Doms of Chicago, Boxed Set One, page 6
Let’s hope I am strong enough to let another take her.
Chapter Four
Struggling against the ropes holding her tight, Nisey knew the man in her room couldn’t see the tears leaking from her eyes. The blindfold absorbed them before they had a chance to streak down her cheeks. She knew he was in the room with her but was choosing to remain silent. It was unnerving to feel his presence but not have him acknowledge her. Is this normal or is this just Derrick being an immature ass again?
“Derrick?” Her voice seemed to echo. “This isn’t funny.”
From a distance she heard the garage door open. Her parents were returning home.
“Untie me. Let me go Derrick, don’t do this to me again.”
“Poor little wannabe sub, she can’t handle being punished by her master again. We’re going to keep doing this until you’ve learned to accept it.” His voice caressed her ear.
“Please Derrick! Don’t do this! You’re not my master. You have no right to do this!” Her tears were flowing faster and harder as she heard his footsteps retreat. “Please, don’t leave me like this! I’ll do anything you want!”
“What the hell are you doing in here, Nisey? I told you weren’t welcome here anymore.” The waspish tone to her mother’s voice had Nisey cringing. She grasped the only lifeline she knew was there. Please let him be here for me.
“Please untie me, Daddy.”
When the blindfold was removed, she expected to see her father’s familiar face. When Caelan’s face appeared before her dazed eyes, relief washed over her. He’d never hurt her. He’d protect her. When he released her and pulled her into his arms, she found a peace she hadn’t expected.
“Shh, it’s nothing more than a dream. I promise he’ll never hurt you again…”
Nisey awoke with a jerk. Sitting up she clenched the rumpled sheets against her chest. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me. It’s been two days since I confided in Caelan. I was hoping it would help with the dreams. Is this what I’ve been dreaming about when I cry out? Am I reliving it?
Sliding out of the bed, she decided she might as well get up. Yawning, she shuffled into the kitchen in search of coffee only to be faced by Caelan, or rather his sexy ass. He was leaning over the counter, watching the coffee as it finished brewing. Her breath caught as her nipples tightened against the silk camisole she was wearing.
As goose flesh raced over her she was reminded of her lack of proper attire. The boy shorts and the silk camisole she wore to bed didn’t cover much skin. It left her long legs bare and if she bent over the shorts would expose more than her ass, while the top was thin enough that she knew the dark tips of her breasts could be seen through the soft fabric.
Licking her lips, she started backing out of the kitchen before he realized she was there. Not now, I’m not ready to face him after my dream. He’s not going to be the one to rescue me. I have to do that myself. Besides, he doesn’t take on ‘newbies’, even if I found the courage to ask. Edging backwards, she nearly made it out of the kitchen, when Caelan’s voice stopped her.
“Please stay, Nisey. Have some coffee with me.”
She stepped back into the kitchen and quickly crossed her arms over her chest, wanting to hide her reaction. She watched as he made himself at home, grabbing the coffee mugs from the cupboard and assembling everything needed for coffee.
“How did you know I was…?”
Caelan glanced over his shoulder at her, his amber eyes warm. “Your scent, Nisey, it’s both distinctive and attractive.”
“Oh, thanks.” Pleasure washed over her at his compliment.
Pouring the coffee, he brought the two mugs to the table.
“Come, sit.” Pulling out chair out for her, he waited for her to be seated. “Kalinda asked me to come up and start the coffee for you. Something about the stuff you brew isn’t fit for human consumption?”
Nisey nodded as she took a small sip. “Yeah, she usually starts the pot before she leaves at eight, but today she had an early class.” Tucking her hair behind her ears she fidgeted nervously, very aware of his presence across the table from her and her reaction to him. If she were in his presence much longer she’d have a wet spot on her shorts for him to see.
“She told me you don’t have classes on Monday nights.”
She shook her head ‘no’.
“How serious are you about learning more about the lifestyle?”
