Nina's Dom Read online

  Athol shook his head. "Ach, big man gonna nae dae that?"

  "It'll be a Glasgow kiss next," Nic said, speaking about the famous head-butt used in gang fights on a booze-filled Saturday night. "Truth or I ask Edan."

  "Fiona and Lizzie would have filled in, but Lizzie would probably have fainted. She's had a long day at work, and says, and I believe her, that her blood sugar levels are so low you need to lie down to see them. Seriously, that apart, Nic, do you think I couldn't help but notice how you two struck sparks off each other? Hell, I love you both, and I hated seeing you without your sparks. No, I didn't set it up at the beginning, unless you call arranging for you to show her around on that hen night setting you up. This though, well I did do a bit of tweaking. And don't tell Linsey or she'll skin me alive."

  "Tell Linsey what?" The lady herself had reentered the room. Nic ignored her, and Athol's laughing disclaimers and silly responses. He'd only got eyes for Linsey's companion.

  Nina wore a tight to the skin strapless corset, which skimmed her breasts and barely covered her nipples, and a short leather skirt with a slit up each side. She smiled self consciously as Nic walked toward her and took hold of her hands.

  "Anima mia, you look perfect."

  "Sir, with respect, I look stupid and feel it. If I take more than the shallow of shallowest breaths my boobs will pop out and wave hello. And if I make one unwary move I'll be showing more than a stripper in a peep show or whatever." Nina tugged ineffectually on the top of the bustier and then the hem of the skirt. The consternation on her face was at odds with the erratic pulse that beat in her wrist and the soft sheen of arousal on her skin.

  "Are you coding out?" Nic spoke harshly on purpose. He had to break into her funk.

  She jumped. "Eh? Of course not, just being a good open and honest sub. I'm letting you know how I feel."

  "Stupid and aroused?"

  She blinked. "That's about it, Sir."

  "By the time I've finished it will be stupid for feeling stupid and so aroused you'll be begging to come. Okay Athol wants us to start. Assume the position by the bed."

  Chapter Thirteen

  Nina decided it wasn't hard to walk tall when you were doing your damnedest not to let your knees knock and your teeth chatter. Staying upright took up all your concentration, and nothing else mattered. At least she wasn't trying to navigate in heels. She'd told Linsey in no uncertain terms that if she had to wear heels, all bets were off.

  Linsey laughed. "I remember. Nina, do you know what you're doing?"

  Nina wriggled and twisted the skirt until it sat as low on her hips as she could make it. "Subbing."

  "Pet."

  The tone was warning.

  Nevertheless, the sobriquet irritated Nina. She wasn't Linsey's sub, and was only doing a favor, so therefore in Nina's eyes it was unnecessary. After all, to all intents and purposes to people at Dommissimma she was a switch. One of the things that had been drummed into her when she played regularly at the club, was unless it was specified, a sub or a Dom could be exclusive and answer only to their partner. As a switch it could be even more complicated. It might be different elsewhere, and indeed it might have changed at Dommissimma, but Nina was damned sure she'd had no notifications and she was having nothing of it.

  "I am not a pet." She kept her tone even and turned to look at Linsey, who leaned against the wall and drummed her fingers on the doorjamb. "This is a favor to Nic, no more, no less. Unless you count making sure your club has a successful demonstration." Nina tugged the top of the bustier higher, pushed several hair grips in more firmly and walked past Linsey without another word.

  Out of the corner of her eye Nina saw Linsey follow her back to the dungeon.

  ****

  Now Nina was determined to do her best to block everyone out except Nic. One thing such a short period of time had shown her was it wasn't really her scene. She sniggered under her breath. My scene, no, I think that's still a performance for two, Nic and I, but I'll do this and do it well. For both of us.

  With her natural grace—all those years of ballet her mum had ferried her to must have done some good—Nina moved to the mat next to the bed and knelt with her head bowed and her hands behind her back. For once her mind wasn't full of what she'd forgotten to buy at the supermarket, or how many essays she had to mark. It was full of Nic and what he might demand from her.

  The lack of outside thoughts surprised her as much as the excitement it gave her.

