Page 27 of With this Ring (Mastered #7)

He was holding her tenderly, offering constant praise, and she was no longer fighting for air. Without her knowing how, she was in sync with him. There was nothing but Gregorio, their need for each other, and profound sense of satisfaction in her.

As he continued, she felt the change in him. His cock became thicker, harder, and his breathing became shallower.

Suddenly, he fisted her hair and tugged back her head.

As he withdrew his cock, he left her breathless and confused.

“Sir?” She tipped her head to one side.

“Not yet.”

“But…”

“Denial is good for the soul.”

She wasn’t convinced about that.

But his actions were decisive as he pulled up his jeans and stuffed his damp cock back into place.

How he didn’t catch himself on the zipper, she had no idea.

He crouched in front of her and swiped his fingertips across her lips to dry them.

“Thank you for that, my Petal.”

Only for you. She’d never been this wild and free with anyone else. “Thank you, Sir.”

Her words were sincere, and it shocked her how much she meant them.

“No matter the fantasy, you make the reality better.”

No other man had been this openly approving of her. His words emboldened her, made her want to be even more pleasing.

He released her from the ring in the wall. “Now I want you to make your way down the hallway.”

When she started to rise, he pushed her back down.

“You want me to crawl?”

“Of course.” A ridiculously proud smile sauntered across his mouth. “Did you expect anything different from me? Watching your hips sway, hoping for a glance at your pussy…”

Her temporary Dominant was all man.

Self-consciously, she lowered herself to all fours. Doubtfully, she looked down the long hallway.

He gave her right buttock a swift pinch.

Glaring, she glanced over her shoulder.

“Quit hesitating.”

His “or else” hung unspoken in the air between them.

He held the leash lightly, giving no real direction. Slowly, awkwardly, she crawled past the room where they’d watched the Dom and sub together.

So he didn’t intend to reenact that same scene.

“Keep going. Last door on the right.”

When she reached it, she started to stand, but he tugged on her leash. “I didn’t give permission for you to get up.”

He reached above her to open the door. “Now you may enter.”

The room was dominated by a wooden, X type of structure.

“It’s a St. Andrew’s cross,” he explained to her.

In the middle of the room, she knelt back, waiting for him to tell her what to do.

“Right choice, Sasha.” His voice was husky. “You’re a natural.” After crouching to unclip her leash, he continued, “Go to the cross, then stand and face it. Spread your arms and legs.”

The cross was tilted slightly, making her lean forward a little, meaning gravity would help hold her in place.

Within minutes, he had her wrists and ankles attached to the structure.

“We can’t forget to put this on you.”

He came to stand in front of her, holding the blindfold she’d haphazardly grabbed earlier. Now she wished she had picked something else.

After putting it in place, he adjusted the slide at the back so it was secure. Then he tipped her head back to double-check the fit, ensuring she couldn’t see anything.

“You’ve never looked more beautiful.”

Because of the acoustics and the music in the room, she couldn’t quite make out where his voice was coming from.

Was he still in front of her? Or had he moved somewhere else?

Not knowing exactly where he was left her a little disoriented.

“Have you ever been spanked with an implement?”

“No,” she said. He scooped her hair to one side. So he was behind her. “In fact, until you, I never had a spanking at all.”

“The way it should be.” Pride rang through his voice. “You watched a scene, and you looked at some of my toys. Did anything in particular intrigue you?”

She kept quiet.

“Something you’re reluctant to say?”

She should have known he’d continue to push.

“You told me you wanted to come over here. I think you can admit what you’re hoping for.”

Maybe it was a good thing she couldn’t see him because that gave her the courage to confess her secret. “I’d like to try your belt.”

“Oh, Petal. Would you, indeed?”

His voice sent little ricochets of pleasure up her spine. She loved his reaction to her, as if she meant as much to him as he meant to her.

“For now, I want to start you out with something a little less intense.”

Like what?

“I’m going to use a short, suede flogger.”

She’d seen some of those at the adult store, next to other longer, slightly terrifying ones with thick, black strands.

“This is one of my favorites. Pale pink, to match the marks I’m going to leave on your skin.”

Goose bumps shot up her arms.

