Chapter Six

Chapter Six

A sense of relief came over Rafe as Brianna walked out of the bathroom at the club on Saturday night. He understood last night’s abrupt cancellation of their scene wasn’t her fault. It wasn’t anyone’s fault.

Seeing her in boy shorts and a sports bra caused his cock to pulse. They were still getting to know each other. “You look delicious.”

“Why, thank you, Sir. May I say you take my breath away.”

Rafe glanced down. Fortunately, his cock wasn’t visible, and he wasn’t wearing anything different than he normally did. Leather pants, no shirt, and loafers. But her words warmed him. “Thank you.” He held his hand out.

Brianna placed her hand in his, and they walked into the club together. The music was low tonight, and the club only about a quarter full. Max waved him over to the bar area.

“Evening, everyone,” Rafe said as he helped Brianna onto one of the tall bar stools and stood behind her.

“I’m glad you came back,” Max said.

“Why wouldn’t we, Sir?” Brianna asked.

Max blinked. “Brianna, you are a breath of fresh air. This is not normal club attendance for a Saturday night.”

“I don’t understand.” She glanced up at Rafe.

“I have a feeling people are upset about what happened last night.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her against him.

“Yes.” Max sighed.

“Apparently,” Jordan said. “Ward had won over some of the other Doms, and they’ve been calling all day, upset at Ward’s arrest and blaming Emily.”

“That’s absolute bullshit,” Brianna blurted out.

Rafe’s hands tightened on her shoulder as Max and Jordan stared at her.

“Sorry, Sirs. I didn’t mean to speak out of turn.”

“You’re right,” Jordan commented. “It is BS.”

“While we haven’t had a bad incident in years, I thought when Dani told us the subs were leery of him and we put him through the classes again, things were going to work out.” Max ran his hand over the back of his neck.

“We all did,” Jordan said.

“You said last night there was an incident with Kaley… Sir.”

Her hesitation reminded him she was still learning. “Good girl,” Rafe whispered in her ear. “For remembering protocols.”

“He grabbed her arm one night. She called her safe word after he refused to let go. Ward insisted it was an accident, apologized to Kaley, and promised it would never happen again.”

“That was a few months ago too,” Max added. “Nothing since then.”

Rafe thought about the times he’d been in the club. He had seen Ward around, but not really scening with anyone.

“Can we please stop talking about Ward,” Logan commented, coming up to the group. “I’ve had to deal with Ellie being upset since last night.” He glanced across the room where Ellie was manning the food tables.

The men all groaned. “Sorry,” Max said.

“Not your fault. But I’m sick of that man’s name.”

“Don’t blame you.” Jordan clapped him on the back. “You had to deal with his arrest and everything.”

“Yeah, but I don’t think that’s why you were talking about him. Other issues, Max?” Logan asked.

“Other Doms think Ward is innocent. I’m not sure what I can do.”

“Nothing,” Rafe said. He wasn’t usually one to get into club business, but he needed to in this case. “Look, I’m no expert, but I’ve seen a lot as a firefighter. This isn’t something you or anyone else can fix. It’s up to the others to make a decision. Hopefully, this will blow over once the charges are upheld by the court.”

“Rafe is right,” Logan commented. “Arraignment is Monday. From there, the judge will set a trial date.”

“Emergency restraining order is in place, and we have a court date for a permanent restraining order,” Jordan said.

“Sir, has anyone talked with Emily?” Brianna asked.

“Crystal and Sierra went to see her at Regina and Dane’s place today. They said she was doing okay. She wanted to go home, so they took her.” Max glanced up. “Well, that answers that question.”

Rafe turned his head. Regina, Dane, and Emily walked into the club together.

“Excuse me, Sir.” Brianna jumped off the stool and hustled over to the group. She said something to Emily, who grinned, and the two women embraced.

Dane gave Regina a kiss and sauntered over to us.

“Everything okay?” Jordan asked.

“Fine. Emily wanted to come tonight, so we volunteered to be her ride.” Dane motioned to Kaley. “Lemon-lime soda, please.” He glanced at everyone. “At least I can pretend it’s vodka.”

Laughter rang out, and Rafe relaxed. The group would be okay. Ward might have shaken everyone up, but the family was intact. Brianna smiled at him when she hopped back up on the stool.

“Thank you, Sir,” she said, when he put his hands on her waist. He glanced at her wristband. He’d talk with her about changing it, because she was no longer available to any other Dom but him.

