Page 58 of In His Cuffs

Her face flushed and perspiration covered her body.

“You’ve got some beautiful marks,” he said. “You may not see them by Monday, but you’ll enjoy them for the rest of the night and, I’m guessing, all of tomorrow.” He hadn’t paused, and she hadn’t asked him to. Rather, she’d allowed her head to rest against the slats behind her.

Was Maggie nearing subspace again, and so fast?

Damn, her ability to shove aside everything else, but the moment astounded him. He understood how this could be cathartic to her, satisfying her in a way that exercise did for him. No wonder she looked forward to her outings at the Den. Subspace wasn’t a vague idea to her, it was a destination she headed for.

He kept her there for a while, criss-crossing her body and leaving behind vivid streaks of red. She allowed the restraints to take more of her weight as she leaned into the lashing. He spoke to her non-stop, and two minutes after her last verbal response, he eased off, lengthening the time between blows and softening the impact. “Stay where you are,” he told her. “I’ve got you.”

After tossing aside the flogger, he unfastened her ankles, then released her wrists. Her body sagged, and he caught her in his embrace, carrying her up the stairs to the living room. Still holding her, he sat on the couch. He debated what to do about her clamps before deciding to leave them in place. Soon they’d become uncomfortable enough for her to remove them herself.

Smoothing her hair and holding her tight, he matched her breathing. Then, when they were in synch, he led her into a shallower pattern.

She began to stir. He couldn’t make out her first words, but it didn’t matter. Before long, she reached for the clamps, but she lacked the fine motor skills to release the tips. He brushed aside her hands and removed both at the same time.

“Yowzer,” she said, punctuating the word with a short yelp.

“Welcome back.”

“You’re worse than an alarm clock,” she told him. “I’m hitting the snooze button.”

He grinned as she settled against him again.

She was quiet for so long, he began to wonder if she was asleep. A few minutes later she said, “That was spectacular.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. So did I. No real lingering pain from the beating?”

“Not at all. My body feels like it’s glowing,” she said. “This might sound odd, but I’m relaxed, and I’m invigorated at the same time.”

“Go on.”

“I don’t go there all the time, but I like to. You’re particularly skilled at what you do.” She looked at him. “I think I had my eyes closed during the flogging.”

“You did.”

“It’s strange.”

She stopped and started, explaining things in fragments, and he allowed her to talk at her own pace without interruption.

“Once I stop fighting, let my body accept it, everything seemed brighter. Not just light, but a blinding white. Sounds… They seem to be a million miles away. I hear you when you say my name. But otherwise… The real world has no distinction. I guess it’s like being in a swimming pool.” She was silent before adding. “Thank you for the experience.”

“Pleasing you matters to me, Maggie mine.”

She was quiet again for a long time, and he skimmed a thin red stripe that marred her shoulder.

“I think I should buy stock in a company that manufactures arnica.”

“I don’t mind skipping it.”

“Sorry. That’s not an option.”

“I want to keep a couple of marks so I can remember the experience.”

And get her through the time to the next scene? “We can talk about that. But I won’t have you walking around with painful bruises.”

“Spoilsport, Mr Tomlinson.”

“A Dom, Ms Carpenter. Your Dom.”

She exhaled a long-suffering sigh and protested, “Just because you have me in a collar—”

“And cuffs.”

“And cuffs,” she repeated.

“And in my house.”

“Are you done yet?” She pursed her lips. “None of that means you get to boss me around.”

“Yes. I’m afraid it does.”

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