Cardinal's Rule

Chapter Eight

Landry didn’t want to think the word.

Love.

He barely knew her, but he loved her. She felt so sweetly vulnerable in his arms, he didn’t need to top her to want to protect her and care for her, to make her forget past hurts, heal her emotional wounds and make her smile. She was the kind of woman who wouldn’t want to be anyone’s DIY emotional repair project, but he couldn’t help it.

Love.

They still had three hours until they’d meet with Tilly’s friends. With him driving they took her SUV and visited two different bed stores until found a queen-sized mattress they both liked. A third store, and they found a bed frame she liked that matched her existing bedroom set well enough.

Everything would be delivered the next day.

On to the hotel. He sensed her tension as they pulled into the parking lot. Before he left her house he’d called ahead and told Cris to stay in the room and get undressed. After they reached the hotel, Landry stopped by the office and paid their room tab until Monday so there wouldn’t be any problems.

He parked several doors down from their room. Even if Cris managed to look, he wouldn’t recognize her car, which she kept in her garage and he hadn’t seen it the other day.

When he entered the room he found Cris naked and kneeling on the floor.

That made him pause. “Have you been sitting like that all afternoon?” He’d only told him to be naked, not to be formally posed.

“No, Master. I heard you unlocking the door.”

“Oh. Okay.” He reached into his wallet and pulled out five twenties and dropped them onto the dresser. “I’ll be gone all weekend. You can use this for food and expenses. You are allowed to leave the room provided you wear your formal collar. Take your cell phone with you if you leave the room. If you do not answer it, or don’t call me back immediately if you miss the call, don’t bother being here on Monday when I return. Understand?”

“Yes, Master.”

That’s when he noticed the quarters on the dresser, two dollars worth. “What’s with the change?”

“I did the laundry, Master.”

“I didn’t leave you money for laundry.”

“I used my food money.”

Landry immediately felt guilty, which pissed him off. “How’d you eat?”

“McDonald’s.”

He swore under his breath. “Next time I leave you money for food, use it for food.”

“Yes, Master. I’m sorry.”

Fuck. So much for his grand entrance and exit. He had difficulty shaking his guilt that Cris had been limited to fast food in lieu of doing their laundry. He walked over to the closet, pulled out the toy bag, and dropped it on the floor next to the room door, where Cris would absolutely see it.

Cris didn’t ask. He remained kneeling on the floor without looking up.

Landry rummaged through the dresser drawers, found the clothes he wanted as well as extra regular clothes, and tucked them into the toy bag. He turned and stared at Cris. Part of him wanted to pull him to him and hug him as his heart ached for him.

He loved him. Nothing would ever change that, no matter what had happened.

Part of him wanted to beat the shit out of him for hurting Tilly. Fuck, he was falling in love with her after only a couple of days, and Cris walked away from her after being with her for years?

“I will return for you between ten and eleven Monday morning. Have all our bags packed, be dressed in slacks and a decent shirt, your formal collar, and be kneeling on the floor just like you are now. I want to pick you up and leave immediately.

“May I ask a question, Master?”

“No.”

Cris’ body tensed, like he wanted to challenge Landry, but he remained silent.

“All right, what is it?” Landry asked.

“You took your laptop. Do you want me to check in with the office at all, or are you handling it?”

He arched an eyebrow. He’d been expecting a question about their plans. He should have known better. He softened his tone. “No. I’m handling it. You have no responsibilities this weekend except what I just told you. Answer that phone if I call. Feel free to sightsee. If you spend all your money before Monday, you’ll go hungry until I return. Keep that in mind.”

“Yes, Master.”

He suspected Cris wouldn’t leave the room except to eat or possibly do more laundry.

He turned and picked up the toy bag. “Be a good boy for me. Don’t disappoint me. I have plans for you on Monday. It would be a shame for you to ruin them.”

He left Cris sitting there and returned to the SUV. He tucked his bag in the back hatch and slid behind the wheel again.

Tilly looked at him, her eyes hidden by sunglasses. “Well?” she softly asked.

