“Well, I don’t. Want it, I mean,” I say as forcefully as I can.
“How do you know?” he murmurs, eyeing me with interest.
I look at him in disbelief. “How do I know that I don’t want to be…be dominated? To be punished and hurt?”
“Punishment can be a pleasure in and of itself, if performed correctly,” he purrs. His gray eyes are lazy and half-lidded with something like hunger burning far back in their depths.
“How could anyone possibly get pleasure from being punished?” I whisper, feeling my cheeks heat.
“That depends on the punishment.” Lightly, Aiden brushes my hot cheek with the back of his hand. A jolt of electricity tingles through me at the gentle touch.
“I-I don’t understand.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to, Emma. Your earlier modesty tells me that you have very little experience of the sexual world, especially the dark side of that world, which we will explore together.”
A sudden image flares in my mind like a struck match. I can see myself naked before him and tied to the bed. It’s a big four-poster and my ankles and wrists are bound to each of the thick posts with some kind of black cord. Aiden is leaning over me, holding something in his hand. A blindfold. I suddenly know he’s going to put it on me and then do anything he wants…anything at all. My nipples are as hard as bullets and my pussy is dripping, my cunt swollen with a need only he can assuage. There is fear in my hazel eyes but longing also. Longing to give myself to him completely, to submit in any way he wants, to offer myself to my Master…
No! I shake my head, trying to clear it of the disturbing vision. Where did it come from? Did I just have a bizarre fantasy or is the vampire somehow feeding me images of what he wants to do to me? Either option seems equally upsetting.
“But…I don’t want to explore it,” I say, trying to pick up the thread of our conversation.
He shakes his head. “A great pity. This will be more difficult than I feared. Still, what you want is immaterial in this case.”
“Why?” I demand. “Why is it immaterial? If you always give your partners a chance to say yes or no then why not give me that chance?”
He frowns at me. “You ask far too many questions. I would prefer you to sit in silence for the rest of our trip.” Before I can protest his high-handed proclamation he adds, “Every word you speak from now until we reach my home will add to the punishment you already have coming to you.”
“I…you…you…” I sputter incoherently.
“That’s three more strokes,” he says, sounding almost bored. “Would you care to try for more?”
Actually, I wouldn’t. I sink back in the butter-soft leather seat and fume silently instead. Arrogant bastard! But the strange vision I had of myself tied to his bed won’t leave my head. And I’m already wondering, what kind of strokes is he talking about?
Chapter Five
Aiden’s house is a flat-out mansion—no other word fits.
We have to drive down a long, winding road through some pretty dense tropical vegetation, which tells me the vampire likes his privacy. Either that or he forgot to pay the gardener. The house itself is long and low, all one story, which makes sense in Florida. It’s much more expensive to cool a house with upper floors. It’s a sprawling modern design with lots of outer glass walls—surprising in the lair of a vampire. The lights inside give off a soft golden glow in the deepening night, promising a haven of safety. I am sure they lie.
“I spent years missing the sun,” Aiden says, obviously seeing me examining the glass. “When I acquired the means to reacquaint myself with its light, I didn’t want to waste it.”
Well, that explains all the glass. And it’s private and secluded back here. The house is surrounded by dense Florida foliage. So I guess he doesn’t have to worry about anyone seeing him walk around naked. If he does walk around naked. Just the thought has me blushing. If the broad, muscular chest I can see peeking out from the leather jacket he’s wearing is any indication, Aiden James naked would be a sight to see.
Wonder if you’ll be seeing it sooner rather than later, whispers a little voice in my head. I shiver at the thought.
Before I can speculate further, the limo pulls up to the front door, its tires crunching on the crushed-shell driveway. Aiden steps out first and holds out his hand for me. It’s an old-world, courtly gesture, one I’m tempted to ignore out of sheer perversity. A single look at my new Master’s face, however, tells me that would be a mistake. I take the offered hand without comment.
