Taming Emma(3)

His words both thrilled and frightened her and she did as he said, feeling the cool silk slide along her eyes and press against her face.

“Turn your back to me and put your hands behind you,” he said once he’d secured the blindfold.

A cool, thick strap of what she figured was a leather belt secured her wrists together. He tightened to the point just before pain and when he released her, she tested its give. Nothing. She panicked for a split second.

He started the engine, but must have sensed her distress. “Breathe, Emma,” he said while the car sped along the road.

He drove fast as Emma’s stomach churned in anticipation of the evening. She was glad she hadn’t eaten anything since the morning because she was sure she’d throw it all up. Although attracted to the world of dominance and submission, this wasn’t how she’d imagined her initiation.

The firm leather on her wrists contrasted with the soft silk over her eyes. The idea itself of being bound and blind aroused her in her fantasies, but that wasn’t what she felt tonight. She tried to relax, crossing her legs and adjusting her seat, but his hand was on her knee the instant she did, pulling her thighs apart.

“No,” he said. “Keep your legs open.”

His fingers first dug then caressed the tender flesh of her thigh, coming close, so close, to her sex. It took all she had to remain still.

“From here on out, unless you’re asked a question, you are not to speak. Do you understand?” he asked.

“Yes, Sir,” she said, her voice coming out weaker than she expected.

They drove down a very windy road and she guessed it must have been more than half an hour before he stopped and killed the engine. Emma’s heart pounded in her chest. Here we go, she thought. She listened to him stepping out of the car and waited until he came to her side to let her out.

He closed the car door behind her and with a hand on her elbow, guided her to their destination. It was colder here than it had been at the hotel, so she assumed they’d gone up the mountain. She smelled horses and heard running water, a small creek perhaps. She wondered if they were near a stable.

Warmth engulfed her when they stepped inside a moment later. The door closed behind them and a lock turned. Her heart pounded at the sound and her brain screamed at her to call it off, to use her safe word and get out while she could.

The subtle scent of an aftershave she knew but couldn’t place filled her nostrils. It was a strangely comforting memory.

“Good evening, Damien.” The new voice sent a shiver through her, making every hair on her body stand on end. She’d heard his voice before, she was certain.

Her senses were heightened since she stood blind and she felt Damien’s body tense just a little beside her. “Good evening, Mr. Roark,” Damien said.

Mr. Roark?

Even through the blindfold, she could feel his gaze on her body. “She’s a lovely one, isn’t she?” he asked.

It can’t be. But the voice, the accent…

It took all she had to stand still, but when his hand crept along her belly then cupped her breast, she gasped and instinctively tried to pull away. Damien wrapped his hands around her upper arms and not only held her still, but when he pulled them back, he thrust her chest forward, as if he were offering her breasts to the man.

The man cupped one, then pinched her nipple which, already hard, scratched the cool silk of her dress. Even though painful, it sent a flush of desire straight to her clit.

“I’ve always liked a little fire in a woman,” he said. “Makes for a more interesting evening.” He brought his face close to hers so she could feel his breath on her neck, her ear. “But you should know I’m not so patient a teacher as your Damien, my dear.”

It was him, she was absolutely certain. Luke Roark, her brother’s one-time best friend. Oh crap, crap, crap! Didn’t he recognize her? He hadn’t seen her in more than six years. She’d been eighteen at the time and used to dye her hair a bright, horrible red. What was he doing here and how long would they keep the blindfold on to hide her? No no no, this cannot be happening!

Damien’s hands on her arms tightened then released. “Remember why you’re here,” he whispered to her when Luke’s footsteps retreated. “I own you, Emma, you agreed. Don’t embarrass me or I will punish you in front of everyone and believe me, you won’t like it.”

He was being crueler than he’d ever been with her. He was under pressure.

“I can’t do this,” she panicked.

“Really? I thought you liked it, given the way your body reacted to him,” he began. He sounded jealous, almost bitter.