Cherished (Club Indigo Book 4) Read online

  "I think you're right. You've obviously had a lot of experience with both the flogger and subs. Let me unbuckle her and clean up, so you can do the aftercare," Chris replied before handing him a subbie blanket. Derek hoisted Sonja into his arms, and she snuggled into him. He walked over to the comfortable couch where Sonja had flopped down at their first encounter. He smiled as he sank onto the sofa. Derek pulled the fluffy blanket snugly around Sonja and settled her more comfortably on his lap. She was so open and responsive to him. He looked over at the nearby table, a bottle of water and candy in easy reach. She was in deep subspace now, so he didn't expect her to be aware of her surroundings for quite some time. She'd reacted like a dream to both the anal play and the flogging. The easy way she gave him free rein with her body convinced Derek that she trusted him, but was she ready to open up about the rest of her life, too? Maybe if he could figure out what bothered her about age play, they could find some middle ground. He had been instantly attracted to her because of her playfulness and vulnerability. That, and the fact she hadn't matched with other Doms before, made him sure she was a 'little one'—no matter how much she tried to repress that side of her personality.

  Sonja showed Derek in, nervous anticipation building inside her. Their scene had been fantastic, and he had been so sweet and caring afterward. She'd come to know him as a conscientious Dom who watched her carefully, but tonight, she'd felt a more profound connection than she'd ever experienced before.

  At the sound of the key in the lock, Snuggles appeared in the hallway, only to go into a tactical retreat when he realized Sonja wasn't alone.

  "Um." She looked up at him, unsure what to do next. It took a minute before her instinct for taking care of people took over. "Why don't you sit down, and I'll get us something to drink?"

  He smiled at her and said, "Of course."

  "I don't have any hard liquor or beer in the house, but I have wine, water, and juice."

  "A glass of wine would be nice if you're having one yourself. Otherwise, I'd prefer the water."

  Sonja showed him the couch in the living room. "Please excuse me for a moment." She went into her kitchen and fixed a quick platter of cheese and crackers. Picking the wine took even less time—she opened a bottle of 2014 Ramey Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay she'd bought at a charity auction and never seemed to have reason to drink.

  On her entry, she had to smile. Derek was sitting on his haunches with Snuggles cautiously approaching him.

  "I bet he'll be on your lap in no time," she said.

  Derek gracefully rose to his feet to assist her, but she shook her head. "Not needed, I've been waitressing for close to thirty years. Please sit."

  Derek did as she asked. "It looks lovely, baby girl."

  She handed him the wine and settled on the big chair beside the couch, pulling her legs up.

  "Are you having second thoughts?" he asked bluntly.

  "Um, no, I'm not, but I feel awkward bringing you home with me," she answered with an open honesty that surprised herself.

  He placed the wine glass on a coaster and ordered, "Come here, baby."

  She didn't hesitate to follow his command as the relief of him taking charge washed over her.

  She started to lower herself next to him, but in a smooth maneuver, he tugged her onto his lap. "Come here, baby, give me those lips."

  She leaned in willingly for a kiss that ended way too soon for her taste. She loved the intimacy of kissing, and Derek possessed a sensual mouth that he knew how to use.

  "Have you ever brought someone home with you from the club?" he asked.

  "Um, no, just some play at the club," she answered.

  "Ever had a one-night stand?"

  She shook her head.

  "When was the last time you made love, baby?" His gentle tone brought tears to her eyes.

  "When I lost my virginity," she whispered.

  He couldn't have looked more stunned if she had hit him over the head.

  "How old were you?" he asked.

  She stared down at her lap. "Sixteen."

  At his silence, she looked up. His eyes seemed more green than brown from this angle, but she couldn't see what he was thinking. Was he disgusted with her? She loathed herself for what she'd done back then.

  "Who was he? Your boyfriend?"

  Sonja couldn't explain the circumstances without giving away her sordid background, so she mumbled, "I thought he was." It was kind of the truth.

  His eyes narrowed, but he didn't call her on it. "And never met someone after?" was his next question.

