26-Subspace

**Isabella**

*Whoosh*- *Crack!*

It sounds harsh. It sounds like I'm receiving a strong whip across my back, but the black genuine leather Tigress whip feels like an array of tingles. I need more. I would beg for more if I didn't have a gag ball stopping me. My ankles and wrists are tightly secured to the bed posts, but my eyes are left uncovered. I'm glad Alli and Sophia are far enough away so they can't hear us. They were both exhausted when they went to their room, so I bet they're fast asleep by now anyway.

Ezra and Marcello take turns with the lashes, going from soft to slightly harder and back to soft. They know it isn't enough, and it's driving me crazy. They aren't trying to turn me on, they're teaching me a lesson, and it's working. I wouldn't call this a punishment. It's more like a vicious tease. While Marcello gagged and restrained me, Ezra lit some Papaya Passion candles. The first time I smelt them, I fell in love with the scent. I like to close my eyes, inhale the sweet aroma, and enjoy whatever my men deliver.

The soft lashes come to a stop. Ezra and Marcello are out of my sight, but I hear them moving things around. I Wonder what other torture device they're about to use on me. I then hear the door open, so I look in that direction. When Marcello opens the door, Kain walks into the room with a large duffle bag in his hand. My heart starts beating in my ears as my excitement grows. I wasn't expecting Kain tonight, but I'm relieved he's here. Ezra removes the gag ball and wipes my mouth off with a dry washcloth. I'm thankful because I hate being a slobbery mess.

"Hello, Isabella. Are you ready to show your masters what you're made of?" Kain asks as he approaches the side of the bed.

"Yes, Sir." He may not be my Dom, but Marcello and Ezra made it clear that I am to be respectful during the session because Kain is doing us a huge favor.

"Well mannered, I like it. I see Marcello and Ezra warmed up your back for me as well. I asked them to do this before I arrived so that I could see how far they are willing to go. On a scale of one to ten, ten being the worst, how much did it hurt?" He ran his fingers over my back. His cold touch against my heated skin caused a shiver down my spine, and goosebumps rose all over my body.

"Zero, Sir. It felt like small tingles." Ezra and Marcello are beside him, looking terrified by my answer.

"Tingles? No pain at all?" Ezra asks, and I shake my head.

"We left some welts, though. There will surely be marks tomorrow." Marcello adds.

"This is a decent start, guys. The fact that you even went beyond your comfort zone is a good sign. As you can see, it did not phase her in the slightest. You will not harm her. Once you accept that fact, you will be capable of getting her to her subspace. Isabella, what item do you prefer being whipped with?" I prefer leather belts, but I'm afraid they will be unwilling to use them on me. Ever since I told them about Vincent, they seemed to shy away from belts. I think being dishonest would be a waste of time, though.

"I enjoy leather belts, Sir." As I suspected, Marcello and Ezra look as if they're going to throw up. "However, Capo and Maestro are not comfortable with using that object on me because of my childhood trauma. I would like to explore other options so they can be more at ease." I see them both relax.

"That is very considerate of you. Compromise is important, especially when exploring new things. I would recommend using a heavy Dragon Tail whip. It feels just like a belt, but it contains a handle. I actually brought one with me, so you're in luck." Kain takes the item from his bag. It's absolutely beautiful. The handle is diamond studded on the end of it. Purple and black crisscrosses through the middle, and more diamonds shine where the whip meets the handle. The whip is a thick leather, loose just like a belt.

"This is one of my favorite objects to use. I have a dozen of these, so this one is a gift to you three. It's never been used, but I sterilized it anyway. As you know, sterilization is crucial." He's talking to the guys now. "Are you ready to observe?"

"As ready as we will ever be." Ezra mumbles, and Kain flashes a bright smile. I won't lie; he's an attractive man. I have no emotional attraction to him, as my heart belongs to Marcello and Ezra, but looking is harmless, right? Kain washes his hands and comes back after drying them.

