Pleasing Josie (Surrender Book 5) Read online

  I can’t stop watching her as she struggles to get onto the swing, lifting one cheek and then the other a few times. She spends several seconds trying in vain to tuck her dress under her bottom and then gives up and lets it flow around her. The thought of her bare thighs against the rubber rectangle… Her panties… That sexy plug…

  “Josie told me you two have not experimented with anal.”

  I jerk my gaze toward Quinten, flushing. He’s so blunt. Sometimes his words shock me. I shake my head. “No. Never discussed it.” I’m slightly embarrassed. I could have penetrated her tight little hole at some point. Why haven’t I?

  As soon as I saw the pink, sparkly plug before breakfast, I nearly swallowed my tongue. I wish I’d been there to watch Quinten put it in her. I wonder how much she squirmed. I’d like to spend some time playing with that plug. Pushing it in and out of her, making her writhe across my lap. Will she enjoy that? I think so, based on her reaction so far.

  I’d like to strap her down on her belly, arms secured to both corners of the bed, butt in the air. I could tease her bottom for a long time with any variety of plugs or beads.

  When she gives herself a push and starts swinging, I’m mesmerized. She leans back and forth, gaining momentum, her braids flying, her dress floating around her like puffs of clouds. As she picks up speed, I can see her panties every time she comes back to the center. Her dress lifts around her, exposing her.

  “You like this side of her,” Quinten points out.

  I shift my gaze to him and find him sitting so casually. His legs are crossed. His chin is resting pensively on his thumb and forefinger. He’s staring at me. “I do. I’m a bit blindsided. I had no idea,” I admit.

  “There’s nothing wrong with that.”

  “It’s like she’s another person. Lighter. Freer. Like a weight has been lifted. I feel guilty for not realizing she needed something else. I don’t think she was unhappy, but she was clearly missing something.”

  Quinten nods. “I agree. She wasn’t unhappy. Like she told you, she didn’t know about this need any more than you did. It snuck up on her.”

  “But here we are.” I hold Quinten’s gaze. “Now what? She’s amazing. I always knew that. I don’t know how to be what she needs, though. I’m not sure I have it in me. It’s like I’m watching something beautiful and precious unfold in front of me, and it gets me hard, but I’m a voyeur, not a participant.”

  Quinten nods. “Maybe that’s okay. Maybe all she needs is some time each week to enjoy this side of herself.”

  I sigh, uncertain. The only way I can see Josie getting what she needs from this dynamic is for Quinten to provide it. I tip my head toward him. “She needs someone like you.” It’s a bold move, but it needs to be said.

  He smiles and then shakes his head. “I’m not available. I’m happy to help guide you into this new phase in life, and I’ll do my best to help you come up with a way to make things work, but I wouldn’t be able to offer more than this weekend. My schedule is full. I’m about to start traveling several days a week. I don’t have the time to dedicate myself to caring for two submissives.”

  I flinch. My mouth drops open. My instinct is to argue once again that I’m not submissive. But Quinten holds up a hand and stops me.

  “No need to argue your dominance with me, Grayson. I’m not doubting it for a moment. I’m just suggesting you consider that you might also be submissive.” He lifts a brow.

  My heart races. Ten thousand thoughts fire in my brain. I’m confused as fuck. I glance at Josie and then back, worried she has somehow heard this exchange. She shows no signs of having listened from such a distance, though. She’s still swinging freely back and forth, higher and higher, her dress billowing, her panties exposed with every pass.

  I jerk my gaze to the concrete in front of me and lean my elbows on my knees. I’m loath to admit that Quinten gets to me. He did a year ago and he still does now. He makes me question myself. He makes me think. He makes me doubt. And I know I’m confused and doubting because my damn cock is hard.

  “I told you it’s not one or the other, Grayson. You can be both Dominant and submissive. I’m not questioning your dominance over Josie. You’ve had an amazing dynamic with her for over a year. She recognizes and acknowledges your authority. But, Grayson, it must be exhausting always being in charge all the time, isn’t it?”