  "Just short play at the club, Sir." Adding the honorific to the sentence felt right to her, even if they weren't in a scene.

  If he noticed, he didn't pay attention to it and whispered, "Amazing!" He helped her up from his lap. "Let's put this food in the fridge, because I think we need to move to the bedroom. You deserve to be savored and adored, baby." He tugged her against his body as soon as he was on his feet and bent down for another kiss.

  When he pulled back, she stared up at him. "Bedroom, baby," he whispered with a grin, and she grabbed his hand and took him with her to her bedroom. His eyes roamed the room, and she was convinced he missed little, although his eyes lingered for a moment longer on the canopy bed that was the centerpiece of her room. The matching nightstands with marble tops were gorgeous, too. She wondered what he thought about the stuffed animals she had sitting on almost every flat surface.

  He grinned wickedly as he said, "Enough spots to secure you to, I see." Well, that wasn't the reason she'd bought the bed, but now he mentioned it—it enhanced the appeal of the bed to her.

  She shifted her weight to one side, not sure what to do. Derek was here in her bedroom, and they were going to have sex. What if she sucked at it? Maybe they could stick to oral instead. She was good at that—at least, she'd never had complaints.

  Two hands on her shoulders halted her inner rambling.

  "You're a gorgeous woman, baby," he said, and she looked up at an earnest face. He tipped his head down and landed a gentle kiss on her lips. "Will you let me make love to you? Savor every inch of your body and enter that sweet pussy of yours?"

  Well, when he put it that way . "Y-yes, S-sir," she stammered.

  He didn't waste any more words but started to unbutton her blouse. She had changed back into her street clothes before leaving the club, and when Derek pushed the fabric open, he revealed her favorite pink bra.

  "Baby, I love your breasts," Derek groaned, and he bent down to kiss and lick the tops of the globes. He pushed her blouse and straps from her shoulders. His hands roamed over her back to the clasp of the bra. While his nimble fingers undid the three tiny hooks, his mouth roamed over Sonja's neck and jawline, and she cocked her head to give him more access. She loved the tender side of him as much as she appreciated his more domineering persona. Right now, she needed TLC more than she needed D/s, and Derek seemed to have caught on to that.

  When his mouth found hers in a lingering kiss, Sonja started to unbutton his shirt as well, and he only noticed when she began to pull the hem of his shirt from his slacks.

  He pulled back and gave her a kiss on the tip of her nose. "I see I'll have to bind those hands the next time."

  She looked up at him, a bit uncertain of his mood. Was he mad at her for touching him? The lines beside his eyes twitched, and although his mouth wasn't smiling, the corners tipped.

  "Nah, I think you like me touching you," she dared to say.

  Derek tipped his head back as he let out a bark of laughter. "Yes, baby girl, I like your bratty side, and I like your hands on me. Take off the rest of your clothes for me and let me undress as well."

  They stepped away from each other. Sonja stripped off the rest of her clothes with little finesse. Her lips felt swollen, her heart was beating a fast pace, and her pussy and clit were thrumming with desire. She was ready! She looked over to Derek and saw he was ready, too! His condom covered cock stood up proudly against a neatly trimmed nest of blac
k pubic hair. She licked her lips as she imagined that thick, hard man flesh in her mouth. His chuckle had her looking up.

  "I love how you show your emotions so openly, baby." He seated himself on the edge of the bed and held out his hand to her. It showed her that although he would take the lead, the decision was ultimately hers. She took one step in his direction, another, and then she was in his arms.

  Derek flopped back on the bed and pulled her with him. She had to giggle, and it struck her that she wasn't worried about her weight crushing him. Derek could handle her in every respect.

  This time, the kiss Derek gave her was hot, deep, and wet with no question who was in charge, even though she was on top. His fingers teased her nipples, and her pussy grew damp as the pulsing between her legs sped up. She moaned into his mouth, and he pulled back to look into her eyes.

  "You're ready, baby. Lower yourself on my dick. Your speed," he said in a low voice.

  She blinked in confusion.

