Cherise Sinclair - Dark Citadel

Leaning a big arm on the bar top, he gave Kari a long, slow look that made heat rise in her cheeks. “Little subbie, do you want another rum and Diet Coke?”

Would speaking get her in the same kind of trouble as Sally? What were the darned rules in this place? “Just Coke, please.”

He didn't yell at her. Instead, he turned to Jessica. “Margarita?”

“Yes, thank you, Master Cullen.”

His laugh boomed through the bar. “So formal. Setting a good example for your friend?”

Jessica grinned.

Master Cullen set the drinks in front of them, gave Kari another of those looks , and left to take another order. Her face heated. Jeez. With a rueful smile, she glanced at Jessica. “I swear, I've spent most of my time here blushing. And sometimes I'm not even sure why.”

Jessica laughed. “If you mean Cullen, some of the more powerful Doms can make you turn red just by looking at you.”

“Well, no wonder then.” This place was obviously littered with strong Doms. Her mind turned back to what had caused the worry gnawing away in her stomach. “Tell me about Sally. When she messed up, Master Dan gave her to some Dom—any Dom—to use . That seems like almost rape.”

“But it's not.” Jessica held up her wrist. “Did you see the ribbons on her cuffs?”

Kari nodded.

“They show what kind of activities a trainee is into. Red for serious sadomasochism, yellow for milder pain like spankings, blue for bondage, and green for sex. If she had a green ribbon, she was all right with being given to any Dom here.”

“Oh.” Wow. What would that be like, to be just handed over to someone? Kari took a hefty gulp of her drink, wondering if she should have had the rum.

“This place can be overwhelming. The first time I was here, I just wanted shelter during a storm. I didn't know it was a BDSM club. There was all this stuff going on.” She rolled her eyes. “I got in so much trouble…”

Kari grinned. “Tell me more.”

“Next class, I'll give you the full story. For now, how do I convince you that Master Dan's not a white slave trader?”

“Uh. It helps knowing he didn't do something that Sally wasn't expecting, I guess.” Kari frowned. But now that he wasn't touching her, looking at her, she was starting to have second thoughts. Did she really want to continue? All the other beginners were off in dark corners practicing that bondage stuff, and Master Dan would be expecting to do that with her. And he wasn't any beginner. A little thrill ran through her at the thought of his big hands on her, and she squashed it down. “But I don't know him, and to let him tie me up or something seems insane.”

“I understand completely. What can I tell you about him…” Jessica tapped a finger against her chin as she thought. “He and Master Z are friends, and he's been a club member for years. He used to come with his wife, but she died, and he hasn't been seriously involved with anyone since. Z said he's changed; apparently he used to laugh a lot more. He helps with the beginners, and you certainly aren't the first new sub he's taken under command. Oh, and the subs say he's one of the best Doms in the place.”

Kari breathed out. Was she pleased or unhappy with this information? Knowing he was a respectable Dom—and didn't that sound like a contradiction in terms—meant she had no excuse to back out. And she both wanted to and didn't want to stop, before anything got more intense. She sighed and finished her drink.

“It's scary stuff when you're not used to it.” Jessica pursed her lips and gave Kari a wry look. “And even when you are used to it. If you have a good Dom, that sense of uneasiness can be pretty exciting.”

Kari glanced toward the front and saw the group of dungeon monitors reentering the room. Master Dan's gaze scanned the room. When his eyes came to rest on her, the floor seemed to drop a few inches, leaving her dizzy. Apparently, his look was even more potent than the other Doms.

He strode over to the bar, his gait long and powerful, and stood so close she could feel the heat radiate off his body. He smiled at Jessica. “Thank you for staying with her,” he said. “Kari, did she answer your questions?”

Kari nodded.

His hand tilted her chin up so he could look directly in her eyes. “Do I have your trust? Do you want to continue?”

She bit back the yes that wanted to escape from her lips. Think, Kari . But she knew the answer, and it wasn't changing. “ He's one of the best ,” Jessica said. That must be better than blundering around with beginners. “Yes,” she said. “Continue.” Oh God, was she insane?

She glanced at Jessica, and her uncertainty must have shown.

Jessica gave her a sympathetic look. “I'll get back to Z then.” She shook her finger at Master Dan. “You be nice to her.”

Master Dan frowned. “If you were mine, I'd beat you more often.”

Appalled, Kari sucked in a breath and then saw a smile pull at his lips, the gleam of laughter in his eyes.

And Jessica only laughed as she slid off the stool and moved away.

Grasping Kari around the waist with hard hands, Master Dan lifted her off the stool and set her on her feet. Startled, she clung to his arms for a second, getting her balance. “All right, Kari. Here are the rules for the rest of the evening. You do what I say. Immediately. Without arguing. You don't speak unless I ask you a question. If you say anything, it had better be 'yes, Sir.' You will address me as either Sir or Master Dan.”

His voice roughened. “What do you say to me, little sub?”

Startled, she jerked, then bit her lip before answering slowly, “Yes, Sir.”

“Very nice. Now let's see if I remember where we were before the lessons started.” He pulled her closer. And closer until she was plastered against his body, her breasts flattened on his wide chest. He bent, taking her mouth gently, tipping her back until she grabbed his shoulders for balance. He held her easily while he plundered her lips, his tongue plunging into her mouth until her head swam. When he pulled back, her hands were buried in his hair. With a laugh, he set a hand on her bottom to press her against a hard erection. “This is what that soft, hot mouth of yours does to me,” he whispered in her ear.

Her insides flared with heat.

Clamping an arm around her waist, he led her to the back of the room. They passed roped-off areas along the wall, each with a different piece of ominous-looking equipment: benches, something that looked like a sawhorse with a shelf on each side, a massive wooden X against the wall. Some had shackles and cuffs, and Kari's eyes widened as she tried to imagine how a person would be attached.

Master Dan smiled slowly. “Next time, you will see more of the equipment. And use some of it.”

Oh…my . She imagined herself cuffed to the bench or on that thing against the wall, and her lower regions actually tingled. “Um. Where are we going?”

They went past a small island of plants, and he turned into a sitting area with a couch and chairs. A coffee table had the requested RESERVED sign on it. “Right here. This is as private as we're going to get tonight.” He pulled her down onto the couch beside him and gripped her shoulders. “All right, Kari. What's your safe word?” he asked.

Kari looked up at him. His face was serious, the humor gone. And she was alone with him.

Dan smiled as she looked at him with wide eyes. She had no idea how those helpless looks could affect a Dom.

“Red,” she whispered. She bit her lip again, and he couldn't stand it.

“If anyone nibbles those lips, it will be me,” he murmured, licking over the plump bottom one. He tilted his head and took her mouth, then delved deep inside. She tasted of rum and Coke and something that was essentially Kari.