Page 36 of Below the Surface
Piper’s laughter fills the room, her head thrown back in delight. This unexpected twist made our night even more perfect than I imagined. As she kisses me, her hand finds its way to my thigh, sending a pleasant shiver down my spine.
“Did you enjoy watching that?” she whispers seductively into my ear.
In an instant, our dynamic changes again, and I become keenly aware of Piper’s touch—the warmth of her hand on my leg, the growing desire stirring within me. With each lazy circle her fingers make on the fabric of my dress, I can feel her claiming me as hers. My heart races under her penetrating gaze as she studies me with a deepening smile. She takes the martini glass from my hand and sets it aside, focusing solely on me. “I think we’ve had enough alcohol for tonight,” she declares before turning away, leaving me yearning for more of her touch. My thoughts go dark, obscured by the sensation of her fingertips tracing patterns on my thigh.
“Soon,” Piper whispers.
I’m grateful when Piper stands and tells Kelsey we’re leaving. The conversation in the kitchen became animated after Caleb announced he and Kelsey were buying Union. According to Greg Hanson, Piper, or rather, Mistress Trinity, is a legend. No one shared details of Piper’s days at the club. It surprised me a little to learn the previous owners wanted Piper to become a partner in the business. One thing is clear: many people still want to experience Mistress Trinity’s expertise. I’m curious about the extent to which Piper reveals or withholds parts of Mistress Trinity from me.
Piper surprises me when she opens the backdoor of her car and gestures for me to climb inside. “Get in, Cameron.”
I take a nervous breath and comply with her directions. “No talking for the rest of the night unless I ask you a question.”
The vast expanse of leather between us makes me feel isolated as my mind unravels. The aroma of vanilla and a distinct fragrance that belongs only to her fills the air and makes it nearly impossible for me to focus on anything else. Piper’s alluring presence fills the car with an undeniable tension, electrifying the air between us. Her gaze feels heavy as it bores into me through the rearview mirror. The drive home from the backseat is a rough and jarring experience that constantly reminds her of her possession.
I’m boiling over with anticipation when we finally pull into her driveway. Piper steps out of the car and guides me towards the front door with an allure that leaves me breathless. She doesn’t look back or wait for me like she usually does. She has asserted her dominance in this moment of silence, reminding me of my place tonight. My heartbeat echoes loudly in myears as I follow her into the house. She navigates through familiar routes, her strides sure and determined. I feel myself shrinking in her presence, insignificant and powerless against her unwavering control.
Piper turns and holds my gaze at a distance. “Do you need the bathroom?” she asks.
I shake my head.
“That’s not an answer.”
“No, Piper.”
“Very well. Get undressed.” She gestures to a glass by the sink. “Drink a glass of water. Then go to the bed, lie on your back, and wait for me.”
Before I can seek permission to ask a question, she’s gone. I shimmy out of my dress and look down at the puddle of red fabric on the floor.
“Leave it all there,” Piper calls back, as if I’ve spoken my question aloud.
Her voice is a chilling wind that sweeps through the open space. It impales me with its authority. I follow her direction, stripping the rest of my clothes until I’m bare. I go to the sink and fill the glass as she instructed. The water is cold against my parched lips, a contrast to the fever burning inside of me. I drink slowly, steadying my breathing between sips.
The bedroom welcomes me with an intimate ambiance as candlelight bathes the room in a soft, golden hue, reflecting off the plush ivory comforter. I can’t help but notice the restraints tightly fastened around the iron headboard. I chose the purple cuffs from a catalog Piper showed me a few weeks ago. I wondered when she would introduce them. I run my fingers along the leather, and I am struck by its softness. Reluctantly, I lie on my back. Anticipation builds within me, coiling like a spring in my belly. In this waiting game, a strange sense of tranquility emerges, a reminder that control is an illusion.With a simple word, Piper will surrender her control without hesitation. I used to associate dominance with strength and submission with weakness, leading me to believe dominance was the only path to freedom. I understand now that submission also holds the power of liberation.
Piper’s steps echo in the distance like a clock ticking in an empty room. I can hear her movements as she arranges whatever she needs for tonight. Lying here without Piper’s voice or touch to guide me feels like an eternity in purgatory. Will she punish me for some transgression or reward me for my obedience? Her footsteps grow closer until her silhouette is painted against the dim light. “Beautiful,” she says.
I close my eyes and let her compliment ease the tension in my body. Her right hand swiftly grabs my left and secures it in the cuff. She smiles down at me, her gaze predatory. A fingertip trails through my arousal, and my hips rise in a silent plea.
“Oh, no,” Piper says. She pulls away. “Touch yourself.”
My eyes pop open to meet hers, brimming with a mix of confusion and excitement. She lifts a brow to show there is no room for questioning. I watch as her lips stretch into a wicked grin.
“Go ahead,” she coaxes, stepping back and crossing her arms over her chest as if she is about to judge the contestants in a talent show. “Don’t let yourself come.”
With a shaky breath, I obey her command. A soft gasp escapes my lips as pleasure rolls through me. The intensity in Piper’s eyes nearly sends me over the edge.
“That’s it,” she says. "So needy."
The air between us crackles with electricity, and my heart thumps an out of time rhythm in my chest. I feel her gaze burning a hole right through my skin, igniting my courage.
“Piper,” I breathe her name out, hopelessly trapped between yearning for her closeness and the unspoken rules of our little game. If she views it as a transgression, she says nothing of it.
Silence stretches between us, punctuated only by the sound of heavy breathing that hovers in the air. She tilts her head, and her fingers brush gently over my breasts. I strain to reach for her and feel the tug of the cuff around my wrist, a reminder of my position.
“Do you like this?” she asks. It’s not a question, but an affirmation. Tonight is as much about power and control as it is about pleasure. Piper is aware of my deep longing to satisfy her, and she intends to take what she wants. Her lips blaze a trail to my aching nipples, sucking until pleasure consumes my senses. Piper pulls away abruptly, her grip on my hand tightening as she swiftly slaps the cuff around my other wrist. “I’m not even close to being finished with you.”
I whimper, and Piper’s lips meet mine tenderly. Her touch is an intoxicating blend of subtlety and strength. It reminds me of sipping a fine whiskey, the burn before the rich flavors of cherry and vanilla takes over. Our relationship is a paradox, a constant dance between fiery desire and cool detachment that intensifies my longing for her. Piper can calm my insecurities with tender touches or encourage me to pursue my deepest desires with a seductive gaze. Her presence perfectly combines passion and strength, making me yearn to be under her spell.