Dark Obsessions - Volume I: Four Intense Capture Fantasies in One Sizzling Collection

by Claire Thompson

  Leah said nothing. This sounded pretty good to her too, though a small voice of reason warned her to slow down. Devin continued, “I sense your passion, Leah, and your submissive desire. Just as I’m hardwired to take erotic control, you are hardwired to relinquish it.”

  His words sent a jolt of aching desire through her body. She was glad of the darkness in the booth, and the fact they were staring straight ahead, rather than at each other.

  “You crave the sensual eroticism of rope, and the kiss of a leather whip to heighten the experience,” Devin continued in his lovely, rich accent.

  “Yes.” She nearly whimpered with longing. How was it this man she’d only just met seemed to know her deepest secrets?

  “D/s is like a fire, Leah. Fire, not handled properly, can cause damage. There’s a thrill there, a flirtation with danger as you take it to the edge. Part of the dance is getting close to that fire without being burned.”

  “Oh,” Leah breathed, the word pulled from deep inside her, her entire body thrumming with anticipation. Devin placed his hand on Leah’s thigh. She could feel the warmth of it through the light fabric of her skirt. Lifting her head, Leah started to turn toward him, her lips actually tingling with the need of a kiss, but Devin stopped her.

  “Don’t move.” His voice was gentle but sure, brooking no disobedience. “Keep your eyes straight ahead, hands on the table.” It didn’t occur to Leah to refuse. He moved his hand slowly down her thigh and calf. He gathered the hem of her skirt and then slipped his hand beneath it, his fingers now moving slowly up her bare leg.

  “I sensed your strength the moment we met,” he said. “Submission is not about weakness, but rather about courage, the courage to recognize and embrace what and who you are at the very core of your being.” His hand moved up her leg, coming to rest on her bare thigh beneath the table.

  Leah blew out a breath, his words electrifying her as much as his touch. She let her legs fall open, unable to exert even the slightest self-control. Her panties were soaking wet, her pussy tingling. Devin’s hand inched closer and Leah bit her lip to keep from begging.

  She turned her face abruptly to his. “Kiss me,” she demanded.

  Devin obliged, dipping his head to hers, his lips soft and warm. He slipped his tongue into her mouth and she felt herself melting against him. He took his hand from her thigh and Leah wanted to grab it back. She wanted him to put his hand into her panties. She twisted toward him, aware someone might see, but too turned on to care.

  He was the first to pull away from the kiss. Leah opened her eyes, her body leaning into his, her breath coming in rapid pants. Devin slid out of the booth and held out his hand. Leah put her hand in his, allowing him to pull her upright.

  He put his arm around her as he led her from the bar. They didn’t speak as they waited at the bank of elevators. His arm still around her shoulders, Devin led Leah into an empty car and pushed the button for the top floor of the fourteen-story hotel.

  When it glided open, he led her past several doors that lined the narrow hallway. He stopped in front of the last door and slipped his card key into the lock. Pushing open the door, he gestured for Leah to enter in front of him.

  Unlike her cramped economy room, with its single bed and a bathroom that barely had room for its toilet and shower stall, Devin had a suite of rooms, including a large, furnished sitting area, a master bedroom and a bathroom with a full-size Jacuzzi.

  “Wow,” Leah said, lifting her arms and whirling around in a circle. “The penthouse suite, huh?”

  Devin smiled. “I’ve got an expense account. Comes in handy.”

  It occurred to Leah she’d just allowed herself to be brought up to a strange man’s rooms, and not a soul knew where she was. Would she be found the next morning, strangled and stabbed to death, stuffed in the laundry hamper?

  She knew even as this thought flitted through her mind that it was nonsense. She’d felt such a strong connection with Devin. And beneath the undeniable sexual attraction, there was a deep, innate sense of trust. She knew, on a gut level, that she could trust this man.

  He was watching her, a small smile on his face. “It’s not often I bring a young woman to my room after only a few hours’ acquaintance,” he said, as if privy to her thoughts.

