Bound to be Tempted: Emergence, Book 4 Page 11

  “When the house was silent, I dressed in the sexiest outfit I had, a short black dress and high heels my parents didn’t even know I owned. I slipped out my bedroom window and ran down the block as fast as I could, carrying my shoes until I reached the meeting place.

  “Leslie stood there already, waiting. She smiled at me, kissed me on the lips as though nothing had happened. And then we took off for the rave. It was the best night of my life. We danced until two in the morning, laughing and groping on the dance floor.

  “Nobody at the party cared about our sexual orientation. The place was filled with every sort of couple imaginable. And some threesomes. We were among the youngest, but no one said a word.

  “When we finally left, it was the middle of the night. Our feet were killing us. We carried our shoes and started on the long walk back to our neighborhood.” She stopped.

  Carlton kissed her temple, sensing she needed a moment. There was more. He ached for whatever she was about to say.

  Maggie took a deep breath. “Three guys followed us. I don’t know where they came from. Maybe they had been at the rave. Maybe they had simply seen us walking and decided to trail us. In any case, we walked faster, holding hands and whispering our fear to each other.

  “They approached closer. They were larger. There were three of them and two of us. And when I finally turned, I found them wearing masks. I screamed and started running, tugging Leslie alongside me. But they were faster, stronger, bigger. There was no way we could outrun them.”

  Carlton stiffened as she spoke. He wanted to punch those assholes for whatever they did next even before he heard the words.

  “We got trapped in an alley, confused about which direction to turn, unfamiliar with the area. And the guys taunted us as we backed into a corner, still gripping each other. They shouted anti-gay slurs, calling us lesbos, homos, sinners…

  “I thought at first they intended to rape us or rob us, but that wasn’t the case. It was purely a hate crime. They shoved us against the brick wall at our backs. They swung at us, slapping against our faces as they shouted that we were sluts and whores, an abomination against the Lord.

  “Finally we heard sirens. Someone had heard our screams and called the cops. Before they ran off, the guys punched and hit and kicked us. They spit on us and then took off as the sirens grew louder.”

  “Oh, baby. I’m so sorry.” Carlton’s throat felt tight. He held her closer, drawing her body into his as though he could make the pain dissipate.

  “My injuries weren’t severe. Two black eyes, a bloody nose, some bruised ribs. When the cops arrived, two ambulances were on their tail. Before I knew it, Leslie and I were separated and taken to the hospital. I could hardly see through the slits in my eyelids for twelve hours. I don’t even know if she was transported to the same hospital or not.”

  “She didn’t tell you later?”

  “I never saw her again.” A tear trailed down Maggie’s face and she pursed her lips tight.

  “Why? How?”

  She sniffed back a choked attempt to keep from crying. “My parents picked me up the next morning, beaten and bruised. We never returned to the house. They drove straight to an apartment in a city an hour away and we started a new life without anyone so much as mentioning the incident.”

  “You never spoke of it?”

  She shook her head. “Not even once. My mother looked forlorn, sad for me, but she did as my father said. School had just gotten out for the summer. They kept me in the apartment for three months, not letting me out for any reason. Not that I ever asked. I had no phone, no life. I didn’t even know where I was.

  “I was dead inside. I didn’t care about anything. I slept the summer away, wondering what happened to Leslie and praying she was still alive. I didn’t know. I didn’t ask. I knew it would be useless.

  “In the fall, they enrolled me in a local Christian school, bought me a uniform and dropped me off at the door. Every afternoon my mother picked me up. I learned quickly that if I was ever going to have any freedoms again, I needed to play by their rules, act the perfect daughter.

  “I never went so far as to repent, but I did behave perfectly. I got straight As, studied hard, maintained no friendships. I went to church every Sunday with my parents and listened to the pastor drone on and on about his kind and loving God. I attended counseling a few times at the church with a sweet lady who meant well, but entertained the same beliefs as my parents. I said nothing to her.

  “She encouraged me to talk to them, but I never did. It seemed totally useless. I counted the days until my eighteenth birthday. When I got a scholarship to a local four-year college, I was ecstatic. I was even more impressed when my father consented to let me go there.

  “I believe in his mind, I was cured. After all, I’d caused them no more problems, walked the straight and narrow and provided him with no reason to complain. I didn’t date. I didn’t do drugs. I didn’t smoke. I studied and went to his godforsaken church and waited for my opportunity.

  “I knew if I ever wanted to get out from under his thumb, I needed to go to college. And I needed their support. It would have been nearly impossible, even with my scholarships, to attend without the financial backing of my father.

  “I’d never had a job. I had no money. No prospects. I didn’t even own regular clothes. There was no need. I came and went from school in my green skirt and white blouse. On Sundays I dressed in whatever my mom deemed appropriate for church.”

  “What happened in college?”

  She smiled, her tears dry. “I flourished. The world was my oyster. I moved onto the campus, kept a low profile, studied hard and opened up. I made friends for the first time in years.”

  “When did you start dating again?”

