back. “I know you’re confused. I know you don’t trust your feelings. I’m sorry that Royce and I have to give you such a crash course in this, but we only have this month. We want you to see the level of submission your new Master may expect from you. It’s not for everyone, but it’s better for you to know for sure if this is what you’re looking for or not.” Something in his eyes tugged at her, a sorrow, almost…resignation. She glanced at Royce to find him watching her, the same intensity and regret in his own eyes. Placing her hands flat on King’s chest, she sighed, and decided to go with the truth. “I’m afraid. I’m afraid this is very much what I want, but I’m also afraid that I’m going to lose my temper and you won’t want me anymore. I’m afraid that the next man I give myself to won’t make me feel the way you make me feel. I’m scared that it’ll be over then. I’ll know exactly what I need, but won’t be able to find it ever again.” She blinked back tears, swallowing the lump in her throat. “I’m scared I’ll find exactly what I’m looking for, only to lose it forever and I’ll be emptier inside than before.” She didn’t want to tell them she spoke not only of the lifestyle, but also of them. Her body hummed with desire, but she knew it was the feel of their hands on her skin, the looks of affection and tenderness in their eyes, and their beloved voices that made it possible for her to allow all the rest.

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Royce nodded and slid a hand over her hair, his eyes bleak. “We’re afraid of some of the same things, Brenna. We want you. Very much, but we want a woman who cares for us, not just what we can do for her.” Didn’t they know they wouldn’t be able to make her feel this way if she didn’t care for them? Bending, he dropped a light kiss on her lips, his eyes tender. “We all have a lot of exploring and thinking to do. Go shopping with King. I’ll see you later.” King went to her closet and came back with a pair of her flats and a sweater. “Let’s get going. It’s going to be a busy day.” “I need my purse.” “No, you don’t. One of the things you’re going to have to learn is that Royce and I will provide everything you need.” Letting him help her into her sweater, she met his eyes, wondering what he would say if he knew he and Royce had already given her everything she needed. Except love. And a promise for the future.

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Chapter Ten Taking her hand in his, King led her across the parking lot of the club and then across the street. “Are you warm enough, honey?” Brenna hadn’t even thought about it, too distracted by the gentle tug and release of the chains attached to her nipples and clit, and the shift of the plug in her ass with every step. “Except when a gust of wind goes up my dress.” To her delight, King laughed. “I know for a fact that it’s plenty warm up there.” Leaning close, he brushed his lips over her temple. “That must be quite a shock.” Lifting her hand, he kissed her fingers again, smiling at the people who called out to him. “Do you know what I’m going to do to you as soon as we get back to your room?” His conversational tone didn’t fool her for a minute. Brenna shivered, smiling when he frowned and put his arm around her, pulling her against him and wrapping her in warmth. Looking up at him through her lashes, she shook her head. “I’m scared to ask.” King slowed his steps as they started to pass another woman, one with a man on either side of her and one walking behind. “You look wonderful, Erin. Are your husbands treating you good?” Brenna blinked. Husbands? The other woman paused, glaring at the man on her right, the love in her eyes plain to see. “Jared’s being an old woman. He actually took me to Doc’s for morning sickness, after the doctor already explained what to expect. He acts like I’m the first woman in the history of the world to have a baby.” The man in question bent and brushed his lips over hers, sliding a possessive hand over her still-flat abdomen.

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“You’re the first woman in the history of the world to be having my baby.” The man on her left pulled her close. “Our baby.” King smiled, pulling Brenna closer. “Brenna, this is Erin, Jared, Duncan, and Reese Preston. This is Brenna Nelson. She’s staying with Royce and me.” Erin nodded, smiling and offering her hand. She glowed, her eyes twinkling with happiness under the indulgent looks from the three intimidating men surrounding her. “We’ve heard a lot about you. It’s good to finally meet you. Don’t worry. They’ll get whoever wrote that note. Rachel’s waiting at the store for you. She has everything that you requested ready to go.” Brenna shook the other woman’s hand, glancing at the men surrounding her, and wondering if she’d heard correctly. No woman would have three husbands. Smiling, she grinned sheepishly, her face burning at the thought of what these people would think of her if they knew what she wore, and didn’t wear, under her dress. “I appreciate that very much, but I have to be honest. I don’t have the slightest idea what you’re talking about. King mentioned Rachel, but I don’t know who she is, or why we’re going to see her.” Erin laughed and leaned back against the man standing behind her with the familiarity of a woman secure in her man’s arms. Covering the hands he placed protectively over her belly with her own, Erin cuddled closer to him. “Rachel’s my sister. We own the lingerie store in Desire. Royce and King put in an order for you and we have it all ready. Congratulations, by the way. Most of us never thought—hey!” Jared rubbed her arm where he’d nudged her, his gaze lingering on the collar around Brenna’s neck. “I see she’s wearing the club’s collar. That’s good, especially until everyone meets her. We’re going to get going. Erin needs a nap.” Smiling down at his glaring wife, he chuckled. “She gets a little grouchy when she’s tired.” After they said their good-byes and walked away, Brenna heard Erin answer, her voice raised in outrage. “Grouchy? Wait until we get home and I’ll show you grouchy!”

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After the others walked away, Brenna looked up at King. “Did you really say husbands? As in plural?” King nodded as they turned another corner. “Yes, all three of them are Erin’s husbands. In Desire, there are several relationships like that, and hopefully more to come.” Even finding herself in the position of falling in love with Royce and King, the logistics of marriage to more than one man staggered her. “Do you mean, forever?” King frowned. “Of course. She knew for a little while that she was expecting, but they didn’t tell anyone because Kelly had just announced that she was pregnant, and after all of her miscarriages, they didn’t want to steal her thunder. It wasn’t until Erin fainted on the sidewalk that they had to tell everyone.” Shaking his head, he grinned. “Since then, I haven’t seen her without one of them with her. She’s mellowed quite a bit since she married them. They’re happy together.” “And you say a lot of women in Desire are married to more than one man?” It boggled the mind. The thought of Royce and King both married to another woman created a cold knot of jealousy in her stomach. Not wanting to ruin the short time she had with them, she ruthlessly pushed thoughts of them with another woman aside. King shrugged. “Some, not a lot. The numbers are growing, though.” “Does everyone know about me, and the note?” “Of course. Desire’s a small town, and we’re all very close.” King paused on the sidewalk, gesturing toward a lingerie store. “Rachel has two husbands, and she just had a baby girl. I hope little Theresa’s here.” The woman behind the counter turned as they entered, smiling from ear to ear. “Hi, King. You must be Brenna. It’s nice to finally meet you.” Brenna smiled, her attention captured by the man holding an adorable little baby girl. The man, almost as muscular as King, made little cooing noises at the baby, who was a vision all dressed in pink ruffles. Releasing Brenna, King moved quickly to the baby, and dropped to his knee in front of her. “There she is. Hi, Rachel. Boone, how’s the little angel today?”

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Rachel sighed. “Good Lord, don’t get him started. My daughter has both of her daddies securely tied around her little finger, which seems to suit all three of them just fine.” The laughter and love in her tone told Brenna it suited Rachel just fine as well. The other woman glowed with happiness, a happiness Brenna doubted very few women could attain. Erin seemed to have found it, as well as Jesse. The only woman she’d met from town so far that seemed to be a little unhappy was Nat. Rachel lifted two bags onto the counter. “I have everything ready for you.” King nodded, not looking away from the baby, chuckling when she grabbed on to his finger. “Thanks. There are a few more things I want to look at myself.” He didn’t seem in any hurry, making soothing noises in the back of his throat and apparently fascinated by the adorable little girl. He spoke in low tones to the man holding her while Rachel watched on, the pride and love apparent in her smile she shared with her husband. Leaning close to Brenna, she kept her voice at a whisper. “The men in Desire are a unique bunch, aren’t they? Arrogant as hell when it suits them, but mush underneath.” Brenna smiled. “Thank you, but King and Royce—” King disentangled himself and stood, taking Brenna’s hand and pulling her after him, pointing to a rack of cotton nightgowns. “Pick out a few of those.” Smiling, he met Rachel’s eyes. “Mush? Your husbands should beat you more often.” Rachel laughed in delight, seemingly unconcerned. “That’s what they both say.” Her smiled fell when Theresa started crying. She rushed to her daughter, leaving Brenna alone with King. Distracted by the sight of King’s huge hand sorting through stacks of delicate lace panties, Brenna had to go through the rack three times before she finally decided on two gowns. Her face burned as King took the gowns from her, nodding his approval, and they made their way back up to the counter. Each step drove her crazy, the tug to her nipples and clit and the shift of the plug arousing her more by the minute.

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Bending close to King, Brenna kept her voice low, her face burning. “King, what if it falls out?” Turning to her, King grinned. “Your ass is too tight for that plug to fall out.” With a low chuckle, he wrapped a hand around the back of her neck. Somehow managing to shift her necklace in just the right way to tug at all three clips at once, he smiled again when she gasped. “If you’re afraid it’s gonna fall out, you should keep that ass clenched tight.” Fisting her hands on the counter, she glared up at him, involuntarily clenching on the plug. “Sometimes, I could smack you.” King’s brow went up. “Anytime you want. Just remember, I retaliate, and with something a hell of a lot more erotic than a smack.” To her relief, across the room, Boone stood. “I’m taking Theresa back for her nap. Good seeing you, King. It was a pleasure to meet you, Brenna.” King nodded and set everything on the counter. “Send the bill to the club. If Red here comes in for anything, just send us the bill.” “Will do.” Rachel wrote out a receipt and stuck it in the register before wrapping everything in tissue paper and slipping it into one of the bags. “It was nice meeting you, Brenna. I heard you’ll be working for Jesse. Stop in some time so we can talk.” Consumed with curiosity, Brenna walked beside King as they made their way back toward the club. The constant stimulation had already worked her into a frenzy, something she suspected King knew very well. “King, I swear, I’m going to come.” “By the time we get home, you’ll be ready for more.” “I’m ready for more now. I can’t stand it anymore. Why do you always put something in my ass but not my pussy?” King chuckled and wrapped an arm around her. “I like your pussy free and available to me at all times. I fill your ass because it makes you docile.” “Docile? I’m ready to punch you.” King chuckled. “It’ll get worse before it gets better. You’ve got to learn to function while aroused, because it’s going to be a state we keep you in as often as possible.” She thought back to something he’d said earlier. “You never did tell me what you planned to do to me when we get back to the club. No, don’t tell

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me. I won’t be able to stand it. Shit. Tell me. The suspense’ll drive me crazy.” With a teasing grin, King reached under her dress to pat her bottom. “You’re a bossy little thing. It’s up to me whether to tell you or not, remember?” Brenna slapped his arm, stepping in front of him to snuggle against him, pressing her nipples against his chest. It felt so good, she did it again, wishing they were back in her room and both naked. Looking up at him, she smiled and came to her toes to touch her lips to his chin. “That’s not fair. You were going to tell me before but we got interrupted. Can I have a kiss?” To her delight, King smiled and wrapped his free arm around her. “Demanding, too. I like that in a woman.” Flattening her hands on his chest, she looked up at him through her lashes. “You do? That doesn’t make sense. I thought you wanted me to just submit to whatever you want.” Threading a hand into her hair, King tilted her face back and ran a thumb over her cheek, his eyes sharpening at her moan at the tug of the chains. “The sweetest surrender is from a woman who has no intention of giving it, a woman who fights it every step of the way.” Jealous of the woman he was thinking about, Brenna pushed away from him, tears burning her eyes as she hurried down the sidewalk to the club. He caught her almost immediately, dropping the bags to the sidewalk to wrap his arms around her from behind, his breath warm against her ear. “Where do you think you’re going?” Struggling against his hold proved futile. Out of breath and blinking back tears, she turned away. “I’ve been stupid and made a fool of myself again.” Brushing his lips over her hair, he rocked her, his tone gentling. “Why would you think that?” “Never mind. I just want to go back to the club and get my things.” King kissed her hair and turned her in his arms. “Why would you want to do that?” Gripping her chin, he lifted her face, brushing his lips over hers. “I know that being aroused and unfulfilled makes you angry, but if you think I’m letting you go, you’re crazy.”

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Brenna tried to pull away, but her attempts only seemed to amuse him and only served to enflame her further. Furious that he laughed at her, she stopped struggling, not about to provide him with any more entertainment. “Let go of me, you big brute. You son of a bitch! You let me make a fool of myself. Well, I’m not doing that anymore. I’m leaving.” King gathered her close, brushing her lips with his. “I won’t let you do that. You’re reacting in anger.” He touched a finger to her lips when she would have spoken. “Stop it.” He tapped her lips when she tried to speak again, his eyes gentling. “I know you don’t see yourself the way I see you. Your reaction proves that, but you’re too mad now to listen to anything I have to say.” Brenna tried to pull away again, but only managed to rub against him, the chains and plug driving her crazy and heightening her arousal each time she moved. “I can be angry if I want to be angry. Look, you’re just not what I was looking for. None of this is what I thought I wanted. Now, I just want to leave.” King raised a brow, the amusement twinkling in his eyes enraging her further. “Oh? And where would you be going? You already admitted that you hadn’t been able to find another job where you lived before, so what would you be going back to? Did you plan to go somewhere else? Where? You’ve already said that you like it here and you have a job. You have a place to live and you’ve already sent for the rest of your things. No, Red. You’re not going anywhere.” Brenna smiled smugly and opened her mouth to use her safe word, but King touched his finger to her lips before she could utter it. Lifting her to her toes, he tugged the choker around her neck, the pull to her nipples and clit nearly making her come. “You use that safe word, and it’s over.” Brenna clamped her mouth closed, alarmed at what she’d almost done in anger. She’d almost made the biggest mistake of her life. “How did you know I was going to use it?” “I’m your Master. My job is to know you better than you know yourself. Now, behave yourself or I’ll take you into one of these alleys and give you the spanking you’re practically begging me for.”

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Stunned by how well he’d already come to know her, Brenna struggled to pull away, each movement driving her closer and closer to orgasm. If she came now, she’d be mortified, but she didn’t know how much longer she could hold back her release. She couldn’t even hold on to much of her anger, the hunger inside her making it nearly impossible to think about anything else. He’d been right. She wanted to provoke him into doing something that would end this torment. Her clit burned, the tingling there making it nearly impossible to stay upright, each tug to it and to her nipples sending little sizzles throughout her abdomen. Her inner thighs had become soaked with her juices, and she kept clamping down on the fucking plug in her ass, making it feel even bigger. “Damn you! I’m not giving in to you anymore. I’m not submitting one fucking thing to you ever again. You and your friend can kiss my ass!” To her shock, King laughed. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he picked up the bags and hurried down the sidewalk. “There you are. I wondered how long you were going to be able to hold back.” “Go fuck yourself.” “No, Red. I’m going to fuck you and you’re going to pay for talking to me that way. This is the woman I saw the day you came to the club. You’ve been trying to please and you like experimenting, but you haven’t let yourself go. Until now, you’ve been just going through the motions.” The plug moved relentlessly inside her ass with every step, the chain tugging at her already sensitized clit and nipples driving her to the brink of orgasm. Clamping down on the plug, she fought a losing battle. The tingling became more intense, the warmth from it spreading until she couldn’t think about anything else. “King!” He caught her, rubbing her back as wave after wave of pleasure raced through her. “That’s it, honey. Let it take you. You’re too passionate to ignore this side of yourself. Face it, Red. You need us just as much as we need you. From this point on, you’re going to see what it’s like to belong to Royce and me. What it’s like to be ours completely, not just a submissive, but ours.” Holding on to him for support, Brenna fought to speak as the shimmering waves washed over her. Barely able to stand, she appreciated

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the hard arm around her waist, and buried her face against his chest to hide from anyone who could be watching her. Amazed that she’d come on a street corner, and during an argument, she whimpered in her throat as the waves crested and rolled through her. Thankful for King’s support, she leaned into him, letting him take her weight. His soft crooning, much like the sounds he’d made with the baby, washed over her, melting away the last of her defenses. His words kept ringing in her head, but she knew he didn’t mean them the way she wanted him to. She wanted forever. Once she’d started to settle, she lifted her head carefully so as not to apply pressure to the chains, and looked up at King. Unsurprised to find him staring down at her, she met his searching gaze, trying to tamp down the thrill of truly belonging to him and to Royce. Surely, he couldn’t have meant permanently. She reached deep for some of the anger that had dissolved with her orgasm, and cleared her throat. “There you are. King, I need to talk to you.” When King shoved her behind his back, Brenna sucked in a breath at the tug to her sensitized nipples and clit. Blowing out a breath, his big body relaxed against hers. “Hell, Ace. For someone so big, you sure as hell can sneak up on people.” Ace’s eyes narrowed. “Comes in handy. Jumpy, aren’t you? Can’t say that I blame you under the circumstances.” **** King pulled Brenna back to his side, caressing her back in an effort to ease her trembling. Hell, he’d probably scared the shit out of her. Ace’s jaw clenched, a coldly furious look in his eyes that King had only seen a handful of times in all the years he’d known him. “We need to talk.” The knot in his stomach turned to ice. “Tell me.” A muscle worked in Ace’s jaw. “The handwriting and the fingerprints on the note are Donner’s.” King could feel the muscles in his body clench one by one.

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“Where is he?” He didn’t bother to keep the rage out of his voice, but tempered it when Brenna stiffened beside him. “Is he still in jail?” Ace sighed. “Yes. We’re checking visitors and phone calls. I’ll let you and Royce know what I come up with. It could be anybody. With all the business this town does, we get too many visitors to keep track of. I can’t wait until we get some more help.” **** Brenna tuned out the rest of the men’s conversation, her mind racing. She knew where Donner was being held, and the thought of confronting him appealed to her more by the minute. When the men finished their conversation and the sheriff walked away, Brenna had already made up her mind. She knew, though, that to get away, King and Royce couldn’t suspect. They walked in silence for several minutes, King holding her tightly and stiff by her side. “King, what you said before, about belonging to you and Royce, you meant until the auction, didn’t you?” King didn’t answer right away, staring down at her, his eyes becoming hard once again. Finally, he nodded once and looked away. “Yes. Until the auction. Let’s go. I need to talk to Royce.” Brenna wanted to get back, too. She had to confront Donner, and had to figure out a way to get away from King and Royce to do it. King’s silence on the way back to the club enabled her to think and come up with a plan.

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Chapter Eleven Pulling the robe tightly around herself, Brenna paced her room, more nervous than she’d been since the first day she arrived. King had brought her straight here, and after stripping her and removing the chains, plug, and collar, he left, closing the door behind him. Other than telling her to be still while he tended to her, he hadn’t said a word to her. She’d heard voices from the room next door, and knew they belonged to Royce and King, but she hadn’t been able to make out more than a few words. One of them had been her name. She’d taken a hot shower and put on her robe, in an effort to ward off the chill that had pervaded her ever since they’d come back. Waiting for them to come through the door, she paced, wondering how the hell she could get out of here before either one of them returned. Taking a deep breath, she swallowed a sob, one that she hadn’t even known was there. Of course, it would have been hard to believe that Royce and King would ever want her for more than just a temporary diversion, but the realization of how they must have laughed at the ease in which she gave in to them made her want to cry. Swiping her sleeve across her cheeks, she walked to the bathroom to get a cold cloth. Holding it to her face, she stared into the mirror and straightened. “You can do this. Just get your clothes and get the hell out of here. They’ll get mad and kick me out. Who cares? You don’t need them.” Her voice broke on the last word. Hell, she couldn’t even convince herself. She was very much afraid that she’d found exactly what she needed—that elusive quality that she’d never even been able to identify. She’d found it with them—in spades.

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If only she could find a way to hold on to it, she would be the happiest woman on earth. The realization had hit her while she’d been in the shower. Somehow, despite her determination not to, she’d fallen in love with them. Really in love. And they’d probably never believe it. Furious at herself, she went to the door, wondering if she’d be able to pick the lock. To her amazement, the knob turned. King must have been so upset when he’d stormed out that he’d forgotten to lock the door. Knowing it was now or never, Brenna raced to get dressed in the clothes they left for her to wear to work, grabbed her purse, and went out to the hall, her heart beating nearly out of her chest. The door to the next room, the room they used for their upstairs office, stood open, allowing her to hear their low conversation. Royce sounded furious. “If I ever get my hands on Donner, he’s going to understand the word torture.” King sighed. “Yeah, but he’s not the only problem. Someone delivered that note, and they did it without leaving any fingerprints on the envelope. We’re going to have to watch Brenna until we find out who it was, and make sure we stay between her and them.” Royce cursed. “No one will get through us to get to her, especially with everyone watching her the way they are when she goes into town. We’ll keep her locked up and distracted as much as possible. I like distracting Brenna.” He sighed heavily. “I’ll be so glad when this farce is over.” Slapping a hand over her mouth to cover her gasp, Brenna doubled over, the knife to her heart more painful than she could have imagined. Closing her fist over her car keys to keep them from making noise, she ignored the pain in her hand and hurried toward the stairs, blinking back tears. The ache in her heart far outweighed the pain in her hand. Once again, she’d made a fool of herself.

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“I’ll be glad when she accepts this way of life and we can finally tell her how we feel.” Royce turned from the window. “So you think she’s in there right now planning to leave?” Sitting back in his chair, with his feet on the ottoman, King stretched and folded his hands behind his head. “That would be my guess. When I made that comment about earning a woman’s submission, she turned white, then red, and then she got mad and embarrassed at the same time. She doesn’t think she’s the woman I described. You should have seen the look on her face. Yep, she’s falling in love with us.” Royce couldn’t hold back his own smile, finding it hard to believe the impact Brenna had had on both of them. He and King had given up on finding one woman they could both care for. It would be difficult enough for any woman to take on a man as dominant as either one of them, but to find one who intrigued and fascinated them seemed almost a miracle. Besides, she was damned adorable. Sexy. Sweet, and so beautiful, she took his breath away. If she thought he and King would be selling her off at the next auction, she would be in for a big surprise. He worried about the note, but Donner was behind bars and couldn’t get to her. He knew Ace would do everything in his power to find out who’d taped it to her door. In the meantime, he and King would keep her safe while she learned to accept that she needed this lifestyle every bit as much as they did. Coming back from the window, he took a seat at his desk and gestured toward the bags King had dropped when he’d stormed in a few minutes ago. “Did you get everything?” Without opening his eyes, King shook his head. “No. After she came, she was upset. Then Ace showed up and she got really quiet. I just wanted to get her home.” With a sigh, he sat up, his feet hitting the floor. “When I told her that she would see what it was like to be ours, she asked me if it was until the auction. She’s damned fixated on that fucking auction.”

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Royce sat back, rubbing his stomach where a knot had formed. “Yes, she is. Why don’t we just let her keep on believing it—see if we can shake her? In the meantime, we’ll do just what you said and give her a taste of what it would like to belong to us for real. We’ve been too easy on her so far because she’s new at this and because we didn’t realize how much we would both fall for her.” King grinned. “You should have seen her face when I told her how much the challenge of making a woman submit, especially when she doesn’t want to, excites us. She thinks she’s given in too easily and is embarrassed at that. She doesn’t realize she never had a chance, and I know she doesn’t realize just how much she’s fought us all along. She fights her own desire to give in, but she doesn’t fight us. Why the hell would we want a woman who didn’t want us as much as we want her? Do you think she even considers that?” Royce smiled, his body tight at the challenge ahead. “Her anger and embarrassment will force her to resist, and she’ll see for herself how badly she needs to submit. She’s going to fight it, but her body won’t let her. It doesn’t sound like she’s ever trusted another man enough to give up control. She’s got to learn to trust us, but with a woman like Brenna, that won’t be easy. She has to learn to trust that we mean what we say. It’ll be a hard lesson, but she’ll have to accept it before we can move on.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, more nervous and filled with anticipation than he’d been in a long time. “I have a feeling that once she realizes how badly she needs to submit, she’ll truly embrace it. Once that happens, she’ll be even more magnificent than she is now. I’m afraid we’re going to end up helpless to resist her.” Nodding soberly, King came to his feet. “Yeah, if we can do it. Do you realize that we’ve only got about three weeks to make sure that, not only does she embrace this lifestyle, but also that she falls in love with us?” The surge of excitement had Royce on his feet and headed for the door. “We’d better not waste a minute, then.” Three minutes later, Royce stood holding her robe, his heart pounding in terror. “Son of a fucking bitch! Where the hell is she?” ****

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Brenna sat forward in the hard plastic chair, meeting Eugene Donner’s evil grin with a cold smile of her own. “I don’t know what the hell you thought you were trying to accomplish when you wrote that note, but if it was to terrify me, you came up short.” Donner chuckled, a cold sound that sent a chill up her spine. “I’m not admitting to writing whatever note you’re talking about, but if you weren’t scared, you wouldn’t be here now.” Not bothering to hide her revulsion, Brenna tightened her grip on the telephone she used to speak to him. “I’m not scared. I’m amused at your little games. Are you really so hard up for a woman that you can’t get one without forcing her? You really are pathetic.” His face hardened in an instant, his eyes going a little wild, as the stalker she’d faced for months reappeared. “Pathetic? Don’t try to tell me you don’t want the kind of man who’ll take charge. I hear you made a place for yourself at the club.” “Really? Where did you hear that?” Donner grinned. “A little birdie. Royce and King taking what you didn’t give me?” “They don’t take! I give, something you’re too stupid to understand.” Realizing the truth in her words, she snapped her mouth closed. Despite the things they’d done to her, Royce and King had never taken anything from her that she hadn’t freely given. Except her heart. They stole bits and pieces of it in small increments, and she had no idea how to stop them. Donner slapped his hand on the table in front of him, jolting her back to the present. “Can’t stop daydreaming about them, can you? I told you already that if I couldn’t have you, I sure as hell wasn’t going to let anyone else. Especially them.” Brenna smiled. “I’ve got news for you, asshole. Whoever I decide to screw is none of your business.”

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On Royce and King, arrogance was sometimes infuriating, sometimes sexy as hell, but it never made her want to throw up the way Donner’s did now. “You’re in jail, and from what I hear, you’ll be here for a long time, so there’s nothing you can do about it.” Donner’s face cleared, his smile once again cold and calculating. “You’re going to see just how wrong you are about that.” He hung up the phone and got to his feet. “Guard!” Brenna waited until he left before she hung up the phone and stood. “Now, asshole, maybe we’ll find out just who’s doing your dirty work.” **** By the time Brenna got back to Desire, her stomach was rumbling, and she felt more like herself than she had in days. She pulled into a parking space in front of the diner, her mouth watering for a cheeseburger. Then she’d go back to the club and finish the month with Royce and King, but she’d do it her way. She got out of the small car she’d finally managed to pay off, slamming the door behind her. Damn them for making her care about them! She’d been a fool to be so taken in by their act that she’d really begun to think they cared about her. As far as she was concerned, the farce was already over. She flung open the door of the diner, wincing at the loud clang of the overhead bells against the glass. “Is that her?” The voice came from somewhere to her right, but she couldn’t pick out who it had come from. She stilled when every eye in the diner turned in her direction. Before she could react, the sheriff rose from one of the booths on the other side. “That’s her.” He came toward her fast, his long legs closing the distance between them before she could turn and leave. “Not so fast.”

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He closed his hand over her upper arm and led her outside and to one of the small benches, gesturing for her to sit. “Hey! Let go. I’m hungry.” His eyes searched hers. “Are you all right?” His tone managed to be both gentle and steely, a feat the men of Desire seemed to have perfected. “I’m fine, Sheriff. I just want my cheeseburger. What the hell’s going on? Why did you grab me like that?” “The entire town’s looking for you.” The sense of urgency surrounding him had her dropping to the bench without a fight, her alarm growing when he stood over her and made a call. “Royce, it’s Ace. I’ve got Brenna. We’re in front of the diner. Yes, she’s fine.” He disconnected and made another call. “I’ve got her. Call off the search. Yes, she’s fine.” He disconnected and stuck the phone back in his pocket. “Royce and King are on their way. Your disappearance caused a lot of trouble in my town.” Brenna sighed. “I’m sorry for that. There was no reason for it.” “I agree.” Brenna blew out a breath, crossing her arms over her chest. “What the hell’s that supposed to mean? I’m a grown woman. I can come and go as I please. Now, move so I can get my cheeseburger.” She started to rise, but he didn’t move at all, crowding her back into her seat. “You try to get up from that bench again, and I’ll handcuff you to it.” Brenna gasped. “You wouldn’t dare! I’ll have you know—” “I’ve spent the entire day watching two of my good friends being ripped inside out over you. I’d dare a lot concerning you right now.” She’d already been nervous about seeing Royce and King again, but hearing that they were upset made it even worse. “What did you say?” “You heard me.” He took the seat beside her, his eyes daring her to make a run for it. “I’ve known Royce and King for a long time, and I’ve never seen them as frantic as they’ve been since they found you gone.” Staring straight ahead, Brenna grimaced. “After I left, I realized I should have left a note.”

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Ace shook his head. “I don’t think a note would have appeased them much, but it would have helped. They thought you’d been kidnapped. They’ve spent the entire day turning this town upside down, looking for you. I’ve never seen that look of fear in their eyes before. I hope I never see it again.” “Brenna!” She didn’t even get a chance to turn before King lifted her from the bench and yanked her against him. His hand moved over her back, his breath warm against her neck. “Thank God you’re all right!” Gripping her upper arms, he thrust her away from him, his eyes hard and cold. “Where the hell have you been? His temper fueled her own. “Look, I had something to do—something to take care of. I was just going to get a burger and I was coming back to the club.” King blew out a breath. “So you were coming back?” Lifting her chin, she nodded. “Of course. We have an agreement.” The sheriff stepped forward. “Are you going to tell them where you were, or should I?” Brenna whipped her head around, and up. “You know where I was?” He lifted a brow, his eyes hard. “This isn’t exactly my first day on the job.” He spoke to Royce and King, but his eyes remained on hers. “I asked the warden of the prison where Donner’s being held to let me know if he has any visitors. He had one this afternoon—Brenna Nelson. He called me right before she walked through the door.” Royce nodded. “I should have figured that.” King released her, his lips thinning. “Wasn’t thinking. Stupid. Thanks, Ace.” Ace nodded once. “Your woman wants a cheeseburger.” He turned away, taking two steps before turning back. “You provoked Donner, didn’t you?” Uncomfortably aware of the tension coming from Royce and King, Brenna forced a smile.

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“Can you think of a better way to catch whoever’s doing this? I’ve spent too much time dealing with Donner, Sheriff. I’m not about to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder.” Inclining his head, he smiled faintly. “Would’ve done the same thing.” King groaned. “Christ, Ace, don’t encourage her.” Ace smiled at that. “There’s no doubt in my mind that you and Royce will discourage any further incidents.” Royce’s eyes glittered dangerously. “That we will. Thanks, Ace.” When Ace went back to the diner, Royce stepped closer to Brenna, capturing her chin and tilting her face to his. “We will definitely deal with this back at the club. I’ll get some burgers and we can discuss this while we eat.” **** They ate their burgers at the park with Royce and King pacing back and forth in front of her as she told them about her trip to the prison. Royce finished his burger and wadded up the paper. “So he knows about us? Good. I don’t like the fact that you intentionally pissed him off, though.” Brenna had just taken a bite of her burger and had to swallow before speaking. “How else are we going to find out who taped that note to my door? Nothing else has happened, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder. Donner’s done enough to wreck my life, and I’m not going to let him terrorize me anymore.” King whirled, his eyes flashing. “We should have been with you.” Brenna smiled at his arrogance. “I didn’t need you to come with me. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time.” King shook his head. “That was before. You’re ours now, Brenna, and I have a signed contract to prove it.” No longer hungry, Brenna rewrapped what was left of her cheeseburger and shoved it in the bag. “Until the auction, I’m yours for sex. This was a private matter that—” Royce surged forward, gripping her upper arms and lifting her to her toes.

