Jude watched her closely, padding over to her side as she grimaced into the phone.

"I know, I... Yes... Yes, I am... Jason, I'm a big girl... No, don't... I'm fine..." Lori glanced at Jude and raised her eyebrows. Then she rolled her eyes. "I will... Okay... No, please, Jason... Okay. Fine. Give me an hour." She moaned as she set the phone down next to her like it had a disease.

Jude reached for Lori, pulled her upright and sat next to her. He'd heard Jason screaming through the line. "He's coming over, isn't he?" he asked.

"Yep. It wasn't as though I had a chance to talk him out of it." She leaned back over the phone. "I need to text him the address."

When she finished typing, he lifted her chin to meet her gaze. "I'm sorry."

"For what, exactly? For leaving me? For putting me in this predicament where Jason is having a fit? For breaking up my perfectly good relationship with Margaret?"

He sucked in a breath. "Is that how you see it? Do you feel like I ruined your relationship?"

"Didn't you?" She squirmed, trying to wiggle free of the grasp he had on her biceps. Finally she gave up and met his gaze again. "I was her Domme, Jude. That's the only relationship we've had for a year. You destroyed that in one evening. I couldn't even look at her straight after you took over my scene."

"Are you mad?" He furrowed his brow.

"I don't know," she admitted. "But it's weird, and I'm not surprised Jason is heading this way. He's probably had a few words with Margaret too. They're close."

"Well, I'm sorry for all of the above. It wasn't my intention to hurt you ever. It was totally unavoidable on my part." That wasn't entirely true. He didn't have to be here right now. He could have stayed away, let Lori live her life. But once he'd gotten it in his head to return to her, he hadn't been able to shake the idea. He needed her like his next breath. Probably more than he'd admitted to himself.

"You've said as much." She wiggled from his grasp and scooted to get away. "I need to hurry. It wouldn't be a good thing if I were naked when Jason arrives." She eased onto the floor and padded toward her suitcase.

Jude stepped up behind her where she bent to rummage through her clothes. "No clothes in my house, Lori." He couldn't back down on that edict now. He'd seem weak.

She stood with an armful of clothing and spun around. "You're kidding, right? You want me to meet Jason without clothes?"

"First of all, don't use that tone with me. You know better. Second of all, you haven't used one ounce of respect toward me since you woke up. And thirdly, I don't want you to meet Jason at all right now, certainly not in my home, no."

She looked at him with fire behind her eyes.

He held up a hand. "Hold on, baby. I didn't say you couldn't see him, just that I don't like it. Put your clothes down. I'll figure something out while you shower." He nodded toward the bathroom. "Go on. And leave the door open." He wouldn't tolerate her taking any privacy. Lori turned toward the bathroom, dropping her armful of clothes on the suitcase in a huff. "Baby, you need to take a moment to think about your actions this morning. Surely you can remember what it was like under my roof. It hasn't been that long. This disrespect will land you in an uncomfortable predicament for quite some time."

She flinched when he finished, her a.s.s clenching in front of him. "Yes, Sir."

"Get in the shower. I expect you to finish in there and meet me in the kitchen quickly." He stepped back toward the door. Grabbing the frame, he turned back. "You aren't to touch yourself for any reason without my direction. Understood?"

"Yes, Sir."

He left her to finish breakfast. He didn't know how he was going to handle things with Jason yet, but he did know he had to deal with the issue. She was his. He'd do everything in his power to impress that upon her without alienating her. It was going to be difficult, the road uphill.

Lori stood under the spray of water, shivering even though the stream was as hot as she could tolerate. Jason had been furious. He wasn't going to take this well at all. And she couldn't blame him. But he wasn't in her head. He didn't understand what kind of hold Jude had over her.

She didn't understand her reactions. How was someone else going to? And she had no earthly idea how she'd go about explaining her actions.

Jude was demanding. He'd always been that way. It was what attracted her to him in the first place. She'd craved his firm hand. She still did if her p.u.s.s.y's reactions to his words were any indication. How the h.e.l.l had she gone from being a stern Domme to a humble submissive in the blink of an eye?

"Are you going to stay in there all day?" She jumped at the sound of his voice.

s.h.i.t. She hadn't even started. She grabbed the shampoo so fast she fumbled and dropped the bottle on the tile. As she lifted it and popped the top, she felt him watching her.

"I used to have a time limit on your showers."

He had, that was right. She made quick work of rubbing her scalp and using the shampoo to wash her body. In less than a minute, she had the conditioner in.

"Be sure to shave everything."

Lori took a deep breath as she reached for the razor he'd left. Pink, of course. She needed to gather her nerves if he was going to watch her shave. As it was, she was shaking like a leaf from having been caught daydreaming instead of bathing.

Steady... She didn't need to nick herself on top of everything else.

Jude sauntered closer as she worked, until he was leaning against the gla.s.s door. His gaze penetrated her, making her hyperaware of every move.

