The room itself was covered in plush purples and rich golds, from the couches, wall coverings and drapes, to the paintings on the ceilings. All of it gave off an aura of intrigue and elegance. It felt to Brie as if she’d stepped back in the time to the days of lords and ladies of old.
Their hostess announced them to the gathering. “Presentando il figlio del Maestro Alonzo Davis e la sua nuova sposa Brianna.”
The assembly clapped as one of the men broke off from a small group and walked over to speak with them. He held out his hand to Sir. “It is an honor to have you and your new bride join us tonight, Sir Davis.”
“The honor is mine, Signore Savino.”
Brie was surprised to hear the man speak English when all she heard around her was Italian. Remembering her manners, she bowed her head and said, “Grazie, Signore Savino.”
He eyed her appreciatively. “You are a pretty little thing. I can see why Sir Davis was so quick to claim you.”
“Téa is like my father in spirit. A positive force.”
It was the first time Sir had ever compared her to his father. Brie was deeply moved, but could only respond with a squeeze of her hand.
“Then you are fortunate, Sir Davis. A beauty in body and soul.”
“I quite agree. Don’t let us disturb your prior conversation. Please return to your guests,” Sir stated.
Signore Savino nodded amiably. “Everyone knows who you are, so feel free to join any group. We are all pleased you have joined us tonight.” The distinguished gentleman turned to Brie and took her hand to kiss it. “I hope you enjoy your evening, Mrs. Davis. I know Dante is looking forward to connecting with you.”
Brie smiling politely, but shot a surprised look in Sir’s direction when the man turned away.
Sir’s confident expression eased her misgivings. She knew he had planned this night around her so there was no reason to worry—only to anticipate.
He led Brie to a group of three on the other side of the room. She did not miss the lustful glances in her direction as they passed through the crowd. Her nipples contracted in response to the attention, garnering second and third glances.
Having Sir by her side meant she could thoroughly enjoy the silent admiration of the other guests. It was what Sir desired, so she held her head high but at a respectful angle, confident in the knowledge she was his and his alone.
Being a strictly Italian event, it made sense to Brie that Italian was spoken. However, it left her oblivious to the many conversations, although she did smile and nod whenever people laughed, wanting to feel a part of the group.
It was at that moment Brie decided it was her duty to learn the language. With a husband of Italian descent who was proud of his heritage, it only made sense she should become fluent in it.
She looked to the floor, smiling to herself, having determined to do it in secret so she could surprise Sir. The thought of the expression on his face when she answered him with perfect clarity and pronunciation made her giddy with joy.
Sir interrupted her thoughts by asking, “This young man just asked what has you smiling so. I must admit that I’m curious as well.”
Brie looked up to see a young man with wavy brown hair and dark brown eyes standing to the left of her. She noted he was wearing a mask similar to hers in color and shape.
She answered Sir, not wanting to lie to him but also hoping not to spoil her future surprise, “I was just thinking what a lovely language Italian is. It sounds so beautiful, like music rolling off the tongue.”
Sir repeated her words to the man. He nodded to her in answer, a slight smile on his lips. He said something back to Sir and waited for him to translate.
“He would agree,” Sir said, “but adds that the Italian language is not just about the words spoken. It’s about the expression of the hands.” Brie didn’t miss the glint in Sir’s eyes as he repeated the young man’s reply.
Her curiosity was piqued, wondering at the meaning behind his words. She turned to the handsome Italian, bowing her head slightly. “Si.”
Another group gestured to Sir, wanting to speak with him. The two made their way over to the large group where she heard Alonzo’s name mentioned several times. Since Brie could not keep up with the conversation, she stood quietly beside Sir taking the opportunity to glance around the room. She felt a chill when she suddenly realized that everyone in attendance seemed to have a mask paired with someone else—everyone except Sir.
She looked up at him questioningly during a lull in the conversation and asked, “Is there a reason you and I are not wearing matching masks?”
“I wondered when you would notice, téa.”
“What is the significance, Master?”
“Everyone will partner up according to their corresponding masks.”
“But what about you?”
“I get to sit back and watch.”
“And me?”
“As I’m sure you have already surmised, you’ll be partnering with the young man who just spoke to you.”
Brie’s heart began to race knowing that Sir was asking her to scene tonight with a complete stranger. “What I am expected to do, Master?”
“This is a unique group, my dear. Their emphasis is on communicating sensuality through touch only. You know I have always maintained that touch is the most effective tool in the BDSM arsenal.”
“Yes, Master. You have taught me that time and time again.”
“Well, tonight I want you to enjoy the touch of a stranger, but there will be no intercourse involved.” He placed his hands on her stomach possessively. “I protect what’s mine.”
Brie put her hand on top of his, smiling apprehensively.
“I can see the hesitancy in your eyes, téa, but I take pleasure in seeing you challenged.”
Brie glanced at the young man who was now gazing directly at her with unveiled interest.
“Are you willing?” Sir asked.
She felt the butterflies start as she looked up at her Master, answering in the barest of whispers, “Yes.”
Sir nodded to the young man across the room, who proceeded to excuse himself from the group he was talking with and walked over to join Sir and Brie.