He smiled. “He’s a good boy.” He fastened his seatbelt and backed them out of the parking space. “I told him I’ll pick him up on Monday.”

Tilly’s heart raced as they approached the restaurant. She spotted Ross and Loren’s car in the parking lot and pointed it out to Landry.

He leaned in and kissed her. “We don’t have to do this tonight if you don’t want to.”

“We need to get it over with. Maybe Ross won’t blow up in public.”

He brushed his fingers along her cheek. “Do you want me to break it to them?”

She vigorously shook her head. “If I could face down that fucker at the parole hearing, I should be able to do this. They’re my best friends.” She glanced at him. “And if they come after you, I think you can hold your own against them.”

He returned her smile. “Okay.”

He got out, walked around, and opened her door for her. When she stepped out he laced his fingers through hers and walked with her inside the restaurant.

Tilly’s nerves tightened, like coiled barbed wire inside her gut.

I can do anything I put my mind to.

Loren smiled when she spotted Tilly. Ross smiled, but she didn’t miss his slightly puzzled look.

Landry squeezed her hand and offered her a quick smile as he let her lead him across the restaurant. Tilly made the introductions and Landry even pulled her chair out for her before sitting next to her.

She didn’t miss the odd look on Kim and Kylee’s faces. The women seemed shocked to see

Tilly arrive with a guest.

As Tilly had expected, Loren started in immediately. “So! How did you two meet?”

“Mutual acquaintance,” Tilly said, hoping Loren wouldn’t want to kill her later. “Boring story, seriously.”

They asked him about his job, appropriately impressed to find out he ran a software firm and made good money. Loren had asked that question, unashamedly stepping into her overprotective best friend role.

The waitress took their orders. When she left, Kylee leaned in. “You look really familiar. Like I’ve seen you somewhere before.”

Landry smiled. “I’ve been told I have one of those kinds of faces.”

Kylee didn’t look convinced.

Before their food arrived, Tilly had to go to the bathroom, her glass of tea already stretching her nervous bladder to the max. As she expected, Loren and Kim both jumped up to accompany her. The bathroom door was no sooner shut behind them that the two woman stood outside her bathroom stall, hounding her with questions she quickly dodged. Then they went strangely silent as Tilly heard the door open and someone else enter.

“Look, can we talk about this later? Seriously? And please don’t scare him away, I really like him.” She washed her hands and dodged out the door. Ross and Landry sat alone talking at the table.

That meant Kylee had most likely been the one to enter the bathroom. So why hadn’t she chimed in with her questions?

She pushed it out of her mind as she returned to her seat. Landry offered her a smile and a quick peck on the lips.

When she looked at Ross she didn’t miss his beaming grin. “I was just telling Landry you look really happy, and I asked him what drug he slipped you.”

She laughed.

Ross cleared his throat. “He, ah, also told me he’s sick.”

She shot a glance Landry’s way. The man shrugged. “He asked if we would be at a party next week. I told him you were going with me to my biopsy, and that I probably wouldn’t feel like attending. I couldn’t speak for whether or not you’ll be there.” She knew Ross couldn’t see him wink at her.

She relaxed. He hadn’t spilled the beans.

Ross continued. “You would have made a great nurse, Tilly. This’ll give you a chance to kick back and relax for a while.”

Okay, maybe he had spilled the beans.

Landry clasped her hand. “I also told him you offered to let me stay with you during my treatments.” He looked back at Ross. “I wouldn’t feel right about staying there if I didn’t pay my own way, and pay for her time.”

She relaxed again. Her irritation at him faded. Maybe this would be okay after all. And what the hell was taking the girls so long?

Ross looked down suddenly and pulled his BlackBerry from his belt. He thumbed it, scowled as he read a message, then his face shifted to a strange, blank expression Tilly wasn’t sure how to interpret. “Can you excuse me for just a minute?” He got up from the table and walked away.

Landry leaned in. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. It seemed easiest that way, straightforward. I didn’t tell him about getting married, or about Cris.”

