Command (Changing Roles Book 1) Read online

  “Your cop friend is going to find out,” warned Kevin, “sooner rather than later. From the way you had your lips locked on hers, I’m thinking you might want to be the one to tell her. No use hiding it.”

  “I’m not hiding it. It’s not like I’ve had a chance to even bring it up.”

  “Seriously? You bring a video of Lizzy’s death to Kate’s office and fail to mention you knew the victim in her murder investigation?” Kevin lifted his gaze to the ceiling. “You’re such an idiot.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Kate

  The phrase “beating a hasty retreat” didn’t even begin to describe my actions. Turmoil stormed in my mind. I fled from Jake and his embrace. The molten heat of his lips had my stomach fluttering with the need to surrender. Whatever silent communication he’d shared with Kevin had provided just enough distraction for me to tuck my tail between my legs and slam the door in his face. I ran from that kiss and the Dom I desired.

  A Dom!

  That man had me reduced to running away like a child.

  Fleeing Jake’s intensity and the lips which stroked my soul had my thoughts in a tailspin. Out of control. The worst possible place for a Domme to be. And he had put me there so easily. I hated him for exposing such weakness, even as a thrill rushed through me that he could. I was losing my ever-loving mind.

  Now I had a nearly impossible task ahead of me: recovering a scene gone horribly wrong. Bryce lay on the table, right where I’d left him, his flesh desecrated by our time together. The livid marks of a cane striped his thighs, the crisscrossing hash marks of the flogger and whip scored his chest. His labored panting filled the air with the depth of pain I’d inflicted upon him. And his cock—his amazing and beautiful cock—was somehow still engorged with the intensity of his arousal.

  My attempt to place a Jacob’s-ladder piercing taunted me with four perfect rows of needle marks, tiny dots of blood highlighting my failure. Bryce’s fingers fluttered, not quite clenched into fists, and his cheeks puffed in and out like bellows as he attempted to process the pain coursing through his body.

  He had endured all this for me, to prove his worth. Such a spectacular gift. During the day, he brokered deals in the courtroom I couldn’t even imagine. Yet at night he came here, to people like me, to be broken into this mess of quivering flesh.

  He was a beautiful mess, and I envied him deeply.

  I didn’t care what Jake or Kevin thought. This had been exactly what Bryce and I both needed. But rules were rules, even if I didn’t agree. My entire goal had been to bring him to the brink, right where he needed to be. Jake and his interference denied us what we needed, and now I was forced to improvise an alternate ending. I could string Jake up right now, only my mind kept wandering to the heat of that fucking kiss.

  To distract myself from thoughts of Jake, I reassured Bryce, using a gentle touch to soothe the inflamed skin of his cock.

  The Dungeon Monitor retreated to his corner and continued his observation from there. I offered my sweetest smile and glided over to him, whispered my request into his ear. Bryce wouldn’t be expecting this ending.

  Nor would Jake.

  I was counting on a reaction out of the Dom watching in the hall.

  My fingers shook as I traced the heavy length of Bryce’s condom-coated cock. This wasn’t something I did—hell, rarely did I pleasure my subs like this. I turned my gaze to the mirrored glass. Tightness pulled at the corners of my eyes. I didn’t want to do this. I wanted Jake to receive this gift.

  Jake would feel different sliding between my lips. He’d cup the back of my head. Direct the angle of my mouth. His fingers would fist in my hair. Tug and twist. Guide me while he demanded his pleasure. The burn would—ah crap, my thoughts had a mind of their own.

  Hell, I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t go down on Bryce, but I did have to end this scene. Bryce had needs. As his Domme, it was my responsibility to see them satisfied.

  Jake on the other hand, touched something I’d kept bottled up for too long. I gripped Bryce’s shaft in my hand and pumped it slowly up and down while playing a much different fantasy in my mind. As I pleasured one man with my hand, I imagined my lips dragging over the sensitive ridges of another.

  Something strange was happening to me. I needed to be careful with Jake. He could never know how I felt. Shock had kept me from reacting to his kiss, but even as I had stood there stiff as a board, his lips had heated mine. A flush of desire had swept right through me, and I’d only just barely resisted the urge to melt into his embrace. I’d almost made a fool of myself and kissed him back.

