PRESENT DAY

***

Arlo

***

Something had changed. I could feel the weight, heavy in her silence, her gaze following me as I went about my tasks. I needed to earn my reward, the past few days in the Maze almost unbearable. When she took a breath I held mine, my body tense as I waited.

“I’m accepting Lexa’s offer.” Her lips pressed together, her arms wrapping around herself. “It’s time for me to be back where I belong.”

I rubbed my hands over my face, inhaling to keep from exploding. “You’re going to train men to be sex slaves?”

“I’m going to prepare men for life in the community. Sex has nothing to do with it.”

“You have Cole. You have me. I don’t understand how we aren’t enough.”

“How many times are we going to circle this fight? You have your siren. I’ll always come in second place.”

“Gemma–“

“You’re not her hostage.” She paused, the tears rolling down her skin. “I can’t spend my entire life waiting for the day you disappear again.”

“I’ll never dis–“

“You will! You can’t promise me you’ll survive another battle! And I’ll never know if you’re dead or just hiding again.”

“That’s why you have Cole–“

“Cole is everything you refuse to be. You’ve always run from my darkness, but he dances with me in the shadows.” She looked away before turning back, wiping the tears from her face. “I love you. I’ve always loved you and that will never change. No matter what happens, you will always have a place in my life, my heart, my bed, but I can’t sacrifice this part of myself for you anymore.”

**********

2 YEARS PRIOR

***

Cole

***

“This is it.” I gestured around my house, at least, the parts of it she could see from where she stood.

She spun around the foyer, taking it in. “I’m sure you’ve heard this a lot but… it’s too big.”

I laughed, wrapping my arm around her waist to pull her to me. “It’s all a part of the game I have to play. I’m the Jones the rest of the world is trying to keep up with. It’s why they trust me with their business.”

She smiled, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I should warn you Mr. Sterling, I don’t make love. I fuck. Hard.”

My cock pulsed, pressing against her. I leaned down, running my lips up her neck, pausing by her ear. “Same.” I dropped to my knees, trying to shove my head between her legs, flicking my tongue over her jeans.

“Enough.” She grabbed my hair, jerking my head back as she stepped away. I crawled behind her, following her as she wandered through the downstairs. “Your parents?” she asked, pointing at one of the framed photos hanging on the wall.

“Yes, Mistress.”

She made her way through the living room then the dining room, stopping in the kitchen to search through my cabinets.

“Looking for something in particular?”

Her smile faded as she closed the freezer door. “The last time I went through a man’s kitchen I learned everything he had ever told me was a lie, so I still have some PTSD from that experience.” She pulled the half empty carton of milk out of the refrigerator, checking the date. “Is this real?” She paused, turning towards me. “Are you real?”

I patted my hands over myself as if inspecting. “I hope so.”

“With Arlo I was never enough yet at the same time I was always too much.” She shoved the milk back into the fridge, closing the door. “Then you came along and no matter what I do, you act like it’s normal. Like I’m not crazy.”

“I don’t believe in normal and I don’t believe in crazy. We’re all just treading the line between what’s natural and what’s acceptable.”

Her mouth opened then closed, her lips pressing together as her arms wrapped over her chest. “What do you want from me, Cole?”

“I want to take care of you. Indulge you in whatever kink you want to explore.”

“Why?”

I hesitated, unsure how to confess. “I’m Cole Sterling, Mistress. I’m the living embodiment of what a man is supposed to be- big house, big bank account, big… smile. Never kneel, never submit, never be vulnerable…” I glanced around the enormous kitchen, sighing as I found her gaze again. “I’m tired, Mistress. Tired of living every day as someone else’s fantasy.”

She stepped towards me, reaching for my hand. Her fingers curled into mine as she continued wandering, peeking in the office to scan the numerous awards and plaques hanging on the walls. “How long have you lived here?”

“About five years.”

She stopped at the bottom of the stairs, gesturing towards the hallway. “What’s down there?”

“Bathroom, theater room, guest bedroom, stairs to the basement and wine cellar.” I followed on hands and knees when she walked up the stairs, waiting patiently as she investigated the other guest bedrooms, bathrooms, and upstairs living room before finally making her way into my bedroom.

“It’s too big.” She sat down on the edge of my bed, staring out the window. “Your bedroom is as big as my entire house. My kitchen could fit into your closet.”

