Conviction by Leah Cook Page B

Good choice, well done, Lexie.”
    Lexie beamed at him, enjoying his approval, needing his approval and allowed herself to be guided to one of the public play areas, Darren's hand on the small of her back gently guiding her. She relished in the warmth that it brought her and almost whimpered when he removed it from her body.
    “Do you mind if I watch, Petal?” James addressed the small sub, using his private nickname for her.
    “No, Master James, I would like that very much.” James smirked as a blush rose from the swell of her breasts, rising slowly up her neck and before setting her cheeks aflame. Many of the subs cultivated crushes on Masters, after all, they exuded their domination like an expensive suit. He had played with most of them during their training but it had never extended beyond that. He hadn't had his own sub since they had opened the club. Carly’s jealousy of his interactions during sub training had meant that he had to cancel their contract, and in effect, their entire relationship had fallen apart. He had watched her pack up her things from his house and hadn't said a word to try and stop her. She had stood on her tip toes to give him a chaste kiss on the cheek and had walked out of his life. He hadn't heard from her again. His tracking ability had meant her knew where she was and had even completed a background check on her new dom, when she had decided on one. It had taken her two years from their ending to do it. He knew he'd never loved Carly, but their relationship was smooth and easy. She loved the lifestyle as much as he did, but when it had been stripped from their relationship, James had found there was no foundation. He had never been in love with her. Had he ever really been in love? He sighed to himself as he realised that if he had to ask, he already knew the answer. No. He'd never been in love.
    The whoosh of a flogger brought James back to the present and he stepped out of the play area and off to one side. Even though he had been accepted to watch the scene it was courtesy to step away when not directly involved in the scene. Sometimes, when whips or longer floggers were in use, it was also a matter of safety.
    Taking in the scene before him he smiled at the meticulous lashings Darren was executing across Lexie's shoulders, back, ass and legs. Secured to the St Andrews cross with leather wrist and ankle cuffs Lexie she was naked and writhing beneath each lash. Darren worked up the speed and intensity of the flogging, arousing her nerves with the thin leather straps. As the minutes passed small red marks appeared on her porcelain skin and her moans became louder.
    “Lexie, I don't want you to make a sound unless you are using your safe word. You will be punished if you cannot stay quiet. Do you understand me?” Darren's tone was controlled and level, his voice flowing into Lexie like a soft breeze.
    “Yes, Sir, I understand.” She took in a few deep breaths fighting to control her natural urge to cry out. Darren knew she was vocal and so by testing that control he was encouraging her submission. She wanted to please him as he wanted to reward her for each level of submission she gave.
    Darren replaced the flogger with a larger one, its tassels heavier and each with a small knot in the end. James leaned against the wall to watch, knowing that this would certainly test Lexie's ability to obey Darren and stay quiet.
    The flogger came down in stinging blows that rained down on her reddened skin. Her ass taking the majority of the blows. Darren controlled the intensity like a true master, watching for signs the Lexie was nearing her limit. When he flicked the flogger between her legs making the knotted tassels hit directly on her clit she snapped her head back and her arms pulled on the restraints. Her knees tried to close on the harsh encounter to her aroused core but were held open thanks to the anchor points on the cross. James raised his eyebrows at her control to not cry out or