Charming Isabella Read online

  He took a deep breath, his jaw clenched but he released her completely.

  Nancy took a deep breath and said, “Izzy, please, I’ll explain in a second. Trust me, okay?”

  Izzy saw her best friend step away from Coleman and quickly turned her back as she realized her friend was topless, as well. Izzy stomped from the room, her displeasure obvious.

  Nancy sighed but bent to pull up her clothing and refastened her bra. She started to button her blouse and looked where her very best friend had been standing moments before. She turned back to Coleman and said, “I’m sorry, Sir. I guess we just shocked her. I’ll explain.”

  Coleman also turned to the door and smiled, “I’m sorry as well. This was supposed to be a beautiful experience for you. It’s obvious she is shocked; I thought you two were best friends. I didn’t mean to upset anyone. I’d be glad to speak with her.”

  Nancy smiled, remembering how Izzy had sounded as she yelled at Coleman. She reached up to kiss his cheek. “It is still beautiful. Thanks for the offer, but I don’t think she’d be willing to listen to you. She’s really upset, but it will be okay. Thank you so much for helping me. Tell Jack I love his presents and will wear them with pride until he removes them.”

  Coleman smiled at her and replaced the empty boxes in his pocket. Her demeanor and the smile on her face again convinced him that she was meant to be Jack’s partner and wife. He watched as she finished dressing and then gathered her into his arms again. “I’ll tell him, Angel. Jack is one very lucky man. I’ll see you tonight.”

  Nancy nodded and walked him out of the room. Izzy was nowhere to be seen, but sounds of her slamming cabinets could be heard. Coleman quirked an eyebrow and said, “Are you sure it’s safe? She may be awfully small, but I have a feeling she can be ferocious when she’s upset.”

  Nancy laughed, “More like a lioness protecting her cubs. We’ll be fine, I promise.”

  Still doubtful, Coleman gave in. He kissed the top of her head and said, “Jack’s chains complement your beauty, Nance but your willingness to accept them so gracefully complements your desire to submit. That is a beautiful and priceless gift to Jack.”

  She flushed and thanked him, his words reminding her of Jack’s possessive gift and all it represented. He gave her another kiss as she walked him down the stairs and out of the store. Nancy locked the front door and flipped the sign to ‘Closed’. She turned out the front lights and then walked back upstairs and into the small kitchen.

  Chapter 2

  She found Izzy standing over the stove, waiting for the kettle to whistle. Izzy said nothing as Nancy silently picked up the two cups on the counter and found two tea bags. She took both to the small table with the small jar of honey. The kettle began to sing, and while Izzy poured water over the teabags, Nancy sliced a lemon and took a small pitcher of cream out of the refrigerator, bringing both to the table. She pulled out a chair and sat down, unable to hide a wince as her clamped labia pressed against the hard seat.

  Her gasp quickly drew a response from Izzy. “Are you okay?”

  Nancy smiled and nodded. “Sit down, Iz. I’m fine, honey. more than fine, actually.”

  Izzy looked across the table at her friend and saw the truth in her face. Her eyes were shining and she truly seemed to glow. Confused even more, the image of seeing her very best friend naked in some stranger’s arms burned into her mind. “I don’t understand how you could do that. I thought you loved Jack, that you two were so perfect for each other. My God, his heart is going to be broken.”

  Nancy sighed and reached across the table to cover Izzy’s hand with hers. “I do love Jack. God, Iz, I love him with every cell of my being….”

  Izzy jerked her hand away and shouted, “You were naked, Nancy Kathryn! You were standing in my bedroom, stark naked as some man fondled you! How can you do that to Jack?”

  Nancy stiffened in her chair, her own anger rising.

  Izzy pushed back her chair and stood. “What are you going to tell Jack? Are you going to break up or just hide the fact that you let some other man fuck you the day before your wedding!”

  “Stop it!” Nancy’s voice thundered in the small room. “Just stop it, Isabella! You have no idea what you’re talking about. If you’ll shut up and sit down, I’ll explain. But if you yell at me or accuse me of something I didn’t do one more time, this conversation is over, and I’m leaving!”

  Izzy stood rooted to the floor. She couldn’t remember Nancy ever yelling at her before. She looked down and finally nodded as she slipped back into her chair.