“Maybe that closet,” I started, gesturing to the left. “Not that one. That ones smaller.” I pointed to the door on the right before running my mouth up her inseam.

“This bed is huge.” She rolled onto her stomach, pulling herself into the middle before spreading her arms out and collapsing. “How many other women have been in this bed?”

“At the same time?” I ran my hand over her back, rubbing my fingers into her skin.

“That feels good,” she murmured, relaxing into my caress.

I grabbed the waist of her pants, pulling them down far enough to run my tongue over the curve of her ass.

“Did I give you permission to taste me?”

“I can’t help it,” I mumbled, pulling her cheeks aside to bury my mouth between them. “You taste so good.”

She squirmed and laughed as I rimmed her, my tongue following her movement until she finally began to relax and accept the sensation.

I slowed when her movement ceased, her breath calm as she focused. My tongue was soft as it circled, keeping her mind right where I wanted it. I ran my finger over her, circling where my tongue caressed.

“Don’t get any ideas,” she started, twisting around to glance at me over her shoulder. “You’re not getting anywhere near my ass with that cock.”

“What if I had a smaller one?” I stood up, wandering towards my dresser. I pulled open a drawer, grabbed out a plastic package then held it up, showing her the strap-on. “And they say money can’t buy everything…”

She rolled onto her back, her head tilting as she grinned. “What other surprises do you have in there?”

“Just a few impulse purchases.” I pulled out the drawer, dumping its contents onto the bed.

“Hmmmm…” She dug through the pile, wrapping her hand around a ball gag with two dildos attached. “Brand new?”

“Promise.”

A wicked grin flashed over her face, her eyes darkening. I crawled back onto the bed beside her, smiling when she rolled onto her stomach, her ass presented for my worship. An incoherent murmur fell from her lips when my tongue caressed over her skin, deftly rimming her as my hand pressed between her legs. Her ass rose up, pressing into my mouth before she rolled onto her back once again. “Open,” she prompted, holding the gag to my lips.

My cock pulsed when she pushed the first dildo into my mouth, the silicone smooth as slid over my tongue. I grunted when it hit the back of my throat, my own cock jumping at the sight of her smile.

“Get them nice and wet for me,” she taunted, pulling out the first dildo and replacing it with the other. The bumps slid between my lips, my tongue running between the crevices. She reached down, her hand pulling at the button on my pants to free my cock from confinement. Her hand stroked over me as the dildo stroked into my mouth, the rhythms falling into synch. “Is this what you were hunting for?”

I grunted, the closest to a “yes” I could manage.

Her lips curved as she pulled the dildo from my mouth, turning it around quickly and pushing the ball gag in its proper place. I bit down on the ball as she tightened the buckle behind my head. She shoved me down, my back pressing into the mattress as she climbed onto my face. I held my hands up to steady her, her fingers locking into mine as she lowered herself onto the dildos. The first slid into her pussy easily, the second more hesitant as the bumps slipped one by one into her ass. Her hand moved to her clit, circling slowly when she began to grind down.

I inhaled, her scent rolling through me, her breasts flawless as they moved with her rhythm, her body rough as it pushed against my face. I wanted to hear the breath gasp from her lips, watch her legs as they trembled, see how much pleasure I could milk from her body. I moved against her, my head grinding back against her circling hips, her moans the only praise I needed to know I was giving her the friction she was desperate for. My cock throbbed, crying out for the attention it was being deprived. My hand was a pathetic substitution, the torment an exquisite agony.

Her climax was harsh and unforgiving, her movement jarring through my neck and down my back, reminding me of all I would do for her. The pain was my sacrifice, her pleasure my kryptonite, as it should be. As it would all the time be.

***

I pulled at my tie, staring down the twenty-one stories to the people wandering the streets below. There was an emptiness in the enormous office, one that echoed with my movement, following me wherever I went. The sound was supposed to be rich. Powerful. Bouncing off the enormous windows and high ceiling, my simple desk and leather chairs not enough to break the vibration.

I paused my stroll when a knock rocked through the room, Shelley’s curly grey hair poking around the door. “Ms. Callahan is here.”

I nodded, curious to meet the woman I’d heard had all the connections I needed to expand my empire. Heels echoed towards the door, holding my attention until the door opened farther. Shelley stepped apart as red stilettos shining against black trousers stepped inside. The familiar face stunned me, her smile flashing towards me as she pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head, leaving them seated in the soft curls of red hair.

