Page 62 of No Going Back

“As I’ll ever be.” Maddie took the hand he offered and stood. Time to let her submissive nature take over.

“There is one thing before we go.”

She gave him a questioning look, watched him as he went around the desk and opened one of the drawers. Her breath hitched at what he took out—a collar, fashioned in soft, supple white leather. Before he could say another word, she knelt, eyes lowered, hands clasped at the base of her spine, her actions demonstrating her consent before he could even ask the question.

“Thank you.” He fastened the collar around her neck.

The deft movements of his fingers as he ensured the fit was right stirred memories of what they’d shared before their relationship had gone so horribly wrong. It also stoked the blaze of emotions that had survived in spite of everything that had kept them apart. She’d worn his collar for play back then, both in private and when they’d visited that dive of a club, but he’d never actually collared her. In the years since, she’d alternated between wishing he had and being glad he hadn’t. She couldn’t help but wonder if that was going through his mind, too.

With the collar in place, he stroked her shoulders with his fingertips. A delightful pulse of pleasure glided down her spine at the contact. Like this, she could forget everything but him—including the skeleton in the cupboard that could bring this world crashing down around her head.

“It’s time, pet.”

Guy helped her to stand. The catsuit he’d chosen for her was a departure from the club’s dress rules for submissives. The stretchy fabric was like a second skin, revealing her shape but nothing more. Without making a song and dance about it, he’d ensured her scars would remain their secret. He’d offered her the option of heels or bare feet in the club, so she’d opted for safety rather than fashion. When he drew her to him to tuck her hand in the crook of his arm, she felt ridiculously petite, even dainty, next to him.

“I’ve reserved a private room for us,” Guy said. “You’ll need a reward for putting up with the attention heading our way.”

Excitement crashed through her. The possibilities for play in a club like Aegis were endless. Which one of the themed rooms had he chosen for their scene? The anticipation was in danger of killing her. “Thank you, Sire.”

He turned to her, a resigned smile on his harshly handsome face. “I’d much rather go straight to our room and play for the rest of the evening, but duty calls. Once more unto the breach, dear friend—”

“Once more.”

He kissed her hair. “Once more.”

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“I’ve been waiting for this all evening.”

Maddie tried not to be amused by her Master’s heartfelt expression of relief as they made their way down the short corridor, their destination one of the playrooms.

“If I might comment, Sire?”

“Of course. You’re not on protocol now.”

His last act before they emerged from the private area of the club, and it had come out of the blue. Her heart had raced in a moment of panic as she struggled to recall the intricacies of what he demanded.

It was worth it, though. The strictness of his control had proved exhilarating. Even now she still felt the glow from taking her place on a cushion at his feet while he’d talked to other members of the club.

Not all the faces were unknown to her—Ros and Simon were there to show their support for Guy on what he’d told Maddie was his first visit since coming out as the owner. After the initial surprise, a sudden sense of belonging had tempted Maddie with dreams of a future that encompassed not just Guy but his family and friends, too. Then her treacherous thoughts had snatched those dreams from her, with a sharp reminder of the part of her past she couldn’t share with the man she loved.

What she could do, though, was give him her assessment of how the evening had gone.

“I overheard quite a few different conversations, and every one of them approved of what you’ve done with the club. They all seemed very happy.”

“They did, didn’t they? That’s all I ever wanted for them. We’re in here.”

The private playrooms were secured like hotel rooms. Guy slipped the key card into the slot, then held the door open for her to pass in front of him.

This room had been set up in a similar way to the playroom at Stonehaven, right down to the towel-covered table. Maddie barely had time to take in the shelves and racks of all manner of toys and implements before Guy ordered her to strip. He took the catsuit from her, then laid his hands on her waist and lifted her onto the table. He parted her thighs and stood between them, tempting her to risk wrapping her legs around his hips and bring their bodies into closer, even more intimate contact. She had no doubt she’d earn herself a spanking if she tried.

“Tell me your safewords, Madeleine.”

He definitely wasn’t wasting any time—Maddie approved. “Red to stop, yellow to slow down and discuss, green for affirmation.”

“Good girl.” He framed her face with his hands and held her in position for a deep, almost punishing kiss. “Now lie down for me. On your back, hands over your head, legs apart.”

Heart racing, Maddie obeyed, settling with a little wriggle to ensure she was in exactly the right position. Strong, masculine hands buckled cuffs around her wrists, the action followed by a metallic clink as he clipped the cuffs to chains connected to the corners of the table. He did the same with her ankles, and then, without warning, he pinched her nipple hard and pulled on it. At the first twist, Maddie, already aroused by what she’d witnessed in the club, was instantly aware of the wet trickle between the cheeks of her bottom. At the bite of the clamp, she moaned and twisted, but she couldn’t get away from him.