He helps me out of the limo, then takes me firmly by the arm. With his other hand he makes a gesture toward what looks like a motion detector or monitor of some kind and the double front doors fly open soundlessly. Aiden marches me inside and they shut just as quickly with a very final clicking sound I don’t care for one bit. Are we locked in? Before I can ask, he is steering me through the house, one hand still clamped firmly on my arm.
“Hey, wait a minute! Where are we going?” I protest.
“To the bedroom,” he growls. He’s walking so quickly I have to trot to keep up and the opulent house is a blur around me. “Your education begins tonight.”
My education? Is he serious?
Apparently so because the minute we enter a large master bedroom, he releases my arm and says, “Strip.”
“What?” I stand there confused and more than a little terrified. The room we’re in seems built to intimidate. The walls are solid, not glass at least. As for the décor, it’s très masculine. Big, heavy, dark furniture, thick deep-gray Berber on the floors and a huge four-poster bed covered by a maroon spread. With a start, I realize this is the bed I saw in my dream—or vision or whatever you want to call it. The one I was tied to while Aiden was about to blindfold me.
“You heard me,” he says, pulling my attention back to him. He is standing there in the doorway, his broad shoulders blocking my escape and his arms crossed over his chest. “Strip.”
“I… Why do I…?” I can’t finish the sentence.
Aiden sighs in obvious frustration. “Emma, I know you’re new to this but let’s get one thing straight from the start. A submissive does not ask why. She simply does what she’s told to do, the minute she is told to do it.”
“So you’re asking for my unconditional obedience?” My voice is quavering but I’m determined to have my say. “That seems like a tall order considering we’ve known each other less than twenty-four hours.”
Aiden runs a hand through his hair, a very human gesture of frustration. “I will tell you again, I have good reason to demand your submission. And it is not simply my personal preference.”
“What reason?” I demand. “Tell me.”
“In good time.” He eyes me sternly. “For now, do as you are told. Strip, Emma, or I will strip you myself. And I promise you won’t like the punishment afterward if I have to do that.”
He keeps promising to punish me but as yet he hasn’t said how he’s going to do it. How many punishments have I racked up so far? I open my mouth to ask in the most sarcastic way possible but the expression on his face makes me swallow my words. He’s just standing there, waiting for me to obey him. To take off all my clothes and get naked right here and now. I open my mouth again and this time what comes out is, “Do I really have to?”
His eyes soften a little at my pleading tone. “Emma.” He takes a step toward me and I back up, my thighs hitting the footboard of the tall four-poster bed.
“Please,” I whisper. I realize I’m begging now but I can’t seem to help myself. All my sass and sarcasm has leaked away now that I’m pressed up against the bed with the huge, dominating vampire looming over me.
“I understand that you’re frightened and shy,” he murmurs softly, taking another step forward into my personal space. “But I must have you naked, my lovely little witch.”
There is a finality in his deep voice that tells me he’s not changing his mind about this. I’m going to have to do it, no matter how much I
don’t want to.
“Fine,” I say, feeling furiously self-conscious. “I’ll strip. But don’t blame me if you don’t like what you see.” Turning my back to him, I push down the long peacock-colored skirt and let it pool around my ankles. Then I take the loop of fabric from around my neck and slip off the halter as well. Finally I’m left in nothing but the strappy black sandals Lexy loaned me and a pair of blue lace underwear. I know I should take them off too but somehow I just can’t.
“Emma,” Aiden says softly and slowly I turn to face him. I cross my arms over my chest, hiding my too-large breasts as best I can.
I know most women would die to have a double-D cup but my bra size has always been a source of embarrassment to me. I remember the taunting voice of a girl I hated in high school. “More than a handful’s too much, Emma.” And her friend had laughed and added, “Yeah, and Emma has more like a car-full! Besides, big boobs don’t count when you’re fat.”