  “My sophomore year I met a woman in my philosophy class. She was twenty-one. I was nineteen. She approached me, but only because she said I was constantly staring at her. We went out for coffee and discussed the class. At the time I didn’t want anyone to know what I’d been through. In fact, I never told her. We dated a few months. It opened me up to the possibilities out there for me.”

  “When did you realize you were attracted to men?”

  “I was always attracted to men. I knew that. Even before Leslie, I knew it. I think messing around with her was easy. We were already friends. When she began to show an interest in me sexually, I followed her lead. I suspect she was a lesbian. She probably thought I was too. I was confused.

  “I knew about women liking women and men liking men. Everybody joked about homosexuals. But no one ever mentioned knowing anyone who liked both, or, as I prefer to think of it, ‘either’. It’s not that I’m into threesomes, just that I can be attracted to either sex.”

  Carlton wanted her closer. She was already so close there was no space left to fill. He tucked her head against his chest and inhaled her scent. “I’m so in awe of you.”

  Maggie pressed against his chest and lifted her face. “For what?”

  “For everything. For living through what you’ve been through and coming out a victor on the other side. For not denying your true self in the face of adversity. For giving me this opportunity to help you see another side to BDSM.”

  “You won’t get rid of me very easily. Plus, I just gave you my virginity, so to speak.” She punched his arm playfully.

  “Crazy that. I still can’t believe it.” He lifted her chin and kissed her lips. “What happened to Leslie? You never saw her again?”

  Maggie shook her head. “No idea. At first it hurt so bad I couldn’t breathe. I would wake up at night gasping for air, picturing those assholes chasing us into a corner. I never told my parents about the nightmares. I could sense immediately for them that chapter in my life was closed. It was like walking a tightrope. I either had to suck it up and live by their rules or leave home broke and alone and live on the streets.

 
“If I had asked for phone or computer privileges, I was afraid it might backfire on me.”

  “It took a lot of courage to do what you did. It’s been twelve years. Have you tried to Google her or find her on social media?”

  “Yes. I haven’t been able to find her. I’ve tried so many times over the years. She isn’t even on Facebook. And I have no idea what I would say to her if I found her after all these years. It scares me to death. She must be so angry.”

  “Baby, I can’t imagine her being mad at you. You did nothing wrong.” He stroked a hand through her hair, his throat clogged with her pain.

  Suddenly Maggie wiggled free of his clutches and sat up. She stared down at him, her expression grave. “Listen, Carlton. I need you to know that I’m a work in progress. I don’t trust easily. I don’t trust men at all. Allowing you to do this for me is huge. I can’t tell you how big a step this is for me.”

  He reached for her to reassure her he was on her side. “And I swear I’ll make this experience worth your while, baby. Especially now that I understand better what makes you tick. I’m not surprised you’ve never been with a man. After living with your domineering father and experiencing that horrific attack, I can’t blame you. But we aren’t all assholes. I’m not.” He lifted her fingers to his lips and kissed them.

  “I’m beginning to believe you.”

  He tipped her head up to meet her gaze. “And you still see your parents now?”

  She nodded. “Not often, mind you. It’s awful. Just enough to keep the peace.”

  “And you’ve never confronted them about your sexuality?”

  Her eyes widened. “Hell no. It’s bad enough confronting them about the weather.”

  “But that’s toxic, baby. It’s no way to live. Doesn’t it weigh you down?”

  “Yes. All the time.”

  He pinched her chin and smiled. “You owe me for the cuss word too.”

  She smiled back and rolled her eyes.

  He would remember to address that slight later. “I want to help you. That’s why I agreed to be your trial Dom. You have so much to offer someone, female or male. And you’re a strong submissive. You just need confidence and direction. Some Dom is going to be unbelievably lucky to have you.

  “But part of helping you is going to include facing whatever challenges you’re up against that are holding you back. It sounds like your parents are an anvil you’ve carried your entire life.”

  She tucked her lips between her teeth. Her body shivered and her gaze lowered. “That’s more than I can handle, Carlton.”

  He shook his head. “I think you’re stronger than you give yourself credit for. You’re just scared.”

  “Terrified.”

  “Of what? Think about it. If you confront them, what’s the worst thing that can happen?”

  “They could cut me out of their lives.”

  He nodded. “So, let’s presume you go see them, tell them who you are. Tell them you’re bisexual and that you need them to support you and your sexuality. Let them decide if they can live with it. If not, what have you lost? They’re toxic, especially your dad.”

  “And his brother is exactly the same if not worse. Uncle Rocky is a few years older. He’s the one who convinced my parents to attend the freaky church they go to. Every time I’m around my uncle and my righteous cousins, I want to vomit. But they’re the only family I have, so confronting them has been difficult, especially since I can almost guarantee the outcome. It isn’t going to be pretty.”

  “I can’t imagine that kind of stress. I live far away from my parents and extended family, but they’re always a phone call away. I can count on them if I need them.”

  “That’s why I’ve gone twelve years as a fake. The idea of completely going it alone is frightening.”

  “Is there any chance at all they might accept your choices?”