Heat flared through her and her breath caught in her throat before she finally answered him. “Honestly, I’m intrigued by it but before I can do that I have to put this crap with Derrick behind me. I was thinking of taking you up on your offer. Would you seriously help me find the right Dom?”
He set down his coffee mug before he nodded. “I’m fairly well respected within the community. I can open doors that would normally be closed to you while keeping you safe. If you wanted that, the first thing I would do is arrange for you to attend a ‘munch’.”
“What exactly is a munch? An orgy?”
Laughter escaped him. “No. I wouldn’t take a newbie to a play party. A munch is a casual meeting of like-minded people in the lifestyle. We usually meet in Greek-town at one of the local restaurants. I know the owner. Gabriel is active in the lifestyle. He has a large private room where we hold many of the meetings. We have a dinner meeting there every Monday. It’s good food and honest conversation so a newbie, such as your self, can learn a lot. Occasionally Gabriel and I will give an impromptu discussion or mild demonstration concerning skills, safety and other aspects of the lifestyle.”
Wrapping her lips around the rim of her mug, she giggled as she tried to envision a group of people showing up in leather with whips and chains at a family restaurant.
Caelan must have mistaken her giggle as a sign of distress. “Nisey, are you okay? This is only if you want to, no pressure.” He touched her elbow. She nearly melted at his show of concern.
“I know. I wouldn’t have asked about it if I wasn’t curious. I was just trying to picture every one showing up dressed up in leather. Don’t the other patrons get upset or do they shut the restaurant down for the meeting?”
“I think you misunderstood, Nisey. This is casual. No bondage gear, no whips or chains – nothing outward. We meet, have a good meal, and talk about everything BDSM. This week we’re having a special demonstration where a friend of mine will be talking about the proper way to bind a sub and I’ll be assisting him.”
Her breathing grew ragged as fear and desire warred inside her. “You’re actually going to tie someone up? In public?”
“No - not in public. Gabriel has reserved his private room for this munch. Plus Sara will be completely clothed. I’ll be demonstrating the basic ties and what gear is necessary when restraining a sub.”
“I thought that you just needed rope.”
Shaking his head, he took her hand. “Rope is important. You can’t restrain a sub without it. Safety scissors and an agreed upon safe word or hand signal for the sub are just as important and cannot be overlooked. ‘Safe, Sane, and Consensual’ is more than our motto, Nisey, it is the core of our lifestyle. The sub’s safety must always come first both physically and emotionally. The scissors and the safe word assure that.”
“Well that’s good to know. So a safe word is an expression or word that halts all play right?”
“Yes, the Dom must react to it immediately and release the sub if it is needed.”
“So if I’d had a safe word with Derrick what happened wouldn’t have happened, right?”
“Exactly. That is IF he’d been a responsible Dom, but that might be pushing it.”
“Pushing it a lot, I’d say, but you would have stopped and released me before my parents came in, right?” She smiled at him, hoping he would answer.
“Guaranteed, Nisey. Now I’ve got a conference call in about ten minutes so I’ll leave you to your coffee.”
“Thanks, Caelan.” She touched his arm and pushed her body closer to him just to experience the spark of attraction surging through her. Even if he won’t train me, there’s nothing saying I can’t get a cheap thrill without him knowing.
“Thanks for what?”
“The coffee, the conversation and being a person I can confide in. It’s been a long time since I’ve done that with anyone other than your sister.”
His eyes, intensely sensual and yet safe, ran over her giving her a thrill before he decided to speak what he was thinking. “It’s my pleasure. I almost wish I would’ve met you a year ago.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because I have a feeling we’d have ended up more than confidants.” He smiled sadly. “I’ll just have to be content to protect you until you learn to fly again.”
She stared at him, her heart aching for the loneliness she saw in his eyes. She wished she could find a way to drive it away.
“Let me know if you want to go. I won’t leave much before five tonight,” he told her before he headed back downstairs.
