With This Collar by Sierra Cartwright Page A

tawse?”
    She could refuse. With him being dressed, she was aware of a subtle power shift. Being nude while he towered above fully clothed unnerved her.
    God help her, but the feeling thrilled her as much as it terrified her.
    She crossed to the horse and picked up the sturdy strip of leather.
    “Keep your gaze focused on the floor as you bring it to me,” he said quietly.
    Julia knew she could use a safe word and put a stop to his commands, but she followed the order regardless.
    When she reached him, she extended her hand.
    “Kneel and offer it to me.”
    She wouldn’t really do that, would she? His roughened tone hypnotised her, and she couldn’t refuse. Kneeling, she did as he had said.
    “On your palms.”
    She extended her hands, palms up, the tawse lying lengthwise across them.
    He didn’t move or speak.
    She was aware of the sturdiness of the leather. As she continued to wait, she recalled its heat as it had caressed her skin. It had burnt, but that sensation had paled next to the ache it had caused inside.
    “Thank you.”
    He took the implement, and she bit her lower lip to prevent herself from asking him to use it on her again.
    “You may stand.”
    Only after he’d clipped the tawse to his belt loop did she rise.
    “Come here, Julia.”
    Compelled, she did. He cradled her and rubbed her skin. It seemed odd that he would be the one to comfort her after that experience, but she didn’t question it. She just stayed there for a while, inhaling his fresh woods scent, relying on his formidable masculine strength.
    She was strangely reluctant to step away, but eventually she did.
    “Let’s get your clothes,” he said. He paused long enough to don his leather blazer.
    The sight of him, dashing in the western-looking gear, was enough to make her mouth dry. She could hardly believe she’d spent the evening with him, feeling his hand on her ass, experiencing shattering orgasms, being thoroughly dominated.
    When he’d closed the door behind them earlier, her heart had missed a beat. Being in the spanking room had been surreal. But now, rejoining the party felt odd.
    As she followed him down the hall, she heard the sounds of whips, of subs crying out, of sternly delivered commands, and soothing words.
    It still startled her a bit, but now she understood better.
    In the main area, servers continued to offer drinks. Doms chatted. Some subs knelt. One was leashed. A Dom patted a sub’s head while he conversed with the bartender.
    Nothing had changed.
    Except her.
    “Stay here,” Marcus told her. He pointed to a spot on the floor.
    Shocking herself, she didn’t argue. She didn’t move, but she kept her gaze on him. She jumped a little when someone touched her elbow.
    “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
    She turned and met the deeply dark brown eyes of Gregorio. Up close, he was more handsome than she’d imagined. His skin was sun-darkened. He had on a black T-shirt with the arms shorn off. His trousers looked as if they’d been tailored. No doubt he could appear in the videos filmed at the house.
    “It’s your first time here,” he said. “And, according to Master Damien, your first experience.”
    Marcus had told her Gregorio was a switch but, to her, he had the same air of authority as the other Doms she’d met. “Yes,” she said. “Sir.”
    “I watched for a few minutes.”
    “Seriously?” She hadn’t been aware of anything or anyone other than Marcus.
    “While you were tied to the horse. You appeared serene.”
    She would have never used that word, but in a strange way it fitted.
    “How was your experience?”
    “Mind-blowing,” she admitted. She pushed the loose hair back from her face. “At first it was too much, and it stung like hell. I’m not quite sure what to think.”
    “That’s understandable and not at all unexpected. Do you have anyone you can speak with?”
    “Lana. After she’s back from Mexico.”
    “I’ll have Master Marcus give you my contact information. If you