  "Your hot little pussy is dripping on my belly, baby. Grab my cock and position him at your entrance."

  Oh, okay, I can do that!

  Sonja reached between them, and holding his dick in her hand, she wiggled back and felt the tip at her opening. She moaned as it slipped inside. It wasn't painful, but the fit was definitely tight.

  "Look at me," he ordered, and she locked eyes with him.

  She lowered herself a little bit more and came upon resistance.

  "Pull up a bit, baby girl. You're tight, and I don't want to hurt you," he said, and she followed his order. Her next descent was more comfortable, and at the next resistance, she repeated the motion. When she lowered herself onto his shaft again, his now well-lubricated cock slid in with more ease, and she didn't stop until their groins touched.

  "Lean back and look down," he told her, and she did. Her pussy contracted at the erotic sight of his member entering her, her pussy lips stretched and her juices coating his pubic hair.

  "Don't move and get used to my size first," he ordered and started playing with her breasts until she was squirming on his dick. Derek pulled her against him and, without losing their intimate connection, flipped them over.

  She looked up at him as he slowly started to move his hips in the primal dance between two lovers. When Derek began to play with her clit in time with his thrusts, she began bucking her hips, no longer able to keep still.

  "That's it, baby girl. Ah, you feel so good, squeezing my dick like that. I can feel your hot, wet pussy contract around me," he crooned to her as his movement picked up speed and a look of concentration or maybe even pain came over his face. "You're close to coming, aren't you, baby?"

  Sonja nodded and wailed, "Yes, I am." Her head was thrashing on the pillow now, and she grabbed a fistful of comforter in her hands, needing to hold on to something. Sensations and emotions Sonja couldn't identify assaulted her mind and body, and then she shattered into an orgasm. She was vaguely aware of Derek groaning out his release before he lowered his body over hers.

  Sonja let go of the comforter and stroked Derek's sweat-covered back as they both caught their breath. Too soon, Derek lifted his body from hers and said with a hoarse voice, "Be right back, baby." He sauntered over to the trash bin to rid himself of the condom, and she watched his naked ass. That had been amazing, and Sonja decided she loved making love to Derek!

  They sat at the table in the kitchen the next morning, over the remnants of a copious breakfast. Sonja had gone all out now she had someone to share her meal with, and she reasoned they had burned a lot of calories last night. Derek seemed to study her, and Sonja raised an eyebrow. What?

  He grinned at her unspoken question and shocked her with his next words. "How do we move forward with our relationship?" he asked.

  His question hit her hard, and she forced herself to think. She liked Derek very much, and they had sizzling hot chemistry going on. They seemed to fit in the bedroom—well, and club, since most of their play had been there—and she longed for a lifetime partner, but a Daddy Dom?

  She countered with a question of her own, "What makes you think we'd make a good couple?"

  His eyes widened. "Why wouldn't we? The last weekends have been amazing, and I long to have you in my life for more than a Friday and Saturday, baby."

  Sonja shook her head. "I don't know. I still think I'm not cut out to be with a Daddy Dom, Derek, and that's what you are."

  Derek picked up her hand, but instead of kissing the back of it, he brought the inside of her wrist against his lips. Awareness tingled at the back of her neck as heat pooled between her legs and in her lower abdomen. Yes, the attraction was there!

  "I know age play frightens you, but we can go slow and find out your preferences, Sonja." The use of her name instead of his endearment told her that their conversation was on equal footing.

  "But what if I don't like anything about it. You're a Daddy, Derek. Nothing will change that," she interjected.

  He shrugged. "If you don't try it, you won't find out. I won't force you into things you don't like. You know that, don't you?"

  She nodded. "I do, but please give me some time to think about it."

  Earnest hazel eyes met hers, and she almost agreed then and there. What would it be like to be in a serious relationship with Derek?

