The Mistress Wager Read online

  She didn’t know—didn’t have enough idea of what such a thing meant.

  Being a reasonably clear thinker, Kitty then asked herself a question. What do I know?

  She admitted she had enjoyed Max’s kisses. When it came to that, he was extraordinarily talented as far as she was concerned.

  She also knew, surprising though it was, that she’d liked being held captive with her arms above her head. She hadn’t felt helpless; she’d felt…wanted.

  And she admitted to herself that when he’d lifted her skirts the thrill of his touch on her most intimate places had aroused every female nerve in her body to screaming point.

  So if that was submitting to his desires? Yes. She would happily do it again and again.

  A light tap on the second door to her chamber made her jump, and she crossed the soft carpet to stand in front of it. “Yes?”

  “Open the door, Kitty.”

  It was Max. She quickly did as he asked. “I didn’t know our rooms connected.”

  He walked past her, wearing a deep green wool robe over his nightshirt. She noticed his feet were bare. “This was my mother’s room many years ago. She liked knowing my father was close enough to call if she needed him.”

  “She was unwell?”

  “In her later years, yes.” He glanced around, then back to her. “Your robe. Did I not say you were to be naked?”

  “You did.” She found herself lifting her chin. “However, you forgot that as a woman, I am tended to far more frequently by maids than you, as a gentleman, would know. Therefore, I felt that maintaining some kind of respectability within your house was appropriate.” She took a deep breath, knowing that what she was about to do was outside of anything she’d ever imagined.

  “But,” she looked down and found the tie at the waist of her robe. “I compromised.”

  She slowly undid the tie, opened the garment and then let it fall from her shoulders to the ground. “I hope this is satisfactory?”

  *~~*~~*

  He managed to restrain a groan, but it was a close thing. She stood there, in partial shadows, all curves and skin and soft womanly perfume, bared to his gaze. He could have looked at her for hours; in fact, he might do just that at some point in their relationship.

  But for now, it was the beginning and he needed to guide her as she took the first steps along the path to pleasure.

  “It is acceptable, and I appreciate your telling me of the maids. You are correct…I did not realize women merited such frequent attentions.” His eyes roamed her body, lingering at the dark nest of curls at the apex of her thighs. “You are very lovely, Kitty. I shall enjoy touching you.”

  “I…”

  He reached out and lay a finger over her lips, closing them. “From now on, I shall tell you when to speak. Do you understand?”

  A brief moment of confusion crossed her face, but then she nodded.

  “Good.” He allowed himself the lightest caress of her breast, noting her tiny shiver with approval. Then he reached for her hand. “Come with me.”

  Silently, she obeyed, letting him lead her through the doorway and into his suite. It was massive, as befitted the master of the house, and the bed dominated the room. Dark wood posts soared to a canopy that was rumored to have been embroidered for Charles II.

  Right then, Max couldn’t have cared if it had been embroidered by Charles II. His full attention was on Kitty as her eyes took in the lush magnificence of the chamber.

  “Lie on the bed, Kitty. Put your head here.” He indicated a small silk pillow he’d positioned after pulling back the heavy quilt and blankets.

  She flashed him a puzzled glance, since it would put her head toward the foot of the bed, but she did as she was bid, an acceptance that was an arousal in and of itself.

  “And hold on to this.” He tugged a silk cord from beneath the covers. It was tied around one bedpost and a large tassel marked one end. “Do not let go of this until I give you permission, Kitty. Do you understand? You are to hold this, with both hands, all the time.”

  He was hard, of course. He couldn’t have looked at Kitty’s nude body without eliciting the characteristic male response. But he knew pure pleasure came from more than just physical satisfaction. And he was thrilled to realize that Kitty was arousing more than his cock. She was stimulating and arousing his mind, especially when she lifted her arms to grab the cord. Her breasts rose, tempting globes tipped with hard rosy peaks.