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“We take care of you. What the hell didn’t you understand about us wanting to know your whereabouts at all times?” Brenna gritted her teeth. “I had something to do.” Folding his arms across his chest, King shook his head. “You disobeyed our rules and you put yourself in danger. I’m sure you, a grown woman, realize that there are consequences to be paid for your actions.” No amount of reasoning with them deterred them. No amount of struggling seemed to matter. Before she knew it, she’d been hustled back to the club, stripped, and locked in her room with orders to behave while they called Ace and made some preparations. Sitting on the bed, she crossed one leg over the other, growing more nervous by the minute. **** Nearly a half hour later, Brenna froze at the sound of a key in the door, involuntarily taking several steps back when it swung open. Being alone had given her time to think, and brace herself for their anger. Royce came through first. Wearing all black, with his hair tied back, he looked more compelling and dangerous than ever. His expression gave away nothing, his handsome features schooled into a look that could have been anger, amusement, frustration, or a combination of all three. The cool calculation in his eyes, though, couldn’t be mistaken. Her stomach clenched, but she kept her expression bland, not wanting them to see her fear—or her excitement. She didn’t understand how they could both arouse her simply by walking into a room. “I understand you went to the lingerie store in town. Did you get some nice things?” Brenna blinked at Royce’s unexpected question, glancing at King as he came into the room carrying the two bags from their shopping trip, and closed the door behind him. She didn’t know what they were up to, but if they thought to catch her off guard, they would soon learn differently.

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“I…uh…guess so. I really didn’t see anything except for the two cotton nightgowns King asked me to pick out.” Royce nodded once and came further into the room, strolling toward the table where King had just placed the bags, and began to take items from them. “Good.” Brenna met King’s steady gaze as he toed off his shoes and made himself comfortable on her bed, his smile daring her to tell Royce about their trip to town. Lifting her chin, she turned back to Royce, her cheeks burning as her embarrassment came back in full force. Irritated, she watched him put her clothing away, deciding to deal with the subject head-on. “Aren’t you going to mention anything about me having an orgasm right there on the street?” Royce finished stacking a surprising number of panties, one in every color she could imagine, and turned to drop a kiss on her raised chin. Reaching a hand inside her robe, he cupped a breast, stroking her nipple with his thumb. “You act like that’s something surprising, darling. King and I can make you come whenever, and wherever, we want.” Brenna leaned into his caress without meaning to, her senses soaring. The feel of his hands on her body proved too alluring to even think about resisting. “Sometimes you’re too arrogant for your own good. Now I suppose you’re going to spank me and fuck me.” Royce smiled. “Is that what you think this is all about?” He rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger, bending to brush her lips with his. “Sex is a big part of it, but not all—something you’ll learn in time. I can’t keep my hands off of you and I don’t see any reason to try.” Panicked that she’d once again lost control so quickly, she tried to back away, unable to forget that this was all a farce to them. “Royce, I’m not staying.” “Of course, you are.” He released her and went to the dresser, placing the stack in the drawer before going back to the bag. Missing his touch, she pulled her robe tightly closed and retied it. “Then it’s going to have to be just for sex.” Turning from the dresser where he’d just placed another stack of something, he met her gaze again. “No. King told me what happened in town. You obviously think you’ve submitted too easily, but that doesn’t get

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you out of your contract. We dominate. You submit. That’s the way it is, Brenna.” King flipped back the covers and patted the bed beside him. “Lose the robe and come here.” Brenna barely resisted the urge to stamp her foot. “Damn it. You don’t listen to anything I say.” King smiled. “I listen to every word that comes out of your mouth, baby doll. Do you listen to us?” She didn’t trust his deceptively casual tone. “Of course.” King inclined his head. “Then you know you broke several of the rules that we explained to you. You disappeared without telling us where you were going and you put yourself in danger.” Royce put the last of the clothes away and came back to her, gripping her upper arms to lift her to her toes. “Then you know there are consequences to your actions.” She lifted her chin, her nipples already tingling. “I came back, didn’t I? I’m not afraid of you.” Not about to show them how vulnerable she felt, Brenna resisted the compelling urge to cover herself. King threw his head back and laughed, a deep belly laugh that made her feel even more foolish. “Nice try, Red. You’re scared all right and you know it.” Circling her, he came up behind her. With slow deliberation, he reached around her to cover her breasts with his palms, chuckling against her ear when she arched more fully into his hands. “But you trust us to give you what you need.” With the lightest touch, he grazed her tender nipples with his rough palms. “You want us to touch you, caress you, and give this body the attention it deserves.” Standing in front of her, Royce lifted her chin. “You like the attention we give you. You need it as much as you need the taste of the whip, and the feel of lying helpless and vulnerable over our laps while we heat that incredible ass.” Brenna slumped more heavily against King with every word, her body recognizing its Masters. She gulped, her throat dry. “I don’t appreciate b– being treated l–like a child.”

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Royce ran his thumb over her bottom lip, his eyes flaring when she parted them and touched her tongue to his thumb. “You’re not treated like a child, and you know it. You’re a woman with needs we want to explore, needs King and I both want to satisfy. There’s a hunger inside you that’s only partially awakened, and you’re scared to death to see the level of submission you’re truly capable of. You won’t be able to satisfy the hunger completely until you know the truth about yourself.” King ran his hands over her bottom, cupping her ass cheeks and squeezing until her bottom hole stung, sending a fresh rush of moisture to coat her inner thighs. “You don’t think we know just how much you like the attention to your ass? Do you have any idea how much we like playing with you there? Filling you?” Royce touched her clit, his eyes flaring at her gasp. “I knew you were strong enough. Like you said—you came back.” King dropped on to the bed again. “So, you can be strong enough to accept the punishment you know have coming to you, or you can use your safe word and walk out that door for good. Your choice.” “What about the auction? Would I be able to use my safe word then?” Royce lifted her chin with a firm finger. “Is that what you plan to do?” Brenna shrugged. “It’s none of your business, is it?” Royce’s eyes hardened. “It’s definitely my business, since you’ve already been promised on the auction block. You’ve already signed the contract.” The thought of being sold to the highest bidder filled Brenna with horror. She couldn’t imagine anyone but Royce or King touching her now. King sat up. “What’s the matter, Red? You chickening out? I knew you were one of those that only wanted to dip your toes in. You’re too scared of how much you like it to commit to anyone. You want to flit from Master to Master, playing at it instead of becoming part of a lifestyle you’re clearly meant for.” He grinned, his eyes full of challenge. “You haven’t got the guts to go the distance. Hell, if one month is too long for you, you’d never survive. Is that what it is, Red? You not gutsy enough to see it through? I knew that woman breathing fire at my door had to be an illusion. I thought you had spunk, but you just want the easy way.”

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Brenna whirled. “You have no idea what you’re talking about, you asshole!” King laughed. “Sure I do. You don’t have the guts to go for what you want. You’re too timid and shy to be a real sub, so you want to play at it whenever your panties get wet. We’re willing to play for awhile, but we all know you could never be the kind of sub who could keep a Master interested for long.” “Fuck you!” Thankful that her rage masked the knife to her heart, she went on the attack. “Wait until I get to that auction. The men there are going to be climbing over each other to get to me. I’ll be the best there.” King shrugged. “We’ll see. You can’t even follow instructions.” Brenna smiled sarcastically. “I can follow instructions when I feel like it. I don’t feel like it. I don’t want to play your little games now. Get out.” Royce caught her to him from behind before she could avoid him. “There’s a concept I don’t think you’re getting here, Brenna. King and I aren’t playing.” Before she knew it, she found herself facedown over Royce’s lap. Panicked, she struggled to get free, screaming at each sharp slap landed. “You son of a bitch! Let me up. Bastard.” No man had ever handled her with such ease before, such confidence. No man she’d ever known had ever made her feel so secure, or so desired. She needed this as much as she needed air, and the knowledge was hard to accept. King laughed and the bed shifted as he got up. “I’ll get a plug.” She saw his bare feet as he walked past her, but she couldn’t see anything else. “No! You’re not sticking a plug in me. Every time I turn around, you’re sticking something in my ass!” Royce delivered another slap. “It appears to be the fastest way to get your attention.” Her bottom clenched at the thought, and to her consternation, her pussy also clenched, her juices flowing to coat her thighs. Embarrassed to let Royce see her body’s reaction to his spanking, she struggled even harder. They would both know just how much she loved it—the ultimate humiliation. “Let go of me, damn you! Just fuck me and be done with it.” Royce ran a hand over her ass. “You know better than that, darling.”

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Her ass burned, the heat of his spanking spreading, but it was the sense of helplessness against it that really turned her on. He spanked every square inch of her bottom, never hitting the same place twice. He spanked the delicate place between her thighs and bottom, making her clit swell and her pussy and ass tingle. No amount of fighting or wiggling could get him to stop, and she couldn’t get free. Just being bent over his lap excited her more than she cared to admit. When King’s feet came back into her line of vision, she fought harder, panicking again when Royce grabbed her wrists and held them at the small of her back. “No. Don’t you dare put anything in my—uf!” She couldn’t get the rest of it out as King forced something into her mouth, fastening it around her head to keep it in place. She knew what to expect, knew she couldn’t stop it. It proved that they knew what she needed, craved, more than she did. Royce ran a hand over her bottom, spreading the heat. “That’s better. Like I was saying, King and I aren’t playing. You belong to us for the rest of the month, and afterward, you’ll be put up at auction. You can resist all you want, but you’re staying and you’re going to learn how to behave. You need to be tamed, wildcat.” Biting the rubber ball in her mouth, Brenna cursed at him, frustrated that nothing but angry sounds came out. If they thought she would just lie there and let them do what they wanted to her while planning to get rid of her when they were done, they were both sadly mistaken. She’d surrender her body, but not her will. By the time the month was over, they’d be begging her to stay. King bent by her head, his eyes so dark and filled with anticipation it shook her. “You know what your problem is, Red?” Brenna struggled harder, wishing she could smack that smug look off of his face. King ran a hand over her hair, lifting his other hand to show her the plug he held, one that had already been coated with lube. “You’ve never found a man who could handle all that passion before, so you give in, trying to convince yourself that he overpowered you. Do you fantasize about that

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while he takes you? Do you fantasize that you didn’t have any choice and that he makes you do things you don’t want to do?” Royce slapped her ass again. “Did you fantasize about that with us? Did you pretend that you had no choice? Well, darling, that’s your reality now, something you fail to truly understand. You have no choice. We’re going to take what we want from you and make you do things you don’t always want to do. There’s no choice anymore.” King came to his feet. “Open that ass for me.” Startled to find that her wrists had been tied with the belt of the robe while she’d been listening to King, Brenna fought harder as Royce gripped a buttock in each hand and spread them wide. Expecting the plug, she tried to clench her bottom tight. The sharp sting of a whip hitting her puckered opening shocked her so much, she stilled, tears stinging her eyes at the pain. It took only a few seconds for the pain to subside, and a sharp tingling, almost too sharp, began to spread around her bottom hole. Made even worse as Royce held her open, the sizzling heat surrounding her forbidden opening had her clenching her ass, kicking her feet in an effort to escape the overwhelming sensation. Before she could come to grips with it, the hard plug pushed relentlessly at her opening, the cold rubber a sharp contrast to the heat already there. Hardly able to believe their imagination and how much she reveled in everything they did to her, she gulped in air, struggling to take in the incredible pleasure racing through her. She couldn’t fight them. She couldn’t stop the plug from going inside her. She had no defense against the orgasm that threatened to overtake her. King shoved the plug into her, forcing her ass to stretch to accept it. The feeling of incredible fullness and extreme sense of vulnerability at having her most private place used and filled at their whim sent her over in a wave of heat unlike any orgasm she’d ever experienced. Royce’s hold kept her from bucking, forcing her to remain still as the intense surge of heat washed over her. “That’s it. Come. We can handle you, Brenna. We can handle all that passion inside you. We’ve been walking on eggshells with you, but that was obviously a mistake.” Brenna slumped. If they’d been walking on eggshells with her so far, she couldn’t even imagine what lay in store for her in the future.

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When Royce untied her hands, she automatically reached for the rubber piece in her mouth, only to have King take her hands in his, lifting them over her head and retying them to the head of the bed as Royce laid her on her back. King bent, taking a nipple between his teeth, running a hand down the center of her body to her pussy. The sharp pain to her nipple sent a jolt of heat to her pussy, forcing her to clamp down on the finger King shoved inside her. He leaned close, withdrawing his finger. “Consider that invisible leash around your neck tugged, Red.” Her eyes went wide at his audacity. Struggling to pull her wrists free, she kicked at him as he pushed her thighs wide and made a place for himself between them. He lowered his pants to his knees, eyeing her pussy as he rolled on a condom. Royce pinched a nipple with one hand, while the fingers of the other covered her clit and began to move. Brenna fought for all she was worth, cursing at them around the gag, but nothing she could say or do could stop them. Looking into Royce’s eyes as the next orgasm hit her, she saw the flash of heat in them and a possessiveness so intense, it stole her breath. At that moment, more than at any time since she’d come here, she belonged to him. The knowledge shone in his eyes, could be felt in his touch. When he smiled at her, she would have done anything he asked, been anything he wanted her to be. “There it is. There’s the woman who knows what she needs.” King groaned, lifting her thighs high and spreading them wide before plunging into her. “If I had my way, you’d spend the rest of your life in this position. Yeah, Red, keep clamping down on my cock. Nice and tight, especially with that plug in your ass.” Royce took her nipples between his thumbs and forefingers, tugging them away from her body and holding them there while every thrust of King’s cock inside her moved her and made the pull stronger.

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Every thrust shifted the plug inside her ass, making it seem as though King’s large cock filled her in both openings. His strong hands held her hips steady for his thrusts, making her feel small and even more helpless. Her ass burned, the intense heat from her spanking and the stroke of the whip still strong. The full, stretched feeling made it even more overwhelming. A slap to her clit from Royce had her screaming around the gag, bucking as much as King’s hold allowed. Royce released her nipples, his eyes hooded as he began to remove his clothes. “She knows. She’s ours now, and she knows it. Ours to fuck. Ours to play with. Ours to enjoy. We own her now.” Brenna gasped as the muscles in her stomach quivered and she began to come again. It took her by surprise, swelling inside her with a speed that gave her no time to catch up. She hadn’t thought it possible to come again so soon on the heels of such immense pleasure, but King and Royce seemed determined to drag every last bit of response from her. This orgasm rolled over her slowly, not as intense as the last two, but lingering, sapping the last of her strength. Every inch of her body trembled, vibrating from within as King surged deep and came with a groan, each pulse of his cock against her inner walls filling her with delight that such a man could find such pleasure in her. His eyes closed briefly as he threw his head back. When he opened them again and stared down at her, the look of tender possession shining in them made her heart skip a beat. He looked so strong and fierce, the most masculine man she’d ever met. He could sometimes be cold, sometimes teasing, but always hard and unmistakably dominant. But the way he looked at her now, his features softened with indulgence and caring, caused a rush of warmth that both thrilled and alarmed her. She couldn’t trust it—couldn’t allow herself to believe it meant any more than his satisfaction with her at that moment. She couldn’t allow herself to believe that it meant he wanted to be with her beyond right now. She knew better. This would only last for the rest of the month.

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When Royce touched her wrists, her head snapped to the side. She looked over his nakedness, her pulse tripping when she saw that he’d already donned a condom. Releasing her wrists, he bent over her, his beautiful face filling her vision. He removed the gag and then began to rub her wrists, his eyes never leaving hers. “You’re incredibly beautiful, especially the way you look right now. I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to let you go.” The surge of delight that went through her made her dizzy. He covered her mouth with his while rubbing her wrists, swallowing the moan that escaped when King withdrew from her pussy. Sliding his tongue past her lips to tangle with hers, he took possession, kissing her with a slow thoroughness that demanded surrender. He held her, absorbing her shivers as King worked the plug free and lowered her legs back to the bed, leaving her ass clenching at emptiness. Lifting his head, Royce rolled her to her belly and covered her body with his, using his knees to push hers wide. Brenna shivered at the warm breath against her ear and the feel of his cock brushing against her inner thigh. Breathing heavily, she moaned as his cock pressed against her puckered opening, which was still slick from the lube. “Royce. Oh, God. What are you going to do? Oh, my God. It’s going inside me.” She sucked in air, releasing it in moaning pants as Royce laced his fingers over hers and pushed the head of his cock through the tight ring of muscle and into her ass. Nothing in the world had ever made her feel so completely defenseless. Chills raced up and down her spine, the hard cock inside her much more intimidating than any plug. His cock was huge, and she had no way of controlling how deeply he pushed it into her or how fast his strokes would be. The level of dominance in the act staggered her. His cock was actually in her ass! Hot. Thick. Burning. Taking. Using her most vulnerable opening for his pleasure.

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The tingling began again, this time encompassing her entire slit, and to her mortification, she found herself pushing back against him in an effort to take more. He used his legs to close hers again, keeping most of his weight off of her by bracing himself on the knees he pressed snug against the outside of her legs. “Easy, baby. I won’t go deep—this time.” Won’t go deep? It felt like his cock went all the way to her throat! Brenna shivered, the chills going up and down her spine becoming stronger as Royce pushed his cock a little deeper. Her ass burned, her inner walls clenching on the thick cock stretching her impossibly wide. “I can’t take it. It’s too hard. Too hot. Too big.” Royce bit her shoulder, pushing more of his cock inside her, and making her whimper. Brenna held on to Royce’s hands, crying out repeatedly as he thrust his cock inside her ass. The tingling waves started again, rolling through her, but instead of giving her satisfaction, they kept the pleasure bubbling inside her. “I can’t believe the things you do to me. Oh, God. So good. I can’t believe how it feels. I can’t. Stop. Coming.” Royce withdrew almost all the way and surged into her again, this time a little deeper. “Just let yourself go. We’re not going to give you a choice anyway. We’re coming to know you well, Brenna. You won’t be able to hide anything from us, and you won’t be able to resist anything we do to you.” Involuntarily lifting her bottom as he partially withdrew and pushed into her again, she experienced a momentary surge of panic that they wanted to take more than she was ready to give. Feeling every bump and ridge of his cock as it forced its way deeper, Brenna pushed against him to take more of his length, even as her mind fought giving in to him. “It’s so deep. You’re really taking me there. Oh, God. No. You want too much. No. Oh! I’m coming again. No!” She cried out as her inner walls clenched, making his cock feel like a hot spear stabbing into her.

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“Take it out. Take it out. Oh, God. I can’t stop coming. Make it stop.” She couldn’t even think, the dark eroticism of having a cock up her ass making her shake uncontrollably and plunging her into a world of decadence that thrilled her. Royce kept his fingers linked with hers when she would have pulled away. “No. This ass is mine to fuck whenever I want it. We’re taking all choice away from you. You’re our little toy to play with at will.” King fisted a hand in her hair, keeping her face turned toward his when she tried to look away. “You can’t stop it. Yeah, you like having a cock up that gorgeous ass.” “No.” Angered at how easily they controlled her, she struggled to resist, no longer able to accept the extent of her submission to them. “I’m not going to—ah!—give in to you that way anymore. It’s just lust. You’re stronger than I am.” Royce pushed into her again, holding himself still. “Yes, we are—and you need someone strong enough to be able to control that passion. You need someone strong enough to be able to give you what you need and to be able to handle you when you lose control. You’re safe with us, Brenna. You can let go. You can scream, and kick and fight, but we’re going to take you, use you, pleasure you, and there’s nothing you can do to stop us.” He withdrew and thrust once more, groaning as he came, each pulse of his cock in her ass making her shiver. “Ours.” Brenna opened her eyes, meeting King’s hooded ones. “I’m scared.” She hadn’t meant to say it, but once the words escaped, she couldn’t take them back. She was scared, scared of how much she gave without meaning to, scared of what she’d be left with when they took it all. Cupping her face, King ran a thumb over her lips. “We’ll help you. Trust, Red.” Brenna cried out as Royce withdrew, the head of his cock stretching her puckered opening as he slid free. “I don’t know if I can.” Royce ran a hand over her bottom and kissed her shoulder. “Only time will tell, Brenna, but this is something special. We want the chance to explore it. You already have a little trust in us. We’ll get the rest.”

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Hardly able to breathe, Brenna studied King’s face, remembering the conversation she’d overheard before she’d snuck out. “You mean until the auction?” King’s expression never changed, but his eyes hardened. “Yes, until the fucking auction. Then we’ll sell you to the highest bidder.” He smiled, a cold smile that sent a chill through her. His voice changed dramatically, becoming as cold as ice and hard as steel. “From us, though, they’re going to expect you to be well trained and disciplined. You’ll be inspected by hundreds of men, some who just come in for thrills and have no intention of buying.” Just the thought of it horrified Brenna. “No!” King rolled her to her side. “Every man from far and wide can come through that door and see you blindfolded, gagged, and with your hands tied behind your back. You’ll be up onstage where everyone can get a good look at you. One by one, they’ll be able to come up and touch you.” He ran a hand over her breast before pinching her nipple. “They’ll pull your nipples, stick their fingers inside your pussy and ass.” Brenna shuddered as his eyes turned icy and his voice lowered. “You’ll be bent over and those cheeks spread wide. Think of it, Red. They’ll all be able to come up onstage and each one can shove his finger up your ass. They might even like a show if Royce and I make you come while they’re doing it.” Sitting up, Brenna held the sheet in front of her, gasping when King ripped it out of her hand. “Don’t ever cover yourself from me again!” Royce ran a hand through her hair. “King—” With a curse, King rolled from the bed and started for the door. “Either she’s with us, our way, or she’s not.” He went out, slamming the door behind him. Royce sighed as he bent to kiss her hair. “If I were you, I wouldn’t even mention that auction again. If you want to go, go. If not, you’re ours. We’ll leave you alone tonight and the doors unlocked. Your suitcase is in your closet. Do what you have to do.” Brenna watched him walk away, still staring at the door he’d closed behind him. Did that mean they really wanted her to stay with them, or did thinking about her leaving at the end of the month with another man bother them?

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Scared to believe they wanted her beyond the end of their contract, Brenna made her way to the bathroom, hoping a hot shower would ease the chill of being alone. She finished washing and drying, her movements jerky as she remembered the way King had taken care of her before. Donning her robe again, she went back into the bedroom, stopping short at the sight of King sitting at the edge of her bed, his head lowered. He lifted it, his eyes dark and dejected. “Come here, Red.” She approached on shaky legs, wishing she could do something to close the distance between them, but she couldn’t trust that they wanted her to stay when she’d already heard them talk about ending the farce between them. They’d also mentioned several times that they didn’t think she had what it took to see this through. As much as she’d like to believe she could stay here with them, she knew she could never give them the surrender they wanted, or give herself the way she needed to, unless Royce and King could love her. She was scared, and hated that her own fears kept her from going after what she wanted most—just as her own fears had kept her from letting go all these years. Her own vulnerabilities pissed her off. She paused in front of him, lifting her chin. “What do you want?” King sighed, reaching out to toy with the belt of her robe. “Don’t go.” Nothing he could have said would have surprised her more. Brenna reached for him before she could prevent it and hurriedly pulled her hand back. With her heart in her throat, she took a step back. “Why not?” She hardly dared to breathe as she waited for his answer. Holding her gaze, King sighed again. “I was mad when I said those things. I wouldn’t put you up onstage like that, and I’m very much afraid I would kill anyone else who tried to touch you. I’m afraid that I’m falling in love with you, Red.” Brenna gasped, her heart pounding nearly out of her chest. Her knees gave out and she sank to the floor, holding out a hand when he reached for her.

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“Don’t. Don’t say things like that.” King nodded and helped her to the bed before turning his back and walking away. “Yeah, I figured you wouldn’t be too thrilled with that. There aren’t a lot of women who could put up with the kind of lifestyle Royce and I would demand. It’s fun for a night, but living it every day is something different. I’m sorry. Look, if you need anything…we’ll be here.” Turning, he smiled, a smile that even she could tell was forced. “Anything at all, okay? Take care of yourself, baby.” Brenna watched him go, finding it difficult to breathe. Even knowing the obstacles they faced, she couldn’t walk away. How could she possibly walk away from the best thing that ever happened to her? How could she stay, knowing her heart would probably be ripped in two? She started toward the door, only to hear them head toward the stairs, speaking in low voices as they passed her door. She knew they had a business to run, and she wanted their undivided attention when they spoke again. Lying across the bed, she curled into a ball, pulling the pillow closer and hugging it to her. Being here alone would give her some time to think. She loved them. Both of them. So much that it hurt. **** Three hours later, she smiled, turning from the window seat, and wiping the tears that streamed down her face. Getting to her feet, she went down the hall to their office, relieved to see that their door had been left open. Standing in the doorway, she waited until they both looked up, their eyes unreadable. Royce glanced at King and came to his feet, starting toward her, only to come to an abrupt halt and drop the hand he held out. “Do you need something, honey?” Brenna sensed a tension in both of them as they waited for her answer. “Yes. I need the two of you. I don’t know if I can be what you want, but I’ll never be able to live with myself if I don’t stick around to find out. I–I care about both of you. I know I’m not supposed to. Just don’t pretend that

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you care about me. We haven’t known each other long enough, but you both make me feel things I never felt before.” King inclined his head. “You like the sex.” Brenna smiled, knowing that convincing them that what she felt for them was more than physical gratification would be another obstacle to overcome. “That’s all you’ve shown me. The only way we’re going to be able to see if this works is to get rid of all the games.” Royce smiled, the tension easing from his tall frame. “Not all of the games, but I see your point. I’m willing, if you are, but there are times when you’re going to get mad and want to walk out.” King came to his feet. “If you’re ours, we’ll stop you.” He took a step closer and held out his hand to her, smiling when she took it. “And we’ll talk. I think that’s something that’s been missing.” Royce took her other hand as King drew her closer. “Come sit in here and watch television while we finish up. Then we can all go to bed. It’s been a long day.” Nestled against King’s chest, Brenna met Royce’s gaze. “Royce, do you…care about me at all? I mean, I know this is forward of me and we haven’t known each other very long, but I—” Royce grinned and pulled her closer, teasing her lips with his. “I think it’s a fair question to ask a man who’s already had his cock in your ass. Come here.” He slipped a hand into her robe to cup a breast, sending a rush of pleasure through her with every stroke of his thumb over her nipple. “Yes. I do. You’re a remarkable woman, but I don’t think we’ve gotten to the real you yet. I’m looking forward to meeting that woman.” Uneasy now, Brenna shook her head, involuntarily leaning into his caress. She didn’t think she could never get enough of their touch. “I think you expect more than I can give you. I haven’t lied to you, or put on any act. If you expect more from me, you’re going to be disappointed.” She wanted to be everything to them, to have them look at her the way Royce looked at her now. With wonder. With hunger. With affection. And hopefully, one day, with love. Meeting King’s eyes, she took a shaky breath. “That’s why I didn’t want you to say those things to me. It would kill me to disappoint you.”

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King slid his arms around her, placing a hand over her bare mound, igniting a barrage of tingles just under the surface of her sensitive flesh. “Just be yourself. Don’t be afraid of us and don’t hide your feelings. Be yourself, and you could never disappoint us.” He slipped his fingers through her folds and teased her clit. “Go lie on the bed where we can watch you. Watch something on television until we finish. You’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

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Chapter Twelve After smoothing the address label, Brenna set another box aside just as Jesse came into the back room. Grinning, the owner of Indulgences plopped into a chair at the table. “Whew! Wow, you’ve certainly got a lot done.” She reached for her coffee, took a sip, and grimaced. Looking at the clock, she came to her feet. “I poured this two hours ago. No wonder it’s cold.” Brenna grinned back and printed out another order form, amazed at the number of orders that just kept coming through. “At least you’re busy. So many businesses these days are struggling.” Jesse grinned, her beautiful face glowing. “The businesses in Desire seem to have a unique, and very loyal, clientele. Thank God. I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t ended up here.” Brenna turned from the box she’d just assembled. “You’ve been here a long time, right?” After rinsing her cup, Jesse poured herself another cup of coffee. “A little over two years. My anniversary’s coming up.” Brenna had just reached into the large cupboard for a small tube of scented anal lube, her bottom clenching at the memory of Royce taking her there. Turning, she carefully kept her burning face averted as she placed the lube into the box. “Everyone knows you. I figured you’d been here for years.” Jesse took a sip of her coffee and set it aside. “No. The people here are just really friendly.” Shrugging, she grimaced. “For the most part, anyway. I came here to visit my sister, Nat, and was surprised at how welcoming everyone was. As long as you don’t make trouble, or criticize the lifestyles people lead here, everything’s fine. They’re having a little trouble with a couple of new men in town, so be careful. They haven’t done anything that anyone can put their finger on yet, but they have an attitude the men don’t

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like. Bob and Avery Sikes. If you happen to run into them, don’t let their crude remarks sway you from staying. They do not represent the men here.” Brenna reached up into the cabinet for the next item on the list. “I assume you know why I came here.” Jesse nodded, her eyes full of sympathy. “Yes, and we’re all so glad that you’re okay. You’re safe here. Men like Donner don’t stand a chance in this town.” A bubble of laughter broke free before Brenna could prevent it. “I don’t know about safe. You know that I’m with Royce and King, at least for now.” So nervous that she almost dropped a jar of cream, Brenna shrugged. “I’ve never met men like them before.” Frowning, she placed the jar of cream into the box she was packing. “Come to think of it, I’ve never met men like the ones who live here. They’re…unique.” Jesse went to the computer and printed out the next order, laughing softly. “The men in Desire are indeed unique. I couldn’t believe it myself when I first came here. I thought it was all about sex, but the men here really care about women. Sometimes it’s frustrating as hell, but once you figure out how to handle them, it gets easier.” “How to handle who?” A very tall, very intimidating-looking man walked through the door. He set the bag on the table before crossing the room and wrapping his arms around Jesse from behind. With a small smile, he held out his hand to Brenna. “Hello. You must be Brenna. I’m Clay Erickson.” He nuzzled Jesse’s neck. “Who do you handle, Jesse Erickson?” Jesse grinned, her eyes gleaming with love for the big man. “I handle you, darling, on a regular basis. Where’s Rio?” As if on cue, the back door to the shop opened again. Another man came through the doorway, a man every bit as large as Clay. Her heart skipped a beat when King walked in behind him. Stiffening, she touched the choker around her neck. “Hello, King.” Nudging Rio aside, King dropped the bag she hadn’t noticed before and came toward her. “Hello, Red. Hey, Jesse. Rio said this is the time you usually stop for lunch. Rio, this is Brenna.” Rio grinned. “The woman who has tongues wagging all over town. Glad to finally meet you.”

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She leaned into King as his arm came around her, her face burning. Trying not to think too much about his muscular chest, and crossing her arms to hide the way her nipples beaded as soon as he walked through the door, she kept her attention on the others. “People are talking about me? Why?” Jesse shot a look at Rio and pushed out of Clay’s arms. “Everyone is always talking about the new person in town. You should have heard the way they talked about me when I first got here. What did you guys bring us for lunch? I’m starving.” After they’d started eating, Clay paused with his sandwich halfway to his mouth and slid a glance at Jesse. “So, darling wife, do you want to explain how you handle me?” Jesse swallowed her bite of sandwich and patted his hand. “It’s not something you would understand. It’s kind of a woman thing.” Rio grinned. “Hey, if you’re looking for volunteers, I’m happy to let you handle me, Jesse.” Jesse laughed, leaning against Rio, who sat on her other side. “I know, Rio. I handle you every day.” Rio gripped Jesse’s hand as she raised a potato chip to her mouth and used his own mouth to swipe it from her. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, darlin’.” Brenna stared down at her sandwich, slightly depressed. Seeing Jesse with her two husbands only emphasized just how much emotional distance still existed between her, Royce, and King. King set his sandwich aside and stood, surprising Brenna by taking her hand in his and tugging her to her feet. “Jesse, I’m going to take Brenna outside for a minute. We’ll be right back.” Rio grinned. “Take your time. It’s been hours since I kissed my wife.” Brenna dragged her feet as she went with King outside, aware of how tense he’d become. He didn’t stop until they’d gone around the corner of the building, a place hidden from view of anyone passing by. “What did you want to talk about?” King backed her against the wall. “I want my kiss, Red.” Brenna blinked. “You do?” “Damned right I do. Open to me and let me have that mouth.”