  Nancy waited until she had taken a sip of her tea and watched Izzy drink some of her own. “That’s better. I’m so sorry that you are upset, but I’m upset as well. I didn’t mean to yell at you, Izzy. I thought you trusted me more than that.”

  Izzy felt guilty over the tears she could hear in Nancy’s voice but was still very angry with her. She opened her mouth, but Nancy said, “No! Don’t talk. I can’t bear hearing you call me a whore again.”

  Izzy’s face flushed and her mouth once again opened to protest, but seeing her friend’s face, she closed it and simply nodded. Nancy relaxed a bit and sat back in her chair. She squirmed a little and felt a flush run up over her body. She didn’t realize she was smiling until she saw Izzy’s face; confused didn’t begin to describe it. “Oh, honey, it’s okay. Will you let me explain now?”

  Izzy took another sip of tea, grateful for the warmth of the cup against her icy fingers. “Yes, I’m sorry. I didn’t call you a whore, though.’’

  Nancy smiled. “Fair enough, but you came pretty damn close.”

  Izzy was relieved when she realized her friend was teasing. “I’m listening, Nance.”

  Nancy nodded. “As I told you, Coleman is Jack’s best man. God, he is gorgeous, isn’t he?” She heard Izzy gasp and laughed. “Not as gorgeous as my beautiful Jack, but the truth is the truth. Anyway, Jack asked him to bring me a present and to help prepare me for tomorrow.”

  Izzy straightened in her chair and opened her mouth. Nancy broke out into laughter at the shocked expression on Izzy’s face. “Not that kind of present Izzy! Get your mind out of the gutter. Though, he is a good-looking man, and I hear he knows how to treat a lady.” She saw Izzy becoming angry and stopped teasing her. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it. You are so gullible and so easy to set off.”

  “I don’t find any of this funny, Nancy.”

  Nancy nodded and sat forward, once again reaching across the table for her friend. Izzy set her cup down and allowed her hands to be taken. “I know you don’t. I’m sorry. Okay, you know I’m a submissive and that Jack is my dominant, right?”

  Izzy rolled her eyes and nodded. “Yes Nance, I am your best friend, remember? I’ve known that for years.”

  Nancy gave her hands a squeeze and continued, “I know, I just… well, it’s been so long since we’ve played together.” She saw Izzy shake her head and took a deep breath. “Izzy, you can’t hide forever.” Izzy tried to pull her hands away, but Nancy held on tightly. “We’ve got to talk about it sometime.” Izzy said nothing, but Nancy could feel her trembling and gave in. “Fine, I’ll let you slide this time, but I’m telling you I won’t let you keep this up. Anyway, tomorrow I will vow to not only become Jack’s wife during the wedding, but I’ll soon be vowing to take him as my Master at the club. He asked Coleman, his best man and best friend, to help prepare me. Honey, he wasn’t fondling me, and we were definitely not ‘fucking’.”

  Izzy looked ashamed and again tried to pull her hands away, but Nancy held them fast. “Not a chance! You need to know this, despite your tendency to shy away from anything having to do with sex.” Izzy pulled harder but then relaxed. Nancy smiled and said, “Jack sent over the ‘something new’ for me to wear tomorrow. Coleman was just putting it on, at Jack’s request, mind you, so you can stop worrying that Jack is ignorant of what’s going on. I’m really offended you’d even think for a second that I would do something so horrible.”


  Izzy felt guilt flow over her. She had known Nancy ever since they were little girls. It had been Nancy that helped her get out of a very bad relationship and Nancy who had never once judged her. She looked over at her friend and said, “I’m so sorry, Nancy. I don’t know what came over me. I know you wouldn’t do anything to Jack. I guess I was just shocked. I mean, geez, your pants were on the floor!”

  Nancy smiled as she thought about how the scene must have looked to her friend. She squeezed her hands again and then released them. “I know it must have looked like I was doing something naughty, but I promise, I wasn’t.”

  Izzy watched as Nancy pushed back her chair and stood. She didn’t speak as she watched Nancy unbutton her blouse and pull it open. “This is my present Izzy; these chains symbolize my submission to Jack and his protection and love for me.”