“Téa, this is Dante.”
Brie smiled shyly as Sir continued. So this was Dante, the one Signore Savino had mentioned earlier.
Sir introduced Brie formally to the young man in his native tongue.
Under her breath Brie asked, “Does he speak English, Master?”
“Why don’t you ask him yourself, little sub?”
Brie was unsure how to ask her question in Italian, so she kept it simple, “Inglese?”
Dante shook his head with a charming grin.
She sighed to herself, finding the lack of verbal communication both intimidating—and a little sexy.
Sir tilted her chin up, declaring with a smirk, “I don’t think verbal skills will be an issue tonight.”
Brie had experienced a similar dynamic with Rytsar on their first meeting. It added an element of mystery, but also made the power exchange that much more challenging.
Touch is a universal language, Brie reminded herself.
Dante pointed to the bar, indicating that he wanted to get her a drink. She requested the only drink she knew how to say in Italian. “Vino, per favore.”
“Rosso o bianco?”
She smiled, knowing he was asking if she wanted red or white. Since red wine seemed to have an amorous effect on her, she answered, “Rosso, grazie signore.”
Brie wanted to pat herself on the back when Dante nodded his head and walked off to fulfill her wishes without any further questions.
Sir chuckled under his breath. “Starting to feel a little more Italian, are we, téa?”
She blushed. “I have such a long way to go. But yes, Master, I’m beginning to feel as if I belong here.”
“Bene,” he said, bending down and growling seductively in her ear. “But never forget your own heritage. It makes you who are you.?
??
Gratitude coursed through her. Sir wasn’t asking her to change, only to meld the richness of his culture and people into her own life experiences. Again, Brie was struck by how blessed she was to have coupled with such a man.
Dante impressed Brie when he returned with a glass of wine not only for her, but for Sir as well. He then left her with a respectful bow.
“Gracious, isn’t he, Master?” she stated as he walked away.
“Yes, a man worthy of your attention,” Sir replied smoothly, taking a sip from the glass. “Damn,” he exclaimed after tasting it, “I do enjoy the flavor of an old vine.”
Brie took her own sip. “These must have been happy grapes, because they’re partying in my mouth.”
Sir laughed out loud, causing some of the other guests to turn and look at them. He simply raised his glass and said, “Uva felici!”
People smiled and raised their glasses in response.
Brie whispered, “What did you say to them?”
“Happy grapes,” he answered, winking at her.
She loved that he had a sense of humor. Brie remembered how serious he’d seemed when they’d first met. It wasn’t until he’d made a joke about loving the taste of Brie that she came to understand he had a quiet but wicked sense of humor. While Sir wasn’t a prankster like Master Anderson or a roguish sadist like Rytsar, he had his own brand of humor which Brie adored.
A beautiful chime sounded from a corner of the room, and as if by magic all the people began moving across the floor like graceful dancers, separating themselves into matching pairs. Dante returned to Brie with an engaging smile playing on his lips.
“It’s time, téa,” Sir announced as he stepped back from her so Dante could take his place. Brie watched as her Master walked over to a black leather chair and sat down, sipping his wine as he quietly observed her.
Dante put his finger under her chin to direct Brie’s eyes back on him.
Her heart skipped a beat knowing she was now under this stranger’s control. She knew that she was expected to keep her attention solely on him.
Brie hesitantly looked up at the young Italian, drawn in by those soulful dark brown eyes behind his white mask. She thought by his boyish features he must be younger than her, yet his eyes expressed both depth and wisdom which belied his years. She found him intriguing and wondered about the young Dom’s history.
Dante guided her to a sofa covered in red leather and gestured that she should sit. Brie did so slowly with mastered grace, quite aware that Sir was watching her every move. The young Dom took the wine glass from her hand and set it on an end table.
He then undid his tie and laid it across the arm of the sofa. He unbuttoned his shirt next, watching her intently as he slipped it off his shoulders and laid it beside the tie. The young man’s chest was bare and less muscular than Sir’s, but he sported six-pack abs and a sexy V muscle that was quite attractive.
Dante sat down beside her now bare-chested and tilted his head charmingly as he waited for her to do the same.
She glanced around the room and noticed that all of the guests were similarly undressed—the masculine chests of the men contrasted beautifully with the women’s more feminine forms.
With fingers shaking slightly, Brie lowered the straps of her dress one at a time and let the material fall to her waist, exposing her breasts to him. She reminded herself to breathe as he stared down at her chest unashamedly, smiling to himself.
“Bellissimo.”
Although being naked before strangers was not new to her, there was something distinctly different about this encounter with Dante. She felt more naked somehow, even though she knew there were only two sets of eyes on her—Sir’s and this handsome young stranger’s.
Dante’s intense stare was disconcerting, causing her to flush all over.
The moans and gasps as the couples around them began exploring each other with their hands and lips only intensified the sexual excitement Brie was experiencing.
Goosebumps rose on her skin when Dante raised his hand to touch one of her breasts. However, his hand stilled before making contact, lingering over it like a promise.
She stared at his masculine hand, feeling like a frightened rabbit, and then looked up into his dark brown eyes wondering what he wanted.
