Decadence

Decadence by

Shara Azod

Dedication For the only one worthy of submission ~ All of me Always

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are no to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Copyright © 2012 Shara Azod Editor: Stephanie Parent Cover Art: Shara Azod

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews. This is a work of fiction. All references to real places, people, or events are coincidental, and if not coincidental, are used fictitiously. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only. eBooks are NOT transferable. Re-selling, sharing or giving eBooks is a copyright infringement.

 

Chapter One  Rubine wanted to smash the alarm clock into a thousand pieces as the unrelenting blare assaulted her eardrums. Thank God she’d remembered to shut the heavy curtains that kept out the harsh glare of the morning sun. Since she worked until the wee hours, it was still dark when she finally stumbled into bed most nights. Noon was generally time to get up and out. Sleep had been elusive last night, however, and today her body felt too heavy to drag out from under the covers. The prospect of making it through the rest of the day before dragging her sleep-deprived ass to work was daunting. She couldn’t believe she’d really done it; after five long years, she had finally cut the umbilical cord that tied her to Maximilian Hart. Generally, he was here every night after work until she fell asleep. It was silly, but just being near Max gave her security. As a result of trying to assert her independence, she’d slept like shit, tossing and turning, even getting out of bed to triple check the doors. It wasn’t until the dark shadows in her bedroom were chased away by the pinkish-blue hue of the dawn that her eyes grew heavy and closed. Unfortunately, they didn’t stay closed. Over and over again she woke as at every little sound. She shifted fitfully, unable to find any kind of real rest without Max being there to soothe her to sleep. Some night he even climbed into bed with her. Okay, most nights. And that just had to stop. She’d had to do it. Maximilian was getting too close, too familiar. No, that was a cop-out. After five years, now he was suddenly too close? Yeah right. The truth was she had gotten entirely too dependent, and with that dependence came feelings she didn’t need to have about a man she wasn't sure she could handle. She needed him too much just for normal things, and she didn’t know how to deal with the sexual urges that were slowly driving her crazy. Especially the ones with a darker edge. The endless flirting at work was one thing. Running a club that catered to alternative sex lives led to that kind of thing. At Decadence, the club she not only worked at but owned a small

stake in (thanks to Maximilian and Deacon), Rubine expected him to push her limits, dare her unmercifully. He never, ever did it outside the club. At least he hadn’t until recently. Along with the coffee he brought her every morning was a kiss. It had started a few months ago with a peck on the forehead, gradually turning to a kiss on the cheek, until last week when it became a soft kiss on the lips. That kiss had awakened far more than Ruby had ever intended. After having her libido in a sort of stasis mode for so long, she didn’t know what to do with all the throbbing desire that centered at her core when she was in the same room with Max. Then there was that look. Maximilian was one hell of a sexy guy. He towered over most men, all lean muscle and smoldering looks. Those ice-blue eyes alone had fueled many a battery-powered orgasm in the time she’d known him. So far, she’d managed to hide that part of herself from everyone, sneaking in masturbation sessions when Max left her to get dressed or get ready before taking her to work. She had caught herself just before she could run her fingers through that luxurious blonde hair of his that ranged from snow white to sun-kissed wheat more times in the last few weeks than she cared to admit. And she had no clue what started that. There was a time she’d been far too skittish to touch any male, especially one as masculine as Max. But the desires he inspired were just too scary. All of a sudden she was fantasizing about things she’d thought she’d ever have again. Max was too much of a man, too much a Dom for her to handle. Wasn’t he? The darkness of her past decreed she shouldn’t want him the way she did. Knowing that he might return that longing, that he wanted to do to her all the things she thought she could never have again, scared the shit out of her. Surreptitiously watching him watch her with such intensity, she sometimes felt as if her clothing would burst into flames leaving her bare under his gaze. Just the thought made her cunt thump; she’d get so wet there were times she honestly had to change her panties. There were times she had

to stop herself from arching her back and offering herself to him, ass up, or worse. Once she’d slid to her knees while he sat on her couch, placing her head on his knees before she’d caught herself. If a woman could get fucked by a look alone she would've gotten pregnant that night, twice. She just couldn’t allow it to go on any longer, not while knowing in her heart she could never be what he needed in a woman. It had been five years, but the past forever haunted her. Like chains that couldn’t be broken, her past kept her right where she was right now. Unable to move on, unable to ever have another relationship. At least not the kind that would fulfill her. Sure, she could date some regular guy, go to the movies and hold hands. Deep down she would yearn with every fiber of her being to be controlled, possessed, adored. Not the way a man generally loved a woman; Ruby craved more. Something deeper, a desire that most thought was some kind of psychological defect. Ruby wanted—no, needed—a man who would take care of her every need without having to ask. She wanted to please that man in every way she possibly could. She could stay on the surface, have some kind of vanilla life if she wanted to. But that would be a lie, and Rubine was done lying to herself and everybody else. What she wanted was a man worthy of her submission, one who would take the gift she offered and cherish it. So she was stuck in a perpetual state of limbo. Couldn’t move forward, unwilling to go back. So where did it leave her? “Ruby! Get that sweet ass out of bed. We need to go shopping before heading to the club, so grab whatever you’re going to need for the rest of the day.” Maximilian. He came back. Wasn’t that just like him? Damn man never did know how to mind his own business. But as the fat tears rolled down her face, Rubine admitted to herself she was glad. More than glad—relieved. She had felt so alone since she’d told him not to come back last night. But he’d known that

was the last thing she’d wanted, and here he was, no doubt with a triple espresso shot large mocha in his massive hand. Saints preserve her, she’d only been more relieved once before in her life, when he’d taken her from the depths of hell and placed her feet on solid ground.

She hadn’t slept. Maximilian knew it the moment he walked into her condo. Damn obstinate woman. She should’ve known better than to believe he would actually comply to her demand that he stay away. As if he had that kind of willpower. From the first second he’d seen her, Rubine had been in his blood. He’d wanted to tear down the fucking building that first night, seeing her body cringe in a shadowed corner. It was those eyes of hers that had snagged him. Despite the defensive posture of her body, those almond-shaped, melting chocolate eyes tilting up at the corners had blazed with fury when she thought no one was looking. That she’d been misused was obvious. That it hadn’t broken her was remarkable. Hell, he’d fallen in love right then and there and swore nothing and no one would ever hurt her again. Walking into the bedroom, Maximilian mentally revised his plans for the day. There was no way in hell Ruby was working tonight without some rest, which meant he would have to park his ass at her place until she got the sleep she needed. Staying away last night had been a mistake. Max wasn’t an idiot— he’d felt the tension between them over the past couple of weeks. The reasons weren’t a mystery. Ruby was reawakening to her true self; her innate sexual self forcing her to recognize her body and mind had needs. Obviously, the sexual tension between the two of them was getting to her. Five years was a long time to deny a part of yourself. Still, no matter what she’d said, he should’ve stayed at least until she fell asleep. He’d thought that maybe giving her a little space would put her in a better mood. Obviously not. He’d failed her in this, and that just wasn’t acceptable.

As soon as the door had cracked open she turned away, but not in time for her to hide the crystal liquid running silently down her cheeks. Fuck! Ruby throwing a tantrum was fun. Ruby highly pissed off was sexy and arousing as hell. Ruby laughing and joking caused a warm feeling to develop deep in his gut and spread throughout his body. Ruby crying broke his heart, and she’d definitely been crying. Nothing made Max feel as helpless as this woman’s tears. If anyone upset her, he could beat the shit out them, no questions asked. Sadness wasn’t something he could battle with fists. Despite making it known to her that her every need would be taken care of, he allowed her the illusion of complete independence that she seemed to prefer. That unfortunately meant from time to time she tried to hide it when something was bothering her. Try as he might, he couldn’t fix whatever bothered her by sheer force of will if he didn’t know what it was. Lord knows he’d tried to do it for the past five years. Ruby had covered herself in a protective shell, one he’d helped her build up. But then, he’d never expected to be left on the outside. He’d only thought to give her the time and space she needed to heal. Now he saw he’d given her too much time and way too much space. One thing he knew for damn sure: there would be no walking away. Not now, not ever. Then again, there had never been a possibility of walking away. Rubine had been his since he laid eyes on her. She could bitch to the high heavens until they were too old to do much more than hold hands; he really didn’t give a damn. Life without Ruby in it, life without her by his side wasn’t worth contemplating, so he didn’t. Maybe once she got it through that beautiful but concrete-thick head of hers that he wasn’t going anywhere, she’d allow herself to open to the possibilities. Without a word, Maximilian kicked off his shoes and slid into the bed, gathering the obstinate woman into his arms. He didn’t say anything, knowing it would only cause an argument and wouldn’t help the situation one bit. Ruby had convinced herself that she would never be whole again. Knowing that he

wasn’t the type of man who could accept a strictly vanilla relationship, even if he wanted to, she’d placed him firmly in the off-limits category. That wasn’t where he wanted to be, and it damn sure wasn’t where he would stay. “Go away, Maxi. Leave me alone.” Despite her words, Ruby turned, burying her face in his chest. God, how he wished he had taken off his shirt before getting into the bed. He allowed himself a self-depreciating smirk, simply because she couldn’t see it, so it was less likely to give her something to bitch about. That was a defensive tactic she sometimes used when trying to push him away. “Shut up, Rubine, and get some sleep.” Talking could wait, the world could wait. Right now there wasn’t any place he’d rather be than lying here with Ruby in his arms. One day, she’d get the message. Soon.