  But I’d been able to retreat and fall back on my domain of strength and power. Thoughts of Jake receded as I focused on the task at hand.

  Bryce’s hips rocked once. Twice. Thank God, he was so far gone that his climax came quickly. He spurted semen into the latex wrapped around his dick. Deep exhalations exploded from his lungs as he emptied his balls.

  Funny how I was the one who felt drained.

  A rare honor had been bestowed on Bryce. I ended the scene, released Bryce from his bonds, and dismissed the Dungeon Monitor. When the anonymous man in black left the room, I glanced out into the hall.

  Jake and Kevin were nowhere in sight. Had I wasted my display for nothing? Surely not.

  “Mistress?” Bryce stood beside me and wavered on his feet. His concern for my well-being was touching. Male subs had a way of becoming attached and overly protective.

  I put a hand on his bicep. “We should talk about what happened.” He had to have questions about the interruption. My fingers flexed to steady him.

  “Whoa…” He gripped the table and sat back down. “I’ve never come that hard before.” His cheeks flushed, and the corners of his lips quirked up in a grin. “Mistress, that was—”

  I stroked his arm and gripped his chin. Forced him to stare into my eyes. “Scene’s over, Bryce. Call me Kate.”

  His shoulders lifted to his ears, held for a count, then dropped. “That was…intense.” He hung his head. “But, Mistress, while in the club, I’d rather not use your name. It feels disrespectful.”

  A big eye roll for needy male submissives. Our talk would be better facilitated as equals, but whatever. “Fine.”

  “Thank you, Mistress.”

  The hairs on the back of my neck pricked. Jake might have been right. “Was the scene too much for you?” Jake’s judgment made this whole thing worse. Disappointing him…hurt. I shouldn’t care, but his opinion mattered, which meant trouble. So quickly my thoughts turned to him.

  Bryce’s head sagged forward. A mop of sweat-soaked curls plastered against his scalp. The scene had been hard on him physically, but his emotional state concerned me more. I rubbed his back, providing comfort. I knew Bryce. To get off, he needed his emotional barriers ripped asunder before his body could follow with a release. Usually this was accomplished through intense impact play. A glance at the piercing tray had my lips forming into a stern line. Maybe the reason we hadn’t completed the scene all those years ago hadn’t been solely because I hadn’t been ready. Maybe the lure of playing with the Mistress of Pain overrode his fear of piercings? Bryce might have agreed for the wrong reasons.

  Jake could have been right. Again. Damn and double damn.

  Bryce leaned into my touch. Breathed out a sigh. “Just wish I got the piercings. Hate to have to go through all that again.” His cheeks rounded with a tease of emotion.

  The infectiousness of his grin had a smile blooming on my face. “About that… I don’t think you should.”

  He breathed out a sigh of relief. “Really?”

  “Yes, I really don’t think you should.”

  His shoulders slumped forward.

  I pulled him into a hug. “Maybe we should both steer clear of them for a time. If you really want a piercing, maybe start with a Prince Albert. Stay away from a ladder piercing. Might not be the best choice for you.”

  “Will you place it?”

  I huffed a lau
gh. “Tell you what. Let’s not do it as a scene. If you really want it, let’s make an appointment at a piercing parlor.”

  He grabbed my hand and cupped it gently in his. “Deal, but I want you to place it.”

  Not a good idea. “Hmm, we’ll talk about that later.”

  He jerked his chin toward the door. “Who was it that came in?”

  “Master Kevin.” Time to admit Kevin had called the scene on me. Embarrassing but necessary. Bryce deserved to know the truth. I wasn’t going to hide what happened, and Kevin mentioned the Board would censure me.

  I’d rather tell Bryce myself than have him find out. “He stopped the scene. Said it wasn’t safe.”

  “Oh.” A trembling sigh. “I could have handled it. Honestly. I trust you with my life.”

  His admission gave me pause. I had once felt the same for my Master, and he tried to kill me. Trust, such a fragile thing and so easily abused.

