Beneath the Scars (Masters of the Shadowlands #13)(71)

What could she say? He was utterly self-confident and comfortable with pushing her, yet she knew if she gave him a safeword, he’d escort her back to the mansion with equal grace.

The realization was heady. She let out the breath she’d been holding.

He smiled. “Brave girl.” He pulled her to her feet.

On one side of the clearing were three knee-high gnomes holding glowing lanterns. Tiny lights twinkled from the encircling five-foot high bushes as if someone had scattered stars from the sky.

Off to one side of the clearing was a post with a very recognizable T-shape. The top of the “T” was two hinged boards with circles cut out and designed to restrain a person by the neck and wrists. She took a step back. “That’s a pillory,” she whispered.

“When you talked about your research, you seemed to have a certain…interest.” He tossed the bag and blanket onto the soft grass next to the post. After lifting up the top board, he grasped her wrists. “Hands in the small openings.”

When her wrists lay in the semi-circles, he gripped her nape. Under the pressure of his hand, she bent from the waist…down.

As her neck touched the coolness of the large semi-circle, he closed the top, and her arms and neck were secured in place. She felt him run a finger around the padded openings, making sure they weren’t too tight.

Crouching, he pulled her right ankle outward and secured it with a strap anchored in the grass. He repeated the procedure on the left. “That looks nice,” he murmured, running his hands up and down her widely parted thighs. She felt him lift her skirt up, exposing her bottom.

A shudder shook her as coolness touched her hot flesh.

On top of her clit, the vibrator was still humming along. When he slid his fingers upward and over her very wet pussy, she almost came. “Mmmm, God.”

“And that sounded nice.” He chuckled. “Be aware that your pretty noises might attract observers. I don’t mind, but I thought you should know.”

People watching them? “Noooo.” She tried to straighten, and the pillory held her mercilessly in place.

“Then you might want to be fairly quiet.” Standing behind her, he ran his hands over her back and then around to her dangling breasts. Waves of heat seared up her center as he pinched the nipples and rolled them between his fingers. One pinch grew harder until felt as if teeth had closed over her nipple. “Holt!”

He slapped her bottom, and she jumped at the sharp sting. “By now, you know how to address a Dom in the Shadowlands.”

A flush of shame heated her face. She did. “Sorry, Sir.”

She tried to see her breast, but the pillory board blocked her view. Only…she knew he’d put a nipple clamp on her breast. Oh, sweet heavens. He was really using that stuff on her. A shudder of excitement shook her…until he fastened a clamp to her other nipple. This time the bite was worse, and she whined a protest.

“Breathe, Josie. Blow out the pain, breathe in, accept it.”

As she did, the sharpness eased to a heavy throbbing, one that seemed to increase her skin’s sensitivity. The light breeze wafted cool against her hot, damp skin. The grass tickled her feet. The calluses on Holt’s palms scraped teasingly over her waist.

And the vibrations against her clit grew lighter.


Holt returned the remote to his pocket and stepped back to enjoy the view. Josie’s breathing was fast, and her heart-shaped ass wiggled adorably as she fought her need.

Running a hand over her shoulder to let her know his location, he moved in front and dropped to his haunches. “Look at me, pet.”

Even in the dim light, he could see her face was darkened with arousal, her lips swollen. Her gaze lifted to meet his, sweetly submissive, sweetly pleading. She wanted to come. Needed to come.

He’d pushed her as far as was appropriate, and in fact, it would have been better if the Saturnalia party had happened later in time. As aroused as they both were—and had been all night—this was going to be a hard, fast coupling. Next time they were together, though, he’d show her the softer, sweeter side of sex.

“Josie. I’m going to take you now. If anything is too much, remember red is your safeword. Use it and everything stops. That applies if something emotionally bothers you, too, pet. Is that clear?”

He waited for understanding to bloom in her eyes.

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good. For now, aside from being restrained”—he smiled and ran a finger over her flushed cheek—“are you all right?”

She licked her lips, making him imagine those lips around his cock. “I’m all right. Sir.”

Wasn’t she being a good girl in not whining that she needed to come? Because yeah, he could see she did. A butterfly vibe wasn’t that effective at getting a woman off—not by itself—but for teasing? Worked great.

He rose, tugged her hair lightly, squeezed her hands to check circulation, and circled behind her. Her ass was perfectly positioned, her legs wide, her pussy open and wet and available.

One day, he’d have to fuck her outside during the day so he could enjoy the sunlight glinting off her coppery curls.

For now… To tease them both, he stroked his fingers through her slick, hot folds and heard her breathing stammer to a stop. She was beautifully ready.

Still, he’d go slowly. She hadn’t had sex for a while, and he needed to see if she could take him without a problem.