B is for… by L Dubois Page B

disappointment, and took a seat.
    Half in shadow, he seemed lazily dangerous, like a jaguar napping in the sun. “Blindfold, ball gag, soft beating, biting, breast bondage, being serviced, and light bondage.” Xavier tapped his fist against the arm of the chair. “Those are the checklist items we’ve done.”
    “Yes, Master Xavier.”
    “Those are also the lightest items on the list.”
    Mae shivered, remembering what was still to come.
    “I’ve taken you to your limits, pushed you further than you ever have been before. Am I correct?”
    “Yes, Master Xavier.”
    “And you’ve enjoyed it?”
    Mae nodded quickly.
    “I have too.” Xavier sat forward, bracing his arms on his knees. “But I need more. I do not play on the darker side of the spectrum because I like it. I do it because I need it. Do you understand, Mae?”
    She dropped her gaze. “I bore you.”
    “You are anything but boring. Being with you has challenged me as a Dominant. Helping you discover the depth of your submission is rewarding.” His tone deepened, hinting at the darkness within him. “But I do not come here for that. I come here because I need things.”
    “What things, Master? I’ll do them.” For him, with him, she wanted it all.
    He rubbed one hand over the smooth crown of his mask. When he spoke he kept his head down. “You will, at least until the game is done. But understand now I have to satisfy my own needs. I will do things to you that may hurt you or scare you. You trust me, and I am trusting you to use your safe word when needed.”
    “I’m not afraid.” But her voice shook.
    “You should be.” He stood and cupped her chin, forcing her to look up at him. “You should be, because I’ve never tasted anything as sweet as your submission, and it makes me want to push you harder.”
    “I’m willing, Master.”
    He hesitated and Mae wondered what he was waiting for—all she needed was the chance to show him that she was willing, that she could submit in a way that would fulfill them both.
    Xavier walked away, plucking some things off a table along the wall.
    “For the rest of the night you will not speak unless spoken to. You will keep your gaze down unless I give you permission to look at me.” With each word his tone hardened until it was almost as if he were a stranger—a cold, menacing stranger. “At no time will you attempt to cover yourself, or otherwise interfere with what I’m doing.
    “Do you understand?”
    “Yes, Master Xavier.” Mae curled her fingers around the edges of the chair, keeping her gaze down.
    “Spread your knees. You are not to close your legs unless I give you permission. Understand?”
    “Yes, Master.”
    He grabbed her hair, jerking her head back. Mae yelped at the unexpected pain, but she opened her thighs, spreading her legs until her knees were on either side of the seat.
    “Do you, Red? You keep your legs spread because this is mine now.” His free hand patted her pussy, just hard enough to make her glad for the slight protection the panties offered. “Hold out your arms.”
    Rough rope wrapped her wrists, the binding quick and rough, nothing like the elegant bondage from this afternoon. With a jerk, Master Xavier lifted and folded her arms, pushing her bound wrists down until her hands were behind her neck. He tied the trailing ends of the rope to one of the rungs of the chair back, the tension on the rope strong enough that she had to arch her upper body to relieve the tension.
    The position lifted her breasts, and Mae suddenly knew what was about to happen.
    Xavier picked up her braid. “I like this.” He pulled the strands apart, then threaded some rope through the braid itself. Mae started to protest, but the words didn’t come. He’d ordered her to remain silent, and so she didn’t speak as he tied the rope now woven and knotted through her hair to the upper rung of the chair, further reinforcing the arch of her back.
    Another rope went around her waist, ensuring