  I stare at the ground, thinking about what he’s saying. I’m nervous and I hate being challenged like this. He’s stirring up emotions in me I didn’t know existed.

  I lift a brow at him. “You seem to be in charge all the time. Is it exhausting for you?”

  He chuckles. “Touché. And nice try. But no. It’s not the same. I’m fueled by dominating others. It’s all I need.”

  “And you’re suggesting I’m not fueled by dominating Josie?” I straighten my spine, defensively.

  He shakes his head. “God, no. I’m sure you are. It’s obvious. You just have more than one tank. Your other tank craves turning over all that control to someone else.”

  I consider his words for a few minutes. “Fine. Let’s assume you’re correct. Who the hell would that someone else be after we leave here? It seems like so far we’ve learned just enough to realize Josie and I aren’t compatible enough. We both have needs the other can’t meet.” This infuriates me because it’s the last thing I wanted to find out.

  “Not at all. Just because you both have other kinks you want to explore doesn’t mean you can’t also still be with each other. You can fulfill your needs at Surrender. Go to the club and then part ways. Dabble in different things and then come back together. Lots of couples do that. Relationships can actually be stronger if both parties get to role-play in other scenes they aren’t interested in as a couple.”

  I stare at him. Sure, I’ve seen other couples do what he’s suggesting. They come to Surrender and often the Dom ends up with a full lineup of submissives who want to experience his expertise. Meanwhile, the submissive gravitates toward Doms who provide her with something different from her Master. It’s common. But it’s not something I’ve ever pictured for Josie and me.

  “Have you heard of the languages of love?”

  I shake my head.

  “It’s basically a list of the ways people feel loved. In Josie’s case, I’m betting her love language is what’s called acts of service. She likes people to do things for her. And it’s not unusual for people to project what they’d like to receive even if they never get it returned.”

  “So, you’re saying she’s been cooking and cleaning for me because she’d like me to do those things for her?”

  “In a way. Not consciously, mind you. I have no idea if she’s aware of love languages. She may have no idea she’s been doing anything at all.”

  “What if that’s my love language too?” I’m freaking out a bit. I like it when Josie does stuff for me.

  “It doesn’t mean you can’t work things out, if that’s what you’re thinking. In most relationships, it simply means you both need to do things for each other. And to be honest, I think that’s the dynamic you already have. After all, Josie cooks and cleans for you, and then she gets an enormous reward at the end of the day, doesn’t she?”

  I smirk. “I’ve had no complaints.”

  Quinten smiles at me. “Well, when the day is over and Josie has serviced you for several hours, I doubt she has any complaints when the roles reverse and you take her to bed and service her in return.”

  “Makes sense. If that’s the case, and we’re both getting something out of it, why would we even be having a disconnect in the first place?” I ask.

  “Most likely neither of you is fully meeting the other’s needs. It doesn’t mean there’s any animosity. Just that there’s some dissatisfaction.”

  I draw in a breath, glancing at Josie as she drops to the ground and skips toward us. As she approaches, I open my arms, hoping she’ll come to me. I need to touch her. I want to hold her.

  She surprises
me by nearly throwing herself at me and wrapping her arms around my neck. When she pulls back, she’s between my legs. I’m holding her around the waist, and her hands are on my shoulders.

  She’s beaming. Her face is flushed from the exercise and the sun. “Did you see me?” she asks, her voice excited and youthful.

  “I did. It looked like fun. Maybe next time I’ll push you on the swing. Would you like that?”

  Her eyes widen and my chest swells. “Yes.”

  I lift her by the waist and turn her slightly to settle her on my knee between my legs. As she leans into me, her head on my shoulder, I wrap my arm around her and set my palm on her bare thigh.

  “What were you two talking about? You looked so serious,” she states.

  We’re both facing Quinten. He’s smiling at us. “We were discussing the languages of love.”