I held out my hand as she approached, glancing over her shoulder as Shelley disappeared out the door. “Cockmaster Mia. I should have known.”

Laughter lingered from her lips as she accepted my handshake. “Cockmaster?” She paused, feeling the taste of the title on her lips. “I like it.”

“I didn’t know you were in real estate.”

“I’m into anything that makes me, and my clients, lots of money.”

I nodded, gesturing towards my desk. “Why don’t we sit down–“

“I like the view.”

I paused, assessing her unwavering stance. “Then we’ll enjoy the view.”

“The business side of our relationship will be simple. I have clients with money to invest in property. You’ll help me with that. Simple.”

“Theoretically simple–“

“What are you doing with Gemma?”

“Whatever she wants me to do.”

“Why?”

“Why not?”

“Don’t talk circles–“

“Then don’t make it so easy.”

“Don’t test my patience. I can promise I don’t have much.” She paused, eyeing the plaques on the wall behind me. “There are plenty of dommes at the château. Why are you clinging to her?”

“Because she’s not fixated on my cock.”

She stepped back from the window, narrowing her eyes.

I mimicked her stare, unsure how carefully I needed to tread but eager to take the risk. “Since I answered your question satisfactorily, would you answer one I’ve been curious about?”

“You can ask, but that doesn’t mean I’m obligated to answer.”

“What happened in Gemma’s last relationship?”

She made her way towards the door, pausing with her hand on the handle. “If you hurt my friend, I’ll bury you.”

***

Gemma

***

I picked up my phone, my lips curving when I opened my favorite new app. Cole had been right. I did enjoy tormenting him from afar. It had become my new favorite activity, a novel distraction throughout my day, though I was certain the disruption it caused to his day was far worse. “Come on PK,” I prompted, patting my thigh on my way into the kitchen.

PK followed on all fours, remaining calmly at my feet as prepared his lunch. I glanced at the bottle of wine his owner had left me as a thank you for puppy sitting, eyeing the label. “Chateau Mouton Rothschild,” I mumbled, shrugging. “Is that a tasty wine, PK?” I asked, setting the bowl of food at my feet.

His smile flashed towards me before he bent down, his slave collar glistening around his neck as he devoured his food.

I picked up my phone again, opening the app and hitting the vibrate function, setting it to pulse. My phone dinged immediately, his message simple: “I’m in an important meeting, Mistress.”

“Apparently he’s in an important meeting,” I mused, smiling down at PK. “How unfortunate.” I hit the shock button, wishing I could see how he was managing to cover the discomfort.

My phone lit up again, his name flashing over my screen, the message a simple word. “Ouch.”

I smiled, turning back on the vibrate function to soothe away the pain. “Good boy, PK,” I cooed, running my hand through his hair.

He sat back, his tongue flicking my fingers when I tried to scratch his head.

My phone started ringing. Cole’s name lighting up the screen, his voice low when it drifted through the speaker. “Are you trying to kill me, Mistress?”

“What’s wro–” The words drifted off when I remembered I’d left him on vibrate.

“Please, Mistress. I’ve had my hard cock stuffed into my waistband for thirty minutes and my balls are starting to hurt.”

Laughter burst from my lips as I pulled my phone away from my ear long enough to turn his collar off. “Better?”

“Thank you, Mistress.”

“When you get home from work tonight, you’ll pay for my kindness.”

A rough breath rolled through the speaker. “At your mercy, as always.”

I hung up, tapping my fingers against the counter, my heart second guessing before I began typing out the text with Mistress Anastasia’s address. I glanced down at PK, curious how Cole would react when he realized what sort of puppy I was petsitting.

PK followed at my heels as I made my way upstairs, past his framed football photos hanging on the walls, past the framed jerseys and other memorabilia, past his crate and into the bathroom. I sat on the edge of the bathtub and turned on the water, smiling at PK’s hardening cock as I stripped out of my clothes. I shook some bath salts and bubbles into the tub before stepping into the hot water, closing my eyes as I sank into the suds. “I think I’m in love, PK,” I murmured, certain he would keep my secrets. “It’s terrifying.”

His head tilted, his pale gaze studying.

“Were you terrified?”

He nodded, his lips slightly curving.

“Do you ever regret it?”

He shook his head, his name tag jiggling with the movement.

