The Claiming Page 4

  “Of course,” Abby said.

  “So if you hear anyone walking the halls in the middle of the night, it’s probably me. No need to check.” Sasha tapped her lips as if in thought. “And if you hear any screams, or moans, or anything like that, it’s just me providing the assistance Master Johnson requires. He told me I have to try to be quieter, but sometimes I can’t help it.”

  Julie didn’t even try to contain her laughter. “Deal. As long as you ignore it if there are any strange noises coming from our room.”

  They shook on it.

  Abby trailed her finger along the doorframe to her room. “I don’t feel like refreshing myself in my room. I want to see more of this place. Can you show us around a bit?”

  ***

  Shit. Shit. Shit. Sasha ran down the hall to the library. Or as quickly as she could move while carrying a tray of drinks. The tour she gave the women had taken longer than she planned and she was ten minutes late bringing the drinks to the men.

  Coming to a stop outside the door, she took a deep breath and knocked.

  “Enter,” Cole said from inside.

  She pushed the door open just a crack. Cole stood near the fireplace. She couldn’t see the other two men.

  “Today, if you please, Ms. Blake. I believe you’ve kept us waiting long enough.”

  Shit.

  She pushed the door all the way open and stepped inside.

  “Put the tray on the table to your right and then come kneel before me,” Cole said in a voice so chilling she shivered.

  She hurried to do as he asked, still uttering curses in her head as she went to her knees in front of him.

  “When did I tell you to have drinks here?” he asked.

  “Thirty minutes after you bid me to take the ladies to their quarters.”

  “I see, so you did understand?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “And was I not being generous in allowing you time to talk with the ladies?”

  “Yes, Sir. Very generous.”

  “And yet you thank me by disrespecting my guests here in the library.”

  “I meant no disrespect, Sir.”

  “Whether you meant it or not is inconsequential to this discussion. You were given a command, you did not follow it, and now there will be consequences.”

  Damn it all to hell. This was not how she pictured the first day going.

  “I asked Master West and Master Covington if they would like to assist in your correction. However, due to the relationships they have with the ladies upstairs, they have passed.”

  She allowed herself a sigh of relief. How embarrassing would that have been? Bad enough for Cole to punish her, but for someone else as well?

  “Heir Brose arrived twenty minutes ago, though, and he has no issue with helping me.”

  Suddenly, there weren’t enough curse words to mutter in her head. Heir Brose was the man who had mentored Cole years ago. People thought Cole was a hard ass, but that was only because they’d never met Heir Brose.

  “I’ve decided that since you were ten minutes late, you will get ten strokes. Five from me with my cane and five from Heir Brose with his belt. You will then apologize for being late. Do you have any questions?”

  “No, Sir.”

  “Tell me why you’re being punished.”

  “Because I failed to obey your command to serve drinks in the library within thirty minutes.”

  “Very good. Come lean against the mantel and get ready. I’m not requiring you to be naked since there are others present.”

  Wasn’t that strange? For the first time since she could remember, other people seeing her scars had not entered her mind. That was very interesting. She wondered if it meant she was almost 100 percent better.

  She stood up and walked to the mantel. It was rather low, so she could rest her head on her arms on top of it. She didn’t look to see if Daniel and Nathaniel remained in the room. She assumed they were, since she was to apologize to them later.

  There was some faint murmuring behind her. She realized that this would be the first time a Dom other than Cole touched her. She waited for the panic to set in. Looked for signs of the terror clawing her throat or the sweats that she remembered so well. But there was nothing.

  She didn’t have time to rejoice in the newfound knowledge, however, because someone stepped up behind her. A familiar hand lifted the hem of her skirt and tucked it in her waistband.

  “Hard and fast,” Cole said. “No need to count.”

  She only had time to nod before the first one fell. She sucked in a deep breath and braced herself for the second. True to his word, the next four fell swiftly. When he was finished, though, he didn’t move away. Instead, he moved up to stand near her shoulder. To be close to her in case she needed him, she supposed.

  She jerked briefly when Fritz ran a hand over her backside. But Cole placed a hand on her shoulder, and she knew she’d be okay.

  “Okay to continue?” Cole asked.

  She felt Fritz step away, probably waiting for Cole to indicate he could proceed. She could lie. It would be easy and Cole would never know. No one would. But it was more than deceiving Cole that stopped her from doing so. She wanted to prove that she could have another man touch her. That she had grown even further in her healing process with Cole. And she couldn’t do that if she lied now.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  The air behind her moved as Fritz got back in place. “Counting is not necessary.”

  Like Cole, his strokes were hard and fast. And though she wasn’t crying, a few tears had escaped her eyes. She had the feeling Fritz went a bit light on her.

  Cole pulled her dress back into place. “Go say your apologies and serve the drinks to the men.”

  Sniffling just a bit, she moved gingerly to the table in front of where the men sat. Oh so carefully, she moved to her knees and bowed her head. “Please forgive me for my tardiness. I meant no disrespect.”