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The steel in his low tone sent a shiver of desire through her. She obeyed immediately as memories of that voice in the playroom rushed to the surface, along with the surge of need that accompanied them. Forcing her lips wide with his, he took her mouth, covering her breast at the same time. Swallowing her gasp, he used the hand at the back of her neck to hold her close while unerringly finding her nipple. With a moan, she tangled her tongue with his, eager to be a willing participant in her own seduction, and hoping to do a little seducing of her own. Putting her arms around his neck, she pulled him closer, pressing her breast into his hand. King slowly broke off his kiss, taking her nipple between his thumb and forefinger and squeezing it until she moaned. “I like the way you kiss. I’ve had trouble getting work done today and it’s all your fault.” Slipping her hands from his neck, Brenna flattened them on his chest. “Why is it my fault?” With an arm around her waist, King lifted her against him. “I’ve been thinking about the look on your face when Royce fucked your ass last night. I’ve been hard all day and it’s making it damned near impossible to concentrate. I’ve been thinking about the whimper in your voice when you come, and the cute way you snuggle against me in your sleep.” Pressing against him, Brenna had the urge to rip open the front of her shirt and free her breasts. They swelled, her nipples aching with the need for attention. Her bottom clenched, the memory of how it had felt when Royce took her there reawakening nerve endings that made her crave attention there again. “King. You shouldn’t talk like that. Now, I’ll be distracted the rest of the day.” King chuckled. “Good. Royce and I have some work to do and will be busy when you get home. We’ll have time to eat together, but tonight’s a busy night at the club. The playroom is going to have to wait until later. Open your shirt. I want to feel your skin under my hands, not this fucking shirt.” With shaking hands, Brenna obeyed him, wondering if he could read her mind. Knowing that no one could see them, she unbuttoned her shirt, revealing the black, lacy bra he’d picked out that morning.

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King grinned as he unfastened the front clasp. “You do look like sin in black.” He covered her nipple with his palm, moving it slowly. “How’s your first day going?” Brenna bit back a moan at the friction against her nipple and tightened her legs around him. “I like it. King, I can’t talk when you do that.” He rolled her nipple again, a gentle squeeze forcing a cry from her. “You are remarkably responsive. Teaching you to focus is going to take forever.” “Well excuse me, ah, if I’m not like your other bimbos. If you want one of them—” With a soft laugh, he pinched her nipple and covered her mouth with his, smothering her cry. Her struggle against him didn’t last long, her resistance melting away almost immediately beneath his demanding kiss. She moved against his hard cock pressing at her slit, wiggling at the attention he gave to her breast. Wishing they were back at the club where he could rip her clothing aside and sink into her, Brenna fisted her hands in his shirt in frustration. King lifted his head, his eyes searching as they moved over her face. “If I wanted one of the other subs who come to the club, I would have locked them away in that room upstairs. I want you. Sebastian will pick you up after work. Royce and I have a busy night ahead of us, but don’t think for one minute that we’ve forgotten about you. Not a minute goes by that I don’t have you on my mind. When you get home, go straight up to your room and stay there.” He set her down, steadying her as he righted her clothing and led her back to the door of the shop. Bending, he touched his lips to hers. “This is a bad time for us to be so busy. I’d rather be spending my time with you. All day long, I crave raspberries.” Brenna licked her lips, savoring the taste of his kiss. “Why are you so busy now?” Threading his hands through her hair, King tilted her face to his. “We have another seminar. There’ll be several new Doms there and about a dozen subs, submissives who count on us to keep them safe. It’s another one of our training courses, and I need you to behave while we’re teaching it.” Brenna pushed closer, rubbing her breasts against his chest. “So you really do keep them safe from those men. You won’t let them hurt them?”

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King smiled. “We really do keep them safe, which means that one of us, Blade included, has to be with them each time they’re in a scene. These men don’t want to hurt these women, Red. I thought you understood that. They’re just men who have discovered something about themselves and are anxious to meet others who are the same way. They want to talk. They want resources. They want guidance. Don’t paint them all with the same brush as Donner. He was a first-class asshole. Now get back to work. I’ll see you later. Think of me.” Brenna nodded and watched him leave before going back inside, making as much noise as she could as she stomped up the stairs. Jesse looked up when Brenna walked in, smiling. “I thought there was an elephant coming in.” She gestured toward the door. “King leave? Is everything okay?” Rio, in the process of cleaning up the paper on the table and stuffing everything into a bag, looked up, his eyes searching as he waited for her answer. Moving the rest of the way into the room, Brenna started to clear the mess she and King had made. “Yes. He and Royce are just busy right now. He wanted to warn me about it.” Clay, who stood leaning back against the sink and sipping coffee, nodded, his eyes unreadable. “Yes, cars have been arriving there all day. Kelly’s going to be spending time with us so Blade can go. It gets busy then, and puts the whole town on alert.” Brenna looked up as Rio took everything from her hands. “Why? Is something wrong? Are they dangerous?” Clay came forward, taking her hand and urging her into a chair. “No. It’s very rare that any of them give us any trouble. We know about Donner, and what you went through. I don’t blame you for being nervous. He caused trouble while he was here, too. Royce, King, and Blade are very good about explaining the rules to the others—that choker you’re wearing—never mind. I’ll call Royce. You’re a very beautiful woman, and that’s going to draw a lot of attention.” Jesse moved to stand behind Clay, and Brenna couldn’t help but smile at the way he reached back to her as soon as she came close. “Whenever those seminars are going on, the businesses in town get really busy, but there are a lot of strangers around. Just make sure that

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you’re a little extra careful then. The men who live here watch out for the women, so if you feel scared or someone’s bothering you, come to one of us. For the next several weeks, we’ll be popping in more than usual.” Rio finished throwing the garbage away. “Everyone around knows who you are by now. We pay attention to strangers here. We’ll all look out for you.” Brenna rose and went back to her work. “I appreciate that, but if I could deal with Donner, I can deal with any of them. I just hate the thought of looking over my shoulder all the time for whoever Donner’s got doing his dirty work.” Clay and Rio went out soon afterward, leaving her alone with Jesse. Nat had come in right after lunch and, with not much more than a wave, made a beeline for the workroom upstairs, one that Brenna understood used to be Jesse’s apartment. Brenna finished another order and put the box in the ever-growing pile. “When I first came here, I was mad as hell, thinking that the men here condoned behavior like Donner’s. I didn’t really believe King and Royce when they told me the way women are treated here. I figured it was a line of bull. But everyone talks about it. I’ve seen it. I just don’t get it. What’s the catch? They’re so old-fashioned in their views, and arrogant and—” “Chauvinistic, overbearing, with a bit of Neanderthal thrown in.” Jesse grinned. “I had the same problem when I came here. I just couldn’t get a handle on them.” Shrugging, she started to put away some of the bottles Rio and Clay had carried down from upstairs. “I figured men like them couldn’t be real. I assumed they were all just arrogant assholes who knew their way around women, and they were nice just because they wanted to get into a woman’s pants.” She paused, turning to Brenna. “That concern is very real, though, and it took me a long time to believe it. I’d never had any experience with men like the ones who live here. I couldn’t come to grips with it. I’d had a bad marriage with a lazy husband, one who took me for granted and never made me feel even a fraction of what Clay and Rio make me feel. Clay and Rio showed me that it could be different. I love them. Truly. I never thought I could love like this. These men care a great deal about women, and really want to protect them.”

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Jesse grinned. “In case you hadn’t noticed, there are a lot of different lifestyles here. I have two husbands. Where the hell else could I ever get away with that? We live in peace here, and we can all be happy. It’s because of the men, and what they’ve done here. The men who founded this town did it for that exact reason. Over a hundred years ago, there were two brothers who wanted to share a woman, and starting their own town, with their own rules, was the only way they could do it.” Brenna’s mouth dropped. “You’re kidding, right? A hundred years ago? It’s not something people would accept easily now. I can’t even imagine how hard it would have been back then.” Jesse shrugged. “I understand there was a real shortage of women out west at that time, and it was more prominent than people think. But still not accepted by most people. Here, though, people could live that way, but women wouldn’t come unless they were protected. This part of the country was pretty untamed then, and very dangerous. That’s when they set up laws to protect the women. Including spanking.” Jesse sighed. “They’ll never take that one off the books. They enjoy it way too much.” Brenna inwardly cursed at the surge of desire that went through her when she thought about the spanking Royce had given her. Feeling closer to Jesse, she looked around to make sure no one could over hear. “I’d never understood why men would hit a woman. I never understood that kind of relationship, but I was curious.” Jesse laughed. “Believe me, hitting and spanking are very different—as I’m sure Royce and King have already proven.” Brenna smiled, even as her face burned. “I understand that there are a lot of marriages like that.” “And look at you, you lucky girl.” Brenna looked up as Nat came down the stairs with another box. “What do you mean?” Nat sighed and set the box on the table. “You not only have a ménage relationship, but you have it with two Doms. That ought to keep you on your toes.” Jesse eyed her sister thoughtfully as Nat began putting the jars from the box away. “Nat’s husband, Jake, is a Dom. She gets spanked, too, but apparently not enough.”

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Nat stuck her tongue out at Jesse. “You get spanked, too, so don’t even go there.” Brenna shook her head. “I don’t believe how everyone is so up front about it. Nobody talks this way.” A giggle escaped before she could prevent it. She hadn’t giggled in so long, she thought she’d forgotten how. One week in Desire, and she felt so much younger and freer that she hardly recognized herself. “I can’t believe I’m actually listening to this. I can’t believe I’m actually telling you this, but Royce spanked me, too. I thought he was disappointed in me.” Nat patted her arm. “It’s when they ignore you or stop spanking you that you really have to worry. As long as you can get a reaction from them, consider yourself lucky.” Jesse frowned. “Nat, I—” Nat turned away. “I’m going back up. With Kelly gone, I have a lot to catch up on.” Brenna watched Jesse, who stared after her sister. “Is something wrong? I don’t know Nat very well, but when I met her at the spa this week, even I could tell something was bothering her. She seems almost…lonely.” Jesse shook her head. “Nat and Jake are going through a rough patch, but it’ll be all right. They both love each other too much to give up.” She smiled as the bell rang out front. “Don’t worry about Nat. She’ll be fine. You just worry about finding a way to handle those two hunks of yours. Don’t let them walk all over you.” Brenna grinned. “Isn’t that the point of having two Masters?” Jesse laughed. “I used to think the same way, but Nat proved me wrong. She’s the most headstrong and outspoken woman I’ve ever known. I asked her once how the hell she could call herself submissive if she’s so damned assertive, and she assured me that Jake got a hell of a kick out of forcing her to submit. She told me that he says that’s half the fun. You don’t exactly seem like a shrinking violet to me. Give ’em hell.” Brenna couldn’t help it. She started laughing, a little relieved to find someone else who wanted to submit, but found it difficult. It made her feel a little more…normal.

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“While you were busy, Kelly called to introduce herself. She told me how to sneak downstairs. She said I would feel better if I saw King and Royce in action and that when she did it, it reassured her that Blade wasn’t fooling around with another woman.” Jesse, on her way out to the front, paused, and turned back with a curse. “Damn it, everyone gets to see that place but me. One of these days, I’d love to be a fly on the wall when Clay and Rio go in there.” “You let them go?” Jesse grinned. “Of course. They sit and talk with the other men, and when there’s an auction, they always come home more domineering and hungry than normal.” Brenna blinked. “They go to the auctions?” “Sure. Every man in town does, I think.” Brenna gulped. “Holy hell. I was supposed to be in the next auction. I’m not quite sure how it happened, but I signed a contract to be trained by Royce and King for the next auction. I didn’t want them to know that I just wanted to spend more time with them.” Nat came back down the stairs with another box, just as Brenna finished. “Honey, are you sure? I don’t want you to get too tied up with Royce and King if they’re planning to auction you off.” Brenna’s stomach knotted. “No. King said that he would want to kill anyone who touched me.” Nat set the box on the table and came to her side, wrapping an arm around her. “Please find out for sure. Doms, good ones anyway—and they are good—always get attached to their subs. You signed a contract, though. They take those very seriously. Did they tear up the contract?” Brenna swallowed heavily, taking a deep breath of the vanilla scent on Nat. “No. I don’t know. I didn’t see them tear it up and they didn’t say they did.” Nat smiled sadly as Jesse shook her head and went out to the front to wait on a customer. “Don’t fall for them, honey. I know it’s hard. Those two are damned near irresistible. Women have been trying to hook them for years, but they don’t believe any one woman could handle both of them and they need to share. I know how you feel, believe me, but please protect your heart. If

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they haven’t ripped up the contract, they’re still planning to auction you off to the highest bidder.” Holding on to the counter for support, Brenna shook her head. “I don’t want to be auctioned. I only signed it so I could learn more—” She broke off, embarrassed by what she’d admitted. Nat smiled reassuringly and patted her shoulder. “I know. You were curious and wanted to explore those feelings. I’ve been there. I know, and I was damned lucky to find a man like Jake. I think Royce and King need a woman like you, but don’t make it too easy for them. They need a challenge and I think you’re just the woman for the job. Make them work for your submission.” Brenna grimaced. “I’m afraid that as soon as they touch me, I fall apart. I can never resist either one of them for long.” Nat hugged her. “I know the feeling. It’s not easy, sometimes. Just think about that contract. You need to get them to rip it up. You need to get them to fall head over heels in love with you.” Brenna sighed and stared out the window, remembering the look in King’s eyes when he’d kissed her. “I don’t know, Nat. I don’t even know if I can handle what they want from me yet.” Nat sighed and nodded, patting her shoulder again. “Then that’s what you need to find out. It’s not always easy.” A look of sadness came and went in her eyes so quickly that Brenna wondered if she’d imagined it. “But it’s exciting, and with a man you love, it can be absolutely incredible. There’s a closeness that’s more intense than you could imagine. Be careful, though, especially with King. He’s got the heart of a teddy bear. He can’t resist a woman in trouble. His protective instincts are strong. Make sure that’s not what he’s feeling for you. Make sure it’s real, honey, or you’re going to get hurt. These men can break your heart.” Blinking, Nat moved away. “I’ve got to get started on that new blue raspberry line. Apparently, you’re not the only one who likes it.” Brenna watched her go before turning back to finish the orders, her mind spinning. By the end of the day, she knew what she had to do. Trying to resist falling further in love with Royce and King, while trying to make them fall in love with her, wouldn’t be easy.

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But she had to try. She had to hold back parts of herself, parts she couldn’t afford to lose if she failed. Helping Jesse lock up, and preoccupied with her thoughts, she almost missed seeing the envelope taped to the outside of the window on the back door. With a knot in her stomach, she unlocked the door again and opened it, looking around for signs of anyone as she reached for it. The knot in her stomach tightened when she saw her name on the front of the envelope—pasted on with letters from a magazine or newspaper. Dread washed over her as she closed and locked the door again, along with a sense of satisfaction that she’d gotten a rise from Donner. Hearing Jesse’s approach, she showed the envelope in her back pocket. She didn’t want anyone to know about it, especially King. She didn’t want his protectiveness, and Royce’s, to cloud the issue. She wanted to be loved for herself, not because they thought she needed them to take care of her. She’d handled Donner for months. Surely she could handle whatever jerk he had sending notes—some asshole too afraid to face her. Straightening, she forced a smile when Jesse came back into the room. Once she dealt with this bastard, King would no longer think of her as someone to be rescued. He and Royce would see the woman underneath—a woman who challenged them on every level. Hopefully, it would be the kind of woman they could love.

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Chapter Thirteen Brenna walked through the front door of the club, stopping abruptly at the sight before her. Her stomach knotted. Her heart raced, and she felt as if the bottom had just dropped out of her world. Straightening, she braced herself, clenching her jaw to hide her anguish. Women, all naked, and each with their hands behind their backs and eyes lowered, were being herded through the hall and into a room at the far end. In all the times she’d come this way, she’d never seen the big door at the end open, but now it stood wide, allowing the deep male voices from inside to drift to her. King appeared from her right, issuing orders to the women in a cold, almost bored tone, his eyes like ice when they met hers. Sucking in a breath, she stood frozen in place just inside the hallway, a lump forming in her throat, one that threatened to choke her. Her lips felt numb, making it difficult to speak, the reality of what King and Royce did in the club hitting her hard. “What the hell?” She didn’t know what to do or where to look. Confused that seeing King in his role as a Dominant aroused her, she couldn’t deny that the hot jolt of jealousy at seeing him surrounded by naked women both angered and scared her. The reality that she would see him in this role often if she stayed hit her like a punch to her stomach. She didn’t know how she would be able to see both King and Royce doing this kind of thing over and over. If they loved her, it might have been different, but she had trouble facing this while still feeling so insecure. She had to admit, they’d never lied to her. After all, she’d met them because of what they did, but seeing King in action was a blow she hadn’t expected.

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She realized with a sudden clarity that it would take a strong woman to live in a committed relationship with Royce and King. It would take an inner strength that she’d been reluctant to let them see, afraid it would turn them off. The thought of her strength scaring them off suddenly seemed ridiculous, and hardened her resolve to handle Donner and his friend on her own. King barely glanced at her as he passed her and stood to the side at her left to make room for the women to go by, speaking in that cold, authoritative tone that never failed to send a thrill through her. She hated that he directed it at a bunch of beautiful, naked women, but couldn’t help but notice that it held none of the affection or intensity that it did when he spoke to her. His eyes narrowed at her smile, never leaving hers as he continued to bark out orders. “Keep moving. Hands at your sides. Don’t look at me or her. Look straight ahead. Stick those breasts out. Your Masters are inside waiting for you. Don’t embarrass them.” Dressed in black leather pants and a dark shirt, King looked colder and more formidable than she’d ever seen him. His shirt stretched as he moved, the bulging muscles of his arms and chest clearly defined. Brenna started forward with the intention of kissing him senseless, but King shot her a steely look just as Sebastian caught her arm in a firm grip. The surprisingly brawny butler bent to whisper in her ear, his tone one of cold politeness. “Do you really want to embarrass your Master?” Looking at King, Brenna shook her head, drawing a deep breath. “No.” She wanted to be the kind of woman he needed, a strong woman he could be proud of. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from him, the sight of him fingering the whip he wore attached to his belt stealing her breath and making her heart pound so hard she wondered if he could hear it. The slight movement of his fingers trailing over the handle of the whip filled her with trepidation and her own yearning to have him alone. His arrogant stance excited her, giving her the almost irresistible urge to defy him until his attention shifted back to her. The cold gleam in his eyes and the deadly rumble of his voice made him a hell of a threatening presence, one that would make anyone think twice about defying him.

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Including her. Apparently the second-to-last woman in line, a stunning blonde, seemed to think getting King’s attention was worth the risk. She tripped, and even from where she stood, Brenna could see that the other woman had faked it. Her hand itched to smack the other woman senseless, and she actually started forward, but Sebastian yanked her back before she could take more than a step. Blondie fell into King, rubbing her naked body against him as he caught her, and making Brenna’s blood boil. She’d love to grab a handful of hair and jerk the woman away from King, but King slid his gaze to hers just then, the warning in his eyes stopping her in her tracks. She stopped struggling against Sebastian, and lifted her chin, vowing to herself that she wouldn’t give the other woman the satisfaction of losing her temper. Intrigued, she crossed her arms over her chest and waited, curious to see what King would do. Her stomach muscles clenched as she watched the rest of the women continue down the hall and into the room where another male voice issued further instructions. Judging by the cold authority in his tone, she had a good idea that it was Blade. She blocked it out, unable to tear her attention away from the naked, blonde woman batting her lashes at King. “Oh, Master King! Thank you for catching me.” She rubbed her hands against his chest, pouting up at him. “You’re so strong. I would love to spend time with—” Brenna gritted her teeth and broke free of Sebastian, shaking with fury. With thoughts of yanking the woman by the hair, she started forward, not giving a damn about anything but getting that woman’s hands off of King. “On your knees!” Brenna stopped short at King’s harsh command and halfway dropped to the ground before she realized that he hadn’t been talking to her at all. Gulping, she straightened, trembling when King’s eyes met hers. His look only lasted a second or two, but the message in it was clear. Don’t interfere. Brenna knew she should walk away right now, but she couldn’t resist the chance to see what happened next. She’d love to watch King put the woman in her place, but she was jealous enough to worry about how he would do it.

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The woman fell to her knees, and it irritated Brenna that she’d done it a hell of a lot more gracefully than Brenna would have been able to. The blonde put her hands behind her back without even being told to, clearly enjoying King’s attention. King eyed her coldly. “You know better. Spread those knees and thrust those breasts out.” The woman grinned and obeyed him, licking her lips as she eyed the bulge in King’s pants. King’s displeasure made Brenna feel a little better. “Who’s your Master?” Brenna crossed her arms over her chest to hide the fact that her nipples had beaded, and fought not to shift her weight to rub her thighs together as a delicious warmth settled there. That voice, that attitude, that man affected her more without even trying to than any other man, except Royce. When he did try, the effect boggled the mind. Watching him with the other woman, she dreaded ever seeing those glittering eyes look at her with indifference. She’d prefer anything to indifference. Indifference was the enemy, and she’d be damned before she let them become indifferent to her. The woman smiled flirtatiously and shrugged. “Master Joseph.” A muscle worked in King’s jaw as he flicked a glance at Sebastian. Brenna stood frozen in place while Sebastian moved away from her, sidestepping the woman kneeling on the floor to go inside the room where the others had gathered. She couldn’t take her eyes off of King, feeling as if she was staring at a stranger. Suddenly, his eyes met hers, glittering with heat, an intimate look only for her. It lasted just an instant, but reinforced the bond between them, unraveling some of the knots in her stomach. The promise in that brief look had her anxiously looking forward to being alone with him later tonight. The tense silence continued as King glared down at the woman on the floor, but Brenna knew his attention was also on her. She felt it, like a living, breathing thing. A minute later, another man appeared in the doorway of the room at the end of the hall, this one dressed in pair of tailored pants and a white

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buttoned-down shirt. He glanced dismissively at the woman on the floor before looking at King, frowning. “Is there a problem?” King nodded toward the woman at his feet. “Your sub is undisciplined, and too flirtatious. She rubbed against me, flirted with me, and even now is staring up at me when she knows damned well she’s not permitted to look at me.” The woman lowered her head, but didn’t appear to be too repentant. A smile played at the corner of her mouth as she glanced up at King. The other man, Master Joseph, sighed. “Yes, she’s getting out of hand. I’m thinking of putting her up for auction and getting a new one.” King tightened his jaw, appearing even more furious. “She’s yours to do with as you want, but she’s got to pay for her disrespect. Right now, you’re responsible for her. Get her inside and we’ll deal with her.” Brenna blinked as the other man attached a leash to the collar the woman on the floor wore, and made her crawl into the other room on her hands and knees, her ass lifted high so that her pussy and bottom hole could be seen by anyone they went past. Trembling at the thought of King looking at her with such displeasure, Brenna avoided his stare. “Come here, Red.” Brenna blinked at the cool command, her nipples aching with the need for his touch, and her panties soaked with her juices. She’d become aroused, watching that woman defy him and his own arrogant response to it. “Now.” God, that tone aroused her! She’d already started forward when her eyes lifted to his, her body tense. Each step seemed to last forever, her knees shaking as she approached. She didn’t stop until she stood directly in front of him, staring into his unreadable eyes the entire time. Lifting her chin, she fought for a bravado that had diminished under his dominant presence, using sarcasm to hide her unease. “Are you going to tell me that I’m not supposed to look at you now?” King’s brow went up, and to her surprise, a smile tugged at his lips. “Feeling brave now, are you? I knew it wouldn’t take you long to want to test your boundaries.”

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With a hand at the back of her neck, he pulled her close. “When you saw that sub on her knees, did you imagine yourself at my feet?” Reaching out, he tapped a nipple, his gaze holding hers. “I did, and I thought about how good that hot mouth of yours feels on my cock.” She licked her dry lips, dropping her gaze to stare at one of the buttons on his shirt while she fought not to show how such a small touch from him had her ready to climb the walls. “Are you really going to punish her?” She knew she probably had no right to ask, but the thought of King doing things to that woman that he’d done to her filled her with jealousy. King lifted her chin, keeping her head tilted up so she had no warning before his hand ripped open several of the buttons on her shirt and her bra to cover her breast. “Her Master will. I have my own sub to deal with.” His eyes narrowed on hers. “If what I do is an issue for you, Red, get out now. I won’t change the way I am, or what I do, even for you.” His hand moved over her breast possessively, leaving no doubt about who was in charge. He tugged at her nipple, his eyes flaring at her cry. “Especially for you. I’ve always known that my need to dominate couldn’t be changed, but I never realized how strong my desire to possess could be. I’ve been looking forward to your defiance. I saw the arousal in your eyes when she defied me. You wanted it to be you, didn’t you? You wanted to be the one to earn a punishment at my hands.” Hands dropped onto her shoulders from behind, shocking her so much that she cried out and started to jerk away before she recognized the feel of them. A touch she would know in the dark. She relaxed, loving the feel of his warmth against her back. Royce’s grip tightened, his voice a silky whisper against her ear. “I feel just as possessive. The need to have everything is even stronger now than ever before. I also find that I’m selfish when it comes to you.” He worked the tail of her shirt from her pants and tied it under her breasts. “Any other time, we would take our sub in there and discipline her along with the others. Not you, though. I would be very upset if anyone other than King and I saw these gorgeous breasts, or that soft, bare pussy, or an ass so luscious that thoughts of it keep me up at night.”

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Brenna slumped against Royce, confident that he would hold her, and pushing her breasts more fully into King’s hands. “I’m selfish, too, when it comes to you. I don’t want you touching those other women.” King squeezed her nipples, tugging until she cried out and came to her toes, his eyes filled with the knowledge of how strongly his aggressiveness excited her. “For the time you’re here with us, we are definitely exclusive. I’ve told you that.” Royce pressed his cock against her back. “Doms have the right to take whomever they want, Brenna. It’s none of their subs’ business. We won’t do that to you, but you know the business we’re in. You’re just going to have to accept the rest. Or not. It’s up to you. Now, come upstairs with me. We have a few things to get straight. It appears you’re as in need of attention as much as that submissive is. A good Master would never ignore his woman’s needs.” King gave her breasts one final caress before removing his hands from her shirt and covering her. Bending, he dropped a hard kiss on her lips before straightening, his eyes glittering with promise. “I’ll see you later. When I come in, I want you on your knees. Royce will show you how to present yourself.” Brenna’s pulse leapt. “You would make me do that?” King raised a brow in that arrogant way that never failed to excite her. “It’s what I want, Red. Let’s see how willing you are to please me.” Crossing her arms over her chest, Brenna allowed Royce to lead her to the elevator. Once inside, she turned to find King staring at her and stilled, the unreadable look on his face sending a wave of longing through her. She smiled at him, a giggle escaping when his eyes narrowed. His lips twitched and he shook his head, just seconds before the elevator door closed. Still smiling, she turned to Royce. “I won’t go down on my knees to him or you or anyone else. So, if that’s your plan, you can forget it right now.” Royce smiled, a smile of evil intent that made her stomach muscles tighten. “Yes, my darling, you will, and when you do, your thighs will be soaked with your juices. Do you know why that sub misbehaved? Her Master isn’t giving her enough attention. That’s a dangerous thing.”

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Brenna snorted, knowing she’d pay for it later, but determined that neither one of them would take her submission for granted. “You’re delusional.” Royce’s eyes hardened, his body stiffening. The change in him happened so fast she found herself backing away, only to be caught against him just as the doors opened. “Get into the bedroom.” “Look, Royce. I don’t think you understand—” Royce whipped her around, slamming her back against his chest. “No, my darling little submissive, I don’t think you understand. You’re going to do what we tell you.” Brenna stopped struggling and forced back her urge to kick him. Lifting her chin, she marched into the bedroom and turned. “You’re right, but—” Royce lifted a brow. “But nothing. Strip.” Brenna glared at him, not about to show how much she wanted to be naked and have his hands on her. She raised a brow at that and looked down to study her nails. “Your vocabulary needs some work.” “My vocabulary is just fine. It gets the point across. Strip.” His eyes raked over her as he approached and worked his way around her, coming up close to her back. “I want to see every inch of my property.” Brenna turned, fuming. “I hate when you say things like that.” Royce smiled faintly, his too-handsome features somehow appearing even colder. “I know you do, just as I hate repeating myself. It arouses you, too, which pisses you off even more. I understand your motives, Brenna, but each time I have to repeat myself, you’re going to pay for it.” Curious, she looked up at him as she started to untangle the knot King had made in her shirt. “Really? How are you going to make me pay for it?” Royce’s brow went up, a slight smile tugging at his lips. “You’ll find out.” His gaze lingered on her now-naked breasts, and he wagged his fingers, gesturing for her to hurry up with the rest. She slipped off the rest of her clothes, her body humming with awareness under Royce’s intense stare. Tossing her panties aside, she crossed her arms over her chest and met his gaze squarely.

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Still, her need to provoke a response from him proved irresistible. “So, hot shot, what’s next?” Royce fingered the whip at his side. “On your knees.” Brenna blinked. “What?” He couldn’t be serious. Royce took a menacing step closer. “Do I really need to repeat myself? Again?” Not trusting the look in his eye, Brenna dropped to her knees. “Fine. There. I’m on my knees, but if you think I’m crawling around on all fours—” “Quiet!” His voice lashed out, the ice in it sending a sharp chill through her as though he’d actually hit her with an icy whip. The erotic threat hung in the air, intensifying the tension in the room. Royce slid a hand over her hair. “It appears that you think that just because I have feelings for you, darling, that you’re going to get away with defiance and attitude.” Coming up behind her, he fisted a hand in her hair, tilting her face back to his. The surge of warmth at his admission to caring for her stole her breath. It made her even more determined to challenge him on every level, to make him want her as badly as she wanted him. His gaze burned into her. “In fact, the opposite is true. We’re going to be far harder on you than we’d be on anyone else. This is what you need. This is what we need. My feelings for you only make me want more from you. I want it all, Brenna, and I’ll have it from you.” Royce smiled, a cold smile filling her with nerves and lust, a dangerous combination, and one she found she craved. “Don’t you move a fucking muscle.” He went to the nightstand drawer and came back with the gag. “Scream if you want to. Curse at me. Nothing will make any difference or keep me from teaching you that I can and will make you obey me.” He ran a hand over her breast and tugged at her nipple. “I think right now, it’s a lesson you need to learn, one that will be difficult for you to accept, but one that needs to be taught.” Brenna didn’t fight him, remaining as still as she could, her knees digging into the thick carpet. She realized that her trust for him had grown as her body leapt in excitement at the cool authority in his voice.

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Once he’d attached the ball gag, he moved around to stand in front of her, his expression cold, but so possessive she wanted to give him everything. “Put your shoulders back and thrust those breasts out.” Trembling with nerves and a hunger that seemed to grow stronger and darker by the day. Brenna pushed at the gag with her tongue and obeyed him, moaning at the fresh wave of lust. “Very good. Now, spread those legs.” Mortified at the amount of moisture that coated her thighs, Brenna spread her knees apart, the throbbing of her clit as the air blew over it almost unbearable. Squatting down in front of her, Royce ran a hand over her hair before reaching down to pluck at her nipples, the shock of pleasure to her clit making the ache even stronger. “Whenever King or I tell you to assume the position, this is exactly the way we want you to be. Keep those eyes on us. They’re very expressive eyes and we want to see them.” He ran a hand over her breasts, his frown her only warning before he pinched her nipple. Hard. “Keep those breasts thrust out. I didn’t say you could drop your shoulders. No matter what I do to them, you keep them thrust out. Do you understand?” Brenna nodded, blinking back tears at the sharp pain in her nipple, and the ensuing heat that had more of her juices leaking from her. She hadn’t truly understood the untapped hunger inside her. She’d known she’d been needy, but hadn’t even come close to realizing how unfulfilled she’d been. She had a feeling Royce and King could teach her more, show her more of herself than she’d ever known existed. Royce slid his hand over her belly. “In this position, your breasts, your clit, your pussy, and your ass are all accessible to your Masters. They belong to us, Brenna. If I want to place clips on those nipples, I don’t want you to move at all. If I think that ass needs to be plugged, you’ll remain still, even pull your cheeks apart if I demand it. You have no say in it. Your body is mine to use as I wish. This is for my pleasure. Not yours. Remember that. Even your orgasms belong to me and I will allow or deny them as I wish.”

