Master of the Abyss

play…without any involvement, is that right?”

“Is that possible?” He caught her chin, keeping her from looking away.

I want him. But could she take the inevitable end? Her feelings had already taken a blow from only one night. How many could she survive before she fell? “I need to think about it.”

“Fair enough.” He brushed a kiss over her lips. “Come and lock the door behind me.”

She flipped the lock and listened to the sound of the truck fade into the night. As she stepped away from the door, she remembered…something…had lurked in the darkness by the road. Maybe she’d latch the windows too.

Tomorrow she’d take a group up the mountain and be able to relax. No place was as safe as the wilderness.

* * *

Early the next week, Jake loafed on the ground with his back against a log and contentedly sipped a cup of coffee. The day was just starting to chill off now that night had fallen. They’d hiked an easy three hours, enough to give his muscles a nice workout, and stopped early to make a leisurely camp. On the other side of the crackling fire, the older couple, Steve and Evelyn, sat side by side, watching the campfire and talking quietly. With more energy, Heather and Andrew had walked down to the nearby stream for a quick washup. Across the clearing, Kallie did supper cleanup, having refused any help. “My job,” she’d said, and insisted he and the clients should simply enjoy the evening.

And they would, he thought with a smile.

Originally Logan had planned to accompany these two couples and continue their instruction in BDSM, but when Rebecca had picked up a nasty flu, he hadn’t wanted to leave her. Jake shook his head. His bro gave new meaning to the word doting. So Jake had taken his place.

With Kallie as the guide… Well, he’d planned to allow the sprite more time before calling her, but he had to admit her presence added to his enjoyment of the day. The woman was a cheerful bundle of energy, and she’d delighted the two couples. She was everything a person might want in a trail guide: she managed to spot any wildlife in the area, from mule deer to porcupines, could identify all the plants and trees, and knew both the geology and the history of Yosemite. Rather than lecturing, she’d drop tidbits of interesting facts and elaborate if anyone expressed interest.

He considered himself a damn good guide. With growing pride, he’d come to realize she was better. His tough little sprite.

No. Not mine.

Heather and Andrew appeared, and Jake motioned both couples over. “All right, are you ready to get started?”

Nods all around. Good enough. He smiled at the two women, then glanced at the men. “Your submissives, gentlemen. Here to do anything you want them to.” Within reason, he didn’t add, but to remind everyone that there were limits, he asked, “Heather, what is your safe word?”

A pale blonde with the coloring to match, she flushed beautifully. “Diamond.”

“Evelyn?” Jake nodded to the round brunette in her early forties. Although she gave a motherly impression-someone who would make cookies and snuggle children against her small, cuddly body-she was a renowned orthopedic surgeon.

“Darth Vader,” she said.

“Interesting choice.”

Steve stroked his goatee. “I believe she accompanied it with a nasty threat: ‘Don’t make me destroy you,’” he added in a raspy voice.

Jake stifled a laugh. “Well, if she uses it, you’d best pay attention.” He studied the group for a minute. Anticipation and a few nerves. Good enough. “Gentlemen, please direct your submissives to remain here, and then join me over there.” He pointed to the other side of the campsite.

The professor gave him a blank look, but Andrew caught the clue. “Heather, kneel. Hands behind your back.” He waited to be sure she’d done as directed before strolling across the clearing with Jake.

Jake saw the unspoken got it from Steve. “Evelyn, the slave position. Now.”

Ah, someone had been doing his homework and learning the positions. Jake watched as Evelyn knelt, spread her knees open, and placed her hands on her thighs. Very nice.

Steve joined them, and Jake nodded approval. He added for the men’s ears only, “Subs in the kneeling position should keep their eyes down.”

Both men snapped orders, and the women complied.

Jake leaned against a tree and smiled at the pretty sight. “Look at them,” he murmured to the men. “All worried about what you have in mind. Anticipating pleasure but possibly pain. Knowing you might push them past what they’re used to. Quivering inside.”

“God, you’re right. I’ve never seen her like this,” Steve said.

“With her eyes on the ground, a sub can’t read your face, can’t see what’s coming,” Jake said. “It increases their sense of helplessness and worry. This is the space you want them in. Excited and eager to please.”

Nods.

“What else could you do to make them feel more vulnerable?” He smiled as the men considered. A lawyer and a professor, both with professional wives. Used to equality in their marriages, they needed some mental adjustment to take on the dominant role.

“Naked,” Andrew said. “Being without clothes would…” He gestured, a lawyer at loss for words.

“Good choice. Go for it.” When the men started to speak, Jake held up a hand. “A command can certainly be given at a distance, but in this case, with new submissives, you want to be hands-on. Enjoy your submissive’s body as she strips. Make her stop at your command. Savor the fact that you can touch as you please. Tease her. Let her know how much the sight of her and the softness of her skin pleases you.”

Two nods and the men strolled back to their wives. Walking taller. Yes, they were already beginning to own the power. Any idiot could use handcuffs. Dominance required more.

He checked the area. Kallie had finished stowing dishes away and was sitting near her pack, pretending to whittle. He’d expected her to turn her back or retreat into her tent when he started the lessons. But she watched instead.

When she glanced his way with a wistful look, his blood surged through his veins like a flash flood. Damn, he wanted her. Had she had enough time to think? How badly did she want to play? “Kallie. Come here.”

She opened her mouth to reply.

He lowered his voice. “Now.”

After setting her knife and wood on top of her pack, she came to him. Slowly. He could almost hear her arguing with herself. Submit. No, don’t. With eyes so dark they appeared black in the dim light, she stood in front of him and rubbed her hands on her jeans. He almost smiled. Sweating already.

“Did you finish thinking, sprite?”

“Yes.” She licked her lip and said resolutely, “I want to play.”

So do I. In fact, he’d never met anyone he’d wanted so badly. Getting control of himself, he set a finger under her chin and lifted her face. “The commitment between us is only for one more night. Tonight. Can you live with that?”

“Yes.” Her acceptance showed in her eyes.