Jake Read online

  “Linus, this is Emily. Be good.”

  Linus had a goofy look on his face, then dipped his head and licked her hand. She reached out tentatively and rubbed the dog’s wiry head. His immediate reaction was to shuffle closer and lean against her, making her stagger. Jake held a hand around her waist.

  “He’s kind of stupid, thinks he’s a lapdog. But he’s very gentle, Em. He’d never hurt you.”

  “I think I can see that. How on earth did he get inside?”

  “He has a dog door in the garage and then can get through the one on the pantry door. Got this gadget on his collar that lets him in and out each of the doors. I’d hate him to be outside in the cold.”

  Jake took her hand and led her into the kitchen, turning on the lights.

  “Where on earth did you get him?”

  Jake went on to explain how about fourteen months previous, he’d gone to examine a plot of land that a client had bought for warehouses and he noticed a large box. When he investigated he found six puppies inside. Unfortunately, three had died, but Jake rushed the remaining three to a local veterinary surgery. They weren’t able to save one, but the remaining two responded to treatment. Jake called into the vets over the next two days watching as the two puppies got stronger.

  When he told Kaden about it one evening and said he was going to check in on the two puppies once again the next morning, Kaden had implied Jake was hooked and would be taking them home.

  “So I said, no way! I can’t have a dog when I’m in and out all the time, and Kade kept saying I was hooked. Said I’m a big softie, then made a bet that I’d take the puppies.”

  “Obviously he won.”

  “Yep, but I told him he had to take one if I did.”

  “So now he has a giant dog, too?”

  “Yes, and whenever I went away he volunteered to look after mine. He used to have a dog, and I knew he missed it so it was a pushover really. We went to the vets the next day, and the rest is history. Mind you, neither of us took much notice when the vet told us they would grow into big dogs, bigger than Great Danes. We just kind of ignored that.”

  “Hell, just as well you’re both tall.” She’d been petting Linus’s head the whole time, and he was leaning so heavily against her she thought she’d fall. Jake must have noticed as he called the dog to him.

  “So how did the name come about?”

  “Kade got first pick and took the little girl. He named her Lucy, so naturally I call this monster Linus. Anyway, this is the kitchen.”

  She swept her gaze around. Like the house, and the dog, it was enormous, but it was stunning. She ran her hands along one of the long benches.

  “This is lovely.”

  “If there’s anything you don’t like, or need, or want changed, tell me and I can do it easily.”

  She examined everything, from the gleaming French door fridge to the chef’s cooker and the wide double sink. There were heaps of cupboards and so much bench space you could have a dozen people working. Between it and the large butler’s pantry, Emily was certain it would be a joy to work in. She loved to cook but hadn’t done much for a long time, not that she was a great cook. She only made basic meals for her and her mother, not having the desire to cook properly.

  “It’s perfect.”

  He led her through the big family room, Linus following, and Jake pointed out other rooms. She could see what he meant when he said it was messy. Fortunately, the long dining room was habitable, as was the downstairs bathroom. Most of the other rooms had been stripped ready to be painted. There were patches of plaster repairs in most and tins of plaster or paint scattered around

  “There’s still a lot of work to be done, but…”

  He led her to what was once a study. It was a big room in need of paint now that the plaster has been repaired. The floorboards had been polished and stained. It was a lovely room, and Emily went to one of the three large north-facing windows overlooking the backyard and peered out. She couldn’t see much but thought it would bring in good natural light to the room.

  “Em. Would this work as your work room? I mean I know you work from home, but I’m not sure exactly what you need.”

  “This room? Oh Jake, it’s perfect.”

  She stared around again, this time with a possessive eye. She could set up an easel as well as her big work desk and still have plenty of room for cupboards, chairs and things, even another large easel.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I’ve been working on a folding table this past week, and now I can bring over my easel. It’s at Mom’s because I couldn’t fit it in the apartment. I can have my big desk, and I could buy some cupboards and shelves.”

  “Baby, you don’t have to buy anything. I can build them in for you. You tell me exactly what you want and where you need it and I can do it.”