Chapter Two “You’re late.” Ruby pointedly ignored Sunshine as she walked through the back corridor of Decadence, the night club/fetish club she’d help build. It’d been therapeutic in a way. This hadn’t been the only life she’d known, but it was comfortable, like wearing a favorite worn-out sweatshirt or old shoes that had been thoroughly broken in. She simply didn’t know how to go back to “normal life,” and honestly she didn’t want to. Despite everything that had happened to her in her short life, the first time she had taken part in the lifestyle she knew this was where she belonged. That had changed drastically, but she couldn’t turn her back on it. Here she had order, she understood people, and people understood her. Now, even though she couldn’t take part in the games people played here, she couldn’t turn her back on them either. It was like living in some weird kind of animated suspension. Unable to turn back, unable to go forward, she just kind of hovered on the fringes. God, how she wished she could shake off the mental ties that bound her. She missed the firm, controlling hand of a Dom who knew what he was doing. One tragic mistake, misjudging someone’s character, had killed that desire for so long. Ruby simply didn’t know what to do with her fast-awakening urges. It just wasn’t possible to let herself go and trust anyone as completely as was required for any kind of real D/s relationship. Without trust, there was nothing. That left Ruby with a while lot of nothing. “Get fucked, Sunshine. Aren’t you supposed to be in a cage?” Ruby breathed a sigh of relief as Marina, the wife and sub of Maximilian’s business partner and best friend, Deacon, saved her from having to deal with the bottle blonde who used to be the floor manager of the regular night club. The other woman glared, but stormed off in a huff. Sunshine was a bitch, but her stupid had smartened up quickly after being demoted to a cage dancer. She used to take pleasure in tormenting Marina any way she could. Then she

had simply taken her animosity too far, and in front of Deacon. It was a shock to Ruby that Sunshine hadn’t quit by now. Everyone knew she’d been sniffing after Deacon; now that Marina had permanently taken him off the market, one would think the chick would move on. But no, now she was after Maximilian. It shouldn’t have bothered Ruby at all. Hell, she couldn’t have him. But it did. “Thanks, chica. That bitch works my last nerve.” Marina smiled, shrugging her shoulders. “Believe me, it’s my pleasure. Though I really wish you would fire her already. She brings nothing but drama.” “You’re the boss’s wife, you could fire her,” Ruby pointed out. “Or get Deacon to do it. Work that cha-cha magic on his ass and there isn’t a thing he wouldn’t do for you.” She tried not to feel envy at the truth of her own words, but failed. Ruby didn’t want Deacon, never had, but she wanted so much to have what he and Marina had. The lithe, sexy Latina had come to dance in the club after moving to Los Angeles from Texas. A good Catholic schoolgirl, Marina hadn’t known jack about the lifestyle, or the lower level of the club. Marina had been a cage dancer, happily oblivious about the kind of place where she worked. Her sweetness was partially what had attracted Deacon to her. She was, however, the perfect submissive. Not the cowering pushover type, or the twisted pain slut kind either; her innocence mixed with innate sensuality had made Deacon fall, and fall hard. The chemistry between the two of them made Ruby blush, wishing things could be different for herself. “That sounds a little too much like abuse of power.” Marina wrinkled her cute little nose, shaking her head slightly. “She’ll go too far one day. I don’t need to do a thing. You, however, have to deal with her on a regular basis. I don’t work here anymore, remember?”

It was the one thing Ruby really regretted about Marina and Deacon getting together. Marina was at the club sporadically at best, and never without Deacon. When she was here, she was in the Dungeon with Deacon. The other woman was really the closest thing Ruby had to a real female friend. Ruby had a hard time letting people in. Except for Maximilian. “Don’t remind me,” Ruby groused. “I don’t have anyone to talk to at work now.” The words, once spoken out loud, made her feel incredibly lonely. Really, who did she have in her life? Max? Once it had been just the three of them; Max, Deacon and herself. Back then Ruby had still been very raw. She could never thank the two men for all they had done for her, breaking her out of the horrible spiral she was in and helping her get back on her feet. They had even given her a part of their business. This one, anyway. Deacon was probably unaware Max had given her stock in various other businesses the two were partners in. Now that Deacon had Marina, it left just her and Maximilian. In a weird way, Ruby had always been closer to Max anyway. God, she really needed to stop thinking about him. Relying on him had gotten to be a habit, one she had no right to. Max hadn’t taken a sub in three of the past five years she had known him. All because of her. No one had to tell her the truth she could see with her own two eyes. The last time Max had slept with another woman, Ruby had cried the entire night. And really, she had no right to; Max was nothing more than a friend, the man who had saved her from her own stupidity. No one had known about her tears except Max, and he had never touched another woman again. Maybe she needed to pack up and move on, far away from Decadence, and Max. Start fresh in some place where no one knew who she was or what she had been through. Too bad the mere thought made her throat dry, her palms sweaty and her heart race in the beginnings of a panic attack. Fuck, she just couldn’t keep going on like this. Five years had given her time to heal, but

she still hid, letting fear and painful memories hold her captive every bit as much as she had once been in truth. And for what? Lusting for a man much too Dom for her, comparing every other man she saw to him, never daring to act on any of her feelings. And what had that gotten her so far? Looking at the way Marina glowed brought Ruby face-to-face with truths she couldn’t hide from anymore. Watching people come in and out of the club, living out their fetishes, fantasies or just getting their needs met was no longer enough for her. Living vicariously through others had never been satisfying; now it was starting to be torture. It was well past time to let her nightmares of her past go, because Lord knew the growing needs inside her weren’t going anywhere. Squashing the yearnings that burned inside her was starting to seriously mess with her psyche. “Will you and Deacon be in the Dungeon all night tonight?” Ruby had made her decision. Max was out of the question, no matter how she wished it could be otherwise. He was simply too much man, too much Dom for her. She didn’t need Max to get her groove back. As long as there was someone there she trusted watching her back, there was no reason she couldn’t participate in a scene. It might shake her out of her complacent hiding. Hell, maybe even she would find someone she could handle. “Yeah, as far as I know,” Marina answered with a small frown. “Why?” “I’m going to leave Trixie in charge here. Max won’t be leaving the upper floor tonight—there’s a bachelor party. No way he’ll leave those dancers at the mercy of drunk rich assholes.” Ruby rubbed her hands together, planning it out in her head. As long as Max knew Deacon was in the Dungeon, he wouldn’t even check the cameras, knowing his buddy had it covered. Maybe with some luck she could find a new fantasy to replace Max. Doubtful, but there was always hope. Ruby took a deep breath, not at all sure of her decision but determined nonetheless. “I’ll be going to the Dungeon tonight.” There, she said it. She meant it. She was so totally going to do it.

Decadence had three distinct levels. Ruby ran the main floor, which was in essence just a risqué nightclub, a place where people blew off some steam, where unattached Doms and subs hooked up or a committed couple found a third, or whatever. The top floor was a burlesque club—stripping taken to a higher art form with panache and style. All the dancers were highly trained and were never ever tipped. They made more than enough through their regular pay. The price of admission went beyond the cover to get in the club. In Ruby’s opinion the prices bordered on the obscene, but people paid it. It was also the only club where there was absolutely no sex allowed under any circumstances. Couples who got too excited had to take it to one of the private rooms on the main floor or down to the Dungeon, which was the lower level of the club. There is was all BDSM, unapologetic and in the raw. Entrance required a VIP membership which cost a small fortune and involved rigorous screening and background checks. The deposit alone was more than some people made in a year. Every level had cameras, but the Dungeon had them placed to capture every conceivable angle of the main floor and in each of the private chambers for both the club’s protection as well as the members. Only Maximilian and Deacon had access to the security footage in the Dungeon. In the beginning, Max and Deacon traded off supervision of the Dungeon and the top floor, while Ruby worked the club main floor and Sunshine was in charge of the main floor in general. Ruby knew that Max gradually took over the top floor because he didn’t want Ruby wondering what he was doing while down there. “Why?” Marina pressed, looking genuinely confused. “You never go to the Dungeon.” Oh right, Marina had no idea about Ruby’s past. Even though Deacon shared everything with his wife, he wouldn’t have told Marina anything without Ruby’s approval. The matter had never come up before now.

“Because I’m a sub in need of a Dom, and seeing as how I own part of this place, I think it’s about time I take advantage of the perks of ownership.” There, she’d said it. She had nothing to be ashamed of. One day, she might even start to believe that. “I’ve been away from the scene for a while due to personal reasons. You can ask Deacon if you want to know more.” It was one thing not to mind if Marina knew her story, but Ruby wasn’t about to relive it by telling it herself. “Okay.” That was one thing Ruby dearly loved about Marina. She was intuitive enough to know when not to press. “But what about Maximilian? I’m really pretty positive he’d want to know you were going down there.” Damn it, why did everyone assume Max was her freaking bodyguard or something. Because he acts like it and you let him. Plus you know he’ll want to

be there for this. “No,” Ruby lied, tamping down the little voice inside her head. “And you’re not going to tell him either.” But he would find out, and he would be there. Ruby knew deep down that a part of her wanted him to. But it really didn’t matter; she had to do this. Max would just have to deal.

Chapter Three High-powered, high-finance guys were a special kind of douchy. Despite having paid a fortune to have their buddy’s bachelor party in one of the more intimate burlesque rooms, despite having signed an iron-clad contract regarding the conduct of all the men present, as always there were still several of the men in question who didn’t understand the difference between a dancer and a prostitute. So far three of the increasingly rowdy partygoers had been escorted off the premises. Max knew the fun was just beginning. Fuck, it was going to be an excruciatingly long night. Settling in the custom leather chair behind his immaculate cherry wood desk, he contemplated having a drink. Most nights it would help him unwind, but tonight it might not be such a good idea. Apart from the assholes he had celebrating their buddy’s upcoming nuptials, a heavier problem weighed on his mind. Rubine. God, he wanted that woman so much he was in a constant state of arousal. He’d wanted her for the five years he’d known her; but he’d been convinced she was everything to him for the last three. No other woman would do, not even temporarily. In the beginning she’d been so skittish. Who could blame her after the hell she’d been through? Still she hadn’t run away from the lifestyle, though God knows he and Deacon had given her every option. Instead she had learned all she could, understanding the difference between D/s, sadomasochism, and assholes who used the lifestyle as a veneer for darker intents. There was a time Max would’ve stepped aside had Ruby decided to find someone she could trust, someone who wouldn’t take advantage of her. On the outside she was feisty and tough, but inside she was soft and vulnerable. She dearly needed someone who would foster her sweetness without breaking her spirit. However, now, he didn’t think he could stand watching anyone even attempt to talk to her. She’d dug a place for herself so deep in his heart that removal would kill him. Instead of slowly opening herself to him, she seemed

