Page 54 of No Going Back

Though they’d acted out many scenarios in their time together, there was one in particular that stood out. Maddie would know which one he meant—after all, it had been one of her fantasies, playing the captive to his kidnapper. They’d spent the weekend in a remote cottage. As soon as they entered the building, he’d ordered her to strip and had kept her naked until the morning they returned to London. As her captor, he’d taken her when and how he pleased. She’d played the role of victim to perfection, until the game ended on the Sunday evening, with their favourite ritual to mark the transition from fantasy back to reality.

Bathing together was an exquisitely intimate experience for both of them. That particular occasion had turned into something special. Guy could still feel the warmth of the scented water as he held her in his arms, cradled to his chest. He could still hear her contented sighs, her thanks for fulfilling a fantasy she’d been too ashamed to reveal to any previous Dominants with whom she’d played. He’d taught her never to be ashamed to ask for what she wanted.

“How does it feel now, pet?”

Her groan was heartfelt. “It’s burning, Sire. Everywhere.”

Just the way he’d intended. He gave the plug a final twist, eased it out, and set it to one side, being careful not to make contact with the lube. They were done with the fire—now for the ice. He patted her bottom. “I know. I think it’s time to make it better now.”

From the small refrigerator, he retrieved the nicely chilled lube and glass plug. On the way back to the table, he cast a glance at the St. Andrew’s Cross, where the last act of this closure of the past would soon take place. When he bound her to it, Maddie would be screaming with the force of the orgasms he planned to give her.

Unless she’d changed beyond recognition from the woman he’d once known

“This will help the burn, pet.” He slicked up the plug and slipped it between the cheeks of her bottom. She tensed immediately, hands clenching into tight fists. It might be a shock to the system, but the coolness would help to dilute the effect of the ginger. The powerful contrast to the spicy heat would also provide an added thrill.

He gave her bottom a sound slap, then rubbed it to take away the sting and distract her as he removed the plug. “I think that’s enough, pet. I’ve gone easy on you so far—it’s time to finish this.”

Guy released her bonds and helped her to sit on the edge of the table, facing him. Her eyes were lowered, her gaze fixed on her hands clasped in her lap. He framed her face with his hands and tilted her head up for a deep kiss.

“When this is done, we can close the door on the past.”

“A fresh start?”

The hope in Maddie’s voice allowed him to release his fear that she’d want to walk away when their scene was over. “If that’s what you want.”

“It is, Sire.” Her gaze connected with his. “With all my heart.”

Her quiet words blew him away. This was one job he had to get right, for both their sakes. He parted her thighs and stepped into the space between them. She was gripping the edge of the table, her arms braced as if they were they only thing holding her upright.

Guy kissed her forehead. She’d once told him she felt safe and treasured when he did that. He traced her jawline with his fingertips, then allowed them to trail down her throat to her chest. He took the weight of her breast in his palm, and wondered again how he hadn’t recognised her when they’d made love.

“The first time we were together—I should have known it was you.”

A slow shake of her head told him she disagreed. “Why? Everyone changes in a decade—some for the worse, like me, and some for the better, like you.”

Guy folded his arms. “Flattery will get you nowhere, pet, and to teach you that, I think I’ll start with your nipples.”

Without any hint of gentleness, he pulled and twisted each tender, fleshy bud, before applying the vicious clamps. Her eyes glistened as she bit her lower lip.

“I’ve told you not to do that, haven’t I?” He stroked her lip with his thumb, soothing the abused skin.

“I’m sorry, Sire. It hurts.”

He didn’t pretend not to know what she meant. She was talking about the clamps. “Then I need to do something to take your mind off it.”

He swept Maddie up in his arms so fast, she lunged to loop her arms around his neck. Her breasts collided with his chest, and he heard her breathless gasp as the sudden contact ignited a new torment for her clamped nipples. He looked into her eyes, and his heart missed a beat, as if he were seeing that unique shade of jade-green for the first time.

“If I’d done this the first night we spent together, I’d have known.”

Maddie didn’t pretend to misunderstand him. “That’s what I was afraid of. I was so scared you’d work it out.”

“And yet you were the one who gave the game away. Why, when you were so frightened of the consequences?”

“I couldn’t carry on pretending to be a stranger. I think my subconscious wanted to bring matters to a head and let the chips fall where they may.”

He glanced down at her adorned nipples. “Any regrets?”

Her lashes lowered in a gesture of respect. “No, Sire. Although when you remove the clamps…” She managed a rueful smile.