  Oh the things he wanted to do to her—and with her. He had to summon all the patience he possessed; she was a lush invitation to sex, lying on his bed, her curious gaze fixed on him. Ignoring the questions he knew lay behind that look, he moved to a small table near the head of the bed and retrieved the items he’d placed there earlier.

  “I am going to blindfold you, Kitty.” He returned to her side and showed her a black cravat. “You’ll find it an interesting experience, I think…”

  Her mouth opened, and she drew a breath…but then she looked at him and closed it again.

  He smiled. “You are doing very well. You may ask a question. One question.”

  “Why, Max?”

  Leave it to her to get directly to the point. He smiled. “Because you will enjoy it, and it will give me great pleasure.”

  She thought about that for a moment, then met his gaze once more—and nodded.

  His cock damn near jumped off his groin.

  Struggling for control, Max was pleased to note his hands didn’t shake as he tied the cravat around Kitty’s head. She lifted it so that he could make sure the knot was snug and comfortable, and then lay back, unmoving as she acquainted herself with this new situation.

  She was doing everything he could have hoped for and more.

  Gently he leaned over her and licked one taut nipple.

  She jumped, letting a tiny squeak escape from her throat as she gasped.

  “As you see, Kitty, I shall be touching you as I please, using your body as I please, and arousing us both. You will have to listen, to feel, to use your other senses at this time. It’s a game of sorts, I suppose, but it is also in my control. You are now mine. Completely mine. You will do as I say, and you will remain silent, as before.”

  She nodded, a brief movement, but one that reassured him she understood.

  He slipped out of his robe, not daring to remove his nightshirt. Not yet. He knew she’d feel the bed dip as he clambered onto it, positioning himself at her feet.

  He touched them, resting his palms on her ankles, gently rubbing them, massaging her feet, slipping his hands up her calves and then back down again.

  It wasn’t hard to tell she was enjoying this touch; her muscles were relaxing as he caressed her.

  He smiled.

  Then he grasped her ankles firmly—and pulled them as wide apart as he could.

  Before she could cry out, he leaned over and thrust his face into her tender flesh—and growled.

  Chapter Ten

  The vibrations of a man growling into one’s most sacred and private areas were enough to shock an ordinary woman into permanent hysteria.

  Fortunately, Kitty was possessed of more than ordinary resilience, and managed to avoid fainting, screaming or leaping from the bed—any of which actions might have been forgiven the aforementioned ordinary woman.

  Instead she shivered and shuddered, and then forced herself to breathe, to truly feel every tiny little tingle and twitch caused by Max’s mouth and the sound he made against her body. It was as if his voice was lighting a pile of kindling within her lower belly, a fire that caught in an instant and started to spread its warmth outward to her toes and fingertips. She wanted to scream with it, to release that damned cord, rip off her blindfold and watch him, to see his head between her legs and know it was a real man with a real tongue who lapped his way around her sensitive skin.

  She’d enjoyed his fingers playing there. She had no idea how magnificent she would find his tongue.

  He moved a little, sliding his arms b
eneath her thighs. She felt the cotton of his nightgown like an abrasion against the silky skin, and wished he’d take it off so she could feel the warmth of his bare arms against her. Then, to her surprise, he lifted her, forcing her legs to bend and her knees to rest on his shoulders. She was so widely splayed for his pleasure, that she realized it was only the blindfold that stopped her from trying to conceal herself.

  She couldn’t see what was happening, only feel it. Those feelings were so seductive, so sensual and pleasurable, that she forgot about modesty or anything resembling appropriate behavior.

  “Let your body take over, Kitty,” he commanded. “Obey your own desires.”

  His breath fanned the flames, drifting over hot, wet flesh. She struggled to understand what he meant, but after a moment she realized her hips wanted to move. To thrust upward, to seek his mouth, his tongue, and urge him to do more of what he was already doing so well.

  “Good girl.” His praise thrilled her and helped her relax even more.

