She glanced at her watch. “About an hour.” Every month, her group of friends got together for lunch at someone’s house, and this was her month to host. They were all in the same BDSM club and married to Dominants. There were very few rules, but the main one was no men allowed.

  “I better get ready to leave, then. Don’t want to be the only Y chromosome around,” he joked.

  “What are you guys doing today?” It didn’t matter that several of the men had children, they almost always did something together while their wives lunched.

  “Jeff and Dena have a new puppy, so we’re meeting at their place. Do you need help with anything here before I leave?”

  Because Sasha didn’t cook, lunch was scheduled to be delivered shortly after everyone arrived. “No, I have everything in place, but thank you, Sir. Have fun playing with the puppy.”

  “I don’t know about that.” He lowered his head to hers. “More than likely, I’ll spend most of my time thinking about sliding into you and seeing you marked as mine for the first time.”

  He’d decided after she got the tattoo that they wouldn’t do anything sexual in nature until after he’d used the bullwhip. She thought it was a horrible idea, but agreed knowing it would only add to her anticipation. It hadn’t been too bad, especially since before moments ago, there had been no suggestive banter between them.

  “Have a nice lunch, little one,” he said, while she stood stunned, unable to come up with a comeback, and knowing her thoughts would mimic his.

  “I heard someone got inked,” Abby West said a few hours later when lunch was finished and they were sitting in the living room. Dena and Julie were on the couch while Abby sat in a plush leather chair. Sasha had settled on the loveseat.

  “She did,” Julie quipped. “And I haven’t seen it yet.”

  “Seriously?” Dena asked. “The two of you work together and she didn’t let you have a little peek?”

  “Crazy, right? She said she wanted to wait until it was healed.”

  “That’s fair,”Abby chimed in. “When will that be?”

  “Cole told me earlier today it was healed.”

  “Can we see it?” Julie asked.

  It didn’t escape her attention that it would be the first time since the incident with Peter that anyone other than Cole would see her back. Except for Julie. Julie had visited her hospital room that first night as well as changed the dressings once she was released and at home. Of the three women, it was Julie’s opinion she was most interested in because she knew how horrible her back had looked.

  But that was then, and now…

  She stood up, turned away from the three other women, and drew her shirt over her head, letting it fall to the floor. Her bra soon followed.

  Nothing but silence from behind her. Was anyone going to speak?

  Someone, Julie, based on where the sound originated, was walking toward her.

  “It’s incredible,” Julie whispered. “I can’t see the scars at all, but I know they were there.”

  Sasha turned. Julie stood behind her with tear-filled eyes. “You’d never know, would you?”

  “Never.” Julie said, pulling her into a tight hug.

  Abby and Dena were both wiping their eyes when she took a step back.

  “It’s stunning,” Abby said, and Dena echoed with, “Gorgeous.”

  “Now that it’s healed, Cole can use a bullwhip on me.”

  “Are you ready for that?” Julie questioned as Sasha pulled her clothes back on and everyone took their seat.

  Sasha had mentioned her desire for Cole to use a bullwhip to the group’s submissives and knew Julie doubted the wisdom of her request. Fortunately, her friend had learned over the years to give her opinion once and then to let it be.

  “I’m ready. I told him earlier, but he just repeated the whole his time, not mine speech.”

  “Knowing Cole,” Abby said. “He has a plan.”

  “Right?” Dena added. “Isn’t it your anniversary in a few days?”

  “Yes, and I’ve considered that,” Sasha admitted. “But what if that’s what he wants me to think?” It drove her a little crazy because she wanted to be somewhat prepared for what was going to happen. It felt like she was heading into the dark without a flashlight.

  “I don’t think that’s the case here,” Abby said. “Don’t get me wrong, Cole loves to pull a mindfuck just as much as any other Dominant, but I really can’t imagine him doing one in this case.”

  Sasha had to agree that Abby made a good point. The more thought she gave it, the less sense it made that he would attempt to pull something crazy off. Not with a bullwhip. “Whatever he has in mind, I hope he does it soon. I’m starting to go a little crazy over here.”

  “A little crazy can be a good thing sometimes,” Dena said. “And the other thing to remember about Cole is how much he utterly adores you. I imagine he’ll do whatever he can to make the experience a good memory.”

  Sasha couldn’t help the smile that crossed her face. What would she do without her group of friends? What would any of them do? It wasn’t only her they supported, they were always there for each other.

  “I don’t know what I’d do if it wasn’t for you guys,” Sasha said. “Thank you.”

  “No need to thank us,” Julie said. “We all know you’ll be there to talk sense into the next one of us who needs it.”

  Dena’s phone buzzed. “Sorry guys, it’s Jeff.” She sighed reading his text. “He needs me to pick up more carpet cleaner on the way home.” She typed a response back. “I knew I should have had you guys talk sense into me before I agreed to a puppy.”

  Ten: Sasha

  “Sasha,” she heard Cole calling from what sounded like far away. “Wake up, little one. It’s our anniversary.”

  She mumbled something, determined to go back to sleep when her eyes flew open as her brain slowly processed his words. Her first thought was, it was their anniversary. Her second was, why was it so dark?

