By the time they arrived in the underground car park, Molly had written six pages of scribbled notes, her fingers on fire as she poured the words out onto the paper. It had been a long time since he’d seen her this frenzied, and on reflection, maybe he’d never seen it before. Connor had made her write their story when she’d been his captive, and he’d sat and watched her for hours as her small digits skimmed over the plastic, black keys of the laptop, but this was different again. He realized, he had never actually seen her write. Something about the act of holding the pen, and allowing those ideas to flow was mesmerizing. She was like a woman possessed, but her need to write was utterly enthralling to witness.
Finally, after she’d used half of the seventh page, the pen slowed, and Molly looked up, apparently surprised at their new location.
“So much for that blindfold, huh?” he joked as her large eyes met his.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I swear I didn’t see anything of the journey though. Not that I even know this city.”
He nodded. She was right. He’d been watching her the whole time, and Molly had barely even looked up from her lap. Frankly, her lack of focus on him should have been disconcerting, and it might have been, had he not been so captured by what she was doing instead.
“Never mind,” he soothed. “How about I use it later?”
Her eyes flashed at him, portraying a rush of unspoken emotions which his words evoked. “Yes, Master,” was all she managed to say.
“Did you get your ideas down?” he asked, although he didn’t know why. It was patently clear that she had done so.
“Thank you,” she replied, practically grinning from ear to ear. “I feel so much better now.”
Connor laughed softly. He didn’t know what had happened to him in the last few months, but now the thought of his kitten feeling better made him ridiculously happy himself. “Good,” he told her. “Because I think that’s all you’re going to get done today.”
“We’re here,” interrupted Morgan from the front of the car.
His tone irritated Connor, but he chose to ignore it. He was not going to let a nobody like Morgan fuck up his mood. “I can see that,” he replied. “Thanks.”
“What shall I tell Morrison?” he asked, catching Connor’s eye in the rear-view mirror.
Tell him whatever the fuck you like. The retort came to his mind at once, but somehow, Connor managed to resist the urge to say it out loud.
‘Tell him we’ll see him later,” he answered. “We need some time to settle in first.”
“Right,” replied Morgan cynically. “I will do.”
He opened the driver’s door, and stepped out into the parking lot. Connor gave him a few moments to clear the area before he turned his attention back to Molly, who was shoving the pen and paper into her small purse. Her big, blue eyes met his gaze at once, and Connor could see there were a hundred questions in them.
“Let’s go,” he told her, intentionally not asking what was on her mind.
She nodded, though her trepidation was obvious from the way she gulped in response. Pushing his door open, Connor rose from the back seat, holding his hand out to his kitten. Molly took it tentatively, her eyes already scanning around the well-lit area as she stepped out of the car.
“This is it?” she asked, her voice revealing the awe she was feeling on the subject.
Connor smiled at her response. For her every dark whim, Molly was still quite the little innocent in so many ways. He couldn’t decide if he relished that about her, or he wanted to be the one to corrupt every remaining pure part of her virtue.
“This is the parking lot,” he advised her calmly, as he slammed the door shut behind her, and slipped his arm around her back again.
“We are headed for the elevator,” he continued, “which you can find on the west side of the building.”
Molly’s lips parted, but she didn’t respond initially. Instead, she just looked around as he guided her in the direction of the elevator, her eyes trying to take in everything they saw. There wasn’t another soul in the lot, a fact Connor was absurdly grateful for. There would be time for introductions, but that time wasn’t now. At this moment, all he wanted to do was get her to his room, get her clothes off, and possess her again. And until that itch was scratched, he really didn’t have the appetite for small-talk.
Connor called the elevator, holding Molly close as the sound of the approaching unit grew louder. The doors opened, flooding the place with bright, golden light, and wordlessly, he led Molly inside.
“Master.” Her tone was still one of shock and awe. “How many floors are there in this place?”
Connor followed her gaze to the control panel, watching as she paced over to where the shiny, gold panel revealed tens of levels. He reached past her to close the doors behind him.
“A lot, kitten,” he purred into her ear, intentionally ensuring that his breath tickled the back of her neck as he spoke.
Molly panted, angling her head to catch his eye. “I hadn’t realized,” she murmured, as though the small act of intimacy had made her lose her train of thought.
He sympathized. Being this close to her in a private space again was making his cock swell harder than it had been for months. Or at least, since she’d rode him in the car last week. “Don’t worry,” he cooed. “A lot of people belong to The Syndicate. It’s a vast organization, transcending international boundaries. This is only the London division, but even so, hundreds of members call this place home. Maybe even more.”
He paused, thinking on the conundrum. It had been a long time since he’d given the question any thought himself.
“Is this where I’ll live?” Molly was almost panting as the question slipped from her lips, and Connor wrapped his arms around her waist, instinctively wanting to comfort her.
“Yes,” he replied. “For now, at least, and all you have to worry about is level thirty-six. That’s where my rooms are.”
Not that it mattered, he reasoned to himself. Connor wouldn’t be letting Molly out of his sight anytime soon.