I’ve slimmed down some since those dreadful days but not nearly as much as I want to—as I should. Of course, if someone would have told me I would be standing naked—or nearly naked—in front of a supernaturally hot and hunky vampire in the near future I would have hit the Stairmaster a little harder.
“Take your arms away,” Aiden says quietly. “Let me see you.”
Miserably, knowing I have no choice, I do as he says. I feel completely exposed with my breasts bare, my nipples on display. Because they’re so big, they’re not exactly as perky as I’d like. Of course, not everyone with big boobs can look like a porn star—most of them are only so firm and high because they’re sporting a plastic rack. Still, I feel woefully inadequate standing there in front of the gorgeous Aiden.
“Emma,” he says. “Look at me.”
“Why?” I much prefer to study the carpet. Is there a swirly pattern in the Berber? It’s completely fascinating. Or at least better than looking up to meet those piercing eyes I can feel boring into me.
“Remember what I told you a submissive never asks?” he remarks.
Crap. Reluctantly, I look up at him.
“Now,” he says softly. “Why are you ashamed?”
“I told you in the car,” I say. “Because I’m shy. And because I’m not tall and skinny and perfect.”
“Like the cousins you mentioned? The ones you grew up with?”
Hesitantly, I nod. “Yes.”
He frowns. “And if they and their type are so attractive, why didn’t I choose one of them as my Sacrifice?”
“I don’t know,” I say miserably. “I don’t know whyyou picked me. Is it because you’re still mad about what happened in the shop?”
He shakes his head. “No, it has nothing to do with that. Although I must admit, I wanted you from the first minute I saw you.”
“You-you did?” I can’t quite believe it. Then I remember the way he kept watching me so intently while I was trying to get the herbs he was requesting.
Slowly he nods. “I did. I find your shape, which you seem to be so ashamed of, quite beautiful.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, looking away.
“You don’t believe me.” I can hear the frown in his voice. “But it’s true, Emma. The modern standard of beauty has changed but my own ideal has not. Your hourglass curves are much lovelier than any of the skinny stick women I see walking around these days. Why would I want to bed a woman who looks like an adolescent boy?”
“I don’t know.” Finally I look at him again. The blazing intensity I see in his eyes finally convinces me he’s telling the truth. Wow. “Thank you,” I say at last, not knowing what else to say. “That’s…it does make me feel somewhat better. Knowing you like, um, full-figured girls.”
“Full and luscious.” His gaze roams over my body in a way that makes my skin tingle and my cheeks get hot. “But I cannot see all of you just yet,” he continues, his eyes fastening on my blue lace panties.
“Oh, I…” I glance down at the little triangle of fabric between my legs, which is all that stands between me and total nudity. I’m guessing they’re going to have to come off. Reluctantly I hook my thumbs in their lacy sides, preparing to push them down.
“No, wait.” Aiden holds up a hand to stop me. “Let me,” he murmurs.
Before I can say anything, he is kneeling before me, his breath hot on my inner thighs. He cups my hips for a moment, his large hands cool on my hot skin. Then slowly, as though he’s unveiling a masterpiece, he slides my panties down, baring my pussy.
I’m not sure if I want to die of embarrassment or faint from lust. I’m extremely glad of my rigorous personal grooming routine. I keep the area in good shape, even if no one but me ever sees it. My brownish-blonde curls are neatly trimmed and the slit of my pussy is just visible.
“Beautiful,” Aiden breathes and runs one fingertip gently over my heated flesh, tracing my slit lightly from top to bottom.
I gasp and bite my lip. I was fully prepared to hate this part of the Sacrifice deal. After all, I’ve never had sex before and now I’m going to be forced into a sexual relationship with a man I barely even know. What I wasn’tprepared for was his gentleness. His tenderness and consideration in assuring me that my body pleases him as it has never pleased me. I also wasn’t prepared for the way his featherlight caresses make the heat pool between my legs and my breath come short.