to be pushing him away. If she’d meant it, if she didn’t want him, he could’ve let it go, but he knew Ruby better than she knew herself. She was scared. And that just killed him. No, a drink would be a very, very bad idea. One of two things would probably end up happening, and neither one of them good. Either he would have a major altercation with one of the assholes partying it up tonight or he would go find Ruby and do something colossally stupid. Or he could just go downstairs and mess with her a little, sans alcohol lowering his inhibitions. Just the sight of her compact, but generous little figure had a calming effect on him. And if he could get her to shoot him one of those crooked smiles of her, well that would just make his night. Not even the jackass bachelor party would bother him for the rest of the night. The chances of her smiling tonight were slim to none, however. Why the hell had he ever left her alone last night? Not once in the last five years had Ruby gone to sleep without his presence somewhere in her house. Most times, after a hard night running the club, he’d slip into bed and hold her until dawn, then go home only long enough to shower and pick up her preferred coffee treat. Ruby was not a nice person to deal with before she had her coffee. It was a steady routine that had only began to bother her lately. Max was no fool; he understood perhaps more than she understood herself. When Max and Deacon had first rescued her, she’d had nightmares every night. For two years, Max held her as she silently cried in her sleep, like she was afraid to make any sound. He’d fought for her. Sometimes fighting her to get her to talk it out, to release the demons that haunted her. This morning he didn’t need to ask to know the nightmares were back. She’d been crying in her sleep for a few weeks now, but since she didn’t remember when she woke, he never told her. Had it been a recurrence of the fear that had held her captive like the first two years, Max would have confronted her about it. But that wasn’t what was bothering Ruby. Lately, he had noticed hints that suggested her sexuality

had been reawakened. The passage of time plus the security of her life as it was now had allowed her subconscious mind to send signals to her body that she was ready. As a woman in her prime, of course she had needs. She just didn’t want to acknowledge them. Max had spent a great deal of time watching Ruby, learning her cues, listening to all the things she didn’t say. There was nothing about her he didn’t know. What he didn’t know was how he was going to approach this. Obviously Ruby didn’t want to explore what he knew she was feeling. Five years was a long time to cut oneself off sexually like she had. Not knowing how much would be too much, Max had backed off completely, hoping she would come to him when she was ready. Well, she was ready, and she wasn’t coming to him. He frightened her; not in a threatening way, he knew. She was scared because she really believed she wouldn’t be able to handle him. Over and over again, Max had tried to express to Ruby in every way he knew how that being in a D/s relationship was not all about him. Knowing Ruby wouldn’t want a vanilla life, even after all she’d been through, he’d made sure that she was informed in every aspect of the lifestyle. How many times did he impress upon her that she was the one with the power? That any Dom wouldn’t be worth her time if he didn’t provide her with what she needed? Fuck it, he needed to see her. Just as he climbed to his feet, the private line rang. It was Deacon’s line. Max pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a migraine coming on.

The last thing he needed was problems in the fucking

Dungeon. Those were never simple matters, and it required a tad bit more finesse than merely throwing someone out. “If the problem isn’t major, you don’t want me down there,” Max growled in the phone by way of answering. He was seriously not in the mood for this. But Deacon wouldn’t have called him if it wasn’t something major. “Ruby is in the Dungeon.”

They were words he’d suspected he might hear very soon, but he wasn’t as prepared for them as he thought he was. The sentence knocked him right back on his ass. Yes, he had thought this was going to happen soon, just not tonight. The ramifications made it difficult to breathe. “How long?” Max had to get up and get his ass down there. Ruby was one sexy little ball of fire. Any Dom worth his salt would spot it immediately. And she wasn’t collared. She would be a magnet for all those unattached, and he happened to know they had one too many VIP member that was unattached. “She’s been down here for just shy of five minutes. Right now she is sitting at the bar surrounded by three potential Doms, although one is more SM than BD; straight Master type.” Deacon knew exactly what Max needed to know. And his buddy had better know it was imperative that no one touched her. She didn’t know these people, she wouldn’t trust them, but she might allow a scene just to prove to herself she could. Max couldn’t let that happen. “Oh, and one of our members signed in a friend. Whip just walked—” Max dropped the phone and ran toward the door. Because Ruby had taken that vital step and willingly walked into the Dungeon, Max felt she was ready to enter into a real relationship. There was no way that would be with anyone other than himself. If she should happen to see Whip, whose name was Thomas Jeffers, it might set her back considerably.

Whip, stupid fucking name if ever there was one. He should have beaten the living shit out the man five years ago. Well, worse than he had initially. That asshole had tormented Ruby, tortured her, treated her worse than a dog and called it BDSM. Max believed Jeffers to be more of a sociopath than anything else. The things he’d done to Ruby would’ve left permanent damage to a weaker woman. But Jeffers had not been able to break her, and Max had no doubt that was what the man had been after. Rubine had been so young when she’d met Jeffers, just starting out in the lifestyle. Like so many young (and some old) novices, she had fallen into

the clutches of a good-looking man with no discipline and no self-control. There had been welts and older healed-over scars all over Ruby’s back, shoulders, legs, and even on her soft belly. Her petite, lush figure had been undernourished, her cheeks sunken in. But there had been fire in her eyes and Max had known at first sight, this woman was no one’s victim. She could come back and claim herself. He’d worked damned hard to make sure that happened. Punching the bottom level on the private elevator, Max cursed under his breath, impatient as hell. Jeffers had somehow found out where Ruby was. Thank God she had gone to the Dungeon, guaranteeing Deacon would see and call Max. Deacon would make damn sure Jeffers didn’t go anywhere near Ruby until he got there. Max just hoped she didn’t see the man at all; it could cause a major setback for Ruby. Max was a patient man, but the last three years had damn near killed him. Wanting her, all of her, and knowing he couldn’t dare press her until she was ready had him between a rock and a hard place. Not to mention having a constant rock-hard erection. His stride turned into a semi-jog as he shouted instructions over his shoulder at the bouncers. They would just have to use their best judgment regarding the bachelor party. He probably wouldn’t be back tonight one way or another, hopefully because things went well and not because Ruby saw Jeffers. The private elevator that allowed those with a management key to travel fast from level to level was too slow for his liking. Very little scared Max; he and Deacon had spent fifteen years in the Marines, and they didn’t know how to fear. Yet, Max was terrified. Jeffer’s memory of the bruises and broken bones Max had given him must have worn off. No way this was a coincidence. It was easy to spot the tall, lanky blond as soon as the elevator doors opened. The man looked like a scarecrow in a black vest and matching black leather pants. Seriously? Could he be any more of a laughable parody? Thankfully, Ruby was sitting at the bar, her back to the entrance near which the man who had tormented her lingered with another Dom leading a

diminutive-looking sub. She hadn’t noticed him either, as she was surrounded by no less than five people. Three male and two female, all of whom Max were familiar with. None of them were a threat to her, but that didn’t mean he wanted any of them touching her. He wasn’t the type who shared. As tempting as it was to stake his claim right then and there, there was another more pressing matter of business. “Which one do you want to take care of?” Deacon appeared at his side almost as soon as Max stepped out of the elevator. As usual, Max didn’t have to explain a thing to him. “Make sure Rubine doesn’t leave the bar area. I will be claiming her tonight.” Glancing back to Jeffers, Max noted the man had just spotted Ruby and was making his way toward the bar. Oh. Hell. No. “Done.” Deacon’s reply was unnecessary, but Max nodded in acknowledgement as he swiftly moved to intercept Jeffers. It was tricky moving past the bar at enough speed to stop the other man without Ruby seeing him, but he managed to do it. The crush of people milling around near Jeffers and his friend quickly, wordlessly moved aside at Max’s approach, giving him a wide berth. Max didn’t even pause as he moved past Jeffers, who was too busy looking toward Ruby to see him. With a swift turn so he was directly behind him, Max sent a quick, sharp kick to the back of Jeffers’ knee, causing the man to stumble. When he would’ve cried out, Max sent a hard jab to the throat to cut off all sound. While Jeffers was disoriented, Max took the opportunity to twist his arm back, forcing Jeffers toward an emergency exit on the side of the club. It didn’t lead all the way outside, but to a large tunnel-like corridor that could safely lead the club members a safe distance away in case of a disaster. When Jeffers’ friend finally noticed he was in distress, Max gave him fair warning, which he would do only once. “Keep moving.”

The other man barely spared Jeffers a glance before he turned as if he had seen nothing and kept walking. Max made a mental note to look up the man’s membership. That sub he was leading looked way too much like Ruby for his peace of mind. Nodding to the bouncers at the emergency door, Max shoved the piece of shit under his control through the door, using Jeffers’ midsection to push the handle. “No one comes through here for any reason.” The instructions weren’t really needed, but he felt the need to cover all bases. As soon as the door shut behind him, Max shoved Jeffers away from him, letting his fists fly. He’d hoped, prayed the asshole would fight back, or at least attempt to. But pussies never fought back. True to his nature, Jeffers cowered, trying to move away until a fist knocked him to his knees. Then he recoiled, covering his face with his arms. The shit was pathetic. Fuck, Max hated the man so much he could’ve killed him, wanted to kill him with his bare hands. He knew a damn good lawyer who could possibly get him off too, but that would take too much time away from Ruby, and five fucking years was long enough to wait. “If I catch you within a country mile of here, or anywhere Ruby happens to be, I will kill you.” Although his voice sounded calm, Max felt anything but. “But first I will torture you, far worse than anything you can imagine. I will make your life a living hell until you beg me to take your life. And being merciful I will do just that, eventually.” “I swear I didn’t know she was here.” There was nothing sorrier to Max than a weak man who preyed on those who gave them their ultimate trust. However, the sight of Jeffers blubbering came in at a close second. And he was lying. It rang so patently false that it incensed Max. HIs fist flew one last time towards the man’s jaw, forgetting to pull the punch a little. The snapping of the bone was clearly audible, echoing through the tunnel. Jeffers crumbled, knocked out completely. Son of a bitch. Max had no fear of

assault charges, not with so many skeletons in Jeffers’ own closet. He just hadn’t wanted to do permanent damage just yet. This, however, wasn’t over by a long shot. By the time Max was done with this man, he would be looking over his shoulder for the rest of his life, terrified death was just around the corner. Shaking his head, Max left the man right where he lay. He didn’t want that shit stinking up his club. “Gentlemen, there is some trash in the tunnel that needs to be taken out,” Max said, moving past the guards to make his way toward the bar. On to his number one goal. He just prayed Ruby was truly ready.

