“Are your eyes closed?”
“Yes,” she said quickly and the pleasure was all the more intense for it because her sense of touch was heightened.
The next lash was to her back, and she shivered. “Do you like the feel of my whip, Coe?”
“Yes.” She panted. This was different and it felt so incredible. Another lash landed across her back and her pussy wept harder and her womb clenched. Her clit was a swollen throbbing bundle of nerves she ached to stroke.
A harder lash landed across her ass.
“Oh fuck, please don’t stop yet.”
Darice chuckled and the sound was close to her ear. Chloe felt the heat of Darice sink into her, felt the satin of her skin and moaned. Damn she loved the feel of Darice against her. It made her feel like she belonged to her.
Darice slapped Chloe’s plump pussy lips firmly and Chloe groaned as unexpected pleasure erupted through her.
“Mmm, that feels so damn good.” The second slap to her clit tore a needy sound from her as her consciousness began to shift. She’d feared the strength of her enjoyment before, but tonight she didn’t think about it, she merely allowed the pain to take hold of her, to make her feel good.
Another tap to her clit had bliss circling around the nubbin and tearing a cry from her.
Darice pinched her clit and a whimper fell from her lips. The need to come clawed her, but she held it back. She wanted more of this delicious pleasure.
Darice stepped back from her and a heavy tap fell on her ass and then another. Chloe had little time to fully react before the whip landed on her back and then her ass.
She whimpered as the rapture intensified. The whip was a stinging tool, but Darice’s hand was a wicked weapon.
Darice landed one blow and then another before using her hand on Chloe’s ass to tap out a stinging rhythm that made Chloe’s pussy gush as she tugged at the restraints and mewled in pleasure.
“Oh fuck. Yess!” She screamed as fire scorched her ass.
The next tap with the whip and her mind was sinking into a haze. She let out a scream of rapture as her body raced to climax.
“You’re such a good girl, Chloe,” Darice murmured and stroked a vibrator over Chloe’s clit that made her gasp.
“Oh!”
“Feels good?”
“Shit!” She screamed as the high speed vibration strummed her clit sending her into a wild need to explode. She moved her hips trying to grind against it, trying to get just enough pressure to push her over. She scraped the door in desperate need.
Darice turned the motor down and chuckled. She used the little toy to circle Chloe’s clit. “You want to be fucked don’t you, baby?”
“Yes, please. Fuck me.” She begged desperately. She wailed as the weak vibration kept her orgasm just out of reach and pushed her need higher.
Darice pulled away the toy and slapped Chloe’s clit. Chloe let out a harsh cry as her orgasm detonated through her. Panting, her body trembled.
Darice stroked her hands down to Chloe’s hips. She gripped them as she ground against her ass. “I’ve missed you.” She glided her hand between Chloe’s thighs and found her clit. She worked it as she pushed two fingers into the heat of Chloe’s pussy.
Darice thrust into Chloe as she ground her clit against Chloe’s ass hard and fast. Moments later Chloe was coming again as Darice’s orgasm tore a harsh curse from her.
Chapter Five
Darice released the restraints and caught Chloe as she stumbled back. Her arms went around her waist and held her close. She kissed the side of her neck.
“Chloe, you’re the best lover I’ve ever had, baby.”
“That was intense.” In the best kind of way.
Darice carried her to the bed and laid her on it before going to the bathroom for a warm washcloth. Then, she went to clean Chloe up.
“I love the way you take care of me, Dari,” she said softly. She felt so special and so wanted. She had loved yet it was things like this that made her feel she’d never been truly loved until she met Darice. “I want you back.”
“Don’t say that,” Darice answered and saw the sadness in Chloe’s eyes. “I might never let you go if you take me back.”
“What would be so bad about that?” Chloe stroked Darice’s shoulder. “What would be so bad about you being as much mine as I am yours?”