  She sat up, noting he was dressed. “What time is it?”

  “Almost five.”

  It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him she’d made almost five a hard limit the last time he pulled such a stunt. Yes, and then he proposed. She should probably get up.

  “Are we going outside again, Sir?” she asked, more alert than she’d ever remembered being before a cup or two of coffee.

  “No, not this time.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead.“I brought you some coffee and put a robe at the foot of the bed. I’ll be back in half an hour.”

  What the hell?

  She watched him walk out of the bedroom. He hadn’t woken her up at almost five on their anniversary for a bullwhip scene, had he? But what else could it be?

  Not that it mattered, she supposed. He would be back in thirty minutes and that didn’t give her time to speculate. She took a few sips of coffee and carried the mug, along with the robe into the bathroom to get ready.

  Twenty-five minutes later, she had just made it back into the bedroom when Cole walked in. The black jeans and button up shirt he wore made it fairly obvious what his plans were. She took a deep breath. He was finally ready.

  She looked in his expression for any hint of hesitancy or concern, but found none. Wrapping the sheer robe around her body tighter, she went to her knees. “Sir.”

  “Stand up, little one,” he said. “And come with me.”

  She followed him, but not, as she expected to the playroom they normally used - the large one with all the play equipment - but to a smaller, more intimate room. The first time they’d used the smaller space had been when he demonstrated his ability to give her an orgasm with a cane. After, she’d nicknamed the room her happy place.

  They walked inside and he pulled her into a firm embrace. “I thought your happy place would be appropriate,” he whispered, before claiming her lips in a long, sensual kiss.

  When he went to work taking his time at untying the robe’s belt without breaking the kiss, she let go of all her preconceived assumptions about how the scene would go. It was obvious she had no idea what he had in mind.

  He pushed the silky material of the robe off of one of her shoulders, lowered his head and nipped the newly exposed skin. She sucked in a breath of delight and felt his smile against her other shoulder when he repeated his action.

  “You are so beautiful,” he said turning her around, and pushing the robe completely off.

  She lifted her eyes and saw it, the bullwhip, on a stand beside the tall comfortable table/bed they’d always used in this room. After battling fear of anything connected with a bullwhip for so long, she was surprised to feel nothing upon being in the same room as one. Maybe because Cole’s fingers and mouth never stopped their intent to drown her in pleasure.

  He stroked a hand across her breast, rolling one of her nipples between his thumb and finger. “Does the sight of it make you nervous or uncomfortable, little one?” he asked, nuzzling the curve of her neck from behind.

  “No, Sir,” she said, honestly.

  “I’m going to pick it up, and when you’re ready to touch it, walk over to me.”

  Of course he would have her indicate when she was ready for more. When had he ever done anything else? It was one of the innumerable reasons why she trusted him so. “Yes, Sir.”

  He made his way across the floor to where everything was. Her chest tightened a bit at the sight of the whip, especially in someone’s hand. However, her eyes continued to move up until she gazed at Cole’s face. Not just anyone was holding the bullwhip, though. It was him.

  And she trusted him.

  With everything.

  Wearing nothing but a smile, she crossed the floor to him. Because of who he was. Not what he held. Her heart raced, not due to anxiety, however, but excitement.

  “How are you feeling, little one?” he asked, when she made it to his side.

  “Like I’ve discovered something new,” she said.

  “Tell me.”

  “It wasn’t the bullwhip that hurt me. It was the person who held it.” At his nod, she continued. “On its own, the bullwhip can’t hurt anything. It can’t control how hard it hits or how deeply it cuts. The only strength it has is what the person who holds it gives. It only does what it’s told. And with you holding it, it doesn’t seem as scary.”

  “Very well spoken, little one.” He extended his free hand toward her. “Place your hand in mine, palm up.” She obeyed, and he stroked her knuckles. “Leave it here.”

  Her body automatically tensed as he lifted the tip of the whip and brought it toward her palm. She watched the leather glide smoothly across her skin. Admittedly, it’s cool, sleek material felt good.

  “Okay?” His eyes searched hers while he continued to drag the length of the single tail across her hand.

  “Smooth.”

  “When used properly, it should have a bite. Sharp, but not unbearable.” He drew the bullwhip away and tightened his grip around the handle. She almost missed the sharp intake of breath he took through his nose.

  For her. He was doing this for her. It made her love him even more.

  “Crack it, please.” Her voice was nearly a whisper. Truth be told, the sound was one of the things she was most hesitant about. But she knew it would be for the best if she heard it before it was used.

  Cole moved a safe distance away and drew his arm back before launching it forward, cracking the whip in the air. A loud snap echoed throughout the room.

  She flinched slightly, but it hadn’t spooked her as much as she thought it would. Progress. She was so close. “Again, please.”

  His arm repeated the action, letting her hear it crack again. She nodded.

  He stepped to the side and gestured to the table. “When you’re ready, place your hands on top.”

  Sasha stepped forward and leaned down slightly, pressing her palms against the top of the table, presenting her back to him. This is nothing, she told herself. You’ve presented your back to him hundreds of times, maybe thousands. Except this time, she had awesome ink. Was he admiring it?