  “All is forgiven,” Daniel said.

  Nathaniel added, “Agreed, think of it no more.”

  She rose to her feet and served each man a drink. It was crazy, but she didn’t feel self-conscious at all. When everyone was served, she put the tray back down. Cole hadn’t sat down yet and he’d shaken his head when she offered him a drink. It actually worked out better that way, because she was able to give his glass to Fritz.

  Before she could wonder what to do next, Cole came up beside her and scooped her into his arms. “Gentlemen,” he said. “If you’ll excuse us.”

  She didn’t hear if the men answered. Her attention was on how good it felt to be in his arms, his smell, the movement of his chest as he spoke, the beating of his heart, just him in general. They left the library and he carried her into a small sitting room nearby, where he sat on a couch with her in his lap.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, stroking her hair and pressing a kiss against her forehead.

  “Yes, Sir.” She could stay in his arms forever; there was nowhere else she’d rather be. She always felt so protected and secure in his embrace. And not just physically, but emotionally as well, for she knew she could bare her soul and he would guard it with his life.

  “I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about Fritz being involved.”

  “It wasn’t until he stepped behind me that I realized it would be another Dom for the first time since you.”

  “That thought did cross my mind.” She heard the smile in his voice.

  Which is why he stood by her shoulder, she realized.

  “Any signs of panic?” he asked.

  She took her time in responding. Mentally, she checked for signs that she knew would be a precursor to a panic attack. But there was nothing. She almost felt giddy at the thought. She pulled back and looked at him. “There’s nothing, Sir. It’s almost as if the panic never was never there
to begin with.”

  “But we both know it was,” he said. “So you’ll forgive me if I remain rather close by your side today. Just in case.”

  He had just caned her. And in addition he had asked another Dom to use a belt on her. Though her backside was sore, her heart was full. Because he had just proven how diligent he was in his care of her.

  She snuggled deeper into his embrace. “Thank you, Sir.”

  “Did Abby and Julie get settled?” he asked.

  “I believe so. When I left them, they were planning to go outside.” She turned a bit so she could face him. “And I am sorry I was late.”

  “Hush.” He pressed a finger over her lips. “It has been dealt with. There is no need to bring it back up.”

  Sometimes she had a hard time understanding how he could wipe it away so quickly. After all, she still remembered. But she knew she shouldn’t dwell on it. Instead, she should remember it only for the lesson it taught her. A very interesting topic. Perhaps that would be the subject for tonight’s journal session.

  “Damn,” Cole said. “There’s no water or ointment in here.”

  “I’m fine to sit here by myself.”

  “Perhaps you’re fine with it, but I’m not.” He was silent for couple seconds. “I’ll carry you up to our room. I believe everything I need is in there.”

  And though they had a house full of newly arrived guests, for the next hour Cole and Sasha only focused on each other. She knew he wouldn’t let her climax for the next twenty-four hours, but that was okay. She had him.

  And that was all she needed.

  Chapter Six

  Sasha peeked out the kitchen into the dining room the following afternoon. Everyone was sitting down; Cole, of course, was at the head of the table. She took a deep breath, ran her palms over the uniform, and squared her shoulders. Though she had served tea for the Dominants in the group before, this was the first time she would also be serving the submissives. Not only that, but Julie and Abby were her friends and she wanted everything to be perfect.

  Since the table was set, she could start on the tea. The water on the stove appeared to be almost ready, so she took the tray she was going to use and placed it beside the stove.

  “Good lord, woman, are you wearing that?”

  She jumped at the sound of Cole’s voice, spinning around, and placing a hand on her chest. “Sir, you frightened me.”

  “Be that as it may, I asked you a question.”

  “Yes, Sir. This is what I’m wearing.” Which he knew, because he was the one who set it out this morning. She didn’t remind him of that, though.

  He was frowning and she didn’t like that, but she didn’t know what to do. He walked closer to her and she resisted the urge to kneel before him. His hands went to her upper thigh.

  “The skirt is entirely too short.” His hands inched their way up and before long, he was teasing her sex. “And what is this? No bloomers? Someone is a dirty naughty girl.”

  “I’m sorry, Sir. I’ll do better in the future.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say, after all he was the one to pick out the outfit.

  “I’m sure you will. And I’m sure the thrashing I’m about to give your backside will also help you to remember.”

  He was going to spank her? Here? Now? “But, Sir. The water. And your guests are right outside the door.”

  “Yes, they are. I reckon they’ll hear just how naughty you’ve been. Because I’m going to spank you loud enough so they hear.”

  Shit, he was completely serious. “The water,” she tried again.

  “Will be fine. Trying to get out of your spanking, however, only earns you more strokes.”

  She wisely kept her mouth shut.

  “Go stand in front of the counter. I want your hands on the edge, legs spread, and your backside raised up.”

  She didn’t move immediately. Instead, she watched as he opened up drawers, searching for something. But before she could see what he was looking for, he glanced up and saw her watching.

  “You’re only adding to your spanking,” he said and went back to searching in the drawers.