  “I can? Positive?”

  “Em, I’m a builder, and anyway I’ve got lots of staff who can do the hard work now. You can have fun designing exactly what you’d like.”

  Like a kid in a candy store she asked, “I can have anything?”

  “Em, you can have the whole frigging’ house. Hell, it’s yours already. If you don’t like this room, pick another.”

  She burst out laughing and came to his side. Reaching up, she pulled his head down and kissed him, delighting in the knowledge she could kiss him whenever she wanted. His arms wrapped around her and lifted her. He carried her along the corridor and up the wide stairs then into a vast bedroom. It held a king-sized bed and not much else. He dropped her onto the middle of the bed and followed her down, pulling her into a tight embrace and kissing her.

  “This is our bedroom, but you can check it out later. Right now, I intend to make love to my fiancée.”

  “Oh.”

  “Mm, has a nice ring to it, but you really have too many clothes on, my Little Bird.”

  Jake stood, and she watched as he went to the large fireplace to light the bundle of wood in it. He turned back to her.

  “My sub should have removed all her clothes by now. Humph. Maybe I chose the wrong one.”

  Emily giggled to herself as she quickly got off the bed and stripped off. Kneeling, she waited for her Master’s order.

  “Much better.”

  “Thank you, Master Jake.”

  “I think you deserve ten for not being naked.”

  “Yes, Master.”

  Jake sat on the edge of the bed and patted his knees. Emily got to her feet then draped herself over his legs, holding onto his ankle. She held her breath as the first whoosh of air heralded Jake’s hand coming. It stung, but she loved it. It seemed to reinforce the love they now shared openly.

  “One, Master.”

  The remaining nine were quickly dispensed, and Emily knew she couldn’t hide her arousal from Jake. He was rubbing the cheeks of her ass, letting his fingers dip between her legs. She felt him kiss her shoulder then trace a line of kisses down her back before abruptly standing with her held safe in his arms.

  He twisted around and almost flung her onto the bed before tearing his clothes off. He lay alongside her, his mouth kissing her neck, nibbling on her earlobe. This was really different from their usual games. This was a man showing how much he loved his woman. Emily bent her head, and his kisses settled onto the crook of her neck, raising the tiny hairs. He began working his way down her body. When he reached one breast, he took the nipple in his mouth, sucking and licking it. His other hand traced a line from between her bosoms downward to settle between her open legs.

  “Master, let me touch you! Please!”

  “Yes,” he growled against her full breast.

  Emily rubbed a hand on his chest then sought his cock. It seemed to leap into her hand—hard and erect. She wrapped her hand around it, gently moving it up and down. He groaned softly. His fingers began teasing at her clit, pushing against it then tweaking it gently. He raised his head and took control of her mouth. Still using his fingers on her clit, Jake kissed her. His ton
gue forced into her mouth, his lips almost hurting as they pressed hard against hers, his beard rasping against her skin. She used her other hand to wrap it around his neck, holding him, because it felt as if he was eating her mouth. His fingers had increased their play, and Emily knew her climax was about to burst.

  Jake must have known as he slid a finger inside her without stopping the teasing of her clit. She wanted to shout, but he refused to give up her mouth and she had no choice but to groan against it as she came. He finally broke off the kiss then spread her legs even wider. He sat up, making her release his cock, then held it at the entrance to her pussy.

  “I’m going to fuck this cunt until you scream for mercy!”

  “Yes,” she gasped. “Yes, Master!”

  He plunged in hard, and Emily gave a yelp but very soon they set up a rhythm—a dance, a tango that both immediately knew the steps of. His thrusts timed perfectly with the movements of her hips. She locked her ankles around his waist, and Jake took advantage to push in deeper. Somehow, he forced a hand between them, and, at the pinch of his fingers on her clit, she screamed and shook. Grabbing his cock with the muscles of her pussy, she held him tight.

