Bound to be Tested: Emergence, Book 3 Read online

  Lori sighed and nestled into his side.

  Jude set his hand on top of hers and squeezed it against his chest. He pulled her fingers to his mouth and kissed them one at a time. When he set her hand back against his pec, he didn’t release it.

  He listened to her breaths as they slowed. He could feel her pulse against his fingers. Gradually it slowed down. She fell asleep, slipping into the crook of his arm and breathing deep breaths.

  Jude stared at the ceiling for several minutes. He wouldn’t sleep. He couldn’t risk sleeping with Lori yet. Closing his eyes never ended well for him. It was bad enough she would eventually witness his nightmares. He couldn’t keep his stress from her forever. But he wasn’t ready. If he bolted upright in the night, she would freak, and he didn’t feel like explaining himself yet.

  He glanced down at her. He was one lucky son of a bitch. The light of his life was back in his arms, something he’d never anticipated. She wasn’t completely his yet, but she would be by the end of the week.

  Chapter Eleven

  Jude sat at the kitchen table, staring at his laptop, drumming his fingers on the table. He couldn��t concentrate. His world was exactly how he’d wanted it, and it made him nervous.

  His phone pinged for the tenth time. He rolled his eyes, silently cussing the fucking device, and picked it up, knowing full well he would be staring at an empty message again. Whoever the hell was sending him nothing all day was getting on his last nerve. He’d gone so far as to reply and let the sender know they had a wrong number. Still, the blank messages came. It was as though someone was intentionally trying to annoy him or make him think he was losing his mind.

  No one except his commanding officer and Lori had this number, and that man was way too busy for any sort of practical joke. He’d picked up the new number and phone last month when he’d returned to the States. Whoever had the number last must have had some pretty strange friends.

  Jude set the phone back on the table and glanced at the bedroom door. Nothing. He’d made breakfast and then let Lori sleep late.

  An email came in and Jude frowned. Was it a coincidence his commanding officer would be contacting him moments after Jude had been thinking about him?

  Dude, you need anxiety meds. Stop overanalyzing.

  Jude opened the email. Nothing but a short note from Stanton asking him to check in soon. They needed to talk. Jude considered responding, but chatting with his commander was the last thing on his mind right then.

  Jude was tired. And he had a sub in the other room who needed to be worked over and brought to heel. He’d let her sleep long enough. It was his turn. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d napped. He longed to sleep beside her. Could he risk it? It was light out. Maybe her touch would keep the demons at bay.

  Jude padded to the bedroom.

  Lori awoke to gentle fingers nudging her legs apart. She moaned as her eyes fluttered open. It was light out. The way he touched her thighs, stroking them with the tips of his fingers, brought her completely awake.

  “Stay still, baby. I’m just putting the spreader on,” he whispered.

  Her eyes shot wide. Fuck.

  The rip of Velcro made her flinch. In moments he had her knees spread and her legs held open.

  “I know it’s not comfortable, baby, but I’m going to be harsh these first few days. I want you to get back into the right habits. Keeping your legs spread is an absolute must in my home, correct?” He kept his voice low.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “You’ll wear the spreader bar the rest of the day. I want you back in the habit.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Do you have anything you want to say?”

  “Yes, Sir.” She licked her lips. “Thank you for providing the reminder.”

  “Good girl.” He slipped under the covers with her and snuggled into her side, leaving her squirming and unable to close her eyes. Restless.

  Oh, he knew her so well. The spreader might help keep her mind on track in the future, but he also knew how arousing it was for her to wear it. Sleep would be elusive now, and she’d have trouble focusing for as many hours as her legs were trapped apart.

  Being naked in the house came easily to her. She’d learned to enjoy the way he gazed at her as though she hung the moon when she pranced around him with everything exposed. She was comfortable with her nudity.

  It had been hard in the early days when she’d first met him. She’d blushed every time he walked by, especially if he tweaked her nipple or swiped a finger through her pussy. But she’d gotten over the modesty and grown to love it.

  The spreader was a different story. It didn’t punish directly because she found it so arousing. She always had. However, the side effects could be excruciating, since he was well aware of her arousal and would hold her panting and needy for hours at a time until she thought she’d go mad with the urge to touch herself and finish the job.

  If she fondled herself while wearing the spreader, rubbed against the furniture to get off, or accidently came for any reason, she would find herself on the dildo on the chair. That was punishment. Sure, it turned her on, but he’d never let her come. Two years ago, the number of times she’d spread her legs and accepted a rubber cock inside her for punishment had been more than she could count.

  Just the thought made her shiver. He’d used it, and he’d used it effectively. When she found herself naked over that chair, he ignored her entirely, providing no stimulus and rewarding her in no way. And worse than that—this particular rental house had a glass window, which lent to the effects of the discipline by making her feel exposed to the world.

  Rationally, no one could see her along that wall facing the enormous backyard, but she couldn’t stand the idea that it was possible.

  If she made it through the day without landing on the device, it would be a miracle.