  Chapter 16

  Josie

  “What are the languages of love?” I snuggle into Master Grayson’s side, enjoying this unusual seating arrangement. It feels different to be on his lap instead of on the ground in front of him. He’s stroking my thigh, and it’s making it hard for me to sit still. Does he know how he’s affecting me?

  Master Quinten leans back, crossing his ankles. “Well, there are several models, but the one I usually refer to has five. Acts of service, words of affirmation, quality time, giving gifts, and physical touch. They are the ways people feel loved.”

  I’m not sure what he’s talking about.

  “Basically, for example, I was telling Master Grayson that I feel your primary love language is acts of service. You like people to do things for you.”

  “Mmm.” I think about what he’s saying. I do like people to take care of me. We’ve proven that since we arrived. “What language is Master Grayson?” I ask.

  “Well, he also enjoys acts of service, which would explain why he likes you taking care of him by cooking for him and everything else you do around the house.”

  “Is that bad?” I ask, hugging Master Grayson tighter.

  “Not necessarily. You’ve both made it work so far. Plus, you don’t have to fall into just one category. You might both have other love languages, too. For example, how do you feel when Master Grayson or I praise you?”

  I lift my hand from Master Grayson’s chest and tap my lips. “Like when you tell me I’m a good girl?”

  “Yes.”

  I smile. “It makes me warm inside.”

  “Then a part of you craves that kind of love.”

  Master Grayson squeezes my thigh. “If we get to pick more than one, I’m going to say I like to be touched.”

  I nod. “He does. That’s true. That’s why I sit with him at night and put my head on his lap. He strokes my hair. I guess I enjoy it, too.”

  Master Quinten nods. “See? You’re not limited to one love language, but for many people, one is more important than the others.” He stands. “Let’s go inside. You’ve had that plug in long enough. You should go upstairs with Master Grayson and let him take it out.”

  I squirm on Master Grayson’s lap. I’ve almost gotten used to the plug. It felt very awkward at first, but now it’s not so bad anymore. I’m not comfortable with the idea of someone removing it. I’d rather do it myself. “I can do it,” I tell them. “I don’t need help.”

  Master Quinten reaches out a hand, and I set mine in his and jump down from Master Grayson’s lap. He tips my head back with a finger under my chin. “I’m sure you can, but that’s not what I said, is it?”

  I flush as I shake my head.

  Master Grayson stands behind me and sets his hands on my shoulders. “Perhaps now is a good time for me to learn how to spank that sweet bottom of yours.”

  Master Quinten nods. “Now is the perfect time. Come on.” He turns and heads for the door.

  Master Grayson takes my hand and follows Master Quinten. I trail behind reluctantly. Now that I’ve been spanked once, I’m not as scared, but Master Grayson has never swatted me before, so I’m nervous.

  I’ve watched Sabine get spanked often. She apparently enjoys it. I’m still not sure it’s something I would enjoy regularly.

  I drag my feet all the way upstairs, and I’m breathing unevenly as I follow my Masters into my bathroom.

  Master Grayson sits on the closed toilet and beckons me forward with a hand. When I hesitate, he narrows his gaze. “Josie.” The one word is firm. Dominant.

  I shuffle the last few feet toward him. As soon as he can reach me, he angles me to his side and lowers me over his lap.

  The position is awkward because I don’t have the mattress to lean on this time. I reach out my hands and brace myself against the side of the tub.

  Master Quinten says nothing. He simply leans casually against the vanity.

  Master Grayson lifts my dress up my back and then lowers my panties over my bottom. He palms one of my cheeks and squeezes it. Next, he taps the plug and then spins it around a few times. “This is very sexy, Josie. I liked knowing it was inside you. I want you to wear a plug for a while every day.”

  I can’t breathe.

  He palms my other cheek and smooths his hands over it before finally playing with the plug again. “Relax your rectum, Josie.”

  I try not to grip the plug, but it’s hard. Now that it’s inside me, I’m not fond of the idea of the larger section of it stretching me to come back out. I’m also embarrassed.

