Author: Tara Sue Me “Daniel’s a good friend of mine, but he needs a woman strong enough to take what he has to give. ” Jeff’s gaze grew even more intimidating. “If you have no interest in being that woman, I suggest you leave now. ”
Julie met his gaze, hoping to show how serious she was. “I’m here to watch. Hopefully what I witness tonight will help me make certain. ”
He studied her quietly for several long seconds, as if attempting to discover the truth of her words. She hoped he didn’t find her lacking. Finally, he nodded and stood up. “Ten minutes, Dena. Julie, down the hall to your left, second door on the right. There’s a chair. Make yourself at home. ”
“You don’t have to do this,” she told Dena once more after Jeff left.
“I know,” Dena whispered. “I want to. ”
A little over ten minutes later, Julie sat in a chair in what appeared to be a spare bedroom turned playroom. It was smaller than Daniel’s, but well stocked with equipment she recognized. Dena knelt, naked, in the middle of the room and Julie’s heart ached as she remembered how she would wait in a similar manner for Daniel.
Jeff strode into the room with such quiet authority, she sat up straighter and fought the urge to mimic Dena’s downward gaze. Instead, she watched as he came to a stop just in front of the pale submissive. His eyes burned with intensity so strong, she almost wondered if she imagined it.
His voice was gruff when he spoke. “It’s been a long time, Angel. ”
Dena’s breath hitched, but she calmly answered, “Too long, sir. ”
“Did you think I’d go easy on you if you brought a friend?”
“No, sir. ”
“What’s your safe word?”
Dena hesitated, just for a second. “Wings, sir. ”
“Noted. ” With one hand, he reached out and stroked her head. “How does it feel to be kneeling before me again, Angel?”
Dena’s reply was almost a sigh. “It makes me feel happy, sir. ”
“I almost said no to your request. How would that have made you feel?”
“Sad, sir. ”
“Sad for your friend?”
“For me. ”
He stood still and seemed to be weighing her words. Julie sat mesmerized at the emotion flowing between the two. She jumped when Jeff snapped his fingers.
“Show me how grateful you are I said yes. ”
Dena didn’t hesitate, but slid gracefully to her forearms. Her long blond hair hid her face, but Julie knew she was kissing his feet. His eyes were closed and he was breathing rather heavily.
“Kneel,” he said when she’d finished both feet.
Dena went back to her waiting position and Jeff turned away to take something from the tabletop nearby. A riding crop swung from his hand when he stood before Dena again. He trailed it down her thigh, giving her knee a flick with the tip. She spread her legs wider.
“Someone’s gotten lazy. ”
He walked behind her, all the while running the crop along Dena’s body, adjusting her posture this way and that. “Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Are you this sloppy kneeling for everyone or is it just me?”
“I’m sorry for being sloppy, sir. ”
“That didn’t answer my question, Angel. Look at me. You remember what happens when you neglect to answer a question?”
“Yes, sir,” Dena said, meeting his gaze, but she didn’t seem upset or worried. She looked peaceful and calm.
“Go,” he said, and Dena stood to her feet and walked to an odd-looking bench. He nodded toward Julie. “For the benefit of our guest, tell me what the penalty is for not answering a direct question. ”
“Five swats with the implement of Master’s choice,” Dena said, draping herself across the bench.
“Plus five more for the improper use of the title ‘Master. ’ Only my collared submissive addresses me as such in this room. ”
Dena winced. “Sorry, sir. ”
Jeff walked to stand at her side and ran a hand over her exposed bottom, trailed a finger between her legs. “Doesn’t feel like you’re sorry at all. Feels like you’re looking forward to my punishment. Count, my naughty Angel. ”
Julie didn’t know if it was because she’d never seen anything like what played out before her or if it was just the magnetism of the couple involved, but she found herself unable to look away. Julie had thought Jeff to be hard and abrasive before. She had been partially correct. Jeff pushed, tormented, and teased Dena. Yet the entire time, his expression showed fierce concentration—though at times, she thought she glimpsed something more desperately trying to break through.
For her part, Dena looked hungry, eager to please and serve. In front of Julie, her friend transformed into a picture of satisfied contentment. When Jeff bent her over his padded table and bound her, Dena complied with a devotion that spoke of absolute trust. When he worked her with a flogger, Dena filled the room with sounds of pleasure and needy desire. Even when he finally took her, hard and harsh from behind, there was a look of pure bliss on Dena’s face.
But it was after, when the bonds were loosened, and the room silent, when Jeff sat on the floor with Dena held tenderly in his arms, that she knew. For Jeff and Dena, Julie was no longer in the room. Jeff whispered something to Dena and lightly kissed her cheek. Dena turned her face toward him and their lips met briefly.
Somehow, Jeff and Dena entwined in each other’s arms, whispering and sharing stolen kisses, became exponentially more intimate than all the things they’d done before. Julie no longer felt comfortable watching, so as quietly as she could, she stood up and slipped out of the room. It wasn’t until she made it back into the living room that she realized she’d been crying.
• • •
It was almost an hour before Jeff let them leave. Even then, he made Julie drive. Dena argued with him, but he wouldn’t be moved. The dark, dour Dom was back, replacing the affectionate lover of an hour before. But Julie took his secret and tucked it away so she could study it later.
They were halfway back to her house before Julie turned to Dena. “So, uh, you and Jeff, huh?”
Dena gave her a dreamy nod.