His footsteps echoed off the floor, then soft leather whispered across her shoulders. The falls of the flogger, she presumed. They had little weight, yet their touch electrified her, making her skin tingle with anticipation.

“Feel this, Sasha.” He trailed the flogger down one arm, and the broad leather straps dipped into the crook of her elbow. Then he drew them back up and repeated the motion on her other arm.

Her breath caught in her throat as he traced a path across her collarbone and down between her breasts. She leaned forward, seeking more contact, but he moved away, leaving her wanting.

His voice came from a different angle now, closer to her ear, like earlier. “You’re dependent on my voice, aren’t you, pet? It anchors you in your dark, unexplored world.”

Her heart pounded in rhythm with the thumping music that filled the room.

His breath was warm on her neck, and when he spoke, he kept his words low, seducing her. “Every stroke, every touch, makes you more aware that you’re mine, doesn’t it?”

He moved again.

Leather strips suddenly danced down her spine. Gasping, she leaned forward, trying to get away.

“You’re sensitive there. Good to know.”

Without any warning, the first thuddy stroke landed across her buttocks. It was more of a firm tap than a sting, and the sensation didn’t hurt as much as she expected.

She slowly exhaled the tension she’d been holding.

His second stroke was slightly harder, making her moan a little.

“Keep breathing, Sasha,” he reminded her gently, landing another stroke. “The more relaxed you are, the more enjoyable this will be.”

She wasn’t sure enjoyable was the right word.

“In and out. Slowly. Measured.”

She focused on doing as he said, matching the rhythm of the flogger’s falls.

Each of his strokes made her skin warmer, and that heat radiated through her whole body.

“That’s it. Find your pace.”

On and on he went, and she squirmed as the sensations began to overwhelm her. But his restraints held her in place, forcing her to accept whatever he chose to give.

“Your body is turning the most beautiful shade.”

He moved the implement lower, landing the leather strands on her upper thighs.

She yelped and tried to close her legs, but the cross kept her spread open.

Then, shockingly, her pussy began to throb.

He teased her inner thighs with lighter strokes, making her whimper and writhe. Then, without warning, he swung the flogger directly between her legs, the falls smacking against her pussy lips.

She cried out, more from shock than pain. The sensation was indescribable, raw and intense.

“How was that?”

Maybe because he’d spanked her there earlier, her flesh was more sensitive than ever.

“You liked it, didn’t you?”

Much as she wanted to, she couldn’t deny what he’d said.

She was on fire, every nerve ending alive and yearning for more.

“Sasha?”

“Yes,” she admitted on a whisper.

“That’s my girl.” He gave her more, alternating between harder strokes on her buttocks and softer, teasing ones on her breasts, her pussy, her thighs.

Suddenly, he cupped her sex and slid his fingers through her damp folds.

“You’re soaked, Petal.”

Helplessly she jerked forward, seeking more.

He played with her clit, pinching and rolling it gently between his fingers, then smacking it lightly.

Combined with what he’d done to her earlier, he was overwhelming her, pushing her closer and closer to the edge.

But he wasn’t done tormenting her yet.

He moved around to her front, the flogger now dancing across her breasts. The falls caught her nipples, making them harden into tight peaks. Each stroke sent jolts of pleasure-pain directly to her core. She panted, her breath coming in ragged gasps, her body shivering with need.

“Please,” she begged, not even sure what she was asking for.

“Please what, Petal?” His voice was demanding, yet tender. “Tell me what you need.”

“You,” she cried out. “I need you.”

He responded with a low groan, coming in closer to press his body against hers. His cock was hard, straining against his jeans as he ground into her.

“I love the way you respond to me.”

He claimed her mouth, kissing her deeply, passionately, while his hands roamed over her body. Since he’d plunged her world into darkness, all of her other senses were on overload.

Gregorio cupped her breasts and lightly pinched her nipples. When she wordlessly sought more, he slid his hands behind her to squeeze her ass, pulling her more tightly against him. She moaned into his mouth, surrendering to his touch, his taste.

Abruptly, he broke the kiss, leaving her gasping. His voice was rough, hungry. “You’re doing so well, Sasha.”

So why had he stopped?

