He began slapping the crop against her buttocks, warming them up for more lustful play. “I am in a dark mood tonight, Kegan. I think I shall test your tolerance.”
“Yes, Master,” she answered eagerly.
He watched her try to sway her ass for him, but she was too securely bound to move and only twitched ineffectively. Excellent.
Ryce did not want Buchanan to hear their tryst and gagged his defenseless captive. He knelt down beside her head and said, “I want to leave marks.”
She nodded, moaning her acquiescence through the cloth.
“Fine.” He stood up and spoke to her as he moved behind her. “Tonight I will take you where you have never been.”
He caressed her smooth ass, noting its warmth from his previous attention. He would need to make it a little warmer before he unleashed himself on her. He tapped the crop over the surface, covering every inch. He made a second pass, hitting with more conviction. Kegan’s muffled moans encouraged him to continue without a break.
He slapped her upper right cheek and then hit the exact same area again. She twitched and groaned. Now she would know a new level of pleasure as he took her right to the edge of concentrated pain. He caressed the area tenderly and then hit it two times in succession. She cried out into the cloth. He rubbed a new area in concentric circles and felt her muscles relax. Again, two hard strokes, one after the other in the same place. She screamed into the gag.
Ryce felt between her legs and found her soaked with her own juices. This was what she had longed for from the beginning, she just hadn’t known it until now. But he knew. He could read women like horses. He could sense their unspoken needs. He knew when he was reaching a woman’s breaking point, when to pull back and when to forge ahead.
It was a gift… a gift he’d honed for hundreds of years. It was his pleasure to deliver such attention to females whom society had shunned. In his estimation, every woman deserved to know the loving touch of a man and the commanding force of his masculinity. They were like flowers—unique in their beauty. Each woman with her own flavor of passion, pain tolerance, and ability to please him.
Making love to them was the only thing that kept him sane. However, he could only love them to a point. To give any more of himself only invited an eternity of pain. Ryce was unwilling, but Buchanan was beginning to pull on him.
He slapped the crop over Kegan’s back, knowing that it would cause her considerably more discomfort. The less fleshy the area, the more intense the stimulation. She squirmed in her bonds. He moved up to her shoulders, striking her upper back. Her muscles tensed and relaxed as he played with her. But he needed more passionate amusement, so he returned to her buttocks, caressing and grabbing them possessively between thrashes.
Then he stood back and delivered his hardest hit yet. She squealed into her gag. He slapped her with the leather tongue in the exact same spot and she whimpered. Once more, slightly harder than the other two. The mark he’d left was clearly visible and exquisite.
She cried out and then began whining.
Ryce walked over and knelt by her head again. Tears ran down Kegan’s face. “Are you ready to stop so soon?” he asked.
She looked up with tear-filled eyes and shook her head.
“Once I being, I won’t stop.”
It wasn’t true. If he saw she was in too much distress he would end the session. However, he found it thrilled women to think they were hapless victims in a particularly intense scene. He lifted her chin and brushed away a tear, gazing directly into her eyes. “More then?”
She nodded without hesitation.
“It shall be done.” He stood up again and watched her tense. At that moment she was solely focused on him. Every movement, every sound… Her body was primed and ready for the passionate assault he was about to provide.
They were in sync—she acutely aware of him and he equally of her. He closed his eyes to savor the moment before he began. He could sense Kegan’s nervousness of the unknown, but he was confident of the ecstasy he was about to deliver.
His body was relaxed, his movements fluid, as the crop danced loudly over her white skin, bringing with it red marks she would cherish later, their tenderness reminding her of this night and her complete surrender.
The crack of the leather tongue, the impact on her skin, the knowledge she was not only accepting the pain but falling into it made his shaft ache. This power over a woman was a heady experience Ryce had become addicted to. It had been far too long since he’d had this kind of freedom over another. He was ravenous for it.
The crop made its way over her back, making Kegan twist and writhe in her bonds to avoid the burn of it. Pointless, my dear. But he could tell by her slowing reaction that she was beginning to fly. Each impact now only deepened her level of ecstasy.
He caressed her ass again, gliding his finger between her moistened lips and slipping it into her. Her walls were slippery with her molten desire. He stimulated her sensitive spot and heard a long, deep-throated moan erupt from her. The convulsion of her inner muscles began, alerting him to the fact her first climax was at hand. He planned to give her several more before the night was over.
He pulled his finger from her and moved back over to her head, untying the gag. “Taste,” he ordered.
It took her several moments to respond, but she opened her mouth and he ran his finger across her tongue. “That is your sweet taste, Kegan. Have you partaken of it before?”
She shook her head slowly.
He licked his finger and smiled. “A lovely tang, wouldn’t you say?”
Her eyes drifted up to gaze into his, expressing her agreement.
“Are you ready to be used for my pleasure?”
Again, it took several moments but a smile eventually spread across her face.
“I shall leave the gag off. However, you are to remain silent.” He returned to her lovely, reddened ass and slapped it several times.
Kegan gasped, but did not cry out.