  She was so absorbed in her non thoughts, that when she felt a hand—God she hoped it was Nic's and not some independent acting body part or someone else getting in on the act—on her head she squeaked and jumped.

  "Steady," Nic's voice rumbled through her and spread out like ripples on a lake, calming her and steadying her down. With him this close his scent surrounded her, all male musk and Nic. She drew a deep breath. It calmed her worries, soothed her soul, and helped her focus.

  The lighting dimmed until only the bed and the surrounding area was bathed in light. Outside that tiny area was all shadows. The sound of the door opening and closing several times hardly impinged on her consciousness.

  "All right, anima mia, let’s show them what we're worth, eh? Remember your colors, and remember anything you say goes. You are a star, my anima mia, and what you want is what I want as well."

  It was then she knew she'd fallen in love with him. Soppy, slushy, romance novel heroine-like, unexpected love.

  "Yes, Sir." Would he understand how heartfelt her salutation was? It wasn't lip service; it was true.

  "Get onto the bed and lie down as we discussed." His voice was all-Masterful now. There was no sign of the man who not so long ago had said he wasn't interested in scening with wax anymore, and definitely not in public.

  Nina moved as if she were in a trance. Nothing impacted other than his voice, which spoke to her deep inside.

  "Now, anima mia, as we discussed I'll tie your wrists and feet. All you need to do is feel."

  All the time he prepared her for the wax, he spoke to her in soft gentle tones. There was no doubt who was in charge, and no question who was going to set the scene. With each word, each phrase, and each movement he included her in his thoughts and deeds. She closed her eyes to absorb the atmosphere better so she could feel, not wonder.

  Nic stroked her arms, her legs, and her shoulders. His gentle touch created just enough friction to set the hairs on her body on end, and create shivers and tingles that filled her from head to toe.

  There could have been no one else in the room or two hundred. Nina had no idea. He was the only person who mattered.

  "Breathe, anima mia, watch the wax, see how it comes to caress you. Take the sting, let it into you, let it flow."

  That was the only warning she had. Nina opened her eyes, and looked upward to see Nic, wax candle in one hand, tilt it so the flame stood at an angle from the candle. Then like a raindrop on a windowpane, a tiny teardrop gathered and slid towards her.

  Nina couldn't take her eyes off it. For what seemed an aeon the wax dropped through the air, and then it kissed her skin.

  She hissed as the kiss turned into a pain so intense she wanted to scream. How the hell could anyone say it was pleasure? She bit her lip to stop the cuss words spilling out. If it hadn't been the look of total absorption on Nic's face as he twisted his hand to increase the speed of the droplets and create a cobwebby pattern over her shoulders and the swell of her breasts, Nina knew damned well she'd have cried red. She held her breath to stop the pain spreading.

  "Breathe, anima mia, let it fill you. Now." The last word was harsh. It broke into her panic, and Nina let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding. The candle flame wavered as the whoosh of air she expelled reached it, and she looked at it in dismay. It couldn't go out, not now, not when…

  When there was no pain. Just a radiant heat that spread over her skin, and dipped deep inside her. She smiled, licked her lips and cleared her throat, as Nic steadied the candle flame
and stared down at her, his eyes watchful, his expression showing a tiny hint of vulnerability, and, she decided, pleading.

  "More, Sir. I want more."

  He smiled. "Topping from the bottom, anima mia?"

  "You bet."

  "In that case." He tilted the candle again.

  She flew. Every sting, every tap of pain became pleasure. Nina had no idea when Nic ceased his twist and drip act with the candle, until she felt the ties on her arms and legs removed, and she was snuggled in a blanket on Nic's lap.

  He stroked her hair as she sighed, and blinked a few times. The room was still in shadow, and silent. Any watchers had either left or were being very quiet.

  "Good?"

  Nina considered. Was good the right word? It seemed too mild for what she'd just experienced. Her body buzzed with tiny darts of pleasure, and her brain was fuzzy, as if she'd eaten too much, and drunk one glass too many. But in a perfect sated, complete way. As a sub when she had played before, she'd never ever felt so deeply. Never lost her sense of surroundings or what was happening. This time had been oh so different.