She worked from the bottom up, carefully ensuring her legs were smooth and then lifting one leg onto the shower bench to reach between her thighs. Her hands weren't as steady as she'd like with him watching her, but she managed, praying she'd done a good enough job to pa.s.s his inspection. At the last second she even removed the strip of hair she'd been neatly grooming for several months. He'd said he liked it, but she knew how he felt about a bare p.u.s.s.y.

When she finally set the razor down, rinsed her hair and flipped off the water, she was downright nervous.

Jude opened the door and made a gesture that she should exit, swiping his arm through the air and bowing as though she were royalty. His face was grim when he looked at her.

He grabbed a towel from the rack and dried her himself while she bit her lip. When he finished, he tucked the towel under his arm, took her hand and led her from the room.

She trailed behind him as he pulled her into the bedroom. He set a towel on the bed. "Lie on the edge of the mattress." His firm voice sent a shiver down Lori's spine. s.h.i.t.

"You know I always like to check your work." Jude waited while she situated herself on the bed and spread her legs. He was so close she could hear him breathing. "If I have to go back over any areas, you won't like the consequences."

Lori's hand shook as she held her folds open for him.

Jude leaned forward and examined her with his intense gaze. He stroked one finger over her skin while she held her breath. "Good job." He grabbed a tube of something from the side table, popped the lid on the cream and squeezed out a long line onto his finger. Lori flinched while he applied the ointment. She tried to keep her mind on anything else, but Jude was thorough. She sucked her top lip between her teeth as he stroked through her folds and across her c.l.i.t. When it was over, Lori's heart raced. She'd survived, and the look on Jude's face as she exhaled told her he'd thoroughly enjoyed her plight.

"That should be enough," he said as he wiped his finger on the towel. "Any more and you'll come."

And that would be a bad thing?

She needed to come. Between Jude's touch and his scrutiny, she was a ball of nerves.

"Follow me." Lori heaved her still-shaky self off the bed and followed him through the bedroom and out to the main living area. The breakfast nook was sunny, two walls covered in windows. He led her straight toward that area. She almost let her guard down as they arrived, thinking he was going to seat her and let her eat, but no such luck.

"Stay. I'll be right back." His voice was rough.

Lori flinched, goose b.u.mps rising across her skin as she remained rigid, waiting on him to return.

Moments later Jude was back, holding exactly what Lori suspected. She fisted her hands. It had been so long since she'd endured one of his punishments. Even after him f.u.c.king her last night, she would be tight. She hadn't had a real c.o.c.k inside her for two years. And the d.i.l.d.os she and Margaret used were never as large as the one Jude held in his hand.

Jude pulled a chair from the breakfast table over to the wide expanse of floor-to-ceiling windows lining the wall. He set the chair against the center window, facing the gla.s.s, and placed the c.o.c.k in his hand on the seat.

Lori hadn't seen that particular type before, but he'd had similar d.i.l.d.os in the past. This one was flesh colored. The base was a wide rubber that adhered to the surface of the seat when he pressed down. The large phallus bounced above its base, secure now.

Jude stepped back and pointed at the chair. "You know what to do."

She closed her eyes for a second. How long before Jason would arrive?

"Now," he commanded louder than the first time.

She shuffled to the gla.s.s wall and gripped the back of the chair, her eyes riveted to the thick circ.u.mference of the d.i.l.d.o. Her arms shook and goose b.u.mps raced across her skin.

"Straddle the chair, baby."

She rounded to the side and lifted one leg over the seat. It was awkward and hard to hold herself above the rubber as it made contact with her p.u.s.s.y. She stared at the c.o.c.k, noticing it was more than just a huge d.i.c.k. It also sported a raised area in front that would serve to annoy her c.l.i.t at the same time.

Jude leaned over her, and she flinched when he popped the top of a tube of lubricant, the sound reminding her of past experiences so similar to this one. He squeezed a generous portion of the clear lube onto the tip of the c.o.c.k and stepped back. "I'm betting your p.u.s.s.y is wet enough not to need the gel, but I want to make sure." He pointed at the c.o.c.k. "Ease yourself onto it, baby. Not too fast. You aren't meant to get off. You know the drill."

Lori gritted her teeth and set her hands on the window to brace herself as she lowered over the thick phallus. She closed her eyes, desperation climbing up her spine as the width of the rubber filled her p.u.s.s.y, stretching it wide and making her hyperaware of her s.e.x.

"Ten minutes, baby. And if you squirm, I'll make it more."

Lori tried to slow her breathing as she became fully seated. Her toes barely reached the ground on either side of the chair. She would have no leverage to lift herself off the d.i.l.d.o. And besides, any movement would drive her insane. Ten minutes was a long time. She knew she had flinched at the number and hoped he hadn't noticed.

"You owe me at least that for your insolence this morning and for the amount of time you dawdled in the shower, wouldn't you say?"