“I get so confused sometimes,” I started, leaning over to rest my folded arms on the side of the tub. “I thought I was in love with Arlo, and thought I could never love anyone as much as him, but that wasn’t love. It was something toxic, something desperate. I guess I’m no better than every other woman– addicted to the walking red flag of a man I thought my love was enough to change.”

He remained silent, his eyes somber as he listened.

“Now I feel like I’m Cole’s red flag. He’s too open, too honest, too perfect and I’m too jaded and tainted–“

“No, Mistress.” The sound of PK’s voice stopped my thoughts, deeper and calmer than I had expected. “Never.”

***

Cole

***

I stepped out of my car, glancing up at the mansion she’d sent me the address to. It smelled of money and fresh cut grass, the same as I imagined the other extravagant homes surrounding it did. I slowly turned around, curious. It was in a gated community on the good side of town, the neighbors far enough away for privacy but close enough that I couldn’t imagine it being another château.

I jogged up the steps to the front door, ringing the bell, my smile flashing when Gemma pulled open the door. “Nice house…” My words trailed off as I stepped into the foyer, noticing the enormous man on his hands and knees next to her. A slave collar was locked around his neck, the rest of him naked other than a puppy tail butt plug wiggling in the air with his movement. When the shock wore off recognition hit bringing on a new wave of disbelief. “You’re PK Xander.” The statement slipped from my mouth, his head tilting as he stared at me. I tore my gaze from his, moving it to Gemma’s. “You’re puppy sitting PK Xander?”

“I didn’t know you liked football–“

“He’s one of the greatest linebackers of all time!”

She shrugged, reaching down to pet him. “I don’t know anything about all that, but I know he’s such a good boy.”

He began wiggling at her feet, his tail wagging as his cock hardened. The breath dissolved in my lungs, heat surging through me. There was something about watching her dominant another man, watching him willing to please her and watching her torment him that I found disturbingly erotic. The scene with Master William had brought the strange kink to life, making me recognize things within myself I hadn’t understood before.

“Come,” she commanded, snapping her fingers. PK remained at her heels while I followed behind her, glancing around the house as we made our way to the living room. “It’s late, time to settle down. Mistress Anastasia will be home in about an hour and PK needs to be ready for bed by then.” She sat down on the couch, turning on the television. I found myself hesitating, unsure where my place was. Normally I would assume it was at her feet, but PK was already there, and I was certain that dog was lower than slave.

“Sit,” she prompted, reading my hesitation and gesturing to the cushion beside her. I sat next to her, surprised when she got up and sat in my lap. She leaned back, relaxing against my body, her hips rubbing briefly against my lap to tease. PK was on his knees, quiet in his submission. Her legs spread slightly, giving him a glance of what was beneath her dress. His tongue flicked over his lips, his eyes searching.

She grabbed my hand, pushing it between her legs as she spread them further. There were no games between us. No secrets, no questions, only our desires twisting into a perfect spiral of darkness. My fingers slid between her folds, not waiting for further guidance as I watched PK’s obedience become more tortured. Her body jumped when my fingers curled inside her, her arousal soaking into my skin, the sound of her need seeping through the air.

Her fingers dug into the back of my hand, shoving my hand against her, rubbing her clit against my palm. “I want you inside me.”

My fingers slipped out of her, quickly unbuttoning my pants and shoving them to my ankles. She rubbed herself over me, soaking me in her arousal before sitting back until I slid inside her. She sat back, controlling my depth, her back pressing into my chest as she ground down. My hand found her clit again, pressing against it until she shoved it away. She reached forward, her fingers curling over PK’s collar, pulling him between her legs. His mouth pressed into her, sucking and caressing, her body trembling.

I shifted, thrusting as much as I could, the small movement I could manage more than enough to force a gasp from her lips. PK glanced up from between her legs, his tongue never breaking contact, carefully following the movement my thrusts were creating. Her head rocked back, resting against my shoulder as she surrendered, allowing us to provide the pleasure radiating through her.

Her body relaxed as she entrusted it to mine, the realization pulsing through me. I stared down at PK, the threat only taking a moment for him to realize. We didn’t need to speak, the rules and goal clear– we were in service to her, our only goal her pleasure, my gaze firing a warning if he failed in his position. His eyes narrowed, his own warning firing back, reminding me I wasn’t the only one who lived to serve.