  "I don't know that good is the right word, Sir." She yawned and put her hand over her mouth. She could sleep for a week if she had the chance. "Good is too weak. I've never felt like that. I floated, I felt, and I just let myself be." She hesitated, unsure of how to express that feeling of rightness. "Be part of the pleasure that the pain gave me. Nothing mattered except knowing you were giving me the experience. That my Sir wanted me to gain all of it and more. That I pleased my Sir."

  Nic's arms tightened around her.

  "Oh you pleased me, anima mia. More than that. You gave your all. What more could a Dom want but to see his pet, his partner, his anima mia fly?"

  Chapter Fourteen

  To Nic's horror Nina burst into tears.

  He'd never understand women, never. Okay he’d expected sub drop, especially when someone went as deep into the scene as Nina had, but these tears were something else. Harsh, racking sobs that shook her body and left him feeling clueless. He felt as helpless as a virgin in a whorehouse.

  "Shh, pet, now then." Such was his agitation he didn't realize the hated sobriquet slipped out. Neither did she. He stroked her hair, whispered silly words and kissed her cheek, until finally Nina's shudders decreased, her sobs became hiccups, and her breathing slowed.

  He reached for the box of tissues on the nearby table and handed a wad to her. She took them with a murmur of thanks and blew her nose loudly. Then she sniffed and sighed.

  "Oh lordy, I'm sorry. I've no idea what that was all about." She balled the tissue up, and looked around. Nic took it from her and tossed it into the bin.

  "It doesn't matter, I've got you."

  The realization he wanted to keep her hit him hard once more.

  Nina was silent, and Nic was more than content to sit in the shadowy room, with her on his lap and enjoy the feeling. Eventually she sat up and let the blanket slip to her waist.

  "Happy tears."

  Nic hoped his astonishment didn't show on his face. "Because?"

  Nina twisted and looked at him. "Because I—we—pushed my barrier and found something I didn't believe existed. I was yours, and everything worked. Nothing mattered except pleasing you, doing as you, my Sir, desired. Seriously, the cast of We Will Rock You could have been singing and watching and I wouldn't have noticed. Why did I ever worry about an audience? They don't matter. All that matters is that I was yours and we were one. It sounds silly, but how can I put that into words?"

  Nic was sure she'd hear his heart as it thumped loudly and swelled with pleasure. "You just did. It was a two way thing, anima mia. I was yours. It was one of the most amazing things ever. We helped each other." He chuckled. "With a little help from our friends."

  "Eh? Ah."

  He watched as comprehension swept across Nina's face. "A setup?"

  "Well it wouldn't surprise me. Athol has been threatening to shake me up and get my Dom hat to fit again, as he so eloquently put it. I bet my new scribing set he noticed the chemistry between us at that hen night and decided it was time to get us moving, and as Dom and sub. The one thing that I did wonder about though. You said you topped and bottomed. How did he decide just how beautiful and perfect a sub you are?"

  Nina rubbed her cheek on his chest, and pressed a kiss over the soft material that covered his nipple.

  "We didn't have many secrets. I guess he read me better than I read myself." She traced circles over his shirt. "A true Dom, like you? Me, no I really wasn't. But then until tonight, I didn't know I was a sub."

  Nic took a deep breath. "And now?"

  "Well that's the complicated bit. I know for sure I'm not a sub."

  The ringing in his ears scared the shit out of him. He was not going to faint. Nic closed his eyes and swallowed hard. By the cussing he heard guessed he must have made some sort of noise because Nina took hold of his shoulders and shook him hard.

  "Nic, don't you dare pass out on me. Shit and fuck, that came out wrong. Listen to me. Listen to me." The last few words were shouted in his ear. "Nic, you bugger, if you don't open your eyes now I'll … ohh, I don't know, I'll never sub for you again, and I'll sic Athol onto you. Don't you lose it now. I love you, you Dom person you."

  He opened his eyes and winced at the death grip she had on his shoulders. "Say that again."

  She grinned. "Oh no, you heard, and I can't believe I said it, not yet. I wanted to savor the feeling, cuddle it and bring it out and stroke it before I tried it out on you."

  "As long as you mean it you savor it all you want. And try this on for size. It's mutual, so we can both go all cuddly together."

