PRESENT DAY

***

Arlo

***

The night was calm, dark as I walked up to the door. I slid my key into the lock, surprised to discover the glow from the television dancing across the living room walls. Smoke drifted across the screen, rising from the building we had burned, the news broadcaster’s voice going silent the moment I walked inside.

“Why do you burn them?” Cole asked from the couch, pointing the remote at the muted TV.

“We sort of stole– not stole– it– he– followed us– followed Siren–” I paused my stumbling words, rubbing my hands over my face. “We have some tracks we need to cover for a little while.” I glanced around the dark room, peering towards the hallway. “Where’s Gem–“

“Asleep.”

I sat down next to him, the TV screen blurring the longer I stared at it. “Has she mentioned anything about Lexa’s offer?”

“Nope.”

“Did she tell you about our argument?”

“The one where you told her to carve her initials into your arm?”

I sighed, slouching against the couch pillows.

“You’re making this too complicated.” He put the remote on the coffee table then sat back, turning towards me. “Pick a collar she can easily take off before you have to go to work, set your limits and enjoy the game. Problem solved.”

“That’s easy for someone with no limits to say.”

“I have limits.”

“I find that hard to believe. I’ve seen the things she does to you.”

His lips curved into an amused smirk. “Cuck stuff. Nothing makes my cock soft faster than the thought of some guy sucking on it.”

I laughed, rubbing my hands over my face as I stood up. “I’ll make sure to add that to my list of limits as well. Thanks for the tip.” I wandered down the hallway then felt my way through the dark bedroom, pulling off my clothes. The bed was warm, her body warmer when I wrapped my arms around it.

Her hand ran down my cheek, her naked skin pressing against mine. “You smell like ash and smoke,” she murmured through tired lips.

“I’m sorry, Mistress.” I sat up, rubbing my hand over my neck as I stared into the darkness. “For everything.”

**********

2 YEARS PRIOR

***

Gemma

***

My front door opened, my body tensing when Cole walked inside. He immediately came to where I was, kneeling down to kiss my thigh, his smile flashing towards me before fading. “What’s wrong, Mistress?”

“Nothing.” The word came out too quickly, too obviously, his eyes narrowing at the sound.

He sat back on his heels, his gaze running over my face. “What’s wrong, Mistress?”

“Nothing. I’m fine. You’re here to clean, right?”

His eyebrow raised as he slowly nodded. “Nothing and fine, the two most terrifying words that can come from a woman’s mouth.”

The smile pulled at my face, refusing to leave. I shook my head, trying to force my lips closed, my skin burning as he stared at me.

He paused, his eyes widening. “Does this have something to do with last night?”

“It’s nothing. It’s fine.” I buried my head in my hands, the heat in my face spreading through my body as I tried to force myself to stop fidgeting.

“You’re freaking me out.”

“It’s just–” I shook my head, the nervous smile tearing at my lips. “Nothing.”

“Please, Mistress. Tell me.” His lips began to curve into their own nervous smile.

“I’m…” I inhaled, trying to force words from my mouth. “Curious! I’m curious!” I covered my face, unsure about my word choice but it was the only one I could discover.

“I’m…lost.” He stared at me, searching.

“Your cock!” The words burst from my lips, my hand gesturing between his legs.

“It’s yours to do with as you please, Mistress.”

“But I’m too… I’m not sure… It’s just too–” I put my hand over my face, stopping myself from further humiliation.

He leaned forward, pulling my hand away from my burning skin. “We’ve got time. I’ve got patience. If that’s what you need from me, Mistress, we’ll figure it out.”

I stared at him, my smile instantly fading when his rocked through me. “Now.”

“Now?”

“Now.”

He reached forward, lifting me off the couch and throwing me over his shoulder. “Yes, Mistress.”

“Cole!” I squealed, laughing as he packed me down the hallway. “Put me down!”

“Yes, Mistress.” He hoisted me from his shoulder, dropping me on my bed. I reached for him when I bounced, his arm wrapping around my waist to ground me. He climbed on top of me, brushing my hair away from my face. “We going old fashioned?” he teased, pressing himself between my legs.

“Never.” I rolled on top of him, a warning twisting through me when I realized how much I wanted him, my heart once again dragging me over an edge I didn’t know if I was ready to leap from. His smile called me to it, our styles perfectly aligned when our tongues entwined, his taste silencing the thoughts in my head. I rubbed against him, my body pleading for more as his cock pulsed back, our clothes a torturous barrier.

