Page 44 of Isle of Pain

She surprises me when she says, “We should talk about limits.”

I hum. “You can touch me, and I’d like to touch you but I don’t want to be penetrated today.” She coughs-chokes, reminding me that not everyone is as brutally straightforward as I can be. But she invites me to continue. “It’s not a hard limit for another time, though. If you’d like that. But not here. I want you in my bed the first time I take you, or you take me.”

Her soft hands glide up my chest and she pulls me in for a kiss. Our lips seal and our breaths catch. It’s as powerful as the first time and I chase her when she starts to pull away.

“Be good,” she teases with her fingers on my lips. I can’t resist taking them into my mouth, playing with her skin and using my piercing as a reminder that it’s here. And could be anywhere she’d like tonight.

I send a text to Damian, who knocks on the door a few minutes later. Marie jumps to her feet and I let him in, introducing them briefly. Damian looks at me quizzically. In the five years I’ve known him, I’ve never introduced anyone myself, always choosing partners through our vetted members. Last time he wasn’t supervising ended so badly I haven’t asked anyone else but him to paint my body in red marks.

“The rules are the same as usual, but Marie is allowed to touch me,” I tell him and his brow flies up. It would almost be funny if the air wasn’t heavy with the promise of pain and sex.

His eyes oscillate between Marie and I but he simply nods.

“Nico, you’ll address me asSir,as per usual. Marie, I’d like you to use that, too. What honorific does Nico use for you?”

The question is meant to establish the boundaries and dynamics of our scene but she blushes all the same, a satisfied smile gracing her perfect lips. “Miss Marie,” she answers with a tinge of pride.

Damian takes us through the simple teaching sequence that will be focused on bringing me pain and pleasure, while helping Marie learn to lean into her soft dominance.

“Are you ready?” Damian asks Marie.

”Yes, Sir.”

“Perfect. Then, let’s begin. Pet, take off your clothes and wait for us on your knees by the bench,” Damian orders, his voice taking on a low quality. It usually sends a shiver down my spine but today, my attention isn’t on him, his focus barely eliciting a sense of recognition.

“Don’t make him repeat himself, baby,” Marie says and the dark tone of her voice has me scrambling to obey. It’s like a possessive touch on my skin and I revel in it, taking my clothes off and folding them on the couch, then and dropping to my knees on the dark wood floor, naked and exposed to her eyes.

25

MARIE

POWER AND CONTROL

Ican’t remove my eyes from the sight in front of me. Nico kneels by the dark leather bench, his head bent forward in submission, completely naked. I’ve never found him more attractive. I take my time letting my eyes roam over his body, full of tattoos of angels and demons, numbers on his legs, fire-heart on his chest. The bullet wound is unmistakable on his shoulder and I clench my fists so I don’t reach for him yet. He’s dangerous but so is the life he leads.

I envision myself licking the metal on his lips and going down and down. When I feel ready and steady, I look where I’m most curious and, like I suspected, his cock is pierced with a shiny loop of silver metal at the head. The more we wait in silence, the harder he grows, revealing three rows of barbells on the underside of his shaft, and I almost moan at the sight.

Feeling desire is something I’m not used to. The power I take from watching him in silence goes to my head in the most delicious high and I picture myself licking the metal there, too, as he struggles against the cross, leaking pre-cum and pathetically whimpering, begging for relief.

“He looks delightful when he submits, doesn’t he?” Damian asks and I nod eagerly. I almost forgot we had someone there with us. Conflicting emotions roll through me. One part of me is grateful someone can show me the ropes so I can give Nico everything he desires. The other is green with jealousy that this man has already done that for him, seen him like this, gotten his sweet surrender. Violence thrums in my veins but I rein it in, listening to the rational part of me. The primal one can wait until I get my footing.

“Sweet Nico here might be the most dangerous predator in the city, but he’s a sweet pet for us, aren’t you, Nico?”

“Yes, Sir.” Nico’s voice is rough and needy, spurring me into action. In three steps, I’m right in front of him, taking his chin and lifting his gaze to mine. “And you’ll be a good boy for us so we can give you what you want, won’t you, baby?”

The words tumble out of me, as easy as breathing. Better even because in this room, there’s no pretending, there are no demons. It’s just us and desire firing up our veins.

“Yes, Miss Marie,” he answers with no hesitation, eyes shining with something akin to adoration. It goes straight to my core and excitement bubbles inside me.

I turn to Damian, waiting for directions on what to do next. The man smiles gently at me, obviously enjoying his teacher position. “Settle on the bench for us, pet. Show us that pretty ass so we can turn it the perfect shade of red.”

Nico obeys while we wait, then Damian takes a leather object with a flat end that looks like it’s made for training with horses, not humans. He must read the question on my face because he talks without prompting.

“This is a riding crop, one of Nico’s favourite tools to start a session with. I enjoy it a lot as well and I suspect you will too, Miss Marie.” He hands it to me and I caress the black leather reverently. The surface is smooth and warm, the craftsmanshipa signal of excellence. I’m not surprised Nico would choose such a tool. It speaks of his attention to detail and taste for luxurious and understated objects, just like in his house. Even though it’s the first time I’ve touched one, the object is familiar in my hand, it’s weight like an extension of my arm. I slap it on my fingers once and Nico shivers at the sound, goosebumps erupting on his backside and legs. I smile and bite my lip, looking to Damian for reassurance. “The honour is all yours, Miss Marie,” he says and I don’t hesitate before positioning myself on Nico’s side, where I can look at his face and still access his body.

The crop descends on Nico’s ass cheek in a beautiful arc that barely makes a sound. He exhales like that’s all he needs and I do it again, watching his body deflate and any lingering tension leave his limbs. It’s a sight to behold and I don’t stop, switching between cheeks and thighs until he starts to let out low moans.

“You can go harder, Miss Marie. Nico loves the pain, after all,” Damian offers and I try again. Nico’s exhales turn into pants and hisses, giving fuel to my desire.

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