  Her eyes widened, and he laughed. "Truly, Nina. You hit me hard and fast, and I don't mean with a shoe or a handbag. Ask Fiona. She asked who you were, and I took one look and said, 'mine'. I hadn't even spoken to you, but even then, I had this gut feeling. You were all important, and I wanted to get to know you in every way possible. Well, we've started our journey. Are you willing to carry on and see where we end up?"

  Nina stared at him. Twiddled her hair between her thumb and forefinger, and nibbled her lip. Just as he was ready to stand up, put her in the chair and accept she didn't mean what she'd said she nodded, and slid onto the floor to kneel at his feet. The look in her eyes was a mixture of devilment and then to his delight, subservience before she put her arms behind her back and bowed her head.

  "I meant not a sub, but your sub. So, yes please, Sir."

  ****

  Would he understand how hard, yet so strangely easy her submission had been? How the moment she let him show her what they had, she stopped fighting and wanted more. To please her Sir and show him she was his.

  Nina waited, relaxed and happy as she heard his indrawn breath.

  "Then, anima mia, thank you." His hand rested on her head just for a second, and then his arms guided her to her feet. He stood as close as he could without squashing her and spoke quietly in her ear. "Are you ready to face them?"

  It took several seconds for his words to penetrate her haze of satisfaction. "Them? Oh. Did we have an audience?" She looked around, but in the soft light it was hard to see into the farthest recesses of the room.

  Nic started. "I don't know. I expect so. Definitely a dungeon master. Hold on." He walked across the room to a switch on the wall, and the light increased.

  Sitting on the floor next to the door, Athol stretched and stood up. He grinned and walked across to Nic to slap him on the back. With a tilt of his head for permission, which Nic gave with a nod, Athol hugged Nina.

  "Back with us, eh? So did I do right, or did I do right?"

  She punched him on the shoulder, and he winced in a very over the top theatrical manner.

  "Bratty."

  "Sir, he's being nasty," Nina said in a fake sing-song voice. "He says did he do right."

  Nic laughed. "So, anima mia, did he?"

  Nina gave a gusty sigh. "Oh yes."

  "See?" At
hol's tone was little short of gleeful. "And did you notice anyone in the room? An audience or whatever you want to call it?"

  Nina's pulse jumped, and she looked at Nic. He shrugged. "I was too busy watching you, and making sure I did everything possible to make it near perfect for you to notice."

  "I was too busy feeling to notice," Nina said.

  "Exactly." Athol pointed his finger at them both. "You had no idea if there were two people or two hundred watching you, and it didn't matter." He sounded triumphant.

  "Well I'd have noticed two hundred," Nic said. "Because in a room this size they'd be standing on top of each other and me to all fit in."

  Athol laughed. "There is that. So what if I told you there were around thirty people watching?"

  Nina looked at Nic, who raised one eyebrow. "It didn’t matter. All that mattered was how I could make Nina fly. As for Nina?" He looked toward her. "Anima mia?"

  Nina considered how best to answer. As she thought over her response she noticed Nic rub his hands over his trousers as if his palms were suddenly damp.

  He's still worried.

  "If you'd asked me that even a few hours ago I'd be screaming red at the top of my voice. But then I realized I couldn't care less. They weren't interfering with what my Sir was giving me. What we did was between us, and for us. If anyone else sees, watches or gains something from it, that’s fine." She stopped for a second. "Up to a point. I have my limits."

  "Thank goodness, so do I."

  Athol rolled his eyes. "Don't we all? Right, so shall I tell you what really happened?"

  Nina felt her pulse jump. "Ah, Sir?" She looked toward Nic for guidance.

  "Why not. Hit us with whatever Machiavellian plan you concocted, Athol."

  "Moi? I'm gutted you should think that." Athol gave his dirty laugh and grinned like a Cheshire cat. "I just nudged you in the right direction."

  "Yeah." Nic didn't sound over bothered. "You're a right nudger."

  "That's a new one. I've been called a fixer, an interfering old … well you get the drift. Anyway I can honestly say that until I saw you both on that hen night, I had no idea what could be done. But then I did it, and so it seems did you." He winked and leered.