  Izzy looked at the thin gold chain that encircled Nancy’s waist. It glowed in the light and was beautifully delicate against the tanned skin. She saw the two smaller chains, one leading upward from the chain around her waist and a second chain leading down, their far ends hidden by her bra and pants. She blushed but couldn’t help herself, “It’s beautiful, Nancy, but um, what are those other ones? Do they go where I think they do?”

  Nancy shivered at the thought of where they went but said softly, “Are you sure you want to know, Iz? I know it embarrasses you to think about sex….”

  “It does not!” Izzy said, rather loudly. She blushed and then looked up to see her friend smiling. “I mean, God, you think I’m a prude. I’m not a virgin, for your information. I know what being submissive means, and I definitely know what sex is.”

  Nancy said softly, “No, sweetie, you know what bad sex is. You have no idea of what great sex is, how incredible it can be, or how it feels to be submissive to the perfect Dom, who makes you forget everything but how great it feels to be alive. Jack is that person for me, and I pray that someday you’ll stop running and find the perfect man that helps you learn to love again.”

  Izzy felt her eyes fill and overflow. Tears dripped down her cheeks, as she found herself yearning with her entire soul to feel just once the sort of feelings that Nancy was describing.

  Nancy pulled Izzy out of her chair and engulfed her into her arms. “Oh Izzy, don’t cry. I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to make you cry. We’ll find your man . . . I swear to you, we’ll find him.”

  Izzy cried for a few minutes and then pushed away. “I’m just being silly. This is a bit much. Come on—show me where the chains go. I promise not to faint on you.” Nancy laughed, and Izzy found herself giggling in response. She was still amazed at how open and honest Nancy and their other friends were about their sexuality and lifestyle.

  Nancy soon had her bra unclasped and let her breasts swing free to show Izzy her clamped nipples. Izzy gasped and unconsciously reached out a hand before snatching it back. “It’s okay. Go ahead, you can touch.”

  Izzy shook her head. “God, don’t those hurt?”

  Nancy smiled and shook her head. “No, I guess they will, if Jack ever really tightens the clamps, but Coleman just put them on tight enough so they won’t fall off.”

  At the mention of Coleman, a rush of feeling ran through Izzy. She closed her eyes for a moment, imagining him attaching the clamps to Nancy’s breasts. What would it feel like to have his hands touch her skin? She shivered and then shook herself. She took a deep breath and forced herself to run her fingers up the light chains until she actually touched the small butterflies.

  Nancy couldn’t suppress a moan, and Izzy snatched her fingers back. “I’m sorry!”

  Nancy smiled, her eyes shining. “Don’t be. God, they make my nipples so sensitive! I can’t wait till Jack plays with them.”

  Izzy stepped back, realizing that her friend was serious. She seemed to glow all over, her sexuality evident, her love wrapping her like a warm cloak. Nancy unbuttoned her pants and without embarrassment pushed them and her panties to her knees. Izzy glanced back towards the door, as if expecting other people to be witnesses to this scene along with her.

  Nancy giggled and said, “I locked the door, silly. It’s just you and me. These chains go to my pussy lips.”

  Her words caused Izzy to whip around in shock. She saw the chains leading down from Nancy’s waist and that they did, indeed, lead to where Nancy had said. She was shocked to discover that, not only was another pair of butterflies clamped to Nancy’s lips, she could see everything! “You’re shaved!” she said.

  Nancy’s laughter filled the room, the chains shaking a bit. “Oh God, Iz. You see your very first pussy clamps, and all you can say is that I’m shaved?”

  Izzy blushed but was soon laughing, as well. “Give me a break! This is all a bit much for one cup of tea!” The girls laughed together, all tension gone. Nancy parted her legs a bit more as Izzy ran her hands down each chain, stopping before she actually touched her friend. “I can’t believe these don’t hurt. They look so tight.”

  Nancy smiled and said, “No, they are just perfect. I love all of them. It makes me feel so feminine, so loved and protected . . . so secure.”

  Izzy knew her friend meant every word. She stepped back as Nancy dressed. When she was done, Izzy stepped forward and gave her a hug, “I know they do. They are beautiful Nancy; you are going to be the most beautiful bride ever. I’m so happy for you. I’m so sorry for embarrassing you and Coleman.” She released Nancy and buried her face in her hands. “Oh God, the things I said. I’m so embarrassed. He’s going to think I’m some kind of idiot! I hope I never see him again.”