* * * *
Caelan’s words preyed on her mind all day. Sitting in the break room, she tried to focus on her lunch but she couldn’t get his words out of her mind. She really needed to talk to her best friend. Pulling out her cell, she called Kalinda.
“Got a second to talk, Kalinda?”
“Sure, girl. What’s up? Did Caelan make the coffee for you this morning? I’m sorry I forgot to start it.”
“No problem and yeah he did. We had coffee together this morning before he left for some conference call.”
“That’s wonderful. I hope you’re becoming more comfortable with him. I know he’s a good listener.”
“Comfortable isn’t exactly the word I’d use…erotic, sexy, exciting, provocative…they seem to fit your brother. I’m sure you know how…” She took a quick breath to steady her nerves. “…sexy he is. Every time he touches me all I want to do is beg him to…” Sighing, she rubbed the bridge of her nose. “He’s offered to take me to a munch, Kalinda. He’s appointed himself as my big brother, confidant and protector all rolled into one. I know he has a rule about ‘newbies’. He even said something about if he’d met me a year ago, we’d have ended up as more. Now, how am I supposed to go to a “munch” with him after he says something like that?”
“Did he make you uncomfortable saying that, Nisey?”
“No. But he looked so god damned lonely. I wanted to find some way to fix it. How am I supposed to find this perfect Dom with him hanging around? I’d be comparing every guy I met to him, and they would all fall short. This is crazy! I’ve never had this kind of a response to a man in my entire life.”
“I’m not sure, Nis, but be honest with him about it. He’ll understand. I swear.”
* * * *
Josh wandered by the break room and paused when he heard Nisey say the word ‘munch’. Standing next to the open door, he shamelessly eavesdropped on his employee. When Kalinda had first introduced her to him, he’d known without a doubt she was submissive. While he’d been mildly attracted to Nisey, his own need and desire for his best friend’s sister had eclipsed it. He’d been pursuing Kalinda for weeks even going as a far as hiring her friend to get closer to her. That all had changed though a few weeks later when the shit had hit the fan and Caelan had broken his own sister’s heart. The need for retribution against his former best friend had halted all thoughts of claiming Kalinda. He wasn’t going to draw an innocent into the war going on between him and Caelan. Instead he’d taken to drawing away any sub who showed interest in Caelan, using the logic he was only sparing the subs the same hurt his own sister had gone through. Nisey is too nice a girl to fall victim to Caelan’s fabled Irish charm.
When he heard Nisey end the call, he stepped back from the open door.
“Joshua! I can’t believe you’re spying on her!” Hillary’s hiss broke through his erotic musing about his employee.
“Shh. She’ll hear us. She’s thinking of going to a ‘munch’ tonight. I hadn’t planned on attending it tonight but –“
“I can’t believe you! She’s our employee! Typical man - all you think about is sex. If she quits, it’s gonna be your fault.”
“In case you’ve forgotten, Hil, I am your older brother and a Dom. What I do outside of work is my business, not yours.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “It is if you cost us one of the best workers we’ve had in years. Promise me you won’t approach her at work, Josh. It’s one thing if you run into at a munch, but entirely another if you approach her in the workplace.”
“This isn’t going to affect the shop. If she decides to play with me, she’ll get the experience and pleasure she wants and I’ll be taking something Caelan Doherty wants away from him.”
A bitter laugh escaped her. “Good luck with that, Josh. You’re thinking you’re taking something he wants, but there isn’t a possessive bone in that man’s body. In the end, he’ll give her away without a second thought when he’s ready to move on.”
After she left him, he continued to watch Nisey finish her lunch. I have a feeling this one could be different. All I need to see is how he interacts with her, but I’m almost positive he’ll find her irresistible, almost as irresistible as I find Kalinda.
* * * *
At quarter to five, Nisey was sitting on the bottom stair waiting for Caelan to appear. She knew she was burying her head in the sand. Maybe she’d be able to ignore Caelan’s siren call on her body if she was surrounded by other people, but she seriously doubted it. Going to the munch was a way she’d test her theory and if it failed like she suspected it would, she’d tell him at the end of the night and be no worse off. At least she’d have the memory of seeing him in all his dominant glory.