She swallowed, followed by the sound of a deep breath as she tried to compose herself. “Thirty-six,” she repeated, nodding in affirmation. “Okay.”
“Okay,” he responded, planting a trail of hot kisses behind her ear as he reached for the correct button on the control panel.
His kitten groaned as the elevator sprang into action, and Connor’s gaze flitted to the mirrored interior to assess her responses. Molly’s head was thrown back against his chest, and her beautiful eyes were shut. Just the look of her there against him made him harder, and by the time the elevator stopped, he could barely contain the passion which whipped around his body.
“Come on, pet,” he ordered as the doors slid open. “I need to get you somewhere even more private than this.”
He felt her small hand reach for his, and together they exited the brightness of the elevator, striding right up the length of the looming dark corridor. The interior of the building had been modeled on some of the plushest hotels in the world. The walls were paneled with either warm mahogany, or in this case, pale gray marble. The carpets beneath their feet were thick and luxurious, and every few yards, an oversized window broke the monotony of the walls, revealing an expanse of the London skyline. Connor noticed her attention was drawn to the view, and he slowed his pace, permitting her a moment to absorb it. You could see the winding flow of the Thames from here, plus a number of noteworthy landmarks, such as Tower Bridge. He passed the damn scene every day, and never took a moment to appreciate it, but the look in Molly’s eyes made him realize that had been a mistake.
“It’s a-amazing,” she stammered at his inquiring gaze. “All the time I spent here last year waiting for the trial, and I just thought the place was a shitty mess. I never realized the beauty of it, the history and the architecture. It’s…”
Molly hesitated, apparently lost for words. “It’s really something, Master.”
Connor squeezed h
er hand. “I’m glad you approve, kitten,” he replied with a smile. “I thought I was immune until now, but looking at your face has reminded me that you’re right. There is some beauty in it.”
“Even the most dirty, messed up things can be beautiful,” she concluded wistfully. “And this proves it.”
He chortled, nodding his head in agreement. Connor knew she was talking about the city, but frankly, she could also have been referring to their irresistible attraction to one another. It was wonderful, and strong, and entirely fucked up, and while he wasn’t proud of everything he’d achieved to get this far, Connor knew one thing for certain. He wouldn’t change it for the world.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
As it turned out, Connor’s place was located almost half of the way around the block, in room 3640. As soon as he unlocked the door, the décor took Molly’s breath away. She didn’t know what she had expected, but it hadn’t been this. It hadn’t been anything so vast, light and opulent. When Connor had talked about a covert, powerful organization which had helped him get away with murder, she’d imagined dark rooms, hidden away from the light of day, but this place was just the opposite. Based on what she could tell from being on the thirty-sixth floor, the tower must have been absolutely enormous, jutting out of the London skyline proudly. Why had no one asked any questions about its owners, or its purpose? How could it remain secret when it resided in such plain view of the world?
“Do you like?” he asked as she turned to find him securing the large wooden door behind her.
Molly glanced around again, taking in the massive space he called home. It was more like a suite than a room, although in classic Connor-style, the huge four-poster bed did rather dominate the right-hand side of the space. The entire end wall was composed of tinted glass, meaning he could survey the city at his will, but had complete privacy in the process. There were expensive-looking couches stretched lazily underneath most of the window, and warm, rich rugs on the ground. As her gaze swept left, she noted a small kitchenette area near the entrance, and a door, which she assumed led to his bathroom.
“I can change it around if you prefer different styles, or colors?” Connor shrugged as her gaze fell back over him, and she laughed at the gesture. In all the time they’d been together, she had rarely seen him look so indecisive.
“It’s gorgeous, Master,” she reassured him with a smile. “Lots of light, and air, and space. It’s just not what I’d expected from you.”
Connor laughed, the dark sound surrounding her as he approached from behind. “I can understand why you’d think that,” he chuckled. “I am better known for the darkness than for the light, but I hope that here, we can have both.”
He was right behind her now, those powerful arms snaking immediately around her body. Molly turned in his embrace, seeking the handsome contours of his face as she answered him.
“I hope so, too,” she whispered, her heart pounding furiously as his gaze locked with hers. “But, as always, I am entirely in your hands, Master.”
His eyes widened just a fraction at that, the gesture reinforcing to Molly just how much Connor enjoyed that thought. She had to admit she savored it as well, although the prospect did make her profoundly nervous at the same time. Choosing to be with someone was a scary enough prospect, and one that Molly had never even contemplated in her adult life before. But, choosing to be with someone like Connor, someone as dark, and complicated as the man who had denigrated her to within an inch of her life; that was something else altogether, and fleetingly she wondered if they might both need therapy before long. Looking around, she reasoned that was probably something else The Syndicate could provide though. They most certainly seemed to have the means.
“You have so few reasons to believe me,” he began, as one of his large hands rose to stroke away the loose strands of hair from Molly’s face. “But I want to assure you, pet, that you’re in safe hands, now. I want you to be happy, as well as obedient, and I will seek to satiate the writer, as well as the woman and the pet.”
