Dear God, it was Serena.
Julie’s breath caught in painful anticipation. What the hell was Serena doing here? Well, here and naked. She shouldn’t be surprised that Serena was here, given that the place belonged to Damon. But what on earth was going on?
She leaned against the doorframe, hiding most of her body in the hallway. She gripped the frame with her hand and peered around it to see what was happening to Serena.
When she saw Damon approach Serena, her lips pursed and she frowned. He had a … he had a whip in his hand. Good God, was he going to beat her in front of everyone? What the hell could she possibly have done to deserve this kind of treatment?
She knew that Serena and Damon had a very … nontraditional relationship. Nontraditional being a code word for Serena being completely and utterly submissive. The slave to Damon’s master.
Julie shuddered at the idea, the implication of what that meant. Complete subjugation to a man. Sometimes she wondered if Serena had rocks in her head. Or if she was just completely and utterly blinded by love. What else could explain why such an intelligent, beautiful woman who could have any man with the snap of her fingers would remain in a relationship where the balance of power was severely tilted in Damon’s favor?
Silence fell over the room, and Julie found herself holding her breath as Damon trailed the tip of the crop through Serena’s hair. He pushed it over until it hung over her shoulder, baring her slim back for all to see.
He moved methodically. No, he definitely wasn’t in a hurry. Julie searched Serena’s face for any sign of fear, some sign that she didn’t want what was about to happen. All she saw was calm acceptance. And love.
Befuddled and still analyzing the softness she saw around Serena’s eyes, she jumped and her hand flew to her mouth when Damon raised the crop and struck Serena across the shoulder.
The sound resonated across the room, shattering the stillness.
Anger rose, sharp and furious, heating her veins. How dare he do this to her? Serena trusted him. She’d given him everything. And this was how he repaid her?
She shoved away from the doorframe, prepared to march across the room and put an end to this. She’d be damned if she stood by and watched her friend be abused this way. Her heart positively ached for Serena.
Before she could do just that, a hand closed around her wrist. She jerked around to see Cole standing there, silent and watching her.
“Watch,” he instructed.
She tried to yank her hand away but he held fast.
“You don’t understand,” Julie hissed. “He’s hurting her!”
“Is he? I think it’s you who doesn’t understand, Julie.” He turned her toward Damon and Serena again just in time for her to see Damon bring the crop down across Serena’s flesh again. “Watch,” he said again.
“Damn you,” she whispered furiously.
Unable to look away, she watched helplessly as marks crisscrossed Serena’s back, each one placed strategically, with exacting measure.
How could he do such a thing with such love in his eyes? His motions looked almost gentle, which was absurd given the fact that he was beating her for all to see.
Her gaze found Serena’s face, soft and illuminated with … pleasure? Julie blinked in surprise, sure she wasn’t seeing correctly. But yes. Serena’s head was thrown back, eyes closed, lips parted as the blows rained down over her back.
She looked, in a word, beautiful. It was a fact not missed by the rest of the room. As Julie looked around, really looked, the mixture of awe and arousal was stunning to see. Women looked upon Serena with envy while men stared with lust glittering in their eyes.
And still Damon continued until the only sound was the rhythmic slap of crop against skin. Even from across the room, Julie could see the welts against the white of Serena’s flesh. They glowed like Serena glowed.
Julie’s forehead wrinkled as her confusion grew.
“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” Cole said huskily in her ear.
Julie started. She’d forgotten he stood here. Forgotten everything but the sight of Serena stretched beneath Damons crop. Her mouth went dry. What kind of a friend did it make her to agree that Serena was beautiful? Not just beautiful in her normal way because Serena was gorgeous, no doubt. But tonight she shone.
Slowly she turned her face up to Cole. “Why do you find her so beautiful?” It was a question born of genuine curiosity, and Cole seemed to take it as such.
He nodded toward Serena. “See how she trusts him? She’s placed herself and her care directly into his hands. She’s vulnerable to him and he knows it. Her trust is a powerful thing. More potent than the most powerful aphrodisiac. She knows he’ll take care of her.”