Nathan gave him a disgusted look. "I dont want to bring her to heel. I just want to be the only guy in her bed. "
"Fair enough. Takes balls to own up to what youve done and be honest. Most guys would keep their mouth shut and hope she never found out. "
"I may wish Id done just that if she tries to remove my balls with a rusty spoon. "
"Shes one hot woman, Tucker. Youre a lucky son of a bitch if you rope her. "
Nathan grinned. "Dont I know it. Dont I know it. And hey, Micah. This is awkward as hell for me, but I wanted to say thanks. " He almost groaned as the words came out of his mouth. What kind of moron did it make him to be thanking his buddy for fucking his woman? But better it was Micah than some other jerk who had no regard for Julies pleasure and well-being.
A flirty grin curved Micahs mouth upward and a gleam entered his eye. "Not a problem at all. Remind your girl when the time comes that youve got her hog-tied and under your palm that she owes me one. "
"Oh? What does she owe you?"
"Nothing yet. But she will," he added with unrestrained glee. "She definitely will. "
Julie stepped into the hallway and paused at the top of the stairs. She should go. Exhaustion whispered in her ear and made her muscles sag like overcooked pasta. But the murmur of voices from the opposing end of the hallway drew her.
Shed never actually been by the common room when it was in use. Damon had given her a tour of the facilities when no one had been around. But hed told her about it, and her curiosity had been firmly piqued.
Straightening her T-shirt and smoothing her hands down her jeans, she walked quietly down the corridor, blinking as the lighting got stronger.
When she stepped into the doorway, she scanned the room, disappointed that for the most part, everyone seemed to be standing around. There was one couple stuck in a far corner going at it like rabbits, but that seemed to be it. So much for public debauchery.
Then her gaze lighted on a woman in the middle of the room, a woman that every eye was upon. She was completely nude, her long black hair sliding down her back like a veil of silk. Her hands were bound together at the wrists above her head and then tied to a heavy wooden beam that formed an upside down U.
Dear God, it was Serena.
Julies breath caught in painful anticipation. What the hell was Serena doing here? Well, here and naked. She shouldnt be surprised that Serena was here, given that the place belonged to Damon. But what on earth was going on?
She leaned against the doorframe, hiding most of her body in the hallway. She gripped the frame with her hand and peered around it to see what was happening to Serena.
When she saw Damon approach Serena, her lips pursed and she frowned. He had a . . . he had a whip in his hand. Good God, was he going to beat her in front of everyone? What the hell could she possibly have done to deserve this kind of treatment?
She knew that Serena and Damon had a very . . . nontraditional relationship. Nontraditional being a code word for Serena being completely and utterly submissive. The slave to Damons master.
Julie shuddered at the idea, the implication of what that meant. Complete subjugation to a man. Sometimes she wondered if Serena had rocks in her head. Or if she was just completely and utterly blinded by love. What else could explain why such an intelligent, beautiful woman who could have any man with the snap of her fingers would remain in a relationship where the balance of power was severely tilted in Damons favor?
Silence fell over the room, and Julie found herself holding her breath as Damon trailed the tip of the crop through Serenas hair. He pushed it over until it hung over her shoulder, baring her slim back for all to see.
He moved methodically. No, he definitely wasnt in a hurry. Julie searched Serenas face for any sign of fear, some sign that she didnt want what was about to happen. All she saw was calm acceptance. And love.
Befuddled and still analyzing the softness she saw around Serenas eyes, she jumped and her hand flew to her mouth when Damon raised the crop and struck Serena across the shoulder.
The sound resonated across the room, shattering the stillness.
Anger rose, sharp and furious, heating her veins. How dare he do this to her? Serena trusted him. Shed given him everything. And this was how he repaid her?
She shoved away from the doorframe, prepared to march across the room and put an end to this. Shed be damned if she stood by and watched her friend be abused this way. Her heart positively ached for Serena.
Before she could do just that, a hand closed around her wrist. She jerked around to see Cole standing there, silent and watching her.
"Watch," he instructed.
She tried to yank her hand away but he held fast.
"You dont understand," Julie hissed. "Hes hurting her!"
"Is he? I think its you who doesnt understand, Julie. " He turned her toward Damon and Serena again just in time for her to see Damon bring the crop down across Serenas flesh again. "Watch," he said again.
"Damn you," she whispered furiously.
Unable to look away, she watched helplessly as marks crisscrossed Serenas back, each one placed strategically, with exacting measure.
How could he do such a thing with such love in his eyes? His motions looked almost gentle, which was absurd given the fact that he was beating her for all to see.
Her gaze found Serenas face, soft and illuminated with . . . pleasure? Julie blinked in surprise, sure she wasnt seeing correctly. But yes. Serenas head was thrown back, eyes closed, lips parted as the blows rained down over her back.
She looked, in a word, beautiful. It was a fact not missed by the rest of the room. As Julie looked around, really looked, the mixture of awe and arousal was stunning to see. Women looked upon Serena with envy while men stared with lust glittering in their eyes.
And still Damon continued until the only sound was the rhythmic slap of crop against skin. Even from across the room, Julie could see the welts against the white of Serenas flesh. They glowed like Serena glowed.
Julies forehead wrinkled as her confusion grew.
"Shes beautiful, isnt she?" Cole said huskily in her ear.