There was nothing wrong with it as long as Chloe didn’t mind the fact that Darice could destroy them both if Chloe ever tried to leave her. She had no illusions about herself. She was no good or noble person. The knowledge that she’d gotten her mother killed had tainted her, left her as unable to bounce back and trust as her father’s violence and her uncle’s vicious vengeance had.
She knew if she ever opened her heart it would have to be to a woman who could temper the darkness inside her, soothe the monster she was without fear. She didn’t think Chloe could walk in the darkness with her when she couldn’t even trust her not to cheat on her.
Darice kissed Chloe’s stomach. “Just be careful what you wish for with me, baby,” she murmured. “Be right back.” She went to clean herself up and discard the towel in the hamper before crawling into the full-size bed with Chloe.
Chloe sat up and studied Darice. “Is it too late? Are you seeing the woman you were talking to that night? Is that why you don’t want me back?”
Darice sighed. “A possible client, but I never wanted her, Coe,” she said coolly. She didn’t want to take no for an answer, but I’m sure she got the point this evening.”
“You’re going to be working with her?”
“Simone told you that’s the only reason I’m here isn’t it?” she demanded. “Damn you! I can’t believe I fell for—” She trailed off and glared at Chloe. “I’ll come get my stuff Saturday. I’ll have my new place by then.”
“Darice,” Chloe whispered.
“No, I’m not going to be working with her,” she snapped. “I told her to keep her contract, but what the hell? You’d never trust me.”
“You trust me even less,” Chloe shouted getting from the bed. “I don’t know anything about your family or where you’re from. You keep whole chunks of your life from me. You hold back a part of yourself from me in bed and out.”
“Tonight I shared part of me with you,” Darice said quietly. “I trusted you and it got me nothing.”
“That’s not true, Darice,” she snapped. “I made a mistake.” She tried to touch her but Darice jerked out of reach.
“I’ll sleep in the guestroom.” She stalked stiffly from the room leaving Chloe to stare at her back with tears misting in her eyes.
Chapter Six
Chloe woke the next morning with gritty eyes and a body that ached from being curled into the fetal position all night. The apartment was silent and she glanced at her digital alarm clock to find it was an hour before she and Darice usually got up.
Chloe didn’t have to be to work until nine, but Darice always left at eight. She’d tried to sleep until eight, but found she still woke on her same old schedule: 6:30. Darice always put on coffee so she’d bought a new machine with a timer to have it going when she was ready for it.
Chloe sighed and tried not to start crying again. She’d messed up bad and lost the only woman to make her feel loved. Maybe she should just move on. It would take time to get over Darice, but she would—eventually.
Tears swelled in her eyes and she let them fall unbidden. Sobs shook her body, and she didn’t bother silencing the pain that racked her as she had last night. She didn’t have to, she was alone again.
****
Darice arrived at SuperFine in a bit of a foul mood. She was already trying to snap herself out of it because she had a long day ahead. The best part was she wouldn’t have to see Chloe and remember the heart-wrenching pain at her sobs this morning.
She’d wanted to go to her, tell her it was okay, but it was probably better things had worked out this way. Chloe deserved better than someone like her. She had hands sta
ined with blood and a heart that been shaped amid depravity. Her soul had been raised on the waters of darkness. She wasn’t even sure she wasn’t just like her father in the end.
Darice headed up the stairs to her studio. It needed to be prepped for today’s shoot. The lingerie contract was important because if they liked her they’d agreed to make her their exclusive photographer for the next two years. It wouldn’t make up for not getting the Be U contract, but it didn’t come with the headaches or the advances.
“Hi, Darice.”
“Hello, Zyra.” She threw the other woman a quick glance over her shoulder.
She and Zyra had been friends since their second year in college. Zyra had been a lifeline with humor and a forthright nature, and she hadn’t even known it. Zyra had been the as openly lesbian as anyone could be and had encouraged her to get out and have fun. They’d been two rogues raising hell and each of them had had her own secrets, but they fit like two peas in a pod.
“Did your old lady like the necklace?”
Zyra smiled. “Yeah. It was a good idea. Thanks for the suggestion.”