  Master Grayson gives the plug a slight tug and then pushes it back into me. The feeling shocks me. The pressure against the tight ring of muscles at the entrance to my bottom is foreign but not in a bad way. He does it again. And again. Pulling a bit harder each time so that I’m forced to feel the stretch.

  I grit my teeth. I never realized I might enjoy anal play. Apparently, I was missing out.

  Finally, Master Grayson pulls the plug all the way out.

  Master Quinten leans forward and takes it from him before turning around to wash it in the sink and put it in the drawer. “There are many sizes and shapes of plugs in this drawer. We’ll use a larger one later this afternoon.”

  I’m not sure who he’s speaking to. Probably both of us.

  Master Grayson sets a palm on the small of my back, and I remember he’s going to spank me now. He’s smoothing his hand over my bottom, preparing me. “I’m going to be gentle at first, Josie, until I know what you can handle and what you enjoy. We’re here. We might as well try something new. Maybe we’ll find something we can add to our kink.”

  I purse my lips.

  Master Quinten comes closer and sets his fingers on my bottom. “If you’re spanking for punishment, you’ll want to swat her higher up on her bottom and with some force, enough to ensure she learns a lesson. If you’re spanking for pleasure, you’ll aim lower, closer to the junction of her cheeks with her thighs. The vibrations will rush to her pussy and arouse her.”

  “Got it.”

  “Not every submissive experiences spanking the same, of course. But since I spanked this sweet bottom last night, I’m more familiar with her reaction. Since your normal dynamic involves a lot of edging, you might like to spank her low and hard for pleasure and then leave her without release for a while.”

  “I like that idea,” Master Grayson responds.

  I stiffen. I’m already horny and frustrated. This spanking is going to make things worse.

  Master Grayson lifts his hand and lands his first swat high on my right cheek. It doesn’t hurt too bad. Like he said, he’s warming up. He strikes me again with the same pressure on the other side.

  “Good,” Master Quinten praises. “Just like that. Pepper her little bottom until her skin is pink and warm.”

  Master Grayson grows more confident and swats me several more times. Back and forth. Sometimes in the center.

  I squirm, instinctively trying to avoid his palm.

  “Your bottom is so pretty, princess,” Master Quinten says. He sets a hand on the back of my head and strokes my neck. “Six more. Give them to h
er lower now so she feels the difference.”

  The first strike to the juncture of my bottom with my thighs makes me gasp. I already knew this would happen because Master Quinten demonstrated it last night. I’m still stunned, though. And I hold my breath as Master Grayson gives me five more swats right on that sweet spot that sends vibrations to my pussy and makes my clit pulse.

  When he’s done, he smooths his palm over my heated bottom. “Good girl,” he praises.

  My mouth is dry and I’m shaking with arousal.

  “Carry her into the bedroom now,” Master Quinten instructs.

  Master Grayson lifts me onto his lap, turning me around at the same time. My panties are still bunched around my thighs, and I’m trembling as he brushes a few loose strands of hair from my forehead and kisses me in the same spot. He holds my gaze for a moment and then rises, cradling me against him.

  My bottom is completely exposed. My dress is up around my waist. My panties are down around my thighs.

  Master Quinten is standing by my bed. He pats the mattress. “Lay her here and pull her panties off.”

  Master Grayson lowers me to the bed so that my legs are dangling off the side. He removes my panties and sets them on the mattress next to me.

  “Lift her knees and spread them wide for me,” Master Quinten instructs.

  I whimper as I’m totally exposed, fisting the comforter at my sides.

  “She’s so wet,” Master Grayson announces. “You were right about those last swats low on her bottom. I could feel her body tense as she reacted differently.”

  “Exactly. And I would have had you check her arousal with a finger, but I feared she might be so needy that she would have come. This way is better. You can see for yourself how swollen and wet her pussy is without giving her any satisfaction.”

  “Gorgeous.” Master Grayson smiles at me. “You have no idea how sexy you are right now, Josie.”