His hand slid between us, underneath my waistband and through my arousal. His tongue faltered when he felt it, his cock pushing against me when his fingers slipped inside me. I tensed when they curled into me, the sensation rippling through me. My wet need echoed through the room the rougher he played, the gasps falling from my lips into his mouth with every movement.

“My favorite sound…” he whispered, his fingers forcing another flood of need from my body.

I reached down, shoving the pants off my body, his hands fumbling with his zipper. I paused when his cock showed itself, larger than I remembered, his hand stroking it as if it needed further encouragement. He slid the tip over me, soaking it with my arousal, then held himself still while I lowered myself onto him.

I exhaled, regretting my recent choices, unsure how much of him was inside me but already fairly certain it was too much. “This isn’t going to work.”

His smile flashed, his head slowly shaking. “Relax, Mistress.” His knees bent, rocking me forward, my hands falling into the pillow by his ears. “Relax,” his voice rolled through me again. His fingertips slid under my shirt, trickling up my spine. His hips shifted beneath me, the small thrust bringing my clit sliding down his cock. The sensation scorched through me, forcing a gasp from my lips when he did it again. I shoved my hips back, the friction easy to discover, a tremor rolling through me when he slid deeper inside me.

His arms tightened around me, his hips pushing me away with each small thrust before gravity brought me sliding back down his cock. I relaxed into the heat of his body, succumbing to the rhythmic bounce, the vibration of the impact rippling through me. His tongue flicked through my lips, teasing as it searched. I tried to follow its movement, longing for his taste but unable to suppress the moans he was drawing from my lips.

I nuzzled into his neck, closing my eyes, following his body wherever it chose to take me. It was a strange peace, the strength of his body calming as it moved beneath me. He wasn’t fully inside me, a feat I doubted we would ever accomplish, but his restraint tore through my soul. I reached up, running my hand over his cheek before grasping his hair, the warmth building within me beginning to blur into fire. I let the climax take me, shivering and whimpering as the world faded into nothing but him inside me.

***

It had been two days. Two days of taking Ibuprofen so I could walk normally. Two days of wondering if I trusted him too much. Wanted him too much. Two days until he called and told me he wouldn’t survive a third. I scanned his office, making my way to the wall of windows overlooking the city. “Your office is so… Christian Grey-esque.”

“That’s the part I have to play when I’m here.” He sat back in his leather chair, running his hand down his navy blue tie. “But I promise I’m not fifty shades of fucked up.”

The smile he all the time seemed to be able to summon pulled at my lips. I made my way towards him, wrapping his tie around my hand as I pressed my lips to his. “You need to decide on a 24/7 collar.”

He stood up, offering me the chair before kneeling at my feet. “Yes, Mistress,” he murmured, his tongue dragging up my bare leg, pausing when it reached the hem of my dress.

“Cock cage…”

He shook his head, his lips teasing the inside of my thigh.

“Butt plug…”

“Sounds desensitizing…”

“Piercing…”

“I actually already had something in mind.” He opened the bottom desk drawer, pulling out a box and setting it in my lap.

I tore open the flaps, digging through the packing peanuts until my hand wrapped around another box. It was black and square, the lid snapping open like a jewelry box, my lips curving when I saw the device inside. “A cock shock collar?”

“It’s much more than just a shock collar. High technology, runs off an app you download to your phone. App is password protected so once it’s registered to you, I won’t be able to control it.”

I turned it around in my hand, studying the two loops and prongs. “Are you sure it will fit?”

“Absolutely. I had it custom made. It wraps around my shaft and my balls and locks, so I can’t take it off myself.” He picked up the small set of keys, handing them to me. “Promise me you won’t lose them.”

I smiled, enjoying the excitement on his face. “Promise.”

“It has quite a few settings– shocks, vibrations, pulses– all at varying speeds and frequencies you can set via the app and control from anywhere.” He paused, his lips curving. “I thought you would enjoy tormenting me from afar.”

Heat rocked through me, quickly fading when the warning twisted through my stomach. I stared at the shock collar, imagining all the methods I wanted to torment him with it, the warning cutting through me again. I was falling too far too fast, and unlike him, I was fifty shades more fucked up than he could ever imagine.

