Beneath the Scars (Masters of the Shadowlands #13)(65)

“But…” She looked around the group. No other submissive in the group was seated.

“I don’t care what other people are doing.” A smile softened his features. “When we’re in scene—like now—the only opinion you have to worry about is mine. You don’t have to think or plan, simply follow my directions. Clear?”

Don’t do anything except follow orders. The lack of control was a comfort in a way. It helped, knowing he was a paramedic and nurse. He wouldn’t ask her to do anything unhealthy or illegal.

“Yes, Sir.” She rose.

“Before you sit, remove the underwear.”

“What?”

“Language, pet, and this is your last warning.” His quiet, steady gaze made her stomach feel as if she were on an elevator going down. “You heard me. Underwear off.”

Okay, his order wasn’t unhealthy or illegal. Only…dammit. She already knew he wouldn’t let her go to the restroom to take off her briefs. A glance showed her the others were watching. Not only the Doms, but Zuri and Beth, too.

She bit her lip. Surely, this wasn’t more embarrassing than stripping completely naked like last week.

Only it was. “Yes, Sir.”

With cold fingers, she reached under her mid-calf-length skirt and lifted it far enough to catch the bottom of her briefs and work them off.

Without a word, Holt confiscated them and tucked them into the inside pocket of his black leather vest.

“Thank you. Now sit.” He patted the extended lounge between his bent knees.

As she planted her butt between his legs, he pulled her back against his chest. With a sigh, she relaxed and smoothed her skirt down over her knees. This wasn’t so bad.

Holt picked up a blanket from beside the chair and shook it out over both of their laps.

She gave him a quizzical glance over her shoulder.

“I thought you’d prefer not to flash people when I did this.” Reaching down, he put his hands under her thighs and lifted her knees. Ignoring her attempt at resisting, he parted her knees until they leaned against his bent legs. Thank heavens he’d put a blanket over her.

“Now, let’s explore a bit of bondage.” Her right forearm lay on the armrest, and he drew a padded short strap over the top of her wrist, securing the fabric on the underside of the chair arm. Where it stayed.

Her mouth dropped open. The…the jerk had restrained her wrist to the chair arm. She tugged at her wrist, realizing if she really, really wanted loose, she could get free.

And even as she thought that, he secured her left wrist to the other armrest.

“How did you do that so fast?” Buckles should take longer.

“Velcro is an amazing invention.”

Something slid over her breasts, and…she gasped, realizing he’d undone her halter-top. She’d put a knot in the ties, dammit.

She tried to pull up the top—and her arms didn’t move. Turning her head, she growled, “What are you doing?”

“I’m letting my fellow Doms enjoy the sight of my submissive’s breasts. They’re very pretty breasts.”

“You…you—”

The laughter in his eyes cooled. “Your language is becoming increasingly disrespectful, subbie.” He looked past her. “Nolan, you got any extra leather strips? Two, if possible?”

“Got you covered.” Nolan’s bag was at his feet. He rummaged and tossed something over.

Holt caught the leather strips. He moved sideways slightly, so she could see his face without craning her neck. “Now, pet, you’ve been in the Shadowlands long enough to know that a submissive’s body belongs to her Dom—even if it’s only for the course of an evening.”

She nodded despite the sinking feeling in her stomach. “But…but…”

“You were completely naked last weekend, were you not?”

A flush rose in her cheeks. That had been different. Here, she was sitting in a group of friends, expecting to have a conversation. This just wasn’t…right.

His eyes held hers. “This, Josie, is the heart of submission—obeying even when you don’t want to. Open your mouth.”

She knew her glower was singularly ineffective when laughter lightened his eyes. Her defiance found nothing to fight, as he simply waited, knowing she’d give in.

Her mouth opened.

He pushed the thick strand of leather between her teeth and knotted it behind her head, “Since you can’t talk, if you need to safeword, I want you to hoot—or scream—three times in a row.” He held her gaze with his until she nodded.

Oh, God. She could see Beth’s sympathetic look, the amusement in Nolan’s black gaze, Uzuri’s—

The other strip of leather appeared in front of her, and she involuntarily shut her eyes. The leather pressed against her eyes…and he knotted it behind her head like the gag. He’d blindfolded her.

She tried to say, “Take it off,” but it came out “Aaa-iii-ooo!” When she tried to get up, Holt pulled her to him, her back against his chest. He anchored her in place with his hand over her right breast. Her very bare breast.

“Mmmph!”

“I know.” His whisper was low and smooth, his breath warming her ear. “Giving over control isn’t easy, but sweetheart, you have no choice.”