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She knew she should be furious. She knew she should be insulted that he would think of her this way, but the intensity of caring and need in his eyes, and her own desire to surrender to his will made it impossible. The confusion of her body giving in while her mind demanded she rebel left her reeling, and sent her senses soaring. She only knew that every inch of her body craved his touch, and that right here, right now, she had his undivided attention. Her eyes slid to the bulge pressing against the front of his dark trousers. He wanted her, and everything he did to her excited both of them. She was his and he was hers and nothing else mattered. She met his eyes, and nodded, indicating that she understood. She accepted. She wanted more. She wanted it all. She wanted to be unforgettable to them, and to be the most important thing in their lives. Royce lifted her chin. “Don’t look at my cock. You haven’t earned it yet. We’re going to see what we can do to get rid of that attitude first. So, you don’t think you’ll crawl on your hands and knees if I command it? Before she had a chance to answer, he helped her to her feet, and led her from the room. “We’ll just see about that.” As soon as they entered the playroom, Royce closed and locked the door and led her to the center of the room. Turning her to face the door, he placed a hand at her back and one at her belly, guiding her to her hands and knees. “Keep those legs spread. Don’t you dare allow your thighs to touch.” Taking a chain that had been bolted to the floor, he attached the other end to the collar she wore around her neck, making it impossible for her to get up. She tugged at it anyway, frightened by the sound of him opening and closing one of the cabinets behind her, and scared of what he might do. Before she could turn to see what he was doing, he came back. The whip hitting her left bottom cheek shocked her so much that she froze. It didn’t really hurt, but it stung, and to her acute embarrassment, made her bottom hole tingle. She tried to tighten it, to hold herself closed there, but his booted feet between her ankles didn’t let her close her legs enough to protect her puckered opening.

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Crying out as the whip hit her there, she cursed at him, her words jumbled by the ball gag filling her mouth. She tried to kick at him, even though she knew it would be useless. Her helplessness at the situation she found herself in demanded that she fight, even as her vulnerability and Royce’s dominance excited her, and to her shock, allowed her to settle some inside, secure in the knowledge that he could handle her passion. It freed her more than she could have ever imagined, but it also made it harder to defy him. He moved around her and squatted down next to her, lifting her chin, the amusement and hard edge of superiority glittering in his eyes sending a shiver through her. “You don’t really think I’m going to let you have your way, do you?” He disappeared again, moving to stand behind her. “You’re going to see now just what I can do to you. You’ll feel vulnerable, shocked, and even demeaned, but your body won’t listen. Even some part of your mind, one you don’t want to acknowledge, will want more. Fight all you can, darling. It won’t last long.” Lulled by his silky tone, the sensation of something pushing at her puckered opening forced a gasp from her, startling her so badly she almost fell. She tried to move away from it, but the chain attaching her to the floor didn’t allow for it. She couldn’t get up and she couldn’t stop Royce pushing what felt like a thick rubber cock into her ass. The lube on it and her position made it impossible to keep it out, and the hand Royce pressed at her back made her arch, lifting her bottom up and making it easier for him to impale her there. Shivers raced up and down her spine at his relentless press of the fake cock into her, each inch increasing her sense of vulnerability and arousal. Moaning at the feel of it stretching her ass as it was forced into her, Brenna fisted her hands and curled her toes as moan after pitiful moan poured from her. Moisture continued to leak from her pussy, the warm trickle down her thighs seemingly never-ending. Her already heightened senses made the sensations even stronger, her inner walls gripping the cock as it pressed deeper. Marveling at such an erotic display of dominance, she yearned for the sting of the whip again, while clinging to Royce’s voice like a lifeline.

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“Open that ass to me, Brenna. It’s mine. Push back and take this big rubber cock like a good girl. You know you need your ass to be filled when you’re being disciplined. Yes, that’s it. As soon as that ass is breached, I have no trouble with you at all, little sub, do I?” She couldn’t object, couldn’t move away. She couldn’t keep her most intimate opening from being filled. Helpless against him, she found herself pushing back against his invasion, needing to take everything he had to give. He forced her ass to stretch, to give way, at his relentless push forward. Her own trust in him had her pushing back, knowing he’d never allow her to harm herself. Her juices ran down her thighs now as she surrendered herself to his mastery with an ease that shamed her. Her breasts felt swollen and heavy as they swung free. Despite her resistance, she wished more than anything that he would give her nipples the attention they craved. Reaching down, he released the chain at her neck and moved to stand behind her. “Now let’s see you do what you told me you wouldn’t do. Look in the mirror to your right and crawl. Keep those thighs spread and move that delightful ass toward the door.” Brenna hesitated, hardly able to believe her own eyes. She turned to look in the mirror and saw Royce standing behind her, holding a long stick attached to the dildo in her ass. Royce apparently didn’t appreciate having to wait and pushed the dildo deeper, eliciting cry after cry from her. The only way to escape was to move forward. Royce followed, the constant pressure on the dildo inside her forcing her to keep moving. The decadent sight of her being forced to crawl on her hands and knees by an object impaling her ass was something so far out of her realm that she couldn’t comprehend it. Seeing that big stick sticking out of her ass scared the hell out of her. She felt so small, so helpless, so full. His mastery over her complete, Royce seemed thrilled with her response, the satisfaction and hunger on his face making her feel wanton and desirable. Royce pressed deeper when she slowed. “Do you know how beautiful you look? Do you have any idea what it does to me to see you so helpless

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and with that ass filled? King is going to enjoy seeing the video of this later, and hearing those sweet cries coming out of you as you realize there’s nothing you can do except obey.” He twisted the cock inside her, the friction of it moving over the inner walls of her anus so intense she almost came right then and there. The sharp reminder of just how dark her desires had become, and how completely Royce could fulfill them made her even more determined to be all that he and King needed. Eager to please him, she watched him in the mirror, wiggling her ass at him. Thrilled at the look of shocked delight on his face, she shivered as his eyes hardened and met hers as he pushed the dildo a little deeper. With a cry, Brenna moved faster, crawling on all fours to the door and rushing to escape the relentless pressure inside her ass. The hard floor made it difficult and she almost slipped a few times, crying out at each jerk of the plug in her ass. Royce met her eyes in the big mirrored wall. “I think your ass should always be plugged. Those expressive eyes always have a bit of a glazed look in them every time your ass is impaled. It’s a look I think I’ve become addicted to.” Brenna shivered at the sight of her reflection as she crawled to the door, each movement shifting the large dildo inside her. Mortified at how she looked, she rushed to do his bidding, anxious to please him and hopefully get relief from this torment. When Royce reached around her to unlock and open the door, the dildo shifted again, forcing a moan from her. “Down the hall to your room. I love that look of helpless arousal in your eyes. Defy me again, my darling, and the next time I’ll use a bigger plug and make you crawl around with clamps on your nipples and your clit.” Groaning at the thought of it, and thankful for the carpet and thick padding, Brenna hurried down the hall and went into her bedroom, her ass gripping the dildo as her juices ran down her thighs. Tingles that warned of her fast-approaching orgasm taunted her, along with the knowledge that she would die of embarrassment if she came now. “Stop right there.” Brenna stopped, her breathing ragged as the dildo slid almost all the way out and then back in again.

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“One way or another, you’re going to learn to believe what King and I say to you.” He yanked the dildo from her with a speed that sucked the breath out of her and left her bottom grasping at emptiness. He helped her to her feet, catching her against him when she would have fallen and sliding a hand down her body to her slit. “You’re soaking wet. I knew you were the one, but I didn’t want to believe it.” Fisting a hand in her hair, he tilted her head back. “Scared to believe it.” Taking a deep breath, he let it out slowly, his fingers busy removing the gag. “I guess time will tell if I’m right.” His eyes darkened and narrowed. “Do you believe now that I mean what I say?” “Yes, Master.” God, she needed to come so badly. Her bottom, still slick from the lube, kept clenching, the need to be filled there now almost unbearable. He smiled slightly, the look in his eyes never changing. “We’re not in the playroom, darling. ‘Royce’ will do here.” Every inch of her body felt alive and awakened in ways it never had been before, and she found herself so attuned to Royce that even the slightest shift in his expression made her heart race. She found herself on the verge of tears, needing him to hold her, to ease some of the vulnerability that left her feeling helpless and confused. Royce kept her face lifted to his, his eyes hooded as they held hers. “Open to me. Spread your folds and expose your clit. If you’re good and still, I just might let you come.” Sliding her hands down her abdomen and lower, she obeyed him, jolting when his fingers lightly caressed her slick flesh. Drawing shaky breaths, she held herself open, moaning at the exquisite feel of his fingers dancing over her sensitive clit, each small caress making her jolt and sending tingling heat through her as her throbbing clit grew hotter and hotter. Royce pulled her closer, bracing her body against his. “When you come, I want you to stay on your feet. Don’t fall. Concentrate on locking those knees.” She’d become so aroused that after only a few strokes of Royce’s finger, the warning tingling threatened to consume her, making her feel even more helpless. Trembling everywhere, she gripped the front of his shirt, her pitiful cries more desperate when he removed the fingers from her clit.

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Her vision blurred as tears of frustration filled her eyes. “Please, Royce. Please. I can’t take it. Please don’t tease me.” Running his slick fingers over a nipple, he smiled. “You’re such a good girl, but you forget when you’re aroused. If you want me to touch your clit, you have to hold yourself open to me.” “Shit. I forgot.” Shaking everywhere, she rushed to hold herself open to him again, alarmed at how eagerly she participated in her own submission. She cursed when her trembling hands slipped once, and then again, in her rush to get him to make her come before he changed his mind. She groaned, breathing a sigh of relief when she finally managed to hold herself open again. Staring up at him, she waited for the touch of his fingers again, hoping like hell that he didn’t refuse her. Her entire being focused on him, on pleasing him and striving for the incredible release that only he and King could give her. “Please, Royce. I’m ready.” Royce smiled faintly, tapping her nipple. “You have to wait until I’m ready. I’m in charge here, something that you seem to keep forgetting. If you come, it’s because King or I want you to—because we allow it. This has nothing to do with what you want, does it, darling?” Brenna shook her head. “Please. I swear I’ll be good. I’ll do anything you want. Please let me come.” “On your knees. Present yourself.” She drew a shaky breath, not sure if she heard him right. “Now?” Between one heartbeat and the next, the small whip at his waist appeared in his hand, the several strips of leather coming down with a slight snap at the tip of her breast, making her nipple sting. “I’m tired of repeating myself, Brenna.” Dropping to her knees, Brenna snuck in a stroke to her clit before she released her folds, the sting from the whip on her nipple making the swollen nub throb incessantly. Royce let the ends of the whip trail over her breasts as he moved to stand in front of her. “Thrust them out and spread wider. Keep your hands at your back or I’ll tie them there.”

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He circled her, trailing the ends of the whip all over her arms, her back, her bottom, and back around to her belly. When he stopped in front of her again, he held his cock in his hand, moving close to put it at her lips. “Open. If you please me, maybe I’ll let you come before I go back downstairs.” The thought of him being with those other women, the women downstairs with King even now, sparked her jealousy and made her determined to give him so much pleasure that he wouldn’t even be tempted to touch them. Opening her mouth, she took the head of his cock inside, moaning at the delicious taste of him. Rich and exotic, it excited her senses and made her hungry for more. Forcing herself to ignore the stiffness of her jaw caused by the ball gag, Brenna had to open her mouth wide to accommodate him. She worked her tongue around his cock, sucking him deeper, rising slightly to reach him better. Royce’s thumbs moved over her jaw. “When King comes in later, I want you to fall to your knees the way I taught you. Don’t disappoint me.” Brenna bobbed her head, the only way she could answer. Thrilling at the change in his tone, and the way his hands tightened in her hair, she inwardly smiled. The thrill of pleasing him excited her on many levels, and in ways she’d never experienced with any other man. Her acute awareness of him allowed her to please him more. She noticed that when she ran her tongue over the underside of his cock in a certain way, his hands tightened in her hair. When she sucked him deeper and used her tongue, his strokes became less smooth. As he became more aroused, so did she, each nuance of his response heightening hers. After having the rubber cock in her ass, she now felt empty there. Her pussy released even more of her juices, clenching with the need to be filled. Her clit and nipples burned with the need for his attention. Shaking with lust and aching everywhere, she moaned around Royce’s cock, inwardly thrilling at his answering groan. She wouldn’t be able to handle being left in this condition for long, but the reality that he could do it,

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would do it had her sucking him harder in her desperate attempt to give him pleasure. Running his hands through her hair, Royce groaned. “This is so natural to you, and yet you fight it.” He slid deeper and withdrew almost all the way before sliding to the back of her throat. “I don’t mind if you fight me. I enjoy overcoming your struggles, but the idea that you fight yourself saddens me. You’re a strong, determined woman, Brenna, but I’m not going to let you walk away from something all three of us need so badly.” Brenna tightened her lips around his cock, spurred on by his claim and needing to prove that she could make him just as helpless as he made her. Royce chuckled softly and groaned again. “Yes, you please me very much, but if you think for one minute that I’m going to let you top from the bottom, you’re sadly mistaken. This mouth is mine to fuck whenever I please. I can take my pleasure with you and walk away, leaving you aroused and needy.” Stricken at the threat, Brenna grunted and shook her head. She still couldn’t come to terms with being forced to crawl, pushed along with a stick attached to the rubber cock in her ass. How could she be turned on by something so degrading? Even as he used her mouth, she could think of nothing more than his pleasure and the hope that he would release her from this torment. Royce moved faster. “Yes, I can, and you wouldn’t be permitted to pleasure yourself. No orgasms for you unless King or I permit it.” She knew he would have no way to stop her, and that he’d never know if she made herself come, but his words excited her all the same. Brenna let her eyes flutter closed, taking him to the back of her throat over and over. His cock jumped, the only warning she had before he flooded her mouth with his release. Swallowing every drop, she continued to suck him, bathing his cock with her tongue and trembling with anticipation of her own release. When he withdrew, she stared up at him, smiling with pride at the look of male satisfaction in his eyes. His slight smile, so thrilling and beloved, warmed her from within, his expression one of tenderness as his eyes searched hers.

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“It would take me the rest of my life to do all the things I want to do to you. I want to explore every boundary and misconceived idea you have about your own sexuality and push it further.” She started to reach for him, only to remember at the last second that she was supposed to keep her hands at her back. “Just don’t do anything like making me crawl on my hands and knees again. I can’t believe you made me do that. What did you say about King seeing it? You have a tape of it?” Royce’s eyes narrowed. “Unless King and I are both with you, whatever happens in the playroom is taped. If you’re with King, I watch it and then delete it. King does the same if you’re with me. You belong to both of us, Brenna.” Her face burned. “No. I don’t want him to see that. I can’t believe you did that to me.” Royce fastened his pants and knelt down in front of her. “No. What you can’t believe—what you won’t allow yourself to accept—is that it excited you. It’s not the idea that you crawled around on all fours. It’s that you see now that I can make you do it. You had no control over the situation and you believe now that I’ll do what I say I’ll do. I don’t make idle threats. You’re also amazingly vulnerable when your ass is taken.” He took her nipples between his thumbs and forefingers and rolled them, his eyes narrowing when she cried out. “Bit by bit, you’re coming to understand just how much we’ll control you, and how much you need that control, especially as we all discover just how deep that hunger inside you goes. The more you understand, the happier and more settled you’ll be. You’ll accept it because you know that neither King nor I will ever harm you in a way from which you can’t recover, and that we both care deeply for you.” She opened her mouth to speak, but whatever she’d been about to say dissolved under the feel of his fingers sliding over her abdomen to settle on her clit. Royce stroked her, her slippery juices easing the glide of his fingers over her throbbing flesh. “The deeper our feelings go for you, the stricter we’ll be with you. We can’t allow anything to happen to you, darling, and we’ve got all those secret hungers inside you to explore. At the same time, our possessiveness

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of you and our need to dominate appears to be stronger with you than it’s ever been. Come, sweetheart. Now.” Brenna sucked in a breath as her orgasm rolled through her, as if by his command. Nothing that either he or King had done to her up to this point proclaimed their mastery over her like making her come with just a command to do so. Falling against him, she cried out her pleasure, gripping his shirt in her hands and burying her face against his chest. She stiffened as the wave of pleasure crested, her entire body caught in a tingling mass of heat that left her shaken and weak. Through it, Royce’s touch never faltered, his insistent and steady stroke to her clit continuing even after she began to come down. His slick fingers moved continuously over her too-sensitive clit with relentless precision despite her cries, her pleas for him to stop. In this position and with her knees pressed into the thick carpet, she couldn’t close her legs against it. Grabbing his forearms, she tried to push him away, but she couldn’t budge him. “No more. I came. Please, I can’t take it.” Royce held her in place with a hand on her shoulder and continued to stroke her clit. Lifting his hand from her shoulder, he wrapped it in her hair, tilting her face up to his. “This is mine to stroke as long as I like, remember?” Shaking uncontrollably, Brenna whimpered. “No. Please, no.” Royce’s hooded gaze held hers as he dipped his head and took her lips with his, the dominance he somehow managed to inject into his kiss sending her senses reeling. He parted her lips with ease, using his tongue to explore her mouth and brand it as his. It went on and on leaving her weak and limp, trembling helplessly, her body jolting at every caress to her clit. Too strong. Too raw. Too much. Lifting his head, he studied her face and smiled, apparently satisfied with what he saw. Although he slowed his strokes to her clit, he kept up the light pressure, his eyes flaring at her whimpered cries.

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“In this position, you can’t close against my touch. This clit belongs to me. I thought you understood that.” She couldn’t stand it anymore. Her clit had become too sensitive for attention, so much that even the slightest slide of his finger over it made her jolt and cry out. The hand in her hair loosened, sending more delicious sizzles through her as it glided down to the small of her back, where it firmed. “Arch that back. I want those breasts thrust out to me. Invite me to touch them. Cup them. Lift them to me.” Brenna obeyed, shocked at how submissive it made her feel each time she made herself more available to him. The burn in her clit warned her of another orgasm, one that she hadn’t thought possible. Her chest heaved with every breath, her cries growing louder as the slight pain of having her toosensitive clit stroked combined with the need for more. She watched in fascination as Royce lowered his head and took an aching nipple into his mouth, forcing herself to keep her back arched and her breasts thrust out when her instinct was to curl forward. She cried out at the sharp pull, gasping when he scraped his teeth over it, sending more of those waves of awareness racing through her. The hand at her back moved lower to rub the cheeks of her ass, sending shivers up and down her spine just as she began coming. She could feel the moisture release in a rush, and fought to remain still when his fingers slid through her slit from behind, one coming dangerously close to her puckered opening before sliding into her pussy. Royce released her nipple, staring down at her as her orgasm crested. “Beautiful. I could watch you come all day.” Brenna shook her head, knowing she couldn’t endure any more. “It’ll kill me.” Limp and breathless, she slumped against him, struggling to get enough air into her lungs, her pussy on fire as his firm strokes continued. “Royce. Too much.” “You haven’t even come close to reaching your limits, darling.” He withdrew his finger from her pussy at the same time he stopped stroking her clit, catching her in his arms. “But you’re worn out. You are so precious. Come on, honey. Let’s get you a nice hot bath and into bed. I’ll have Sebastian bring you a dinner tray.”

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To her surprise, Royce bathed her himself, slipping out of his shirt and washing every inch of her. Leaning back against a towel he’d rolled for her and placed under her neck, Brenna let her head loll to the side to admire his naked chest. “Royce?” Now that she’d settled some, doubts and insecurities began to rush in again. Remembering what he’d done to her in the playroom, and how compliant she’d been afterward, she couldn’t help but wonder if she was losing a part of herself—changing somehow—and it scared her. Royce must have known because the attention he gave her now seemed designed to soothe her. “Yes, darling?” Frowning, she stared at his profile as he washed her, thinking about the other times when he and King had held her and cuddled with her after they’d had sex. Now that she took the time to think about it, she realized that the more intense her submission, the more attention they gave her afterward. Royce lifted her foot out of the water and soaped it, smiling when she giggled and tried unsuccessfully to pull her foot away. “Ticklish, are you?” After rinsing her foot, he kissed her toes, the feel of his lips sending delicious tingles up her leg. Releasing her foot, he slipped his hand underneath the surface of the water, running it up her leg. He paused before he reached her slit, his fingers resting against her inner thigh. Lifting a brow, he met her gaze, the indulgence in his eyes warming her from within. “What did you want to say to me, sweetheart?” The affection in his caress comforted her more than aroused her, his firm touch soothing the tremors that still danced under her skin. Touching his forearm, she stared at his profile, hardly able to believe that a man as beautiful as Royce wanted her. The attention he gave her now brought tears to her eyes, the emotion so strong it brought a lump to her throat, and she had to clear it before speaking. “You and King are always so attentive after we have sex. You always touch me and hold me.” Royce smiled, taking her hand in his and lifting it to his lips. “Yes. So?”

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Sitting up, she wrapped her arms around his neck, loving the freedom to touch him this way. At moments like this, she felt truly happy, and had an inner glow that made her giddy. The bond she shared with him seemed even more intense, but even the tenderness he displayed now couldn’t erase her confusion about her own desires. That, though, she would keep to herself. Coming to her knees, she touched her lips to his strong jaw, smiling against his neck when his arms came around her. “I like it.” Sliding his arms beneath her, he lifted her from the water, holding her high against his chest as he sat on the edge of the large tub and reached for a towel from the shelf behind her. Bending, he dropped a kiss on her lips before starting to dry her. “Good, because I like holding you in my arms very much.” To her surprise, as he ran the towel over her, he asked her about her day. “So, how did you like your first day of work at the store? King said that you seemed a little upset at lunch after seeing Jesse with Clay and Rio.” He set her on her feet and tossed the towel in the direction of the hamper before ushering her back into the bedroom. Once there, he strode to the bed and retrieved her robe from the foot of it and bundled her into it from behind. He bent close, whispering in her ear as he secured the belt. “He said you seemed a little lost. Do you want to tell me about it?” Brenna thought about the way Jesse had been with her husbands, the loving looks between them, the special smiles they shared with each other and the way neither man seemed able to keep his hands off of Jesse. Anyone who looked at them could see the love and respect between them, the kind of respect and deep emotion that Brenna couldn’t imagine forming in a relationship like the one she, King, and Royce currently had. She knew they’d never be able to respect her the way Clay and Rio respected Jesse. How could they respect a woman who crawled on her knees, pushed along by a rubber cock in her ass? Closing her eyes, she took a few seconds to lean back against him, savoring the feel of his big body against hers, his strong arms holding her close. She’d come to need this more than she’d counted on and struggled to

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keep her tone cool so he wouldn’t realize just how vulnerable and confused she felt. Suddenly, she found she wanted to be alone, to have a chance to think. “There’s nothing to tell. Look, I know you have to get back, and you’re going to have to change your clothes. Your pants are soaking wet.” “King and Blade can handle things until I get there.” “But, with all those people, they need you.” Royce turned her in his arms, tilting her face to his and searching her features. “I think you need me more. What’s bothering you, Brenna? Don’t try to keep secrets from me. Secrets have no place in a relationship like ours, especially if you’re feeling insecure.” She eased away from him, laughing softly to hide her sadness, and rubbed her stomach where a knot had formed. “I’m not insecure. You’ve got the wrong woman.” Royce spun her around, gathering the lapels of her robe and pulling her close. He lifted her to her toes, his eyes glittering dangerously. “Oh, I’ve got the right woman all right. I just don’t think she’s convinced of it yet.” He smiled, a smile of dark intention. “She will be, though. Soon.” **** Brenna dropped to the bed after Royce left, her body still humming with awareness even as a heavy lethargy came over her, making it nearly impossible to move. Suddenly, she remembered the envelope. Leaping from the bed, she went to the jeans that had been flung into the corner and dug into the back pocket for the note. Ripping it open, she read the one sentence, written in the same handwriting as the last note. Your time with them will end soon—and forever. Brenna took a deep breath and let it out slowly as she folded the slip of paper and stuck it back into the envelope.

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She wouldn’t let Donner’s threats keep her from Royce and King. If this thing between them ended, it would be because they’d ended it, not because of Donner. She just wished this asshole would confront her soon. Folding the envelope, she opened a drawer and stuck it underneath a pile of the cotton panties she wore for work, where Royce and King would never find it. On shaky legs, Brenna crawled back into bed, secure in the knowledge that she could take care of this jerk on her own. Then, Royce and King would see her as a strong woman, one who could handle belonging to two Masters. Smiling, she let her eyes close, picturing the look on King’s face when Royce told him what they’d done.

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Chapter Fourteen Brenna came awake with a start, a chill going through her when the covers were yanked from her. Before she had a chance to do more than groan in protest, sharp teeth scraped over her bottom cheek. “Ouch!” Jerking away, she fell clumsily against a sleeping Royce, who opened one eye and rubbed her back. “He bit me!” “You’re okay, honey. King missed you last night.” “Damned right, I did.” Gripping her legs, King pulled her from the bed before she could even work up a struggle. “Come on, sleepyhead. You’re working out with me this morning.” She found herself yanked from a warm bed and against an even warmer body. Falling against him, she groaned, letting her eyes close again. “King! I don’t want to work out. It’s still dark outside. I want to sleep.” She hated the whine in her voice, but she’d been warm and comfortable, and saw no reason to get up early on her day off, unless it involved something a hell of a lot more interesting than working out. “Go ’way.” Chuckling, King lifted her limp form with infuriating ease, settling her naked body over his shoulder before striding from the room. “It’s dawn. The sun’s coming up. You know, you’re cute when you whine.” Insulted, Brenna slapped at him, not bothering to open her eyes. “I don’t whine. I just don’t like being yanked out of my bed when I’m sound asleep. I want to go back to bed with Royce.” With a large hand at the back of her knees, King held her firmly, running his other hand over her bottom as he made his way down the semilit hall in the opposite direction of the playroom. “Tough. You don’t work today and I want to spend some time with you. You said you wanted to work out with me, so we’re here to work out.”

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Brenna punched his butt, disappointed to find he’d already dressed in workout clothes. “I didn’t say I wanted to work out in the middle of the night, damn it.” King went into the room near the end of the hall, closing the door behind him. Gripping her waist, he slid her inch by inch down the length of his body until her feet touched the floor, chuckling when she went limp against him. Wrapping both arms around her, he ran his hands down her back, touching his lips to her hair. To her surprised delight, he stood there, holding her in silence for several minutes, doing nothing more than rubbing his hands up and down her back. Leaning into him, she rubbed her cheek over the soft cotton shirt he wore, lifting her arms to wrap them around his neck. She could smell the soap he’d used from a recent shower and breathed it in with a sigh and snuggled closer. Threading his fingers through her hair, he settled them at the back of her neck and rubbed, lifting her face to his as he did. With a smile, he pushed her mussed hair back from her face, his eyes raking over her body before settling on hers. Sliding a fingertip down her jaw, he moved it lower, tracing it down her neck to her collarbone. Holding her gaze with his, he slid his finger lower to the upper curve of her breast. “Good morning, baby.” She shivered as his touch grew bolder, the tips of his fingers light over the outer curve of her breast, sending sharp arrows of awareness to her nipple. Wide awake now, Brenna ran her hands up his chest to his shoulders, marveling at how small and fragile she always felt when she was with him. “Good morning.” She smoothed the sleeveless cotton shirt over his chest, disappointed that it wasn’t bare skin. He’d apparently already dressed for his workout, complete with sneakers. Since he obviously didn’t plan to have sex, she wondered why he hadn’t allowed her to get dressed before bringing her to the well-equipped workout room. Staring up at him, she smiled, and for the first time, she noticed how tired he looked. Trying to keep the jealousy from her voice, she looked up at him through her lashes. “You and Royce must have come to bed really late last night.”

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King smiled, sliding his hands down to her breasts, his eyes narrowing at her gasp. “We just came up. I wanted to get a workout in before I go to bed.” Brenna moaned when his fingers zeroed in on her nipples. “Hmm, and you needed my company so much that you had to yank me from a warm bed?” King grinned and tugged at her nipples. “Something like that.” **** Staring down at her, King thought about the number of times he’d checked on her during the night, and how difficult it had been not to ditch his responsibilities downstairs and climb into the bed with her. After hearing about her response to Royce’s attention earlier, he’d spent the rest of the night trying not to think about her. For the first time in his life, he’d had trouble focusing to give the attention needed to those in the club. Everything the Doms did to their subs had his mind racing with thoughts of doing the same things to Brenna. Even though he knew Royce would have given Brenna the aftercare she needed, calming her until she settled, he couldn’t stop checking on her. If Royce thought Brenna felt insecure and apprehensive, King believed him. The look on her face when they’d had lunch continued to haunt him, but he realized all of the words in the world wouldn’t help. Only time would convince her that they could be happy this way and form the kind of bond the Ericksons had. It took time, trust, patience, and love. He already had the last two. He just needed to convince Brenna to give him the first two. Christ, he loved her, and with some unseen threat hanging over her head, having a woman who belonged to him took on a much deeper meaning. She belonged to him—a concept he had to admit he never really understood before. The responsibility of her welfare rested squarely on his and Royce’s shoulders—a sobering thought. “King? Is something wrong?”

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Smiling to dispel the worry in her eyes, he gathered her against him. “Of course not. What could be wrong? Would you like some juice before you start?” He ran a hand over her tight bottom as he made his way to the small refrigerator in the corner, enjoying the silkiness of her skin. “Royce told me what happened last night.” He turned in time to see her blush, but it was the vulnerability in her eyes that held his attention. He watched her closely, alert for any sign of self-contempt. Relieved to see only embarrassment, he paused, waiting until she looked at him again. “You looked beautiful. Very sweet and helpless.” Hiding a smile at her look of surprise, he scowled. “I can only hope you learned that Royce and I don’t make idle threats and that we mean every word that we say to you.” He’d watched the short video before erasing it, his body tight with need at the sight of her crawling across the floor, pushed along by a rubber cock in her ass. It was the look in her eyes, however, that captivated him. In the video, the defiance in her blue eyes sent a surge of need to his cock, but it was the powerful lust and helpless surrender that knocked the breath from him. Walking back to her, he handed her a container of orange juice and bent to kiss her nipples, which stood out just begging for attention—as always. Smiling, he took a nipple into his mouth, unable to resist the temptation of the pink tip, or of shocking her when she still had that drowsy look in her eyes. He liked sneaking beneath her guard, and enjoyed watching her struggle to get it put back in place again. Until he ripped it away again. She would never be the type of woman who would surrender easily, something he knew would bring him unending delight. Brenna would be the type that would never stop defying, daring, or pushing them. She would test her boundaries, test their limits, and would often need reassurance after submitting so completely. He and Royce both expected and looked forward to caring for her, and every day the possibility that this could be a long-term arrangement became even more real.