“Great,” she whispered, almost a hiss. “So how the fuck am I supposed to work those little factoids in?”

He was about to answer when Kim and Kylee returned, both of them looking…weird.

They managed to uphold a stilted conversation for a few moments until Ross and Loren returned.

Whatever message Ross had received, he looked ready to kill and cast a murderous glance toward Landry.

“What’s wrong?” Tilly asked him.

He shook his head, his face clearing. “Nothing. Sorry, got an issue at work I’m dealing with.”

She felt relieved. If she didn’t know any better, it was like they’d all suddenly passed an unfavorable judgment on Landry.

The conversation felt forced from that point on but Tilly couldn’t put her finger on it. Kim and

Kylee didn’t seem to want to talk to Landry now, and Ross barely talked to anyone. Loren had slipped into dutiful slave wife mode in that Tilly would swear she was only acting normal due to some order on Ross’ part for her to act that way.

It creeped Tilly out.

After their meal, Tilly hugged her friends and told them she’d see them in an hour at the club.

When they got into the SUV, Landry glanced at her. “I suspect your suspicions mirror mine. The text message Ross received had nothing to do with work.”

“Yeah,” she admitted. “I think you’re right.”

They returned to her house, changed clothes, and headed out again. Tilly liked that he helped her tighten her corset, but she felt unsettled. “We don’t have to go tonight if you don’t want to.” Truth be told, she wouldn’t mind staying home and trying to talk him into a repeat performance of that afternoon.

“That’s all right. I don’t mind. Unless you wish to stay home?”

Part of her wanted to do just that. On the other hand, she wanted the chance to introduce him to her friends before they had to take time away from the scene for his treatments.

He carried her toy bag inside the club for her. Ross and Loren had already arrived. Tilly and Landry no sooner walked in when Loren cornered her.

“I need your help with my corset, please.”

Tilly couldn’t help but notice Loren seemed agitated. “Since when?”

“Please, Til?”

Tilly rolled her eyes and left Landry out in the dungeon playspace while she followed Loren into the bathroom. They were alone, and Loren’s corset didn’t need tightening.

“Sweetie, I don’t know what’s going on with that guy, but please, just let him go handle his problems by himself!”

“What the fuck, Lor?”

Her face looked torn between pained and murderous. “We didn’t want to tell you this the other night.” She took a deep breath. “That guy, Kim and Kylee saw him up in Tampa at the old club we all used to go to. The one in Ybor.”

“So?”

“They saw him with Cristo.”

Tilly closed her eyes. Okay, so in some ways this would be easier, and some ways this would be harder.

Loren wasn’t done. “So please, just tell him no-go, you can’t help him. I’m still not sure how you met him, but—”

“He’s Cris’ Master,” Tilly quietly admitted.

Loren’s eyes widened. “What?”

Tilly nodded.

Her friend stood there, shocked. After a long moment, she finally spoke. “What?”

“You said that.”

“What the hell?”

“That’s different.”

“Tilly, quit fucking around! You know he’s with Cris?”

She leaned against the counter and folded her arms over her chest. “Yeah. I’ve already seen and spoken to Cris. He doesn’t know about Landry’s cancer returning.”

Her eyes widened even more. “What?”

Tilly took a deep breath and gave her the short version of the story, leaving out the whole marriage and revenge plot part of the equation.

Loren stood there, stunned. “So, after what the fucker did to you, you’re just going to let him back into your life like that?”

“No, I’m helping Landry. He’s a nice guy, Lor. Get to know him, you’ll like him. We have a deal. It’ll let me pay off the house without having to work for a while. It’s the right thing to do.”

“It’s fucking bullshit!” That’s when she spotted the ring. She grabbed Tilly’s hand. “Holy crap, when did you buy that?”

Might as well bite the bullet. “I didn’t,” she quietly admitted.

She frowned. “Cris?”

Tilly shook her head.

Loren’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Landry bought it for you?”

She closed her eyes, ready for the outburst. So much for keeping it quiet. “He asked me to marry him. It’ll make the bookkeeping easier.”