Darice reached for the knob of her studio’s door. “Well, that’s the least I can do.” She liked Simone even if she hadn’t been able to keep her mouth closed. She had a good heart.
“Your crashing at our place isn’t a problem,” Zyra assured her.
Darice found a smile for her friend. “Thanks, but I won’t hold your guestroom hostage for much longer.”
“Why don’t you just go back to Chloe?” Zyra asked. “She was over yesterday. I can tell she missed you.”
“I need to get the studio ready for the shoot.” She turned the knob and Zyra put a hand on her arm stopping her. Darice met her gaze questioningly.
“You guys still love each other,” she said softly.
“She doesn’t trust me, Zy and that hurts.” It cut like a knife.
“You have no idea what her last girlfriend was like,” Zyra murmured. “She really put Chloe through the ringer.”
Chloe had told her a little bit about it. “It’s no excuse, Zy. She can see that’s not my style.”
“She’s scared. You can give her that one fuck up, dude,” Zyra muttered. “I know you understand where she’s coming from. You’ve been taken through the ringer a time or two yourself. You don’t trust that easily either. I’m surprised you two were able to make it nine months, but ya did. Now, stop being an ass and call her. Give her that bracelet you bought her the—”
“I didn’t buy that damned bracelet,” Darice jumped in quickly and looked away. She’d known it was Chloe the moment she saw the pink beads on the rose gold bracelet. It was expensive as hell, but she’d known Chloe would love it. It screamed girly just like Chloe.
Zyra grunted. “Yeah, whatever,” she muttered. “You want her back. Don’t punk out when it matters the most. Go get your girl back.”
Darice shook her head and pushed open the door to her studio. The room was a disheveled wreck with black spray paint staining the walls, the floor, and the furniture. The curtains had been shredded and the windows stained with red paint. Bitch was painted in black across the Asian changing screen.
The stocks she’d brought in for the shoot had been damaged. The chair in the corner had been left pristine while the carpet was stained with paint and mud turning the romantic dream room into a grunge nightmare.
Darice ground her teeth. Damn that brat. She’d give her this one, but—”
“What the hell?” Zyra muttered.
“That scatter-brained asshole had this done,” she snapped out clenching her hands at her sides.
“St. Claire?” Zyra demanded. “I know—what happened with her last night?”
“Not only did I refuse to be her pet, I threw her contract back in her face,” she said tightly and pulled the door closed before slamming her fist into it.
“That bitch,” Zyra breathed softly.
“There’s a phone call for you, boss,” Angeline said from the hallway.
“I’ll get a new security company out here,” Zyra said. “She won’t be getting in here again.”
“That’s okay, you have a shoot. I’ll do it,” Darice said knowing who she’d call. “I’ll take it in my office, Angeline.” She headed to her office, anger coursing through her. The light was blinking on the phone, and she yanked up the receiver and punched the appropriate number. “McMasters,” she said tempering her anger.
“Ms. McMasters, its, Chloe.”
Chloe’s voice wavered slightly, but it was quiet without a hint of the pain that she’d heard this morning.
Darice swallowed tightly. “What can I do for you?” she asked putting on her most professional tone.
“I have a few more questions, and I was wondering if it would be possible for me to sit in on a shoot. I’ll take whatever you can swing. I’d like to talk to a few of your past clients and employees if possible. I’d like to give the community a total picture of your work world.”
She sat back in her chair and considered the request. That’s when it hit her how to fix the scene for the shoot. “You can talk to any of my employees,” she said. “I’ll tell them to make time for you as long as it doesn’t interfere with their schedule.”
There was a silence and then Chloe said, “What about the shoot?”
“I don’t think it’s going to happen,” she said and glanced at her watch. “I have to go. You’re welcome to come by anytime.” She disconnected and pushed out a harsh breath. She didn’t need to see Chloe on top of this morning’s mess. She didn’t even want to, she told herself firmly. Chloe was just trouble.