  “Were you at your limit?” Had I really missed the signs?

  He paused. “No.” He raised his hand to scratch at his curls, then lowered his head. “When you hit my dick, I thought I was going to lose it.” He glanced at me and gave a shrug. “Maybe?”

  “Would you have stopped me?” Please say yes.

  “God, no.” His shook his head with vehemence. “Never. I’d never stop you.” The reverence in his voice had my heart lurching.

  Fuck. Wrong answer, but not unexpected.

  “Master Kevin thought I crossed the line. He’s bringing it up before the Board.”

  “No! He can’t do that. Can he?”

  “It’s my fault. I should’ve picked up that I’d pushed you too far. I’m sorry.”

  His spine stiffened. “Sorry? Why would you be sorry?” He turned to me, placing a hand on mine. “And what do you mean by too far? I’ve never experienced anything that wonderful. That was one of the best scenes I’ve ever done. Did you see how hard I came?”

  Bryce stood before me. He stared for two beats before he lowered himself to his knees in supplication. Awe filled his voice. “Mistress Kate, everything disappears under your whip. My worries vanish. All I feel is raw, unadulterated sensation. Pain and pleasure meld into one magnificent…ah, I don’t know except it’s bliss. When I’m with you, I float to a place of peace, where the outside world shuts the fuck up and it’s just me in my head…and you. You telling me everything is going to be okay. Always you. Guiding me.”

  I understood what he was trying to say. The quiet of surrender was a place I also yearned to find. There was peace to be found in letting go. Once, I had begged for that same solitude. I wished for it even now. Something to fill the gaping hole inside me. But to surrender was to trust, and I trusted no one.

  More color pinked his cheeks. “Definitely, the best orgasm I’ve ever had. I mean…I was touched by the Mistress of Pain!” He got up and sat back on the table. “I just don’t get why Master Kevin called the scene.”

  My brows pinched together. “He said you were mouthing your safe word.”

  Bryce shook his head. “No.” He kicked his heels against the table and tightened his fingers.

  “Is that the truth?”

  His chin tucked into his chest. “I mean, yeah, but I didn’t say it. It got intense there and, for a moment, I was at my limit. I might have been moving my lips, but I would never safe-word. Not with you. I trust you with my life.” He shut his eyes. Took a long, slow pull of air. “I knew I was safe. With you I don’t have to know where the limits are. You find them for me and take me to the very edge of what I can handle.”

  And there was the problem. Just like Jake said. I hadn’t been paying attention to my submissive. Shit and double shit. “Well, Master Kevin expressed his concerns.”

  “But I wasn’t calling the scene.” His voice cracked, and he glanced up, eyes wide with worry.

  I rubbed his back. “He couldn’t risk it. You know the safety protocols.”

  Bryce pushed off from the table. His stance firmer now, in control. All submissive tendencies vanished. “I’ll fix this.”

  Submissive or dominant, men were funny creatures. Threaten their woman, and protective reflexes flared. Challenge their Mistress, and they became unstoppable.

  He didn’t need to fight my battles. Or face Kevin. That was my job. Only, it wasn’t Kevin I needed to tackle. My battle was with Jake, and so far I was losing.

  With a hand on Bryce’s arm, I attempted to calm the naked man. If he was going to fight for my honor, he should at least put on some pants. “Let’s go upstairs and grab a beer. You’re done for the night.”

  I went to a cupboard next to the door and pulled out a robe. He took the soft fabric and wrapped it around his muscular frame, covering his nakedness. The cloth changed his demeanor the moment it draped his body. No longer did I see a willing submissive male. Instead, a confident man stood beside me—an arrogant lawyer who controlled every facet of his life, who condemned criminals on a daily basis and submitted at night. The transformation amazed me every time.

  I’d put Bryce in danger. He’d floated so high in subspace he’d lost his ability to protect himself. Just like I’d done fifteen years ago. Only now I’d become the predator. Every word of recrimination from Jake had been solidly earned.

  “Don’t worry about Master Kevin.” I pulled on his arm and gave a tug toward the door.

