"Master? Why would you think that?" I didn't know what would make him jump to that conclusion since I'd sent him a message to apologize for running out on him before heading to bed.
"I...just did. After the way you left last night, and then not hearing from you all day. My mind went wild trying to figure out what had happened," he released a shaky breath, holding me closer.
I didn't fully understand why he was reacting the way he was. I understood that I had been wrong for not answering all day, but his reaction seemed a bit extreme. Then again, nothing was even remotely normal in our relationship, if it could even be called that.
"Let me make it up to you, Master." It was all I could do. This side of Master, while touching, was freaking me out. I was used to the untouchable, all-knowing version and I wanted it back. That was the man I needed and I would do whatever I had to in order to get him back.
Chapter 20
John
To say that I freaked out when I didn't hear from Alix for almost twenty-four hours would be an understatement. I drove past her house multiple times, was even late to meet clients because I needed to see if I could get a glimpse of her. I hadn’t even seen curtains moving as she walked past. It was much easier to see where she was at night, and as soon as I was done with clients for the day I was back to her house.
My brain was throwing together every possible scenario, and the one that stuck together the best was that she had decided that she was done with me because she didn't know enough about me. It took me a long time to convince myself that ringing her doorbell and announcing who I was wasn't the right way to reveal my identity. It would only make the situation worse.
When she finally texted, I was in such a whirlwind of emotions, anger was the first to come out. Then when I saw her strip so quickly and kneel in our room at the club, relief had flooded me and I nearly broke down. Kneeling in front of her with my arms wrapped around her, I tried to rebuild some of my composure before I revealed too much of myself to her. I knew it looked like I was overreacting. All day I had been dealing with the idea that the woman I cared for more than anything in my life possibly no longer wanted anything to do with me. Alix had come to mean more to me than simply the woman I needed to know everything about and protect, she had become the woman who could break me.
Having her kiss my feet had been the final straw. No woman should feel like she needed to kiss the feet of her master, like she worshiped the ground he walked on. While I thought of Alix as my submissive, she had more control over me than I did her. She was beauty personified and I was no where near worthy of her worship.
I had to tell her who I was. I had to try to find a logical way to get through the crazy web of deceit I'd created around us.
First though, I had to ensure she and I were all right. Everything had to be perfect before I dared to reveal a secret that was going to be hard enough to get through as it was. Pulling back from her, I released her hair and body from my grip. The loss of warmth was disappointing, but I had to get my head where it needed to be so I could give her what she needed while centering myself at the same time.
"Stand." I lifted her chin with a finger. She obeyed showing me the delicious scraps of material covering my favorite parts of her body. "Strip." I dropped my hand and stepped back so I could fully appreciate her skin as it was revealed. "I hope you are ready."
"Yes, sir," her steady voice responded immediately.
"Good." I brushed her hair over her shoulders letting my fingers drag over her skin as I did it. That's when my eyes landed on the leather collar around her neck and the silver chain still attached. "Still wearing my collar, are you?"
"I couldn't bring myself to take it off, sir." She lifted her chin proudly so I could see the collar better.
The smile that jumped to my lips wouldn't be denied. There was nothing sexier than seeing her spirit despite having a blindfold on and being completely nude. "I understand, Precious, that it was a mistake. An error, if you will. However, I am still going to punish you so that you don't forget anytime soon." I licked my lips as my eyes ate up every inch of silky skin on display. Reaching up, I tugged on the chain to release it from the way she'd kept it tucked up and out of her way. With the chain wrapped around my hand, I led her across the room to the St. Andrew's cross in the corner. I hadn't yet tied her up to it, but it seemed the perfect time to use it. Skimming my hands over her shoulders and down her arms until I reached her wrists, I circled them with my fingers before lifting them above her head. "Stay," I breathed into her hair.
Stepping to the stand near the wall, I removed four long strands of pearls I had bought for just such an occasion. Returning to Alix, I wrapped a strand around each wrist, securing her to the cross before doing the same to her ankles.
"You are tied with pearls. Pull, struggle, fight at all and you'll break them. Break them and it all stops. Understood?" Unable to help myself, I fisted her hair so I could pull her head to the side and sink my teeth into that ultra-sensitive skin at the base of her neck. Feeling her body tense and the grunt of pain she fought to hold back as I bit her had my cock swelling in my jeans. I'd been in the process of changing into my suit when she'd showed up. Not willing to make her wait, I'd come to her in just my jeans and feeling her skin repeatedly against my own made me wish I had done so before.
"I understand, sir," Alix grunted as I released her hair.
Placing a soft kiss against the angry red marks from my teeth, I stepped away from her again. All of her was on display and I planned to take advantage of it. There would be no rushing. I was going to make sure she knew down to the smallest grain of her being that she was mine and only mine. Looking at the wall of treasures, I debated on which one would be the best to use. A glint of something silver caught the corner of my eye. Turning my head, a dark smile took over as I knew I had found exactly what the night's pleasure was going to be. The small metallic object was perfect.
Without getting too close, I reached out and let the sharp points of the Wartenburg's wheel roll across Alix's shoulders. The sharp inhale let me know she felt the tiny points exactly how I wanted her to. They left a beautiful pattern behind on her skin. Lowering my hand, I started at the base of her spine. As the spikes worked their way along her back, she groaned and arched her back, but didn't tug on her delicate restraints. After giving her a moment to wonder where I was going to go next, I started at her hip and followed the curves of her body. The sides of her breast were going to be sensitive anyway, but I pressed harder, letting the points dig in a bit more. "Oh!" Alix yelped, but still didn't struggle.
After repeating the treatment to the other side of her body, I put the wheel back on the stand. As pleasing as it was to see the dots left behind on her skin, I wanted to see more. Opening the bottom drawer of the stand, I pulled out the carefully-wound rope. As I undid the ties, the free end of the rope slapped against the ground — teasing Alix with what was to come next.
Once I had the entire length of the rope free, I closed the distance between Alix and me. The warmth of her back against my chest, the swell of her ass pressed against my throbbing cock had me dropping my lips to her neck. Not lifting my head, I spoke against her skin. "This is something new. I will be right here. Speak to me as I work so I know you are doing all right."
"Yes, sir. What would you like me to talk about?" She tilted her head away to give me better access to her throat.
"Ask questions and I'll ask you questions." I knew it'd be the perfect time for us to get to know each other better as I showed her one of my favorite things.