"Yes, Sir." Lori shivered, trying to remain still. She flattened her palms on the cold gla.s.s and stared straight ahead. At least she had the yard to occupy her.

"Are you aroused?"

She thought for half a second before answering. "Yes, Sir."

"If I were to swipe my fingers through your p.u.s.s.y, would they come away wet?"

"Yes, Sir." She struggled to keep her voice even. Jude's favorite-keeping her on edge without allowing release.

Lori could hear him rummaging around in the kitchen. Several drawers opened and closed. "Ah ha." A moment later she heard a ticking noise and cringed. He'd found a timer. "So here's the deal. When the timer goes off, you may lift off the d.i.l.d.o and eat your breakfast, Lori. You aren't permitted to come at any time. That's punishment."

Lori cringed. Thank G.o.d he couldn't see her face. She knew he meant it. Jude loved keeping her on the edge. He did it often. However, when he punished her, he didn't let her come when it was over.

Seconds ticked by. Jude must have left. She couldn't hear him. Or perhaps he stood behind her watching. Not knowing increased the tension.

Lori's hands grew cold. The window was f.u.c.king freezing. The outside temperature had to be low. She waited. It took all her concentration not to move. If she removed her hands, it would jar her entire body. And besides, there was nothing else to hold on to. She needed the leverage of the gla.s.s.

The thick penetration wasn't enough for Jude of course. She should have noticed by the size and st.u.r.diness of the c.o.c.k that it was comprised of more than rubber. It began to vibrate subtly, the entire toy pulsing against her skin, including the base and the raised section that rested against her c.l.i.t.

The vibrations weren't enough to make her come, just enough to push her closer to the edge. If she concentrated hard enough she knew she could get off, but instead, all her attention needed to be focused on avoiding that eventuality. Jude would send her to a worse fate if she didn't manage to stave off o.r.g.a.s.m for ten minutes.

The timer ticked. It seemed like a lifetime before it dinged and she nearly jumped out of her skin.

She righted herself, letting go of the window to use her hands on the chair to help lift her body off the c.o.c.k. It slid out of her with a pop, a mixture of her own moisture and the lubricant trailing down the sides. As she stepped free, she rubbed the goose b.u.mps on her arms.

Lori glanced around. Jude wasn't in the room. She was starving. She picked up the plate he'd left her and dug into the food, knowing she wouldn't be allowed to sit. She was so hungry she didn't care that the food was no longer hot.

Jude came around the corner from the hall. "Good. You're done. Finish eating. You may put on jeans and a sweatshirt to meet with Jason on the front porch. When he arrives, I'll go out and talk to him while you dress. No panties. No bra. Understood?"

"Yes, Sir." Lori headed to the bedroom after she set her plate in the sink. She pa.s.sed her suitcase and went straight to the adjoining bath to brush her teeth. She knew she'd be permitted that luxury.

The doorbell rang before she finished. With a fortifying deep breath, she donned the jeans and sweatshirt he'd already set out and ambled back to the living room.

Lori slipped out the front door without opening it farther than necessary. Jason stood on the porch, hands in his pockets, his hair disheveled as though he'd run his fingers through it. Jude sat on a chair, but when Lori emerged, he stood. "I'll let you two talk."

Lori waited until he was inside, the door shutting behind her with a snick before she looked Jason in the eye.

Steam came out of his ears. She could almost see it as though it were truly possible.

"Jason." She inched forward and took the chair Jude had vacated.

Jason leaned against the porch rail. "What the h.e.l.l, Lori?"

"I know." She dipped her head.

"Do you? 'Cause it doesn't seem like it."

"I had to give this a chance." She lifted her gaze, squinting into the morning sun.

"Why?"

"So I wouldn't spend my life wondering 'what if'."

Jason started pacing. "He left you, Lori. Not a word for two years. No phone call. No messages. No letters. Nothing. Where the h.e.l.l has he been?"

She hedged, shading her eyes against the sun. "I don't know." The words were barely more than a whisper.

"You don't know?" he shouted. "You move back in with the man on a dime and don't ask for an explanation. That's f.u.c.ked up, Lori. I'm sorry. I can't understand."

"I can't explain it, Jason. It just is. I have to give him a chance. And it would help if you supported my choices instead of yelling at me."

"A chance? Why?" He threw his arms in the air. "Why on earth do you need to give him a chance?"

"I love him, Jason."

Jason stepped back as though he'd been stabbed. He paused several moments before he continued. "And Margaret?"

"I love her too. You know I do, but it's different."

He shook his head. "I don't know what to say."

"There's nothing to say. I have to figure this out for myself."

"I think you've lost your mind."

"I'm a grown woman. I have to make my own choices. Trust me enough to make good decisions. And I'd appreciate it if you'd give Jude the benefit of the doubt here and stop badgering him. Whatever happened, it's water under the bridge. He's here now. This is what I want."

"I don't like it."