“You’re not worried about being gone overnight and leaving the new students here alone?” He’d spent some time with them when he first returned, and Julie liked the way the three of them went straight to work, asking numerous questions as they interacted with the dogs and livestock. At least none of them gave off bad vibes the way Matt had.
“No. The county sheriff will make regular patrols and Joe Glassman, the vet in Piedmont, offered to come out if they need anything. They have his number.” Jackson buttoned up the coat, his knuckles brushing her nipples on his way up. “I don’t think you mind the corset as much as you want me to think you do.”
His wicked grin and the banked heat in his gaze made Julie tighten her legs to contain her quick, damp response. He hadn’t brought up her confession once, but as he picked up the small bag she knew held his toys and led her to the stairs, she had a feeling he would address the subject tonight. It was the how he planned to discuss it with her that kept her on pins and needles all the way to the Gold Star Marina.
CHAPTER 11
J ackson parked and turned in the seat to face Julie after ensuring no one was moving about on the long pier. “You’re still having bad dreams, still waking afraid of the dark. I want to work more on that tonight.”
That wasn’t what Julie had expected him to discuss tonight and she couldn’t help but worry about his silence concerning her revelation last night. Then he pulled the black silk blindfold from his bag and other things took precedent in her mind. “You want to start now, before we’re even aboard the yacht? What if someone sees us?” It was her turn to scan the dock for any late-night visitors. “I admit I’ve discovered a certain excitement that goes along with exhibitionism, but I don’t want to be facing a cop in fifteen minutes.”
The parking lot was lit just enough for her to make out the way his lips quirked up at the corners in amusement over her legitimate worries. She’d always loved that teasing, indulgent smile, but not tonight.
“Relax, Julie. You should trust me enough not to put either of us in that position. Very few of the owners come out here this late, and those who like to take their boat out for a nighttime cruise are either still out or have already returned.” Jackson leaned forward and covered her wide eyes with the swath of black silk. “Wait there while I come around to get you.”
Julie heard the door open and close and fought back the instant panic that tightened her throat. Before she could succumb to the urge to rip away the darkness, Jackson was there, his deep voice soothing as he clasped her elbow and assisted her out of the truck.
“Deep breath, baby. You’re fine.” He set a slow pace as he guided her along the wood-planked pier toward the yacht. “Tell me what you smell.”
Anticipating the cloying scent of blood, she relaxed against him when her nostrils filled with the briny tang breezing in off the ocean. “Salt air, and fish.” She wrinkled her nose and his low chuckle vibrated above her head right before his hands went to her waist and she found her feet swung off the ground for a split second before he set her down again. The slow rocking now under her revealed they’d reached the yacht.
“Good. What do you hear?”
Her heels clicked on the teak wood decking and the large vessel creaked as it bobbed in the water. Faint strains of music grew louder as Jackson led her toward the playroom. Concentrating on catching enough words to identify the song kept Julie from fretting over whether tortured screams would slip uninvited into her head.
Julie repeated the female vocalist’s words then stated, “I don’t recognize the song.” But she did recognize the sentiment behind the lyrics.
Jackson squeezed her elbow. “S & M by Rihanna.”
She heard the door open and the sounds emanating from inside the room became much clearer, including the background music. The words became clearer; the singer urging her partner to give her what she was yearning for in a sultry voice.
Julie’s body responded to the suggestive lyrics with a jolt and damp rush. Stumbling to a stop, she cocked her head and listened for a moment longer, wondering if he’d timed that song for their arrival. She didn’t get a chance to ask before she heard Zach’s distinctive voice call out, “It’s about time. I’ll get us underway. We’re not going out far, ten minutes or so.”
The door clicked shut again, and the motor purred to life seconds later. As the mega yacht made the smooth transition from idle bobbing to steady, easy gliding, Jackson’s hands went to the buttons on her cover. “You won’t need this anymore.”
The low voices resonating around the room were a sure, telltale sign of how many people were on board this time, and sent adrenaline surging in a heated flow through her veins as he removed the light jacket. Cool air wafted over her up-thrust breasts and pointed nipples and awareness of her audience increased Julie’s heartbeat. The introduction to public nudity Jackson gave her on their last trip out on the yacht hadn’t prepared her enough for the full, titillating impact of parading in front of both strangers and people she’d met with her breasts and buttocks bared to their eyes. For the first time, she found herself grateful to be in the dark, this time to hide from her own reactions.
“Very nice, Jackson.”
She recognized Sean’s voice coming from right in front of them and struggled to stand still as she pictured his grey eyes on her protruding nipples. “Thank you. I thought it suited her.” Using one calloused finger, Jackson brushed a stroke over each turgid tip, the light touch ratcheting up her body temperature.
“Julie, it’s a pleasure to see you again. Now if you’ll excuse me, Cathy here has needs I have to see to.”
“Kick off your shoes,” Jackson instructed. “You’ll be more comfortable barefoot.”
“I didn’t think my comfort was high on your priority list,” she returned in a dry tone as she toed the heels off and sank her feet into the plush carpeting.
“Your wellbeing is my top priority and to that end, let’s walk around so you have something else to occupy your mind instead of that one night.” His cool tone evoked more of those delicious shivers of awareness.
WITH ONE EYE trained on Julie’s face, Jackson led her over to the sofa where Miles had his guest sprawled bottom-up across his lap. The first swat connected with the woman’s wiggling buttocks with a loud smack, followed swiftly by her startled cry. Julie jerked then relaxed against him when he explained, “Miles looks as if he has his hands full with a delightful ass begging for punishment.”
She winced with the next few spanks, but he’d made it impossible for her to hide her body’s reaction. Those rose-colored nipples puckered even tighter as she pressed next to him.
“Nothing I like more.” Miles delivered a hard blow to one thigh then was forced to pin her flailing legs in place with his leg. “There. Much better.”
“Have fun.” Clasping Julie’s hand, Jackson walked over to the poles where the Carlsons were binding a short, curvy blonde. Trevor looked Julie over with an appreciative eye and one raised eyebrow. Jackson nodded, confirming the plans they’d made earlier by saying, “If you’re interested, meet me at the spanking bench in a few.”
“What was that about?” Julie didn’t flinch this time when the woman behind them cried out from the slash of Troy’s belt kissing her flesh, which Jackson took as a good sign.
“An exercise in trust I have planned.” When they reached the trio of folded down spanking benches, he turned to Dax, who was securing Krista on the elbow and knee pads positioned on each side of the fuck bench. “That’s always a nice sight.” With her body resting on the narrow, center pad and her chin propped in the face restraint, Krista lay propped up, open and ready for her Master’s use.
“I’ve always thought so.” Standing behind her, the doctor’s vivid green gaze rested on his sub’s glistening, welcoming slit. “Sometimes I question whether I should’ve specialized in gynecology.”
Julie’s face reddened in one of her rare blushes, and with a laugh, Jackson lifted her and sat her on the padded spanki
ng bench next to Krista’s. “Give me a color, Julie,” he ordered as he lowered the zipper on the front of the corset.
“Green… Sir,” she hastily tacked on.
“Good catch, although I wouldn’t have minded adding to your punishment scene.” Pulling the corset off, he dropped it on the floor then tugged at the thong for her to lift. He pulled it down her legs, keeping his tone casual when he spoke. “I’m not happy you waited so long to tell me about the afternoon scene between your friends and this Evan Daniels.” She stiffened and bit her lower lip, but remained quiet as he nudged her shoulders then helped her lie back. Leaning over her, he whispered above her trembling mouth, “And I’m really not happy you assumed the worst, that I would condemn you with harsh criticism for an error in judgment.”