Chapter Seventeen

“Hmm . . . I love the satiny feel of your skin, right . . . here,” Max breathed into Joanne’s ear. She’d asked to come to Club Devil’s Cove so sweetly, he couldn’t say no. But, it offered him the opportunity to say goodbye with a scene that will always be remembered. He ran a finger down her spine to the sleek crevice between her butt cheeks. “Are you sure about this, baby?” He asked. The erotic kiss in the nape of her neck caused a visible shiver to course down her spine.

 A shard of excitement pierced her stomach. Not even the vision of Dabir with the cat-o-nine whip in his hand could dampen the exhilaration of Max’s erotic flogging. It was the one thing she had always implicitly trusted him with―to take her to a euphoric high with his leather flogger.

“I’m sure, Master Jag. To be honest, I can’t wait for you to begin.”

Max searched her expression for the tiniest sign of fear. He couldn’t detect any. “I know what you went through, my pet. I saw the scars. I don’t want you to force yourself into something just to please me.”

“This is all about our pleasure, my Master,” Joanne murmured. She gazed at him with a sultry smile. “If I recall, you experience equal enjoyment from my reactions.”

“Hm, so . . . you’re after the pleasures that comes from the pain, are you, Violet?” Max teased gently. He licked the side of her throat before he bit into the muscle running to her shoulder. “Is that why you agreed to be naked for this scene?

“Ooh . . . gaawd!” she cried out at the stinging bite, then moaned when he gently laved the mark with his tongue. He sucked on the skin, drawing on it hard until a bright red bruise stained her warm olive skin.

“There, a perfect way to start the fun, don’t you think?” Max’s eyes glimmered with primal appreciation of his mark of ownership. “Let’s get you on the Saint Andrew’s cross, baby.”

Joanne had never experienced such a seductive way of being tied up. This time she was facing the cross, with her naked back toward the room. By the time Max took a step back, her body sizzled from her toes to the top of her head.

“You are so fucking sexy. I get a hard on just looking at your satiny skin.”

She moaned and arched her neck as Max teasingly ran his hands down her flanks. Her lower lip disappeared between her teeth as he caressed her buttocks until there wasn’t a single nerve ending that wasn’t stirred to life.

“You know how this goes, luv. Relax, I’m only preparing your skin.” He placed a butterfly soft kiss on her shoulder. “I promise, baby, there’ll be no bruises when I’m done.”

Max drew in a deep breath, exulting in the fresh smell of soap, mixed with her honeyed scent that always managed to tantalize his senses. He groaned under the demanding weight of his lust. This was for Joanne; for her need, her pleasure. His own lust would have to wait. He tilted her head sideways and kissed her mouth with a masterful intoxication. Like always, her sweet surrender spurred him to demand more. His tongue played over hers with gentle persuasion, igniting a firestorm of passion that inflamed her body with an incandescent euphoria.

Joanne moaned under the lustful demand of his lips that robbed her of her breath. Her head spun wildly. Max ended the kiss reluctantly. Joanne was shaken and confused by the look in his eyes; they were loving, yet she detected emptiness in their depths.

He turned away and picked up the calf leather flogger. “Even though this is an erotic flogging, I expect you to use your safeword if you experience the slightest discomfort or fear. Is that understood, Violet?”

“Yes, Master Jag.”

His gruff voice warned Joanne that this was going to be more than an erotic flogging. She couldn’t decipher what, but the emotions in his now guarded look, warned her that something wasn’t right. Max was troubled and no matter how well he managed to keep his emotions in check, Joanne sensed it from deep within.

He caught the look in her eyes and whispered with his lips pressed against her ear, “Tonight I’m going to ingrain every emotion that flashes across your face into my mind. It’s a memory I aim to treasure for all time.”

“Maximilian, what . . . ooh,” she moaned as he fondled her buttocks. His hands molded her firm, round flesh in his hands, stroking, squeezing until she squirmed against the cross.