“Max, can I get the bondage table at ten tonight?” He wanted her to know he wanted to scene with her. Not that he hadn’t mentioned it.

“Sure. I have a feeling we might have a slow night,” Max said.

“Then it’s up to us to spice things up a bit,” Dane said, pulling Regina to his side.

“Yes, let’s have some fun tonight,” Regina said.

“Better music coming up,” Kaley said, and seconds later, techno rock came over the speakers.

“I’m on DM duty,” Jordan said. “Time to get to work.”

“Emily, may I escort you around the club?” Max held his arm out to her.

“Thank you, Master Max, but—”

“That’s my job tonight,” Noah said, coming up to all of them. “Emily and I had a long talk today.”

Max nodded. “Enjoy yourselves.”

Noah held his hand out to Emily, and they walked off together.

“Noah and Emily?” Max commented.

“Looks like it,” Rafe said.

“It’s about damn time,” Kaley said. Everyone looked at her. “Hey, we work behind the bar together, and we chat.”

Max shook his head. “I’ve been missing a lot, apparently.”

“No, you haven’t,” Damon said, coming up to them with Tessa on his arm. “This was something out of our control.”

“Damon’s right,” Tessa said.

“I do think we need to figure out how to prevent it from happening again,” Max said.

Brianna leaned back against Rafe and tilted her head to look at him. Her eyes were filled with concern but also questions. “Go ahead, sweetheart. Speak your mind,” he encouraged her.

Max looked at her, and Brianna stiffened.

“Rafe is right. What’s on your mind?” Max settled on the stool next to her.

“Sir, you couldn’t have prevented this. The attack didn’t happen in the club. I know you feel responsible.” Brianna raised her hand but didn’t touch Max until he nodded.

Rafe swelled with pride. She was asking for consent.

“We can’t be responsible for things that happen outside our control. Trust me. I want to protect my kids at school and at home. I’ve had to deal with stuff I’d hoped never to see in my career, but I also had to come to the realization that I can’t control what happens when they leave my classroom. Put the blame where it belongs—with the person who committed the horrible deed.”

Max stared at Brianna in silence. “Brianna, you are a treasure.” Max glanced at Rafe, and he nodded. Max put his free hand over Brianna’s where it laid on his arm. “Thank you for your words. Sometimes I take on burdens I don’t need to.”

“I tell you that all the time,” Sierra commented, coming up behind Max and slipping her arms around his waist to hug him.

“I know you do.”

Brianna dropped her hand.

“I still don’t understand how he slipped through every safeguard we have.”

Logan let out a loud sigh. “Max,” he started. “The man was good at hiding what he was. A predator. Yes, he slipped up a time or two, but not enough to make us suspicious. I know you want to control everything, but you can’t control others.”

“Only my sub.” Max grinned. “I get it. I do. It doesn’t sit right with me; that’s all.”

“Of course it doesn’t,” Rafe said. Gazes turned to him. “You’re like all of us. You want to protect and take care of what’s yours. Sometimes we can’t do that, and we blame ourselves.”

Max closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Damn right. Okay.” He took another breath and let it out. “No more recriminations. Let’s enjoy ourselves tonight.”

Rafe glanced down at Brianna. “Let’s go chat for a minute,” he said softly.

She nodded. Rafe excused them from the group and took Brianna over to the quiet area. He sat down and then pulled her into his lap. Her startled gaze met his. “I want to hold you.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“What you said to Max was what he needed to hear. Thank you.”

“I don’t want him to feel bad. This isn’t his fault. Ward is a predator. I’ve seen it before, Sir.”

“In teaching?” He didn’t like the thought of her being around people like that.

“Yes and in the world in general.” A shiver swept over her.

He hated the idea of Brianna seeing the violent side of the world. It wasn’t something he could completely protect her from, but he’d do his best.

“You’re stronger for it.” The words flowed out of him because he did see her strength.

“I’m glad you think so.”

“You are.” He squeezed her shoulders. “Let’s chat about tonight. You put on your questionnaire that bondage was a soft limit.”

“Yes, Sir.” She shifted in his lap.

“There’s a reason I asked Max for the bondage table. I also want to make sure you’re comfortable going topless in the scene.”

“What are you planning, Sir?”

“More sensation play, but this time, I’m going to surprise you with the items. Is a blindfold okay?” She nodded, but he caught the wary look in her eyes. “What has you concerned?”

“It’s nothing.”

“It’s something. Talk to me.”