  She shook her head. “Not likely. But I know I have to face that or lose myself entirely. I’ve just been putting it off.”

  “I understand. And I’m here for you now. I’ll support you in whatever way you need.”

  Another tear fell to her cheek. She wiped it away with the back of her hand before he could do so himself.

  “You’re the strongest, bravest woman I’ve ever met. No wonder you’re such a fantastic submissive.”

  “Are you sure I’m not simply submissive because of the way I was raised?”

  He reared back, squinting his eyes at her. “What? Your dad and his domineering ways? No. Not a chance. One thing has nothing to do with the other. Being a sexual submissive takes incredible strength and courage. Your dad’s a bully. Your mom is browbeaten. That’s not the same thing at all.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t trust that to be true.”

  He pulled her closer and tucked her head against his neck. His chest ached for her misconception, but all he could do was show her. She needed to learn that it was really the submissive who held the power in a D/s relationship, not the Dom.

  He stroked his hand up her back until he wove his fingers into her hair. “You’re safe here with me. I promise you a soft place to fall and a safe environment to be who you are… Submissive, I mean…” He pulled her face to his and met her lips. He kissed her gently. “Give me a chance to show you how it can be.”

  She nodded.

  He kissed her again, deepening the intensity, dipping his head to one side and swiping his tongue in to tangle with hers. She tasted of the mint toothpaste she’d used and Maggie. How was he ever going to let her go when she didn’t need him anymore?

  He held her tight as he thought about his own misconceptions about her. She wasn’t Karen at all. She was strong and smart. She’d been through hell and come out on the other side. She was a survivor.

  Her hands wandered down his back as he kissed her.

  He knew he was giving her too much freedom, but she also needed a chance to explore. He was her first man. If she wanted to touch every inch of his skin, he would let her.

  When her fingers wrapped around his cock, he moaned into her mouth.

  She separated their lips. “Are you always this hard?” She grinned before adding, “Sir.”

  “When I’m with you, it seems.” He wrapped his fingers around hers and stroked up and down his cock, showing her how he liked it. “Now, stop talking and get back into the role.”

  “Gladly, Sir.” She scooted down the bed as she spoke, taking his dick in her sweet hand. She lowered her face the last few inches and licked the tip of his cock, making him moan.

  He released her hand, knowing he needed to let her explore at her own pace. To pressure her in any way would make him feel like an ass.

  “Is this right? Sir? Tell me what to do.”

  Now that he could accommodate. “Baby, everything you do that involves your mouth, your lips, or your tongue near my cock is right. As long as you keep your teeth away from my skin, you can do no wrong.”

  She licked a path from the base to the tip, gripping the bottom of his cock gently. She hummed around his shaft as though he were a tasty treat. “Like this?”

  “Uh-huh.” Words fled his mind. He only knew the feeling of her tongue.

  When she sucked the head between her lips and drew him into her mouth, he nearly shot off the bed. A powerful aphrodisiac in the form of Maggie Donovan rocked his world.

  She wrapped her hand around the base of his cock and let him slip deeper into her mouth. Her tongue was everywhere at once, curling around his dick as she sucked and then through the slit in the head as she pulled back.

  Carlton gripped the sheets at his side, anything to keep from grabbing her. He forced himself to let her set the pace. He wouldn’t always be so accommodating, but this was her first blowjob, he reminded himself.

  As she grew accustomed to his girth, she increased her pace, her mouth molding aro
und his cock as though it belonged there.

  Carlton held his breath. It was all he could do to keep from coming prematurely. He didn’t want her to stop. But he was too close. “Maggie…”

  She shifted her body around to straddle his legs, never breaking the suction.

  “Maggie, you have to stop.” He lifted a hand to her shoulder and pushed gently.

  She didn’t budge. If anything, she doubled her efforts.

  “I’m going to come, Maggie.”

  She hummed around his shaft.

  He gave up the fight and let his body relax into the mattress. If she wanted to swallow him, who was he to argue? The pressure built as he focused on his cock. He tensed his torso, knowing the inevitable was just a suck away.

  His balls drew up tight as he reached the peak. And then he crashed over the top, his come shooting down her throat.

  Maggie kept sucking. She swallowed as he came. And when he was spent, she continued, though with less pressure.

  When his vision cleared, the room looked a little brighter, his world a little sharper. He wrapped his hands around Maggie’s shoulders and hauled her up his body until their faces were aligned.

  Now that she straddled his torso, his cock nestled in the notch of her pussy. Her warmth and the wetness leaking from her body drove his cock to stiffen once again. Still holding her shoulders, he pulled her in for a kiss. He delved into every recess of her mouth, tasting his saltiness within her and thinking he’d never known a headier instance in his life.

  Maggie smiled down at him as she released his lips, a coy expression spreading across her face as she cocked her head. “Was it good?”

  “It was better than good, baby.” He held her face in both hands, stroking his thumbs across her cheeks. “I’ve never known anyone so…pure, I guess is the word. Uninhibited, maybe that’s it. It’s so fucking sexy. I hope you enjoyed it, because I’m going to want you to do that frequently.”