  Nancy carried their teacups to the sink and washed them out. She laughed and turned to Izzy. “Sorry about that, honey; you’ll not only see him again, he is your date for the wedding. After all, you know how it works . . . maid of honor and best man?” Izzy groaned again and had to sit. Nancy watched her friend and smiled. “It’s okay. I was going to show you anyway, so you wouldn’t be shocked at the club for the commitment ceremony.” She saw Izzy squirm in her chair and her tone sharpened. “Don’t you dare try to tell me you won’t come to the commitment ceremony, Isabella Campbell! You are my maid of honor and you promised you’d be there for me at both places!” She knew her friend was struggling with her inner demons. She knelt before Izzy’s chair and took her hands once again. “Hey Iz, it will be okay, I promise. Please, please don’t tell me you won’t come. I need you there. I know it will be hard . . . it’s been a long time, but you have to come.”

  Izzy took a deep breath and heard the fear in her friend’s voice. She closed her eyes for a moment and then looked up. “I’ll come Nancy. You’ve always been there for me, through . . . well, through everything. I won’t let you down. By the time you get back from your honeymoon, I’m sure I’ll be fine. It’s not for a couple of weeks, right? I’ll be fine by then, I promise.”

  Nancy let out her breath and hugged Izzy around her waist. Izzy laughed and hugged her back. Nancy stood and said, “Thank you, sweetie. It just wouldn’t be right without you there. Yes, just a couple of weeks. I’m a little nervous but can’t wait! Oh, and don’t worry about Coleman. You can apologize tonight so tomorrow won’t be awkward.”

  Izzy’s head snapped up. She’d forgotten all about the rehearsal dinner! “Oh God, we’re going to be so late! I’m supposed to make sure you get everywhere on time. Come on! Aunt Elizabeth is going to skin us alive!”

  Nancy laughed as Izzy raced around, flipping off lights and tugging her out of the back door. “Well, she may skin you but, I’m pretty sure my skin is safe. I’m the bride, after all!”

  Izzy joined her in giggling as they piled into her car to make the trip out to the ranch. By the time they arrived, all was once again perfect between the two.

  Chapter 3

  Elizabeth Martin shook her head as the two ran into the house. They were holding onto each other and giggling like children. She smiled, her heart full of love for the two special young women. She tried to hide her amusement by saying, “It’s about
time, you two. Jack was getting worried that maybe he was going to be left at the altar!”

  Guilt flooded Izzy, and she started to explain. Before she could say a word, Nancy laughed and hugged the older woman. “Nonsense, Aunt Beth; that might work, except we just saw him and the other guys arguing over who gets to run the grill. He didn’t seem the least bit concerned about being left anywhere.”

  Elizabeth laughed and then hurried the girls upstairs to the room that was still considered her niece’s. “Okay, I guess you’re safe. But I do suggest you hurry up and dress. There are a lot of people wondering where the other guest of honor has been. Tom and I were just about to call the cavalry. You two speed it up, while I go tell everyone you are safe.”

  The women changed into party dresses, Izzy getting another glance of Nancy’s chains. She thought again about Coleman’s hands on her friend’s intimate places. “Do you really have to keep those on until the commitment ceremony? Aren’t you supposed to take clamps off for circulation or something?”

  Nancy ran her hands over the front of her bra and sighed, “I’m not sure when Jack will remove them, but honey, you know he won’t do anything to hurt me or risk my health.” Izzy nodded, and knew she could trust Jack to not only know what he was doing, but that he’d always make sure Nancy was safe. Soon they were outside, and friends and family were surrounding Nancy. Izzy stepped back, enjoying the knowledge that the most special person in her life was so ecstatically happy. She saw Jack bend to kiss his bride and then whisper in her ear. She seemed to argue with him about something. He spoke softly to her, his arm around her waist. Nancy finally nodded but looked a bit taken aback.

  Izzy started to step forward but stopped when she saw Coleman approaching the couple. Instead, Izzy stepped back and stumbled into her Aunt. “Oh, I’m sorry,” Izzy apologized.