Jesse glanced at the large duffel over Cam’s shoulder. “Did y’all want to change? You know where to go, Cam. We’ll be in the living room. Sangria good for you both? Or would you rather have iced tea?”
“Sangria’s perfect,” Cam said. He glanced at Marissa. “You?”
“For me too.” She nodded, thinking a little wine might help ease the nervous fluttering in her belly.
They walked through a nicely appointed living room with fine leather furniture, large wooden bookshelves lined with books and framed photos, and striking black and white photographs of city landscapes on the walls. The whole apartment was suffused with the delicious aroma of baking bread.
Cam ushered Marissa into a large windowless dressing room, though instead of clothing and shoes, the walls were lined with enough BDSM gear to stock a small store, along with racks containing a large assortment of whips, floggers, crops and paddles. Two of the four walls were entirely covered in mirrors. There was an empty clothes rack with a few hangers dangling from it.
Cam dropped the duffel on the carpet. Reaching for Marissa, he gripped her gently by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. As Marissa stared up at him, all the chatter and hubbub of the workweek was quieted in her head. The tension she hadn’t even realized she’d been carrying slid from her like a discarded jacket. Her lips parted and her breathing slowed as she focused on her Master.
She could feel his power, and her entire body thrilled to its call. “Sub girl,” he said in a clear, low voice.
“Sir,” she replied, held willingly captive by his penetrating gaze.
“There are rules in Master Jack’s house. You will obey the rules as if they were mine.”
“Yes, Sir,” Marissa agreed, transfixed.
“In Master Jack’s house, subs do not speak unless spoken to, except to ask permission to speak. They don’t sit on furniture, or use utensils. Any Master’s word given to you tonight is an instant command to be obeyed without hesitation or question. Does this suit you, slave girl?”
Marissa felt suddenly dizzy, as if she’d already had the offered wine. A flush moved over her skin and her nipples ached with longing. “Yes, Sir,” she whispered.
Cam released her and turned toward the duffel. She stood frozen for several moments as she watched him take out their things and lay them on the carpet. He stood and pulled his shirt over his head. Marissa’s mouth actually watered at the sight of his muscular chest and tapering waist. When he slid out of his jeans, she had to catch herself to keep from moaning out loud.
Stripping quickly, she pulled on black stockings with the pretty lace at the thigh, the only underwear that would be permitted tonight. She slid on the velvet skirt and picked up the corset.
She turned again to Cam, who was lacing the crotch of his sexy leather pants. “I’ll need your help to get this on, Sir.”
“I’m tempted to have you wear only the stockings and heels.”
Marissa pressed her lips together to keep from making a decidedly un-submissive retort. Mutely she held out the bustier.
Cam grinned. “Okay, okay,” he relented.
Together they fitted the corset around her midriff. Standing behind her, Cam pulled the satin stays into position. As they tightened, Marissa’s waist was cinched, her breasts plumped together to create deep cleavage. She couldn’t help but stare at herself in the mirror. A part of her brain still had trouble reconciling the sexy, curvaceous woman who stared back at her with her deeply ingrained persona as the no-nonsense Dr. Roberts.
“You are breathtaking,” Cam said from behind her. He pushed her gently but firmly against one of the mirrored walls so her back was to him, her cheek resting on the smooth glass.
His body was hard behind her, his erection poking like a fist into her lower back. Marissa’s entire being throbbed with desire. She wanted Cam to fuck her then and there, without tenderness, without mercy.
There was a knock on the door. “Hey, quit monopolizing the changing room. There are people waiting, you know.” Marissa recognized Tony’s voice. The knob turned and Cam stepped back from Marissa, who swallowed her groan of dismay.
They exchanged quick hugs with Dana and Tony, and returned to the living room. Jack was standing with a man Marissa hadn’t yet met. Before introducing him, Jack and Cam exchanged greetings and a hug. Jack nodded toward Marissa, his dark eyes moving over her like fingers. Marissa felt herself flushing beneath his penetrating gaze, but managed to keep her arms at her sides.
“Welcome to our home, Marissa. You look lovely,” he said, finally releasing her from his stare. “Dorian”—Jack turned to the tall, thin African-American man with large, dark eyes and friendly smile—“allow me to present Cam’s sub girl, Marissa. She’s new to the scene.”