Chapter Four Something had happened. Ruby could feel tension in the air, though she couldn’t put her finger on it. Deacon hovered behind her, not interfering with her “interviews,” but definitely sending out a vibe serious enough that not one of the Doms around her touched her. The man was making it impossible to break the ice enough to get a feel for whether or not she would want to enter a scene with any of those who showed interest. Tonight that was all she was looking for; a scene, without sex. Right now the give and take of attempting to learn her needs and boundaries was stilted at best. Ruby had half a mind to turn and growl at Deacon to get lost, but truthfully she was grateful for his presence. None of these people were what she wanted. But then, the tentative questions and somewhat awkward conversations ceased altogether, the people who had once been interested in getting to know her melting away from where she sat. Except one, who dared to take Ruby by the hand. “You know, Ruby, some men don’t really understand where the lines of pleasure and pain should intercept and blend in a feeling so exquisite you feel like you might die if there isn’t more?” The Domme in question moved in close, trailing her long, blood-red fingernail softly down the side of Ruby’s cheeks. In this world, gender roles and sexuality often blurred. As far as personal preference, Ruby found that although she was essentially heterosexual, the appeal of a disciplined, caring Dominant was too precious to care what form they came in. At least that had been true before her harrowing experience. Too bad she hadn't been able to identify and express that sentiment before she got involved with the worst of assholes. “She has someone who understands that quite well.” Max. Of course he’d come. Deep down she’d known Deacon would call him. And of course he had been the one to ask Deacon to be sure no one touched

her. Though she had thought herself above games or silly coquettish behavior, deep down she knew this was what she had been waiting for tonight. And deep down she knew he would come. And God, how she feared she wouldn’t be up to his standards. Even though she’d lied to herself and held on to the excuse this was about her reclaiming a part of herself she had lost for far too long, she knew she was pushing for Max to claim her. Like he just did, very publicly. “She isn’t collared,” the woman pressed, not moving away. The Domme looked directly at Ruby as she spoke, as if she was gauging something. Unconsciously, Ruby leaned backward, her back coming up against Max. To her everlasting to relief, his hand came up and lightly circled her neck, his thumb making slow circling caresses on her chin. It wasn’t a threatening hold, but one of possession. It comforted her, feeling more like a promise that the sign of his possession and devotion would lie where his hand did now. The Domme did lean back a little at that, but she didn’t move away. “Not yet, but she is claimed.” God, how sure he sounded! How damn good it felt not to have to say a word. Learning to assert herself had been hard, but Ruby had done it. She hadn’t allowed anyone to talk for her or make decisions. Well, except for him. Now, it felt good to just let go and let Max take over. “Do you mind if I watch the two of you in a scene?” Man, this lady was persistent. It was a subtle challenge, but Ruby wasn’t sure if she was testing Ruby or Max. “You may watch, but you will not join. Nor will you touch what is mine.” She didn’t have to turn to know Maximilian's face was devoid of all emotion. She’d heard that tone many times before. While he may be wearing what she called his “stone face,” underneath he was not happy about the request. Not because he didn’t want the Domme to watch—they were in public, after all. It was the woman’s challenge he didn’t appreciate, and Ruby secretly loved every second of that.

“Rubine.” Max pulled out her chair and offered his hand to help her down. It wasn’t necessary, but Max would’ve done that if they were upstairs pretending that Ruby didn’t want him to top her, as they had been for all these years. Taking the assistance he offered was second nature, just like the way he opened her car door at the end of the night and then followed her home, opened her door, checked her condo and waited until she slept to leave. “Choose a St. Andrews Cross, stand next to it, take off your dress and wait for me.” Though goose bumps broke out all over her skin, Ruby felt no fear. No matter how mad Maximilian was, he would never hurt her. This was the man who had rubbed Vitamin E oil and cocoa butter over the scars until they’d slowly disappeared. He was the man who’d held her when her nightmares kept her from sleeping, or when she just couldn’t fall asleep. The one thing she was sure of was that he would never, ever abuse her. Moving to the back of the Dungeon, she removed the simple, skimpy baby-doll dress she wore and stood there shivering. She kept on the heels because he hadn’t told her to take them off. Strangely, she felt overdressed. God, it had been so very long. Taking a deep breath, she looked at the x-shaped instrument, expecting bits and pieces of her past to come back to haunt her. Oddly, they didn’t. All she could think about was what Max might do. She could feel him behind her, lingering but not touching. She felt his eyes against her backside, felt the heat she knew would be in his gaze. Sometimes when he didn’t realize she was looking he looked at her as if he would devour her, but he’d never acted on it. Through it all, he’d never pushed her or made any move past the boundaries she’d set in place. It occurred to her now that although she knew Maximilian was a Dom, she had no idea what kind he was. Knowing him as she did, it was obvious he was caring, that he paid attention to all the things she liked and disliked, that he would always have her best interest at heart. But was he stern? Was he the kind who did not bend?

Would his pleasure became paramount and she become his accessory? Doubtful, but there were a lot of things they would have to talk through after tonight. They could never go back after this; it was important that Ruby had a deeper understanding of what Max expected of her. “I will not blindfold you tonight,” Max purred, coming up behind her, running his hand lightly down her side. “Take off your shoes, Rubine, and walk over to the cross.” Ruby did as she was told, moving to the cross. “Face the wall.” God, it was so hard not to look back. She wanted to, not just to see him standing there, looking at her with that gaze that could start a forest fire. Deep down, a part of her wanted to disobey just to see what he did. “You don’t have to do this to prove to me you want this man.” The woman had been watching, but Ruby had forgotten about her until she spoke. “Wanting him and needing something...beyond...are two totally different things.” Even though Ruby knew the Domme was talking to her, she didn’t respond. This was between herself and Max. It was a given people might watch; they were in a public place. In a way that was perfect, because in private they were already a couple in so many ways. This was Ruby’s public declaration, the public acceptance of his dominance—of her submission. Plus there was something more in the woman’s voice, something Ruby recognized but couldn’t name. This woman didn’t want her, not really. Ruby couldn’t shake the feeling she was trying to save her. This time, with this choice, she didn’t need saving. She knew it to her soul—she was safe. “Dahlia, if Ruby wanted to go, she would go.” Max was still pissed; his voice vibrating with suppressed anger. And yet, Ruby knew with a certainty he wouldn’t hurt her. Not to release pent-up frustration anyway. “Rubine, get in position.”

Stepping to the cross, Ruby lifted her arms and didn’t move as Max secured her ankles to the restraints, then her wrists. “You can back out anytime, Rubine. I won’t think less of you. I would never judge you.” An out. Of course Max would offer her one. A curt nod was the only reply she offered. There was no going back now. Not ever. She raised her head, almost defiantly, vowing she wasn’t going to hide in the shadows anymore. Accepting her nod as the ascent it was and ignoring her slight slow of defiance, Max lightly brushed his lips across her jaw. God, that little touch made her knees weak. “Your safe word is pearl.” A milky white gem the polar opposite of the fire red gemstone that was the name he had given her. One would think with a Name like Rubine, Ruby would’ve been a natural nickname. It wasn’t. Growing up it had been Bean due to her boniness. “Is the trembling from anticipation or fear, I wonder?” Dahlia quipped, her voice notably less casual than it had been before. Max didn’t respond. Ruby heard the soft whistle of the flogger, identified it as a flogger before she felt it. The sting took her breath away, followed by the burn that raced from the top of her buttock where the blow landed to center deep inside her cunt. The noise of the crowded playroom disappeared; all Ruby could hear was her own harsh breathing and the pounding of her heart. It hurt, yes, but it felt so good. The next strike was expected, but no less breathtaking. This time it fell on the fleshy part of her ass, sending the burning sensation to her core in a much shorter time than before. Then the next, falling against her back; first the left side and then the right. Max didn’t pause, landing the braided stands of leather strategically all over her backside, even down her thighs. Not once did he use his full strength, instead hitting with exactly the right amount of force. His blows wouldn’t leave welts or bruises, but she would feel them for a time afterwards. It was perfect, life affirming. Ruby found herself arching into every perfectly placed blow until

she was panting, the inside of her thighs coated with moisture that leaked freely from her cunt. The need Max inspired inside her throbbed painfully, but Ruby managed not to beg. Barely. If he kept going for much longer she just might. Then he stopped. Ruby barely bit back a sob, waiting for what he might do next. “Good girl, Rubine. You didn’t speak.” His voice was half purred, half growled in her ear. He was so close she could feel the air from his breath, but he wasn’t touching her. God, she so wanted to feel him; her body trembled with need. Her limbs felt thick and heavy and her breasts felt swollen, so sensitive the brush of air against her nipple felt like a lover’s caress. “Do you need to come, baby?” “Yes, please.” She needed to come in the worst way. “Mmmm, let’s see if this helps.” The meeting of flesh against flesh burned as the flogger had, yet Max’s large palm smacking against her ass had Ruby gasping, pulsating from the inside out on an entirely different level. The next smack was strategically placed where both cheeks met, low near her thighs. So close to her pussy, so tantalizingly close. His hand descended in a steady, sure rhythm, taking her higher and higher until Ruby feared she would be unable to hold back. Holding still was not an option, as her body sought a connection whenever his hand fell to her skin. “Please, Max.” Fuck not begging. She would beg, plead, cry—whatever she had to do to get relief. “Please what, Rubine?” Had his voice always been so sexy? Like honey being poured all over her. “Tell me what you need.” “I need to come.” But she couldn’t, not unless... “Come, baby. Show me.”