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Full of fire and passion, Brenna challenged him, her undeniable femininity an irresistible lure. It would take a tremendous amount of time, patience, and attention before Brenna truly understood the power and fulfillment of surrendering. God help them when she did. He smiled to himself as he watched her drink her juice, forgetting herself and covering her breasts, an endearing habit he would try hard not to completely break. She would definitely become a force to be reckoned with, especially when they’d formed a bond and she understood just how much power she held over them. He eyed her nakedness with a hunger that seemed to grow every day. Holding out his hand, he waited until she lowered the container, before taking it from her and setting it aside. “I came up to check on you several times last night. Royce said that you seemed a little unsettled. Why? Because you did what you didn’t think he could make you do, or because you liked it?” “Go to hell.” King raised a brow at that, anticipation rushing through his veins. “Present yourself.” He almost laughed out loud at the look on her face, one of stunned fury that he looked forward to turning into desire and helpless surrender. Brenna looked away, covering herself by tightening her arm around herself and placing a hand over her mound. “King, I don’t feel like playing right now.” “I’m not playing.” Removing her hand, he reached out to cup her breast, pleased with her sharp intake of breath when he stroked his thumb over her nipple. With the intention of unsettling her further, he pushed aside the hand she used to cover her bare mound. Once again, his cock jumped at the look of confusion and hunger in her eyes, the shiver that went though her. Her nipples beaded tighter and the muscles of her stomach quivered beneath his hand. Raising a brow, he tapped her nipple. “I don’t think you fully understand the concept of belonging to us. You don’t get to pick and choose when you do, or how much you’ll allow. I know it’ll take time to build that

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trust, and I’ll make allowances for that, but that doesn’t mean I’ll let you get away with defying me.” Her chin lifted, her eyes sparkling with fury and reluctant arousal. “I’m not a child. I’m a grown woman.” The tears in her eyes knotted his stomach and had him reaching for her, but she sidestepped him. She looked so lost and sad he couldn’t stand it. “I’m a freak!” Her words ended in a sob, her cry tearing him up inside. Overcoming her struggles, he gathered her against him, loving the feel of her soft, warm curves against him. “Stop it. Come on. Let’s get you settled down.” She tried to push him away, something he would never allow. “I don’t want to settle down! How can I settle down? What’s wrong with me? I didn’t think it would be this way.” King had dealt with a lot of females in distress over the years, but none had ever tugged at his heart like Brenna’s tears did now. Never had establishing his position with her been more important. Lifting her slight weight, King made his way to one of the benches and settled her on his lap, each of her sobs like a knife to the heart. Not allowing her to hide her face against him, he cupped her cheek, pressing the other against his chest. The feel of her naked bottom against his leg only made him feel more protective of her. Using a thumb to wipe away a tear, he kept his voice low and soothing. “You didn’t expect it to be what way, baby?” Brenna sniffed. “It’s supposed to be about sex. I always fantasized about it, but in my fantasies, whoever I was with did what I wanted, when I wanted it. How are you and Royce ever going to respect a woman who crawls around like a dog? I don’t know how I could have been so stupid. I should have known—” King touched a finger to her lips to silence her, hating the direction her thoughts had taken. Hugging her close, he began to rock her, surprised that it felt so natural. “First of all, no one ever said it was just about sex with us. I know this is difficult for you, but that’s just because you don’t understand yourself enough to accept the bond forming between us. Royce and I are here to help you with that, but we can’t read your mind, baby. You’ve got to talk to us.”

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Brushing back her hair, he held her gaze, not allowing her to look away. “I had trouble coming to grips with being dominant, too.” At her look of surprise, he smiled. “Did you think it was easy for me to realize what I needed in order to be happy? To be satisfied. Do you have any idea how many women loved what I could do for them in bed, but couldn’t handle the kind of man I am out of the bedroom?” Brenna leaned back, staring up at him. She blinked, sitting up straighter. “Really?” With the knot in his stomach growing larger by the minute, he stroked her back, long, firm strokes designed to comfort her—and him. Staring out, he remembered the looks of fear and sometimes disgust on some of the women’s faces, along with their assurances that he would still be willing to have sex with them when the mood struck them. He’d long ago tamped down his emotions regarding women and found himself frustrated that by doing so, sex didn’t seem as rewarding as it had before. The absence of the bond he should have had, he needed to have with his sub, limited his satisfaction in every encounter. Until Brenna. In her eyes, he didn’t see disgust. He saw curiosity and hunger. She had both in her eyes when she looked at him now. “Are you trying to tell me that there are women who didn’t want you?” She laughed bitterly and looked away. “Nice try, but I know that’s bullshit. I talked to several women in town before I met you for dinner that first night. They all want you. They got all gaga, with those stupid looks on their faces when I mentioned your name and Royce’s.” Intrigued, and amused, King turned her back to face him. “What stupid looks, and what the hell is gaga?” To his further amusement, Brenna waved her hand. “You know. They all look like they would give their eyeteeth to spend a night with you. They probably throw their panties at you when you walk by—and don’t try to tell me that they don’t fall all over themselves to be close to you downstairs. I saw what that woman did.” Delighted with her, he adjusted her on his lap until she straddled him. “You didn’t interfere. I’m proud of you. I wouldn’t touch those women down there. One, because while they’re here, they have their own Masters.

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Two, I’m at work down there, not play. And three, I have you. Fair enough?” Brenna’s jaw clenched, but she rubbed against him as though she couldn’t resist, a balm to his battered soul. “I still don’t like it. King, did you really mean it when you said that you had a hard time dealing with the way you are? I mean, you’re the one in charge, not the one who wants to submit. Who wouldn’t want to be like that?” With his hands full of firm ass, King yanked her closer, pressing his cock against her slit. Trailing his fingers between her thighs, he couldn’t help but smile at her warm slickness. “You didn’t. Remember?” He moved his fingers, slipping one into her hot pussy and smiling at the way she instinctively clenched on it. His body tightened when she threw her head back and whimpered, her pussy clenching harder on his finger. The surge of pride and another emotion he didn’t want to examine too closely rose within him. He suddenly felt ten feet tall—and scared out of his mind. He didn’t know if she realized what it did to him when she responded so readily, but the closeness that they needed right now had nothing to do with sex. She needed him, and now more than ever, he had to be what she needed. Stroking her hot inner flesh, he ran a hand down her back, delighting in her shiver and the fresh rush of moisture that coated his finger. The idea of having her as his own suddenly seemed almost too good to be true. Slipping his finger free, he hid a smile at her moan of protest. Part of his responsibility as her Dom would be to take care of her every minute of every day, something that he looked forward to more than he’d anticipated. Right now, she didn’t need sex. She needed to talk, and it was up to him to give her what she needed. The vulnerability in her eyes tugged at him as never before. With an inward sigh, he settled his hands on her waist and dropped a quick kiss on her soft lips, fighting the almost overwhelming need to deepen the kiss and pour what he felt into it. In his present mood, he would probably scare her to death.

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Lifting his head, he stared down at her, shocked at the yearning inside him to one day see her heavy with the child he and Royce would plant inside her. The knot inside him continued to grow with the realization that if he didn’t deal with her fears and anxieties, she could walk away. He stood, setting her on her feet. “Let’s get you dressed in your new workout clothes. We’ll talk while you’re stretching.” Brenna’s eyes widened, the suspicion in them making him laugh. “You’re actually going to let me wear clothes?” King grinned, slapping a hand over her firm bottom. “This time.” **** Fascinated at the bunch and shift of hard muscle, Brenna found it hard to concentrate on the weights King had given her. “So you started lifting weights because of your father?” King pushed the bar of weights off of his chest yet again. “Got sick of being called puny and weak. Left home at eighteen, joined the army, and started lifting weights. By the time I got out, I’d bulked up some.” He dropped the weight onto the bar above him before looking over at her. “It was around that time that I realized that I had the need to dominate in the bedroom. I was still young and stupid and didn’t know what to do about it, so I tried to pretend it wasn’t there.” He sat up, eyeing her thoughtfully before coming to his feet. “The way you are now.” He moved closer, taking the weights from her and setting them at her feet as he crouched down in front of her and took her hands in his. “I heard about a club where I could find what I was looking for, and met Royce there. We were both young enough to be confused, and old enough to know what we wanted. That’s when we decided to open a club of our own. We wanted to give others the chance to explore this side of themselves, and have a place where they could find the answers to their questions. I’d heard about the way people lived in Desire long ago, and we decided to settle here. The rules of the town and the idea of protecting women at all costs appealed

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to us and went along with our ideas for the club. Blade already lived here, and once we got to know him, the three of us went into business together.” Brenna had a hard time believing the self-assured man in front of her could have at one time been so confused and unsure of himself. “When did you and Royce begin sharing? I can’t imagine the women you slept with complaining about the sex. No matter what you say, you’re not going to convince me of that. I’ve been on the receiving end often enough to know that you can make a woman do anything you want her to do.” Even now, the hands King placed on her thighs sent what felt like electrical currents running up to her slit. Shaking his head, he leaned closer. “I don’t want just any woman, Red. I want you, and I don’t just want you in bed. I want you all the time. I’m a control freak. It’s important to me to keep you safe, happy, and well cared for, which is one of the things about this town that appealed to me. I need to make you mine in ways you couldn’t imagine. I want it all. Sex is only a part of it, Red.” Brenna parted her thighs and leaned into him, rubbing her breasts against his chest. “Sex seems to be a big part of it.” King’s smile caused a rush of moisture, one that dampened the shorts he’d given her to wear. “We’re healthy, consenting adults who have needs. I never stop wanting you. You’re so incredibly passionate and the way you fight your own submission is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. Frankly, I don’t think you’ll ever stop fighting it, but you’ll find more and more pleasure in it as you understand your own wants and needs better.” Running her hands over his shoulders, she found them slick with a fine sheen of perspiration after his workout. Brenna shivered as his hands went under her shirt, his fingers trailing a blazing path to her breasts. Sinking her fingers into his hard muscle, she swallowed heavily and sucked in another breath, her nipples alive with anticipation as he circled them. Wishing he touched bare skin, she arched her back, making herself more available to him. “And you want to satisfy my wants and needs?” King smiled, his eyes hooded and watchful. Sliding his fingers back and forth over the sensitive underside of her breasts, he moved closer, pressing his cock against her belly. “Of course. You’re my sub, and more

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importantly, my woman. Keeping you satisfied, safe, and happy is the most important thing in the world to me.” Brenna raised a brow at the word safe, but remained silent. Wiggling in order to get him to move his hands higher, she moaned as her belly tightened, loving the feel of the hard bulge pressing against it. Lifting her face to his, she tried to focus on teasing him. “Then why did you wake me up this morning?” King grinned and lifted her shirt over her head, tossing it aside. His gaze went to her breasts, making them swell inside her bra. “Because I wanted to spend time with you. Royce and I were both worried about you last night. He said you seemed mad at yourself for submitting. I saw it in your eyes on the video.” King slid his hands around her, pulling her closer. “Those eyes get me every fucking time. I’m going to have to keep you blindfolded so you can’t use them against me.” Brenna’s face burned, and she tried to cover herself as he removed her sports bra, but he didn’t allow it. “How would you feel if you had to crawl on your hands and knees with a stick up your ass pushing you along?” King chuckled. “I wouldn’t like it at all, but then again, I don’t bottom. You do, and very well. My cock was hard all night after watching that tape. Face it, Red. We’re perfect for each other. Now, I want to feel that hot pussy milk me dry.” “So you wanted me to get up because you wanted my company? Why did I have to work out?” King squatted down in front of her and removed her shoes and socks before lifting her to her feet to get rid of her shorts, leaving her standing naked in front of him. “Because you need to stay in shape. In this kind of relationship, that’s important. I have some more exercises for you to do and when you bitch and complain about doing them, I’ll know you need that rubber cock attached to the stick again to move you along.” Brenna moaned, her bottom clenching in response to his threat as she watched him fish a condom out of his pocket. Watching him undress, she bit her lip, her body already tight with need. “I don’t get why the other women didn’t like this. Is there something you’re not telling me?”

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Throwing the last of his clothing aside, King rolled on the condom and reached for her. “No. Royce and I have been honest with you from the beginning about what we want. I just don’t think you know the extent of our possessiveness of you.” Brenna’s breath caught when he lifted her against him and lowered her onto his cock. “God, it feels so good when you’re inside me.” She cried out when he lowered himself to the bench she’d been using and gripped her bottom, sinking even deeper into her pussy. King groaned and lifted her with an ease that never failed to surprise her. “I’ve been called a Neanderthal, too possessive, bossy, arrogant, and a bully.” With his big hands on her hips, his strong fingers digging into her bottom, he lowered her again, sinking deep inside her. “And that’s only the good things.” With a moan, she tried to speed up his strokes, but he kept them slow and even. “You’re all of those things, especially arrogant. Hurry up.” “And you’re a demanding little thing.” She cried out as he raised her again, moaning when he held her there with an iron grip while he sucked a nipple into his mouth and worked it with his tongue. Fire shot to her clit, making the burn in the already-throbbing bundle of nerves even sharper. “King!” Throwing her head back, she sank her nails into his hard shoulders. Clamping down on his cock, she tried to move on him, secure in the knowledge that he could hold her. He released her nipple with a smooth stroke of his tongue and lowered her again, filling her with his heat. “Hmm, yes, sweetheart?” Clamping down on him again and again, Brenna wiggled on his lap, moaning at the pressure of his cock against her inner walls. “Feels so good. More.” King smiled, a wicked smile that made her heart beat faster. “I’ll give you just what you need, honey. You know, I never did get to see you present yourself to me. Royce said you did it real nice.” Throwing back her head as his strokes came faster, Brenna cried out again as he leaned forward and scraped his teeth over her other nipple. “It makes, oh, God, makes me feel like…ah, faster…slave girl.”

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With a soft laugh, King wrapped his arms around her, tilting her back as he thrust faster. “That’s exactly what you are. My little slave girl. Mine to take, to touch, to fuck, whenever I want. Mine. Damn it, mine!” With a desperate groan, he thrust deep just as her orgasm hit her. She tightened on him, feeling every ridge of his cock as he thrust several more times in rapid succession, his face a tortured mask. Shaken, she held on to him, caught up in his fierce possession, her cries not stopping until he thrust into her one last time and yanked her close. “Christ, I’m in trouble.” As he held her against him, running his hands up and down her back, her breathing gradually slowed, making it possible to speak. “Damn.” Still trembling, she lifted her head to meet his eyes, her heart tripping to find them filled with tender indulgence. King chuckled and blew out a breath, tightening his hands on her bottom. “I can’t wait for you to slack on your workouts. I’ve got a few surprises for you when you do.” He stood, holding her against him and headed for the shower. After we get cleaned up, we’ll sleep for a while and then you can show me how good you are at what Royce taught you.” Closing her eyes, she buried her face against his neck as he carried her from the room. “I don’t know why I have to.” Was that a whine in her voice? Clearing her throat, she lifted her head, meeting his eyes. “It’s not like I can hide anything from you. Why do I have to get on my knees and be wide open that way?” Still holding her, King reached in and turned on the water. “Because we don’t take, you give. By presenting yourself, you show that you’re giving yourself to us, and being on your knees signifies your willingness to submit.” Now that she knew the way he saw it, the thought of doing it for him excited her even more. When he set her on her feet to adjust the water temperature, Brenna followed her instincts and sank to her knees, sitting back on her heels and opening her thighs as wide as she could. Arching her back, she thrust her breasts out.

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Aware of the tense stillness coming from King, she looked up at him through her lashes, a fresh surge of desire racing through her at the look on his face. His stonelike expression, a sharp contrast to the look of shocked wonder in his eyes, made him look every inch a Master. Trembling under that look, she placed her hands at the small of her back and lowered her eyes. “Master.” Expecting him to take advantage of her position to fondle her, Brenna sucked in a breath when he tossed his condom into the trash can and hunkered down beside her. Surprised when he cupped her jaw, she jerked her head up, stunned by the tender possession in his eyes. The need to have his attention on her breasts had her arching more, thrusting them out to him. The need to belong to him had never seemed stronger. She wanted to give herself to him, to please him. She’d never felt more feminine and desirable as she did at that moment. His eyes flashed with something both beautiful and frightening, something that emphasized his masculinity and his power over her. Sliding his hand into her hair, he pulled her head back, wrapping his other hand around her neck and leaning so close she could feel his warm breath on her cheek. “Mine.”

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Chapter Fifteen “You really don’t expect me to wear this, do you?” She eyed the material, her heart racing at the strategic openings that would leave her slit and breasts bare. King, in the process of dressing, glanced over his shoulder. “I put it out for you, didn’t I?” To hide her excitement, Brenna frowned at the one-piece stretchy suit, unable to resist running her hands over the soft material. “It’s got some parts missing, doesn’t it?” Royce strolled into the room, wearing nothing but a towel. Still damp from the shower, and with his hair not yet tied back, he looked absolutely mouthwatering. “No. It’s exactly the way it’s supposed to be. You’ve got several more in different colors. Put it on. I want to see you in it.” Brenna grimaced, automatically glancing at King. “I can’t wear this. I wanted to go out today.” Sitting on the edge of the bed, King started putting on his socks, pausing to run his gaze over her and making her body tingle from head to toe. “What time are you going out?” Brenna gritted her teeth against the awareness, bristling at explaining herself. “Soon. I wanted to walk around the town a little. I didn’t get to see very much of it the last time I went out. You said that you were both going to be busy this morning, and I don’t feel like sitting up here watching television all day. Is that all right with you?” She hoped whoever had been delivering those notes would approach her. Royce lifted a brow, his eyes lit with challenge at the sarcasm. “Excuse me?” Glancing at King again, Brenna shifted her feet, unsettled at Royce’s possessive stare. “I’m not used to having to answer to someone. It’s broad

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daylight and I’ll be in the middle of town. You’re both busy here, and whoever sent that note is a coward. You know that. I didn’t think it was such a big deal to go out.” When King got to his feet, Royce held a hand out, effectively stopping him. “It is a big deal. We want to know where you are at all times. That’s the way it works in Desire, and especially for you.” Brenna had a hard time facing Royce. Each time she did, she remembered the way she’d looked in the mirror and the cold expression on his face as he made her crawl around on all fours. The closeness she’d felt with him on that first day in the playroom seemed liked a distant memory, making her wonder if she’d imagined it. Trembling under his cold stare, she hurriedly slipped into her clothes, more depressed than she’d been since she came to Desire. **** Royce watched her dress, fighting back the urge to throw her over his shoulder and lock her away so she could never escape. She and King seemed to have come to some sort of an understanding, at least, and he couldn’t help but notice the way she always looked to King for guidance or support. He didn’t know what happened between them that morning, but when they’d come back from working out, he’d noticed a change in the way they were together. Despite his best intentions, Royce had already fallen for her and had already begun to make plans for their future. He’d promised himself he wouldn’t. He’d promised himself that he would keep an emotional distance from her, but something about her had intrigued him from the start, and after that first incident in the playroom, when her passion and vulnerability had shone through, he knew she was the woman he’d never thought he’d find. He had her, at least temporarily, but until she stopped fighting herself, and him, he didn’t know if he would be able to keep her. Irritated with himself, he twirled a finger in the air, silently gesturing for her to turn, and had to fight a smile when she frowned back at him, clearly displeased with his arrogance.

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God, she was adorable and he was very much afraid that it would leave a huge hole in his life when she left. Dressed in a clingy, soft material, one that would be both warm and comfortable, and one that lovingly hugged her curves, she turned obediently, despite her obvious desire to rebel. The one-piece suit she wore had openings for her breasts, and at the slit, leaving everything except her pussy, ass, and breasts covered. She frowned again, glancing at King for support. “This makes me feel more naked than being naked!” Taking a step closer, Royce ran a finger over a soft breast, delighting in the way it made her nipple bead. “That’s precisely the point. You’re way too self-conscious about your body. The more time you spend naked, the more you’ll get used to it. This enhances your nakedness in places you feel it the most.” Circling her, he ran a hand over every soft inch of exposed flesh. “When you’re at home, this is what you’ll wear, or you’ll wear nothing at all. They’re hanging in your closet.” Stopping behind her, he bent over her and ran his hands down her body, over the soft material to the even softer pussy left uncovered. Breathing in the clean scent of her, a scent that held a hint of blue raspberry, he smiled against her hair. “You look beautiful and you smell delicious. It appears King let you have your way and bathed you with the scent you favor.” Brenna shivered against him, dropping her head back against his shoulder with a moan when he separated her folds and delved a finger inside to stroke her clit. “Yes. Master King was very generous.” Royce stilled, glancing at King, who stood out of Brenna’s line of vision, apparently transfixed by the sight of her. He hadn’t realized how much it would hurt to hear her use that term of acceptance with King, with so much still unsettled between them. King lifted his gaze and nodded once. “I have a few things to look into. I’ll talk to you downstairs, Royce.” He approached Brenna, stopping in front of her. Reaching out, he tugged her nipples, earning a sharp gasp. “Behave yourself in town, Red. You’ll be watched, of course. After dinner, we’ll go back to the playroom.”

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Royce waited until King left, still stroking Brenna’s clit with a light touch, not giving her enough to go over, but enjoying the feel of her in his arms and the little shivers that continued to go through her. As soon as the door closed behind King, Royce stroked Brenna’s clit one last time and straightened, an idea forming in his mind, one that would ensure she was aroused and thinking of him the rest of the day. “There’s something I want you to wear when you go out.” He wanted to laugh at the look of dazed outrage on her face that she hadn’t been allowed to come. He could almost feel her struggle for composure, and wondered if she actually thought she could fool him into believing that she could so easily shake off her arousal. Not waiting for a response, he went to the closet, keeping his features carefully schooled while his body tightened in anticipation. **** When Royce went into the closet, Brenna took advantage of his momentary absence to rub her thighs together, hoping to relieve the ache his devious touch had created. It didn’t work, and she hadn’t really expected it to. Nothing would satisfy her except coming, and only at King’s or Royce’s hands. They hadn’t given her many opportunities to masturbate since she’d arrived, but the few times she’d tried, she’d ended up only more frustrated. Royce came out of the closet with something made of black leather draped over his arm and met her eyes. “Did you really think rubbing your thighs together would help?” Surprised that he’d known that, she attempted to look innocent, but knew her burning face would give her away. Reaching out, she stroked the leather, smiling at the buttery feel of it under her fingers. “Nice. I love leather.” Royce smiled for the first time since she and King had come back from working out. “I do, too. I have a feeling you’re going to look magnificent in it.” ****

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Brenna felt a little uncomfortable about walking though Desire wearing such a provocative outfit, but other than a few appreciative smiles of male interest, no one seemed to pay attention. She felt sexy as hell in the one-piece outfit, and the fact that she hadn’t been permitted to wear anything at all under it made her feel even sexier. The strategically placed zippers gave her a thrill, a naughty secret that made her anxious to meet up with Royce again. She loved the way the leather felt against her skin. Decadent. Naughty. Desirable and desired. Royce had ordered her to meet him in the park at exactly noon, the promise in his eyes filling her with anticipation. She looked forward to spending some time alone with him, hoping to regain some of the closeness she’d had with him before. The bond she and King had formed gave her back some of the confidence she’d lost, and made her feel more like herself. She’d love to have that with Royce, and to close some of the distance between them. Walking around town for several hours had cleared her head and given her time to think. She belonged here. Even if things didn’t work out between her, Royce, and King, she belonged here. She felt good here. Safe. Happy. Normal. She had to admit that most of it had to do with Royce and King. They made her feel good about herself—made her feel as though her desires were the most natural thing in the world. She’d needed that, and hadn’t even realized how much. Pausing, she looked at her reflection in the window of one of the stores, a little surprised at what she saw. Her eyes actually had a sparkle in them, one that she hadn’t had in a long time. She found herself smiling more and more as she walked around town. Thankful for the comfortable boots Royce had provided, she made her way up and down the streets, shocked at the number of people who actually addressed her by name.

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To her surprise, she spotted a few of the women she’d seen paraded naked through the club, all wearing collars like hers and all in the company of men. The couples looked happy and so involved with each other, some appearing to have that bond that Royce and King had talked about, but it didn’t compare to the closeness between the residents of Desire and their spouses. It didn’t take long before she began playing a game with herself, trying to distinguish the people taking the seminars at the club from those who actually lived in Desire. It proved too easy because she found her gaze drawn repeatedly to the collars the women wore, collars exactly like the one around her own neck. She found herself touching it repeatedly, annoyed with herself at being comforted by a cold piece of metal. Looking at her cell phone, she saw that she only had about five minutes to make her way back to the park. She’d been so deep in thought that she’d lost track of time and walked farther away from the park than she’d thought. Quickening her steps, she turned at the corner, hoping that Royce wouldn’t think she’d stood him up, or that she didn’t care enough to be on time. She passed another woman from the club, the one who’d fallen against King. Surprised to see her alone, Brenna met the other woman’s eyes, shaken by the sadness reflected there. Thinking about the distaste in the eyes of the man who called himself her Master, Brenna suddenly felt sorry for her. She didn’t know what she’d do if Royce or King ever looked at her that way. She didn’t even want to think about them being so dissatisfied with her that they put her up on the auction block after all. She wouldn’t allow herself to be auctioned, but would be devastated if they tried. She’d brought up the auction several times, giving them the opportunity to deny they would be putting her up there, but they’d never dismissed it and claimed to want her for themselves.

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Left in limbo, she avoided telling them that she’d fallen in love with them, not willing to make a fool of herself yet again. The only times she’d hinted at it, they’d brushed it off, telling her it was just the sex. She didn’t know how to convince them otherwise, but she knew she had to find a way before the auction. Perhaps when she met with Royce, she could get him to listen to her. Royce! She stopped suddenly, and looked around, cursing when she realized she’d gone too far down the street and missed the block where she should have turned. She’d been so caught up in her thoughts, she hadn’t paid attention. Seeing that she’d just passed one of the alleyways that ran between the old buildings, and that extended from one block to the next, she hurried toward it. She was late, and Royce would be worried, but if she cut through the alley, she would be just down the street from the entrance to the park, and he would see her. Rushing into the alley, she couldn’t help but smile at what Royce would do to her for being late, and wondering if it would have anything to do with unzipping all the zippers she wore. Running now, she almost ran over the man who stepped into the entrance at the other end, smiling an apology and skirting to the side to go past him. To her shock, he grabbed her arm, just as another man, one she hadn’t heard, closed in behind him. Both had dark blond hair, which they wore too long, and both wore jeans and T-shirts. Both were strangers to her, and both men had a hard gleam in their eyes that spelled trouble. “Whoa! Where are you going in such a rush? Anxious to get back to the club for a whipping?” Brenna tried to yank her arm free, kicking at him to make her escape. “Let go of me, asshole!” The man behind her wrapped a hand around her throat and squeezed, pushing against the collar.

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“We’ve been looking for a way to get to you ever since you pissed Donner off again. I can’t believe you made it so easy. This necklace means they own you, doesn’t it?” He pulled at it, almost choking her as he tried to wrestle it from her neck. “Stop!” She kicked at the man in front of her to get free, but she couldn’t budge him. As she struggled, she called out, hoping to get someone’s attention, but the man in front of her blocked her view and would prevent anyone looking down the alley from seeing her. To her relief, the collar finally broke. Gasping for air, she winced as the man behind her threw what was left of the choker against the brick building. The man in front of her grinned. “Hey, Avery, I guess this means she don’t belong to them no more. Maybe we should take her out to the house and give her the kind of rough stuff she likes.” Brenna didn’t bother to hide her disgust. “You wouldn’t know what a woman wants.” She screamed for help, her scream cut off by Avery’s hand slapped across her mouth. Fighting back nausea, she fought furiously, kicking the man standing in front of her in the balls, filled with satisfaction when he groaned and doubled. Avery wrapped an arm around her waist from behind, cursing when she managed to kick him. “She is a little wildcat, ain’t she. Donner was right. This one’s gotta lot of fire in her. We can’t take her to the house, though. Someone’ll see us. We’re just gonna hafta take her right here.” Despite her struggles, he managed to pull her farther back into the alley, and behind one of the buildings, out of sight of the street on either side. God, they were going to rape her! “Hey, Avery, look at all those zippers.” Avery laughed against her ear, filling her with revulsion. “Yeah. Gonna find some nice surprises inside.” Brenna cried out when he threw her to the ground, scrambling back to put as much distance as possible between them. A shed behind the building kept her from escaping, and she backed against it, searching the ground for something to use as a weapon. Suddenly, a weapon appeared.

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Royce stood behind both men, his face tight with fury. Like an avenging angel, he grabbed the man behind Avery, catching him off guard. “You son of a bitch!” As he landed a punch, right in the middle of the man’s face, Avery turned. Afraid he would go after Royce, Brenna jumped on his back and started pulling his hair. “You piece of shit! You thought you were going to hurt me?” Royce ducked a punch and delivered another, his eyes wild as they met hers. “Brenna, run! Get out of here!” Ignoring him, Brenna held on to Avery for dear life, crying out when he slammed her back against the brick building. “Bastard!” Avery grabbed at her hair, but had to let go when she went for his eyes. “You bitch! You’ll get what’s coming to you.” Royce continued to fight with the other man, calling out repeatedly for Brenna to let go and make a run for it. Each time he started toward her, the other man went at him again, but Royce kept coming. He even managed to get in a few blows of his own, punching Avery in the stomach several times. “Damn it, Brenna. I can’t hit him with you on his back. Get the fuck off of him!” “Move the hell out of my way!” King burst into the small space, his size making it even smaller. Cursing a blue streak, he went after Avery. As soon as Avery saw King, he went wild. “Get your bitch off of me!” Brenna wrapped an arm around his neck and punched the side of his face. “You son of a bitch! You’re tough when there’s two of you and you’re picking on someone smaller. Why don’t you try to be tough now?” Royce ducked another punch and returned it, knocking the wind out of the other man before whirling toward King. “Don’t hit him! You’ll hit Brenna.”

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Brenna’s heart leapt at the rage on King’s face. Avery stilled, and suddenly turned his back to King, so King couldn’t hit him. Fearing that Avery would hit her, Brenna didn’t dare let go. Holding on to him, she did everything she could to keep him from going after Royce and King. “Hit him! Beat the crap out of him.” “Damn it, Red! Move!” King tried to grab the back of her clothes, but the leather fit so tightly that he couldn’t. The alley, already cramped, was now even more so. Even if she let go of Avery, there was nowhere for her to go to get out of the way, especially when other men started crowding the alley. She kept beating at Avery, his head, his shoulders and going for his face, as much as she could, but she didn’t have the strength or the leverage to do a lot of damage. “Son of a bitch! Not so tough now, are you?” One of the deputies, Rafe, came forward just as Royce again hit the man he’d been fighting with knocking him unconscious. “Damn it. Get her the hell out of here.” King made another grab at her. “What the fuck do you think I’m doing? Damn it, Red, let go!” Royce lifted the unconscious man by the collar and passed him off to someone standing on the other side. “I got him, Royce. Just get your woman out of there.” Avery spent the entire time cursing and screaming, issuing vile threats and calling her, and them, names that just seemed to infuriate the crowd yelling from each side of the alley. Enraged now as King hit him over and over, Avery swung around as much as the small space allowed, hitting her back against the brick building and knocking the breath from her. King growled, grabbing for her and yanking her against him. He whipped around, shielding her body with his own, as he put his big body between hers and Avery’s. Royce started forward for Avery, but King shoved her at Royce and knocked him aside. “He’s mine.”

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Held securely against Royce, she watched as King turned and lunged at Avery. After only one punch, it became obvious that the other man didn’t have a chance. Rafe called out to King, and struggled to get between the two men, but he didn’t have enough room. “Damn it, King. Move. Stop it. He’s out cold.” King shrugged the deputy sheriff off, his rage apparent. “He touched my woman.” Royce held her gently, his hands moving over her, and Brenna knew he checked for injuries. She couldn’t take her eyes from King, scared he would kill the other man. “Royce, you have to stop him.” “Fuck him. He hurt you. Baby, I know your back must hurt, but are you hurt anywhere else?” His gentleness in the middle of all the chaos around them had her blinking up at him as he led her from the alley, the crowd moving out to make room for them. “Royce, we have to stop him.” She tried to resist, pushing against Royce to get back to King, but Royce kept going, his hands firm but gentle as he led her to the street. “Damn it. Clay, help me get him off of him!” King cursed soundly, and Brenna breathed a sigh of relief when she heard his deep voice getting closer. “Red? Where the hell are you?” Royce called back over his shoulder. “I’ve got her. Come on. Let’s get her to the doctor’s.” Brenna tugged out of his hold, aware of the number of people who’d gathered around them. Felling ridiculous in the outfit she wore, she leaned against Royce. “I’m fine. I actually think the leather protected me. I’m just a little sore. Can we please just go back to the club? I just want to soak in the tub.” Rafe came out of the alley, sweaty and dirty, his eyes hard and furious, gentling when they met hers. “I’ll be over to get a report as soon as I deal with these two. You okay?”