***

Cole

***

Her legs were crossed, her black leather boot shining as it bobbed in agitation, her stare distant as the world rolled past outside the windows of the limo. It was a view I couldn’t see from my place on the floor, but I imagined it was the same as it all the time was, unlike the nervous expression on her face. I watched the stiletto heel, contemplating before leaning forward to press my lips to the top of her foot. The bounce stopped instantly, her hand reaching out to run through my hair.

I shifted on the floor when the limo made a sharp turn, watching as her foot began bobbing again. “Are you okay, Mistress?”

The bob froze, her arms crossing over her black leather corset. “Madame Lexi called earlier, asking if I would run a scene.”

The feeling I was missing something weighed heavy in my head. “Am I needed for the scene?”

She nodded slowly. “It’s a scene with another man.”

I hesitated, glancing down at the nice slacks and button up shirt she’d asked me to wear before running my fingers over the metal collar around my neck, trying to read between the lines. “I won’t fuck a man–“

“That’s not what this scene is about.” Her eyes darkened, her body tensing. “Do you trust me?”

“With all my heart.”

She shifted, inhaling before meeting my gaze. “I think I’m falling in love with you.”

I smiled, surprised she was eager to admit it, my smile fading when her lips rubbed together.

“I thought I was in love before, but I was wrong. This time I’m going to be more careful. I need to know you’re the one before I let myself fall so hard again.”

“How do you know when someone’s the one?”

She paused, searching the ceiling as she contemplated. “They’ve seen the darkest parts of your soul, and they weren’t afraid to take your hand and run with you through the shadows.”

“How poetic,” I teased, hoping to see even a small curve to her lips.

They remained set, her gaze distant as it hunted mine. “I’m a domme, Cole.”

“I know.”

“Do you?”

The limo rolled to a stop, the engine cutting off before the door opened. I climbed out, glancing around the unfamiliar space. I was expecting to be at the Château, but we were at a mansion I’d never seen before. Ivy climbed the brick walls, creeping over some of the windows, a strange oversight compared to the pristine lawn and rose bushes. A man in a suit waited on the front steps, smiling as we approached. “Mistress Gemini,” he started, holding out his hand. “What a pleasure.”

“Master Aaron.” She placed her hand in his, allowing him to raise it to his lips.

“I was curious who Madame Lexi would send this time.” He glanced at me over her shoulder, his eyes assessing. “Maybe fifth time’s the charm.”

We stepped into the foyer, a crystal chandelier dangling above our heads. The walls seemed to glow a dull yellow, the tile floor almost the same color. Abstract paintings covered the walls, the random swirls of greens and blues clashing with their ornate frames.

“You read the file I assume?” he asked, gesturing for us to follow.

She nodded, her dark hair swaying down her back as she walked. “Why doesn’t he come to the Château?”

He stopped outside a red door, his hand wrapping around the handle. “His game, his rules.” He paused, forcing a half smile as he let us inside. “Good luck, Mistress Gemini.”

The air was heavy in its silence when we stepped into the room, the space empty other than a cabinet pushed up against the far wall and the man standing in the center. His head tilted as he watched us, his blond hair bright against the collar of his black shirt. “Which domme did they send me this time?” he asked, stepping towards my mistress.

She waited until he stopped several feet from where she stood, calm as she assessed him. “Mistress Gemini.”

“I’m Master William.” His attention moved to me, his gaze lingering on my collar. I raised my chin, showing off my pride. “Your personal slave, Mistress Gemini?”

“My bodyguard.”

The side of his lip curved. “Are you familiar with Omegaverse, Mistress Gemini?”

“I didn’t come here to discuss erotic fiction.”

His smile widened, his eyes glancing towards me again. “The safe word is Omega. Let’s see who admits what they are first.”

I tensed, unsure why she would need a safe word, but certain if he did anything to make her say it, I would offer no mercy no matter how many times he screamed it.

She crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes narrowing. “Strip.”

He pulled at his tie then his shirt, dropping both to the floor. He puffed out his chest, his muscles flexing, the threat clear as he watched me over her shoulder. “You’re going to have to work harder for the pants, Mistress.”

“And you’re going to have to work harder to keep me interested in this scene.”

He flashed a smile, getting to his knees and crawling towards her. “Is this what you prefer in a man?”

My nerves fired in warning the closer he came. He stopped when he reached her feet, bending lower to run his tongue from the top of her foot to her thigh. She grabbed his hair, jerking his head back. “Did I give you permission to touch me?”