That was all it took. One final blow and Ruby’s pussy spasmed with a force that knocked the breath from her lungs. Lights danced in front of her even though her eyes were closed. And Max was there, holding her, coaching her through. “That’s it, baby, let it go for me,” he crooned, supporting her weight against his larger frame, his hands gently caressing her stomach. When had he undone her restraints? Ruby had no idea, but it didn’t matter. She didn't need to figure it out, didn’t need to think at all as he anchored her while pulling her dress over her head, then lifting her in his arms. “Come on, baby. Let’s go home.” If she had been able to speak she would have told him she was already home, right there in his arms.

Chapter Five Pointedly ignoring Dahlia, who had doggedly stood there throughout the flogging and subsequent spanking, Max strode toward the back elevator. No way he was pushing through the crowd of people, nor was he particularly interested in anyone ogling Ruby. In his mind, there was no way the unattached wouldn’t gawk at her—she was fucking perfect. Just like he’d always known she would be. Any man, woman or child with a modicum of common sense could surely see that. For far too long he had lived with this fucking gnawing ache. Want was such a weak, feeble word to describe how he felt about Ruby. The woman lived inside him, was a permanent part of him. Somewhere along the line, she’d become the reason for all he did. No way Max was going to take her here, though public sex wouldn’t be out of the question in their future. But this was the first time; it was a private matter. They would be discovering each other on a deep, intense level that strangers didn’t deserve to witness. Besides, he wasn’t so sure there would be sex tonight. This was very new for her, and he wasn’t going to push her past what she was ready to endure. “Just because she came doesn’t mean this is what she wants. It is just a physical reaction—a conditioned one,” Dahlia groused, sounding almost petulant about it. There had never been a woman in Max’s acquaintance, not ever, that pissed him off enough to even consider disrespecting her. That was a dichotomy most vanilla types never understood about the lifestyle. He could whip, flog, spank, and sexually torment a woman until she thought she was going to go insane, but he would never abuse one. He’d never disrespect a female no matter what. It was far easier to walk away. Dahlia was seriously pushing it. Right at his heels she was there, looking as if she’d just witnessed domestic violence.

What was with this woman? Not only was he so not in the mood for this shit, he didn’t explain himself to anyone, let alone an annoying pest who couldn’t

seem

to

let

shit

go.

“She’s a sub; she’s hurting.” Ruby’s voice was muffled against his chest, far too low for anyone other than himself to hear over the loud din of people having fun all around them. Max had a special “Ruby” frequency, however. It didn’t matter what was going on around them; he made it a point to always be on the alert for the sound of her voice, then tune out everything else around him when she did speak. Those words made him look over at the woman a half a step behind him, struggling to match his stride. Dahlia had been one of their very first members. As far as he could remember she’d always come in alone, sometimes leaving with a sub, sometimes not. What was odd was she ever returned with that sub, and it was rare that whomever Dahlia spent time with ever came back to the club.

Without pausing, Max put together little things he had observed but

always dismissed. Dahlia usually went for the skittish types, women who looked as if they had seen a rough time of it. Well damn. Ruby’s words opened his eyes to what was right in front of his face; either he or Deacon should’ve seen it a hell of a lot earlier. Leave it to Ruby to have figured it out. Of course she would recognize the signs. It was impossible to think any higher of the woman in his arms, but if it were his respect for her would’ve skyrocketed. Incredibly astute, Ruby saw what others often overlooked. Then there was the fact her past would help her see all the things Dahlia had obviously hoped to hide. And he’d been about to deliver a blistering response to the Domme who wasn’t before revoking her membership. Ruby, while in the midst of taking the momentous step of submitting herself to someone after a horrific experience, had been concerned about a woman who was so obviously lost.

“Thank you, baby,” he whispered to Ruby, placing a light kiss on her forehead. Turning, he faced Dahlia head on, impatient to be gone. “I appreciate your concern for my woman, but I assure you I will make sure she gets all she wants and needs.” When Dahlia looked worriedly at Ruby, who still had her face nestled in his chest, he sighed and softened his somewhat caustic response. “I would rather die than hurt her. Know that.” It was all he could cede to the woman. Max didn’t take kindly to being questioned about things that were none of the questioner’s business. There was little point in staying and hashing it out with someone who would never see things his way, so he didn’t. Striding to the elevator, he took his precious bundle up and out of the club. He didn’t stop on the main floor, striding right out the back door to his car while issuing terse instructions to various employees along the way as to who was in charge of what. Deacon could handle the details—his friend was probably well aware he and Ruby wouldn’t be back tonight. Maybe not even tomorrow night. The drive to his home in Brentwood took way too long. Ruby curled up in the passenger seat where he’d buckled her in in silence, allowing Max’s mind to run through all the possibilities. While they undeniably had plenty of history and real feelings between them, he wasn’t so sure about actually having sex tonight as he desperately, almost fanatically wanted to do. Some people would say she’d had more than enough time to heal, but then most people didn’t really understand the lifestyle. D/s was a mind fuck essentially. Of course that wasn’t at the root, but it was a large part of the lifestyle. What had been done to her was something akin to psychological warfare. There was no doubt she trusted him, so much more than he’d dared to believe before tonight. However, he didn’t want her to think for one second that he just wanted a plaything. Perhaps his home—their home—or rather her reaction to it would make the decision for him. He’d purchased the residence two-and-a-half years ago and since that time had been slowly changing it into a place he thought Ruby

would love. Albeit unbeknownst to her, she’d picked the furniture, the color of the walls, decorated the kitchen; he’d been picking her brain for all the things she’d want in her dream home for years and incorporated them in the home he had bought with every intention of sharing with her. If she accepted his unspoken gift, he would take it as a yes. If not, well then he had some work to do. Thankfully, Ruby didn’t complain when he insisted on carrying her. It allowed him to take her directly into the master bedroom, a room he had never slept in himself. He used the downstairs guestroom, refusing to sleep in the large custom-made bed until she was there to share it with him. Setting her on her feet beside that bed, he kissed her again on the forehead before stepping back to watch her reaction. Once before drifting off to sleep, Max had asked Ruby what her fantasy bedroom would look like. The room was done in deep earth tones, with low tables, a wide open space, and a fireplace in the corner with a pile of fur throws in front. The only visible large piece of furniture was the extra-large, custom-made cherry wood poster bed. The walls were decorated with abstract art, with a few Moroccan-style tables and lanterns strategically placed around the room. It hadn’t been personalized yet, but that was something he felt she would want to do herself. “When did you do this?” Ruby asked after a few minutes of taking it all in. “After asking you what kind of bedroom you wanted.” She didn’t reply for a while, instead walking around the room, touching little things here and there. “I assume there are wardrobes in the closet?” Pausing at the door to the closet, Ruby turned back to him, a banked emotion he couldn’t identify glowing on her face in the dim lights.

Fuck. Had he gone too far and fallen into the stalker category? If she felt simply decorating one room to her precise specifications was too much, what was she going to think when she opened that door? “Among other things,” he murmured, nodding his approval for her to open the closet. The shocked gasp he expected. The closet in question was just one of the walk-ins in this room, and just happened to be hers. His was almost completely empty. She disappeared into the room while Max stood outside and waited. He heard drawers opening and closing, heard hangers being swept aside, but other than the first gasp, there was no other sound. It wasn’t as if he were afraid really; if she rejected what he’d done, he would just have to start over at square five out of ten, maybe. No way he was walking away. He just couldn’t. When Ruby reappeared, Max didn’t bother to explain. Yes, he had filled the closet with clothing, shoes, lingerie and toiletries. Wanting the best for Ruby wasn’t ever going to change; he wasn’t ever going to change. If anyone in the world should know that, it was her. Still, his stomach was tied in a knot wondering what she would do as the tiny sliver of doubt sliced through his conscious. He was actually holding his breath as she walked slowly to where he stood. Arching an eyebrow in silent question, he waited. Her choice. For tonight at least he would go along with whatever it was she decided. But after what happened at the club, he wasn’t letting go. Hell, he hadn’t been prepared to let go for a while. Watching the five-foot-nothing woman take a deep breath was excruciating. The deep crimson baby doll sundress was perfect for work at

Decadence. The thing was short, tight and pushed her cleavage damn near to her chin. Lord, those lush, deep mahogany globes were temptation beyond what one man should have to endure. And he had learned tonight, they were sensitive. His mouth watered as he just barely managed to keep his game face on.

Lifting those eyes that made his heart hurt and full of joy all at once, Ruby reached down to the hem of the dress and lifted it up and over her head. Max’s knees went a little wobbly as she sank gracefully to her knees, placing her hands palms up on each thigh. “Stay right there.” In all his thirty-six years, Max couldn’t remember ever feeling like a kid who’d just received every gift of his wildest dreams on Christmas morning. He had to force himself to walk to his closet, opening the safe. His hands actually shook as he took out the large rectangular-shaped jewelry box and returned to where Ruby knelt. Pulling out the collar he’d had made what seemed like a lifetime ago, he placed it around her neck. The collar was a thin gold band that was about half an inch high accented with a woven gold rope. Hanging from the o-ring in the front was a pure fire uncut ruby. He’d designed it himself, overseen the making and kept it waiting for this night. “Do you accept me as your Dom, Ruby? Not as a Master, because you are no one’s slave. But do you accept my will, my guidance, my protection? Most of all, will you surrender all of yourself to me?” It wasn’t like Max wasn’t sure of her answer. He knew damn well what she was going to say. Didn’t stop his heart from pounding painfully. His eyes bore down on her, waiting with the heart-shaped padlock in hand, so fucking ready to click it closed. “I do,” Ruby answered softly, looking up and gracing him with the sweetest smile. Damn if that didn’t seem like a wedding vow. And God, how much he welcomed it.

