When Ruthi’s bottom and thighs became red and inflamed, Eve had stepped back and hooked her flogger back onto her belt, intending to sanitize it when the scene was complete as per protocol, then had closely observed the submissive. Although trembling and decidedly aroused, Ruthi’s jaw was slightly clenched, and the muscles in her arms and legs had faintly tightened. She hadn’t been trying to take control from Eve, to top from the bottom, but she had consciously or unconsciously been fighting against her total submission, as Eve had already expected she would.
When Eve had instructed Ruthi to follow her further into the dungeon, gesturing for her to step up to the St. Andrew’s cross, Ruthi had paled but had done so with only a slight hesitation.
“Face the cross, then stretch out your arms and rest your hands by the top restraints, opening your legs so your feet are positioned near the bottom restraints.”
When she was in position, the Domme had quickly secured her, turning her sub’s head to the side, so that Ruthi was firmly cuffed to the cross, unable to move. Unhooking her flogger oncemore, Eve had once again run the tails all over Ruthi’s body for several minutes in silence, heightening the now-shaking submissive’s apprehension.
“The next time you are on my cross,” Eve had whispered with her scarlet-painted lips at the shell of Ruthi’s ear. “You will be completely naked. The bondage wheel will be unsecured so I can spin your body as I will. While I will not touch you between your legs, as per protocol, I can position you so your glorious arousal is visible right under my eyes. Because your waxing appointment is tomorrow at the spa, you will be completely bare for my pleasure.”
Ruthi’s shaking had intensified, her whimpers becoming audible.
“And you will know exactly what it’s like to experience a proper flogging at the hands of your Mistress, little one. There will be no holding back the next time, no controlling your reaction or your submission to me as you did tonight. You will let go. I have already vowed to you that you are safe here, Ruthi Shay, and you deserve to be the submissive you have longed to be for so long.”
With a sigh, swallowing the last of her tea, Eve thought about the rest of the scene. She had chosen not to do anything further, instead releasing Ruthi from the cross and taking her into the aftercare area. Ruthi had been stunned and surprised when Eve had given her water and chocolate, then had bathed her, rubbing her briskly with warm, dry towels, then had held her naked on her lap in the big armchair until she had judged that Eve had come fully down. Kissing her tenderly on her forehead, the Domme had told her to get dressed, informing Ruthi she had been released for the evening, then had slipped out the door and disappeared.
What made Eve’s heart hurt was knowing how much Ruthi wanted to submit so badly but had such a tight net of controlwoven around herself. Helping her to tear it open was going to take every ounce of Eve’s skill, patience, and perseverance. Picking up her empty glass, the Domme stood, ready to go back into the cottage.
“What the hell did that bitch do to you, little sub?” Eve growled, her eyes narrowed as she scanned the peaceful, tree-dappled landscape bathed in moonlight. “What made you so afraid to let go, to trust? No matter what happened, however, defeat is not an option, love. Because I will not stop until you are finally free.”
13
Kel gripped the Vespa’s handlebars, the engine humming beneath her, and tried not to overthink the fact that Madeline Whitley, actual goddess, secret crush, and now sometime-kisser, was pressed tight against her back. Madeline’s arms were looped around her waist, her cheek occasionally bumping Kel’s shoulder as they wound along the paved trail that cut through the jungle. Every time Madeline squeezed a little tighter around a curve, Kel had to bite the inside of her cheek simply to keep her brain from short-circuiting.
The morning air was warm, tinged with salt and the perfume of blooming plumeria. The island felt like it belonged to them alone, the only sound the distant call of a bird and the soft whir of rubber on stone. Kel almost forgot about the sabotage and the weird tension humming under the surface of paradise. It was easier, with Madeline laughing behind her, voice bright and free in her ear. “Are you sure you know where you’re going?” Madeline called, raising her voice over the wind as they zipped around a bend.
Kel grinned, not taking her eyes off the trail. “I memorized the map,” she answered. “Besides, you said you wanted an adventure.”
“I did not say I wanted to die by scooter,” Madeline replied, but there was laughter in her voice.
She gave Kel’s waist a playful squeeze, and Kel’s heart stuttered. “Trust me,” Kel said, a little breathless. “I’ve got you.”
Madeline’s hands lingered, maybe a second too long to be accidental, before she settled in, her body warm and solid against Kel’s back. By the time the path opened and the trees parted, Kel’s skin was tingling everywhere Madeline touched her. She pulled the Vespa to a stop at the edge of the private lagoon, cutting the engine. For a moment, neither of them moved.
The lagoon was everything the staff promised. Water clear as glass, rimmed by smooth black rocks, a small patch of powder white sand, and a fringe of jungle. Sunlight danced across the surface, turning the shallows turquoise and the deeper center a rich, mysterious blue. A gentle breeze ruffled the palm fronds overhead. It was private, quiet, and perfect.
Kel stepped off the scooter and turned to Madeline. “We made it.”
Madeline slid off, her hair already wild from the ride, eyes bright. “You weren’t kidding,” she breathed, taking in the cove. “It’s gorgeous.”
Kel busied herself unstrapping the snorkel gear from the back of the Vespa, trying not to stare as Madeline peeled off her sundress. But she failed, spectacularly. Madeline’s bikini was a deep red that looked criminal against her sun-kissed skin. She was all curves and long lines, her smile a little wicked as she caught Kel looking. “See something you like?” Madeline teased, hands on her hips.
Kel nearly dropped the snorkels. “Uh—yeah. I mean—yeah.”Subtle, Lehman, she thought and Madeline laughed, clearly delighted, and bent to pick up her towel.
“You’re cute when you blush,” she said, sauntering toward the water’s edge. Kel couldn’t think of a single comeback that wasn’t embarrassing, so she simply kicked off her shorts and shirt, revealing her own black bikini. It was nothing fancy, but it did the job. She caught Madeline glancing at her, eyes lingering a little too long on her tight stomach and her muscular thighs.
It was enough to make Kel feel bold. “Race you in?” Kel challenged, tossing her towel aside.
Madeline’s smile was pure trouble. “You’re on.”
They ran with Madeline shrieking, Kel laughing, and splashed into the lagoon. It was warmer than Kel expected, the kind of perfect where you never want to leave. Madeline floated on her back, hair fanned out, with the sun gleaming on her skin. Kel swam closer, close enough to see the droplets on Madeline’s eyelashes and the flush on her cheeks. “You know,” Madeline said softly. “I can’t remember the last time I did something like this. No cameras. No pressure. Just… fun.”
Kel treaded water, letting herself drift a little nearer. “You deserve it,” she said. “You deserve all the good things.”
Turning upright, Madeline’s eyes met Kel’s, and for a second, the air between them changed with the charge of their chemistry. Kel felt the pull, as real as the tide. She reached to brush a stray curl from Madeline’s forehead. “You’re kind of amazing, you know that?” Kel murmured.
Madeline’s breath caught. “Kel—” The space between them shrank to nothing. Kel leaned in, heart thundering, and Madeline didn’t move away. Their faces were so close that Kel felt the warmth of Madeline’s breath, saw the flecks of gold in her brown eyes. For one suspended moment, the world narrowed to only the two of them. Then, with a sudden laugh,Madeline ducked under Kel’s arm, spinning away in a splash. “Come on,” she called, swimming toward the shore. “I want to try that snorkel gear before you distract me again.”
Kel blinked, half-dazed, the taste of almost kissing still buzzing on her lips. She watched Madeline wade out, water streaming down her body, hips swaying maybe a little more than necessary. A tease, plain as day.She’s going to kill me, Kel thought, grinning despite herself, and followed Madeline toward the sand, already plotting her next move.
