Destined for the Dom (Masters of Submission, #2)(17)

He tenderly took hold of her hand. “We didn’t do so bad, Zo?.”

“You think so? C’mon, Hunter, wise up. You joined the Marines, and now you can’t sleep at nights. And as for me, I ended up working in some seedy dance club.”

“We fared better than most. A lot of kids in care end up as junkies. The number of girls who leave the care system, only to end up in prostitution, doesn’t bear thinking about. Just like us, they didn’t have any family. If they lose their crappy minimum-wage jobs, then they’re out on the streets. The government tells us there’s a safety net, but as you and I both know, that’s a crock of f*cking shit, a lot of kids from the care system fall right through it.”

She sighed. “I guess you’re right. Let’s not talk about it anymore. I’m supposed to be helping you relax, not adding to the tension.”

“Let me assure you, your feminine presence is a welcome distraction.”

“Then I’ll distract you some more.” She manipulated her hands. “May I?”

“Go right ahead.”

She began massaging his shoulders, flexing her fingers into the tight muscles. “Just relax. You’re very knotted.”

“Tell me about it.” There was irony in his voice.

“Champissage will clear the pathways, allowing your internal energy to flow freely once again. You’ll feel so much better after I’ve finished.”

He groaned, and she could tell he was starting to relax. “I already do.” He took a deep breath. “I’ve never told anyone this before, but I lost five good friends.” He slowly emptied his lungs with a deep sigh, and she knew he found it difficult to speak. “Two of them died right before my very eyes.”


“I’m sorry, Hunter. I’m so very sorry.” She made small circles with her thumbs into the back of his neck, working her way up to his hairline. He twisted his head back and forth as she applied more pressure.

“Oh, that’s good, real good. It kinda does something to a man, seeing his best buddy die right in front of him. Sometimes when I’m dreaming, I think I’m still fighting the Taliban. Sometimes I wake up with a start, and the sheets are soaked through with sweat.”

Zo? placed her forearms at the side of his neck, rolling them outward. “Keep going, Hunter. Let it out, baby.”

“It always takes me a while to settle again. Sometimes I just can’t go back to sleep at all. It’s real hard to erase such images from my mind.”

“Did they give you any help? The Marines I mean?”

He laughed bitterly. “Yeah, they gave us some coping techniques, and we had our periodic debriefings. But that ain’t worth Jack shit, when it’s the middle of the night, and unwanted thoughts are f*cking with your head.”

Zo? massaged his weary temples with smooth circular movements. “Sometimes I think the world would be a far better place if it were run by women.”

“Over my dead body, Peaches. Why?”

Zo? spread her fingers onto his scalp, enjoying the feeling as his thick locks caressed the back of her hands. She applied a little more pressure. “Women aren’t naturally aggressive, are they? So there wouldn’t be so many wars. That means there wouldn’t be as much emotional trauma for guys like you to deal with.”

He grunted indignantly. “I’m not so sure. There were some real ball-breaker women back at the base, I can tell you.” He chuckled, lightening the mood. “They’d frighten the life out of you, if you saw them up close.”

“That bad, huh?”

“Us guys used to wonder if they were packing something extra down their pants.”

Zo? giggled. “You mean something extra like a penis?”

Hunter laughed out loud, and then pulled her onto his lap. “Thanks, that massage has really helped lighten my mood. It was nice just having some fun memories for a change.”

Zo? kissed his cheek. “Anytime, Hunter. I’m glad I could help.”

He stroked his hand over her arm, lightly caressing the material of the robe. “Is this mine?” he asked, grasping the neckline and peeling it back to reveal her full breasts.

“I hope you don’t mind?”

“No, but you must always ask in future.” He placed a finger under her chin and angled her face to his. In the darkness, she could just make out his eyes glinting mischievously in the silvery moonlight. “Did you enjoy your first experience in the playroom?”

“Yes,” she answered truthfully, lowering her gaze in case she gave too much away.

“Now look at me and tell me what you liked most.”

Zo? raised her eyes back to his. “The feeling of being helpless.” Hunter palmed her breasts, squeezing her nipples tightly between his fingers.

“And what else?” He caressed her belly and back, smoothing his hand lower, enjoying the curve of her butt as she wriggled on his lap.

“I like watching you, Hunter. I like the way you move. You move like a man.”

Her answer caused him to still the movements of his hand. He stared into her eyes, and then asked, “And just exactly what do you see when you watch me?”

“A strong, powerful man in his element. You came alive, Hunter. It was breathtaking being controlled by you.”

Hunter took her hand in his and brought it to his mouth. He brushed his lips tenderly over her skin. “I have much to teach you, Peaches.”