Loren didn’t disappoint. “What the holy fuck?” she shrieked. “Are you crazy?”

“Yeah, I am. But you want to know something?” she shot back. “He’s great in bed, I’m sick of being alone, and all I’m obliged to do for the next couple of years is make sure Cris can get into the hospital!”

“That Cris…Wait a second. Good in bed? Did you say good in bed?”

Tilly clenched her jaw. “Yeah. Damn good. And so far we haven’t even fucked yet.”

That was enough to shut Loren up for a moment. She stared at Tilly for a long time. “What is this going to do to you emotionally?” she quietly asked.

“I’m not the girl I was. You know that. I’m a strong, tough bitch. Helping Landry out is the right thing to do. I’m not doing it because of Cris, because he’s totally in the dark about this. He’s stuck in a hotel room right now, completely clueless.”

“Cris has a Master.” She shook her head. “I still can’t wrap my mind around that fact.”

“Oh, believe it. Landry’s a sadist, too. Makes me look like Winnie the Pooh.” She told her the story about Bob and the confrontation with Cris, and Landry volunteering to hold Cris for Bob.

“Holy fuck!”

“Yep.” She checked her make-up while trying to slow her pounding heart. “Now please, I’m asking you as my friend, just give him a chance. He’s as upset about this…” She thought about it. “He’s upset about what happened to me, and he’s trying make amends. He’s a good man. I mean it when I say I really like him. I’ve spent the past two days with him.”

“So what happens with Cris? He moving in too?”

“I guess so.” She smiled at Loren in the mirror. “I already told Landry he’d better let me boss Cris around.”

“Oh, fuck yes! I damn sure want to watch that!”

When they returned to the dungeon, Ross looked less than happy and Kim and Kylee had arrived. Landry stood a little away from them, leaning against the wall, waiting.

She waved him over and clasped his hand as she led him to Ross. “Ross, I need to tell you something,” she said.

Landry looked at her but remained silent.

She told him the same story she told Loren, again leaving out the revenge part of the equation.

When she finished, Ross looked a little less murderous.

“Will you hold him for me if I want to cut his nuts off?” he asked Landry.

Landry laughed. “I would say gladly, but Tilly has already told me I’m not allowed to let his nuts or his cock be removed. I already offered to let you take a propane torch to him.” He squeezed her hand. “She’s such a spoilsport about some things.”

Ross’ face tensed before he burst out laughing. “Jesus, this is fucking nuts.” He scrubbed his face with his hands, then stepped in and hugged her. “Congratulations, sweetheart.” He turned to Landry and held out his hand. “Hurt her, and you will lose your nuts.”

Landry smiled as he shook Ross’ hand. “Believe me, I am rather fond of them and would prefer to keep them intact.”

Loren smacked her, hard, on the shoulder. “And why weren’t we invited to the wedding? More importantly, why didn’t you ask me to do it?”

Tilly winced and rubbed her shoulder. “Okay, first of all, ow! Second, duh! I worried the whole

‘Loren wants Cristo dead’ issue might have caused problems.”

“No. You’ll get married at our house. I’ll perform the ceremony.”

Landry cleared his throat. “Will that be an issue, having Cris there?”

Ross frowned. “Why will he be there? I thought you said he didn’t know?”

“Well, I will admit I looked forward to him witnessing it. To rub his face in it. Show him what he threw away.”

Loren laughed. “Okay, Til? I gotta say, I like his style. Fuck yeah, if Count Craptastic is going to be humiliated, I’m definitely in!”

They spent the evening talking and watching others play. Landry enjoyed watching Tilly top a pain pig, the husband of another friend of hers. By the time they left, Loren had already invited several dozen of Tilly’s friends, many who knew Cris, to attend the wedding.

It was more than Landry and Tilly had planned. It was also moved to the club at seven on

Sunday night, because of parking issues and so more people could attend.

Cris’ humiliation would be total.

As they drove back to her place a little after two in the morning, he thought of something.

