The Sacrifice Read online

  “No, it’s not all right.” He raises my chin again. “Look at me. Tell me which part you liked the most. If you don’t, I’m going to take you into the study and we’ll watch it together until I know simply by observing you.”

  Oh Goddess, I’m going to have to tell him. “I…” I clear my throat. “I liked the part where he went down on her.”

  “Intriguing,” he murmurs. “And what exactly did you like about that? Have you ever had it done to you before?”

  “No, never.” My voice has dropped to a whisper but I still keep talking. “I’ve never…never had a guy do that to me but I liked the way it looked. The way he was so…so masterful with her and yet so gentle at the same time. He was…was touching her, tasting her, and she couldn’t do anything about it because she was tied down.”

  Then I look away again, my heart beating and my cheeks burning. Goddess, I can’t believe I just admitted that! Aiden is right, I am turned on by this submission stuff.

  It’s a revelation to me, but he doesn’t seem surprised at all.

  “Good, very good. You see, you can obey orders when you try.”

  “I shouldn’t want to try,” I mutter, still looking away.

  “But you do want to, don’t you, darling?” He kisses my flaming cheek and I shiver with nervous tension. “You don’t want to admit it, but you long to give yourself to me. To open yourself and let me master you, just as the Dom mastered his lovely submissive in the movie you watched.”

  “I…I…” I can’t quite bring myself to admit it out loud. But I know that he sees the truth in my face.

  “That’s all right—we’ll talk about it later. Right now we still need to tend to your punishment.”

  “What?” I look up at him uncertainly. “But I thought—”

  “Darling, your tears roused something in me I haven’t felt in years—compassion,” he murmurs. “But a submissive still has to take her punishment.”

  “What…what are you going to do to me?” I ask, my voice quavering. “I’ve been thinking about it all afternoon, wondering…”

  Aiden frowns. “I can see that with you anticipation turns quickly to anxiety. That was never my intention.”

  “I can’t help it,” I say. “I’m a worrier.”

  “So I see.” He sighs. “Very well—this once I’ll tell you exactly what I’m going to do. First, I’m going to bend you over the bed. Then I’ll give you exactly five strokes with my belt.”

  “Your belt?” I look down, studying the black leather belt around his lean, muscular waist nervously. It has a very hard looking silver buckle.

  “I’ll strike you with the belt, not the buckle,” he says, as though reading my thoughts. “My intention is to punish you and teach you a lesson, darling—not to injure or disfigure you.”

  “Oh.” I swallow hard. “All right. Then what?”

  “Then I’ll get you ready for dinner,” he says lightly. “Am I right in assuming you barely touched your lunch?”

  “Yes,” I admit. “I…I was too worried.”

  “You never need to worry like that, Emma,” he murmurs, stroking my cheek. “I will punish you often but never in such a way as to harm you permanently. In fact, I hope in time you will look forward to being punished.”

  “Look forward to it?” I look at him, wide-eyed. “Why would I possibly do that?”

  “Because, darling…” His voice has dropped to a low growl and his gray eyes are hot. “In this contest of wills we are involved in, punishment is as likely to include pleasure as pain. Do you understand?”

  I bite my lip, feeling my body grow hot with some unspoken need. “I…not entirely.”

  “That’s all right,” Aiden murmurs. “I’ll teach you.” He stands, pushing me gently off his lap. “Now run down to the pool like a good girl and get your collar. When you come back, I want you to assume the position and get ready to take your whipping.”

  My heart thuds so loudly in my ears I can hardly hear my own reply. “Yes, Master,” I whisper. And then I turn to do his bidding.

  Chapter Twelve

  I’m tempted to take my time getting to the pool and back but something tells me Aiden won’t wait for long. And if he has to come find me, five lashes with the end of his belt will be the least thing I’d have to worry about. So I rush through the mirrored corridors, relieved when I find the pool on the first try. Maybe I’m finally getting to know my way around this funhouse maze of a mansion.

  When I get back with my collar buckled in place, Aiden is sitting on the side of the bed, long legs crossed and the black leather belt held casually in one hand. He has the buckle end wrapped around his palm and the other end of it trails down to the floor, looking like a long black snake. When I see it, I feel my entire body break out in gooseflesh. How much is this going to hurt?

