Absolve Me Read online

  He took a moment before responding. “It’s a lot to take in.”

  “Just remember, we’re only here to observe. Nothing happens here without your permission, and that includes with me.”

  Dominic took her hand, squeezing it tight, and she squeezed back, the connection between them both comforting and titillating. “I trust you. It’s just a very different world for me.”

  “For starters, why don’t we find a good vantage point to watch the show, and you can ask me anything you want about BDSM.”

  “Okay.” He pushed off the wall, her hand remaining snug in his, but he let her lead him toward the main stage, where she found them a cozy corner spot. The lights were lowering, deepening, casting the space in a spectrum of red and purple light that gave the room a surreal glow.

  Liza could feel the tension begin to build in Dominic, his chest rising and falling more rapidly as the players took the stage.

  Two women—one a petite brunette with an exaggerated hourglass figure, helped along by a buckled leather corset, the other a fuller-figured beauty with delicate blond tendrils of hair cascading around her elaborate mask—crossed to the center of the stage, where a low table was set up next to a traditional paddling bench. Low, pulsating music throbbed through the sound system as the blonde dropped to her knees in front of the tiny brunette.

  From their vantage point, Liza was unable to make out what they were saying to one another, but it was clear from the variety of toys laid out on the table that the demo was going to be a spanking scene—something she knew Dominic would relate to. Perhaps, one day, she’d be able to introduce him to more elaborate forms of BDSM, such as rope bondage or breath play. The idea excited her more than it should, tingles of arousal winding their way around her spine. Damn. The things he could learn to do...

  She snapped back to attention as the blonde rose, taking her place over the bench with her gorgeous plump ass on full display to the appreciative crowd. The brunette landed a few light, teasing slaps to her backside, bare and framed with a lacy purple thong. The sub was obviously receptive, wiggling and arching, and the Domme punished her with a few harder spanks that Liza could hear all the way back in the corner.

  Out of the corner of her eye, Liza saw Dominic leaning forward, his stare fixed on the stage. Beneath the confines of his mask, she heard his harsh breathing, and his growing arousal spiked her own. It was all she could do to sit back and let him absorb the show at his own pace.

  The sexy little Domme had already selected her first tool—a light flogger with softly braided tails that would leave a mark but wouldn’t break the skin or cause the sub undue pain. Still, when she showed the instrument of her choice to her sub, the blonde shuddered—a full-body motion like a horse shaking off a fly.

  Choosing her targets with care, the Domme began to flog the sub’s backside and thighs in a lazy pattern, with enough force to make the sub jump but not enough for sound to carry to the back of the club. Still, it didn’t take long before the sub was moaning, her lips open to release the sound, her bouncy curls jolting with the rising intensity of each blow.

  Liza leaned in to Dominic. “See anything you like?”

  His head cocked, he appeared to be thinking about her question. “It’s hot to watch, but I don’t know that I’d want to be watched, you know?”

  “Ah-ha. Not an exhibitionist, then.”

  “No, I don’t think so. But the—what’s it called, a flogger?” At her affirmative nod, he continued, “The flogger. That’s pretty intense.”

  Liza laughed. “And you ain’t seen nothing yet.”

  Before he could ask, she redirected his attention back to the stage, where the two women had been joined by a muscular, dark-skinned man with a black-and-white mask wearing nothing but leather pants. He and the Domme were conferring at the table, and eventually, they seemed to come to an agreement. The brunette came away with a wooden paddle, showing it to the crowd, who oohed and aahed in anticipation.

  “Won’t that hurt her?” Dominic asked, leaning in close. “What if she wants to stop?”

  Liza snuggled into Dominic’s side. “Remember, they have safe words and signals. A good dominant, male or female, understands their sub’s limits—this kind of scene rarely happens without a lot of communication beforehand. It’s one of the rather nice things about this kind of play. It requires people to engage in very honest, very forthright discussions about what they each want from one another. Remember, the ultimate goal for each is to give and receive pleasure, and no one will want to play with someone who’s just in it for themselves.”