  “Afraid I’ll be too much for you?” she quipped, grinning.

  “Quite the contrary,” he growled in a low, sexy voice, as he moved suddenly toward her, wrapping her in a strong embrace. Bending her back, he kissed her, all the pent-up passion they’d shared at the bar spilling over into that kiss. He moved her toward the bed as they kissed, finally falling over her and pressing her into the mattress with his body.

  If either had thought about taking it slow, their hunger for each other made it impossible. Their hands were moving in a frenzy, tugging, pulling, unbuttoning and unzipping as they lifted hips and shrugged shoulders in their eagerness to feel skin on skin.

  When they were both naked, Devin fell on her again, his kiss voracious, his cock hard as steel against her thigh. He lifted his head, lowering it to find her nipple, which he took between his teeth, lightly pulling and then sucking, while Leah moaned her approval. She could feel the wet, swollen throb of her cunt, and ached to feel him inside her.

  Lifting himself from her, Devin scooted down, pressing her thighs apart with strong hands. “Ahhh,” Leah sighed, the word pulled from her when his tongue made contact with her labia, licking in a teasing circle around her clit. She reached for his head to guide him, and was momentarily startled when she felt the grip of his fingers circling her wrists. As he continued to lick and suckle at her sex, he pressed her wrists firmly to the mattress, making it very clear who was in charge.

  The sweet heat of submissive surrender settled over her like a silken blanket as Devin held her down. He brought her quickly to an orgasm that made her cry out with blinding pleasure.

  As she came slowly out of her swoon, she was aware of his mouth still on her—light, sweet kisses on her labia and along her inner thighs. He looked up from between her legs, his hair tousled and falling into those golden brown eyes, a soft smile on his face.

  “Beautiful girl,” he whispered. “You taste sweet as honey.”

  She smiled back, feeling as lazy and content as a cat. She watched as Devin stood, and the sight of his huge erection stoked the smoldering embers of her desire. She lifted herself onto her elbows as he moved toward the bureau. She recognized from his movements that he was putting on a condom.

  When he turned around, he was holding something. Leah’s eyes widened as she took in the black leather bullwhip, dangling like a promise from its braided handle.

  “Oh,” she gasped, her sexual stupor burning quickly away. It took skill and care to handle one of those properly, and the fact Devin owned one made it pretty clear he was an expert in the delicious, dark art of BDSM.

  “You know what this is?” he asked softly as he advanced upon her, his large, thick erection leading the way.

  “A bullwhip,” she whispered in reply.

  “That’s right.” Devin set it down on the bed beside her. “I want to use it on you, if you prove yourself worthy.”

  “Oh,” she said again, language for the moment abandoning her. She could almost feel the wonderful, fiery sting of its tip, and hear the sonic crack as it made contact with that part of her that longed for erotic pain.

  “But first,” he whispered, settling himself over her. “I must have you.”

  He reached for her wrists, guiding them up over her head and pressing them into the mattress as he nudged her still-wet entrance with the head of his sheathed cock. He moved carefully, entering her slowly, his gold-flecked gaze burning into her.

  Leah tried to keep her eyes open as he eased inside her. She could feel her muscles contracting around his shaft and she groaned with pleasure as he began to move inside her. She focused on his face for as long as she could, loving the feel of his fingers curled around her wrists and his strong, muscular body o
ver hers as he moved sensually inside her.

  Finally she gave up, letting her eyelids flutter shut as she arched up into him, embracing the pleasure radiating from her groin as it flowed over her body. He let her wrists go and threw his head back as he thrust hard inside her. Leah wrapped her legs around him and held him close in her arms, pulling him deep inside as she lifted her body to meet his.

  Afterward they lay still for a long time, his cock still buried in her warmth, their heartbeats tumbling over each other as their breathing slowly eased. Leah drifted in and out of a sexual lethargy, stunned at the intensity of what she’d just experienced.

  Eventually Devin rolled from her onto his back. Reaching for her, he pulled her close, guiding her head until she rested it on his chest. As she lay in the comfort and safety of his arms, something surged through Leah, reenergizing her and making her body feel light, as if she could fly. It was, she realized with sudden, startled recognition, joy.