  Ever so slightly, the air shifted and he came up close to her from behind, trailing his fingers along her tattoo. His fingertips slid up and down her back, brushing the line of her spine. “So beautiful.”

  She felt warm all over from the way his hands slid over her back. She closed her eyes, welcoming and reveling in his touch as he glided his hand over her side. Everywhere. She wanted to feel him everywhere.

  He pressed a gentle kiss between her shoulder blades, and chuckled at her resulting shudder. More kisses followed along her spine and she pressed up into his touch. His lips felt so good.

  “I love your ink. Love how it marks you as mine.”

  His warmth left, replaced by the cold tip of the bullwhip brushing her leg. Her eyes squeezed shut, but she must have also moved, because he whispered, “Relax, little one.”

  He didn’t stop, but trailed the whip up her leg and over her back, letting it brush over the covered scars. “You’ll notice that no part of you is bound to anything. There is nothing in your mouth. You can stop this at any time with either a word, or in this case, by standing up and moving away. In addition, whatever you tell me, I’ll do. For now, if you say stop or quit or no, this ends immediately. And, of course, red and yellow still apply.”

  Internally, panic tried to gain a foothold, but she fought it back. This was Cole, and he was giving her instructions to ease her. She wiggled her fingers and shifted her hands, just to prove to herself that she could. This was nothing like before. “I’m okay,” she said.

  “I know you are, little one.” Cole murmured before stepping back and breathing deeply. “Take a deep breath. You’re going to count for me.”

  Eleven: Sasha

  She let the air out of her lungs in a long breath in order to mentally and physically prepare herself. How would it feel? “I understand, Sir.”

  It seemed as if the sound of the crack corresponded with the sharp jolt that fired through her body. She gritted her teeth and breathed through the sensation, closing her eyes as they grew watery. It wasn’t pain that grabbed hold of her throat and kept her from counting, but memories and images of the past flashing through her mind. Bound too tight to move. Yelling red, but no one hearing because of the gag in her mouth. Darkness. Alone. Fear.

  She forced her eyes open and her gaze fell on her wedding band. Cole.

  One by one, new, more powerful images exploded in her mind, driving out the old. The look in Cole’s eyes when he vowed to love, honor, and cherish her at their wedding. The warmth and strength in his touch when he first put his collar on her. The security of his protection the day he held her and let her cry for the first time in forever.

  She let out a gasp, breathing heavily. It was as if she’d just finished a race.

  And completely kicked ass.

  She lifted her head and spoke in a calm voice. “One.”

  Behind her, she heard Cole let out a long breath and wondered if the last few seconds had been harder on him than her.

  “I’m only doing two more,” he said, his normally smooth accent sounding not smooth at all.

  The second strike clipped her lower back. It didn’t jolt her nearly as hard as the first. Though she wasn’t certain if it was because she was more prepared or due to something he’d done.

  “Two,” she breathed out. The pain faded into a warmth that spread throughout her body. Taking a deep breath, almost a sigh, she prepared for the last strike.

  He didn’t say anything, but she didn’t hear anything, either. No sound of movement. Nothing. She jumped as something - a flogger, maybe - brushed the back of her thighs. He didn’t stop, but continued teasing her, almost relentlessly, until he reached the apex between her legs and she groaned in pleasure.

  All too soon, he moved back and the delightful teasing stopped, leaving her achy and needy. She wanted more.

  There was a whoosh and something sharp bit her right butt cheek. It was too much after abstaining for the past few days and the way he’d just teased her, and she couldn’t hold in the mixture of both gasp and moan. “Three,” she said in a breathy whisper.

  Cole was behind her in seconds, hands on her waist, steading them both, she supposed. “How are you, little one?”

  “So good, Sir.” She turned to face him. “Will you hold me?”

  He was already scooping her up. “As if I’d be doing anything else.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and breathed in his Cole scent as he carried her to their bedroom.

  “I’m okay,” she said, settling into the bed on her stomach. “I’m really okay.”

  She’d been right all along. Her request had shocked and worried her friends, and more importantly, Cole, but there had been no need for that worry. She’d done it.

  Cole gently climbed into the bed beside her and brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. “You’re a lot more than merely okay.”

  She closed her eyes, focusing on his gentle touch. Something about her felt different, but she couldn’t put her finger on what exactly. There was a peace where fear had once been, but was that enough to explain the lightness in her body?

  “What made you decide on three?” she asked. “It was the perfect number.”

  He propped up on an elbow and caressed her with his other hand. “I feared two wouldn’t be enough for you, but I knew four would be too much for me.”

  “How did you feel, using the bullwhip?”

  He paused his movements and wrinkled his brow. “The first one was hard. Probably the hardest thing I’ve done as a Dom. But I stood there, looking at you, thinking about what you mean to me, how much you trust me. All I can see is your tattoo and I think, everything this woman has done for you and given to you, you can do this for her.”

  She blinked back tears. “Thank you.”

  “You know I’d do anything for you.” He brushed a hair out of her eyes. “Except use a bullwhip on you again. I meant what I said. No more.”