Cherise Sinclair - Breaking Free

“I don’t need a drink,” she said and added a belated, “Thank you, Sir.”

“Do you have a problem with alcohol?”

“No, Sir.” She was back to staring at the floor. “I just prefer to have all my senses.”

“I prefer you have a few less. One drink only and you will finish it all.” He grinned when her little fists clenched and released for the second time tonight. So there was still a fire burning down there. The asshole who’d damaged her hadn’t wiped that out. “Cullen, bring her a screwdriver.”

When the drink came, Nolan handed it to Beth and led her to a couch. He took a position at one end. She started to kneel, and he stopped her. “Sit beside me. We’ll leave high protocol for another time.” To be clear, he added, “I will tell you when I want it observed. You won’t have to guess.”

Her mouth relaxed slightly, just enough to tell him she’d been disciplined before for guessing incorrectly about…probably everything. Some Doms kept their requirements impossible to meet so they had an excuse to mete out punishment. He might say he didn’t work that way, but he could see she didn’t believe a Dom’s words. Her trust would have to be earned. His gaze ran over the scars on her breasts; she had good reason for fear. He patted the cushion beside him and, as she sat down, slid her closer until her thigh touched his. Her fragrance drifted to him, a hint of strawberry and lemon, pleasingly light compared to the heavy scents of the club.

He nudged the drink toward her lips, watched her take a sip before pleasing himself and taking her breast into his hand again. Odd how satisfying her little breast was, perching like a dove in his palm. And like a captured dove, she froze in his grip. Under his fingers, the tiny thud of her heartbeat accelerated. He ran his thumb over one of the shiny burn marks. “You were with the bas-person who did this to you for two years, right?”

She stiffened, her mouth flattened into a line, so he waited. She didn’t seem to know how to deal with patience or silence. The asshole must have been both impatient and a shouter.

Her tongue wet her lips. “Yes, sir.”

“Long time.” Bet it seemed like a lifetime. And from the way her muscles tensed, she wouldn’t willingly discuss that period. Another item they’d work on later. Hell . Topping her was like walking blindfolded through a minefield. “Drink,” he growled, and she started.

She took a sip.

“How often do you masturbate?” he asked.

She choked, and red stained her cheeks.

He smothered a smile. In the lifestyle for years and still modest? Amazing. “Answer me, sub.”

She took a hefty swallow of her drink. “I don’t.” After a second, she managed to look him in the eye. She had lovely eyes, the color of the turquoise jewelry his mother collected.

“Why not?”

The red deepened. Normally he enjoyed seeing a sub flush, but this was almost painful.

“I… It didn’t… I couldn’t get off, and I can’t explain why.”

But oddly enough, he could understand. He’d come to a few conclusions about her. He figured her last relationship started off well, even with good sex, but as it turned ugly, she’d probably shut down her response to pleasure as well as pain.

Could her arousal be dependent on being dominated? “Could you orgasm before those two years?”

“Yes, Sir.”

Good. “Was that just from masturbation or also with a man? And, if so, what kind of men?”

Her brows, thin arches of reddish-brown, drew together.

“What?” he asked.

“This isn’t what I expected. Questions. Talking.”

“A conversation of sorts?” Nolan ran his fingertips along her jawline, noting the stubborn set to her chin despite the delicate bones. “Didn’t any of the other Doms talk with you?”

“I…” She stared down at her hands. “They tried. I didn’t want… I just wanted to get started.” She glanced up at him hopefully.

He stomped that hope to dust. “Not gonna happen, sugar. You’re going to learn to talk to me. Answer my questions.”

“Yes, I could get off with men before,” she snapped, then turned dead white, flinching away from him.

Leaning back, he set his boots on the coffee table and took a slug of Corona. He’d almost forgotten he had the damn drink. “I’m not going to haul off and hit you, Beth. During a scene, I expect proper respect. During a conversation, as long as you refrain from outright rudeness, I will tolerate more.” He smiled and toyed with the half-curls touching her shoulder. Apparently the fiery glow of her hair was matched by her spirit. “It’s rather fun to see you flare up. What kind of men got you off?”

“Well…” How in the world was she supposed to answer that? Beth frowned.

Master Nolan took her hand and held it despite her efforts to pull away. “Big men? Gentle men? Doms or vanilla?”

“Beth, you’re here!” Attired in a tight blue latex dress, Jessica trotted up and leaned over the back of the couch. “I’m glad you made it. Do you want-”

Master Nolan didn’t even look up. “Jessica. Go away.”

“Sorry to interrupt,” Jessica said brightly without moving. “I haven’t seen Beth, and I wanted to talk to her for-”

“Silence.” Master Nolan’s face turned cold. Mean. Eyes widening, Jessica took a quick step back.

He lifted his hand, and a trainee hurried over. “Sir?”

“Fetch Master Z immediately.”

“Yes, sir.” The sub ran. Beth would be running too if the Dom looked at her like that.

Master Z must have been at the bar for he appeared within a minute. “Is there a problem?”

“Your sub interrupted, spoke to my sub without permission, and ignored my order to leave.” Master Nolan’s ruthless gaze flicked over Jessica, returned to Master Z. “Deal with her.”

Master Z’s jaw tightened as he heard the offenses. He hadn’t even looked at Jessica. Now he asked Master Nolan, “Do you wish to participate?”

Master Nolan snorted. “I have enough on my plate.”

“She was just worried about me,” Beth said. She couldn’t let Jessica be hurt for trying to help. “That’s not fair that-”

Master Nolan’s gaze settled on her like black fire. “Be silent.”

Her tongue froze in her mouth.

“Please send for Jessica later so she can apologize properly,” Z said to Master Nolan. Z’s gaze when it settled on Jessica was enough to chill Beth inside and out.

Face pale, Jessica took a step back. “Sir, I didn’t-”

Z shook his head, and Jessica closed her mouth, biting her lip until it turned white. After locking her cuffs together, he pulled her away, heading toward the stockade. His voice trailed back, “Since you enjoy annoying Doms so much, I think we’ll let the Doms show their appreciation.”

Beth touched Master Nolan’s wrist and dared to say, “Sir, she was just trying to help me.”

His cheek creased as if he almost smiled. “I know. And I wouldn’t have pursued the matter if she’d left when ordered. But she’s not only loyal but also foolish.” He put a finger under the glass she held, lifted it toward her mouth. “Finish that before it’s undrinkable.”

She drank it down, and a slight buzz hummed through her veins. Cullen made strong drinks.

“Tell me about the men you’ve been with.”

“You are so tenacious.” She huffed in exasperation, shocked when he laughed rather than slapping her to the ground.

He’d actually laughed. God, he looked different when the coldness disappeared. The sun lines around his eyes crinkled, a crease appeared in his cheek, and he was… Her world shifted sideways, leaving her dizzy. She could not be attracted to him.