  Pure joy.

  Her eyes landed on the bullwhip, which lay curled like a sleeping snake on the sheets beside them. She reached for it, stroking the deceptively soft leather. Tilting her head to look into Devin’s handsome face, she asked, “So, what’s the verdict? Am I worthy?”

  His smile told her everything she needed to know.

  Chapter 2

  Leah wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. Though it was only March, the day had dawned hot and wet, the temperature already over ninety degrees. While it had felt pleasant enough when lying on the beach with the sea breeze keeping her cool, here in the heart of the old shopping district with its close, narrow streets and throngs of people was another story.

  She touched the V at the hollow of her neck, feeling the lack there, and it made her smile. She was well and truly over Todd Benjamin. He was just a memory, and a fading one, at that.

  She’d spent the entire night in Devin’s arms. They’d made love again at dawn, this time taking it slower, exploring each other’s bodies with passion and tenderness. As Devin held her close, he whispered his promise that soon she would experience the stinging kiss of the whip and the sensual, hot comfort of binding rope.

  She’d slept deeply after that, not waking until after nine. When she’d reached for her new lover, she’d been dismayed to find the bed was empty and Devin nowhere in sight. He’d left her a note, written in a strong, masculine hand on the hotel’s stationery:

  Darling Leah,

  I couldn’t bring myself to wake you, as you look so beautiful lying there asleep, with that soft smile on your lips that I like to imagine I put there! I have to spend a dreary day with stodgy old businessmen, but I should be back in time for dinner. Feel free to order room service. I can’t wait to see you again, lovely girl. If we don’t connect sooner, meet me in the bar at 7:00. I do hope you are free for dinner and then…

  With wonderful, wicked thoughts of what I’m going to do to you, Devin

  Though she would have rather spent the morning in Devin’s arms, Leah contented herself with a breakfast of freshly squeezed orange juice and hot rolls with butter and jam, after which she took a long, steamy soak in Devin’s hot tub. While in the tub, she’d removed the slave collar, no longer wanting someone else’s chain around her neck. She’d dropped it into the bathroom trashcan, wondering why she’d worn it for so long.

  When she finally headed back to her own room it was nearly one o’clock in the afternoon. Surveying her meager wardrobe, she decided she would buy a few new things—something nice for their dinner date, and definitely something sexy for the promised, “and then…” in his note.

  Now Leah scanned the signs along the storefronts, weaving her way past the crowds as she looked for the jewelry and gem shop the concierge at the hotel had recommended. Again she touched her throat, thinking perhaps she’d find a pretty new necklace for herself, and maybe some gifts for friends and family back home.

  At first she’d been a little surprised the concierge had pushed the jewelry store so hard when she’d asked about clothing boutiques. She figured probably a family member owned it, which would explain why the guy had been so eager to show her the glossy color brochure featuring the finest jewels and gemstones available at the most reasonable prices. “Tell them Jao sent you, and I can guarantee you will get the best price. They’ll know you’re not just any tourist, but an experienced traveler, with a good eye for a bargain. Let me know when you’re going,” he’d said eagerly. “I’ll call ahead so they’ll be ready with the finest gems, the ones they keep in the back for their best customers.”

  Armed with Jao’s directions and a promise from him that she’d find the jewels of her dreams, she finally spied the storefront with the neatly lettered sign in the window. Glorious Gemstones and Jewels was written in English, with Thai lettering beneath it. She pushed opened the door, causing bells to tinkle as she entered the small shop.

  It was a long, narrow room, the interior dark and cool compared to the muggy outside air. As her eyes adjusted to the dimness, she saw the place was filled with glass cases displaying all kinds of jewelry, from gaudy gold chains and cheap watches, to wedding band sets and ropes of pearls, to loose gemstones in vibrant reds, greens, blues and amber.

  “May I help you?” A small Thai woman in a brightly colored silk dress stood behind one of the counters.