The scrape of the door opening had her head flying up. Caelan exited his part of the house carrying a dark duffel bag. Turning to lock the door behind him, he didn’t notice her at first. Standing quickly, she approached him with her hands in her pockets. Trying to steady her nerves, his name came out a bit hesitant.
“Caelan?”
After locking his door, he turned to her. She hoped he didn’t notice her nervous posture and the way she quickly lowered her eyes before looking up at him again.
“Nisey? Derrick didn’t show up at your work again did he?”
“No. I haven’t heard from him since Josh threw him out of the shop.”
“Good. So why are you lurking? Did you decide you wanted to go with me tonight?
She looked up at him. “Yeah. I figured since it was Kalinda’s night out and I don’t have…”
“Nisey, stop.”
She bit her lip. “I’m sorry.”
“You know, if you keep apologizing to me, it’s going to lead to having you bent over my knee and your having a warm bottom. Tell me honestly, do you want to go with me? Don’t try to rationalize or give me excuses. If you want to go with me because you want to take the first step, I’ll be happy to take you.” He placed a finger on her chin. “But I don’t want you lying to yourself or me about why you’re going.”
Taking a deep breath, she took what she hoped was the first step towards the right direction and decided to be totally honest.
“Yes, Caelan, I want to go with you. I’d really like to see what happens as you tie up a submissive. I’m not ready to place myself back in the restraints yet, but I need to know that what I experienced the first time isn’t the norm.”
“If that’s what you want to see, I’ll be more than happy to oblige. Are you ready to go now?”
Smiling she nodded. Patting her pockets she felt for her keys and her bankcard. “Got my keys and bankcard, so I’m set.”
“Shall we go?” After holding the front door open for her, he escorted her to his waiting car.
* * * *
Entering the restaurant, Nisey was struck by the fragrant smells of good Greek food. Her stomach rumbled but she was so nervous she wasn’t sure she’d be able to eat anything. Would the demonstration be before they ate or after?
Caelan was greeted by the hostess while Nisey stuck her hands back in her pockets and glanced around. The dim lighting made the setting seem more intimate and the soft conversation between the customers put Nisey at ease. Perhaps this will turn out better than I expected.
“Ready, Nisey?” She nodded as Caelan placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her through the restaurant as they followed their hostess. Tension filled her as they grew closer to their destination. Dear Lord, I hope I know what I’m doing.
“Relax, Nisey. No one is going to attack you. These are all good people and they’re here to have a good time and relax. Just be yourself.”
“Okay.” She smiled up at him, as they entered the private room. Several voices called out greetings to Caelan. It was obvious he was well liked. She tried to relax but was tempted to drop behind him. His hand firm against the small of her back kept her in place and she took courage from it. He wouldn’t steer me wrong, I just need to relax and get over my nerves. They are normal people just like me.
* * * *
Caelan smiled and returned the greetings. Next to him he could feel Nisey’s tension and unease increase. Her courage to take this first step thrilled him, as he’d been somewhat surprised when she’s showed up. When he’d offered he hadn’t expected her to take him up on it that very night. She’s here even though she’s uncomfortable with this. She’s trying - I’ll give her that. If it takes a little forcefulness from me to keep her from chickening out, so be it.
“Everyone – this is Nisey. She wants to see me tie up a sub.”
Laughter met his statement as Nisey flushed bright pink next to him.
“Girl, everyone here loves to watch him tie up subs. Why don’t you come over and sit down with me? That way you’ll have a front row view of the action.” The laughing brunette pushed out the chair next to her.
“Caelan?” The question in Nisey’s voice was unexpected. He looked down at her, surprised she was asking his permission to sit with Olivia, one of his Domme friends. His imagination ran wild with the thought of finding out how well she’d accept his dominance and his ropes.