Chapter Six As soon as the collar lock clicked, signifying their profound new commitment to one another, Maximilian circled around to stand directly in front of where Ruby knelt. On instinct, her thighs moved open wider, allowing him to see the flood of excitement gathered between her spread limbs. Knowing she should have kept still didn’t keep her head from falling forward, rubbing against the solid column of his hard-on. Her mouth moved over the clothed shaft, wanting so much to taste him. The hand that tangled in her hair, forcing her back, wasn’t a surprise. It may have been a while since she was a sub to anyone, but she hadn’t forgotten the rule. He hadn’t given her permission for this. Looking up at Max, Ruby forgot to breathe. Oh God, how could one man look so very dominant, like he wanted to ravish her from the inside out? And she would let him; she welcomed it. She couldn’t recall getting to her feet, or whether she had done so on her own at all. One moment she’d been on her knees, desperate for a taste, a touch—anything, and the next she was in the middle of the massive bed, Max hovering over her. Too far away. Arching her body didn’t force contact, and oh how she wanted, needed, craved contact! Iceblue eyes bore down on her, so hot she swore she felt waves of heat from his unblinking gaze. “Show me what you want, Rubine.” She’d never heard his voice like this, thick with suppressed fervor. “I’ll be watching.” Of course he would; didn’t he always? But coherent thought was quickly a thing of the past when his hand opened her thighs wide. One hand and her legs spread like the parting of the sea. As if her body had been trained to his touch, she lay perfectly still as she knew he wanted. His gaze held hers, refusing to let her go as his palm landed squarely against her slick clit in a sharp smack. Fire ignited and spread, warming her almost unbearably. Her

breath caught, her eyes closing as his palm landed again and again. Oh God, she was going to come from a cunt spanking! “Open your eyes, Rubine. Don’t you dare try to hide from me.” As if she could. Still, her eyes opened just as the final smack sent her over the edge. Her thighs shook, though she managed to keep them open. Oh God, it was good; so fucking good! The rolling spasms were still wracking her body when she felt a thick digit slowly slide up and down just inside the seam of her quim. The pad of his fingers pressed down on her clit briefly every time it passed the erect nubbin, but it wasn’t nearly enough friction. “Please.” Hips rising with her plea, she knew she should’ve obeyed and kept quiet, but fuck that, she was in need. Still, there was a reason he wanted to watch her instead of asking her what she wanted. Women at times had a bad habit of faking it even if they didn’t need to just to assuage their partners. That wasn’t the way things worked in their world. He wanted to see for himself what did it for her, so he could use it for sensual torment and pleasure in the future. And yes, she was completely down with that idea, but the man had tripped her trigger from hot into overload. Hell, she’d been gagging for it long before they left the club, when he’d wielded the flogger so expertly, hitting her just right. In response, Max pinched her clit hard. It hurt, but in the right way. A whimper escaped as her chest heaved. Yes, yes, hell yes! Much more of that would be perfection. “Tell me, baby, what did you feel while I was flogging you?” As he spoke, his finger went back to the lazy slide against her pussy. Fuck, she was going to kill him. Sure, she could turn and hop on top of him, but that would be cheating them both, so she stayed where she was and endured, trying to come up with the right words to answer his question. “It was...it felt like care.” It would be weird to try to explain that to anyone else, but Max had known she needed to feel. The burn of the flogger

woke something inside her, something elemental she needed. “It made me feel alive, wanted.” “Mmmmm...” She had no clue what that deep purr of a sound meant, and his face gave nothing away. Though his finger did do a sudden dive deep inside her channel. There was nothing gentle about the way Max thrust inside of Ruby’s cunt. It was quick, hard, hitting her g-spot with deadly accuracy. Almost just as quickly his mouth descended on her breast, his teeth grazing against the turgid point of her nipple. His mouth sucked greedily even as he nipped, just enough pressure to sting without causing serious hurt. There was no way she could not ride his hand. The sensations were just too overwhelming. She no longer cared about keeping still; she didn’t care if she was “punished.” Nothing mattered but Max and the things he was doing to her body. “That’s right, baby, come for me,” Max ordered before switching breasts. His mouth was scalding against her skin. The small sting of his bite coupled with the pull of the suckling only made her pussy wetter, made his fingering that much hotter. The order he gave was easy to follow. Ruby let go, giving over her entire being to his control in a way she realized she never had before. No one had ever made her come on demand, no matter how good the sex was. No one had ever given her what she longed for, but never knew how to express. This orgasm was much stronger than the first, causing her to moan in helpless ecstasy. “That was beautiful, Rubine. You will do it for me again?” Over and over apparently, because Ruby knew Max was a long way from finished. The fierce determination in his face was offered such erotic promise. And yet, there was tenderness there too. Even though he had ceased his devastating possession of her sheath, the soft kisses he now went about placing all over of her body made her shiver. Nude, exposed, she’d never felt as

decadent having a still fully clothed Maximilian gently soothing her with hand, mouth; heck, even the rasp of his clothing against her skin felt like a caress. “Yes, as much as you like.” Absolute truth. There was nothing else she could say. “You’re damn right.” Suddenly he was above her again, towering over where she lay like a conquering hero. She supposed he was just that, her conquering hero, dragging her back from the abyss of merely existing. The rasp of a zipper registered somewhere in the back of her mind, but she didn’t really comprehend what it meant until a forceful thrust knocked the air from her lungs completely. Sweet Mother, she had always known Max was endowed. There had been more than a few times she’d felt his thick, lengthy cock against her while lying in bed or snuggling on the couch. There was no way to miss the major bulge he sported most days. Nothing however, could have prepared her from the burning stretch, the unbelievable fullness of his shaft taking up every inch of space in her pussy. Immediately her own juice rushed forth, lubricating his cock as if to welcome it home. And he didn’t move. His pelvis kept her pinned to the bed, unable to move, unable to think, unable to do anything more than lie there and take it. Every last bit of restraint flew straight out of the window as her hands clawed at his thighs, his shoulders, his waist. God, why the fuck wouldn’t he move?! Didn’t he know, didn’t he understand how much she needed this? Needed him? “I need it.” She was gasping, not really able to speak clearly. Her head was swimming as the ravenous hunger spurred her to recklessness. “I have to have it.” “Have what?” One eyebrow quirked as Max looked down on her with a calm she wanted more than anything else in the world to shatter. “You.” Was he obtuse? She knew better, yet he spoke with a deadpan look. He looked so fucking calm and collected while she was damn near to pulling out her hair by the roots.

“You have me, Rubine.” How reasonable he sounded. Asshole. “What do you want to do with me?” “Fuck me! Fuck you! Fucking move!” Or she would die, she was sure of it. “No.” Oh holy hell. And he said it like he was talking about nothing more serious than the weather. He had to be kidding. Oh dear Lord let him be kidding. But he wasn’t moving, and he wasn’t let her move either. The stare was unwavering as he watched her, cool and collected but oh so far from detached. He wanted this, but he was going to make her wait. “God, Max, I need it! Need you!” Why didn’t he understand that? Surely he had to see how badly she ached. “Are you protected, Ruby?” It took a minute for her to understand exactly what he was saying. Frowning up at him she momentarily forgot her own anguish and was shocked to see what she was feeling mirrored back at her in that carefully blank face. But it was there. Tension around the eyes and mouth, his jaw was clinched, and those eyes... Her deepest want was staring right back at her. He wanted to know if she was on birth control. It hadn’t even entered her mind. “Answer me, Rubine, because I am going to come deep inside you. I’m going to fill you with my cum over and over again.” Oh God, she was going to come if he kept talking like that. “And make no mistake, I can think of nothing better than filling you with my seed and watching you grow round with my child. But I won’t do anything you aren’t ready for it.” That was all it took. Ruby groaned, her body shaking as she came all around that deliciously hard, solid cock. Good couldn’t even begin to express how it felt to have him inside her as she reached total bliss. And all the while Max stayed rigid, though sweat had begun to pop out along his forehead. Good. She shouldn’t be the only one suffering, and despite the orgasm she was still suffering.

“God, baby, you’re killing me.” Good. Fucking great, because he was doing his best to kill her, damn it. “I’m protected.” For now. She had no doubt that very soon she would be off her pills. Max slid out of her a fraction, though not completely. “You fuck me, Ruby. Take what you need.” Oh hell yes. Before the sentence was complete, she was moving her pelvis in a dance as old as time, grinding up and down on every inch of his glorious cock for all she was worth. It was so much better than her most fevered dreams. The friction built inexorably, not a burn exactly, not an itch, but that indescribable, all-encompassing agitation that just would not let go until it was completed. “That’s it, baby girl. Take it all. It’s all yours.” Hers. Just as thoroughly as she was his. The dam was going to break— she could feel it building higher and higher. The room began to spin, but she couldn’t stop. She needed this, wanted it bad. “I need you to come, Ruby. Come again for me. Show me how much you like it.” “Oh God, yes!” The world exploded. Tiny lights flashed before her eyes even though her lids were closed. And yet, she knew down to her bones this wasn’t over. “That’s it. That’s my baby.” Max stayed inside her until the quakes settled somewhat, yet then she found herself flipped on her stomach, then positioned on her knees. There was no time to think, no time to speak. Max was back inside her before the last of her previous orgasm subsided. And she had thought she’d been filled on her back! This position held her wide open, and Max filled all of her. His thrusts were so much more powerful, possessing her entire being, making her pant desperately for air, but not caring

that she could barely breathe. Reaching around her, his devilish fingers unerringly found her clit, pinching down without missing a stroke.

Teeth

grazed the back of her shoulder. There wasn’t a part of her that Max didn’t affect. “I can’t— I can’t...” She couldn’t what? Words meant less than nothing. Her language was reduced to the most rudimentary of words. Forget can’t, she could, obviously, and there was no doubt Max was going to make her. “Come inside me.” Yes, that was what she wanted. She wanted to be marked in an ultimate way. She wanted to be his in every conceivable way. She needed this; maybe she always had. “Please, please, Max.” The hard whack on the fleshy part of her ass was a surprise, but wholly welcome. “You first.” He had to be kidding. Any more earth-shattering, all-consuming peaks and she was surely going to lose what was left of her mind. And yet, on command once more Ruby flew complete apart. Her own scream sounded disembodied as her head fell forward on her hands; she was convulsing from the inside out.

Just when the thought crossed her mind there could not

possibly be anything more complete then this, she felt it. A flood of Max’s essence shot deep inside her womb, triggering something so deep, so pure, so—just so, she completely lost consciousness.