Dorian extended his hand, and Marissa took it, feeling shy but ridiculously pleased to be referred to publically as Cam’s sub girl. “A pleasure, Marissa,” Dorian said in a smooth tenor, his long fingers cool and strong around hers. He wore a white button-down shirt open at the throat to reveal his smooth chest. The shirt was tucked into leather pants the color of toffee.
Jesse appeared from the kitchen with a tray containing wine glasses and a glass pitcher of Sangria with slices of orange and lemon floating on top. He set the tray on the coffee table beside a platter of cheese and crackers. Dana and Tony entered the room a moment later. Dana was stunning in her short skirt, see-through blouse and thigh-high boots and Tony looked suave in a black silk shirt and black linen pants over designer Italian loafers.
Cam, Jack, Dorian and Tony sat down—Jack and Dorian on chairs, Cam and Tony on opposite couches. Large flat pillows were strategically placed around the sitting area. Dana lowered herself carefully in her short skirt beside Tony and laid her head sweetly on her husband’s knee. Jesse sat cross-legged beside Jack, his face suffused with happiness as Jack stroked his shoulders and back.
Marissa lowered herself to her knees beside Cam. He placed his hand on the back of her neck and his touch sent an electric jolt of desire through her. He leaned close and whispered, “You belong to me, slave girl.”
Jack poured the drinks and handed out the glasses. Marissa drank the chilled, fruity wine, relaxing as the alcohol’s warmth suffused her body. The four seated men exchanged small talk about mutual friends, favored piercing techniques, the latest BDSM gear and various other topics while Dana, Jesse and Marissa stayed quiet and sipped their wine.
It was an exercise in restraint for Marissa not to chime in with an observation or opinion. At one point Dana smiled and winked at her, as if to say, Look at us, a physician and an attorney, barely dressed in our leather and satin, kneeling at the feet of our Masters! The odd thing was, Marissa found she didn’t really mind. Or no, to be honest, she found the situation rather thrilling. She felt vibrant and alive, and excited about the coming ceremony.
Jack and Jesse served a delicious meal of grilled rib eye steaks with sautéed mushrooms, mixed salad with balsamic vinaigrette and thick slabs of homemade bread slathered with melted butter. It was a strange experience to kneel on a cushion on the floor beside Cam and let him feed her, though Marissa had to admit there was a certain eroticism to it she hadn’t expected. Dana and Jesse seemed completely at ease beside their Masters, which made it easier for Marissa to accept.
When the meal was over, Jack led them all into a carpeted room that contained a medical exam table complete with stirrups. A thick, white towel covered the padded leather. There was an antique library table beside it, the small lamp on it providing the only light in the room. Beside the lamp were dozens of shrink-wrapped needles set neatly in rows, along with clamps, gauze pads, cleaning solutions and other items reminiscent of a surgeon’s operating room. A pile of additional clean towels was folded in a laundry basket nearby. Three folding chairs faced the setup, a flat silk cushion placed beside each chair. Narrow, high shelves were set against the walls, the surface of each covered by tall, fat candles set in brass holders.
Jesse and Dana moved
together toward one of the candle shelves. Jesse lit two long, narrow tapers and handed one to Dana. They began to light the candles, moving quickly from table to table until the room was illuminated with the warm, flickering glow of candlelight.
Dorian, meanwhile, stood conferring softly with Jack. Tony was already seated, and Cam sat down beside him, beckoning Marissa to join him. She knelt on a cushion next to her lover. He bent down and kissed the top of her head. “I love you,” he whispered.
It was on the tip of Marissa’s tongue to respond, until she remembered Cam’s warning in the dressing room. She would honor the house rules, and so she only smiled.
Her attention was diverted to the shiny needle Dorian was unwrapping from its protective plastic. She could imagine its sharp prick against her skin. While the thought sent a shiver of fear through her body, at the same time she couldn’t deny the fizz of excitement skimming along her skin like tiny bubbles.
The candles all lit, Dana returned to kneel next to Tony. She smiled warmly at Marissa, who smiled back.