  We walked out, no longer Mistress and submissive. We’d relinquished those roles the moment the scene ended.

  We took the stairs and climbed to the sixth floor. The energy of the main club welcomed us with its surges of deep tribal rhythms and the escalating cries of passion. The sultry lighting, soulful beats, cries of pleasure, and moans of pain wrapped me in a welcome embrace. I breathed it in, and a weight lifted off my shoulders.

  Bryce led me toward the bar at the back of the club, past the open play areas. Content to follow, I allowed him to steer me through the play spaces, stopping with him to view scenes in progress that interested him. A woman getting caned had him commenting on technique. A suspension scene had him interested but critical of the lack of a blindfold. The whipping scene he shied away from. His hand brushed over his groin, perhaps feeling the raised welts left after our scene. He paused by a couple setting up for electrical play and moved to the edge of the velvet rope.

  “Have you ever done that?” He pointed to the electrical wand.

  A nod. “You know you can’t do that with piercings.”

  His eyes rounded. “You can’t?”

  “No. The electricity can arc and burn skin.”

  “Oh.”

  “You knew that, right?”

  Silence greeted me. Another reason to apologize to Jake. Damn. I hadn’t made sure Bryce understood the limitations associated with piercings. Could it get any worse?

  We meandered past the remaining play spaces and crossed the dance floor to the bar.

  Bryce pulled out a chair at a table. “I’ll get the beer.”

  “I said I was buying.”

  His eyes twinkled with a smirk. “Sub privilege. I serve my Mistress. Don’t worry. I’ll put it on your tab.”

  I took the seat he offered and collapsed into it. The thump, thump, thump of the club measured out the beat of my heart. Lulled me with its hypnotic rhythm. My lids grew heavy, bounced, then closed, and I rested for a moment as fatigue pulled at my bones.

  A thump on the table brought me out of my reverie. I struggled to focus on Bryce, confused to see dark wavy hair, trousers, and a button-up shirt instead of golden curls and a white terrycloth robe. I shook my head to clear my vision and found Jake’s angry eyes staring back.

  I sat up straight. “Why are you here?”

  My eyes scanned for Bryce. He stood by the bar. Kevin had his arm slung over Bryce’s shoulder. The two tipped back glasses of beer. Laughing. Bryce’s robe gaped open, and he cinched it closed.

  Jake shoved a tablet across the tabletop. A video was queued up on the screen.

  “Watch it.” He swiped t
he Play button with his thumb.

  The heavy drumbeat of the club’s music pounded in my veins. Adrenaline surged in my blood with him so close. He scrambled my mind and brought forth long-buried urges. I needed distance. Perspective. From the look on his face, I didn’t want to see what was on that screen. And those eyes trapped me just as effectively as any bindings. A glance at Bryce laughing with Kevin threw a bit of confusion into the mix. Bryce was supposed to stand up for me, not carouse with the enemy. Whatever confrontation Jake had planned, I was here for the duration.

  I turned the tablet facedown on the table. “No.” A petulant response perhaps, but it was all I had.

  Fury burned in his eyes. “Kevin found another one.”

  “Another video of Elizabeth?” Why bring it to me now? Although I preferred this to another lecture about being safe in the scene.

  His scowl confirmed my fear. “No. Not Elizabeth. It’s similar, though. Enough to be worrisome. Everyone knows the club is monitored, but I think they forget we actually listen. Some friend of a friend hears a rumor about a video. We do some digging and pull this off a private site. Kevin’s been having our tech guys watch for something like this since Lizzy’s—uh, Elizabeth’s murder. They came across this tonight. The quality is poor and virtually impossible to trace, although Kevin’s working on it.”

  Lizzy? Bastard. He had known Elizabeth and had kept it from me. Did he think I was stupid? I should confront him about it now, but I needed to look into his connection to her first.

  The timbre of his voice deepened, came out as a growl. “This one is older. About a month before Elizabeth’s murder.”

  “A month?”

  A slow nod.

  Did he understand what this implied? His eyes said yes. An itching in my palms had me wishing for my desk. Not that there was anything particular about the scratched-up metal, but I thought best in my office with its battered furniture.