  They watched for a few minutes more as the sub cried out sharply with each strike of the paddle, writhing and begging for more. The man, acting as sort of a director, seemed to know exactly how to hit her and where in order to keep her at that perfect place of bliss that Liza knew only too well, and the Domme packed a surprising wallop for having such a delicate build.

  The blonde sub’s ass and thighs were bright red and swollen and still she shrieked in ecstasy as she was soundly beaten. Liza reached out to place her hand on Dominic’s arm and found him practically vibrating beneath his skin.

  “Will they fuck her?” His question was a ghost of air on his lips.

  “No,” Liza said. “This is a demo. Not all BDSM practice ends in intercourse, though many people incorporate elements of it into their sex lives.”

  “Do you...” He gestured at the stage.

  “Professionally? Sure, if it’s called for. But personally? No. If it doesn’t end in an amazing orgasm, it’s not my particular boat.”

  He nodded, turning his attention back to the stage, where the scene was wrapping up. The man was helping the sub to her feet, hugging her close. She clung to him, boneless, and he ran his hands down her back, trailing his fingertips over the fiery redness of her ass. The sub made a noise Liza recognized oh-too-well: a sort of moan-squeak of pain/pleasure that had Liza’s pussy fluttering in sympathy. Then the sub released herself from the man’s hold, flowing gracefully to her knees to kiss her Domme’s sandaled feet.

  “Well?” Liza asked as the applause faded and the stage lights went dim.

  The Guy Fawkes mask made Dominic’s face a complete blank, so she was startled when he reached for her hand, drawing it to his lap, where she felt the iron hardness of his cock. “I need to... I want to...” he muttered.

  “I know. Let’s get a cab.” She couldn’t resist a quick squeeze and caress of his cock, and he spluttered behind the mask. “I have everything ready back at my place.”

  The cab ride back to her house was fraught with the kind of sexual tension that made the very air crackle and pop. When they arrived—after a freaking eternity—she glanced around to be sure the neighborhood was quiet before dragging Dominic onto the porch. “Pretend we’re still at the club, watching the show,” she whispered. “You’re alone and wanted to stay that way, but I see you across the room. I’m used to getting what I want, so I refuse to take no for an answer. You’re gonna have to put me in my place.”

  She’d barely closed the door behind them when Dominic ripped off the mask, his dark eyes wild and hot. He stalked into the living room, and Liza took a steadying breath, settling her character onto her skin like a silk wrap. Her heart sped and she could feel the languid need in her limbs as she shivered, ready to give Dominic everything he wanted—everything she thought he could handle.

  Liza stepped into the living room to find Dominic inspecting her bookshelves. “I haven’t seen you here before,” she purred as she sidled up to him, brushing her breast over his bare forearm. “You must be new.”

  Dominic turned to her, his expression inscrutable. “I am,” he said, and shifted so they were no longer in contact.

  “Well, welcome, stranger. I’d be more than happy to show you...around, if you like.” She trailed a fingernail across Dominic’s b
icep. “I know this place pretty well.”

  “I’m okay on my own, thanks,” he said with a touch of frost.

  “You sure? Big, strong man like you... I can’t imagine you having to take care of things yourself.” Liza bit her lip, then ran the tip of her tongue over the same spot.

  For a moment, he watched her mouth intently, but then he pulled his gaze away and focused somewhere over her shoulder. “No, thanks.”

  “I’m just saying,” she persisted, “I’m happy to give you a hand—or whatever else you might need. I even have a place nearby.”

  This time he was the one stepping close, looming over Liza and crowding her into the wall. “You want to help me so badly? What is it you want in return?”

  Liza felt her pulse pick up, tiny beads of sweat starting to form on the back of her neck and between her breasts. “You look like a smart guy. I’m betting you can figure it out.”

  He started to speak, and then shook his head. “You said you have somewhere we can go?”

