STORY EXCERPT

Mattie considered it a testament to their charm that she’d almost made it through the dinner without the past rushing in, and that even once it had, they’d both been able to bring her back from the ledge with a few simple sentences. She wasn’t used to that, at least not from men.

Dinner had been delicious, and even though she’d been ready to pay for her meal, Felipe had scooped up the check before Mattie could ask Neeva to separate out her portion. She hadn’t wanted to be rude, so she merely thanked him. She knew they both likely had a shitload of money. All the Durante and Raleigh men did, and not only because they worked for Phoebe’s Playthings. They all had trust funds, too.

It wasn’t their wealth that made her uncomfortable. Nothing about either of them in particular made her want to bolt right now. It was the reality of being alone with them that hit home at that moment. She wiped her damp palms on her jacket and forced her breathing to slow down. She knew these two. She’d known them her entire life. They’d never hurt her, and she knew that, too.

There were just as easygoing and kind as she remembered them. And she loved it that they’d obviously stayed such close friends. But the last date she’d been on had been with Clay, and that now seemed like a hundred years ago.

Clay had been charming, too. The few times she’d seen a hint of his temper during their extended courtship, he’d chalked it up to stress at work. Because she’d been so swept off her feet, she chose to believe his excuses.

Both psychologists here on Sybaris Cove had told her the same thing. Because of what she’d grown up with in her own home, Clay’s behavior was the norm for her. It was all she knew and understood. While Mattie could accept that on an intellectual level, she’d now reached the point where she didn’t want to accept abusive behavior as the norm, or as anything other than what it was—unacceptable. She wanted no part of it. She longed to shed her past for good and move forward.

Would that ever truly be possible? Even with a man she’d known her entire life, and who she knew would never treat her the way Clay had done?

Felipe’s home was set on one of the hills overlooking the town, as were most homes belonging to the Durantes and Raleighs. She’d expected it to be pretentious, but it wasn’t. While it was certainly large enough to comfortably house her entire extended family, it wasn’t decorated in an over-the-top way with items clearly designed to show off his wealth, the way her in-laws’ home had been.

He didn’t even offer her a tour, which she liked. To him, it was a house, not a museum or something to show off to the peasants. She’d always hated the way Clay’s family and friends had to show everyone through their homes the moment they stepped inside, as if being invited inside was a privilege.

Mattie took a deep breath. This felt like a place where someone lived, not merely a building the owners filled with possessions. It had a comfortable, peaceful, and contented aura.

“Babs is up here.” He led them upstairs and to a bedroom she assumed was his because it had his scent, and was clearly a master suite. “I keep her in what was designed to be a sitting room. I always thought that was kind of silly. The house is full of places to sit. I don’t need a special room for that.”

Mattie smiled, and she realized for the first time that she hadn’t done much of that this evening. “I love that.”

He frowned in confusion.

“What you just said about the name of the room. And I totally agree. I’ve always thought it was silly how people name their rooms using verbs. Sitting room, drawing room, gathering room, et cetera.”

He and Rey both laughed, and then she asked Felipe if he had designed and built the home.

“No, this was one of the homes that Mendo, my paternal grandfather, built for his children and grandchildren. My Aunt Beth lives two doors down.”

“And I live next to her,” said Rey, “in a home built by Bernard, my paternal grandfather.”

“My grandfather decorated it, too,” said Felipe. “I haven’t added too many things to it, but I have had the walls and flooring updated a bit since then. It was built in the sixties and still looked it when I moved in.”

“It’s a beautiful home.”

He seemed so unaffected by the splendor of it, but she imagined that was because he’d grown up like this. Babs was awake when they approached her aquarium, and wasn’t as listless as Bruce had been, but Mattie sensed her need for company by the way she moved toward them as they walked into the room.

“Hey there,” said Felipe, squatting so he was eye level with the lizard. “You’re going to have a boyfriend soon. We just have to figure out whose home you’ll be in.”

“Do you think it matters which gender gets moved?” asked Rey. “I mean, will that affect her babies at all if suddenly she’s in a different house with a male she doesn’t know?”

“I honestly don’t know. I wish I could give you both concrete information that would help with this decision.”

“Does she look okay to you?” asked Felipe.

“She’s a bit listless.”

She watched both men talk to Babs and stroke her, and suddenly the idea came to her. It was perfect, but would they go for it? “I can take them if you want.” They both turned to face her at the same time, with identical expressions of surprise on their faces, and she nearly laughed because of it. “My place isn’t big but there’s a spare bedroom where I can put a larger aquarium so they’d both have plenty of room. I have one at the clinic we can pick up. And that way I can keep an eye on them and the eggs. And you two can visit anytime you want.”