“That’s good, Kegan.” He shed his clothes, wanting nothing to distract as he took her.
Grabbing both cheeks, he slammed his rod deep inside her bent frame. She moaned loudly at the suddenness of his entry. He pulled back out and reminded her, “Silence.”
He waited until she nodded before slipping the length of his cock inside her. She was hot and slippery, beyond any level he’d experienced with her before. However, he was disappointed that he’d gotten her too aroused—she was loose. He felt like he was swimming inside her when what he desired was a tight caress.
Ryce pulled out and slipped two fingers back into her. With ease, he was able to bring her to climax again.
“Oh, Master…” she moaned as her sex pulsed with pleasure.
He took his dripping fingers from her and began to coat the outside of her forbidden opening. Then he pressed his slippery shaft against her tight orifice. She instantly tensed, but he encouraged her softly, “There, there… it’s time to please your Master.”
He felt her relax as she gave in to his new demand. Good, Kegan. He pressed against her again, feeling the resistance of her taut muscles eventually give way to his need. The head of his shaft slowly disappeared into her ass and he groaned in satisfaction.
The tight, warm recesses beckoned him deeper, but he was meticulously slow as he pushed his length into her. “So tight,” he complimented.
She growled softly, obviously liking this new and illicit connection. He began thrusting gently at first, letting her body grow used to his shaft’s penetration. Soon, however, he was stroking with more vigor.
Kegan cried out in short, muted gasps. “Oh, Master, yes!”
He closed his eyes, ready to give her the ride of her life when he heard her. Ryce turned his head in the direction of the sound. Even though he could not see her, he felt Buchanan. He narrowed his eyes, wanting her to know that he was aware of her intrusion.
Ryce heard her scurry off towards the cottage, but it was too late. The interruption had ruined
the encounter and he felt his cock receding.
In order to save the encounter for Kegan, he reached between her legs and began flicking her erect nodule. He pushed his softening shaft deep into her ass and growled, “Come for me.”
She moaned and then tensed as he rapidly increased the raging fire between her legs with his experienced fingers.
“Come for me…” he whispered again hoarsely.
She whimpered just before her body convulsed, the orgasm almost more than she could bear. Before her climax ended, he pulled out and slapped her hard on the ass. He knew she would enjoy it, but it was more out of frustration. Buchanan would pay for her disobedience.
Ryce cleaned himself off with a cold bucket of water set aside for Eventide. He then untied Kegan and tenderly wiped her down, whispering words he knew she would not remember, but that would help bring her back to reality.
“Master…” she began, but was unable to continue, so overcome by echoes of sensations still coursing through her.
“Lie here while I cut off some of the deer I just caught.”
“Nae…” She quickly corrected herself. “No, I can’t take it.”
“I am but one man. The beast should not go unused.” He left her to recover while he began the butchering. It was a timely distraction and helped Ryce discharge some of the resentment he felt towards Buchanan. She would pay, but he had to be thoughtful about it. She was still young and was struggling with the loss of her mother, two reasons to act with restraint.
By the time he walked back into the barn, Kegan appeared to have fully recovered. She stood before him with a lustful, but satisfied gleam in her eye. “I believe I enjoy it more when you are stressed, Master Leon.”
He smiled as he handed her the haunch of deer, enough to feed her brood for several days if they were conservative. “Too heavy?” he asked.
“No, I am stronger than I look,” she answered, hefting it over her shoulder.
“Of that, I have no doubt, Kegan.”
He watched her walk away into the blanket of night. Normally, he would have been concerned about predators, but because of the famine the natural hunters of the land had left for better grounds.
He turned and stared at the cottage. How best to teach the girl a lesson she would not forget?
His New Pet
He opened the door and heard her intake of breath underneath the bed. The fear she must be feeling was both satisfying and off-putting. “Face me.”
She slowly crawled out from the bed with her head bowed.
“Look at me,” he ordered.
Buchanan glanced up timidly, but not with the fright he expected. She was an unusual combination of submissive and spirited soul.
“You disobeyed me again. I ordered you to stay under the bed until I commanded otherwise. You also chose to spy on me a second time. Both reasons I cannot have you remain in my house.”
Her eyes widened. “Ah’m soiry.”
He shook his head, her apology falling on deaf ears.
Buchanan started sobbing. “Please… dinnae… do not make me gae… go.”
“I cannot trust you and I will not suffer your disobedience again.”
She wiped the tears away, even as more fell. “Master Leon, I have no one. Please, do nae—not make me leave.”
“You purposely disobey me and think there would be no consequence?”
“I…” She looked down to the floor. “I wanted to see whut you dae… do.”
“What I do is private. Not meant for your eyes.”
“I want…”
He waited and then snapped irritably, “Yes?”
Buchanan looked up, ready to speak words he did not want to hear. He could read it in her face.
“No, never mind. I do not care.” He grabbed the leather leash, coiling it in his hand. “Come.”
He walked her out to the barn and tied her up in the stall next to Eventide. “You will stay here tonight.”
He left her in the dark barn, but returned later with blankets, a boiled turnip and the chamber pot. “Do not disturb my horse and do not dirty the dress.” He said nothing more to her.
