CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Lucas
All the way down the mountain, I hadn’t known what to say to Ava. So I remained silent. I needed some space. It wasn’t her. I loved being near her. I enjoyed playing with her, our teasing and laughing. But my need to be dominant stood in front of our prospects for the future, and I just couldn’t face what I’d have to do to change that.
There was a chasm that would only grow wider between us. I knew she’d never be a true sub, and after this competition, I probably wouldn’t be able to walk away from her. So not being able to quit her would mean I’d have to quit the one thing that gave me the most pleasure.
I couldn’t tell her when she was asking her innocent questions on the mountain that one of the reasons I enjoyed being a Dom was because I liked the look of pain on my submissive’s face. I liked knowing I could inflict power even while being in charge of safety. I like hearing “yes, master” and punishing for any slight infraction.
As scary as it might’ve sounded, I could probably do a lot of bodily harm to a person, and yet, being a Dominant meant my first and most important responsibility was the safety and well-being of my submissive partner.
The submissives I chose to be with enjoyed what we did and wanted to be dominated. There was an intense sensuality in it, and until I met Ava, it was the only way I could reach orgasm.
I didn’t want to hurt women but knowing they enjoyed the pain I inflicted was a perfect symbiosis between two consenting adults. There was a kind of beauty in the balancing of two extremes. I worried that after the freshness of the new experiences I was having with Ava wore off, I’d need her to be submissive without exception.
I didn’t know if I could function in a world without domination.
Ava would never like the submissive lifestyle, and I didn’t want Ava to have to be a submissive person. Part of what so deeply drew me to her was her ability to stand up to me and push me to try something I was more than reluctant to experience.
What would be ideal, however, would be to have Ava enjoy some elements of submission, which she apparently did. That way, I wouldn’t lose my sense of self completely if I decided to try a more permanent arrangement with her. Vanilla sex with an incredible person — even Ava and her ass play, oils and Hindu sex thrown in — wasn’t ever going to be enough for me.
We went back to our suite after an extraordinarily awkward dinner with the opposing team, during which Unc announced there was a tie. I was surprised Ava, and I had won, but feeling more confident now that Mason wasn’t ahead. He was a more formidable opponent than I’d thought.
In the entry sat another ominous red box with the fucking white ribbon.
I hoped the next challenge wouldn’t come back to bite me just yet. I needed another win to distance myself from Mason and get closer to becoming CEO. The ass fucking challenge had been my brilliant idea, and I’d devised two more depraved sex acts with the intent to freak Mason out. Little did I know, I’d be pushing away my own partner. A partner I surprisingly did not want to push anywhere but back into bed with me. While there was still an element of terror in completing these challenges with Ava, I was excited as well. There was a possibility now that she would like them. I knew from other subs, there were things they loved, like being blindfolded and expecting pain, but getting other sensations as well. BDSM wasn’t always about punishment.
Just as Ava had her spiritual centers, I had leather and gags.
“What do you think we’re going to do now?” Her voice was steady, but the expression on her face betrayed her nervousness.
I vowed, tonight, despite all, I’d get her to trust me, so I’d never have to see that expression again.
“Shall I do the honors? Or do you want to?”
“I’ll do it.” She picked up the box and bravely tore into it.
I took a deep breath, the suspense awful. This woman had me all in knots.
She opened the box and read the card.
Good evening, Lucas and Ava
You are about to commence CHALLENGE #10
You’ve Got Me All Tied Up
Immediately, her expression sank.
“Is there any more?” I asked, knowing exactly what was on that card.
Originally, I’d hoped to tie her up and fuck her hard, testing my Dom limits. But that wasn’t going to work now, so my brain scrambled for alternatives.
She gulped as she read the rest.
Men, the goal of this challenge is to tie up your partner and have your way with her. You will be judged on how much fun the ladies have.
Remember, safety first.
Good luck.
Tears welled in Ava’s eyes.
I took the card out of her hands and scooped her into my arms. “Why the tears?” I whispered in her ear softly.
“I don’t like being tied up,” she said plainly, with strength and conviction. “I grew up in a household that was loud and chaotic. My dad was mean, my mom was meek, and my sister and I were scrambled somewhere in between. I was the quiet one who hid away and made sure my sister was hidden too, because if you were invisible, you didn’t get yelled at or hit by anyone. I know I let you do it before, but being tied up, not being able to get away or defend myself, is something I don’t want to do again.”
I pushed her hair back from her face, compassion welling inside of me. Yet… there was still the challenge to finish. I knew it was going to be hard to entice her over to my side. “I wouldn’t be trying to hurt you, Ava. I’d be making you feel good, I prom—”
“No, Lucas, I—”
I touched my fingers to her lips, quietening her. I had to help her over this hump before I could take her to the next level. I scooped her up and carried her to the couch, setting her on my lap as if she were a child. I stroked her hair, cradling her as I spoke. “I’m sorry you had to face those things as a child. I can’t believe anyone would ever want to silence you. I know you didn’t enjoy being tied up that much our first night. Why would you? You’re a fighter and to willingly surrender will be difficult for you. I understand. I went through it last night. But do you know what made me finally let go and let you do that craziness?”
“No,” she mumbled, her head on my shoulder.