He froze, his smile fading as his face hardened. “No, Mistress.” He reached forward, grabbing her leg and dragging her to the ground. She hit the floor with a thud, her hand still locked in his hair. His tongue ran over her cheek as he climbed on top of her. “Say it, Mistress. Say what you are–“

My arm choked off his words when it wrapped around his neck, my heart pounding as I dragged him off her. His fingers dug into my skin as he fought, trying to pry my arm away from his neck, but the safe word didn’t cry from his lips. I refused to release him, my rage overpowering his strength, the red blurring my vision slightly fading when I found her watching us struggle.

She stood over us, a rich flush flooding her cheeks. “Did you think my slave would allow you to treat his mistress that way?”

His resistance paused, my chokehold loosening.

“Is this real enough for you, Master William?” She bent down, her voice low with warning. “I can promise you I won’t run screaming, so I hope this is what you truly want.”

He tensed when she reached between his legs, struggling again when she unbuttoned his pants. I tightened my grip, holding him still, watching her lips curve when his cock rose towards her, giving away the game.

“Hold him down.”

He jerked out of my grasp, not making it far before I tackled him to the floor. I listened for the safe word when my knee dug into his back, his arms flailing by his sides as I tried to grab them. He muttered curses and grunts when she opened the cabinet, getting louder when the sound of her heels headed back towards us.

She bent down, grabbing his left arm while I grabbed the right, pulling with all her weight to force it behind his back. He squirmed beneath me as I held his arms, curious if he was using all his strength or just enough to convince himself he tried his hardest to escape. She buckled restraints around his wrists, moving out of the way when his hands were locked in place.

We stepped back, catching our breath while we watched him thrash around on the floor. Her hand ran through mine, her fingers trailing down my palm before falling to her side. “You can say it, Cole,” she whispered. “Say your safe word. It’s okay. You don’t have to play this game with me.”

I leaned towards her, pressing my lips to her cheek. “Never, Mistress.” I moved towards our captive, grabbing him by the hair, the sadist in me willing to see him squirm at her feet. I pulled him to his knees, dragging him to where she stood.

“Congratulations, Master William,” she started, staring down at him. “You have my full, undivided attention. Maybe nobody ever warned you to be careful what you wish for.”

His cock jumped, the truth in his struggle. “You don’t have it in you, Mistress,” he taunted. “They never do.”

She leaned down, her lips curving. “Say it, Master William,” she murmured, dragging her tongue over his cheek. “What are you?”

His arms jerked against his restraints, but the safe word didn’t cry from his lips. Her smile flashed again as she straightened, her heels echoing through the silence as she made her way to a cabinet. A ring gag dangled around her wrist when she turned back, a strap-on held tight in her hand.

He began to fight harder, trying to get to his feet, his pants slipping down his thighs with the struggle. I grabbed him when he stumbled, letting him fall far enough to feel his predicament without allowing his face to slam into the floor. Her fingers wrapped into his hair from behind, pulling his head back before forcing the gag into his mouth. His tongue danced through the o-ring as he sat back on his knees, his eyes watching while she secured her cock into it’s proper place.

She stroked over the silicone, her lips curving as he grunted indecipherable words. She subtly gestured towards his hands, hidden from her view behind his back. His fingers remained uncrossed, the non-verbal safe word unspoken, at least for the moment. I gave her a half nod, grabbing him when he began to fight as she stepped forward.

“How many women have you done this to, Master William?” she taunted, grabbing his hair roughly as she slid her cock through the ring. His head jerked as he gagged, her movement slow and deliberate. “I don’t blame you. There’s nothing quite as erotic as the sound of a man choking on my cock.”

Need flooded through me, or maybe it was jealousy, or the stirring of a sadist, or a twisted cocktail of all three. I loved her smile as she tormented him, the arousal soaking her thighs calling for my tongue. My cock pulsed as I watched him submit to her, wishing it was me in his place, his body shaking as he accepted his fate. It was a struggle I would never figure out, my own desire to submit never bringing with it doubt about my masculinity. I knew who I was, what I wanted, and that I would be her strength because she was my soul.

She tightened her grasp in his hair, her strokes getting rougher. Drool dripped from his mouth as his cock dripped over the floor. I relaxed my hold on him but never broke contact. He continued to test, brief moments of fight to make sure I was still there forcing his compliance. His fingers curled and balled into fists, careful to never cross.