Jesse went to stand beside Jack in front of the exam table, their backs to the room. Dorian stood in front of them like an officiating minister. Jack reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet jewelry box, which he handed to Dorian. Dorian opened the box and set it on the library table.
Turning back to Jack and Jesse, Dorian placed a hand on either man’s shoulder. “We are gathered here this evening,” he began, “to witness Jesse’s offering to his Master, Jack, a ceremonial display of his submission. Jesse willingly undergoes this piercing as a testament of his love and obedience. Jack accepts this offer and bestows the gift of his ring, a permanent and daily reminder for Jesse of Jack’s love and mastery.”
He took a step back and gestured toward the exam table. Jesse unlaced the string that held up his pants and, without a trace of self-consciousness, let them puddle at his feet. He was completely naked underneath, and shaved smooth as a baby. Jack and Dorian helped him settle onto the exam table and place his feet into the stirrups.
Unbidden, the image of herself up there on that table, naked, legs spread wide, filled Marissa’s mind, and her body tensed as if waiting for the sharp bite of the needle’s point to pierce her flesh. She shuddered and then felt Cam’s warm, comforting hand on her back. She leaned into him, relaxing beneath his touch.
Dorian put on a pair of disposable latex gloves, selected a needle and moved to stand between Jesse’s legs. He wiped the underside of Jesse’s now erect cock with a cleansing pad and touched the point of the needle to the chosen site.
“You will feel a pinch,” he said. “Just breathe in and let it out. Stay centered on what matters, which is your love and devotion for your Master.” Jesse nodded. “Count to three,” Dorian continued. Jack was standing beside Jesse, holding one of his hands and looking down at him with a tender expression.
“One…two…three.” Dorian moved his hands. Marissa couldn’t really see just exactly what he was doing, but she could hear Jesse’s sudden intake of breath. Dorian reached for the small stainless steel Prince Albert ring, wiped it with a sterilized pad and slid it into place on Jesse’s cock.
“Done!” Dorian said, smiling broadly at Jack, who grinned back. “It’s perfect.”
As if they’d all been holding their collective breath, everyone in the room seemed to sigh at once. Then they all laughed and clapped their hands in approval as Jesse sat up on the table, his face beaming with happiness and pride.
As Jack helped his partner from the table, Marissa noticed Dana tugging urgently at Tony’s sleeve. “Please, Sir. May I speak?”
Tony turned to Dana with a smile. “Of course, darling. What is it?”
“I decided. I’m ready,” she said eagerly as she jumped up from the cushion. “Please, Sir. Please, Master Tony. I’m ready for my piercing.”
Marissa gaped at Dana with astonishment. She hadn’t said a word about being pierced. What the hell? As if feeling her gaze, Dana turned to Marissa with a small shrug. I wasn’t sure, she mouthed silently. Now I am.
Tony and Dana went to stand where Jack and Jesse had been. Dorian stripped away the towel on which Jesse had lain and smoothed a fresh one in its place.
Marissa looked up at Cam. With a smile, he took her hand into his. Do you want this for me? Marissa silently telegraphed to her lover. She recalled what he’d said when he first told her about the piercing ceremony: That’s never something I would demand of you. It would have to be something you asked of me.
Do I want it?
Marissa tried to concentrate on Dorian’s words, but her mind kept veering to another scenario, one involving Cam and her. She was lying on that exam table, legs spread, her hand in Cam’s as Dorian slipped the needle through her labia. Was it really so simple? She only had to ask?
As if he were listening to her thoughts, Cam squeezed Marissa’s hand, though his eyes remained fixed on the couple in the front of the room.
Marissa watched as Dana removed her blouse, her small, high breasts standing proud on her chest. Marissa was surprised when Dana let Tony help her onto the table while still dressed in her boots and skirt. How would she spread her legs in that tight skirt? Marissa turned to Cam, confused. He mouthed the word nipples.
Marissa turned back, trying to process this new information and adjust her expectations accordingly. Tony handed Dorian a slightly larger box than the one Jack had produced. Dorian opened the box and Marissa saw what looked like the gleam of diamond in the candlelight as he set it on the library table.