“Si?” he whispered hoarsely.
He was waiting for permission from her. Ever the gentleman…
Brie held her breath when she nodded, her whole body tingling with anticipation as she waited for the first contact.
His touch was incredibly light and hesitant as he caressed her skin. He purposely avoided her hardening nipple. It made her heart beat even faster, the tender way he explored her with his fingers.
Brie had assumed he would be aggressive, passionate and demanding. Instead, Dante’s caresses reminded her of a young lover touching the object of his romantic obsession for the very first time.
It was unexpected and unbelievably arousing.
When he finally brushed her aching nipple, Brie surprised herself by crying out as a wave of sensual heat traveled straight to her pussy.
A slight smile curved on Dante’s lips at the sound of her pleasure, as the Dom purposely moved his attention to her other breast.
Brie stared at him in wonder, shocked that he was able to create such a high level of desire through simple physical contact. She believed it was the way he did it—this stranger using his hands to convey his curiosity about her and his sexual interest.
Dante lightly grazed his palm over her hard nipple, and again she felt the powerful energy transfer to her nether regions, but she was ready for it and did not embarrass herself by crying out this time. Instead, she moaned softly, joining in the chorus of partners around her.
He pulled back from Brie and stared at her for a moment. When she made no move, he took her left wrist and guided her hand onto his pecs. She sucked in her breath as she tentatively caressed the smoothness of his chest, noting the goosebumps starting to rise on his skin from her touch.
The two of them seemed to have a mutual effect on each other.
Unlike Sir, Dante’s chest was free of all hair. It felt very different, which made it alluring to her even though she preferred hair. Taking on the role of a young lover, Brie pretended this was her first time seeing a naked man, and gauged her reactions according to the limits of that fantasy.
Her touches were slight and her glances in his direction shy as she touched his hard abs, exploring the lines that separated each muscle. “You are handsome,” she murmured.
“Cosa hai detto?”
Of course, he couldn’t understand her compliment, and she had no clue what he’d just asked. Brie smiled saying the only word she knew that would make sense. “Bello.”
He chuckled at her answer, responding, “Bello? No magnifico o impressionante?”
She shrugged, giggling self-consciously. Apparently “nice” was not the word he was hoping for.
Dante silenced Brie’s giggles by leaning forward to give her a tender kiss. Like his touches, it had the feeling of longing but gentle restraint, as if he were afraid of scaring her away.
Oh Lord, this young Dom knew how to bewitch her. She returned the kiss, pressing her lips against his with equal longing, mixed with the same hesitancy. She pulled away first, briefly smiling at him to let Dante know she’d liked the kiss.
His fingers returned to her, gently caressing her shoulder as he brushed away her hair. Delicious tingles radiated from the point of contact and she purred.
He put his hands on her shoulders and indicated she should turn around. When Brie repositioned her body, she found herself staring straight at Sir from across the room.
Her Master held up his glass to her, encouraging her with his smile as he took a sip of wine. The admiration and pride held in his expression bolstered Brie’s courage. Knowing he appreciated the slow progression of the scene emboldened her to continue. She turned her head back toward Dante and tilted her head up, silently req
uesting a kiss. He leaned over her shoulder and only kissed her cheek.
It made Brie smile. She’d never experienced a Dom like Dante before. He moved her hair forward, covering her breasts with the long brown curls, making a clear path to explore the skin of her back. He ran his hands over her spine so lightly that she involuntarily shivered, causing a new set of goosebumps.
His low chuckle let her know it was the reaction he was hoping for. Although Dante was a complete gentleman, he also appeared to have a mischievous side. The man grazed his fingers under her shoulder blades, running them back up her spine, making her squirm from the insanely light touch.
Then he traced the outline of each rib, purposely challenging her with his ticklish exploration.
Brie cracked, unable to bear the intense tickling, and tried to twist out of his reach. The Dom did not reprimand her. Instead, he wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her back to him. Dante kissed her neck like a whisper and she moaned from the chills that coursed through her.
Then he started back up with those ticklish caresses, holding her against him when she tried to struggle. She consciously surrendered to the feeling, honoring his dominance by submitting to his will. Once she stilled, those devilish hands then moved back to her breasts, inciting mews of pleasure as he lightly pinched and teased her nipples.
The sexual energy within the room had risen considerably and was now almost a tangible force. She glanced at the couples near her, entranced as she realized each was exploring a different form of sensation play. One was enjoying the relaxing feel of a hair brush as the Dom not only used the instrument for her hair, but to stimulate the skin of her back and arms. Brie was fairly certain the brush would soon be caressing the woman’s shapely ass.
A pair of men, one who was completely naked, were exploring the intense stimulation of a Wartenberg wheel. The Dom’s skilled hands were spurring a powerful reaction from his partner. The manly groans coming from the submissive male were arousing and Brie felt a gush of wetness between her legs.
She noticed another couple using the delicious caress of a large purple feather. Brie remembered well the feeling and thought back to Faelan and their first scene together. She’d laughed when he’d brought it out, but quickly learned how effective it could be during sensation play.