  Jake shouted and pushed free only to plunge in and out, faster and faster, until his yell echoed around the room. His cum filled her, a further proof of his love. She felt a drip of perspiration from him fall onto her cheek as he rolled to one side, pulling her with him. Emily lay enfolded in Jake’s arms.

  “I love you, Em.”

  “Jake, you are my everything.”

  “You never called me Master when we played. Do you know I used to get really upset because you only called me Sir?”

  “You did? I’m sorry, but it seemed wrong to call you Master when I thought you had only put up with me because you had been asked.”

  “But now you’ll always call me Master?”

  “Forever and a day, my Master Jake.”

  “Perfect, my Little Bird.”

  “I still can’t quite believe this. It’s honestly surreal.”

  “I know exactly what you mean, Em. Friday night I thought I’d lost you forever, and now I’ve got you wrapped in my arms. You know I’m never going to let you go.”

  “I hope not.”

  “Never.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  On Monday Ash, Steven, and Kaden as well as Kaden’s brother, Lucas, who had returned, arrived on time to help Jake move Emily’s possessions over to his house. Avril came as well, telling Emily she would help make sure the apartment was clean once it was empty. In the midst of the move, Emily’s mother turned up with her sister. Shocked to find Emily moving in with Jake already, she and Kate were soon won over by the four gorgeous helpers. Kaden naturally turned on the charm and the jokes, and very soon he had them eating out of his hand.

  “So, sweet Kate, when are you and Eliza coming to the club? I want to tie you both up?”

  Kate gave a gracious laugh, then shook her head. “I think I’ll leave it to the younger women.”

  “Come, my sweet Kate. Better late than never—and it’s never too late to change.” Her laughter echoed around the now empty room as Kaden took her hand. “Ah, Kate. Sweet Kate, come kiss me, Kate.”

  “Mm, Petruchio, I’m not sure whether to be insulted or flattered. You do remember Shakespeare’s Kate was a shrew.”

  “Oops. Damn. Well how about you give me a kiss and we’ll call it quits.”

  Kate appealed to the others watching. She tried to contain her laughter as she asked, “Is he always like this?”

  “Sorry, Kate, but the man thinks everything’s a joke.” Avril shook her head at Kaden then added, “One of these days, Kade, one day you will joke with the wrong woman.”

  “Ah, Avril, you wound me. You refused to leave the sadist for me, and now you mock my adoration of this beautiful woman.” He turned to Emily’s mother. “Eliza, you’ll let me wrap you in rope, won’t you?”

  Lucas solved the whole problem by dumping a large box into Kaden’s hands. “Get back to work and leave the lovely girls alone.”

  Kaden did his “rejected” act and hefted the box higher before walking out the door. Emily was interested to see the furtive glances her aunt kept giving the handsome Lucas. Judging by the way he always seemed to be in the same room as Kate, he was checking her out as well.

  By the time the apartment was empty, Eliza and Kate had agreed to drive over to Stephen’s and join the team for lunch. Jake and Ash swung past Eliza’s house to collect the things Emily still had packed in the garage.

  By the time boxes were either unpacked or stacked in one of the spare rooms and pizzas delivered and devoured, Eliza confided to Emily. “I was rather surprised at you moving in this fast. I mean I was still trying to come to terms with you actually being engaged, but now I’ve spent more time with Jake, and his friends, I’m glad, Emmy. That group of people will be there for you. They’ll support you whenever you need them. This is exactly the friends you need in your life, and you’d have to be blind not to see how much Jake loves you.”

  “I love him, Mom. Love him more than I thought possible.”

  “You have my blessing, my dearest, a hundred thousand times. The more I see him, the more I like him.”

  ****

  Jake and Emily soon settled in together. Jake finished off the office for her, adding shelves and cupboards and at the same time completed the library for his own office. Emily loved the house, and together they ripped up carpet, painted, and plastered until the house was almost completed. The sitting room alongside the master bedroom became a sort of library-cum-relaxing room, and when Jake suggested they turn the large room on the top floor into a playroom Emily jumped at the idea. Ash and Steven were able to source equipment for them and very soon they had a working dungeon. Of course, their friends had to come over to test it out, and everyone declared it a great success.

