Knotted Legacy Page 8

  “I needed the toilet. And then I wanted a bath.” The lie sounded weak in Martha’s ears.

  “No.” Lucia blew out a breath. “Don’t lie to me. Please. I was honest. I’ve been honest.”

  “I get it. I understand you’re ready to be free. My mistake for wanting more.”

  Lucia picked up a washcloth and kneeled beside the tub. “Because this is how you want me? On my knees?”

  “Not all the time. And I didn’t ask for a commitment. I let myself think you might want more. It stung when you said you weren’t interested in being involved with anyone.”

  Lucia held her gaze. “I said I didn’t want to be owned. I didn’t say I didn’t want more with you. Unless the only thing you want is my obedience.” She stood up and tossed the washcloth on to the counter.

  Martha chewed her lip. “Why would you think that would be all I wanted? I have more than my share of women who only wanted to give me their obedience. To give over to me, to let me control every aspect of their lives. Only one has ever been strong enough I was able to give up my power and let her do for me as I did for everyone else. She let me relax into the peace of serving. I don’t know what Madame has meant to you, but she has been my solace for as long as I’ve worn her collar.”

  Lucia’s eyes grew bright. “And you think you’ll never know the joy of submitting again, once she’s gone, don’t you?”

  Martha looked down at the water in the tub, not wanting to expose herself any more than she had. She watched Lucia from under her lashes.

  Lucia walked to the tub. She wrapped her fingers in Martha’s hair and yanked her head back hard. Thrown off-balance, Martha grabbed for the edge of the tub, her fingers slipping off the wet porcelain. Water splashed over the side from her sudden movement. Lucia’s eyes were dark, her mouth pulled into a tight smile. She kissed Martha hard, her lips fierce, her teeth nicking Martha’s lip. Martha came unwound in Lucia’s fierce hold.

  Lucia broke the kiss, leaving Martha panting. “I asked you a question.”

  Her voice, soft yet unyielding, had the same effect on Martha as when she had watched Lucia with Robin. “Yes”

  “Do you want to serve me?” Lucia smoothed her hand down her chest and clasped Martha’s nipple. She squeezed it hard and pulled up, the pain focusing Martha’s desires like a laser. “Answer me.” Her voice was firm and insistent.

  Martha shivered in her grip. “Yes.”

  “Yes what?” Lucia tightened her hold in Martha’s hair. She leaned over Martha, her gaze sharp, and brought her mouth a breath away from Martha’s lips. “Call me Miss.”

  “Yes, Miss.” Desire blazed through Martha’s body.

  “Then get your ass out of the bath and draw one for me.” Lucia released her grip and stepped back. She rested her hands on her hips and fixed her intense gaze on Martha’s face.

  MARTHA STEPPED OUT of the tub and dried herself. She sensed Lucia’s gaze on her, and she kept her head lowered. She took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. Breathe. Focus. Obey. Serve. The water gurgled as it drained from the tub. When it was empty she closed the drain and opened the taps. She kneeled in front of Lucia, the tile cold and hard on her knees. The sensation, bordering on pain, was comforting, and distracted her from thinking about her response to Lucia. Lucia stepped close to her and bent down. She clasped her chin, her fingers hard before she tipped Martha’s head back and kissed her. The crash of water in the tub and the sound of her own pulse was loud in her head. She moaned into her mouth as Lucia kissed her with bruising force. She let go of Martha’s hair. Martha heard the overflow drain gurgle. She looked to the tub and closed the taps without rising to her feet. Lucia stepped into the tub and lowered herself into the steaming water. She leaned back and closed her eyes. “Wash me.”

  Martha picked up the washcloth Lucia had dropped on the counter. She wet it and added bath gel, creating a foam. She rubbed the cloth over Lucia’s skin. The sensation of being on her knees, caressing Lucia’s body, and serving had her clit aching with need. She washed Lucia’s breasts, lingering there, rubbing her nipples in slow circles, loving the way they hardened under her attention. She moved to her belly and then lower. She washed her leg, taking her time before moving on to her foot, rubbing the sole of her foot with her thumbs before she massaged each toe. She rinsed the soap off and pressed a quick kiss to the top of Lucia’s foot. She did the same with the other leg. She watched Lucia’s face from under her eyelashes. “Please, Miss. If you lean forward, I can wash your back.”