  “Assume the position, Emma,” he says softly, rising from the bed in one fluid motion. He’s all grace and power—all vampire. And I feel like a frightened little nothing of a witch as he strides around the bed to loom over me. “It’s all right, my darling,” he murmurs, perhaps seeing the fear in my eyes. “After the pain, the pleasure—remember?”

  To my shame, a hot current of desire runs through my veins. Goddess, what is he turning me into? Will I actually crave this kind of treatment, look forward to being punished in time? I don’t have time to answer these questions. All I can do is bend over the bed with my hands on the mattress and my head bowed.

  But apparently this isn’t the right position. “Lower,” Aiden instructs me sternly. “Get your entire upper body on the bed, Emma. Then lift your ass into the air and spread your legs for me.”

  Goddess, it’s almost like he’s getting me into position to fuck me! The idea makes my cheeks burn and I do what he says quickly, hoping he can’t see me blush.

  The bed is waist high on me so it’s not hard to simply rest my chest and arms on it. I even nestle my cheek to the maroon duvet, trying to take comfort from the feeling of cool satin against my face. Then I press my ass outward—which makes the phallus still strapped inside me move in a most disturbing way—and spread my legs for him.

  The position makes me feel hot and vulnerable in a way I didn’t think was possible. I can feel my insides clenching with a mixture of lust and fear as I wait for the first stroke to fall.

  “Are you ready, Emma?” he asks, his voice low and stern. “Ready to take your punishment?”

  I bite my lip and am hardly able to reply. But I force myself to whisper, “Yes, Master. I…I think so.”

  “Let’s see—shall we? This is for forgetting your collar and snooping where you don’t belong.”

  From the corner of my eye I see the blur of his arm and then with a flat, smacking sound the belt falls. I gasp as it strikes me, flames of pain licking over my exposed skin, marking me for my Master’s pleasure. I let out a muffled cry and grip the satin duvet in trembling fists.

  “That’s one,” Aiden murmurs. “You’ll have three more like it so brace yourself, darling.”

  Three more? But I thought he said he’d give me five?

  The question is driven out of my head as the belt licks over my skin again…and again and again. The pain is much sharper than it was when he spanked me with his hand and yet, somehow I like it. Maybe it’s the feeling of being so open for him, so helpless but the pain of the belt starts a fire between my legs, making me want to shift from side to side and ease the growing pressure I feel in my swollen clit. I don’t dare move though—not until the last blow falls.

  But after four sharp licks with the belt, he pauses for a moment. “Spread your legs wider now, Emma,” he commands softly. “You’ve had four on your ass. You need one more between your legs to teach you a lesson.”

  “B-between my legs?” I stutter, turning my head to look at him in disbelief. “But—”

  “Do as you’re told,” he says sharply. “At once, Emma!”

  Biting my lip, I open my legs even wider and tense my body for this last blow. The le
ather harness strapped between my legs shifts again and I can feel it pulling back, revealing more of my naked, vulnerable pussy. Is this where Aiden intends to spank me? On my tender outer pussy lips? But he can’t…he wouldn’t…would he?

  “This is for touching yourself when I told you not to,” Aiden says, cutting off my frantic thoughts.

  The black belt licks up between my legs, stinging my exposed pussy lips, making me gasp and jump at the sudden heat that blooms there. Tears sting my eyes for just a moment—this is a much more sensitive area. It makes me glad I only had to take one blow there.

  “Five,” Aiden says. “Your punishment is over—for now.” I start to get up but he puts his hand on my hip, indicating I should hold still. “Wait a minute, darling. I need to examine you first,” he says.

  His hand strokes over my hip and begins exploring my sensitive, tingling ass. A glance in the mirror shows bright pink stripes on my pale flesh where the belt hit me. I wonder if my pussy lips are bright pink too and feel a mixture of shame and heat I can barely contain.

  “Such a lush, delicious ass,” he murmurs, stroking along my quivering cheeks thoughtfully. “I love a woman with a heart-shaped ass, do you know that, Emma?”