She swallowed. “Just something from my childhood. This is a totally different situation, Sir.”

There was a story there, and he’d be ready to listen whenever she was ready to tell him. “You do remember that your safe words apply, no matter what.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Don’t hesitate to use them. I mean that.”

“I understand, Sir.”

“All right. You ready?”

“Is it time?”

“Almost.” He turned her so her back was against his chest, with his hands on her waist, until it was time for them to scene.

* * * *

Brianna walked with Rafe to the bondage table stage, her heart pounding. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to do this. She did. It was the blindfold. A shiver racked her body. Childhood fears raised their heads. Her cousin had blindfolded her for a surprise, and it wasn’t something she ever wanted to experience again.

Rafe left her at the stage as he went to grab his bag from the cubbies by the bar. She took several deep breaths and let them out as her therapist told her to do when fears overwhelmed her. This was a totally different situation. She wasn’t a child, and she trusted Rafe.

He took her hand and helped her up onto the stage. “I can feel you trembling,” he said softly.

“I’m sorry, Sir.”

Rafe dropped his bag by the small table and tugged her into his embrace. “We don’t have to do this.”

His eyes were filled with concern as she gazed at him.

“Rafe.” Brianna lifted her hand and placed her fingers on his cheek. “It’s not you or the scene.”

“Then what is it?”

“As I said, a childhood fear of being blindfolded.” She wasn’t ready to go into a full-blown explanation. “I want to do this with you. Only you.”

The concern softened. “We can skip the blindfold.”

She shook her head. “I’ll be fine, Sir. I know it’s you.”

“All right. But I’ll be watching you carefully.” His palms skimmed over her shoulders before he maneuvered her around. “Still okay with going topless?” She nodded. “Arms up.”

She did as he said, and he pulled her sports bra up and over her head. It was then she realized Rafe had turned her so she wasn’t facing the club but the wall. He was protecting her. Her heart swelled. This man was so good to her.

“Let me help you onto the table.” He captured her hand. “I’m going to start with you on your front and then turn you over.”

“Yes, Sir.” She hadn’t addressed him properly all the time, and she would need to be careful about that. Brianna climbed onto the bondage table and laid down. Good thing she didn’t have big boobs. They would have been squished as she laid down. Even now, it wasn’t exactly comfortable.

She shifted as Rafe walked around the table and picked up his bag. Her head was turned in his direction, so she saw him preparing.

He pulled a set of restrains from his bag and held them up for her. “They’re padded, so they won’t abrade your skin.”

“Okay, Sir.” The fastening of the cuffs around her wrists caused her skin to tingle. She hadn’t expected the weight of them. She watched as he put two double ended hooks together, then connected them to the D-ring in the restraints and the other end to the bondage table.

Brianna tugged. Oh, this was different. She couldn’t see Rafe, but his fingers were warm against her ankles as he did the same with them. She was well and truly restrained. Her heart pounded. Anticipation flowed through her.

“How are you doing?”

“Green, Sir.” Was she? Excitement thrummed through her. Some apprehension, too, but mostly excitement.

“All right.” He pulled out a blindfold. “It’s satin, so it will be soft against your face, and it has elastic bands.”

“Yes, Sir.” She swallowed as Rafe placed the bands over her head and slid the blindfold into place. He was right. It was soft and comfortable against her skin. He adjusted the mask.

“Can you see anything?”

“Not really. Just a little bit of light from the bottom, but that’s it, Sir.” That was enough to keep her fears at bay.

“Good.” His touch was gone, and she took a deep breath and concentrated on what she could hear. The techno music wasn’t too loud, and there weren’t a lot of voices tonight, but she couldn’t figure out where Rafe was. Ah, wait. He was at his bag; she heard the rustle of the leather as he removed things.

She took a deep breath and let it out. Laying here waiting ratcheted up her excitement. Something soft touched her shoulder, and she jerked in the restraints.

“Easy, sweetheart.” Rafe’s voice was close and soft.

“Yes, Sir.” Focusing on the sensations and her breathing, Brianna relaxed against the table. It was a feather, soft and silky against her skin. Yes, it tickled at times, but it had awakened her nerves.

Then it was gone, and something different replaced it. She concentrated. This toy had multiple…tails… Is that what she was feeling? It wasn’t as soft as the feather, but it wasn’t hard against her body either. Her skin heated as Rafe ran it over her back, ass, and legs.

