Masterpiece (The Masters of The Order Book 1) by Jillian Verne Read Free Book Online Page B

alone with her punishments, rather stayed to watch with eyes that held a look more appropriate for a man watching a dancer wrapping herself around a pole.
    Crazy sexy. “Sir, there are a lot of shelves,” she said, already feeling the fire.
    “One by one.”
    Mmm . The voice . If the look got Nicolai anything he wanted, it was nothing compared to the voice . There wasn't a woman alive who could resist that voice. It was like a palpable caress to every secret, feminine place.
    Up and down. Up and down.
    Bending, reaching, posing for her private audience of one. The fluttery feeling she got as she watched Nicolai out of the corner of her eye was dangerously tempting and unlike her, he wasn’t shy about looking. His wanton crystal stare followed each movement.
    Up and down. Up and down.
    The sensations heightened with every step, every subtle glance. The feel of cotton against her thighs and breasts, bare feet on wooden rungs and the secret wetness, thick and heated, between her thighs.
    Up and down. Up and down.
    Her muscles began to ache. Her skin grew moist. Her breath quickened. Not from the work. From the vulnerability of obeying whatever Nicolai commanded and the satisfaction of seeing those ocean eyes drinking it in as trembling hands removed and replaced each and every book.
    When Julianne finished, Nicolai stepped toward her and took her by the elbow to help her down. His hand stayed put for a fraction of a second after her feet hit the floor.
    It was always like that. A lingering stare. A prolonged touch. A proximity just tight enough to feel the heat and then nothing. Only a hint of something that would never be more.
    Safe, distant and oh, so titillating.
    Nicolai had his reasons for not crossing the line and she had hers. She could play with fire in the private world of his studio, but in real life, the Colonel made the rules and his punishments were not games.
     
    *****
     
    “Is the rope too tight?”
    The little blonde swaying in front of him answered tightly, “No, sir.”
    The title made Jerard uncomfortable, but he knew better than to show it. Zachery wouldn’t approve. He'd spent the last couple of weeks training at the Dungeon with Master Zachary. Zachary lectured his trainees for hours. For him, the idea behind an action was as important, if not more important, than the action itself. He could hear Zachery’s words in his head. Power over another, freely given, is a gift and a great responsibility. Never desecrate it with weakness .
    From Zachery’s perspective, the Dom/sub relationship was about so much more than sex. Jerard wasn’t sure he agreed, but wouldn’t consider insulting his teacher by not following his protocols. He respected Zachary. Tried to emulate everything about him. His mannerisms, his dress, his speech. Hell, he tried to be him. Apparently, he was succeeding pretty well. The sex was great and Zachery joked about the fact that the subs started asking for him by name.
    Tonight’s lesson was about suspension bondage and of course, Zachary didn’t stick to the practical how-to’s. History, symbolism, artistry, spirituality, Zachary’s passion for shibari was infectious. Who knew there could be so much involved in tying another person up? But quite frankly, Jerard was more concerned with safety as he eyed the distance between the dangling woman and the concrete floor. He double-checked her binds while Zachary observed.
    “Look at her ankle,” the experienced Dom instructed.
    The rope had twisted and was cutting into her skin. Jerard adjusted it quickly, embarrassed that he hadn’t noticed the tangle himself. He gave Zachery a sidelong glance as he moved on to the next couple.
    When they finished the session, Zachary pulled him aside and casually asked to join him for a drink. Jerard tensed. The question didn’t feel casual. The session had gone well, but not perfectly.
    “Have I disappointed you?” he asked, feeling suddenly unsure.
    “No. We’ve been working together