  Lucia didn’t respond. She shifted in the tub, giving Martha access to her back. Martha wrung out the cloth and applied more gel to her hands. She smoothed her fingers over her dark skin, pressing into the thick muscles of her shoulders, and was rewarded with deep groans as she worked her hands over the small of her back and lower still to the top of her hips and the muscles there. Lucia sat back, and Martha moved to the front of the tub and rinsed her hands. She sat back on her heels and waited. A calmness settled over her. I don’t have to decide. I can just feel. React. Obey. Serve.

  Lucia stood up, and Martha rose and held out a large white towel. Lucia stepped from the tub, and Martha dried her off. Lucia turned and set her feet shoulder-width apart. “Down.” Martha lowered herself to her knees. Lucia placed her hand on the top of Martha’s head. “Pleasure me.” Martha brought her mouth to Lucia and licked at the sweet heat between her legs. Lucia gripped her head with both hands, holding her in place. Martha sucked on her clit, rolling her tongue over the thickness between her legs. She moaned as Lucia rocked her hips and fucked herself on Martha’s face. Holding her in place, marking her, taking what she wanted, what Martha had to give. Soft pants turned into deep groans as she spilled into Martha’s mouth, and Martha lapped at her sweetness, taking everything Lucia gave her. Lucia released her, and Martha sat back on her heels. She inhaled the essence of her Miss and savored the taste of her lingering on her lips and tongue. So sweet. So much. More. I want more of this. Of her.

  She kept her head down, fighting the urge to look into Lucia’s eyes, to let her see how much she wanted to serve her. “Would you like a robe, Miss?”

  “Yes. And bring the tie from the other robe.”

  Martha rose and pulled the fluffy white robe from the bathroom shelf. She held it out, and Lucia stepped into it before tugging it around herself and tying it closed. Martha settled the robe on her shoulders. Lucia swayed on her feet, and Martha reached out and took her arm to steady her. “Miss?”

  “I’m fine. It’s heat from the tub.” She swayed again, and Martha picked her up in her arms.

  “Put me down. I’m not helpless.”

  “No, Miss, but if you fall and this ends with us in the local surgery, I wouldn’t forgive myself.” Martha kicked the bathroom door open and carried Lucia to the bed. She laid Lucia on the bed, avoiding her gaze. She went to the mini fridge and took out a bottle of water. She kneeled next to the bed and offered it to Lucia.

  Lucia took the bottle from her. Martha watched as she took two long swallows of the cold water, admiring the way her throat worked as she drank.

  She patted Martha’s cheek. “You too. My hardheaded one.” She handed the bottle to Martha.

  She took the water and finished the bottle in one long swallow. “More, Miss?”

  “No.” She sat up and piled the pillows behind her in the bed.

  Martha waited at the side of the bed on her knees.

  “Stand up and present yourself. I was in too much of a hurry before.”

  Martha rose and stood with her feet shoulder-width apart. She clasped her hands at the wrist behind her back. Confident in her body, she held her head high, but kept her gaze on the floor.

  “Lovely.” Lucia left the bed. She smoothed her hands over Martha’s skin and muscles, stopping to squeeze her hips and ass. “Mm, you are built like a large cat. Strong. Lithe. Powerful.” She touched her everywhere. Her touch ignited a fire low in Martha’s belly, and she trembled as Lucia inspected her. She car
ded her fingers through Martha’s hair. “Like silk. I like your widow’s peak with the bit of gray. Sets off your eyes. Beautiful.” Lucia pressed her body against her back and brought her lips close to Martha’s ear, her voice a whisper. “You disobeyed me in the bathroom.” She dug her sharp nails into the tender skin of Martha’s ass, making her yelp. “Don’t do it again. Close your eyes.”

  Martha closed her eyes, the lack of vision heightening her other senses. She heard the bed linen rustle and the closet door slide open before Lucia’s hands clasped her overlapped wrists. “I don’t have my preferred equipment, but I’ll make do with what I have.”

  A whisper of silk passed over Martha’s body. Her scarf. She’s going to bind me with her scarf.

  “Open your eyes. On the bed, sit up, feet flat, knees bent, hold your ankles on the outside.”