“I trusted you.” The words hung in the air, and I fervently hoped they’d sink in. “I don’t like being in a non-dominant position. When my father died, he left our family with very little. After his life insurance ran out, we struggled to eat or pay the rent because he made a bad business investment and almost everything went to pay off his debt. We lost the house, lost everything. The idea that our livelihood was in jeopardy scared me so much, I knew the only way we would make it was if my mom rose up out of her grief, got going and kept going. I was the ignition driving her. And now… I drive everything. Last night was the very first time in my life I’ve taken a backseat and liked it. Letting go felt good and it showed me, if I am with the right person, letting someone else drive is okay. I promise you with every single fiber of my being, I’ll not hurt you, Ava. Tonight is going to be about your pleasure, and your pleasure only. All you have to do is let go a little.” When the words were out, I was filled with a relief I’d never experienced. I felt free suddenly, in a way I’d never been. I’d been more honest with her than I’d ever been with myself.
“I don’t care so much about the pleasure.” She sniffed and turned her face up to look at me.
“But you should.”
She gave me a crossways glance and continued. “I’m afraid of you destroying my reality. Reality is all I have. I’ve got to walk away from here, Lucas, and continue to fight for my life. I haven’t got a safety net. If we win, the money I get from this… whatever this is, it’ll protect me some, but I’ve still got my sister to take care of. If you let go, your ego gets bruised. When I let go, everything could shatter.” Her tears had dried, and the strong Ava was back.
I felt sad that she thought I’d rob her of what she perceived as normal. Submission wasn’t about that, it wasn’t abuse. She had no idea. This was so complicated. She had to understand that she wasn’t alone, and I would never want to harm her outlook on life.
“I promise, Ava, I won’t rob you of something as precious as your reality. Your body is gorgeous, your face remarkable, but it’s the way you see the world… and how I see the world through your eyes that is the most beautiful thing about you. Tonight is only about taking you to another level of sensation and joy. I guarantee tonight is about you. Trust me?” I held my breath, willing her to say yes, but couldn’t resist placing a soft kiss her soft lips.
“Okay, Lucas. I’ll trust you on this one.”
The warmth spreading through my chest at her words surprised me.
The next surprise was when I led her to the bedroom and opened the door — there were candles everywhere, permeating an exotic aroma and giving off a sublime mood. The room was well staged for tonight’s challenge. The dresser had been covered with red satin cloth on top of which were displayed tonight’s choices of toys.
With several choices in restraints, I decided the best way to approach this with Ava was to have her pick the ones she wanted to use. Some were leather, some were satin, others were downright scary with spikes and chains.
She burst into laughter when she saw those, picking up the most menacing one and swinging it back and forth, adopting a pose and a deep southern drawl that brought to mind a deep south serial killer on the loose.
“Ain’t gonna hurt ya, Ava,” she hissed, “Jiss truss me.”
“Okay, obviously we aren’t going to be using that one.” I laughed as I grabbed the horrid thing out of her hand.
My uncle sure had a nasty sense of humor. I was sure the restraints were too much hardware for Mason and Isabella as well, so I was happy about the freak vibe they gave off. Though, I probably would’ve gone for them in a different context, with a different woman.
Ava, not surprisingly, chose the pink satin restraints. They’d do the trick, so I was happy she was still on board with this.
“Ah you picked the pretty princess ones,” I teased as I kissed her sweetly on the forehead and gently began to undress her.
“Well, they didn’t have any with sparkles, so these will have to do.” She offered a nervous smile.
“Now, for the fun part. Turn around.” I pivoted her at the waist until she faced the dresser and opened a drawer to an assortment of blindfolds.
I took out a matching pink blindfold and showed it to her.
She rolled her eyes.
“Tonight will be much more pleasurable for you and less stressful if you put this on.” My heart pounded as I waited for her response. I’d do anything at this point to get her on that bed. I was already hot and hard with need.
She took in a slow breath. “Remember, you promised,” she warned as she closed her eyes.
“I remember,” I whispered in her ear as I placed the blindfold carefully over her eyes. She stood straight and lifted her chin as if she were ready to brave the scariest jump off the highest mountain.
I then led her to the bed, lifted her and placed her in the middle as I took her arms and clicked the soft pink handcuff over her wrist. She breathed in sharply through her nose as I attached it to the bedpost above her head. She pulled for a moment, testing the strength of the restraint as I did the same for her other arm. Finding them quite unyielding, her breathing picked up for a moment, but she inhaled deeply, working hard to level out her breathing.
I placed my hand on her sternum to let her know I was there as I mounted the bed and knelt beside her. I began by kissing my way down her body as I feathered my fingers across her stomach and lower, tickled over her tuft of hair and danced them lightly past her sweet pussy, which was already glistening with wetness.
I loved that she was so responsive. As I placed random kisses all over her body, she twisted and let out small gasps. I hadn’t even finished tying her up. I smoothed my hands down her legs, then pushed them wider so I could restrain them.
With a click, one cuff was on her ankle. She let out a tiny squeak, and her other foot flexed wildly so I had to catch it.
“Ava,” I said sternly, trying to solicit her compliance.
“Lucas,” she returned in the same manner.
“This is going to be fun.” I attempted to hide the frustration in my voice, but she caught on.
“It is already.” The tinkling sound of her laughter made me smile as she flailed her foot, forcing me to grab it and hold her leg down.
She bit her lip, and her chest heaved up and down as she tried to gain ground mentally. She was doing it though, and I was proud of her. I got off the bed and turned out the light so there was only candlelight.
“This begins your first journey into restraints. BDSM, lesson one.” I chose a feather boa and took it to her, gently snaking it over her bare skin.
She writhed and arched, her nipples changing to hard buds that jutted into the air, tempting me.
I restrained myself and took a long look at her. This beautiful, charming, and complicated woman. At my mercy… to do with what I wanted.