Ryce returned the saddle to its proper place and patted Eventide on the head. In a low voice only his horse could hear, he whispered, “Keep an eye out for her.”
He left Buchanan to suffer the consequences of her actions. Hopefully, it was enough to check her rebellious spirit without killing it. She needed to remain a fighter to survive in this world.
He settled into bed and stared up at the ceiling. The girl was a mystery. Seemingly timid, but unfalteringly stubborn. Her curiosity was a liability, but he found it refreshing. If she wanted to simply experiment, he would entertain teaching her a few things. However, it was obvious she was emotionally needy, and he couldn’t handle that. Tomorrow he would question her further to determine what kind of man would be best. Of course, the challenge would be to find a man to meet those needs in Rannoch.
He closed his eyes and saw her on the floor surrounded in the blue dress and then Jovita came to mind. She was laughing—that pleasant trill that made him smile, no matter his mood. How quickly that joyful memory was replaced by the scene that would forever be etched in his mind. The bright crimson covering her body. His Spanish beauty sprawled out on the ground, opened up from chest to groin, the look of agony frozen on her face for all time, and it…
Ryce jumped from the bed and paced. The memories were as fresh as the day it happened. He’d been a fool then. Never again.
****
Ryce started her day early, collecting Buchanan from the barn just as the first rays of sun were peeking out from the east. He assumed she’d had little sleep, which was fine with him. He’d gotten none.
He ordered her to make breakfast, and sat down to observe her critically. She was beginning to fill out, but it would take weeks if not months to get her to a natural weight. Buchanan had a gentle grace as she moved. Every movement seemed controlled as she flowed about the room while she worked.
It prompted his first question. “How is it that you tracked me without being detected?”
She paused and then looked him in the eye. She spoke slowly, attempting to speak his English. “My faither was an exceptional huntsman. He taught me what I… know.”
“What happened to him?”
She shook her head and paused before answering. “He took sick and deid… died. Two days of a varra bad fever and he was gone.” Her lips trembled and she went back to her cooking.
“How long ago?”
She whispered, “Seven winters.”
“How old are you, Buchanan?”
Her shoulders slumped when she answered. “Past marrying age, way past.”
“Why didn’t you marry?”
“No men.”
He nodded. The recent wars plaguing Scotland had decimated the male population. “I am not sure I will have any more luck, but I will try to do right by you.”
She looked at him hopefully. “Ye… you’re not married?”
“Nor do I want to be,” he said coldly.
She nodded and went back to her work. She shocked him when she had the nerve to ask, “Master Leon, are ye… you going to marry Avril or Kegan?”
He glared at her without answering.
She finished up the meal and slid the plate over to him. He picked up his fork and ate in silence, staring at her. He was gratified to see her squirm.
“Until I secure a place for you, you will remain here. That is, you will remain here unless you disobey me again. I am done being lenient. Another act of disobedience, either failing to obey a direct command or spying on me, will result in immediate exile.”
She shivered but answered, “Yes, Master Leon.”
“This will be your only warning.”
Buchanan sighed. “Aye. I ken… know. But Master Leon?”
“Yes, Buchanan?”
“The way you… it’s different. I… would like to know what it feels like.”
She had man
aged to shock him again. He gazed at her, carefully constructing his answer. “I reserve such play for older women. It would not be appropriate for you.”
“But it was not that way with the old man.”
The hairs rose on the back of his neck. Ryce said calmly, “What are you talking about, Buchanan?”
“He stabbed me with it.”
“Who was this man?”
“Agnew,” she answered, suddenly looking unsure about having said anything.
The name meant nothing to him, so he asked, “Was your mother aware of it?”
“Nae.” She looked away and then started cleaning up with short choppy movements. It was obvious she was regretting sharing her secret, but he was grateful to know it.
He got up and walked over to her, taking hold of her wrist when she did not stop scrubbing. “Buchanan, thank you for telling me.”
She looked up at him with those deep moss-colored eyes. “It wouldn’t hurt with you. I watched Avril and Kegan. It was different for them. I want to know that feeling.”
He cupped her chin and rubbed his thick thumb over her hollow cheek. “It would not be wise.”
“Please…”
His loins stirred at her pleading, but he knew better. It would complicate things for both of them. Ryce answered, “I will find you a suitable man.” He realized he was still stroking her cheek and put his hand down, announcing, “Today we eat like kings. I will cut a large portion of meat. Use the rest of the vegetables. I will see if I cannot procure carrots. I feel like something sweet tonight.”
He left her tied on her leash with instructions to cook and wash clothing for her day’s assignment. He felt certain she would follow orders without the collar and leash, but he wanted her to be reminded of her past mistakes.
Ryce spent the day visiting various households, gathering information and making trades. He saw to it that the trades were slightly in favor of the other side, wanting to pass on his wealth without being obvious.
He returned home, more discouraged than before. Avril had been correct. A suitable match was not to be found in these parts. He was considering shipping her off to England, but the idea was extreme and potentially hazardous.