  “I’m Leah Jacobs, a friend of Jao’s,” Leah offered, curious how this would be received.

  “Ah, yes, I have been expecting you.” The woman smiled, bobbing her head in an eager nod. “I am delighted to make your acquaintance. Jao mentioned you are no mere tourist, but a woman of some culture and experience, a woman who knows the value of fine gemstones.”

  While this was probably an exaggeration, Leah was pleased Jao had played her up like this. Hopefully it meant she’d get better treatment and be offered higher quality goods than the run-of-the-mill tourist. She smiled, saying casually, “I’m just looking.”

  “Of course.” The woman nodded. “Our best quality items are in the back of the store. The selection out here is for the tourists.”

  I knew it, Leah thought triumphantly.

  The woman came from around the counter. “I only show the quality jewels to the most discerning of customers. And of course, to friends of Jao.”

  Leah pretended to hesitate, not wanting to be too obvious in her interest, but she definitely wanted to see the quality goods, and have a go at haggling down the price, no matter what was offered.

  “All right,” she agreed. “Though as I said, I’m just looking at the moment.”

  “Of course. I’ll just lock up the store for a few minutes so we can take our time and not be disturbed.” The woman moved toward the front door, sliding a bolt in place and turning the sign from Open to Closed.

  Discomfited at first by the shopkeeper closing the store just for her, Leah supposed it made sense, since the shopkeeper couldn’t very well leave the displays unattended while she took Leah in back. She must be assuming Leah was a rich American with plenty of American dollars to spend. Leah would look, but she’d made no promises to buy.

  The woman gestured toward an entrance that was hung with strings of bright glass beads in lieu of a proper door and moved in that direction. Leah followed her through the beads into a tiny room that contained a round wooden table with two chairs and a small kitchen area with a stove and half-size refrigerator.

  “Please.” The woman gestured toward the table. “Have a seat, won’t you? I will give you some iced coffee. Then I will bring out the trays of our finest jewels for your personal inspection.”

  “Thank you,” Leah said. She took a seat at the table as the woman moved toward the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, removing a large glass pitcher with what looked like dark coffee inside it, along with a small white bottle Leah assumed was cream. The woman took a glass from the cabinet and filled it with the dark coffee and cream, stirring it into a caramel swirl.

  As she watched the woman prepare the coffee, Leah r
ealized she was in fact parched, and a nice glass of strong, sweet Thai iced coffee sounded pretty darn good at that moment, even if she was just being buttered up so she’d make a purchase.

  The glass was set before her, along with a dish of saltine crackers. “To your health,” the woman said. Leah picked up the glass and sipped. It was very sweet, too sweet, really, for Leah’s taste, but it was cold and wet, and she was thirsty, so she took a long, deep gulp.

  Oddly, she felt thirstier than she had a moment before, and there was a metallic taste in the back of her throat. She lifted the glass again, taking another gulp of the thick, sweet liquid to wash it away.

  The woman smiled, nodding approvingly. “I’ll bring the jewels. You drink that all up like a good girl.”

  Leah set the glass down harder than she’d meant to, clunking it against the scarred wood of the table. Her head felt suddenly heavy, her eyelids drooping down as if lead weights were attached to them. The sounds of the traffic outside the shop were muffled and there was a strange whooshing sound in her ears, as if her head were suddenly inside a seashell.

  Leah tried to lift her hand to her face, but only succeeded in knocking over the glass, spilling the remaining liquid onto the table. “Help me. Something is wrong,” she tried to say, but only managed a garbled, “Heh muh, sutha gah…”

  The last thing she saw before her head hit the table was the shopkeeper, who reentered the room with two men holding coils of rope in their hands.

  ~*~

  Leah awoke with a start, jerking violently out of a bad dream. She tried to push away the hair falling into her face, but found she couldn’t move. She was lying on her side in a dark, hot room. Her hands were bound behind her back and her ankles were secured as well. She realized she was naked.

  “Oh my god,” she whispered, terror falling over her like a shroud. “What the hell happened? Where am I?”