Chapter Seven “Maximilian and Ruby haven’t been back to the club in three days.” Dahlia had been so sure that Ruby had been ripe to steal away from this place, this life of degradation. There was no need to know the other woman's story— like recognized like. Dahlia had known Ruby had been used horribly from the first time she’d seen her after joining this place almost a year ago. Maximilian was an unknown quality. Though everyone knew he was most certainly a Dominant, no one had seen him with a sub, any sub, for years. Trying to find an ex-lover or even a temporary plaything had been impossible. In Dahlia’s way of thinking, that couldn’t mean anything good. Either women were too afraid to say anything or... Well, she couldn’t think of an alternative. She was no novice. Once she had walked in the shoes of the women she talked out of this depraved lifestyle. The man lounging in one of the plush armchairs now with the lush Hispanic woman draped around him was one of the rare good ones. He never forced her into degrading positions or belittled her humanity. Dahlia understood kink, intellectually. She didn’t get women debasing themselves for the pleasure of some asshole who got off making a woman feel small. “Why do you come here, Dahlia? You’re not a Domme.” There it was. Deacon was way too watchful not to have caught on to her sometime. It was her own fault for hovering around the man and his...sub. Just using the term irked her. Still, Maximilian and Deacon were more than partners—they were extremely close friends. She’d figured Maximilian would come to Deacon once he’d returned, hopefully with Ruby. There was something about the other woman, an aura that screamed past or present abuse. Dahlia knew she could save her, if only she had the chance to get her away from this place. Decadence was one of the better clubs. There were no outward signs of the hidden dangers that were inherent in this kind of lifestyle. That didn’t fool

her; just because abuse came in a pretty package didn’t mean that it wasn’t abuse. “I’m just curious.” It was such a lame excuse that Dahlia didn’t even attempt to make it sound believable. Shrugging her shoulders, she made a show of examining her nails, painted blood red to complete her costume for the night. The tight leather bustier was biting the hell out of her ribs, the thigh-high four-inch-heel boots hurt her toes, and damned if the black leather pants weren’t riding her crack in the worst way, not to mention making her sweat, but she looked the part. Sort of. Inside, she felt every bit as much of a fraud as she really was. “Ruby and I are friends.” Oh man, that was a whopper. He knew and she knew he knew it. “I don’t deal in bullshit, Dahlia.” There was something about the way he said it, a deep, ingrained authority in his voice that made Dahlia jump up straight in spite of herself. Shit, that was so not good. SO really really not good. A dawning light of understanding lit those stormy blue-gray eyes that she didn’t like one bit. “It’s not what you think,” she rushed to try to find a way to explain without giving herself away completely. “Really, I just want to make sure Ruby is okay.” “She’s with Maximilian.” Deacon’s woman, Marina, spoke for the first time since Dahlia had been sitting there. It surprised her so much that she took the time to really look at the woman, who hadn’t moved, really. Her head was still resting back against Deacon as she sprawled across his lap. And she didn’t look the least bit afraid after the outburst. A quick look back at Deacon and Dahlia knew she was well and truly sunk. “He’s crazy about her. There’s no way he would let anything happen to her.” “She thinks to rescue our little Ruby,” Deacon murmured, running his hands leisurely back and forth on Marina’s body.

The movement was almost hypnotic, almost looked loving enough to make Dahlia wish— No. That wasn’t the kind of life she wanted or needed. Been there, done that, and damn sure didn’t get a prize. “Why?” Marina demanded, shocking the shit out of Dahlia. In her experience, subs didn’t speak out of turn like that. Okay, maybe saucy little words during a scene purposely spoken to inspire punsihment, but not like this. And Deacon didn’t correct her. Not that Dahlia thought he should; she had just never seen a relationship that was so clearly not vanilla where the sub felt so comfortable to interject him or herself into a conversation between two Doms. Deacon’s gaze bore into her as she fidgeted in her seat. This would probably be the end of her attempts to lure women away from the horrible mistake she herself had once made. Marina’s question wasn’t one she felt she could answer. So she said nothing, sure that Deacon would throw her out any second now. When he didn’t say anything after a few moments, Dahlia pushed herself to her feet. “I guess my membership is revoked.” It was a shame. This was one of the few clubs she didn’t mind hanging out in. “I didn’t say that,” Deacon finally spoke. “We welcome you here, whatever you are looking for. Though I think you will find far more women that may be...your type at Payne. I’ll make sure you get an address and invitation.” He was going to help her? But why? Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Dahlia chose to believe him. Deacon was more or less a good sort. “I’ll call over and make sure you are well received. And never doubt you are welcome here anytime. You can check back Friday night for Ruby.” Feeling as if she’d been dismissed, Dahlia started to head for the door and realized halfway there he’d dismissed her like a disobedient sub. It would've pissed her off had it not been funny. She’d fucked up and showed her hand. Good on him for taking advantage.

Despite being away from Decadence for a while, Maximilian had made damn sure he stayed aware of everything that had been going on there. Dahlia had come looking for Ruby every night. Though Max could sympathize with the woman, he didn’t want her pestering Ruby. Stepping into the role of his sub had been a very big deal for Ruby; there had been so much she’d had to overcome. The thought she might leave him didn’t scare him. What they had was so much more than a simple hook-up; it was even more than some casual D/s thing. Rubine was his future, as he was hers. One day she would be his wife and the mother of his children. And of course, she would always be his sub, even if he were the one completely enslaved by something deeper than love. What he would not have was another woman’s insecurities or demons undermining Ruby’s confidence in herself. Women like Dahlia had every right to be angry, as had Ruby at one time. But no one had the right to make someone else second-guess their desires as long as it was safe, consensual and sane. People who abused these basic principles of the lifestyle were a huge problem, but Max wasn’t about to let it be Ruby’s problem—not anymore. Then there was Thomas Jeffers, who also needed to be dealt with. Though the man hadn’t been stupid enough to attempt to come into the club again, he had been seen sniffing around in the parking lot and the back alley. Of course Max had arranged for close tabs to be kept on everything the man did, and everything he’d been up to the in the last three days had been suspicious. Jeffers was seen not only round the club, but other places Ruby had been known to go often, like the Starbucks around the corner from Decadence. The man had even made an appointment at Ruby’s preferred spa on the day she usually went. That showed a hell of a lot of research for the “coincidence” of Jeffers just stumbling upon the club Ruby worked in.

Both problems needed to be dealt with before bringing Ruby back to the club. Leaving Ruby at home had been damn hard. As much as he wanted nothing more than to go back to her, the mission he was on tonight had to be completed. Max hadn’t trusted Thomas Jeffers to do jack shit after the little beat down the other night. The only reason the man had shown up at the club was that he had somehow found out Ruby worked there. The beating had been expected. Max fully understood why Jeffers wanted Ruby; she was the kind of woman that got under a man’s skin. This man, however, was obsessed with much more than just her submission. Jeffers wanted to own Ruby just to break her. It infuriated him that she had escaped the first time, and now Jeffers was back to finish the job. Although it had been a busy few days, Max had found the time to dig deeper into the man he was now watching pace near the back entrance. As he had suspected, Thomas Jeffers had a long and varied past of abusing women. Generally when he was done, the females in question were so thoroughly terrified they didn’t dare tell anyone about their ordeal, let alone press charges. Generally. It seemed after Max and Deacon had whisked Ruby away from him, Jeffers had been less careful. Maybe it was a pathology of some kind. Max neither knew or cared. He’d been deadly serious when he’d warned the asshole he would make sure Jeffers was tortured, tormented and caged for a very long time. Just like the prick imagined he was going to do to Ruby. But first, Max needed to know how Jeffers knew where Ruby was. Five years was a very long time; Decadence wasn’t the kind of place a man like Thomas would frequent. Someone had to have told him where to find Ruby. That was the only reason Max watched and waited in the shadows now. He would tolerate no threat to his woman. Whoever had been talking to Jeffers would be dealt with.

“Where the hell have you been?” Jeffers hissed as the employee door opened a crack. Max couldn’t see the person yet, but it was a distinctive female voice. Son of a bitch. “I told you not to meet me here, ever.” Sunshine stepped out and hurriedly closed the door behind her. Should’ve known. “They haven’t been back.” The slutty blonde pulled a small, square piece of paper from her bustier and thrust it at Jeffers. “This is the bitch’s address...” Max had heard enough. Signaling to the men behind him, he stepped out into the weak light that illuminated the alley. “I’m disappointed in you, Sunshine.” Max sauntered up to the two of them. To their credit, neither of them moved. He supposed it was the shock. “You do know you are fired, and as you have clearly broken the confidentiality agreement you signed when you began employment here, you have forfeited any pay you had coming to you and will probably be sued.” Not that the woman had much. All the employees made exceptionally good money, but Sunshine liked to spend it as quickly as she made it. Jeffers obviously thought this was a good time to try to run, only he ran straight into the police officers that were waiting for him. “Mr. Jeffers, so you know a Misty Cortez?” Max didn’t bother to hide his wolfish grin as one of the detectives asked the question while the other made a show of removing handcuffs from his uniform. “No— yes— I— I—” Jeffers cast frantic glances all around, finding no allies. Sunshine was going to be no help. Max was blocking the door so she couldn’t get back in. She looked far more worried about herself than the scum she had been dealing with. “Whatever that bitch said, she’s lying.” “Thomas Jeffers, you have the right to remain silent....” The cuffs were slapped on Thomas’ wrists and the officers led the now sobbing man toward the waiting cruiser.