"Remind me of your safewords." Kain picks up the whip.

"Green to continue, yellow for a break, and red to stop, Sir," I answer.

"Nice and simple. I'll start soft, but I will need you to tell me when to go harder. 'Harder' is the only other word you will be allowed to use other than your safe words. Once I reach the level you prefer, say 'yellow'. Do you understand?" I can't believe this is finally happening.

"Yes, Sir." I close my eyes and brace myself. I hear Kain tell the guys to move out of my line of sight because he doesn't want me to see their reactions and use 'red' or 'yellow' before I'm truly ready. The first few whips came down harder than the ones Ezra or Marcello did, but I would still rate these at one. Not painful at all, but at least I can feel them. With each lash, I tell him to go harder. My body goes slack into the mattress, and the whip cracks over my ass. It's finally the perfect amount of force.

"Yellow," I mumbled just loud enough for him to hear. All of my focus is on my body. I feel so relaxed as he uses the same blunt lashes across my back, butt, and thighs. At some point, I begin to levitate. I don't even feel the bed beneath me as a familiar feeling takes over my senses. I haven't felt this in years, and it's like an old friend visiting me. An old friend that I've missed so much, but they've changed. They are not dark like I remember, but light and welcoming. The pleasure builds inside me and shutters through my body while I enjoy the company of my long-lost friend. We've both changed over the years. My friend is no longer a cold rush to the head but a warmth that surrounds me like a soft, light blanket. We're safe together now.

**Ezra**

We were all able to see once Isabella reached her subspace. Kain stopped immediately and allowed her body time to come down from the high. After he taught us proper aftercare, I covered her naked body with a fresh, thin sheet. She never once cried out in pain, even when he broke the skin. That is when she used 'yellow'. Then, we had to endure seeing him hit her hard enough to make her slightly bleed down her back, bottom, and legs. Blood did not gush from her wounds but barely met the surface of her skin. That does not make me feel any more comfortable with hitting her this hard. I do not think I can do it. For the first time, I will not be able to bring my sub to her subspace, and it is killing me. I know Marcello is feeling the same way. I want to give Isabella everything she needs, but I am not capable of doing so. I love Isabella too much to strike her so hard.

A large lump forms in my throat. I love her. In this short time, I can honestly admit to myself how much I want her in my life. I will even share a damn bed with Marcello if it means making her happy. I will do anything, but I cannot do this. It looks like something I would do to my worst enemy, not the love of my life. Not the woman I want to move to another country and raise a family with. Not my sweet Isabella.

Isabella slowly opens her eyes and smiles at me after being asleep for two hours. Marcello went to sleep on the other side of her, but I stayed awake. I kiss her forehead and avoid resting my hand on her back. I know it feels like fire. Kain dozed off in the chair across the room because he needed to see how she would react once she wakes.

"How do you feel, love?" I gently run my fingers through her hair.

"Amazing. Thank you for doing this for me, but I can see the panic in your eyes. I think it's safe to assume you aren't a fan." I tried to mask my emotions, but she knows me too well.

"I do not think I can do it. I thought I would be able once I saw how calm you were, but the marks on your body started to bleed." I shake the image from my head. Isabella caresses my cheek with her hand.

"It's okay. I won't make you do it. I lasted years without that feeling, and I can do it again. You bring me so much happiness and pleasure in other ways. I wouldn't trade it for anything." Her eyes well up with tears. I want to kick myself for not being stronger for her.

"I love you, Isabella." I did not think before I spoke. I want her to know how much she means to me, but I hope those three words do not scare her off. The tears that threatened to fall from her eyes a moment ago finally comes rolling down her face. Before I can say anything else, she leans in and kisses me with every ounce of passion she possesses. Our tongues mingle together, tasting each other. I silently thank the heavens we do not have morning breath right now.

She takes a small break to say, "I love you too, Ezra."