“Ready, my pet?” He taunted as he slapped her ass hard. At her surprised gasp, he snapped his wrist to strike the first blow against her ass. It was so gentle that she barely felt it.

She knew then. Max was aiming to turn this into a seduction. She took a deep breath as another blow fell.

Max cursed. He draped the flogger over his shoulder and walked closer. “This is me, baby. Close your eyes and concentrate on me, my heat and my emotions. You don’t need to see me to feel them. Keep your body relaxed, my pet. Don’t tense your muscles when you hear the swing of the flogger.”

“I’m sorry, Master Jag. I guess it’s been a while,” Joanne puffed as she set out to do as he instructed.

No punishing blows fell from Max’s hand. The strokes were more sensual than anything she had ever experienced in the past. Joanne had no defense against Max’s mastery as he aimed each strip of leather to connect with thrilling precision. She was left thrashing and gasping in delight. She lost count of how many strikes he landed. Her mind was spinning into a whirlpool of exhilaration.   

“Hmm, that’s better, luv,” Max praised her as he pressed against her back and kissed her nape. “Are you ready to feel the bite of my leather, my pet? Remember, if it becomes too much, I expect you to tell me. Now, baby, breathe in and relax.”

The next blow fell hard. It stole her breath completely. A low scream escaped from her lips.

“Beautiful, baby,” Max murmured as he watched how her ass rippled under every strike. Another strike and this time, the tails of the flogger fanned out to caress the roundness of her cheeks, leaving behind an enticing rosy tint that slowly darkened her skin.

Joanne twisted under the blows, her mind spinning higher and higher, as he slowly elevated her from pain to a plateau of explosive passion. Her cries echoed to the roof, a melody of such sensual delight, it spiked Max’s testosterone.

“Yes, Violet. Give me those husky pleas.”

He aimed the blows higher, to wrap around under her arms as they bit into the tender sides of her breasts.

“Oh, fuck!” Joann cried. She bit her lip as the pain intensified but instead of feeling alarmed, she lost herself in the rush of heat running through her veins. Her loins tensed with a need that she had no control over.

“Beautiful, baby,” Max praised her. He pressed his body against her back. The roughness of his leathers grazing against the sensitive skin on her buttocks, caused her breath to hiss from her lips. He kissed the whorl of her ear while his hands traced the curve of her hips. He gently tweaked her nipples. “Still breathing, luv?” He asked softly as he pinched her nubs sharply and then ran his palm down the center of her body.

“Oh god,” she moaned and began to tremble. The slow, teasing brush of his finger up and down her clitoris caused a flush of heat to surge through her loins.

“Ah, such a tantalizing smell,” he murmured. He slid his finger inside her pussy. “So wet and eager, my pet,” he teased as he found her soaked. Her muscles clenched around his finger.

“Master Jag, please,” she panted, overwhelmed by the increasing pressure in her loins. 

The next moment he was gone.

Joanne’s scream resounded through the dungeon as the leather found its mark yet again. Each subsequent blow blazed across her skin, inflaming her cheeks and back, intensifying with each stroke. She was awash with white-hot pain throbbing in her nerve endings.

“I need . . .” she whimpered as lust pulsed through her body with every blow, transporting her to a realm beyond her comprehension. It felt ethereal, like she was floating among the gods. Aftershocks wracked through her body. Her pussy clenched in spasms, spurred by her throbbing clitoris, demanding a climax.

“I need to come. Please!” She cried out with the desperation raw in her voice

“Had enough, my pet?” Max murmured behind her. His hand reached around her to massage her clitoris remorselessly. Joanne thrashed against his hand. Her head rolled back and forth against his shoulder. She was battling to stave off the intense pleasure that threatened to devour her.

“Fuck me, Maximilian . . . please,” she begged. She pressed her face into his throat.

Max smiled at her seductive plea. For once he didn’t complain about her using his full name. It felt right, in this moment. She inflamed his senses equally; whether she was an innocent enchantress, the sassy firebrand or the sexy submissive.