  I’ve never heard my ass described as “heart-shaped” before but then again, I haven’t had any lovers who might be interested in describing it. “No,” I whisper. “I mean no, Master.”

  “Well, I do and yours is perfect.” His hand roams lower, stroking over the leather harness buckled around my thighs. “I see the phallus is staying in place well,” he murmurs as his fingers trace the crotch of the harness. “Are you getting used to wearing it?”

  “Somewhat,” I whisper hoarsely. “I…I can almost forget it’s there if I don’t move too much.”

  “I’m going to take it off you now,” he says and I feel him unbuckling the straps. “I want to examine your pussy.”

  I let out an audible moan as he takes off the leather straps and pulls the flesh-colored phallus slowly out of me. It’s a relief to be free of the thing and yet…now I feel so empty. So unfilled.

  “That’s good,” Aiden murmurs, stroking the small of my back with his other hand, as though soothing a frightened animal. “Now turn around, Emma. Lean back on the bed and keep your legs spread.”

  I do as he says, feeling even more vulnerable now that we are face to face. “Are you all right?” He cups my cheek and rubs his thumb gently under my eye. “You’re crying a little.”

  “Am I?” I put my hand to my cheek reflexively.

  “Did it hurt that much?” His eyes are compassionate, almost tender.

  I bite my lip. “Not…not when you spanked my ass,” I whisper, falteringly.

  “Poor darling.” He cups my face and leans down to kiss my wet eyelashes with disarming gentleness. “Let me see if I can make it better.”

  He puts the harness to one side and kneels before me on the floor, his breath hot on the insides of my thighs. I can feel myself blushing as he examines the lips of my pussy closely, making sure he hasn’t hurt me too much. They are dull red, just like the stripes on my ass, and tingling with heat.

  “Poor Emma,” Aiden murmurs again. “I’m sorry I had to punish your pussy, my darling, but it’s the only way you’ll learn not to touch yourself until I tell you to.” Leaning forward, he presses a soft, hot, open-mouthed kiss to the right side of my swollen pussy.

  I gasp and nearly jump out of my skin. “What…what are you doing?”

  He looks up at me, his gray eyes burning. “Kissing you better. Remember—after the pain, the pleasure. Always, Emma.” Leaning forward, he kisses the other side of my pussy as well. Then he spreads my cunt lips open carefully with his thumbs, exposing my secret inner folds. I can see my clit, framed like a little pink pearl and pulsing just for him.

  “So beautiful,” Aiden murmurs. He nuzzles me gently, breathing in my scent, and then kisses me again—this time right on my open pussy. I moan as his hot mouth envelopes me and the soft, sweet suction begins. He is kissing my pussy the same way he would kiss my mouth—gently, intimately, and very, very thoroughly.

  His tongue laps gently over my clit but just as I think I’m going to explode he stops and rises, licking his lips. “You taste delicious, darling,” he assures me, his deep voice thick with lust. “Your pussy honey is even sweeter than your blood.” He strokes my hot cheek. “I can’t wait to taste you more thoroughly. But now we must get ready for dinner.”

  “Dinner?” I croak. I’ve never been less hungry in my life—well, for food, anyway. My entire body is crying out for more of this, more of his touch on my skin, his mouth on my most secret and private places. I’m a mess of raw nerve endings and exposed emotions. I need to come and I need my orgasm to come from him—from his hand. The same hand that pleasured me. The same hand that punished me. “Please…” I whisper. “Please, Master. I’m so…I need…”

  “I know exactly what you need,” he murmurs. “But you won’t get it now. Come, let’s get you dressed for dinner, shall we?”

  Chapter Thirteen

  My 'outfit' for dinner appears to consist of a pair of black, satin-lined handcuffs and a black silk sleeping mask and nothing more—well, except for the collar and nipple clamps that I am still wearing, of course.

  “But how can I eat like this?” I protest when Aiden settles me into one of the cushioned dining room chairs and places my cuffed hands in my lap.

  “Simple—I’ll feed you.” He makes it sound like the most natural thing in the world for me to be dependent on him for every bite.

  “But why?” I ask the forbidden question again as he puts the sleeping mask in place over my eyes.