  Jude’s objectives were clear to her. He was intent on ensuring she was put back in her place at his feet swiftly and completely. He would push her limits for the next week to reach that end. And there would be discipline. Lots of it. He would make sure she messed up many times just to yield to his power over her.

  She was a smart girl. The harder he leaned on her, the quicker she became truly, fully his again. And if she wasn’t mistaken, he was testing her to see what she could endure. If she passed, then what?

  She squirmed, already aware of her naked, exposed pussy. The covers bore down on her body and touched her clit when she moved. She gritted her teeth, trying to ignore the friction.

  She thought about Margaret. The woman had been the perfect submissive. She adored her. They’d come together at a time when they both needed what the other offered. But now?

  Realistically Lori doubted they would have stayed together forever. Margaret had stayed with Lori because Lori met her needs and kept the game inside her comfort level. The arrangement had been perfect for both of them. Until Jude had returned to turn Lori’s world upside down and dump the contents on the floor.

  The sun rose high in the sky, sending shadows around the room. The blinds were closed, but they were thin and no match for the glare. Lines of light filtered through. Lori was wide awake. She didn’t risk moving with Jude finally sleeping beside her. It had to be nearly noon by now.

  She watched his troubled face as he slept, his brow furrowed and his eyes twitching behind the lids as though he was dreaming about an intense situation.

  Jude rolled to his back, a moan escaping his lips as he grew more restless. His head rocked back and forth. He upset the sheet enough to make Lori flinch when it rubbed her clit again. She reached with her hand to tent the material away from her body. She cupped her pussy, creating the perfect dome over her clit and saving her from contact with the soft sheet.

  Jude suddenly opened his eyes, rolled in her direction and ran a hand down her arm to where it met her pussy. He lifted q
uickly onto his elbow and yanked the sheet down. “What are you doing?” He pulled her hand away and held it to his nose.

  Lori shook, praying she didn’t still smell of herself. She swallowed unfounded guilt as he stared at her. “I was just keeping the sheet from rubbing me, Sir.”

  He narrowed his gaze. “So you’re saying if I touch you, I won’t find you wet with arousal?”

  She gulped now. She shook her head. “No, Sir. I’m sure I’m wet, but I didn’t touch myself.”

  He smiled now. “Wearing the spreader keeps you aroused, doesn’t it?”

  The question made her look away. “Yes, Sir.”

  He trapped her hand above her head with his elbow and reached between her legs so fast he caught her off guard. Three fingers swiped through her pussy, dragging out the moisture and spreading it up across her clit. “Oh, baby.” He sucked her juices from his hand and then grabbed her chin to force her to look at him. “It’s going to be a long week.”

  She didn’t respond. She held her breath from the assault on her pussy, trying to regain some semblance of calm.

  It was going to be a long week… And it was still Sunday morning.

  Later that afternoon Lori found herself standing against the wall in the living room. She’d been wearing the spreader bar between her thighs since the middle of the morning. She’d hobbled for several hours. Her current task was to stand spread like that, leaning her back against the wall and holding her breasts with both hands as though in offering.

  Jude didn’t think she could be expected to keep a vibrator inside her with her legs open that far. Instead he continually clipped her nipples and released them every five minutes or so. He stood to repeat the action again.

  “Pinch the tip for me, baby. Get it hard so there’s something to grab on to.”

  Lori did as he said, feeling the strain on her face as she endured the nipple clamps for the umpteenth time.

  “What do you say?”

  “Thank you, Sir.”

  “Do you enjoy the clamps, baby?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Are you aroused?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  He reached between her legs and dragged his fingers through her pussy. Jude kneeled in front of Lori and held her thighs with both hands. “What do you need, baby?”

  “I need to come. Please, Sir.”

  Jude tipped his face toward Lori as he eased his hands higher. He pushed both thumbs into her at once, spreading her wider as he stroked into her depths.

  Lori groaned loudly and squirmed against the wall. She needed release worse than her next breath. When Jude had said he intended to keep her mind occupied and on task for the weekend, he hadn’t been joking.

  Jude paused when she shook. “Keep holding your tits for me. Don’t let go or I’ll stop.” He glanced up at her. “Good girl.”

  When Lori lifted off the ground, dragging herself higher on the wall on both tiptoes, he fucked her with his thumbs, thrusting in and out of her body so fast the pressure mounted.

  “Come, baby.”

  Lori came so fast and hard, her entire body participated. She squeezed her breasts tighter for the feeling of the pressure.

  As soon as she lowered herself to the ground, Jude removed his thumbs and stood. He offered first one and then the other to Lori to suck clean. “Good girl. You haven’t lost the touch. I love how quickly you can come when provoked. Do you feel better, baby?”

  “Yes, Sir,” she whispered. “Thank you, Sir.” He’d eased the edge off from that quick orgasm, but not enough to lower her need.

  She flinched as Jude jerked the Velcro cuffs around her thighs and removed the spreader bar. “You may kneel on the floor, baby,” he said. “Sit on your heels if it’s more comfortable.”

  Jude left her there and returned to his computer. He’d been sitting at the table most of the day. Sometimes he typed for a while and other times he seemed to be surfing with the mouse. Lori had no idea if he was playing video games or doing something more serious.