She swallowed, an instinctive response produced not just by his words, but by the ferocity in his eyes. “I know,” she told him. “And I will try to be a good little kitten, Master, although, I’m afraid it has been a while, so I might need a few reminders…”
Connor smiled down at her, his top lip curling as he took her bait. “You need not worry on that front, kitten,” he promised her with a brief kiss. “You will get all the reminders you need.”
“I don’t doubt it, Master,” she replied playfully, although her voice portrayed a confidence she no longer felt.
Something in Connor’s demeanor had changed now that they were in his room, reminding Molly of the way he used to morph from the man into the monster when he’d kept her in his small brick house. It was just a small shift, and if someone else had been present, they most likely would not have even noticed, but Molly knew those mesmerizing green eyes too well, and she had a good idea what was on Connor’s mind as he drew her away from his body.
“I want you naked now,” he told her in a much lower tone than before. “And once you’ve stripped, you can kneel before me.”
Connor pointed to the carpet by his feet, the gesture sending Molly into a spin. Of course, she knew this moment would come. She had positively sought it, and fantasized about yielding to him again every day since he’d been forced from her side. But now that the moment had arrived, her chest tightened, forcing her heart into her throat, and Molly wondered if she could really go back to that place again. That dark, torrid place where she would kneel at his feet, becoming little more than his pet; his thing.
“Kitten?” Connor’s voice was demanding. “Is there a problem?”
She glanced up at his face, trying to think of the right words to explain the torrent of emotions she was experiencing. “Master, I…” she began. “I want to, but I’m scared. I’ve not done anything like this since that day at the house.”
His expression softened slightly, and Connor edged in her direction. “I know,” he told her gently. “But making me wait won’t help your case now, pet. When I give an order, you know what to do.”
Connor’s words made her move, because he was right. Molly did know what to do, and slowly, her limbs began to move. Wordlessly, she obeyed, sliding her ballet pumps from her feet, and beginning work on the belt at her waist. He watched her intently the whole time, the tension between them burgeoning as her small, tentative actions demonstrated the obedience he desired. And of course, she desired them, too. Badly. If only Molly could get past the wall of nerves which obstructed her.
“Good pet,” he purred as her hand slipped to the hem of her thin sweater dress, and she eased it north over her head, revealing the blue lacy bra she’d chosen specifically. It was part of a matching set, and even Molly thought she looked rather alluring in them.
Connor’s eyes widened at the sight of her, and she clutched the now, unnecessary dress in her hand.
“Where should I put my clothes, Master?” she asked demurely.
He smiled, holding out his large palm. “Give them to me,” he instructed. “You shan’t be needing them for a few hours.”
The fact that she’d be needing them again at all was reassuring to Molly. Back in his house, Connor had never permitted her a single item of clothing. Not until the last day they had left together, when she was finally allowed one of his long, leather coats. She shrugged out of her bra, watching as it fell by her ankles.
“Very nice,” Connor growled, closing the short distance that remained between them. “I didn’t know it was possible, but I think I’d forgotten just how bloody gorgeous you are, kitten.”
His hands were on her then, exploring her flesh as they skimmed over her shoulder, and down her back to her exposed ass. “I’ve missed you, kitten,” he said, his voice little more than a strangled noise.
“And I have missed you, Master,” she sighed, relishing the exquisite sensation as Connor’s digits grazed over her body.
“How did I want you?” he demanded sensually.
Molly sighed. She knew the answer well enough. “Naked, Master,” she replied.
“Then, get to it,” he told her. “Remove those delectable panties, and do as you’re told, kitten.”
Connor’s hands were gone then, leaving Molly bereft and with little choice but to comply. She slipped the blue panties from her body, before bending down to collect them. Naturally, she was wet already, and the evidence was clear to see as she handed the garments over to her master.
“My naughty little kitten,” cooed Connor gleefully as he assessed the state of her underwear. “Are you wet for your Master, already?”
Molly knew she was blushing, but she was slipping back into that old state of mental clarity, the one where the only thing that mattered was Connor.
Her and Connor, and the visceral energy between them.
Where once there was fear, there was now only lust, and the draw of something far deeper, and even more profound.
“Yes, Master,” she replied breathlessly. “You always make me wet.”
Connor nodded, his expression knowing as he dropped her clothes into a small pile on a nearby counter. As he resumed his original place, Molly knew there was only one more thing to do, and slowly, without taking her eyes from his face, she sank to her knees.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
It was truly spectacular to watch her submission. Aside from a few fleeting incidents at the house, this was really the first time his kitten had ever yielded to him by choice, and as her limbs dropped into the plush carpet, a wave of triumph washed over Connor. He had her now. He really had her, and the fact that she was here of her own free-will made him want to cry out with joy.
“Good pet,” he told her softly. “You are wonderful. And now, let me furnish you with what you’ll require while you’re here on your hands and knees. Wait there.”
Entwined: (A Dark Romance Kidnap Thriller) (The Dark Necessities Trilogy Book 3) Page 13