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Royce held her close, his hands tender as they moved over her hair. “I don’t know yet. We’re taking her back to the club. We’ll be there unless she needs to see Dr. Hansen.” Brenna eased back to look over Royce and King, wincing at the cuts and scratches on both of them, and the red mark on Royce’s cheek and eye. “Maybe we should go to the doctor’s. Both of you look like hell.” “We’re fine. Where are you hurt?” Before she could answer, Royce answered for her. “Her back. Thank God she was wearing that. The leather probably protected her from being scratched up. She wants a bath. We can check her over then, and get cleaned up before Rafe shows up.” Several people called out to see if they needed a ride, but King assured them that he’d brought the truck and they were fine. Over her objections, Royce picked her up and carried her to the truck, settling her on his lap as he slid into the passenger seat. A muscle worked in King’s jaw as he started the engine. Turning to her, he tightened his hands on the steering wheel. “Why the hell were you in that alley?” Trying to put some distance between her and Royce in case he had bruised or cracked ribs, Brenna winced at the cut on Royce’s lip. “I got distracted and walked too far. I was going to be late meeting Royce, so I thought if I took a shortcut through the alley—” Royce cursed and pulled her closer. “Stop backing away from me. So, you went through the alley when you knew damned well whoever wrote that note was on the loose.” He glanced in King’s direction, wrapping his arms more tightly around Brenna. “Who the hell thought the Sikes brothers would attack her?” Brenna sat up, careful not to hurt Royce. “But they were the ones who wrote the note. I thought you knew that.” King whipped his head around. “What?” Royce tipped her face to his. “Are you sure? How do you know that?” “He admitted it. He said that they’d been trying to get to me ever since I pissed Donner off and that Donner was right about me.” Royce’s eyes hardened. “Right about what?”

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Thinking about the sight she must have been, hanging on for dear life to Avery Sikes’s back, Brenna slapped a hand over her mouth as a giggle escaped. “He called me a wildcat. I guess I cemented that opinion of me when I jumped on his back.” King glared at her. “I don’t see anything funny about it.” “So, how did you know I was in trouble?” Royce sighed. “Heard the scuffle and King was already on his way when the collar broke. It sets off an alarm.” Brenna lifted her gaze to Royce’s, smiling at the glint of amusement in his eyes. “You really knocked him out, didn’t you? I didn’t know you could fight like that. Very impressive.” The amusement deepened. “So, do you think you’re going to get away with what you did by batting those beautiful eyes at me and flattering me?” Brenna leaned into him, rubbing her cheek against his shoulder. “Is it working?” King shook his head. “When I think of you being slammed up against the building over and over…I couldn’t even hit him. I was scared to death of hitting you. Christ, if I had hit you, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.” Brenna smiled, leaning heavily against Royce and reaching for King’s hand. “My heroes.” King squeezed her hand and glanced at Royce. “Hell, we’re in trouble.” **** “What the hell? Red!” Brenna grimaced at King’s bellow coming from the bedroom. She’d soaked in the tub while Royce and King took their showers, and had totally relaxed as Royce tenderly washed her. Stiffening, she sat up with a groan. “Shit. I forgot.” Royce frowned and looked up from where he’d been checking her legs for any sign of injury. “Forgot what, darling?”

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King appeared in the doorway, holding the envelope she’d stuck in her drawer in one hand, and waving the note in the other. “You want to tell me what the hell you thought you were doing—hiding this from us.” Brenna blew out a breath and sank back into the water. She’d been so relaxed under Royce’s expert hands that when King left the room to get her something comfortable for her to wear, she’d forgotten all about the note. He and Royce usually dealt with her lacier lingerie, and avoided the cotton drawer, but when he went to gather clothes for her to wear to talk to Rafe, who sat waiting downstairs, she should have known he’d get her most comfortable things. Royce stilled. “Is that another note?” He leaned forward to read the note King held out, meeting King’s eyes briefly before scowling down at her. “You kept this from us?” She’d expected his anger, but not the hurt she saw in his eyes. Alarmed, she got to her knees, putting a hand on his naked knee. “No, Royce. It wasn’t like that. I didn’t do it to hurt you, or to keep something from you.” “Then why did you do it?” “Because I wanted to show you that I was strong enough to handle it on my own. I wanted to prove that I was strong enough to handle both of you.” Her stomach tightened at the shocked silence that followed. “I guess I didn’t do such a good job of that, did I? I wanted to give him a chance to confront me, but I dropped my guard when I was rushing to get to the park, and I sure as hell didn’t expect there to be two of them.” Royce bent forward, his eyes filled with possessiveness. “There’s no doubt in my mind that you’re strong enough to handle both of us. I just want to be sure that you accept what you need, and what we need from you. We need to protect you, Brenna. This kind of thing can never happen again.” King set the note aside and lifted her out of the tub, his hands firm but gentle as he held her against him. His eyes held a fear she hadn’t seen in them before, a fear that humbled her and dispelled all playfulness. “It can’t happen again, Red. You’re going to have to accept that we’ll do whatever we have to do to keep something like this from ever happening again.”

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Royce came to his feet and closed in on her other side, running a hand down her back to her bottom. “If you don’t like the way we do it, tough. You’re going to have to learn how to deal with it, and the consequences of hiding something from us. That’s something you might want to think about before you decide that this is what you want.” To her shock, he wrapped himself around her from behind, his breath warm against her neck. “You’d better be strong enough to deal with us, because, my darling, I don’t think I could live without you now. I’d do anything to keep you safe. But, you’d better be sure. Once you’re ours, there’s no turning back. We won’t let you go.” King kissed her hair. “Ever. Come on. Rafe’s waiting. Talk to him and then we can finish taking care of you.” A little shaken at the intensity in their eyes, Brenna nodded and went into the bedroom to dress, blinking back tears. They were indeed her heroes, and she loved them more than ever. Now, she just had to convince them.

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Chapter Sixteen Seeing Royce standing in the doorway, she smiled, once again struck by how damned beautiful he was. Her pulse tripped at the look in his eyes, the steady hooded gaze she’d come to know so well. She rose from the chaise where she’d been watching television, not stopping until she’d pressed her body against his, thrilling that his hands came out in what appeared to be an automatic gesture, and settled on her hips. Looking up at him through her lashes, she allowed a small smile. “Hello, Master. Feel better? Or are you still mad at me?” Royce’s eyes flashed with something that took her breath away. His hands tightened on her hips, bringing her even closer. “I’ve calmed down some. Everyone’s talking about how you jumped on Avery’s back and wouldn’t let go. It seems you’re the talk of the town.” His eyes narrowed, searching hers. “You look different, darling. Is there something you want to tell me?” Thrilled at being held so close, Brenna flattened her hands on his chest. “I’ve been doing some thinking.” Royce threaded his fingers into her hair and tilted her head back. “Oh?” Rubbing her breasts against his chest, Brenna sucked in a breath at the jolt to her system. “Yes. I realized I’m happy, Royce.” Cupping his jaw, she smiled at the hard bulge pressed against her belly. “You and King have shown me a different side to myself, one that I was becoming ashamed of. I still have my moments—” A dark brow went up. “Like when you’re forced to crawl on your hands and knees with a rubber cock in your ass?” Running her hands over his hard chest, Brenna couldn’t help but notice he’d stiffened. Every time she thought about that incident in the playroom, her face burned. “Yes. It’s not easy to come to grips with the fact that I

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would do something like that. I not only did it, but it excited me, even while some part of me was pissed off that you made me do it.” Leaning back, she looked into his eyes, surprised at how tense he’d become. Royce took her arm, and led her back to the chaise. “I had to know.” “Had to know what?” “How you would respond to it. You looked so fucking beautiful.” His tone had a hint of wonder to it that she never would have expected from a man like Royce. Looking away, she dropped onto the chaise. “Sure. Beautiful. With a rubber cock in my ass, I’m sure it was beautiful.” Royce lifted her hands to his lips, staring down at her with eyes that glowed with emotion. “Your ass looked fantastic, but I was talking about your eyes. Those eyes turn me inside out.” He’d pulled his hair back, the way he usually did, emphasizing his beautiful features, almost too pretty to be male. “You’re very handsome, you know. I’ll bet you have women following you around the club.” Royce raised a brow, his lips twitching. “Are you trying to ask me what happens in the club? If so, I won’t discuss it with you. Ever. You’re going to have to trust me.” Brenna pouted, almost laughing when his eyes narrowed in suspicion. “I saw that woman throw herself at King.” Sobering, she tugged Royce’s sleeve. “I was mad as hell when I saw the way she was with King, but when I saw her again in town today, I felt sorry for her. I saw the way she looked at the man she was with, and the way he looked at her.” It turned her stomach to ice every time she thought about it. “Aren’t the men all assigned a certain woman, or do the men bring their own? How does that work?” Royce sighed and lowered himself to sit next to her. “Both. If a man wants to bring his own woman, he’s more than welcome to. Otherwise, the women who volunteer, the ones who want to live out a fantasy, are assigned to one of them. The woman you’re talking about came with her Master.” “I saw her alone in town.”

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Royce shrugged. “That’s up to her Master. That woman in the club, the one you saw in town, really upsets you. Why?” She wondered if she would ever get used to being with men so observant. “Brenna?” Not meeting Royce’s eyes, she shrugged. “Her Master didn’t seem that interested in her or the fact that she made a play for King. Other than wanting to scratch her eyes out for flirting with King, I felt kind of sorry for her.” Glancing up at him, she struggled to keep the fear out of her voice. “Is that what happens when a man is no longer interested in the woman he’s dominating?” Leaning back, Royce pulled her closer until she knelt between his splayed thighs. With slow deliberation, he removed her shirt, running his hands over her arms and belly. He removed her bra just as slowly, leaving her bare from the waist up. “Unfortunately, those two need to find someone more suited to their personalities. They’re trying to force something that isn’t there, and they’ll never be able to trust the way they need to in order to make their relationship work.” Sucking in a breath at the feel of his hands on her, Brenna leaned toward him, digging her fingers into his firm thighs. “Does that happen often?” Reaching out a finger, Royce circled her nipple, the heat from it creating jolts of electricity in her pussy and clit. “It’s like any other relationship, Brenna. It takes work and understanding. It takes chemistry.” Lifting his gaze to hers, he took her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. “Those two don’t satisfy each other’s needs, and because of it, they’re both frustrated.” Looking into his eyes, Brenna held her breath. “Do I satisfy your needs?” Expecting him to smile and make an arrogant comment, she stilled, her stomach knotting when he pursed his lips as though considering how to answer her. “I think you could.” Brenna shivered, moaning at the warmth of his palms against her nipples.

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The muscles in her stomach tightened at the gentle massage, need jolting through her at the friction against her nipples. Bending closer, she touched her lips to his, using her teeth to tug his bottom lip. She was hungry for him and wanted him just as hungry for her. She wanted him to want her more than he’d ever wanted another woman. She wanted to satisfy his every need, to be as important and necessary to him as breathing. “I’d like to. I want to be everything to you.” Running her fingers through his hair, she moved against him. “Take what you need from me, Royce.” Feeling brazen, and a little uncertain that she hadn’t quite satisfied him, she reached for the fastening of his dark jeans. Surprised that he didn’t stop her, she undid his pants and worked his cock free, sucking in a breath at the incredibly hard heat in her hands. Thrilled to have the chance to touch him this way, she made the most of it, hurrying to caress him before he stopped her and took over. Stroking the velvety skin, she bit back a moan, her pussy clenching at the memory of how his cock felt deep inside her. She played with his mouth, using her lips, her tongue, and her teeth to tease his lips, her breath coming out in sharp pants as her arousal grew. Using both hands on his cock, she began to stroke him, smoothing her thumbs over the slick bead at the tip. The sharp tug to her nipples sent another jolt of hunger through her, reminding her that no matter what she did to him, he still maintained that formidable control. Her pussy clenched, her clit swelling unbearably against the leather as she strove to please him. To please her Master. Royce seemed inclined to let her have her way, tugging her nipples once more before releasing them to slide his hands into her hair to pull her head back, studying her features. His eyes, hooded and unreadable, glittered with frustration. “You won’t even acknowledge your own needs. What makes you think you’d be able to satisfy mine?” Brenna’s eyes flew to his, her heart missing a beat. Feeling vulnerable and exposed, she wanted to cover herself. “Are you saying I don’t satisfy you?”

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Once again self-anger rose within her. She knew she’d given in too easily, her desire for them too strong to resist. She started to sit back, but Royce wouldn’t let her. He fisted his hand in her hair, sliding the thumb of the other over her jaw. “What do you think it would take to satisfy me, Brenna?” The happiness bubbling inside her only moments earlier vanished under a wave of self-doubt. Smiling to hide the pain, she let her fingers travel up and down the length of his cock. “Probably someone more sophisticated and experienced than I am.” Letting his hand slide lower, he worked his fingers over a nipple. “You’re wrong. If that’s what I wanted, I could have had it long ago. Do you remember what I said about relationships between Doms and their subs being much more intense than most?” Brenna had the feeling Royce weighed each word carefully. “Yes. You said that the bond between them was stronger than the bond in a lot of marriages.” She would give anything to experience something like that. Royce’s eyes, dark and mysterious, held hers. “It can be. I’ve heard it. I’ve seen it.” Sitting up, he moved her hands on his cock, settling her back on her heels, holding her there as he slid his hand over her abdomen. “But, I’ve never experienced it for myself. Sex became little more than release for me a long time ago.” He stripped her out of her clothing with a speed that staggered her and settled her back into position. “Fun. Exciting, but with no real feeling.” Brenna sucked in a breath at the touch of his fingers on her folds. Holding it in anticipation of his touch at her slit, she let it out in a rush when he leaned back again and caressed her nipples, the tenderness in his touch unable to disguise the underlying possessiveness. “I want that bond, Brenna. With you. Spread your legs and sit back on your heels.” Nodding once in satisfaction when she obeyed, he took her hands from his cock and placed them on his thighs. “Stay that way.” Brenna tried to slow her ragged breathing, but her position kept her slit vulnerable, awakening every nerve ending there and filling her with erotic anticipation. She breathed his name on a moan, only the look in his eyes

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making it possible to stay still. Shaken by the intensity in his hooded gaze, she clenched her hands on his thighs, trembling helplessly. “What do you want, Royce? What can I do? What would it take to satisfy a man like you?” Her breathless whisper seemed suited to the tense stillness, the unreality of the moment like something out of a dream. Her heart beat nearly out of her chest, her breath coming out in great gulps as she waited for his answer. Royce slid his hands to either side of her face, framing it and pulling her trembling body closer. “You, Brenna. I’m very much afraid that you’re exactly what King and I have been waiting for.” Running his thumbs over her bottom lip, he sighed. “But, you won’t let yourself go. You don’t trust your own instincts, and until you do, we’ll never know.” Brenna sucked in a breath, her heart beating even faster. Being with Royce and King was like a fantasy come true, but the reality of living this lifestyle forever worried her. The thought of living without this magnificent feeling scared her even more. Relying on the instinct he accused her of suppressing, she leaned closer, brushing her lips against his. When he stiffened, she backed away just enough to look into his eyes. “Are you trying to tell me that you want me to do whatever I want to do?” Royce’s lips twitched, but his eyes remained somber. “And accept the consequences. I want you to be you, Brenna—not the woman you think we want you to be. I want the woman who stormed into the club, mad as hell and demanding to see the owners. I want all that fire and passion, and the chance to control it, to give both of us, and King for that matter, more pleasure than any of us has ever known.” Touching the tip of his finger to her nipple, he held her gaze with his steely one. “I want the woman who fights what her body demands. I want the woman who fought off Donner and still had the courage to go for what she wanted. I want the woman who jumped on Avery Sikes’s back, beating and yelling at him like a wild thing. I want the woman who cries when she’s feeling insecure.”

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Brenna bit back a moan at the heat that went through her at his light touch, her stomach muscles tightening at the sharp surge of arousal. “Royce, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I thought you wanted a submissive. I’m trying to—” Rolling her nipple between his thumb and forefinger, he appeared oblivious to how his touch affected her. But she knew better. He sighed, staring at the nipple he toyed with. “That’s just it. You’re trying so hard to be what you think we want instead of being the woman we really do want. Give us the real Brenna. The woman I’ve only seen glimpses of. That’s the woman I can’t stop wanting.” She shouldn’t have been so surprised that he saw through her, but the fact that he had and wanted the real woman underneath eased some of the tension inside her. Stilling, she tried to ignore the waves of pleasure at the manipulation of her nipple and focus on their conversation. “Royce, I love the way you make me feel. I love being able to submit and let myself go. It makes me feel sexy and, I don’t know, more feminine. I have to warn you, though. I can be a real bitch.” “And I can be a first-class bastard—something I’d think you’d already learned when I made you crawl. You handled me then, just as I can handle you when you get bitchy.” Leaning closer, he cupped her breasts, the heat from his hands forcing a gasp from her. “King and I want you to be yourself. We want the kind of bond with you that we’ve seen so often, but have never been able to experience ourselves. We want it all, Brenna, but we’ll never be able to have it if you’re going to try to keep parts of yourself closed off.” The tug at her nipples was sharper than before, and her automatic jerk back made it even more painful. Royce smiled coldly. “I want it all, Brenna, or I don’t want any of it.” He yanked her against him, his jaw clenching. “I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you get away with playing at submitting. I want the real thing.” Panic-stricken, Brenna struggled against his hold, alarmed at the determined look on his face. “Damn it, Royce, I crawled around on the fucking floor for you, didn’t I?” Royce’s eyes flared, giving her the uncomfortable feeling that he was remembering it. “Yes, you did, like a quiet, well-behaved little sub. Meek.

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Timid. But your eyes gave you away. They were full of fury and passion, fury and passion you suppressed.” Furious at the insult, Brenna fought his hold. “I’m not quiet, or meek, or timid, you asshole! I thought you said there was nothing wrong with wanting to submit, but now you’re making fun of me for it. Go fuck yourself!” Royce smiled, his eyes glowing with heat. “I’m not making fun of you for wanting—needing—to submit, but your definition is a hell of a lot different than mine. I prefer to earn it, not have what you think I want handed to me.” Running a hand down the center of her body, he tapped her clit. “Or don’t you think I can make you give it to me? You don’t trust King or me to earn it, so you just submit in your own way, giving what you think we want in the hopes that we’ll just accept that. I’m going to show you, brat, just what the hell it means to submit.” She’d never seen him like this, so threatening and powerful that it sucked the breath out of her. Magnificent. Shivering in reaction, she fought against the surge of need, made stronger by Royce’s demeanor. His hands went into her hair, tilting her face back for his kiss, a kiss so possessive and overwhelming it made her head spin. Breaking it off, he stared down at her. “I want that mouth on my cock.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a set of nipple clips, attached by a thick silver chain. Even though they had rubber padding, Brenna knew it would hurt. Before she could cover herself, he took her wrists in his strong hands, pulling them behind her back and tying them with her bra. He pulled her arms downward, forcing her to arch her back and thrust her breasts out. With one hand holding her wrists in place, he used the other to attach the first clip to her left nipple, steadying her when she would have jerked away. Brenna gasped at the sharp pain, struggling to close her thighs against the unbelievable jolt of electric heat to her slit. “Royce! It hurts. Oh, God.”

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Touching the remaining clip to her other nipple and rubbing it back and forth, Royce leaned forward, scraping his teeth over her bottom lip. “Breathe through it, darling. You know how. I’m here with you. You’re never alone. Not anymore. That’s it. Yes. You’re so beautiful like this.” Brenna took her first deep breath since he’d attached the clip, feeling more vulnerable than ever, and even more exposed than she had a few minutes ago. Still holding her steady, he fastened the clip on her other nipple and released her hands, leaving them tied behind her back, his eyes watchful. Each movement sent the chains swinging, the weight of them tugging her nipples and renewing the sensation just as it had begun to subside. Royce didn’t touch her, and yet she felt him everywhere. Need clawed at her, the need to have him take her, to fill her, to make her his. “Royce?” His hard features didn’t soften at all, even when he smiled. Fisting his cock, he gestured her closer. “I want to feel that hot mouth on my cock. Keep those thighs spread and get that ass in the air.” Brenna sat frozen, fighting the hunger that quickened her breath and made her shake so hard that the chains on her nipples never stopped swinging. She sucked in a breath when he reached out a finger and tugged at the chain, crying out at the pull to her nipples. Before she could react, he forced her head over his cock. “You need those clips tightened?” Her stomach clenched at the threat. Her nipples already stung. She couldn’t even imagine having the clamps tightened. Starving for the taste of him, she opened her mouth and took the head of his cock inside, moaning in relief at the chance to touch him again. Moving over him, she took him deeper and sucked his cock, savoring the taste of him. With her hands tied behind her back, concentration became nearly impossible, especially since each movement made the chains swing, tugging at her nipples and sending more jolts of awareness to her center. Her pussy continued to leak moisture, the position she’d found herself in and Royce’s mood turning her on more by the minute. He ran his hands through her hair, reaching down unexpectedly to tug at the chain.

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“Ass in the air, Brenna. Pay attention to what you’re doing.” Lifting her hips higher, she whimpered, need clawing at her. Knowing her hands probably blocked his view of her ass didn’t make her feel any less vulnerable. He would know. He would know that she felt exposed—know that she needed his touch there as much as she needed her next breath. The intense flare of heat to her slit and nipples made it even harder to concentrate. Bucking her hips in desperation, she groaned, sucking Royce harder. Her nipples were on fire, but instead of the pain there lessening her need, it increased it, each movement of the chains a sharp reminder of her helplessness. Determined to give him pleasure so she could get hers, she sucked harder, using her tongue the way she knew he liked. Rewarded by his groan and the feel of his hands tightening on her hair, she sucked harder, her movements becoming desperate. “That’s my girl. You were made for this, Brenna. That mouth was made for my cock.” His sudden movement, lifting her off of his cock, startled her and knocked her off-balance. If he hadn’t steadied her, she would have fallen. Lifting her face to his, he held her steady with one hand while tugging the chain with the other. His eyes remained hooded, but flared with heat at her cry. “You were made for this, Brenna. You were made for a man’s pleasure. That mouth is incredible.” Running his thumb over her bottom lip, he pressed, smiling when she touched her tongue to it. “I want you to be mine, Brenna.” He lifted her and helped her balance on her heels, coming to his knees to loom over her. Running his hands over the underside of her breasts, he sent the chain swinging, steadying her again when she would have fallen. “I’ll bet that poor clit is throbbing, isn’t it?” Brenna whimpered, unable to catch her breath. “Yes. God, yes. I feel like I’m going to come any second. Please, make me come. Please, Royce. I’m begging.”

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Shaking his head, Royce smiled. “What do you want me to do? Do you want me to stroke you there?” Brenna groaned, his silky tone like a stroke to her clit. “Please. Royce, please. I can’t stand it anymore.” With his hands at her waist, he held her steady. “No. You’re going to suck my cock until I come and then you’re going to lie back and keep those thighs spread so I can see and play with my property.” Brenna knew she’d never be able to stand it. “Please, Royce, no. Please. I need to come. Please. I’ll do anything you want.” Royce’s smile disappeared, his features turning to stone. “I’ve told you what I want, Brenna. I want that mouth on my cock. Now.” Alarmed that she’d displeased him, Brenna bent to take his cock into her mouth again, grateful for his supporting hands that guided her. He held her face still and began to thrust slowly. “Do you think I know so little about you that I can’t tell when you’re close to coming?” Brenna gasped at the sharp pull to her nipples when he tugged the chain again. “I know when you want to come, but whether you come or not is up to me, not up to you. I own your orgasms, my little submissive. They’re mine and it’s up to me to decide when and if an orgasm will be allowed.” Brenna tried to focus on sucking him, but each word he spoke aroused her even more, making her shake with the need to come. Rubbing her back, and smoothing her hair, he continued to speak, his tone rougher now. “If I want to play with you all day and not allow you to come, you’ll have to take it. If I decide to make you come in a crowded restaurant, that’s my choice. It’s whenever, wherever, and however I want. This is for my enjoyment, remember?” Without any warning, two fingers pushed into her pussy. “Mine, Brenna. All of this is mine to enjoy any way I want.” She couldn’t stop clamping down on his fingers, the uncertainty of his intent to let her come or not making her frantic. She took him deeper, sucking and running her tongue over every bump and ridge, paying special attention to the underside.

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Royce groaned, his fingers moving in and out of her pussy with slow precision and driving her wild with the pressure against a sensitive spot inside her. “I have my small whip, darling. I think I’m going to use it on your swollen clit. You’re going to hold yourself open for me while I do it.” Something between a moan and a whimper welled up in her throat just as Royce’s cock pulsed. Delighted with his groan, and the fact that she’d given him pleasure, she used her tongue to draw it out. His fingers slid from her pussy, both hands tightening on her waist as he groaned again, his body stiffening. “Very good. I’m going to make a sweet little submissive out of you yet.” Sliding his cock free, he gripped her upper arms to lift her against him. “The thought of you using that mouth on any man but King and me infuriates me.” Following her instincts, she licked her lips clean and leaned toward him, lifting her face to his. Her entire body shook with nerves and a need so strong, she would have done anything he asked in order to get relief. “Then be my Master. Make me yours. Take me.” Royce’s features lost some of their tenseness, his eyes moving over her face. Bending, he touched his lips to hers. “I don’t think I have any choice.” He untied her hands and helped her to sit, keeping her thighs spread with his own as he reached for the back of his belt and produced a small whip, one that had a flat circle of leather at the tip. “Part your folds, baby. You’re going to come. My way.” Brenna started shaking her head, her clit already throbbing in response. “Royce, no! Please. It’s already burning. I couldn’t take it if you used that on me.” She couldn’t take her eyes off of the whip, imagining what it would feel like on her too-sensitive clit. Tightening the muscles in her thighs, she tried to pull them together, but his own legs prevented it. Royce moved his legs away. “I want those legs kept wide open, but I’m not going to do it. You are. The only way you’re going to come at my hands is to spread those folds wide so I can whip that clit.” Using the tip of the whip, he lifted the chain hanging between her nipples and let it fall, creating a sharp pull that made her cry out.

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In an automatic move, she reached to cover her nipples to protect them, the look of disappointment on Royce’s face stopping her at the last second. “I can’t.” Her restless movements against the chaise did nothing to help relieve the ache there. Little sizzles of heat had settled in her clit, demanding attention. “Royce, please!” She couldn’t take any more. She couldn’t sit still and she wanted to close her thighs so badly, she shook. “I think those clamps have been on long enough.” Reaching out, he unclamped both at once, and tossed the clamps aside. Brenna cried out at the sensation of the blood rushing back to her nipples, throwing her head back with a moan. Her stomach muscles clenched repeatedly, each harsh breath making it clench even tighter. Royce ran a finger over an extremely sensitive nipple, seeming fascinated with its texture. Lifting his gaze to hold hers, his eyes glittered, darkening with emotion. “You really are exceptionally beautiful, with a body just made for sin. A deadly combination, but it’s those eyes that get me every time.” He tapped the leather at the end of the whip against her nipple just hard enough to make it sting. “Right now, the combination of fear and hunger in those gorgeous eyes has my cock hard and throbbing. I’ve been hard since the first time I saw you. It doesn’t seem to matter how often I come. I always want you.” Brenna reached for him, gripping his forearms. “Good. I want you to want me. Always.” She cried out in surprise when he tapped the tip of the whip to her other nipple, the shock of it going straight to her clit. The sharp tingling got even worse, warning her that her orgasm was only a heartbeat away. “Royce. Oh, God. Please. I need to come.” Royce smiled. “I know, darling. Open yourself. Part those soft folds for me.” Brenna’s gaze flew to the whip, a whimper escaped as she imagined the pain, but even that had to be better than nothing. “Royce, oh God. It hurts. It burns.” Brenna couldn’t even think. Every part of her body, especially those exposed, simmered with heat and sensation. She wanted to come. She

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needed to come. Moisture trickled down her thighs each time her pussy clenched, but it was the throbbing of her clit that threatened to drive her insane. Royce ran a finger over her nipple. “I know. It’s going to burn even more when you come. Let me see that clit, darling.” She glanced at the whip again and then looked into his eyes, knowing she had no choice. She had to come. She had to be what he needed, to satisfy the hunger burning in his incredible green eyes. With shaking hands, she separated her folds, her breath hitching with each ragged breath. “Royce, please. Do whatever you want.” The whip went up and came down on her clit, the movement so fast it was over before she even realized it. And then sensation hit her. Sucking in a breath at the heat, Brenna squeezed her eyes closed as her orgasm slammed into her. Her tortured cry rang through the air as the sizzling heat in her clit exploded. She came hard, her entire body stiffening in ecstasy. Sensation after sensation rolled through her, every nerve ending in her body coming alive. She tensed, frightened at the intensity, and within seconds began to shake uncontrollably. Barely aware of Royce taking her hands from her folds and laying her on her back, she tried to close her legs to protect her clit from being touched again. She moaned at the heat of Royce’s body moving over hers. The hunger in his touch thrilled her as he gathered her close and began to push his cock into her. Lifting her bottom, he slowly began to fill her, each inch stretching her delicate inner flesh and making it quiver all around him. “That’s it, darling. I’ve got you. Damn, you feel so good and those husky little cries make me want to stay inside you forever.” Brenna moaned when he began to move inside her, each stroke setting off more of those delicious tingles. “Royce. It’s too much. Too good. Too strong.” She could hardly breathe, her body a mass of indescribable pleasure.

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The sensations in every erogenous zone sharpened almost to the point of pain, the delicious feeling of his every movement forcing cry after cry from her. With a hand at the back of her head, he lifted her face to his. “Never. It’s never going to be enough. I’ll never get enough of you, Brenna. You’re in my blood. I can’t let you go now.” His thrusts became more frantic, more desperate, as though he tried to imprint himself into her soul. His lips hovered over hers, his eyes dark and possessive. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you. You’re mine, Brenna. Mine. Come for me. Come all around me. Come while I’m inside you.” Brenna had never seen Royce this way. She’d never heard that hunger in his voice before. Wrapping her legs around his hips, she lifted into him. “Royce, promise me that no matter what happens, you won’t let me go. Even—oh God—even if I get scared.” “Never.” He surged deep, his arms tightening around her as he came. Brenna held him close as his big body shuddered, rocking her hips as the next orgasm loomed just out of reach. Filled with his cock, and with the waves of her orgasm still washing over her, she climbed steadily to the edge again, alarmed that she couldn’t seem to stop coming. “I’ve got you.” Tears blurred her vision, tears of frustration and emotion. She shouldn’t have been surprised that he knew what she felt, or that he would give her what she needed to go over that razor-sharp edge of pleasure again. Gathering her even closer, he stared into her eyes. “Come for me.” Using the pressure of his lips to part hers, he swept her mouth with his tongue in a kiss more possessive and full of emotion than any he’d ever given her. With a whimper, she tightened on him and came, the suddenness of it shocking her. His whispered demand and branding kiss had been enough to send her over into the ultimate pleasure. Nothing had ever made her feel more vulnerable.

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Royce seemed to know it, holding her as though she was the most precious thing in the world to him, drying tears she couldn’t stop shedding. “And now, my darling, you’re mine.”

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Chapter Seventeen Hours later, after a shower, snack, and a short nap while Royce checked in at the club, Brenna found herself plastered against him, her mouth taken in a scorching kiss that made her toes curl. Groaning, he lifted his mouth from hers and ran a hand through her hair, his eyes tender and tinged with frustration. “I’ve missed you. I’ve never been so impatient for a seminar to end before. I’ll be up to check on you in a few minutes. Have fun with King, darling.” Bending over her, he wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her hair. “I’m going to have a hard time concentrating on the others tonight. I just want to be with you.” Brenna shivered at his warm breath against her neck and cuddled closer. He’d been attentive and much more relaxed since their lovemaking earlier, hugging her and running his hands over her at every opportunity, coming up to their room every time he had a few minutes to spare. “You’ve been busy today. I’ve missed you, too.” She couldn’t resist the chance to tease him. “As long as you keep your hands off those other women.” Lifting his head, Royce raised a brow. “Afraid I’m going to paddle their asses and imagine they’re yours?” Brenna’s bottom clenched in response. “Something like that.” He ran a hand over her bottom as though he knew how his words would increase her awareness there. “Behave yourself. Be good for King. I’ll see you in a little while.” He ran his hands over her one last time before leaving the room, touching his lips to her shoulder before he released her.