  Fuck. She left him to his hunt and crossed the floor to the spot he’d indicated. It wasn’t until she moved into position, that she heard the drawer close.

  He was quiet as he made his way to her and when he was behind her, he placed a wooden spoon with holes on the countertop to her right.

  “Do you know why I picked the one with holes?”

  “Less wind resistance, Sir?”

  “Yes, which also means it’ll hurt more. Perfect for a naughty servant, I think. Lift your skirt and show me your arse.”

  She did as he commanded and quickly got back into position.

  “Very nice. I’m not going to have you count, but I don’t want you to hold back. Cry, scream, curse my name. I want my guests to hear how I handle servant girls who dress inappropriately.”

  She told herself it was part of the role play. He wasn’t really going to give her a punishment spanking. Not like yesterday, but that didn’t stop her from clenching her ass in anticipation of the first strike.

  “Oh dear,” he said, running a hand over her flesh. “We can’t have that. I guess I’ll have to resort to drastic measures.”

  She groaned because she knew exactly what he meant by drastic measures, he’d done something similar weeks ago.

  Sure enough, she felt the cool wetness of lube being applied to her anus. And she muffled a cry as he pushed a plug in.

  “There we go. I like it so much, I’m going to have you wear it while you do the tea service. As a reminder of who owns this arse.” He gave it a light swat and then bent low to whisper, “And who’s going to fuck it later.”

  With that, he started spanking her with his hand. Lightly. And soon she found her arousal spiking regardless of the people sitting in the dining room, waiting.

  Jesus. There were people waiting for her to serve tea.

  Slap. “You’re not with me.”

  “Sorry, Sir. Just thinking—”

  Slap. “Did I tell you to think?”

  “No, Sir.”

  Slap. Slap. Slap. He was spanking harder now. She couldn’t stop the moan that escaped her throat. If he’d just touch her.

  “That’s it, you naughty girl. Let it out.” He spanked her again, then he ran his fingers between her legs. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Look at this. Spankings make you horny.”

  She jerked as his next swat landed on her clit. “Yes, Sir.” He stopped and she whined. “Please, please, Sir.”

  A hard and swift pop on her flesh told her he’d picked up the spoon. “How’s that?” he asked, giving her another.

  She sucked in a breath as the next one landed. “So good, Sir.”

  He gave a grunt of satisfaction and continued between spanking her and bringing her to the very edge of her climax and then letting her hang there. After a while, she was no longer aware of making noises, but she was pretty certain she was. And it seemed like forever until it felt like he wasn’t putting as much strength behind his strokes.

  “Want more, Sir,” she muttered.

  He chuckled low in this throat. “Not right now, maybe later. After tea.”

  Tea. Damn. She’d forgot.

  How was she supposed to serve tea while wearing an anal plug and being horny as hell?

  “If you’re good, I’ll let you come after.” His breath tickled her ear and sent shivers down her spine.

  “Thank you, Sir.”

  He straightened her clothes and kissed her forehead. “You’re welcome. Go get everything ready. I’ll see to my guests.”

  She nodded and headed back to the stove to redo the water.

  ***

  Cole walked into the dining room and all conversation stopped. He took his seat at the head of the table. “Tea wi
ll be served shortly.”

  “Damn, did you have to do that now?” Daniel asked. “I’m not looking forward to having tea with all the blood in my body congregating in my dick.”

  “There’s nothing to hide here.” Cole tipped his head toward Julie. “Seems to me your relief is sitting by your side when she’d be more useful on her knees. We have time.”

  Julie didn’t say anything, but her cheeks flushed just a bit. Cole didn’t think she’d have a problem serving Daniel in the dining room, they’d played in public before. His phone buzzed with an incoming text and when he looked back up, Julie had slipped under the table.

  By the time Sasha entered, Julie was back in her seat, this time with a soft smile on her face. A smile Sasha picked up on immediately, but Cole thought he was able to notice only because he knew her so well.

  He’d given her instructions on how he wanted the service to go and she did exactly as he’d requested. She started by serving Nathaniel first and then going around the table to end with Cole. He couldn’t stop himself from running a hand up her naked thigh and pinching her butt as she poured his water.

  “You’re doing great,” he whispered and his heart melted at the look of love and happiness that seemed to wash over her. But she only nodded in acknowledgment of his praise before she headed back into the kitchen.

  “Did you ever get our tea service back from Sasha?” Nathaniel asked Abby.

  “No, Master,” his wife replied.

  “Make a note to do it when we get home.”

  The rest of the service passed without incident. Sasha was flawless, as Cole knew she would be. He didn’t have anything planned for after, but no one seemed to mind. Nathaniel announced that he and Abby were going to explore the nearby village. Daniel said he and Julie were still recovering from the time difference and were going to their room “to rest.”

  “If that’s what you want to call it,” he told his old friend. “I’m going to grab Sasha and shag her into next week.”

  Daniel shook his head, following Julie up the stairs to their room.