  She was open to Max, both physically and emotionally, an encouraging word making her joyous, and eager for more. She let her back arch, her hips shifting, moving slightly in response to his tongue. She loved the sensation of being held so firmly; Max’s hands held her thighs tight, and she clung to the cord as if it was a lifeline holding her down on the bed.

  One fierce thrust of her tongue and she moaned, a growing sense of urgency tightening her limbs.

  “Not yet.”

  Max withdrew his head and it was all she could do not to cry out at the loss.

  “You will come when I allow it, Kitty.” He let her legs fall from his shoulders. “Not before.”

  A frustrated fury built up inside her. “Damn you,” she hissed, her body quaking in need. Silence fell, and she realized what she had done.

  “Release the cord.” It was an order, calm and expressionless.

  She did as he told her, wondering if she’d angered him.

  “You spoke. I had forbidden that, of course, and you knew it.” He removed the blindfold.

  Blinking, Kitty nodded, not sure if she should risk any more speech at this point.

  “Such transgressions must be punished,” he said. “But since this is our first night, the punishment will be mild, and take into account the fact that you did obey my other orders.”

  He sat on the side of the bed. “Come here and lie over my lap please. Your stomach on my thighs.”

  She frowned, unsure of his instructions.

  “Here, Kitty.” He patted his lap. “I wish you to lie over my legs, face down. Now.”

  She looked at his face. He betrayed no expression, but his cheeks were a little flushed and his eyelids heavy as his gaze wandered over her naked body. It was reassuring to know she might well have affected him a little. Her body was quivering with desire, so it was only fair that he felt something as well.

  Lifting her chin, she turned onto her knees and inched toward him, finally reaching a point where she could lie over him. It wasn’t terribly comfortable, but once she got her belly onto him and let her breasts rest on the bed, she managed to lie still.

  “That’s better.” He stroked her for a few minutes, from thigh to shoulder, pushing her hair aside to bare her spine. “You please me, Kitty. Your body, your responses—I am most pleased with you and the way you have behaved so far. Except for your one transgression, which we shall now address.”

  The thought of pleasing him made her smile. Until she felt a quick draft, followed by a loud, hard smack on the curve of one buttock.

  She managed to hide her squawk in the mattress, but her eyes welled up at the sting. Dammit, that hurt.

  *~~*~~*

  The bloom from his hand rising on her white skin was one of the most beautiful things he’d ever imagined seeing.

  Her backside was perfectly proportioned; round, firm and symmetrical, with a scant smattering of freckles at the base of her spine. She must enjoy walking, he mused, since the muscles of her upper thighs were well defined and testified to the length of her stride.

  He cupped her, knowing she’d be feeling heat in the reddened area, and then stroked the surface with a gentle touch. He followed that with another smack on the other cheek, hearing her gasp and muffle her sounds as best she could.

  He smiled. She was learning, learning to obey him and follow his commands.

  Two more smacks and he judged her ready, since she was squirming and writhing on his lap, although whether she knew it was questionable.

  Once again he stroked and caressed, but this time he slid his hand between her thighs and moistened his fingers in her slick juices. The path they made on the blushing skin of her arse shone in the candlelight, and she sucked in air—he knew the wetness would leave a cold trail behind it.

  He repeated the action again, damp fingers trailing moisture over her red and white silk, noting her thighs part a little to allow his hand access.

  With the other hand he reached down beside his leg to find her breasts. She sensed his intent immediately, and used her forearms to raise herself a little, allowing him access to her nipples which were hard buds. Her moan as he pinched one was incredibly arousing, and the shiver of sensation over her skin told a story in itself.

  She was learning rapidly, finding her way along the path of erotic awareness and eager for each new step. Max was not immune to all this. Bringing her pleasure and guiding her into his world was not an exercise in education. It was a journey for them both.