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“I’m going to meet you in the playroom as soon as I get a few things settled with Blade. Everyone’s going to the hotel for dinner, so King and I will be able to spend some more time with you.” She watched him leave before turning to face King, who stood waiting. Smiling, she started forward, anxious to run her hands over his naked chest. “King, I—” “On your knees, Red. Present yourself.” Wondering if he had any idea what those words and that tone did to her, she struggled to scowl at him. “Damn it, King. I want to touch you. We’re not in the playroom.” She took another step forward, crying out in surprise when he gripped her wrists in one big hand and lifted them over her head, effectively stopping her. His eyes narrowed dangerously, making her shiver as he ran a finger from her shoulder down to her breast, tapping her nipple. “Did you really think that now that we’ve claimed you, we’re going to get soft?” Brenna blinked, rubbing her thighs together. “Claimed?” The way he said it made her feel so owned. “Yes, Red. Claimed. We claimed you and you accepted. That means that we’re responsible for you. We’re responsible for your safety and wellbeing.” Rolling her aching nipple between his thumb and forefinger, he moved closer. “We’re responsible for your pleasure, and punishment. In other words, you’re ours.” Frowning, Brenna bit back a moan and came to her toes to relieve the pressure in her nipple. “That sounds more sinister when you say it that way. I kind of thought we belonged to each other.” Releasing her hands, King nodded. “We do. But, you’re our woman, Red. Women are protected and watched over in Desire. You know that. We’ve told you and I’m sure Jesse has, too.” Staring up at King, and trying to ignore her body’s demand for attention, Brenna thought back to the many comments she’d heard. “Yes, but I didn’t think it was like that. The way you’re talking…it’s archaic.” “That’s the way we are in Desire, Red. We protect our women. You won’t always like it, but we’ll do whatever’s necessary to keep you safe.

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We’ll care for you in every way, and do whatever it takes to make you happy, but don’t think you’re going to change us. We won’t change, not even for you.” The glint in his eyes put her on alert. “Having a woman that belongs to me is even more arousing and inspiring than I’d expected.” Circling her, he ran his hands up and down her body, light caresses that made her skin tingle and tighten with awareness and need. “Mine. Every soft inch. Mine to control. To protect. To pleasure. We might be harder than you’re comfortable with at times, but we’ll always take good care of you.” Wrapping himself around her from behind, he pressed the hard bulge at the front of his jeans against her lower back. “Now, be a good girl and present yourself. Down on your knees with those thighs spread wide and those breasts thrust out. Offer yourself to me.” Her breath caught, her body wracked with shudders. “Damn it, King, when you talk to me that way, it drives me crazy.” Lowering herself to her knees, she thrust her breasts out, her nipples beaded and tight. Keeping her legs spread, she lowered her bottom to her heels, leaving her slit unprotected, and waited anxiously for his touch. She half turned, wanting to see his eyes so she would know what to anticipate, but he stopped her with a sharp slap on her bottom. “Eyes down or I’ll blindfold you.” From behind, he cupped her breasts, running a rough thumb over each of her nipples. “Do you have any idea what it does to me to know that all of this is mine? This beautiful, passionate, stunning woman is mine. All that fire, all that need to submit is mine to explore to the fullest. Do you have any idea what’s going to happen to you tonight?” Brenna moaned, letting her head fall back against his shoulder, her nipples burning beneath his decadent caress. Her thighs had already become coated with her juices, the need to have him fill her growing by the second. “No.” It came out as a breathless moan, his masculine presence almost overwhelming her. She’d always been attracted to hard, serious men, but none had ever seemed harder than Royce and King.

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She hadn’t expected to find men who also had Royce’s charm, the kind that could convince a woman into doing anything, or the kind of wickedness King had in abundance. His hands slid down her sides, gripping her waist lightly, that wickedness evident in his voice even now. “As much as you want to come, you always fight it. You’re too stubborn to let go and I can’t—won’t—allow that.” Stiffening, she fisted her hands at her sides. “That’s ridiculous. I come all the time. I beg you to let me come, remember?” She shouldn’t have been at all surprised that he’d noticed, but she certainly hadn’t anticipated her own vulnerability at having not just her body but her thoughts so exposed. The same instincts that had her trying to close her legs when she felt too vulnerable or open, also had her fighting her orgasms. King slid his hands down to her slit. Using the fingers of his left hand to hold her folds open, he spanked her clit with his right hand, holding her steady when she jolted in shock. The pain, sharp and hot, quickly spread, warming her entire slit and making her clit sizzle. “Fuck. Let me go. That hurt.” “There’s a penalty for lying. You know that.” Tightening his hold, he controlled her movements and caught her hands when she tried to cover her clit. The teasing in his voice did nothing to hide the threat beneath it. “You couldn’t believe that pain could cause pleasure. Now, you’re going to see that the opposite is also true. You’re going to see that when I want you to come, there’s nothing you can do to stop it.” Scraping his teeth over her neck, he slid a hand between her thighs and pressed a strong finger into her pussy. “Pain can bring pleasure, but pleasure can also bring pain.” **** Strapped to the leather table, which had been adjusted to a half-sitting position, Brenna shook everywhere with excitement, an excitement made more intense by the possessive heat in King’s eyes. Her breathing became

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harsh and even more ragged as King strapped her legs to the leather-covered extensions, effectively keeping her knees bent and spread wide. He’d tied her hands at either side of her head, leaving her breasts unprotected. Standing between her thighs, he ran his hands over her, the wicked gleam in his eyes making her toes curl. “Well, Red, are you ready for more pleasure than you can stand?” The friction of his rough palms against her nipples sent another wave of lust through her, the gentleness in his touch keeping her on edge as she waited for the pain. “King, it feels so good. I love when you touch me.” When no pain came, she started to relax, giving in to the pleasure. She could stay like this forever, with the slow rolls of pleasure washing over her one after the other, each swell taking her higher than the one before. Bending over her so that his hot chest brushed against her nipples, King slid his hands up her arms. Lacing his fingers with hers, he brushed her lips with his own. “I know, baby.” Using his fingers to caress hers, he kissed her cheek in a gesture so sweet, she melted under him. Seconds later, he lifted his head, his wicked grin back in full force. “It’s going to get even better. It’ll be so good that you’ll beg for mercy.” Brenna couldn’t imagine not wanting all the pleasure she could get. Smiling, she arched toward him as he straightened. “I doubt that.” King raised a brow at that and ran a finger down the center of her body to her mound. “We’re in the playroom, Red. Have you forgotten how to address me?” Brenna blinked, bracing for a pinch to her nipple, her breath coming out in a rush when none came. “I’m sorry, Master. I thought that since you were being so gentle…” Inclining his head in satisfaction of her apology, King ran his thumbs lightly up and down her folds, not touching her clit at all. “Do you think that I can’t master you with gentleness?” She’d never even considered such a thing. “That doesn’t make sense. Why do you have me tied up if you’re not going to hurt me?”

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King smiled, clearly enjoying this. “Because the pleasure will become so intense that you won’t be able to bear it any longer. So intense it’ll be painful.” Bending, he touched his tongue to a nipple, wetting it before moving to the other. “Royce will be here in a few minutes. He won’t miss you falling apart that way, and I think both of us want to be here for your aftercare.” “Aftercare? What’s that?” Her voice sounded much more strained than it had a few minutes ago, the tension in her body increasing as her arousal grew stronger. King bent to kiss her belly, making her stomach muscles quiver. “After making love, don’t you feel a little vulnerable and weepy, and want to be held?” He trailed kisses lower, over her abdomen. “It’s much more intense when the orgasms are stronger and you’re in a more defenseless position. You need guidance and tenderness to recover.” Pausing, he lifted his head, his eyes full of mischief and more possessive than ever. “We know how to take care of you, Red, if only you’ll let us. We’ve been waiting a long time for you.” Lowering his head again, he ran his tongue through her slit, stabbing it into her pussy with a groan before lifting his head again. “Everyone’s right about one thing. There’s nothing like the taste of your woman. Now, be still so I can enjoy myself.” “Be still? Oh, damn, that feels good. How am I supposed to be still when I’m…oh God.” His mouth felt like pure sin, the expert precision of it as it moved through her folds and over her clit so unbelievably sensational she froze. Muscle by muscle, her body stiffened, her toes curling as the incredible wave of pleasure hit her with a strength and speed that left her breathless and reeling. It felt amazing—so good that she couldn’t even move. She couldn’t think. She could only feel. Somehow she managed to suck in a breath, letting it out on a cry as her body jolted at the shocks of sublime pleasure. Her body kept jolting with every stroke of his tongue over her clit, the pleasure becoming too intense to remain still any longer.

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“King! No more. No more. I can’t—” King lifted his head. “Who?” Lowering it again, he feasted on her as though starving for the taste of her. It felt so good, too good to withstand. She pulled at the straps holding her wrists in a desperate attempt to get her hands free to cover herself, bucking on the leather table the entire time to get away from his mouth. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get loose and couldn’t get away from his hot, devious tongue. She cried. She whimpered. She screamed, but nothing seemed to deter him. “Master! Master. Master. Please. Too much. I can’t come anymore.” Her clit burned, her body jerking almost continuously as if being touched by a live wire. Lifting his head, King stared down at her with narrowed eyes, using his fingers to continue the strokes to her clit. “You’re forgetting that this is mine. I can play with you as much as I want to. I’m doing this for my pleasure, not yours.” To her amazement, she came again, her screams more desperate than the last time. Every muscle in her body tightened against the straps as it crested, stealing what little breath she had left. Some instinct had her opening her eyes to see Royce standing beside her. “Royce. Please. Make him stop. No more. No more.” Royce smiled and attached a clip to her nipple. “But, darling, we’ve hardly begun.” Brenna screamed at the pressure on her nipple, sending her already overwrought senses on overload. Thankful that the strokes to her clit stopped, she struggled for air, her entire body shivering uncontrollably as she watched Royce’s eyes while he fastened the other clip. He stared down at her breasts, smiling as he reached out and tugged each of the clips and sent another surge of fire racing through her. “You look beautiful.” Moaning at the sensation of air moving over her slit as King moved away, she fought to close her legs in an effort to protect herself. “Please. Let me loose. No more. Please. I can’t bear it.”

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Royce and King shared a look, Royce shaking his head. “I can’t wait to see her fall apart.” Ripping open his pants, he rolled on a condom and moved to stand between her thighs, running a hand over her trembling stomach. “Beautiful.” Brenna struggled harder, whimpering as the head of his cock started to enter her, her pussy already clamping down on him. “No more. I can’t take it.” Royce paused, a dark brow going up. “Are you trying to tell me that I can’t fuck this pussy? It belongs to me and I want it.” Her inner walls clenched, her already soaked slit becoming even wetter. “Please.” She couldn’t take any more, but her body continued to move of its own volition, lifting her pussy to him. Each movement caused a tug at her nipples that made her already-tender clit tingle. Royce smiled and slid deep, his hands gripping her waist as he began to move. “Of course, darling. I’ll please you.” With no way to close her legs or protect herself in any way, Brenna could do nothing but cry out as Royce fucked her, his smooth, deep thrusts filling her completely. Each thrust took her higher, the friction of his cock moving steadily over the inner walls of her pussy. Aware of King’s eyes on her, she struggled to bite back her moans, knowing she’d never get used to having two men’s hands and eyes on her at the same time. Alternately tugging at the clamps on her nipples, King kept the arrows of pain shooting sharp jolts of pleasure to her clit and pussy. “She is beautiful, isn’t she? I love that fight against surrendering herself.” Royce’s chuckle sounded tortured as he began to dig at a spot inside her that made her body tighten again. “I hope she never stops fighting it.” King leaned over her, his eyes sharp and filled with satisfaction as she cried out her pleasure. “No, she won’t. That’s good, baby. Come again and again.” Each orgasm seemed weaker than the last, but lingered longer and stole more of her will. She could feel it draining from her as the pleasure kept

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going on and on, and squeezing her eyes closed, she thrashed her head back and forth in denial. “No. No more. Can’t come anymore.” A low buzzing sound had her eyes popping open again. She sucked in a breath at the sight of a vibrator in King’s hand, his wicked grin scaring her. “No. Please don’t use that. My clit can’t take it.” Royce’s thrusts came faster now, making her clench on him even more, her body tightening impossibly as she held her breath, watching in alarm as King lowered the vibrator to her clit. Jolting in shock at the most intense pleasure she’d ever felt, one so strong it actually bordered on pain, Brenna screamed, coming again almost immediately. The vibrations went on and on and she squirmed, screaming hoarsely against the too-sharp sensation. “No. Stop it. Take it off. Take it off. No!” She bucked, pulling hard at her restraints. She had to get away. She couldn’t take any more. Her clit throbbed, burning and pulsing with its own heartbeat. It felt huge, so sensitive and too exposed. A look passed between them, some signal in it she didn’t understand. Suddenly, both men began unfastening the leather straps securing her. While Royce took care of the ones at her legs, King released her hands, gripping her wrists when she started to reach for the clips on her nipples, her hands shaking at the intense pleasure. “No, Red. Leave them right there. They’re not tight at all—just tight enough for you to feel it.” “Too much. Oh, God. I’ve never come so many times.” King’s brows went up. “You’re talking as if we’re done.” He didn’t release her wrists until Royce lifted her against his chest. King smiled. “There’s more.” Royce ran a hand over her bottom and, with his cock still deep inside her, turned, sitting on the edge of the bench with her legs dangling on either side of his. “Much more.” With a strong arm around her, he lay back on the bench, pressing her against his chest. Realizing what they intended, Brenna instinctively fought his hold, each movement causing hot friction to her nipples and tugging at the clips there.

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She screamed, she bucked, she cursed and pleaded, but nothing could stop them. “Please, no more. I can’t come anymore.” Royce groaned. “These clips have to go.” He raised her several inches off of his chest, and with no warning, King removed the clip from one of her nipples, smiling when she cried out at the blood rushing back into the aching tip. “Yes, you can. This time you’re going to come with my cock up that tight ass.” “No. I can’t. Leave my ass alone.” In her weakened condition, she couldn’t handle the vulnerability of having her ass breached, especially with Royce’s cock still embedded deep inside her pussy. King laughed softly. “There’s no way I’m leaving that ass alone. Thoughts of fucking that tight ass keep me awake at night.” Brenna couldn’t take her eyes from King as he rolled on a condom, her breath coming out in sharp whimpers when he reached for the lube. A strong finger pressed against her puckered opening, making it sting. “If you want lube, you’d better ask me nicely to lube your ass or else my cock’s going in there dry.” Brenna stilled, not resisting when Royce pulled her back down. Holding on to him for dear life, she shivered. “No! You can’t fuck my ass dry.” King’s tone firmed. “It depends on you. You’re going to have to ask me nicely to lube your ass.” Brenna couldn’t believe he would stoop so low as to make her contribute to his wickedness. Gulping in air, she looked up at Royce, who merely lifted a brow and waited. “P–Please, M–Master. Lube my ass.” “Of course, my little sub. Would you like me to fuck your ass with my finger to make sure it’s lubed good?” Brenna glared up at Royce, shocked by the lust glittering in his eyes. It spurred her need to challenge them. Confident that they would enjoy it as much as she would, Brenna struggled harder, secure in the knowledge that she wouldn’t be able to escape.

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“Go fuck yourself. I’m not begging you to stick your finger in my ass!” God, she ached with the need to have her ass filled, but she couldn’t take another orgasm. It would kill her, and yet she couldn’t stop wanting more. She jerked, crying out as a cold lubed finger thrust into her and immediately withdrew. King ran a hand down her back. “There’s not enough lube for her, but it’s more than enough for me to get inside her.” He patted her ass. “You had your chance, Red.” He pressed the head of his cock against her puckered opening and began to push, making her bottom hole burn and sting unbearably. Brenna screamed. “No. Please. No more. Please fuck my ass with your finger.” King backed off. “Why should I give you the chance to change your mind? Didn’t you just tell your Master to go fuck himself?” She hadn’t even realized how attuned she’d become to them, but the steel in King’s tone sent a chill through her. She’d never survive if he fucked her ass dry, but could hardly believe she wanted to try. She wanted it to hurt. She needed it to hurt. She wanted to feel him anyway she could. She wanted her ass filled. Full. Stretched. Common sense won out. “Please, Master. Please. Please fuck my ass with your fingers.” Royce groaned. “Christ, hurry up. I can’t hold back much longer.” King pinched her clit. “You hear that? Master Royce can’t resist you and neither can I. How would you like to be fucked by both of your Masters at the same time?” “Yes! Anything you want. Please, Masters, take me.” “Very good. Be still, like a good little sub and let me lube this ass for my cock.” “Oh, God.” Sucking in a breath as King shoved his lubed finger into her ass, she stared into Royce’s eyes. Brenna moaned helplessly at the feel of King’s fingers moving around in her ass and pressing against the inner walls of her rectum. It was nothing,

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though, compared to the sensation of him withdrawing and fitting the head of his cock against her puckered opening and pushing against it. The instinctive need to fight his invasion had her clamping down hard, but King pressed relentlessly, forcing the tight ring of muscle to give way to admit the thick head of his cock. Brenna screamed, unable to move as he held the head of his cock at her opening, stretching it wide and making it burn. She came before she even realized she was going to, clamping down on the head of his cock and making it burn hotter. “So full. Oh, God! Your cocks are inside me. It burns.” King cursed and pushed his cock deep, so deep she couldn’t breathe. Too full. She burned everywhere. Tingled everywhere. Both men started moving, setting up a rhythm of thrusts into her pussy and ass, leaving her helpless to do anything but hold on. She whimpered at the mind-numbing pleasure, moaning at the pressure and full, stretched sensation. Filled with cock, she couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. She could only feel. Stretched more than she’d ever thought she could stand, she held on to Royce, unable to do anything else as the mind-numbing pleasure and sensation of being taken completely stole every last bit of resistance. She cried out, each cry more desperate and breathless than the last. Filled with their cocks, she slumped against Royce, giving herself over to the pleasure, and to them, thrilling to give them everything. Sensation layered over sensation bombarded her. She lost track of the number of times she came. Trembling, she could do nothing more than whimper as yet another orgasm hit her before the last had completely died away. She’d never felt so fulfilled, so desired. So connected. Royce and King urged her on, each word like a balm to her soul. “That’s it, Red. Take all of us.” Royce groaned. “So fucking tight. Come again, honey. Yes. That’s it. So beautiful.” King’s hands firmed on her hips. “So good. Good girl. All ours.”

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She belonged to them. She couldn’t fight it anymore. When both men surged deep, she came again, a rush of pleasure and warmth to layer over the others. Suddenly she felt like crying. A whimper escaped, but before another could, four strong hands moved over her. King wrapped his arms around her from behind as he withdrew, holding her when she shivered, his lips at her shoulder. “That’s a girl. You’re all right. We’ve got you.” He lifted the top half of her body against his just as another whimper escaped. “Yes, baby. Let it go. You’re safe.” Her throat clogged with tears, making it difficult to speak, and a sob tore from her before she could prevent it. “No more.” Royce sat up, lifting her from his cock, his eyes holding hers. Smiling tenderly, he stroked her cheek. “No, darling. No more. Let us take care of you now.” So weak she couldn’t even lift her arm, Brenna had no choice but to fall against King as he lifted her from Royce’s lap and turned her, holding her against his wide chest. “No. Leave me alone.” Her words came out slurred and weak, but she didn’t care. She just wanted to be alone until she could get her bearings again. Shaky and feeling vulnerable, she kept her eyes closed, curling against King as the first tear came. She loved them. She’d trusted them completely, even when she’d thought she couldn’t stand another minute. She’d never felt so complete before, so utterly free to let herself go. She felt connected to them in ways she couldn’t have imagined. Even now, she needed their touch to help settle her. She needed their presence to make her feel safe and secure until she could get herself together again. She needed the love she saw shining in their eyes, a love she wasn’t sure she could handle. Gathering her close, King carried her from the room, down the hall, and into the bedroom.

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“I’m never going to leave you alone. You’re stuck with me forever now.” “Us.” Royce’s voice came from behind King just as the shower came on. “Give her to me.” King stepped into the shower, holding her tightly against him. “I’ve got her. I doubt if she’s got the strength to stand.” Royce, naked and wet, reached for her, shooting King an impatient look. “I’m aware of that, King. Come on, darling. Doesn’t the warm water feel better? You just be still and let us take care of you.” Completely drained and weepy, Brenna didn’t even have the strength to hold on to King. Every inch of her body trembled in reaction. “Put me down. I wanna be alone.” She hated the whine in her voice, but didn’t have the strength to try again. Her eyes shot open as Royce washed her slit. “No. Don’t touch me.” His hands remained as tender as the look in his eyes. “I’ll be gentle, but you’ll feel better afterward. Easy. I know, honey.” He crooned to her as he washed her. “I know you’re sensitive all over. You did so well. That was the most beautiful thing I ever saw. You’re certainly going to keep King and me on our toes, aren’t you?” Brenna sniffed, closing her eyes again. King adjusted her in her arms, nuzzling the delicate spot below her ear. “You were magnificent. Look at me, Red.” Looming over her, King handed her to Royce and turned her face to his, waiting until she opened her eyes. “I adore you.” A sob broke free, and then another, sobs she couldn’t seem to hold back. She loved them so much it hurt, and had left herself wide open for even more. They could destroy her now. “Don’t tell me that now.” She didn’t want just tenderness after sex. She wanted it all, but she couldn’t take much more. She felt too weepy, floundering to steady herself again King finished rinsing her, stripped off his clothes, and threw them in a corner. “Now is the perfect time to tell you. Come on, let’s get you into bed so we can talk.”

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Minutes later she found herself in bed with him while Royce finished his shower. Warm and dry and with the heat of King’s body against hers, Brenna wiped away another tear. Cupping her face, King ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “I can’t believe I’m in love. It’s going to take me a while to get used to it, so you’re going to have to bear with me.” More tears fell, tears of fear and of happiness. “King, you don’t have to say that now. I know you want to take care of me now, but—” King’s eyes narrowed. “I’ve never in my life told a woman that I love her, and when I finally do, you don’t believe me? Do you really think I would say those words just because you came a few times?” “A few times?” Brenna slapped ineffectively at his hand. “You made me come so much that I doubt I’ll ever recover. You’re soft on me now, because I’m like this, but—” With an angry growl, King rolled on top of her. “Do you honestly think you’re the only woman who I’ve made come until she couldn’t walk? I didn’t love them and didn’t tell them I did.” Kicking at him, Brenna tried to shove his big body off of hers, to no avail. “Don’t you throw those other women in my face!” “I’m not trying to throw them in your face, damn it! I’m trying to make you see that I never thought I would ever find a woman I could love, and who would love me back. I never thought I would find one who would embrace this lifestyle, one who would let me love her and allow me to take care of her the way I need to. I love you, damn it!” Lacing her fingers with his, he raised them over her head. “And you love me. Don’t think for one minute that you can hide it from me. I’ve waited a lifetime for you and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you walk away from me!” Releasing her hands, he gathered her against him. “Now, I want to hear you say it back to me, or so help me, the minute you’ve recovered, I’m going to turn you over my lap and paddle your ass until you say it.” Royce strolled into the room, wearing a towel wrapped around his waist and using another to dry his hair. “Well, that’s real romantic, King.” Blinking back tears, Brenna reached up to cup King’s jaw, shaken by the intensity of the love shining in his eyes.

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“I love you, too. I’ve loved you for a while, but I didn’t think you’d believe me if I told you. I thought you would think it was just about sex. I’m scared.” She slid a glance at Royce. “What if you get bored with me? You’ve got your pick of women and—” King growled. He actually growled. “I don’t want any other fucking woman. I want you. I’ve been around hundreds of women and I never wanted one the way I want you, and I sure as hell didn’t fall in love with any of them.” A sob broke free, one she hadn’t even known was there. “You love me?” King looked a little panicked. “Didn’t I just say that? Hell, don’t you dare cry. I mean it, if you cry, I’m going to—ah, hell.”

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Chapter Eighteen Brenna woke to find herself wrapped in a blanket and on Royce’s lap, his eyes unreadable as they searched hers. Lifting her head, she saw that he sat on the chaise lounge, and had the television turned on low. “Where’s King?” Smiling, Royce smoothed her hair back from her face. “He’s working out. You scared the hell out of him. He can take your anger and your defiance, but when you cry, it tears him up.” She looked at the clock on the nearby table. “But it’s the middle of the night.” “So it is. He went to take over for Blade and made sure everyone was settled for the night. Then he came back here, looked at you, and went to work out. I wanted to hold you, so I brought you over here with me about an hour and a half ago.” Sliding a hand inside the blanket, he ran a hand over her hip, reminding Brenna of her nakedness. “Do you feel better now?” Nodding, Brenna stared up at him, reaching her hand from the blanket to touch his chest. “Yes. I’m sorry I fell apart that way. This is all so…extraordinary. I didn’t plan to fall in love with both of you—” Pressing her burning face against his chest, Brenna shrugged. “I mean—” “Did you think I didn’t realize you loved me?” Running his hand up to her breast, he cupped her gently and dropped his head back against the chair. “You’ve scared the hell out of me more than once. I really expected you to leave. We were too soft with you at times because we were afraid you would storm out the way you did the first time I took you to the playroom.” Rubbing a hand over his face, he sighed. “You scared the hell out of me that day. I couldn’t believe how much passion there was inside you and that

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you trusted me enough to go into the playroom with me. I’d barely touched you, and you fell apart.” Looking down at her, he smiled, his eyes filled with the memory of that day. “I’d never been so surprised by a woman in my entire life. You stormed out before I could even come to grips with it. And your eyes…Christ, I knew it then. As soon as I looked into those eyes, I knew I was a goner.” Running his hand up and down her body, he pulled her closer. “I made you crawl that day, hoping to scare you away.” Brenna blinked up at him, shocked at the admission. “You did? Why?” Royce shrugged. “You were getting too close. King and I realized long ago that although women liked to play at submitting, it would be damned near impossible for one to want to tie herself to two Doms. King and I share. We have for years. We’re different in the way we dominate and found that we complement each other.” Parting the blanket, he stroked her exposed breast, sending a delightful warmth through her. “We’re good friends, and as close as a lot of brothers, but loving you tested that. We were both scared that you would find you didn’t like this lifestyle, a lifestyle we already knew we couldn’t live without. And that fucking auction—hell, I wanted to shake you when you talked about it.” Brenna smiled and cuddled closer, moaning when he uncovered the rest of her and placed a hot hand over her mound. “I kept mentioning it because I thought that was the only reason you let me stay and that at the end of the month you were going to put me in it. I wanted you to deny it and tear up that damned contract.” Royce grinned. “I’m not tearing it up. I think I’m going to frame it and stick it on the wall in our office.” Frowning when she moved under him, he covered her with the blanket again. “Stop that. You’re not in any condition to come anymore tonight. You need some rest. Why don’t you go back to sleep?” Sitting up, Brenna straddled him, feeling as if she could conquer the world. “Are you kidding? I feel wonderful. You and King love me. I still can’t believe it. I can’t believe I’m in love with two men who want to dominate me.”

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Frowning, she looked up at him through her lashes. “I’m going to have to figure out a way to get some power over both of you or I’m in trouble.” Royce slid his hand beneath the blanket and gave her ass a playful slap. “You’ve already got enough of that. God help us when you figure out how to use it. And as for finding it hard to believe two Doms are in love with you, maybe you’ll believe it when you’re standing at the altar on your wedding day with a butt plug up that tight ass.” **** Brenna bit her lip, her heart racing with excitement. Even though the noise level rose in the room, she held a hand over her mouth to quiet her rapid breathing, afraid someone would hear her. Standing on her toes to get a better view of the women who were being put up for auction, she couldn’t help but admire the fine figures her husbands of nearly a week made as they led each woman into the spotlight. Both men had dressed in all black for the occasion. Royce looked sinister and sophisticated, the ultimate Master, while King, a mountain of wickedness, toyed with the women and worked up the crowd of men even more. Using the tip of the whip he held in his strong hand, the hand that had a circle of gold around his ring finger, King tapped the woman’s nipple, making her cry out and creating an answering pull in Brenna’s own nipple. He’d used that on her enough times that she knew just what the other woman was feeling, but couldn’t imagine how it must have felt to be blindfolded and with her hands tied behind her back while it was done to her. And by a stranger. Brenna couldn’t have stood it, and smiled at the knowledge that she’d never have to. She had her own Masters. Brenna touched a hand to her own breast, exposed because she wasn’t permitted to wear anything except the stretchy outfits Royce and King had bought for her when she was home. Pinching her nipple, she tried to pretend that King had used the whip on her, but nothing could substitute for the real thing.

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Her thighs had already become coated with her juices, the sight of the women being auctioned off and the excitement and decadence of the crowd of men buying them arousing her more than she could have imagined. She’d never have the nerve, or even the desire to be auctioned in such a way, but it aroused her just the same. “Let’s see that pussy and clit.” One of the men she recognized from town stood in the front and seemed to take great satisfaction in having each woman inspected thoroughly. Each time he called something out, the bidding would stop, and the woman being auctioned would shiver so much that even Brenna could see it from her position, peeking through a vent on the second floor to the action taking place below. Lying on the floor of the small storage room Kelly had told her about, Brenna shifted restlessly as King smiled and paraded the woman around the stage. Fighting jealousy, she watched Royce and King, pleased to see that other than taking care of the woman and stirring the crowd, neither one showed any interest in her. One of the men closest to the stage used another whip to touch the woman’s slit, clearly enjoying her cries of pleasure. King moved away, leaving the woman with Royce and went toward the back of the stage and out of sight, probably to retrieve the next woman since it seemed the bidding for this one had finally ended. She would be leaving to join whoever had won the auction, and a night of indescribable pleasure. Blade arrived, slipping through the crowd to the stage. Jake followed, calling out to some of the men, clearly his friends, as the two men joined Royce, standing on either side of him. Brenna closed her eyes, moaning as she reached for her slit, unsurprised to find it soaked with her juices. Thoughts of the auction had consumed her for days. She knew the women onstage would be living out their fantasies tonight, and from what she’d heard from Jesse, the married men who came to watch would go home to their wives aroused, and as Jesse put it, inspired. She doubted something like this would affect Royce and King, who were probably used to such things, but it aroused the hell out of her.

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Rolling to her back, she kept her eyes closed and listened to the crowd, unable to shake the fantasy that she was up onstage and Royce and King were the only ones there and bidding in her. They would part her folds, looking at her with hunger in their eyes. They would— “Would you like to tell me just what you think you’re doing?” Brenna gasped, jerking upright and covering herself. “King!” He stood at her feet, his arms crossed over his chest as he stared down at her, his lips thinned in displeasure but his eyes lit with anticipation. And the wicked look she’d already learned meant trouble—and a thrilling night ahead. Her gaze automatically flew to the bulge at the front of his dark pants, her breath catching. “Are you aroused because of me or because of those women downstairs?” King’s brow went up. “Oh, it’s all you, Red. I picture you on that stage with Royce and I the only bidders, then I catch you playing with what belongs to Royce and me.” Smiling coyly, she leaned back on her elbows, baring her breasts and letting her legs fall apart slightly, biting back a moan when his gaze lowered to her slit. “Don’t you think anyone else would bid on me?” “Not if they value their life.” His smile sent a shiver through her. “Feeling pretty confident, are you?” With a move too quick for her to anticipate, King jerked her to her feet and slung her over his shoulder and ran a threatening hand over her bottom. “It seems we’ve been a little too soft on our new bride.” Brenna shivered, fighting to get free. “No, King. You and Royce are wonderful! Put me down, and I’ll explain.” “Oh, you’re going to explain, all right. Just as soon as we get to the bedroom.” Sliding a finger through her folds, he chuckled. “Soaking wet. You’re really gonna suffer now. You really liked watching the auction, didn’t you? Did you imagine yourself up there and having all the men bid on you?” “No, King! It’s not like that.”