  Chapter 4

  S onja was at University of Kansas Medical Center for her annual breast exam. Because she had lost both her mother and grandmother to cancer, she got the whole works—a regular mammogram, a 3-D digital mammogram, ultrasound, and three years ago, they had added a breast MRI to the battery of tests. Sonja hated doctors and hospitals, but her gran had made her promise to get regular testing, no matter what. For other women, it took maybe half an hour. It seemed like Sonja ended up being there half the day. She didn't mind the examination or the time it took. However, the mammogram was uncomfortable, the way the plates mashed her breasts between them, and the MRI was so loud, she needed earplugs to dampen the worst of the noise.

  She trusted her doctors that all the tests were both safe and necessary. First, there had been old Dr. Jacobs, who had taken care of her grandmother. Then, when he had retired two years ago, she felt like she had hit the jackpot. Her new doctor was a woman, and not just any woman, but an African-American woman who had graduated at the top of her class in medical school. Dr. Tanesha Davidson had been in high demand when she finished her residency, and Sonja felt lucky she had been taken on as a patient.

  Today's tests started, as usual, with the mammograms. Then Sonja was back in the waiting room while they made sure they had gotten clear images. The area was sparsely populated today, with only two other women there. The woman at the far end of the room looked familiar, but Sonja couldn't place her. Maybe she was a customer. She ran into them all the time. The woman waved her over before Sonja had a chance to sit down elsewhere. "Hi, it's Sonja, isn't it?" the petite brunette said. Like Sonja, she had on two hospital gowns, one opening in front, the other in the back. Sonja joined her, still unsure who she was.

  "I'm sorry. You look familiar, but I don't know when we met."

  "I'm Molly. I'm a nurse in ICU here at the hospital." She lowered her voice. "I've seen you at the club several times." She opened the gown she was wearing as a robe, and Sonja could see parts of a tattoo through the inner fabric.

  "I remember now. I saw you at Jim and Paula's wedding reception. How are you?"

  "I'm well. Here for my semi-annual torture," Molly said with a grin.

  "You have to come twice a year? That really does sound like torture," Sonja replied.

  "It all depends on your perspective. Having a mammogram is nothing compared to chemo and radiation."

  "I see what you mean. I helped my grandmother through chemo. I would have helped my mother, too, but she died when I was six." Sonja could barely remember her mother, but she had vivid memories of her grandmother weakened by the chemo.

  "I'm so sorry," Molly said. "I'll bet they give you the whole nine yards of tests."<
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  "Yeah, I'm waiting for either the ultrasound or the MRI. Not sure which they'll do next."

  A woman in scrubs appeared at the door. "Ms. Madden, we're ready for you in the MRI room."

  Sonja got up. "Nice to see you again. Good luck with your mammogram."

  "Thanks. You, too."

  Sonja followed the technician down the hallway to the elevator. The MRI was in the basement because the equipment was so heavy. As they moved, the woman started asking questions. "Are you wearing any jewelry or other metal? Do you have buttons or a zipper on your pants?"

  "No and no. I know the drill. I've been here before." Sonja tried to keep the impatience out of her voice. The other woman was doing her job, after all.

  "We have to ask, ma'am."

  "I understand. I also don't have any implants of any kind. My last period started ten days ago. I don't have any allergies, and there's no chance I'm pregnant. Have I remembered everything?" Sonja cocked an eyebrow, anxious for the ordeal to be over.

  The technician chuckled. "Almost. Do you have any kidney problems?"

  "Nope. I guess I scored ninety-nine percent."

  "Pretty close. Here we are," the tech said as she opened the door.

  They entered the MRI chamber, and the tech had Sonja take a seat so she could give her the contrast dye injection. Once that was done, she helped Sonja out of her gowns and got her into position with her breasts hanging down through specially placed openings. She put the outer robe over Sonja's back to help with the cold in the room. "We'll be in the booth over there, and you can talk to us any time. We'll ask you to hold your breath periodically, but stay as still as you can all the time."

  "I'll do my best." Sonja shifted around until she had the right spots for her arms and head. "I think I'm ready."

  "Great. We'll get started."

  Sonja heard the rumble of the machines through her earplugs and forced herself to relax. She couldn't do deep breathing, but she still focused on the air coming in through her nose and out from her mouth. She followed the instructions from the control booth without thinking about them.