He waited until Joanne drew a shuddered breath and then slammed his raging cock into her, driving her body against the cross.

Joanne’s scream was one of pure exultation. Her world tilted in that moment as her loins surged and clenched. She splintered apart in a climax that stole her ability to breathe. Pleasure and pain merged into shocks of pleasure, flinging her on a cloud of euphoria.

“Yes, baby, give it all to me,” Max growled as he pounded into her. Each thrust of his bulbous head against the swollen ganglia inside her pussy triggered more pleasure to rush through her. It didn’t take long. Max erupted strongly inside her as a wave of euphoria crushed him under. He closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her. He clung to her, unable to let her go . . . knowing that after this night . . . she would come to hate him. 

* * * * * * * *

Joanne felt refreshed after the short nap and quick shower in the Devil’s Den room where Max had carried her after their scene in the dungeon. She’d been slightly disappointed that he wasn’t there when she woke up but brushed it off as she walked into the Entertainment room. Bruce was sitting at the bar. He waved at her when he noticed her.

“Hm, this is very refreshing. Thanks, Master Wade,” she praised the Club Manager who handed her a drink when she joined Bruce.

“I’m glad I see you, Master Goliath,” Joanne said with a smile. “Maybe you can explain to me why the women are being moved to another safehouse.”

Bruce suppressed a sigh. He’d expected the question.

She took another sip and looked around the club. “Where are Max and Jack?”

“They’re on CM duty.” He glanced at his watch. For another five minutes or so.” He sighed when she looked at him expectantly. “Stop worrying, Joanne. In such a high-risk situation, witnesses or in this case victims, are often moved to different locations.”

“Why didn’t anyone tell me they were being moved earlier?” She squinted at him. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“You’re imagining things. Relax, Joanne. Everyone needs a little fun to get their minds off all this stress and tension. We need to ensure the women are safe. Isn’t that the most important?”

Joanne sighed and took another tentative sip from her cocktail. “I’m sorry. You’re right. We all need to relax.”

Ethan, Paige, Keon and Lauren joined them with Richard wheeling behind.

“I have to say, Violet, I love the outfit you chose for tonight,” Lauren said as she eyed her lace and chiffon dress. It was cut primly, with a high neck, full sleeves and a long flowing charcoal black chiffon skirt. It was completely see through, with bits of delicate embroidery hiding her girlie bits. Joanne wasn’t wearing a bra but couldn’t resist the black satin thong. A sleek belt cinched the extravagant creation at her waist. The dress was cut deep in the back, with the skirt draped over the curve of her buttocks. Black stiletto pumps were a perfect match for the outfit.

“Me too and if it wasn’t for the two of you taking me to your favorite shops, I would never have found it.”

Everyone was relaxed and soon the conversation soothed away Joanne’s concerns.

“Enjoying yourself, sis?” Jack asked as he and Rhone joined them ten minutes later. He gave her a brief hug.

“It’s a fantastic club. I love this place.” She looked around. “Where’s Master Jag?”

Jack shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He took a long swig from his drink. Joanne’s eyes narrowed.

“He’ll be along shortly. He’s been detained.”

“Detained? What do you mean detained?” Joanne knew Jack well enough to know he was uncomfortable. He could never lie to her.

Jack shrugged and chucked down his drink in one gulp. “One more, please, Wade.”

A cold tremor began to shake through Joanne’s body. She’d foolishly believed that Max had changed; telling her that she was his future had meant that he was committed to changing his ways. It seemed that she’d been naïve in making such an assumption.

Before anyone could stop her, Joanne was walking down the staircase into the dungeon. Her stomach was twisted into a knot, already fearing what she was about to find.

She found him in the harem room. He was sitting in a throne-like chair with a sub between his spread legs. Her head bobbed up and down as she swallowed his huge cock down her throat. Max’s face was taut with pleasure while his gaze scorched the four subs on the bed, in the midst of a sexual encounter, the likes of which she’d never witnessed.