  Liza flashed him her most obvious seductive smile, letting a smug hint of victory flavor her grin. “It’s not far.”

  Dominic snaked a hand over her shoulder and gripped the back of her neck, making Liza gasp. “Take me there. Now.” He leaned closer, the mask flattening against her ear. “And don’t even think about fucking with me.” With that, he muscled her forward, maintaining his hold on her neck, and marched her through the house toward the back room.

  As soon as they reached the playroom, Liza threw a coquettish glance over her shoulder. “Here we are, lover.” She unlocked the door, and Dominic pushed her inside, releasing her neck as he did so. Liza stumbled a few steps, but recovered and spun to watch him slam the door closed and flip the lock. The symbolism of the gesture wasn’t lost on her: she was his until he chose to let her go. Hell if that didn’t spike her arousal so hard she had to bite back a groan of pure desire. But Dominic, already lost to the role, wasn’t interested in making her happy.

  She thought she’d seen him with his blood up, but she was so wrong. Because the man standing before her truly was a stranger.

  His eyes were almost black in their intensity; a scowl of displeasure gave him an air of menace that made her the tiniest bit nervous. He circled her like a hungry panther, and it was all Liza could do to hold still.

  “Seems like you need to work on your listening skills,” he growled, continuing to invade her space from every angle. “I recall telling you that I didn’t want what you were giving away, but it seems like you don’t understand the word ‘no.’”

  “I just—”

  “Shut up!” he barked, and Liza jumped. “Listen. If you’re going to act the whore, then you’re going to have to accept the consequences. You want to be the first to fuck the new guy? Well, it’s your lucky night. I’m going to give you what you want.” She opened her mouth to respond, but his hand whipped around to clamp down over her mouth, and Dominic yanked her backward into his chest. “You don’t talk. Do you hear me? You don’t say a fucking word unless I tell you. Nod if you understand.”

  Liza slammed her eyes closed, nodding frantically. The pressure eased as he shifted his grip, one arm held loosely around her throat, the other coming around to band her breasts.

  “Good. Now listen close, because I’m not going to repeat myself. You’re here for my pleasure alone. You exist to get me off, and I’ll use you any way I see fit. If I want to spank your round little ass, you’ll bend over. If I want to whip your tits, you’ll present them for me. If I want to shove my fucking cock into your pussy, or your mouth...or even your ass, you’re going to open up for me and suck me in like your life depends on it.”

  This time, Liza’s knees really did go weak, and she sagged against Dominic’s hard frame. If he could deliver even half as well as he was talking, she wasn’t sure she was going to be able to maintain any kind of control. She could already feel her nipples like diamonds against his arm, her breasts throbbing with a desperate need that flowed like lava straight to her pussy. An uncontrollable whimper escaped her, and once again Dominic tightened his hold.

  “But that’s the problem, isn’t it? You want to be used. You want to be treated like the fuck toy you are. You’ve chosen the wrong mark, you little cocktease. I don’t give a damn what you want—I’m going to make you sorry you put on that tiny excuse for a dress and those screw-me heels and imagined for a moment that you could fuck with me.”

  With that, he tore down the zipper of Liza’s dress, shoving the material off her shoulders and yanking it to the floor. She was left in her mask, push-up bra and lacy Brazilian-cut panties that she was sure must be visibly soaked in the crotch.

  “On your knees.” Dominic shoved her down so she landed on the cushion of her dress. “Hands behind your back.” He untied the mask from the back of her head and crouched down to use the ties of the mask to bind her wrists. “Stay.”

  Liza could feel her heart pounding, and she closed her eyes, drawing deep, steadying breaths. Her skin was aflame, the blood thundering through her. If Dominic didn’t touch her soon, she thought she might pass out from sheer need.

  “Oh, no you don’t.” To her utter shock, Dominic slapped her lightly on the cheek—not even hard enough to be considered a blow, but it startled a cry out of her nonetheless. Liza thought for a moment of using the slow down safe word to check in with him, but before she could speak, Dominic growled, “You’re going to keep your damn bedroom eyes open. I want you watching what I’m going to do to you. I want you to remember it the next time you try to seduce an unavailable man.”