  Martha moved to comply. A flush of desire filled her. With her hands clasping the outside of her legs, she was exposed to Lucia’s gaze and unable to hide her desire. She was open to her and vulnerable. The longer she held the position, the more her desire flowed, wetting the sheets under her. Her face grew warm and the urge to close her thighs to hide her need filled her, and she flexed her legs.

  “No. Wide open, pet. No hiding.” Lucia crossed her arms, her gaze focused on Martha’s body.

  Pet. Madame’s name for me. Did Madame share all my secrets? Is this her final gift? To send me what I need? Is she following Madame’s command to be this for me? Maybe she’s only fulfilling Madame’s wishes? Martha swallowed the emotion filling her. She said it was real. She rested her chin on her chest.

  “Where did you go, pet? Stay with me.” The firm tone of Lucia’s voice, combined with her exposed position, stoked Martha’s desire, and she pushed all her worries from her head. Lucia leaned over, her hands swift, her movements decisive as she passed the tie from the robe around Martha’s wrist and her ankle, binding her in the open position.

  Once she was bound a calm filled her. Nothing to do but submit, obey. Give. Serve. Lucia used her scarf to do the same with the other side. Each movement gave Martha a glimpse of her ripe body as the robe gaped with her movements.

  “If I’d known we would be here like this, I would have packed a bag.” Lucia went to the closet and opened her purse. She hummed as she rummaged through her handbag. She turned to Martha and flicked out her wrist. The clink of metal sounded with her movements as silver flashed in her hands. She flicked her wrist and exposed the blade of a long knife. In her other hand were two black woven bracelets and a matching collar.

  Martha’s pulse sped up, and she worked to slow her breathing as she realized the vulnerable position she was in. Bound, naked, and alone in a room with a woman she knew very little about. Calm down. Madame wouldn’t send a violent, dangerous person to you. Breathe. Focus. Obey. Serve.

  She kept her eyes fixed on the blade in Lucia’s hand as she walked toward the bed. Trust. Trust her. Trust Madame.

  Lucia placed the knife on the nightstand. “Safety first.” She worked the buckle off the bracelet and unbraided the black cord. Martha watched, mesmerized by the movements of Lucia’s hands as she worked swiftly and unraveled the bracelet. She laid the length of cord on the bedside table and repeated the procedure with the other bracelet before she moved to the collar. “Paracord. One foot of rope per knotted length of bracelet or collar. Two eight-inch bracelets, and one twenty-inch collar. Thirty-six feet of rope. Perfect for travel, and those unexpected times you need to bind a beautiful woman. Eyes to me.”

  Martha brought her gaze to Lucia’s face.

  Lucia drew the rope through her hand, smoothing it and folding it in equal lengths before she picked up the butterfly knife. She placed the blade next to the lengths of cord. She picked up the longest cord and folded it in half. “I should have asked before we started this, but I was a bit unfocused. Your safe word?”

  Martha tilted her head and raised her eyebrow as she held Lucia’s gaze. “Will I need it?” She taunted her Miss, and her pulse sped up as she braced for the slap she craved.

  Lucia pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. “Still don’t think I’m Domme enough?” She placed another length of cord on the nightstand next to the knife before she leaned close. Her lips brushed Martha’s ear as she smoothed her hand over her skin and down to Martha’s nipple. She pinched it, her grip fierce. Martha gasped. Lucia released her nipple before she moved lower and grasped her clit. She squeezed once, drawing a moan from Martha. The wetness coated Martha’s core and made it easy for Lucia to slip one finger inside. She teased her, skimming her finger over her swollen flesh. “You’re wet. You crave my touch, my control, and yet are only giving in superficially. You mock me and challenge me openly. Topping from the bottom is a no go with me.” She worked her fingers inside, curling them up and stroking the spot that made Martha pant with her pleasure. Lucia brought Martha to the edge of coming before she removed her hand. “No safe word. No play.” She turned her back to Martha. She picked up the thick leather-bound list of the hotel’s amenities. “I wonder if they would bring us room service?”

  The vulnerability of her position hit Martha. She was bound in the middle of the bed, and although she might be able to move off the bed and onto the floor, she would not be able to cover herself. If she rolled to the floor, her ass would be up, and even if she managed to close her legs, a clear view of her swollen wet center would be on display. She tried the knots. They didn’t tighten, nor did they loosen. A deep flush and panic spread through her. She wouldn’t. She might.