  He kept her arousal simmering, his fingers playing with her wet folds and her buttocks at the same time his other hand teased her nipples. He noted her various movements; some muscles tensed and others relaxed. He wanted to learn about Kitty and her responses every bit as much as he believed she wanted to learn about pleasure from him. He might prefer to dominate in bed, but that didn’t mean he ignored the wants and needs of his woman. On the contrary. He’d always felt that he paid more attention than ever.

  And so many conversations with talkative gentlemen at his club reassured him that this was indeed the case. Sometimes he felt sorry for those women. But at this particular moment his entire attention was focused on the woman sighing beneath his touch.

  She was hot, her swollen folds fiery, her liquids heating his fingertips. Her breasts were full, nipples hard to the touch and every stroke, every caress brought a response throughout her body.

  She was near, almost ready for him to claim her.

  “Kitty,” he said.

  She did not respond, only sighed again.

  “Kitty, my sweet.” He withdrew his hands, her moan enough of a compliment. “’Tis time to move.”

  She heard him, and slowly pushed herself off his knees, sliding a little to one side.

  “Lie down now, Kitty. On your back, please.”

  She glanced at him, face flushed, eyes unfocussed, lips soft and plumped where her teeth had nipped them closed against her cries.

  “You are so beautiful,” he whispered, following her down as she collapsed onto the bed. “So beautiful. And mine.”

  She opened her mouth, then remembered. And nodded.

  “It’s all right, Kitty. You may speak freely now. I give you permission.” He moved over her, nudging her legs apart to make room for his hips, waiting for her to say something.

  As if their positions finally dawned on her, she shifted her thighs even more, welcoming him. Her arms lifted to him as she licked those rosy lips. “Take me, Max. Please. Finish me.”

  “I will,” he vowed. “I promise.”

  With those words, Max pushed, the head of his cock seeking Kitty’s heat with unerring accuracy. She was slick, boiling silk, her inner muscles already pulsating a little around him as he sought entrance. The check to his progress reminded him of her virginity; something of which he’d been very much aware. The extended play, the spanking, the caressing—all had been designed to bring her to this point. She was softened, aroused, and ready to accept a man into her body.

  The very f
irst man.

  It was an honour that Max took very seriously. “Hold me tight, Kitty. I must penetrate your fire and it may burn both of us.”

  “I don’t care,” she whispered. “I want to feel you inside me.”

  One last thrust and he was through, greeted like an old friend, caressed and gripped by Kitty’s inner walls in a welcoming handshake that seemed made just for him.

  “Oh Max,” she murmured. “How…how amazing this is.” Her eyes opened and she stared at him, their faces so close, their bodies linked by a new bond between them.

  “Kitty,” he groaned. “I must move.”

  “Then move, Max. Although I may not be able to survive such exquisite sensations…” Her chin lifted, but this time in response to physical passion as her neck arched backward forcing her head into the pillow.

  He withdrew and thrust once more, trying to be careful and not bring any more pain. Obeying an instinct, he let his fingers find her and tease that little bud, slicking moisture around and over it, gently urging her to the edge.

  But moments after he touched her, her legs slid over his thighs and locked around his back—he was lost. Already so close, it took only a few more thrusts and he was there, exploding inside her, groaning aloud as he lost himself, body and soul, in Kitty Ridlington.

  To his amazement, this woman, this ex-virgin and neophyte submissive, answered his climax with one of her own, muscles rigid, face contorted, and finally releasing a sharp cry as the spasms shattered her and through her to Max. He held her, his cock still hard enough to feel every twitch and clutching ripple of her body as she rode out the pinnacle of her orgasm.

  As it faded, and she slowly relaxed around him, Max watched her face, seeing the tension dissolve and a warm lassitude descend over her. Limp, sated and with a weak smile, she lifted a hand to cradle his cheek. For a long moment, she said nothing, just devoured his face with her eyes.

  “Thank you, Max. Thank you for teaching me so much,” she whispered with a smile.