“Do you like that, Emma?” Aiden looks up at me as he strokes his fingertip over my slit once more. I’m getting wet now—I can feel it. Looking down, I realize I can see it too. My pussy lips are getting puffy and swollen, opening to reveal my slippery pink inner cunt. I die a little inside with embarrassment. Surely Aiden will know exactly how much he’s affecting me. There’s no hiding it when my own body is acting against me this way. “Emma?” he says again, raising an eyebrow at me.
“I…yes,” I say at last, knowing I can’t lie to him. Not with the evidence on display like this. I squeeze my thighs tightly together, trying to make it less obvious. “Yes, I-I guess so.”
“You guess so?” He frowns. “Perhaps I should do something to make you more certain.”
“No, no!” I protest quickly. “It’s good. Really…really good. I’m just… I’m not used to this kind of thing.”
“I’m beginning to think you’re not used to anything of a sexual nature,” he remarks, finally rising to his feet.
I bite my lip. Should I tell him I’m a virgin? It’s my most closely guarded and embarrassing secret. Even worse than being a dud.
“I’m glad you’re capable of enjoying pleasure from my touch,” Aiden says, looking down at me. “But I’m afraid you’ll also have to endure pain.”
“Pain?” I try to back away from him but the damn bed is in the way again.
“Yes, pain.” Casually he sits on the bed and pats his lap. “Come here, Emma. It’s time for your punishment.”
Chapter Six
“What kind of punishment are we talking about?” I ask nervously, keeping my distance.
“One which will be worse if you don’t come to me at once.” Aiden frowns. “Don’t make me come and get you, Emma. I promise you’ll be sorry if I do.”
Feeling trapped, I inch reluctantly toward him. Moving faster than I can see, Aiden reaches for me and pulls me to him. The next thing I know I’m over his lap with my torso resting on the bed, my ass in the air, and my legs hanging down.
“Wh-what are you doing?” I stutter, trying to turn my head and see him.
“Giving you your punishment.” Aiden looks at me sternly. “The one I promised you. The one you earned by disobeying me.”
“Okay, all right, I know all that,” I babble. “But what…how…?”
“How am I going to punish you?” He looks slightly amused. “I would think that would be obvious. I’m going to spank you.”
“What?” The word comes out in a breathless squeak. I don’t know what I expected when he kept promising to punish me but not this—never this. Being put naked over his knee and spanked like a little
girl… It’s just ridiculous. Isn’t it?
“You heard me.” One of his large, warm hands is rubbing my naked ass now, sending shivers down my spine. “I’m going to spank you, Emma. Ten strokes for refusing to do as I ordered during the Sacrifice Ceremony and three more for the words you uttered after I told you to stop speaking.”
“You can’t be serious,” I say blankly. “I’m not some naughty little kid who got in a food fight at school.”
“No, you’re my defiant submissive who doesn’t know how to submit,” he fires back. “This is lesson number one, Emma. If you disobey, you get punished.”
Before I can say another word his big hand comes down on my bottom hard. Smack! I gasp—damn, that hurts!
“It’s meant to hurt,” he says and I wonder if he’s somehow reading my mind. He strokes my ass again, as though finding just the right spot to let the next blow fall. “Don’t tighten up like that, Emma darling. It doesn’t help.”
But I can’t help myself. Every muscle in my body is clenched. When his hand falls I bite my lip to keep from gasping again. And then it falls over and over, each time accompanied by a bright starburst of pain and the flat smacking sound of his palm connecting with my flesh.
I lose count around seven. I can no longer hold still. I’m writhing in his lap, desperate to get loose but there’s no way. Aiden has me pinned, my legs held firmly down.
The pain is bad but the other sensations are worse. The feeling of being pinned down, held, punished ought to make me angry as hell. Instead I feel…something else. A heat that seems to start somewhere in my belly and spreads to my entire body. I feel so bare, so naked, so hot, held helpless in his lap like this. He can literally do anything to me and I can’t stop him. My pussy feels wet again and my nipples are hard little nubs, rubbing against the maroon satin duvet.