“What was that Loren called him? Count something?”

She smiled. “Count Craptastic. You know, Cristo, the Count of Monte Cristo? That’s the nicest thing she calls him. Usually, she refers to him as ‘that goddamn fucking asshole’.”

“Her husband, he is the one whose collar you wore?”

“For a while, yes.” Her voice softened. “Not for play or scening, just to help me regain my footing again. If it hadn’t been for them I wouldn’t have made it. Cris called that one right. They picked me up, wouldn’t let me give up, wouldn’t give up on me. Thank God I had them.”

At home she kicked off her five-inch heels in the foyer. “Man, these things are murder.”

He scooped her into his arms. “Allow me, love.” He carried her to the bedroom. “I’ll rub your feet for you before we fall asleep.”

“Oh. We’re falling asleep, huh?”

He nuzzled her nose with his. “For tonight, let’s. We need to be up early in the morning for the deliveries. They promised us by ten, remember? And then we’re supposed to meet with Loren at noon to plan things.”

She groaned. “She’s taken over. Momma Loren strikes again. I should have known she would.”

He set her on the bed. “Can we elope?”

He smiled. “Too late for that.” He sat on the end of the bed and massaged her feet. “She’ll be heartbroken.”

“True.” She unfastened the front of her corset as she lay there enjoying the foot rub. “Hey, I’ve got another rule.”

He smiled. “Name it.”

“I want foot rubs on demand. Well, I mean, I won’t ask for them if you feel like crap, of course.

Only if you’re feeling okay.”

He picked up her foot, sucked her big toe into his mouth, and seductively swirled his tongue around it before removing it with a pop. His eyes never left hers. “Anytime, love. It will be my pleasure.”

Her clit pulsed and she softly moaned. He smiled, noticing her reaction. He put that foot down, switched to the other, and repeated the same action.

“Fuuuuck me. You’re too good to be true.”

“I will most assuredly fuck you Sunday night,” he promised. “I will fuck your brains out, and then some.” He gently pushed her legs apart and lay between them, then pulled her panties aside and licked her clit.

The sphere of Tilly’s universe ended with the feel of Landry between her legs. Her whole body trembled as her hands went to his head, holding him there. He slipped two fingers inside her, flicking her clit with his tongue as he did. He felt incredible inside her. She didn’t know if it was because it just felt so damn good to climax after a five year dry spell, or if he really was that good. But in another moment, she was there, crying out as she came for him.

He laughed and gently rearranged her panties before he crawled up the bed to lay beside her.

“Think you can sleep now, love?”

She rolled into him. “Uh huh.”

“You going to get undressed?”

She let out an aggravated sigh. He helped her remove her corset, her short skirt, and her garter belt and stockings. He dropped his clothes and curled behind her in bed, spooned against her back.

“You feel so good,” she mumbled.

He kissed the back of her neck. “So do you. Can I ask you that question again?”

“What question?”

“About why you didn’t make yourself come.”

She rolled to face him. He gathered her into his arms as she buried her face against his chest.

“Because he made me do it. Not like you did,” she quickly added. “I trust you. He was…evil.”

“Cris?”

“No!” She couldn’t suppress the shiver. “My step-father,” she whispered.

Fuck! Another wave of guilt washed over him. “Sweetie, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

“No, it’s okay. Seriously. It was different with you.” She sighed. “Cris used to do it like that with me sometimes. It’s okay if you’re right there with me, helping. If you’d ordered me to do it and just sat back and watched and not been there…” She shivered in his arms again.

He nuzzled her forehead, then kissed her. “So that really was the first orgasm you’ve had since then?”

“Yeah. I didn’t have the desire at first. Then I was on meds for a while. Anti-depressants. Those helped my mood but not my libido.”

“So how’d I do?”

She lifted her head to look at him. “You keep that up you might just find yourself married for life, mister.”

He smiled. “Promise?”

“Yeah.”

He kissed her once more, unable to get enough of the taste and feel of her lips. “I’ll hold you to that.”