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As soon as they reached the bedroom, King kicked the door closed behind him and set her on her feet, steadying her when she would have fallen. Gripping her chin, he lifted her face to his. “You imagined all those men inspecting you? Touching you?” Without warning, he bent and thrust a finger into her pussy. “Yeah, you liked it.” Starting to panic now, Brenna gripped his forearms, moaning as the finger inside her started to move. “No, King. Just you and Royce. I imagined it was just you and Royce. I don’t want any other man to look at me or touch me.” Holding her close, King kept moving his finger inside her. “Tell me.” Locking her rubbery knees, Brenna wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him. “I was watching and I imagine you and Royce doing those things to me.” His lips caressed her shoulder. “What things?” Brenna’s knees gave out completely when King tapped her clit. “Oh! King, take me. I want you so much.” “What things were you imagining Royce and I doing to you?” Lulled by his soft tone, Brenna turned her face to his neck, breathing in the scent of him. “The way you displayed them. Opened them. And they were blindfolded so they couldn’t even see what you were looking at. Only, I imagined it was you and Royce touching me.” King lifted his head, his low, silky tone washing over her. “The thought of the auction has aroused you from the beginning. But, were you supposed to watch? How did you get into a locked room?” Pulling him back down, she kissed his neck, holding on tighter as the pleasure mounted. “I took your keys. I wanted to see. Oh, King. You and Royce looked so sexy up there. It made me horny just watching you.” “Hmm.” Lifting his head, he slid his finger from her pussy and wrapped a hand around her neck, lifting her face to his. “I’m glad you think so, but I need to ask you something, baby.”

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Rubbing her thighs together against the emptiness there, Brenna fought to get closer. She wanted him so badly. Her husband. She wanted him to fill her, to please her as only he and Royce could. Aching for him, she reached for his cock, groaning in protest when he caught her hand in his. “King, I want to touch you. What did you want to ask me? Hurry up, and take me.” A sharp slap landed on her bottom, startling her. Anticipating another, she squirmed to get away. “Hey!” King gripped her upper arms, raising her to her toes, his eyes lingering on the choker around her neck—the new one they’d given her that matched their rings. “Did you think that because we love you, we’re not going to punish you for defying us?” Brenna stilled, her stomach clenching in excitement. Flattening her hands on his wide chest, she dug her fingertips into hard muscle and looked up at him through her lashes, pouting. “Really? I’ve been good. You said so. I just wanted to see—” The wicked gleam in King’s eyes had her pussy clenching and leaking more of her juices. “You were told specifically to stay away from the auction—” “I did! I didn’t go down to the first floor.” King’s eyes narrowed. “You know that you’re not permitted to see what goes on down there.” The steel in his tone and the hunger in his eyes settled something inside her, giving her a reassurance she hadn’t even realized she’d needed. Brushing her nipples against his chest, she wiggled restlessly. “Are you going to spank me?” “Don’t you think you deserve it?” Her bottom tightened in anticipation. “I wasn’t that bad, was I?” King chuckled and slapped her bottom. “You’ve been very bad and you know it. Stop trying to use your eyes to get yourself out of trouble. You’re in for it now. When you’re auctioned, your ass is going to be bright red. That should get some attention.” “What?” Brenna struggled against his hold, terrified now. “You can’t be serious! We’re married! You can’t auction me off.”

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She started to run, but King caught her, his thick, muscular forearm like a steel band around her middle. The sound of her clothing being torn from her scared her even more. Within seconds, she was as naked as the day she was born, and over King’s lap on the edge of the bed. Each slap both frightened and inflamed her, and as she fought him, she couldn’t stop thinking about all the men downstairs seeing her bottom so red, and knowing why. Her bottom burned, but she figured her face had become even redder. “King, please. You can’t put me on the stage. You wouldn’t! You can’t.” She tried to cover her bottom, but he caught both wrists and held them at the small of her back. He and King had been so possessive that she knew he couldn’t be serious. Could he? “Don’t you dare try to cover yourself!” He slapped her ass several more times in rapid succession, scattering the slaps until her entire bottom burned. The sound of the nightstand drawer opening had her fighting again to get free. “What are you going to do to me?” Struggling as he tied her hands didn’t do any good, and in an embarrassingly short time, he had her hands tied behind her back the way the women downstairs had been tied. King’s hands on her stirred her arousal to even greater heights, and to her intense mortification, the fear of being onstage in front of others added to the fire. Running a finger through her slit, he laughed harshly. “Yes, you liked your spanking, and the idea of having that red ass on display excites you. Your audience is going to expect a bit more from our wife, and the punishment device we bought for you to wear will be perfect for your stage appearance.” Brenna gulped, watching King open one of the drawers in the drawers they used to keep things for her, and tried to reason with King. “King, I’m sorry I watched. I was dying of curiosity. Admit it, if you were in my place, you would have looked, too.” Gathering what looked to be not much more than strips of leather, King turned and shut the drawer. “Yep. That’s why we knew you would try. We planned for it. Sebastian let us know the minute the door opened.” Smiling

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at her, he tossed one of the pieces on the bed and went to the nightstand again. “You do know that every door in this place has an alarm that Sebastian monitors?” “Shit. No, I didn’t know that. He probably carries the fucking monitor in that suit of his. He’s a tattletale.” King laughed and turned back, the sight of the tube in his hand making her bottom clench. “It’s not a monitor, but yes, he carries it with him.” Reaching out, he tugged a nipple, making her gasp. “And one of his duties is to keep an eye on you when we’re busy.” Brenna eyed the leather in his hands, and tried to take a step back, but King stopped her. “What’s that?” King’s wicked grin sent a thrill through her. “You’ll see.” For such a large man, he moved fast, and before she knew it, she was back over his lap again. King ran a hand over her bottom. “Nice and pink. I’ll make it red again onstage, or do you plan to fight me now?” She fought to keep her legs closed, but King kept her bent with her ass in the air. “What are you going to do?” His hands left her, and she knew it would only be long enough to coat his finger with lube. “I’m going to put this on you, something that you’re going to wear sometimes when you’re being punished.” With his left hand, he parted the cheeks of her bottom, pulling them up as he did and completely exposing her puckered opening. “Now be still so I can lube you.” The sense of vulnerability that settled over her each time one of them touched her ass never failed to alarm and excite her. As always, King gave her no way to defend against it, no way to limit his access. Holding her bent and spread, he pushed a lubed finger into her with nearly no resistance, plunging it deep inside her. “King! Oh, God.” Chills went up and down her spine as he invaded her most private opening with a firmness that always shocked her. He moved his finger around, sliding it over her inner walls with a possessiveness and arrogance that she always had to struggle to accept.

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Kicking her feet, she tried to bite him, crying out when he withdrew and forced two fingers into her. “It burns. Take them out. I won’t try to bite you anymore.” His fingers slid out with a speed that left her clenching, the need to be filled again pissing her off. King laughed and spanked her some more, easily controlling her squirming. “I love how defiant you get when you’re aroused and can’t get relief.” He ran a hand over her now-burning ass. “I also love how sweet and submissive you’ll be in a little while when you can’t stand it anymore.” “Fuck you.” King laughed again. “Do you see this?” Brenna’s breath caught at what looked like something between a butt plug and a metal ball. Already knowing where such a sinister-looking thing would be going, she tried to squeeze her bottom cheeks closed. “You’re not putting that in my ass!” “Sure am. See the strip of leather it’s attached to? That goes right up the crease of your ass, leaving these red buns exposed.” His voice dropped several notches, telling her just how much he enjoyed this. “It doesn’t taper as much as an ordinary butt plug, so it holds you open a little more. I know how much you like the burn and sting of being stretched. This isn’t as long, but it’s wide. Let’s see how much you like this.” She didn’t count on it being so cold, the shock of it just enough to freeze her into immobility long enough for him to begin to push it inside her. The metal felt so strange, cold, hard, and threatening. Crying out, she instinctively tried to close against it, making the sting and burn even worse. “King! It burns so bad. It’s too big.” King ran a hand over her bottom. “No, it isn’t. It isn’t any larger than the other plug we’re using on you now. It just feels different because it’s metal. Your thighs are soaked. I think you like the feel of metal.” Whimpering at the helpless feeling of the ball going into her, she shivered as she imagined the other metal things they would get for her. With their imaginations, it could be anything.

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“There. That’s beautiful. The bidder at the special auction we’ve arranged for you is going to love seeing it. I’ll bend you over and pull it out for him to see. Now, stand up so I can finish fastening this on you.” Brenna whimpered again as he helped her to her feet, a movement that shifted the metal ball in her ass. “Please, King. Don’t. I don’t want anyone but you and Royce to see me this way.” To her surprise, King knelt in front of her, bringing two leather straps from between her thighs up over her slit, parting her folds and using the straps to hold them that way. “Incredible. It looks even more beautiful than I thought it would.” He fastened the straps to another that he attached around her waist, crisscrossing it over her mound. “That’ll keep those folds parted so he can see you. Hmm, we really should get the hood pulled back over your clit so he can see that, too.” Brenna shook so hard, she could barely stand. Her thighs had become drenched at King’s ministrations, but she couldn’t bear the thought of standing up onstage with some strange man looking at her. “King, please. I swear, I’ll never do it again.” Her throat went dry, and she had to swallow several times before continuing. The metal ball in her ass held the tight ring of muscle open wider than ever. It stung. It burned. It felt incredible. With the metal holding her open, she couldn’t close her bottom. King controlled even that. King went to the nightstand again and came back with a small ring and stuck it into his mouth. Already knowing what to expect, Brenna braced herself, nearly coming on the spot when he sucked her clit into his mouth. “King. I’m gonna come. Oh, God!” She cried out when he released her just as quickly, leaving the ring behind. It held the hood of her clit back, leaving her throbbing clit completely exposed. “I can’t stand it. You know what this does to me. Even the air on it is going to make me come.” Her clit tingled, warning that an orgasm wasn’t too far away. Her bottom kept clenching on the ball, despite her determination not to. More

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juices leaked from her, and her nipples ached so badly she wanted to scream. Instead, the only thing she could do was whimper. The sensations proved to be too strong to fight. Her breath came out in great gasps of pleasure and torment, growing harsher and harsher by the second. “Please. Don’t do this. I swear I’ll be good. I’ll do whatever you want. Please, just don’t do this to me. I can’t stand it.” King slapped her clit, stunning her as the stinging hit sent her senses reeling. “You are my submissive. I am your Master. You refuse to give me respect by addressing me properly and you disobeyed a direct order. Now you’re trying to talk me out of doing something that is my right to do.” Running his hands up and down her arms, he bent to kiss her. “Don’t you want to please me?” God, she loved him. She wanted him more than she wanted her next breath. Her body ached for him and her heart skipped a beat each time he smiled at her. “Yes, anything. Please, do what you want to me.” His pleasure was all that mattered. She wanted to pleasure him and fulfill every need more than she wanted anything. She didn’t want to think about the other man seeing her, but if it pleased King to show her off, she would do it. For him. Looking up into his eyes, she blinked back tears of emotion. “Yes, Master.” “Good girl.” His smile and praise made everything worthwhile. She loved him and more than anything. She wanted to please him as no woman ever had. King cupped her breasts, sending another wave of longing through her. “Let’s take care of these nipples.” He fastened what looked like a leather bra on her, one that had holes that allowed her nipples to poke free. A strange sensation in her nipples had her struggling against him. “King, my nipples!”

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King chuckled and pulled her close. “There are little soft bristles inside. Each time you move, the bristles will brush over your areolas.” Holding on to her waist, he kissed her shoulder. “Just to let you know, although I’m not locking them now—all of these straps can be locked into place. Royce and I can put this on you, with the leather piece that goes over your clit, and leave you like that as long as we want. You’ll have no way of pleasuring yourself, or escaping the torment.” He reached a hand down to tap her clit. “We can also attach a vibrating piece inside and turn it on and off at will. You should be in real torment in just a few minutes.” Brenna swayed, the tingling growing stronger by the second. “I’m in torment now!” King turned her to face him and fingered the whip at his side. “Darlin’, we haven’t even begun. Let’s get you blindfolded so we can go downstairs. You’re going to love what we’ve planned for you.”

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Chapter Nineteen Royce’s cock sprang to attention the second he saw her. She looked like a Dom’s dream with her nipples and pussy exposed and unprotected, her thighs glistening with her juices. He knew by the way she walked that she had that metal ball in her ass, an ass that would be well-lubed and prepared for fucking. He knew her pale skin would be even softer to the touch than it looked and that the curtain of long hair cascading to her lower back felt like silk. He still sometimes had a hard time believing the stunning creature standing before him was now his wife. He’d felt her gaze on him during the auction, and when Sebastian motioned that she hid up in a supply room watching them, he knew the evening would turn out even more exciting than he’d planned. He and King had already arranged for Blade to take over the auction, and for Jake to help him, hoping to surprise their new bride with an auction of her own. They’d known how much the idea of being auctioned excited her, so they’d already decided to give her this experience. He hadn’t anticipated the thrill it would give him, especially after having spent years watching others inspect the woman. This time, he could inspect his own. After he’d gotten the text from King, he’d come to the old meeting room, one right next door to the room they used now. They hadn’t bothered to soundproof this room, which now served as more of a playroom of sorts, complete with its own stage. Some preferred to live out their own private fantasies of being on the auction block, and the noise from the room next door added to the experience.

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It appeared he and King would be putting their beautiful bride on the auction block, one with no other bidders. Another wave of possessiveness took him by the throat. God, he loved her. Royce smiled as King closed and locked the door behind him, and as he approached, Royce could see how badly Brenna shook. Frowning, he moved closer, catching her when she followed his voice and rushed up to him. “Brenna?” “Royce, I’m sorry. I was spying. I don’t want all these people to see me like this. Please.” A sob broke free, tearing his guts out. “I’ll do whatever you and King want. I’ll do anything. Please. Just don’t let anyone else touch me or see me. I want to please you, but I can’t do this. It’s a fantasy, but I can’t do it.” Royce had never loved her more than in that moment. Ripping the blindfold off of her, he turned to let her see that the room was empty except for the three of them. “This is just a little play, my darling. We’re going to have our own private little auction. Let’s see if you can entice me to bid on you.” Brenna’s eyes went wide, the shock of delight in them making him feel ten feet tall. “I should have known. You said that you wouldn’t let anyone else see me.” Pleased with himself for planning this for her, Royce adopted his sternest expression, and blindfolded her again. “Get her up onstage so the auction can begin. I want to see what I’m buying before I bid on her.” **** Leading her up to the stage, King ran a hand over her bottom. “I have to tell everyone why you’re being spanked. There’s a stool behind you. Come on. I’ll get you turned around and facing the back of the stage so you can bend over it.” Feeling Royce’s eyes on her ass as King turned her around, Brenna bit back a moan as another rush of moisture coated her thighs. King helped her over the hard stool, bending close to whisper in her ear. “Royce can’t take his eyes off of you.”

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Touched that they would go to so much trouble to create one of her fantasies, Brenna threw herself into it, crying out when King forced her legs apart. Knowing that only the leather strap kept Royce from seeing everything, she wiggled her ass, which she suspected was still pink. Her ragged breathing sounded loud to her own ears, her excitement growing as King ran his hands over her still-warm ass. With her hands still tied behind her back, she had trouble balancing herself, so she had to spread her legs even wider in an effort to stay upright. King ran a hand over her back. “Our wife was spying on the auction from the supply room on the second floor, and when I found her, she was lying on her back and playing with her clit. She was soaking wet and trying to come.” Brenna gasped as King removed her blindfold, leaving her upside down and staring through her spread legs into Royce’s beautiful face. Seated in the front row, a foot or two below, Royce lifted a brow. “Really? Would you like to explain to me why you were spying when you were told not to? Why were you touching yourself when you know it’s not permitted?” Knowing she’d pay for it, Brenna grinned impudently, earning a smack on the ass. “Sorry, Master. I was curious and I wanted to watch.” She wiggled on the seat, gasping at the friction on her nipples and the shift of the ball inside her. Royce nodded and glanced at King. “I see her bottom’s already pink. She looks uncomfortable. I’d like to inspect her before I decide if I want to buy or not.” She shivered in delight at the cool, almost distant tone, but his eyes told a different story. He came to his feet and moved closer, tapping the flat leather tip of the whip against his hand. “Let me feel that ass.” King pressed a hand on Brenna’s back, keeping her from rising. “Be my guest. It’s even softer than it looks.” Royce ran his hand over her ass in an exploring touch, smoothing it over her skin, pressing in several spots as if testing its firmness. “Very nice ass. Warm still. Does she take well to spankings?”

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Brenna groaned and squeezed her eyes closed as lust slammed into her. Her husbands were providing a fantasy for her, and probably themselves, in a way that no one else would witness. A surge of love for both of them welled inside her. It appeared her husbands would do anything to make her happy. Even their punishments were designed with her pleasure in mind. The need to please them just as much had her writhing on the stool and wiggling her ass at them. She no longer worried about defying them—now that she knew just how much they enjoyed overcoming it. “No, I don’t like to be spanked.” Royce laughed softly, clearly delighted. “She’s defiant, too, and a liar. Her thighs are soaked. She definitely needs some training.” Brenna shivered when Royce slid his hands between her thighs and back up to her ass again. She didn’t know why she got so turned on when the two of them talked about her as if she wasn’t there, but she couldn’t deny that she did. King sighed. “Yes, she is defiant. I have to be honest with you. Sometimes she’s damned ornery and stubborn, and she fights orgasms with everything she’s got.” Royce ran his finger over the strap in her crease. “Yes, well, she’ll have no luck with that.” King slid his hand higher to the fastening of her leather bra. “She never does. She’s amazingly responsive. Would you like to inspect her breasts?” Royce touched her hands, as though reassuring her. “Yes, and then we’ll get back to this ass.” Brenna’s head spun when King lifted and turned her so that she stood in front of the stool facing Royce. She cried out when he moved the bra on her breasts, rubbing the soft bristles against her nipples, before removing it and tossing it somewhere behind her. With his eyes on hers, Royce leapt onto the stage to stand in front of her. “Her breasts are stunning. High, firm, and full. And you say they’re responsive? If you don’t mind, I’ll have to test that for myself.” Brenna held her breath, wondering if he knew just what the arrogance in his silky tone did to her. She wondered if King had any idea how his highhandedness in handling her excited her. She’d bet they did, and both men exploited it to the fullest.

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While Royce reached out a hand to touch her breast, King wrapped his hand above her wrists and in the strap around her waist as though holding on to her in case she might run. It pulled the strap higher in her crease and shifted the ball inside her, forcing another cry from her. She jerked back when Royce touched a finger to a nipple already sensitized by the bristles, crying out again when the hand King held fisted at the small of her back tightened on the strap. Royce raised a brow. “She is sensitive there. Perhaps too much so. She probably can’t take pain. Pity. I like to use clips.” Her breath hitched at the memories of the times he and King had used clips on her nipples. They’d sometimes attached them to her collar, sometimes to her clit. Some they used with small weights that tugged at every movement. Once, King had actually used them attached to a chain and led her around with them. She’d come before he’d even touched her slit. Keeping in character of a defiant sub who didn’t want to be sold, she lifted her chin. “You’d better not think of putting anything on my nipples.” Royce sighed and looked at King. “She’d be a lot of trouble.” King released his hold on the strap to grip her wrists, pulling them down and forcing her back to arch, effectively lifting her unprotected breasts higher. “She’d be worth it. I’m sure you would have no trouble overcoming her struggles. Would you like me to gag her?” Royce cupped her breast as though testing its weight and firmness. “No. I think I’d like to hear her cries.” He pinched both of her nipples at once, tugging them away from her body, his eyes darkening in satisfaction when she cried out. Still pinching them, he rolled them between his thumbs and forefingers. “Yes, I think she could become trained to accept pain, but I need to check something. Can you put her on the stool? I’d like to see and feel more.” The arrogance and mischief in his eyes sent her heart racing as King lifted her onto the stool and stood behind her, supporting her weight as he held her in a reclining position. “What are you going to do to me?”

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Very conscious of the straps holding her slit open, and the ring holding the hood of her clit back, Brenna trembled and tried to close her thighs, but Royce stood between them. Ignoring her question, Royce spoke to King. “I’d like to inspect her further before I buy.” Without warning, he thrust a finger into her pussy while pinching her nipple with the other hand. With a hoarse cry, she bucked her hips, tightening her legs on Royce’s thighs in an effort to close them. Heat shot from her nipples to her pussy, forcing her to clamp down on the finger Royce fucked her with. Her breath came out in frantic pants when he rolled her nipple and pressed on that magical spot inside her that he and King ruthlessly exploited every chance they got. “Oh, God.” Thrusting her breasts out as much as she could in this position, she stiffened as the tingling throughout her body grew stronger, warning her that she would come any second. Her pussy milked Royce’s finger as it moved inside her, clamping down on it hard each time he pinched her nipple. “You’re right, she’s very responsive.” Royce withdrew his finger just as she was about to come. “No! Put it back. Don’t do this to me. King wouldn’t let me finish and then he put all this stuff on me and I need to come!” Kicking her legs, she struggled on the stool, trying to get her hands free so she could touch herself. She couldn’t stand any more. Her body shook so much that she feared falling off the stool. The metal ball in her ass left her opening stretched too wide, making it burn each time she clenched on it. Her clit felt huge and swollen, the throbbing becoming unbearable. “Please. Make me come. Please. I can’t take it anymore.” Royce shook his head and stared down at her, pursing his lips as though considering what to do with her. “She’s absolutely amazing, but it seems she’s totally undisciplined. She responds magnificently, but she needs to learn control.” King placed a huge hand over her breast and squeezed. “This is true, but a good Master would be able to control her. She’s especially vulnerable when her ass is filled. It’s something she can’t quite become accustomed to.”

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Royce used the whip to trace patterns over her mound as he stared down at her thoughtfully. “She does have something in her ass now, though, doesn’t she?” “Yes, but it’s rather small. A ball that holds her open a little.” Brenna wrapped her legs around Royce’s in an effort to pull him closer. “Small? The fucking thing feels like a bowling ball in there.” Royce raised a brow, his lips pursing in displeasure. “Maybe you’d better gag her.” “No. Don’t you dare gag—” King clamped a hand over her mouth. “I think I’ll just fill her mouth with cock and we can continue.” Lowering her head, King ripped open his pants and slid the head of his cock into her mouth, effectively cutting off her cries and curses. Holding her up, he began to move in slow, shallow thrusts. “Suck, Red. It’ll keep you quiet and busy. How the hell am I supposed to get a good price for you if you misbehave?” Royce chuckled softly. “That’s much better. Now, you were saying…?” King held her securely, leaving her free to torment him. “Having her ass filled excites her, but when her ass is being violated, she immediately become docile.” Royce appeared to be considering that as if he didn’t already know her weakness and use it to the fullest. “So, if she’s being fucked in the ass, or something is used in her ass in some way, it overwhelms her. The more aggressively she’s used, the better?” “Exactly. May I suggest that you use her ass in order to punish her? It seems to be the most effective way of getting her attention.” The hunger in King’s voice spurred her on. Balanced on the stool, she no longer feared falling, especially with her husbands holding on to her so securely. They’d positioned her in a way that left her breasts thrust out and her pussy and clit completely exposed, while they discussed her. With her mouth full of King’s cock and Royce’s devious hands moving over her, she didn’t know how long she could last. “Her clit is beautiful. Very swollen and red. She must have really enjoyed watching the auction.”

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Brenna jolted at the touch of Royce’s finger to her clit, the light stroke on it enough to send her over. Whimpering around King’s cock, she kicked her feet as her body stiffened, needing more than the brief rush of release he’d allowed. Royce denied her, removing his finger with a sigh. “I can’t believe you’re trying to sell me a sub so undisciplined and untrained that she comes without permission.” King pinched her nipple, sending another wave of heat through her. “She hasn’t learned yet to control her orgasms. I understand her last Masters coddled her.” Royce sighed, running his hands up and down her body, from her abdomen to her breasts and back again. “I can understand that. She really is beautiful, and it would be hard as hell to withhold her pleasure, but her orgasms would be much stronger and more satisfying if she learned to control them.” “Yes, but she’s new at this. Her training has barely begun.” Brenna sucked King harder, using her tongue to bathe the head of his cock. She wanted to smile at his harsh tone, knowing just how aroused he’d become. She couldn’t believe, though, that her training had just begun. She thought she knew it all and would have said so if her mouth hadn’t been full. She just wanted release, and the small orgasm she’d just had hadn’t even come close to giving her the satisfaction she craved. It only made her hungrier. She wanted to come hard. She wanted to ease this torment that King and Royce seemed determined to prolong. Her body shook with the need for release, and she knew both of them had to know it. “I want to inspect her ass.” Brenna froze, her body tense with anticipation, alarm, and need. She knew he had to know what a statement like that would do to her. “Absolutely. Let me just stand her up and remove the straps and remove the ball inside her.” Brenna moaned as King withdrew from her mouth and helped her up. She hadn’t realized how much her back ached from her position until Royce started to rub it.

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He continued to rub it as King removed the straps. “Keep the ring on her clit. I’d like her hood held back while I finish inspecting her.” Royce supported her, his eyes full of heat and love. Reaching down, he touched her clit just as King pulled the ball from her ass, catching her when she cried out and came again. She couldn’t feel her feet, and her legs had long since turned to rubber. She couldn’t even find the strength to hold on to him as the waves of release washed over her. Her clit throbbed harder than ever, making her very aware of the ring there. Her bottom, slick with lube, clenched as though the ball still remained inside her. She felt stretched there, the awareness there making her tremble. Clumsy and shaking, she soon found herself back over the stool, facedown, her legs spread wide. Before she could speak, King slid his cock between her lips again. “This should keep her quiet.” She heard the rip of foil and stiffened at the prospect of having her ass breached again. Royce’s hands closed over her hips and lifted her, thrusting his cock into her pussy with one smooth stroke. Brenna cried out around King’s cock, shocked that Royce took her pussy when she’d been expecting him to take her ass. Royce surged deep. “Very nice. Hot. Tight. She clamps down hard, doesn’t she?” He untied her wrists and ran his hands up and down her back before smacking her ass. “She feels good, but I’m not sure yet I want to own her. She’s a good fuck, though.” Brenna knew damned well that he spoke that way when he wanted to piss her off. She promised herself that she wouldn’t let him get to her, but despite her best efforts, she rose to the bait each and every time. Kicking against him, she tried to move her head to dislodge King’s cock so she could rail at him, but King held steady, his laughter pissing her off even more. “Yes, she’s a good fuck. She sucks cock good, too. She’s also a nice little diversion while you’re watching a game, but you’ve got to keep her gagged. She can be a nag sometimes.”

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Brenna fumed at that. She’d never nagged either one of them. If anything, they nagged her. Even though she knew they were toying with her, she bristled and tried to fight them, which only made her hornier. Chuckling, Royce and King both tightened their holds, easily overcoming her struggles. Royce stopped thrusting only long enough to lean over her and bite her shoulder. “As long as her pussy and ass are available, I can keep her gagged.” He thrust again, digging at that spot inside her, at the same time reaching around her to stroke her clit. Damn it. She fought not to come, not willing to give him the satisfaction of making her go over, especially when he started to taunt her. “You want to curse at me don’t you? You can’t do a thing, though, except lie there and suck King’s cock while I fuck your hot pussy.” He smacked her ass again before reaching under her to pinch her clit. She kicked at him again, using her hands against King’s legs for leverage. Struggling against coming, she tried to reach her clit to push his hand away. Her clit burned beneath his fingers, stinging at the pinch, but there was nothing she could do. In her current position, she couldn’t reach it. Whimpering at the too-strong sensation, she found herself stiffening again, clamping down on Royce’s cock as her orgasm hit her. Sizzling heat raced through her like little electric currents, touching her everywhere. She could do nothing to get Royce to release her clit, crying out in her throat when she crested and he still kept stroking her. She couldn’t stop coming. Too much. Too hot. She milked his cock, clamping down on it repeatedly as the waves kept washing over her. It wouldn’t stop. She bucked. She twisted and kicked at him, but nothing she could do would stop him. Her body jerked uncontrollably as the waves continued to slam into her, her clit on fire now. A groan was her only warning before King came, his cock pulsing against her tongue. Focusing on swallowing, she breathed a sigh of relief when Royce released her clit and struggled to catch her breath as she licked King clean.

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Suddenly, Royce withdrew his cock with a speed that left her clenching at emptiness. She cried out again in surprise and delight when he tightened his hands on her hips and thrust the head of his cock into her ass. The feel of his hard cock forcing its way into her so unexpectedly intensified her feeling of helplessness. She was his to use for his pleasure. He owned her and took her however he wanted and there was nothing she could do to stop him. She loved it—another fantasy come to life. Her scream came just as King withdrew from her mouth, the sudden shock of her ass being impaled stunning her. She couldn’t stop crying out as Royce fucked her ass with short, fast strokes, not even giving her a chance to catch her breath. Fucked hard and deep in the most dominant way possible, Brenna lost all control. In their hold, she couldn’t move. She could only endure whatever her Masters chose to do to her. “Yes. More. Oh God. It burns so bad.” She came again, clamping down on his cock, and making her ass burn even hotter. He filled her completely, forcing the inner walls of her ass to stretch in order to accommodate his thick hardness. She slumped on the stool, drained, her body still trembling and her inner walls still quivering around him. “That’s it. Milk my cock dry, my little sub.” A few strokes later, he came with a groan, holding his cock deep inside her ass. Covering her body with his, he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her, turning to lower himself to the stool with her on his lap, his cock imbedded deep inside her. Brenna whimpered at the shift of his cock in her ass as he moved, remaining stiff until he settled and pulled her close. Slumping against him, she let her eyes flutter closed, moaning in pleasure as his hard arms hugged her to him. “I love you so much.” Royce’s ragged breathing sent shivers through her as he kissed her neck in the spot he loved, right below her ear. “Jesus, woman, I love you. I keep thinking we can have a romantic evening and I can tell you over candlelight and wine, but more often than not, we’re both worn out and sweaty when I tell you.”

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Brenna smiled, not bothering to open her eyes as King moved to stand in front of her. “I don’t mind. As long as you tell me.” Blinking her eyes open, she looked up to see King staring down at her, his eyes unreadable. “What is it?” Cupping her jaw, King ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “Did you really think I would put you up for auction?” Brenna shrugged. “I thought you were trying to teach me a lesson. I know I’m not supposed to masturbate, but I just couldn’t help myself. I thought you were mad at me.” King smiled. “It appears we’re going to have to work on that trust issue a little more. I love you, baby. I would never let anyone else see or touch you. Do you believe me?” Brenna frowned at the seriousness in his tone. “Of course.” Wanting to make him smile again, she laid a hand on his chest and grinned impishly. “You were trying to make a sale a little while ago by telling Royce all my attributes.” King’s smile fell. “Red, we already know all your attributes. You’re perfect for us.” With his hands under her arms, he lifted her from Royce’s cock, earning a disgruntled string of curses from Royce and a moan from her as the head of Royce’s cock slid past the tight ring of muscle. Gathering her close, King held her against him with a hand at her bottom, forcing her to wrap her legs around him. Rubbing her back, he held her as gently as he would have held a child. “I still can’t believe we found you.” Wrapping her arms around his neck, she let her head fall to his shoulder, closing her eyes and smiling. “I think I was the one who found you. Oh!” She cried out in delight at the feel of Royce’s fingers on her clit as he removed the ring there. Royce laughed and rubbed her arm. “So you did, breathing fire and flashing those eyes at us. No wonder we couldn’t resist you.” King kissed her forehead as Royce covered her with his shirt, crossing the room with her in his arms. Lifting her hand from his chest, he kissed the emerald band he and Royce had placed there.

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“And now you’re chained to us for life.” Brenna laughed softly, her body stirring. “Chained?” Royce laughed from beside her. “Rest first, darling. Chains later.” Brenna giggled. “Promise?” “Promise.” Brenna smiled and cuddled closer to King, warm and safe in his arms. “So, if I was on the auction block, would you buy me?” King kissed her hair. “In a heartbeat. I’d beat off all the other men who wanted you and throw you over my shoulder and run away with you.” Intrigued, she looked at Royce. “How much would you pay for me?” He moved to stand in front of King, so that both of them surrounded her. With his eyes full of tenderness and love, as brilliant as the stone on her ring, he took her hand and kissed the gold and emerald band. “Darling, some things in this world are priceless.”

THE END

ABOUT THE AUTHOR When Leah’s not writing, she spends time with her family, friends and puppies, always plotting more.

For all titles by Leah Brooke, please visit www.bookstrand.com/leah-brooke

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com