Darice called the police knowing there was nothing they could do. All she could hope for was she could pull off her plans to turn that grunge look into something of sensuality.
Chapter Seven
“You’re working like a speed demon this morning.”
Chloe looked up from her computer to meet Selena Warren’s curious brown gaze. She and Selena shared an office and were both business and investigative journalists. Sometimes business and investigative pieces went hand in hand here.
“Trying to finish up a few things,” she said. Chloe was finishing up a story on a lesbian cheerleader’s rape that would run in this month’s issue.
“How did your interview with Darice go?” Selena asked and Chloe saw a flicker of distaste in her eyes. She knew Selena had thought her relationship with a black woman was wrong, and she’d congratulated her on the good sense to break up with Darice.
Chloe shrugged. “I’m not done with the piece yet,” she admitted. “The initial interview went fine.”
“I’m glad. I thought it would be hard. I know how difficult it is getting over someone,” Selena said. “Why don’t we hang out tonight? You can come over and have some wine, watch a movie.” Selena leaned back in her chair with a smile.
Selena was very attractive with her strawberry blonde hair and brilliant blue eyes. She had the perfect body and men and women were always checking her out.
“Actually, I have plans,” Chloe said and gave her a smile. Last night had turned out too horribly. Darice didn’t want anything to do with her, so she was staying in tonight to lick her wounds.
Selena frowned. “Tell me you didn’t let that cheat talk you into getting back together,” Selena exclaimed.
“We didn’t.” She shook her head and fought back the tears that tried to form in her eyes.
“Then, come over,” Selena pressed. “It’ll be fun, but we can go out to dinner if you want to.”
There was hope in her eyes that made Chloe smile again. If she wasn’t hurting, she’d take Selena up on her offer, but she just wanted to be alone.
“I really do have plans,” she said. “Some other time?” She looked down at her computer at the sound of a beep. She had incoming mail.
“Okay, then,” she said with a shrug.
****
Darice had everything set up for the shoot that afternoon. The room had been transfo
rmed with an area rug covering the now naked blond wood floor. The room said bold and edgy. The specialty line was for the larger-sized woman and Darice thought the edge would be very sexy on them.
“This is fantastic, Darice,” Veda said.
Darice gave the head of the company’s advertising staff a smile. “You think so?”
“We wanted soft and feminine, but this says sexy and proud of it.”
That’s what she’d been going for. “Is that okay?”
“Yes.” Veda beamed at her. The older woman was pleasingly plump herself. “Just because there’s more of us to love doesn’t mean we can’t be sexy too.”
“I agree,” Darice answered. She wasn’t known to crack under pressure.
“Beautiful set.”
Darice frowned and turned at the same moment Veda did. Zyra was standing behind Chloe who gave Darice a tentative smile.
“This is a reporter from Feminine Confidence Magazine,” Zyra said to Veda. “She’s doing a story on Darice.”
“Oh, I’ve heard of the magazine,” Veda said with a smile. “Would you like to sit in on the shoot?”
“I would love too,” Chloe said with a grin. Her gaze darted to Darice and then quickly went back to Veda. “I’m Chloe Driver by the way.”
“Veda Price.”
“Is this your first time working with Ms. McMasters?”
“No,” Veda said with a shake of her head.
Darice cocked a brow at Zyra and she smiled. “Excuse me a minute,” she said and went Zyra. “Zyra I need to speak to you a minute before we get started.”
“What?” Zyra asked innocently when they walked down the hallway a short distance.
“You know what,” she said icily crossing her arms over her chest and glaring. “You know damn well I didn’t want her in there.”
“It’s not like you’ll be alone with her.” Zyra rolled her eyes. “Anyway, you’re not going to get pass this without dealing with it. She’s Simone’s friend. You are going to see her sometime.”
She shook her head. “Wrong call, Zyra.” Darice turned her head at the sound of lilting laughter. Veda was flirting with Chloe and Chloe seemed to be enjoying it.
Mad About Her Page 3