Suddenly, he moved away, and something clattered against metal.

Anticipation coiled within her. She was already so close, every inch of her skin tingling, her pussy aching for release.

Stunning her, the flogger struck her buttocks again, harder this time, striking her with a thuddy impact.

She groaned, trying to push into the cross, but the angle made that impossible.

“Is this what you need?” He landed a series of alternating strokes that built in intensity, each one sending shockwaves through her.

“Feel it, Sasha,” he commanded, his voice hoarse. “Feel the way your body responds to me. My touches. My commands.”

“I do.” So much so that she was flying… The warmth of her skin, the throbbing of her pussy, the painful tightness of her nipples.

The music vibrated around her, and he synched the falls of the flogger to it.

Then… She was lost, drifting on a sea of sensation, anchored to the world only by Gregorio’s voice, by his presence.

He moved around her, trailing the leather strands over her heated flesh. When he flogged her breasts, she cried out, the tingling sharp and intense.

Before she fully registered it, pleasure bloomed, and it was as dark as it was wicked.

A true Master, he followed the more painful strikes with gentle strokes, teasing her nipples.

“My God. Please, Gregorio,” she begged again, her voice barely a whimper. She was so close, hovering on the precipice of something massive, something she desperately needed. “I’m coming apart.”

“Please what, Sasha?” he asked, his voice tight with control. “What do you need?”

With a growl, he dropped the flogger and pressed against her, his hand delving between her thighs. His fingers found her clit, circling it with firm, precise movements. She bucked frantically, arching her body in silent plea.

“Give me the words.”

“I want to come.”

“Yeah. You earned it.” With his hand, he fucked her. “Come for me, Petal,” he whispered in her ear, his voice low and commanding. “Let go.” He found her G-spot. “Show me how much you love this.”

The raw emotion in his voice was too much.

She shattered, her orgasm ripping through her with such force that she screamed and pulled against the restraints.

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her through it, pressing a soft kiss to her neck and another to her shoulder. He whispered praises, endearments, his voice anchoring her overwhelmed body.

As she slowly came down from the sensual high, she was teary-eyed. Not from pain or upset, but from the sheer intensity of her emotions. She’d never felt this connected to anyone, this cherished, this taken care of.

“Shh, Petal,” he murmured. “I’ve got you. You’re safe. You’re mine.”

Without her being aware of it, he unfastened her and swept her from the floor. Swiftly, he carried her across the room. Then he sat with her, cradling her body against his.

“Keep your eyes closed for a minute,” he instructed as he removed the blindfold and gently wiped away her tears.

Finally, after remaining where she was for long minutes, her breathing returned to normal, and a chill traced down her back.

He held her tighter, offering his body’s warmth.

“That was…” Her eyes were still closed, and she didn’t have the energy to lift her head. “Yeah.” She wasn’t sure words existed to explain what she’d been through.

But she absolutely wanted to do it again. When she was physically capable of it.

For minutes, she drifted, letting her thoughts rise and fall, not caring about anything but the moment and him.

All too soon, reality returned, and she allowed her eyes to open.

She became aware of his cock, hard and throbbing, pressing against her buttock. “You still haven’t come.”

“Denial makes the completion better.”

“But…”

“But?” he prompted, capturing her chin and leaning forward a little so he could see her better. The angle made his earring wink in the overhead light.

“Too much is a bad thing, isn’t it?”

A smile flirted with his beautiful lips “What are you saying?”

“The more I get, the more I want.”

“Is that a fact?”

Before him, it hadn’t been.

“Are you sure you’re up for it?”

“I am.” No matter what happened in their case, it would end. He’d go back to his life, and she’d return to hers. While she could, she wanted every moment, because all too soon, they’d become memories.

“Then I may have an idea.”

“Do you?” she asked.

“Or maybe two.”

Oh?

“Come with me, Sasha.” He slid her from his lap and helped her to stand. “You can walk.”

Small mercy.

“A thank-you would be appropriate.”

God, yes. Manners. “Thank you, Sir.”

Holding her hand, he guided her into the next room. A leather contraption hung from the ceiling.

Her heart stopped.

Wide-eyed, she turned to him. “You’re not really serious about this.”

Are you?