Page 34 of Delicious Surrender
The woman on the table shivered, and her wrist cuffs rattled the rings on the table. Brynne’s pulsed picked up its pace, and she squeezed her legs together in sympathy. Or was it envy?
The gentleman who ordered the Manhattan waved his card in the air. “John, if we want to trade, is that possible?”
John nodded. “That would be acceptable, Massimo—if someone wants to swap with you.”
“Molto bene.” He stood and addressed the group. “I have a spade but would like to trade for a heart. Who is interested in switching?”
The man opposite him rose and said, “Deal!” The man in black leather had been stealing glances at Achilles every few minutes. He looked pleased with the switch. Everyone else seemed satisfied with their cards.
John walked to a tall cabinet in the corner near the cross and opened the doors to reveal a wide selection of implements. Brynne sucked in a breath when she saw the floggers, clamps, restraints, and sex toys of various colors and sizes. He turned to the group. “Who has the highest spade?”
A tall, slim man with glasses rose, flashed the Queen of Spades, and walked to the open cabinet.
“Choose your instrument of pain, Oscar. You have the honor of going first.”
Oscar took his time perusing the shelves and chose a flogger in blood-red leather. He turned to the table and waved his choice for everyone to see.
Massimo clapped his hands. “Great choice Oscar, the deerskin is perfect to warm him up.”
The man restrained on the cross clenched his fists when he heard what the item was. She watched the rise and fall of his chest, feeling acute anticipation. Oscar stood beside him and trailed a hand over his chest, grazing his nipples.
“Now, now, Oscar, yours is a punishment card. You must refrain from caressing Achilles; the one holding a diamond gets to do that.”
Oscar bristled at being reprimanded, judging by the shift in his stance. He turned back to Achilles and mumbled something. With shocking quickness, the flogger landed across the spread-eagled man’s muscled thighs. He jumped in reaction and bit his lip, but no sound escaped. The flogger landed again, inches below his groin. Oscar increased the pace and intensity by landing several blows on his stomach and upper body, and the man jerked against the cross. A rosy blush spread across his chest and sleek flat abs. The captive held his composure without so much as a murmur.
“Thank you, Oscar. Nice work,” John said.
Oscar hung the flogger back on the hook and walked up to the bar. His eyes were black, his expression lit with excitement.
“What can I get you, sir?” Brynne kept her voice low.
“I’ll have a double bourbon on the rocks. Maker’s Mark, if you have it.”
“Yes, of course,” Brynne said, and poured the drink without delay. He nodded and turned without a word, returning to his seat.
“Who has the high diamond?” John asked. A handsome, sandy-haired man showed his card to the group and stood.
“Ben gets to raise the stakes, but remember, don’t let him come.”
Ben took off his beautifully cut suit jacket and hung it onthe back of his chair. He nodded at John as he straightened his cufflinks. With a wink, he said, “Never fear. I know how toedgea slave.” Bypassing the cabinet, he went straight up to the cross and leaned in close. He whispered something to Achilles that was inaudible. Ben took his time, hands roaming over his glistening chest, circling, and then pinching his nipples to hardness. He ran a finger along the young man’s jaw, then tugged at his bottom lip. His fingers dipped inside his mouth.
“Wet them,” he said, in a deep Irish accent. The deep pitch of his voice skittered along Brynne’s nerves as she watched the sub do as he was told.
With newly damp fingers, he played with his nipples. His other hand grasped the pouch and squeezed, causing a groan to escape.
“Permission to bare Achilles’ssword?”
John chuckled. “Permission granted.”
Ben wasted no time in undoing the snaps and pulling the leather away. He stepped to the side so everyone could see the beautiful erection jutting from his body. The head was dark with need. Cock tears had gathered at the seam. Brynne unconsciously licked her lips and could not look away. When John cleared his throat, she jumped up in surprise. Being so absorbed in the scene, she hadn’t noticed him standing next to the bar.
“I’m sorry,” she blurted, blushing to the roots of her hair.
He grinned at her, his eyes twinkling in amusement. “Perhaps I should punish you for your inattention.” He winked and added, “I’ll have a Hendrick’s and tonic.”
She swallowed, her eyes wide. “Excellent choice.”
“So, you’re the new girl everyone’s been talking about?”