Dorian put on a fresh pair of gloves. He squeezed some antiseptic liquid onto a gauze pad and wiped both of Dana’s erect nipples with the cleaning solution. He and Tony quietly discussed the precise placement of the jewelry, and then Dorian gripped one of Dana’s nipples between thumb and forefinger, pulling it taut.
“Breathe,” Dorian intoned, the needle poised for insertion. “Take the pain for your Master. Embrace the pain for yourself. One…two…three.”
Dana yelped, the sound high and shrill, and Marissa gasped, her own nipples aching with sympathy. Dorian reached for one of the nipple rings, wiped it with the sterilized pad and slid it into place using the tiny plastic sheath still threaded through Dana’s nipple.
“Perfect,” Dorian pronounced as he daubed away a bit of blood. He reached quickly for the second needle and pulled her other nipple taut, while Tony murmured something close to Dana’s ear as he stroked her face.
“One…two…three.”
Again Dana cried out. Dorian worked quickly, and soon had the second hoop in place. Dana sat up. She was laughing, her cheeks flushed, her eyes shining. “Oh my god! I did it! I did it! Tony, I did it!” Dana touched the gold rings hanging from her nipples, a small, round diamond set into each ring.
Again there was laughter and applause. Jack and Jesse joined the couple as Tony and Dana embraced. Cam and Marissa stood as well. Marissa could barely focus, emotions skittering and slamming into each other in her brain, the overriding one of which was, she realized with a shock, a longing so intense it took her breath away.
I want that. I want it too.
She looked at Cam, at once surprised, but not really, to find he was staring at her, rather than at the revelry in front of them. She had never been with a man like Cam, someone who seemed to intuit her emotions and her needs almost before she did. She felt known, and the realization warmed her down to her toes.
“Are you ready, sub girl?” Cam said in a low voice. “Is it your turn?”
“Yes,” Marissa whispered. And then louder, as she sank to her knees in front of her Master, “Yes, please, Sir.”
Cam reached down and held out his hands. Marissa took them, allowing him to pull her to her feet. “But,” she said with dismay, “we don’t have a ring.”
Cam's smile broadened into a grin as he slipped his hand into his pants pocket. “Actually, we do.” He pulled out a clear plastic bag, holding it on his palm so Marissa could see. Inside was a tiny gold ring
with a small gold ball holding it closed. “I bought it when Jack first invited us, just in case.”
“If I could have your attention,” Cam addressed the room, which immediately quieted. “My sub girl and I wish to share in the piercing ceremony tonight.” He held out the ring. “Marissa has agreed to accept this gift of ownership.”
Yay! Dana mouthed as Marissa and Cam approached the front of the room. Marissa smiled, the crazy butterfly flutter in her belly quieting a little at her friend’s sweet and enthusiastic show of support. They stood together in front of Dorian. Cam took Marissa’s hand as Dorian intoned, “Marissa, do you give this gift of submission freely to your Master?”
“I do,” Marissa said, turning to look at Cam, whose radiant smile was like warm sun on her skin.
“And you, Cam, do you accept Marissa’s loving offer of devotion and her willingness to wear your ring?”
“I do.”
“Please disrobe and take your place on the table,” Dorian said to Marissa. Pleased to note her hands weren’t even trembling, she unzipped her skirt and let it fall to the carpet. She stepped out of her high heels and let Cam help her onto the table. She placed her feet into the stirrups, nervous but determined.
Cam stepped beside her and took one of her hands in his. “I’m so proud of you, Marissa,” he said softly.
Marissa kept her eyes on Cam’s face as Dorian gently cleaned the spot he and Cam agreed on for the piercing on her right outer labia. She looked into his deep blue eyes as she felt the tug of Dorian’s gloved fingers. “Breathe,” Dorian commanded. “Take in the peace and serenity that is submission. One…two…three.”
There was a sharp pinch and then a sudden burning sensation.
And then it was over.
A rush of endorphins hurtled through Marissa’s bloodstream, and she laughed with sheer joy. And then everyone was laughing with her. Cam pulled her from the table into his strong arms and whirled her in a circle before setting her down. Dorian was saying something about aftercare, but Marissa didn’t hear a word. She knew Cam would take care of her.