Ann Mayburn - Sodom and the Phoenix

On her knees, she was at the height of his cock and couldn’t help but notice he was aroused as well. That knowledge made her feel a tiny bit better and gave her a sense of her own power. He may hold the leash, but she willingly let him do so. The leather around her throat became less constricting, and she found she could breathe easily.

“I am so proud to have you as my pet for the day, little flame. Look at the masters waiting by the river for their subs to appear. They want you, badly, but you are mine.”

She stole a glance out of the corner of her eye as her tail wrapped around her paws like a fur blanket. True to his word, the doms had all turned to watch them. Each had focused on her with a burning intensity that sped her pulse. She quickly looked away, but in her imagination, those gazes continued to burn along her skin.

Bryan shifted, and her attention was drawn back to him. She found herself staring at the deep brown hair around his belly button that led a trail down into his pants. In the sunlight, it gleamed with hints of gold highlights, and she wanted to rub her lips against his sectioned abs, nibble the ridges until he grabbed her and used her to relive the ache she started in his body.

His voice startled her out of her daydreaming when he said, “I heard about what you did at the hotel last night with that sub who was hurt. You jumped right in to help a complete stranger. That was a very brave thing to do, and I’m proud of you.”

Unable to stop herself, she actually wriggled with pleasure from his praise. “Thank you, Sir. I didn’t help alone. Other people were there.”

“I know. Julia is a friend of mine.” He snorted, and she stole a glance at him, catching his bemused smile. “She told me if I didn’t treat you right, she’d find a dom who would.”

She frowned and placed a hand on his boot. “I don’t want another dom, Sir.”

He cocked his head and glanced at her hand, then back at her face. “Why?”

Looking down at the gleam of leather beneath her claws, she tried to think of a way to explain her complex feelings. “I feel…safe with you. I mean, I realize this is just a vacation-fling-type thing, but I couldn’t imagine facing all of this”—she gestured to the scene around them—“without someone strong to lead the way. To help me be brave.”

Silence met this statement, and her heart hurt when she met his gaze and saw displeasure reflected in the cool blue surface of his eyes. She’d said something to upset him, but she couldn’t figure out what. Trying to make up for her unknown blunder, she licked her lips and struggled to be as honest as she could. “I want you to be my master, and I want to be your submissive. I know I don’t know much about how to be a good sub, but if you teach me, I’ll do my best to please you. I-I like it when you’re proud of me. It makes me feel good to know I’m making you happy.”

He was silent for a moment, and she had to resist the urge to fidget beneath his intense gaze. “Do you truly want to know what it would be like to be my submissive?” He invaded her space farther, making her feel very small and feminine. “I’m not an easy master. I demand perfection from my subs, and I expect them to execute all my commands with grace.”

To her surprise, he drew her to her feet so that their bodies almost touched, separated only by air. “I think so.” She caught his raised eyebrow and lifted her chin while lowering her gaze to his chest. His muscular, lickable chest. “Yes, Master.”

“Do you have any questions for me, little flame? Think hard, because once we begin, I may choose to gag you and you won’t be able to do anything but moan.”

She looked up at him in shock and saw the amusement in his warm, blue eyes. “How will I know what you want me to do? As amazing as you are, you must be used to experienced subs.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she stiffened in embarrassment. Goodness, why didn’t she just drool on him while she was at it. And way to go reminding him just how unskilled she was.

He stroked his hand along her arm, curling his fingers into hers. That normal, affectionate gesture helped her to center herself, to think beyond her panic a bit. “While it’s true that I have been with many well-trained submissives, I find your honest, innocent responses to be very arousing. Anyone can be trained to do and say the right things, but that doesn’t make them a good submissive. That comes from in here”—his fingertips traced over her chest, dipping between the swell of her breasts—“in your heart and your soul.” He tilted his head to the side, and a hint of powerful emotion raced through his gaze. “You are an amazing woman, Tanwen, and I am honored by your trust in me. Never doubt that for a moment.”

His praise zinged through her body and heated her desire for him. “Thank you, Master.”

“You won’t have to guess what pleases me. I will tell you what I want you to do.” He gently extracted his hand from hers and grabbed both of her wrists, his hands becoming restraints. Her body heated further until she swore she could smell her own arousal in the air. “Now, are you ready to give the control to me? To trust me to take you where you need to go, to follow my directions implicitly?”

She was tempted to just blurt yes , but he’d been very open with her, and he deserved the same kind of honesty in return. A little ball of happiness joined the desire churning through her body as she realized how freeing it was to be able to be honest with him, to not have to worry about…well, everything. She didn’t have to worry, because she wasn’t in control. The only thing she had to do was enjoy and please. Something in her mind, in her heart relaxed, and the joy grew until she couldn’t help but smile at him.

“Yes, Master.” On impulse she leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

That warm emotion surged in his gaze again, and he stroked her cheek. “You may find some of the things I ask you hard to do, but remember, I will never ask anything of you that I think would harm you. I will punish you if you break my rules, but I won’t abuse you. You are mine to protect and cherish.” His grin turned wicked, and he cupped her breasts, squeezing hard. “And mine to fuck and punish. What is your safe word?”

“Pineapple.” Her pussy contracted, and she was suddenly ravenous for him. She leaned toward him, eager for a kiss, but he jerked her hands behind her back, effectively shackling them together with his grip on her wrists. He closed the space between their lips slowly before kissing her until her toes curled. When he pulled back, his eyes had darkened, and his lips firmed as he stared at her. There was a subtle shift in his overall body language, and she recognized that he was assuming his role as her master. She looked away, unable to hold his gaze as authority and control seemed to roll off him in almost visible waves that made her weak in the knees with desire.

“Don’t speak unless I ask you a direct question, and no petting any cute bunny boys or kitty girls without my permission. You will follow my every direction with the grace I know you’re capable of. Understood?”

“Yes, Master.”

He stepped back and slowly examined her from head to toe, the heat in his gaze growing until her skin fairly tingled as if he were touching her. He reached toward her breasts, and she tensed in anticipation of his touch on her nipples, but he merely grabbed the leash dangling between them. Some of her disappointment must have shown, because the lines around his mouth deepened as a grin twitched on his lips.

He tugged on the leash and pulled her toward him. Bryan ran his knuckles over her breasts, circling the hard points until she trembled. Her traitorous tail wrapped around him again, and he made a pleased sound deep in his throat before pinching her nipple hard enough to send a fiery path of pleasure and pain through her body. His gaze thawed a bit, and her shoulders lost their stiffness. “There is something I’m going to try with you.”