  “Because you’re mine now.” His voice is a low, possessive growl that sends a shiver down my spine. “Mine to care for, to protect, to cherish. From now on I’ll feed you, bathe you, dress you if I want you to wear clothing—take care of you in every possible way.”

  His promise, spoken in that soft, deep voice affects me in a way I’m not ready to deal with. Suddenly I can feel my heart hammering and my breath coming short.

  “I…I’m not some life-sized Barbie doll, you know,” I say, trying to push back the feelings rising inside me. “Something you can take out of its box and play with until you get bored and want to put it back.”

  “I’m aware of that, Emma.” He lifts the blindfold and looks at me, his gray eyes burning into mine. “But I don’t think you’re aware of how deep a bond between a vampire dominant and his submissive can be. I will give my very blood to nourish you if necessary—do you understand?”

  My breath catches in my throat. Vampires take blood from others regularly—it’s how they live. But they don’t give it. I think it has to do with vampire biology—because blood is what animates them, their body doesn’t like to part with it. They heal any cuts or abrasions almost instantaneously so deliberately cutting themselves deeply enough to give blood would be agonizing.

  It’s simply not done. And yet Aiden is offering this to me, and the look in his eyes says he is completely serious. If the need arose, he would suffer that I might live.

  “You…you would?” I can’t help asking.

  He nods, slowly. “It’s not simply that I own you, Emma—you own me too. A piece of my soul.” He puts a hand to his chest and clenches it into a fist.

  “Vampires don't have souls,” I whisper and then wish I could call the words back.

  He closes his eyes and a look of pain passes over his face. It’s gone so quickly I wonder if I imagined it. “Maybe not,” he says. “But you own a piece of me nonetheless.” Then he replaces the blindfold and calls for Barnes to bring out the first course.

  I have no idea what to expect when I open my mouth for the first bite and I’m surprised by the sharp and spicy flavor of the soup that hits my palate. I taste the tartness of lime, the bite of red pepper, and other flavors so rich and complex it’s hard to differentiate them.

  Aiden gives me a moment to savor the taste
before he gives me the next bite. “What do you think?” he asks as I finish swallowing.

  “Delicious,” I say. “But…unexpected. What is it?”

  “Tom Yum soup—it’s Thai,” he says, giving me the next bite. “Do you like it?”

  “Yes—very much.”

  “Good. We have other Thai dishes as well tonight.”

  A vampire who not only eats, but enjoys ethnic cuisine. Go figure.

  Not that I’m complaining. The next course is Pad Thai which I have had before, but never like this. It’s creamy and sweet and sour and salty all at once. The noodles are perfectly al dente and the crunch of crushed peanuts on top makes my mouth water.

  Aiden seems to take pleasure in my enjoyment of the food. I wonder if he is eating himself—it doesn’t seem possible since he’s so involved in feeding me.

  “What about you?” I ask after he gives me what he says is the last bite of the noodle dish. “Aren’t you eating?”

  “I enjoy food but I don’t need it to survive,” he says, blotting the corner of my mouth with what feels like a linen napkin. “And I want to concentrate on you—I love how sensual your mouth looks when you eat.”

  I am immediately self-conscious. “It’s not fair,” I tell him. “You can watch me as much as you want but I can’t see you at all.”

  “That’s the point, darling,” he murmurs. “You need to learn to trust me even more than your own senses. You need to give yourself to me completely.”

  His words make me hot and cold all over. “I’m trying,” I whisper. “I didn’t want to at first but, well, I don’t mind as much… now.”

  “I’m glad.” I feel the cool brush of his fingertips over my cheek and then he tugs very gently on the golden chain between my nipples. I moan softly in surprise at the spark of pleasure/pain that runs through my body. “So beautifully responsive,” he murmurs. “And now it’s time for dessert. You’ll be glad to know that for this course I will remove your blindfold.”

  I blink as the lighted room comes into view. Aiden is sitting across from me, still dressed in his immaculate gray suit, though he has removed the jacket and loosened his tie. He looks like a man just home from a hard day at the office and I wonder what kind of business he runs. He passes for human very well and he can go out in daylight. Is he working somewhere in downtown Tampa, mixing with human colleagues who have no idea of his true nature?