  Oh, fuck. If she wasn’t wet before, that did the trick, and Liza held her tongue, her eyes locked to his like a lifeline.

  Once he seemed assured of her cooperation, he took a minute to look around, appearing to notice the playroom’s new additions for the first time. “Well, well, well. What do we have here?” He wandered first to the bedposts, where Liza had secured very obvious restraints. He ran his hand over the cuffs at the points of the bed. “This looks like something you might like to be tied to. You’d like that, wouldn’t you, you thirsty whore? Spread-eagle, naked, chained up for my pleasure? You wouldn’t be able to keep me from doing anything I wanted. I could flog every inch of you, raise those little red welts across your tits, and your stomach, and your pussy. And you’d beg me for more. And that’s why I’m not gonna do that.”

  He left the bed to examine the footstools and piles of pillows Liza had arranged along one side of the room, which rested at different heights and configurations. “Or maybe, you envisioned yourself bent over one of these babies, with your ass high and your pussy open to me, hoping I’d spank you like a naughty little girl? Hoping I’d finger your wet slit and give you my cock when you cried out for it? Well, you’re not going to get that, either.”

  Since he hadn’t told her she could move, Liza stayed kneeling but craned her neck around to watch him as he next discovered the table covered in sex toys: dildos of every shape and size, beads, plugs, vibrators and more. “Ah, I see. You were hoping that while I had you bent over, your legs spread and your tight little asshole exposed, I might use some of these on you. One of these?” He held up a small rabbit-style vibrator. “Perhaps one of these?” This time, a vibrant pink dildo. “Or wait. I know what you really hoped I’d use on you.”

  This time, he selected a sleek black butt plug with its mushroom-shaped head. “I may not have used one of these before,” he said, “but I’m certain I know just what to do with it.” He sauntered over, and Liza watched him through heavy lids. She fought to stay still and silent, but she knew Dominic could read her like a book. Everything he’d suggested, everything he’d denied her—damn right she’d beg. And the knowledge that he held her under his spell radiated from him in waves. She didn’t want to break character or distract him from his scene, but part of her was dying to know if he understood just how
much power his words held over her body, over her heart. Maybe, just maybe...but now was not the time to ask.

  Dominic stepped closer, tracing the plug over her bare shoulders, trailing it down to her breasts to torture a rigid nipple. It was almost too much. Liza quaked from head to toe, so goddamn turned on that she had to bite her lip to distract herself.

  Dominic tossed away the plug and crouched before Liza, seizing her jaw in his grip. “We’re not here for you,” he reminded her harshly. “I don’t give a fuck what you want. Your job is to get me off. So open your damn mouth.” He rose to his feet, tearing open the fly of his jeans. Shoving them down along with his boxer briefs, he freed his erection and gripped the base in his fist. With his free hand, he reached out and pushed his thumb into Liza’s mouth, pressing down on her tongue.

  The moment she yielded, dropping her lower jaw wide, Dominic fed his cock into her mouth and straight to the back of her throat, gagging her with the unexpected invasion. Knowing what would make him wild, Liza didn’t hold back, coughing and choking and letting her throat tighten down on the head of his cock.

  Just before she could worry about getting air, Dominic pulled out, gasping and panting, his cock dragging a long string of saliva down her chin. “That’s it, whore,” he ground out. “Swallow my cock.”

  Liza gulped a breath before he plunged back in. This time, he seized her hair so he could control how deep she took him. With her hands tied behind her, she worried for a moment that Dominic might not realize he could hurt her, but he seemed to understand what he could and couldn’t get away with. Although he plunged himself repeatedly into her throat, he never stayed long enough for her to panic.

  With that, Liza relaxed, taking him even deeper and moaning around his cock. Dominic bucked, forcing her nose all the way to his public bone. “Oh, fuck, oh, fuck—”