  Kaden was still trying to convince Kate or Eliza to let him tie them up, and Emily thought her aunt was wavering but not toward Kaden. Instead it was Lucas who had caught Kate’s eye. He had told Kate he would be very keen to bind her and would prefer she not let his brother. Kate had confessed to Emily and Avril that she was very tempted because she really liked Lucas but afraid of being on show, especially at her age. Emily thought Kate would agree, especially when she told her she could wear yoga pants and top or gym gear. Lucas had taken her to dinner a number of times since Jake and Emily had moved in together, and it was easy to see both were attracted to each other.

  Despite saying he wanted to get married immediately, Jake did relent, and the two settled on April sixteenth, seven months after they met. They found a church close by that was perfect and booked it, along with a restaurant that Pierre recommended that was only twenty minutes’ drive from the church. Kaden once more took the Caddy and the Chrysler out of the showroom to drive the wedding party. Emily and Avril had become firm friends, so Avril was her bridesmaid for the event. Her eldest brother gave her away in place of her father who had divorced her mother when Emily was twenty-four and he now refused to have anything to do with the family. He considered the fact he had a homosexual son and a bisexual son an affront, especially when Mark married Mary and Rich. At that point he blamed Eliza for the way the children had turned out, and when she told him she fully supported whatever their children wanted to do with the lives, he’d wiped his hands of everyone. Eliza was more than happy to divorce him and eternally thankful she had no further contact.

  The wedding was perfect. Emily found a mermaid embroidered satin beaded wedding gown with a corset back to wear. It flattered her large figure perfectly, enhancing the full bust that Jake loved so much and hiding some of her more abundant curves. Avril wore a lovely full-length gown of Hunter green. It was lace and chiffon with short sleeves, and it also complemented her full-figure and hair color.

  The local church was filled to capacity with family and friends, as well as many of the Silk Rope members. Emily thought it was as if she were in a
wonderful dream as she and Jake exchanged vows. She had to keep pinching herself so she knew she was awake.

  So much had happened in such a short period of time. At the start of December, she could never have imagined that she would face her past and confront her demons, let alone fall in love. Yet that was exactly what had happened, and now her life couldn’t have been more perfect.

  Jake took her to the Maldives for a twenty-day honeymoon. Emily was nervous to leave the safety of her family and friends, but once there she loved it. Jake had booked a huge villa over the water complete with spa, infinity pool, steps down into the ocean, and glass floor paneling in the main room where she could watch the fish swimming past from the comfort of one of the large sofas. Emily was reluctant to leave when their time was over. She actually felt completely renewed after the weeks there, ready to face the world. Jake told her to get used to the lifestyle, assuring her they would travel regularly each year.

  Emily still continued to see her therapist every two weeks for a few months. As the time went by she felt strong enough to only go once a month. She and Jake had a few crying sessions when she finally went into the more intimate details of what had happened and how she’d felt in the hospital. She knew she should have talked with David, with the counselor, or with the doctors, but her grief was so huge it had terrified her. Instead she decided pushing everything deep inside her would be the only way she would be able to cope. She and her mother had cried together, and Emily found it easier to talk with her family. She was finding with each telling, the pain receded a little more. If, at times, it became overwhelming again, Jake was there to hold her and let her grieve.

  She and Jake mixed socially with their friends. They joined in the monthly munches, and she and Avril were now having lunch weekly. Emily was able to face people without fear and had even gone to the local mall several times to look through the shops by herself. Jake insisted he take her away for a weekend’s holiday the first time she did it to celebrate the milestone.

  Kate finally allowed Lucas to bind her. It seemed once that happened there was no stopping the romance as she and Lucas became a couple, much to everyone’s delight. Both were widowed, and it was great to see them have a second chance at love. They also came to Jake and Emily’s place whenever their “dungeon” was “open” and Kate was comfortable to be tied in front of their friends wearing leotards. But she would only play in a private room at the club, telling Emily she didn’t feel confident enough to be on display yet.