Joanne staggered to a halt. Hurt stung her heart with such force that she had difficulty breathing. Anger suffused her entire body. Its scalding effect turned her face red with a hot flush. She tried to expel the rage, but it was a futile effort. It intensified with the hurt that threatened to bring her to her knees. She curled her hands into fists by her side, trying to stay her quaking legs.

“Ah, baby! Are you gonna join the ladies?” Max drawled as he noticed her in the doorway. She couldn’t keep her feet from carrying her closer, watching as his hips jerked in an age-old dance of lust against the sub’s face.

“You’re not serious?” Joanne said in a voice turned hoarse with shock and anger. Her gaze strayed to the four women who thrashed and grinded against each other with sexual pleasure.

“Why not, my pet? I love watching your face awash with pleasure when you climax. I promise you, these ladies know just how to give pleasure to the female body.”

Joanne’s eyes moved back to him. His expression was one of utter indifference as he slouched in the chair. She could swear that he was smiling. A smile of utter enjoyment. She felt like she was falling through a rabbit hole. She couldn’t comprehend the change in Max. From the man who had, not more than an hour ago, shared an earth shattering experience with her, to this—dispassionate man. It shattered her heart to pieces.

Max’s hand tightened on the sub’s hair. He pulled her off his cock. “Enough, my pet. I’d rather you continue with my lovely sub, Violet. She loves to feel a tongue wiggle deep inside her hot, wet pussy.”

He grinned wickedly at Joanne’s gasp that echoed over the cries of the women on the bed. “While she feeds on your gorgeous cunt, come over here and finish me off, baby.”

“You’re not serious?” Joanne knew she sounded like a stuck record, but she couldn’t seem to grasp the reality of what was happening. Max’s tastes seemed to have evolved even more over time.

“Come now, Violet. Don’t be a prissy. This is only part of the kind of fun we’ll have together at the club. Now, sub. Come closer. Bend over at your hips. That way Celia will have all the access she needs to your fragrant pussy.”

Joanne started to retreat. Step by slow step. One foot behind the other. She shook her head. Her heart felt like it was melting painfully in her chest.

“I guess it was foolish of me to think you have changed. Fuck . . . I was such an idiot. I believed that you really meant what you said to me last night.” Her voice resounded raw, the hurt palpable.

“But I did, baby. I meant every word. I just don’t see the need to change my urges because of it. Au contraire, my pet, together we can explore our mutual pleasures so much more.”

“As long as all of this,” and she pointed to the women on the bed, “is part of our mutual pleasures, I assume?” Joanne’s voice cracked but she pulled her shoulders back and stretched her body to full height.

“You know me, baby. The more the merrier.”

“Of course, how foolish of me. Well, let me not stand in your away. Go ahead. Enjoy yourself. Fuck away, Master Jag, but I won’t be one of the hordes queuing up for your overused cock. I didn’t escape one harem, only to be thrown into a fucking new one.” With that, Joanna turned and walked to the door, head high, but her heart broken to pieces.

Max cringed as the door slammed shut behind her. Celia knelt between his legs and reached for his flaccid cock. He pushed away her hands and offered a tight smile.

“Not now, my pet.” He pointed toward the bed. “I’d much rather enjoy the view . . . for now,” he said at her crestfallen expression.

His gaze was devoid of emotion as it followed her body climbing onto the bed. His eyes were unseeing. It wasn’t the twisting and jagging bodies of the women he saw, it was the hurt and disappointment in Joanne’s face as she’d walked out. He sighed with heavy acceptance.

Life didn’t always go as planned. He should’ve remembered that and not have started raising his own expectations of a life filled with love and happiness. What he had done, had been unavoidable but he would’ve given anything not to have hurt her in the process.

Again.

“At least she’ll be safe. That’s all that matters.”