  He’d said he wouldn’t be working this week, but that didn’t mean something hadn’t come up that required attention. When he muttered under his breath occasionally, she couldn’t tell if he was cussing at a game or perhaps dealing with an important email.

  Lori’s job for the day was to reestablish herself within his boundaries.

  He’d let her sleep late, but as far as she knew he’d slept very little himself, and she was concerned about him. The only sleep she knew he’d gotten was the short nap at her side during their lazy morning.

  Jude glanced up at Lori over the computer, his gaze narrow. “Go stand at the end of the coffee table, little sub.”

  Lori flinched. He wanted her full attention today and he definitely had it. If only she had his.

  “Lean over and grab the edge of the table. Keep your legs straight. Spread them wide.” He directed her from his spot at the table.

  She bent at the waist and gripped the table hard, her fingers turning white. With her legs spread, she had trouble balancing. She set her cheek against the glass table and tried to rest. Her ass was facing Jude. She could feel his gaze boring into her.

  Finally he approached. “I see your orgasm wasn’t enough. Your pussy is nearly dripping. You’ve earned the relief. But don’t move. It’s my choice how hard and fast you will come. Understood?”

  “Yes, Sir.” Her pussy wept as he spoke. The wetness that had pooled there all day increased. She could feel it on her thighs.

  Jude gripped her hip with one hand. “Steady.” He caressed her ass with a finger, trailing it down between her cheeks. He paused at her tight hole. “I know how you like to be fucked here.”

  Jude circled the rim. Damn him, but it felt good. She fought to remain still.

  “I’m not going to fuck your ass right now, baby. If you’d like, I can slowly work you open with a plug.” He said all that as though the choice was hers. Was it? It had been so long, she would need the plug to stretch her unused muscles. But she dreaded the concept at the same time.

  He lowered his finger and dipped between her outer lips, drawing out her moisture. With slow movements, he spread her arousal around and grazed her clit. He moved his hand to rest his forearm on her back. “Steady. No movement.”

  She breathed heavily, begging words on the tip of her tongue.

  The slow torture continued.

  “So needy, baby.”

  Fuck yes, she was. What did he expect?

  He circled over and over, not quite touching any one spot hard enough or long enough.

  Her breasts smashed into the table as he pressed on her back.

  “Who do you belong to, baby?”

  Oh, he was the master at amping up her desire. “You, Sir. Please let me come.”

  He thrust two fingers into her and ground them against her G-spot.

  Lori shot up onto her toes, in spite of his arm on her lower back. She screamed as her orgasm swept through her body, pulsing hard and fast. All the while she knew it still wouldn’t be enough. She needed him to fuck her. Hard. And now.

  And of course, as soon as she came down, he didn’t linger. He pulled his fingers out of her channel and held them to her lips. “Suck, baby.”

  She moaned around his digits. Her body craved more, but she knew she had to be grateful for the sharp, fast come right now. To do otherwise would be detrimental, no matter how badly she still desired his cock.

  Jude caressed her lower back with his hand as her breathing came back to normal. “I’m going to spank you now. Not because you’re in trouble, but because I want to see your ass pink.”

  “Yes, Sir.” She stiffened. She wanted whatever he would give. Her mind scrambled to remember what it felt like to have his print on her ass. He was pushing her. It had only been two days, and already Jude had asserted his authority over h
er body beyond what she should probably have accepted so quickly.

  It was nearly impossible to pause and reflect on the fact that he’d left her, brutally. He’d kept her so busy for the last two days that she couldn’t concentrate on the reasons why she shouldn’t be so easily swayed. She knew there was a list, but damn, the man was such a fantastic, controlling Dom, it was hard to disassociate.

  Her pussy tightened as her mind processed what he was about to do. It had been so long since she’d been on the receiving end of a spanking.

  “Can you hold still for me, baby?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “I can restrain you if you prefer, but I’d rather you control yourself.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Jude rubbed her ass, squeezing and molding first one cheek and then the other. “Your skin is so white. I’m looking forward to seeing it pink. I’ve missed that.” His hand disappeared and landed a hard swat on her ass so fast she gasped.

  Again. He quickly struck lower and then smacked each cheek in succession.

  Lori rocked forward at the contact. She dipped her head as she held her breath. Her pussy was wet from coming just a minute ago.

  Jude rubbed her butt again with his palm. “So sexy. You’re doing well, baby. Can you take more?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Jude swatted each cheek several times, switching back and forth, leaving no skin unspanked.

  Lori had to grit her teeth to keep from coming. She remembered the feel of his fingers inside her pussy, and her mind was capable of pretending they were still there now, pumping her to orgasm.

  She moaned as he finished. Her legs shook.

  Jude patted her butt, stroking over the offended skin, and then with no warning he lowered his hand and entered her pussy again with two fingers. “Come again, baby,” he whispered. He pumped his fingers in and out, letting his thumb catch her clit on each pass. Fast and rough he fucked her with his hand until she couldn’t wait another second and came, pulsing around his fingers so hard her arms shivered against the coffee table. She moaned loudly.