ADULT EXCERPT

Her steps became shorter, and her palms were damp, but it wasn’t from fear. Her anticipation grew as did her arousal. The air changed, and she took a deep breath, clueless where they were. She hadn’t seen every room in his house yet, and surmised they must be in one he hadn’t yet shown her.

“You’re safe, Mattie.” Rey’s voice slipped over her, as smooth as the satin on her corset. “You haven’t seen this room yet. I had it designed for play.”

That would explain the strong odor of leather.

“There’s a chair in front of you. Felipe and I are going to help you sit in it.”

They turned her around, and then when she lowered her body into the chair, they moved her arms onto soft leather pads. Mattie’s pussy was soaked already and her clit throbbed.

“The chair is going to tilt back a bit,” said Felipe.

She was in a semi-reclining position now, and her feet were off the floor, but she wasn’t uncomfortable. It might be a reclining chair in a living room for all she knew.

“We’d like to put cuffs on you,” said Rey. “They’re soft leather and won’t hurt you. We won’t attach them to anything yet. Just wear them for a while. May we do that?”

“Yes, Sir.” Mattie whimpered softly as they placed cuffs around each wrist. She loved the feel of the leather against her skin. The simple idea of having them on meant she’d be potentially at their mercy, and her excitement grew once more. When they pulled off her shorts, she gasped.

“What color are you?” asked Rey.

“Green, Sir. I’m okay. Just surprised.”

He brushed her face with one finger. “We won’t hurt you.”

“I believe you. Thank you. Sir.”

They took off her shoes and placed cuffs around her ankles, and then Mattie moaned loudly as their hands caressed her arms and legs. Shivers ran up and down her spine as they spread her legs wide. She wanted their hands all over her, but they only touched her limbs for now.

When the sensation changed to what felt like a piece of fur, she smiled and relaxed into the chair, letting the emotions wash over her.

“This is all about sensation tonight,” said Felipe. “BDSM play covers a wide spectrum.”

She hadn’t known that until the guys started talking to her about it earlier this week. They’d all agreed that there was no way she’d be able to handle impact play right now. Perhaps never. While she understood intellectually that there were differences between spanking for pain versus pleasure, she still wasn’t ready to be struck. She wasn’t sure she could be and not associate it with abuse. She might never reach that point, and the guys understood that.

The fur was gone, and now she recognized the Wartenberg wheel on her arms and legs. When they moved it to her inner thighs and over her pussy lips, Mattie gasped at the combination of discomfort and pleasure it produced. She shook her head back and forth slowly as her need for them grew to an insane level. The tiny pinpricks sent shivers up and down her spine, and the more they used it, the more she wanted.

They even parted her pussy lips and gently rolled it over her clit and then her asshole. Mattie cried out in pleasure, surprised that such a tiny device could produce such intense sensations. She tried to analyze what it was about the slight stinging sensation that sent her into such a frenzy, and finally gave up. When they’d talked about sensation play this past week, they’d explained to her that it was best to try and simply let go and just feel it, so that’s what she was determined to do tonight.

One of them untied the laces of her corset, and she thought they were going to use the wheel on her breasts, but instead the fur was back. They also caressed her nipples and teased them with their fingers until she writhed on the chair. This was exquisite, and not being able to see what they were going to use next enhanced everything.

She heard their breathing change, and caught the scent of their shampoo and soap. She swore she could smell her own pussy juices. The blindfold had been a stroke of genius and she hoped they used it every time now.

“Mattie?” asked Felipe. “What color are you?”

“So green, Sir. So green…”

They chuckled softly. “Good girl. We’d like to try something else.”

That voice! She’d do anything to hear the rich tones in it, so commanding and persuasive. Had Felipe always sounded like this? “Anything, Sir.”

“We’d like to attach the cuffs to the chair.”

“All right.” She held her breath as she listened to the sound of metal clips. When she tried to move her arms, they were firmly in place, but she wasn’t freaked out by that. Instead, she loved having them in control now. She had her safewords, and she knew they’d honor them.

Once they did the same to her ankle cuffs, she took a couple of deep breaths. This was it. All four limbs were restrained. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t see. All she could do was safeword.

You’re okay.

“What color are you?” asked Rey. His voice was sharp, as if he sensed her uncertainty.

“I’m green, Sir. Just getting used to it.”

He caressed her right inner thigh. “We’re right here, Mattie.” His soft, soothing voice calmed her within seconds. “This is no different than before. Think of it as you keeping your arms and legs still, without having to do the work yourself. That’s all this is.”

She nodded. “I like that image, Sir.”

“Good girl.” Those words…they touched her soul. When she heard them, she wanted to please him and Felipe in every way possible.

“We’re both so proud of you right now,” said Felipe. “And we have something special I think you’ll enjoy.”