  Martha closed her eyes and her mouth, slowing her breath, breathing through her nose, willing herself to let go. She’s trying me. Let her. I won’t be the one to blink first. Her panic in check, she opened her eyes and watched as Lucia ignored her, perusing the menu.

  She traced a finger along the page. “I’m a bit peckish. I think the cheese and fruit plate sounds divine. And some wine. Maybe another custard.” She picked up the phone.

  Wait her out. She’s not serious. Martha worked her hands, trying the knots again. She relaxed. She’ll hang up. She’s testing me.

  “Hello. Would it be possible to have room service? Wonderful. We’d like the cheese and fruit sampler. And a bottle of wine. No, you choose. Whatever you think would complement the tray. And do you have any of those delightful custards you served at lunch left? That’s a pity. How about the chocolate tartlets? Wonderful. Two of those. Yes. That sounds right. Thank you.” She hung up the phone.

  A drop of sweat tickled the underside of Martha’s arm. Lucia ignored her. She picked up a magazine and flipped through it. She tossed it on the table and perused the bookshelf, running her finger along the spines of the books. She pulled one from the shelf. “Henry Rider Haggard. Madame has a bound leather set of first editions of his works. She is fond of King Solomon’s Mines. But my favorite is She.” She sat down and opened the book. “There is a delightfully bad B-movie they made of it. I’ll show it to you sometime.” She leaned against the arm of the sofa and brought her legs up on the cushion and opened the book.

  Martha waited for Lucia to untie her, regretting her challenge to her. She knew Lucia’s words were true. She had held back, keeping the part of her she only gave over to Madame separate. She won’t expose me like this. Would she? To make a point. Fuck. She might. She chewed her lip. The only way out was to ask. To give in, to end the scene by revealing her safe word. Or tell her safe word and beg for forgiveness.

  The red glowing numbers on the clock on the bedside table changed. Sweat stung Martha’s eyes and she blinked, trying to ease the burn. She won’t do it. But then she wouldn’t be the one exposed. No one knows her here. Lucia gave the impression of being absorbed in her book.

  The sound of a cart in the hall set Martha on edge. No. Not this Not like this. “Untie me. Now.”

  Lucia looked at her over the edge of her book. “No.” She went back to her reading.

  “This is not consensual. I demand you release me.” Martha struggled
against her bonds and only succeeded in losing her balance and falling on her side on the bed. Now her bottom was pointed squarely at the door and would be visible when it opened.

  Lucia appeared in her field of vision. “You know what you need to say to end this. You asked to serve me. Your choice.” She tucked a lock of hair behind Martha’s ear.

  A loud knock at the door made Martha startle. Lucia rose and turned away from her and walked toward the door. Martha flushed. “Orange.”

  “Just a minute,” Lucia called out. She turned to Martha and kissed her forehead. “To end the scene, pet? Or do you want to continue now you’ve given me your safe word?”

  “I want to continue, Miss. But cover me before you open the door. Please, Miss. Please cover me.” Martha’s face burned with her desire and surrender.

  “Orange it is.” She pulled the duvet over Martha and tucked it in around her, making sure her body was covered. “Close your eyes, pet.”

  Martha obeyed, silently praying Lucia would keep her dignity intact, trusting her to keep her safe. She heard the door open.

  “Where would you like me to set it up?”

  “No need, thank you. I’ll take it from here.” Lucia’s firm tone comforted Martha. She zoned out of the rest of their conversation. The click of the latch as the door closed sounded sweet in Martha’s ears.

  The covers were pulled away, and Lucia stroked her hands down the outside of her thigh. “Such lovely long legs.” She pulled Martha to a sitting position. She picked up one of the lengths of cord and began passing it over her thighs and around her knees and under, wrapping her legs binding her legs bent and open, keeping her exposed. “This is open leg crab, kaikyaku kani. Simple but effective.” She finished binding Martha’s legs, and with each pass of the cord Martha’s clit grew thicker and her desire seeped from her and wet the sheets under her.

  Lucia moved on the bed behind her. “Normally I would have started with this, mune nawa, simple breast bondage.” She passed the cord around Martha’s chest, under her breasts, and around her back before she passed it again over the top. Several more passes and Martha’s breasts were bound. The pressure and tightness of the cord heightened the sensitivity of her skin and made her nipples hard as Lucia made quick work of her task.