Max arranged towels and ice across her back and ass, but it took a half minute or so for the chill to soak through the towels to her skin, and she groaned in relief as the cold numbed the ache.
No one talked. Brent put pajama bottoms on and got in bed behind Jacob, on top of the covers, spooning him, and it felt as if both men were connected to her through Jacob's hand. She could feel Max's presence, the dip where he reclined beside her, leaning against the headboard, running his fingers through her hair. The silence was comfortable, and she allowed her eyes to close as she relaxed under the soothing cold.
She was hiking in the wilderness, two thirds up a mountain, and hurting. A swarm of bees had stung her, she was in trouble, and had no way to get help. She carried her backpack in her hands, the stings on her back too painful to bear its weight. Walking was torture, and she was thirsty, and out of water. She sat on a rock, but felt more stings on her ass, so she stood and leaned forward against a tree, moaning in pain as a limb brushed against her wounded back.
"Dana, it's okay, you're all right. Wake up darlin', come on, you're dreaming."
Opening her eyes, she saw Max, and groaned. “It still hurts, but now I know it wasn't from a swarm of bees."
"I've got some ice; Brent's gone to get more. Roll over for me, let me put it on you."
She did as he said, but then quickly returned to her side as her inflamed breasts protested. “What time is it?” she asked, gently pulling a pillow down under her rib cage, her swollen back stretching painfully as she reached with her arm.
"Not quite noon. If you want to go back to sleep once we get you iced down, feel free."
"No, I'm awake.” She turned her head, and her heart melted a little at the sight of Jacob sleeping peacefully. “We should probably be quiet so we don't disturb him."
"Brent and I've been talking awhile, with neither of you waking; he says Jacob's a heavy sleeper. Once you're ready to get up and about, I'd like some time alone with you to compare notes, touch base on what worked and didn't. It was intense, and I need to talk about it."
"I think everything worked for me. You must be psychic."
"All good Doms learn to trust their instincts, but you were pretty easy to read last night,” Brent said, as he returned with the ice. Within a few seconds she felt the weight, and then the cold, from shoulders to thighs. She felt better almost immediately, and realized he only had the sheet between the bags and her skin this time. The swollen fire she'd awakened with faded into the background and she groaned with relief. “Oh, that feels wonderful."
Brent chuckled. “I guess I don't have to ask how you're feeling this morning?"
"Like I had too much to drink? Which is sad, since there was only water."
"Will food help? We have an assortment of fruit you're welcome to, grown up healthy cereal with no taste, a couple of flavors of oatmeal, and organic frozen blueberry waffles we can throw in the toaster oven."
"Give me twenty minutes under the ice and I'll consider the possibility of food. I'm sorry; I must've fallen asleep before we discussed sleeping arrangements. Max, I hope you stayed in here with us."
He smiled. “Yeah, you ended up on your side with your legs tangled with Jacob, and holding my hand. Thanks for letting me come back. I know Brent would've taken care of you, but it's important for me check in the next day, to verify the people I've hurt are okay—both physically and emotionally."
Dana worried Brent might be upset she'd gravitated to Jacob in her sleep, but he looked pleased. “I love that you and Jacob have bonded so well. If anything bothers me, we'll talk about it. When he's in bondage—or deep in a scene—check in with me; but otherwise, feel free to touch and caress and tangle your feet as the mood strikes you."
Max chuckled. “He doesn't allow that for just anyone. He's usually quite possessive."
Jacob spoke, surprising Dana. “No kidding."
"Why am I different?"
No one answered, so she hazarded a guess. “Because I live out of town?"
Jacob moved his face near hers, smoothing her hair away from her eyes. “It's because you're special,” he said, his eyes letting her know he thought she was special, not just his Master. “I assume the bags of ice mean you enjoyed yourself last night?"
Dana's heart started pitter-pattering, and she reached for his hand, gave it a small kiss. “Yeah, you could say that."
"She took thirty-six strikes of a bullwhip, and wanted more."
Jacob's voice turned angry, startling Dana. “Dear lord, why didn't you stop him?” He glared at Max. “What were—"
Brent interrupted. “She was fine. You weren't here when... you haven't seen how far she can be taken. Max and I have, and we both recognized how badly she needed it. He almost stopped early on, and only continued after I told him he was welcome to come back here afterwards. Speaking of how far people were pushed last night, since you're awake I need you to roll over so I can inspect your cock."