That was just the beginning of what was in store for Jeffers. He’d find his cellmate at lockup was none other than Misty Cortez’s cousin. Apparently Jeffers had met the sixteen-year-old at a dungeon in Hollywood. Shame how it didn’t matter if an underage girl lied about her age or not. Statutory rape was statuary rape. Maybe the idiot should’ve asked for ID. And that was just the beginning. The man was going to find it very hard to obtain a decent lawyer. If convicted, and he would be, Max had arranged for an even better cellmate at the penitentiary. Helped an awful lot there were several judges who were discreet members. “Don’t do this, man!” Jeffers tried to break from the police officer's grip, throwing his body toward Max. “I let her go as soon as I found out how old she really was.” He had; but that wasn’t going to help. Max ignored him, of course. Like he would ever help him. Turning his back on the bony man, Max focused on the woman who should’ve been let go back when she had been sniffing after Deacon. “You won’t be allowed back in the premises.” Max didn’t raise his voice, but his tone radiated blistering anger. “Security will gather your things for you. If I were you I would seriously consider slithering back to whatever backwater you crawled out of.” To her credit, she didn’t try to plead her case. Good, because Max had somewhere he needed to be. With Ruby.

Chapter Eight The house felt different. Simply walking inside enveloped Max with a sensation that had never been there before. Through all the meticulous interior designing, the fastidious selecting of every article that accented each room, nothing had made the place feel like an actual home. Now it did, all because of Ruby. The kitchen didn’t look like a model for some design magazine anymore, even though there was nothing out of place. There was actual food in the refrigerator, real fruit in the fruit bowl, and in general it looked as if someone had been cooking even though there was no evidence of it left hanging around. The living room welcomed him as he walked through. There was a throw casually thrown on the couch. A pair of both his and her shoes were lined up neatly beside said couch. He had to smile remembering cuddling there last night while watching movies. A comforting warmth like hot chocolate on a winter’s day settled in his chest, spreading over his being. Damn, it felt good. Jogging up the stairs, he found Ruby in bed, gloriously nude, spread out against the cream-colored sheets. There was something profoundly erotic about the dark silk of her skin against the almost prudish purity of the bedding. The erection that had been riding him hard all the way home was throbbing now in an unspoken demand to take his woman. It didn’t matter that they had been virtually attached at the hip for the past three days, he’d fucking missed her so much in the brief time he’d been away. There was a profound need to claim her over and over again. “Missed you.” The muffled sentence made him smile. She hadn’t moved, her face was half buried in the pillow, but she had sensed him. Damned if his cock didn’t jump in approval. “Turn over.” His eyes didn’t leave her as he began to peel off his clothing. “Lie flat on your back, legs spread.” From the very first night Ruby surrendered to him, Max had tried like hell to draw it out for the both of them. Hadn’t worked. Being with her the way

he’d always wanted to, the way he had been hell-bent to get to one day, didn’t lessen his ravenous hunger for her. The only way not to rush the ending was to wait to touch her. It drove him half out of his gourd, but it was the only way to prolong the ultimate satisfaction. Besides, he loved how crazy it made her when he insisted she wait. His clothing was gone before she’d had a chance to follow his directions. Fuck, she looked like some kind of exotic pixie, only far more womanly and sensual than any being mythical or otherwise had the right to be. Bountiful breasts, wide, ride-able hips; she was built like a woman should be. Lush, succulent, and all his. “Touch yourself for me.” God, he loved to watch her do that. He loved to help, or torment, as the mood struck while she did it. When he sucked on her nipples her cunt would tighten and spasm, bringing about rolling orgasms. When he pinched her clit she came once—hard, her body shaking with her release. But sometimes he just liked to watch while she brought herself to the brink, and then make her stop. Moving close but not getting on the bed with her, he watched as her fingers parted her dark chocolate pussy, waxed smooth for his pleasure, revealing the delicate pink of her inner-pussy. The sight made his mouth water, knowing intimately how delicious she tasted. He watched entranced as her slim little fingers parted her folds and dipped inside while her thumb worked the nubbin of her clit. Moisture grew, making her pussy glisten, beckoning his tongue, his fingers, his cock. “Maxie, please touch me, kiss me...” There was a time he pretended to hate the nickname Ruby’d given him, but in truth, he loved it. No one else in his acquaintance had ever dared to do such a thing. She had; she dared damn near anything. Impossible not to love that about her. Didn’t mean he wasn’t going to punish her. He was as far away

from a Maxie as a person could get. And she knew that, which was why she’d started to call him by the moniker. “No.” And she knew he would say no also. “Move your hand, Rubine. Place both hands over your head.” She gasped but complied immediately, her body trembling slightly. What was coming was no surprise to her. “Don’t move.” Taking a deep breath, Max allowed his palm to land squarely on her clit in slow, measured strikes. Not too hard, but just enough to burn. The way her back bowed off the bed, hips rising with every smack, was just beautiful. Her hands fisted the sheets above her head, her gasping pants making those abundant breasts bounce ever so slightly. The way she looked, wild, free, utterly carnal, had Max grabbing his dick and stroking as he watched her reactions. Stopping just before she could come, he took a step back, his fist moving slowly up and down the length of his shaft. The cry of frustration brought a wry smile to his lips. Soon, but not just yet. Opening the lower drawer of the night stand, Max took out a smallish bright pink vib. “Here, I want to see you fuck yourself with this.” In all honesty, he wanted nothing more than to see her fuck herself on his cock, but he wanted her frantic for him. He wanted her to come as soon as she sunk his entire length deep inside her. Obediently she took the vibrator and began to fuck herself with it. The lips of her labia clung to the sides of the instrument, trails of her juices coating the sides as she slid it in and out of her greedy pussy. Fuck, he wanted that to be his cock! That should be his flesh covered with her juices. The thought made him stroke himself faster. “Look at me, Rubine.” How he wanted this woman. On her knees, on her back, on top of him—it didn’t matter as long as he was a part of her. As long as

he could fill her with his cum over and over again, marking her as his. “Look what you do to me, baby. Look how hard you make me.” She whimpered, her tongue swiping at that full lower lip of hers. He knew what she was feeling, how much she wanted it, wanted him. Reaching out, he twisted the closest nipple, knowing it would set her off. It wouldn't be enough, but it was a damn good start. “MAX!” Her scream echoed in the room as her body convulsed. Hell yes, that was what he wanted. “That’s good, baby. I am pleased. What do you want as your reward?” He already knew the answer, but he needed to hear it. “You,” the answer came out in a rush of air. “Please, Max, I need you.”

Ruby didn’t dare stop working the vibrator in and out of her aching sheath. He hadn’t given her permission yet. She wouldn’t come again like this unless he touched her again. After three short days, she knew Max was well aware of that. Instead of giving in right away, which she’d also known he wouldn't do, she was forced to watch his hand move up and down the lengthy column of his impressive dick. How badly she wanted that cock couldn't be put into words. Her body called for it, yearned for it, begged for it. And he wouldn’t give it to her until he was good and ready. Despite her best efforts, her head lifted, moving in his direction before she abruptly stopped herself. It would only make him tease her longer if she tried to take him in her mouth. But damn she was jealous of that hand. That was her cock, dammit, and she wanted it. “Please, Max, may I please have your cock?” Begging was not something she was ashamed of doing, not with Max. He loved to hear it, and she loved to please him. Some might call it a pathological defect, but turning him on turned her on. Giving him pleasure brought her pleasure. Max took care of her in ways

no one else ever could; providing for him in bed was such a small thing. And yet, it had the ability to make her come. “Yes, baby, you may.” She was on her hands and knees in a heartbeat, her mouth open and receiving him inside. So right, so perfect. The hand in her hair pulled her up and down, so that all she had to do was suck. She loved every second. With one hand firmly anchored to his hip, she reached down with the other to begin to fuck her hand. God, how she loved the way he moaned when she took him in her mouth. The breathless praises he gave as she sucked in earnest made her wetter and wetter. Just a little bit more and— “Stop.” FUCK! It never failed; she would get so close and he would order her to stop. Oh, she knew it was on purpose, just as she knew it would only make it more explosive when he finally took her. Didn't mean it didn't frustrate the hell out of her when he did it. “Lie down, hands above your head, and keep them there.” When she had followed his order, he grasped her hips and dragged her to the edge of the bed where he stood. He didn't need to guide himself inside her—his cock was there, pushing inside her hot, waiting cunt without either of them touching it. He drove inside her hard, without mercy. Her vaginal walls clamped down immediately, spasming around his dick as he hit that special spot unerringly on the first stroke. Ruby cried out, anchoring her feet on his shoulders so she could force her pelvis up and down on his cock in time with his movements. He took possession of her completely, plunging inside her in measured thrusts. And yet, she wanted more. “Harder, Max please!” She wanted to feel him for hours after this. She wanted the exquisite burn consuming her. It didn’t matter if it hurt a little; hell, she wanted the pain, craved it with every fiber of her being. “No.”

Holy hell, she was going to lose her shit. Her nails curled into claws, scraping down the rock-hard torso as she struggled to force him inside her like she wanted. He wouldn't allow it, of course. His rhythm never changed as he moved not exactly slowly, but not the hard and fast consumption she pined for. “Please, please, Max. I need it.” The look on his face was beautiful in its savageness. Yes, she had failed to keep her hands where he’d instructed, but they both knew he was long past punishing her for it. This was about him keeping his control, and she was equally determined to make him lose it. He didn’t answer her, but he did begin to move faster, harder, just as she needed him to. He was pounding inside her, taking over everything. There was no Ruby, no Max, just the sensation, the unquenchable fire that was flaming out of control. A thin layer of sweat coated their bodies. Max fell on her, his hips never ceasing. Strong arms encircled her, pulling her closer to him until there was not even air between them. Large hands grasped the cheeks of her ass, her heels digging into the flesh of his ass as if she were spurring him on. There were no words, only the animistic grunts and growls of two people at their most primitive form striving for the ultimate consumption of one another. “Come for me, Ruby,” Max growled into her ear before biting down on the lobe. That alone made her cunt jump. The hands clutching her ass slammed her into him ever faster. “Come now!” Her body seized, her pussy closing down on his cock like a vise. Oh fuck, oh fuck she couldn’t breathe! Her world was spinning dangerous out of control. “That’s it, Ruby, damn it, come, baby.” She couldn't scream; it was impossible to gulp in enough air to allow for sound. Her hands grasped at him, hanging on for dear life. Their hips fused together as they both reached the pinnacle, exploding internally, sharing each other’s completion and feeding it back to one another.

It was perfect. It was beautiful. It was love.

Not The End....