Her nipples grew hard, and her pussy tingled. She hadn’t expected to get aroused so easily. The toy was removed and replaced with something hard. It didn’t hurt, but it was flat and hard as he ran it over her skin.

The next toy had a sharpness to it. Almost like spikes, but they didn’t dig into her skin or anything. She brought her shoulders up as Rafe teased her with it. Brianna couldn’t help but wiggle her hips when he ran it over her ass.

“Like that, do you?”

“It’s different, Sir.” Was that her breathless voice?

“Good.” The sensation was gone.

What was he planning next? “Ohh.” Goosebumps broke out on her skin.

“How does it feel?” Rafe’s voice was close to her ear.

“Unusual.”

“Explain.” He ran his hand over her stomach.

“Spiky, Sir.” That was the only word she could think of. Whatever he had in his hand wasn’t sharp, but did have pointed tips. Now that she was concentrating on it, she realized it was more than one point.

“You’re covered in goosebumps.”

“Yes, Sir. It’s…” She shivered as he ran it over her spine. “Strange.”

“Do you know what it is?”

“No, Sir.” She swallowed. “You started with a feather; the second item had more to it, but this one, I have no idea.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to know.” He removed his touch and cool air wafted over her.

Her skin was hot and tight. She hadn’t expected to react this way. Brianna waited, but nothing happened until something frozen touched her skin. She cried out.

“That’s cold, Sir.”

Rafe chuckled. “Yes, it is, but your skin is so warm it’s melting.”

“Where did you get an ice cube, Sir?” That’s what it had to be.

“The bar. I had Max bring me a glass of it.”

Water trickled down her skin, and this time, she heard the ice tinkle in the glass as he picked up another piece. Brianna shivered as he ran this piece over her ass and her feet.

“So pretty,” he whispered, then the ice was gone.

She waited trying to control her breathing, but it wasn’t easy. Anticipation was killing her.

“Let’s try this.” His fingers squeezed her ass and then caressed the globes.

“Perfect,” he murmured. “Let’s get you turned over.” The restraints were released, but she didn’t want to move. Leaving it to Rafe, he gently rolled her over and redid the restraints.

He began running his hands over the front of her body, from her toes to her head and back again. Rafe stopped at her breasts, and he cupped them, rubbing her nipples with his thumb.

A moan left her lips at his touch. Soft and tender. Slowly she began to let her mind float away until…

* * * *

Rafe watched Brianna very carefully. He didn’t want her to panic with the blindfold on, but she seemed fine. He was having fun, introducing her to new sensations. He used the toys on her and then the ice. Now, he caressed her breasts and nipples.

He wondered how long it would be before she realized her nipples were growing hot. After the ice, he decided to use a little bit of warming gel on her nipples. Her breathing deepened. She was getting into the zone.

“Hot,” she whispered as her body stiffened.

Time to bring her back to the present. He leaned over and blew on her nipples.

“Damn.” She pulled at the restraints.

“Easy, baby.” Rafe grabbed the warm washcloth and bathed her nipples, removing the gel. There would still be a lingering feeling, but it should go away quickly. He’d been very careful not to use a lot of it so it wouldn’t irritate her skin.

Brianna breathed out a sigh when he finished cleaning up her breasts, and she relaxed against the bondage table. Rafe removed the blindfold, then turned to drop everything back into his bag, zipped it shut, and began undoing the restraints. Damn, she was beautiful lying there, waiting for him to play with her, but that was enough for tonight.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine, Sir.” Her voice was soft and her body lax.

Rafe grinned. “I bet.” He finished undoing the restraints, then gathered her up in a blanket and carried her to the aftercare area, settling her on the sofa. “I’ll be right back. Don’t move.”

“Yes, Sir.” She snuggled against the cushions.

Rafe cleaned up the scene and put his bag back into his cubby. Kaley was standing at the end of the bar and handed him bottled water. “Thanks.”

He walked back to Brianna who still sat in the same spot, her head resting against the back of the sofa. Setting the bottle on the table, Rafe lifted her into his arms before he sat and cradled her in his lap.

“Brianna.” He brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

“Hi.” Her voice was soft, but when she looked at him, her eyes were clear.

“How are we doing?”

“Wonderful, Sir.”

“Close your eyes and rest.” He brushed a kiss over her forehead as she snuggled into his arms.

She’d done so well tonight. Her reactions were a little more than he’d been expecting and wonderful for the play they did. Rafe was happy with everything. Maybe next week they’d move up to a little more.