by Piper Stone
I’d just taken the kind of calculated risk that usually backfired. What I didn’t expect was for him to let go of the leash entirely, easing back in the chair as if completely comfortable. When he spoke, he seemed in a reminiscent mood.
“My father wasn’t a bad man, although he was indeed powerful in his own right. He simply cared more about money than he did his own sons. What he created was a predatory world, a place where only the strongest survived. There isn’t a human being on this planet who hasn’t broken the rules or taken advantage of another all in a desire to get ahead. My father was the master of making certain people pay a price if necessary. He was judge and jury, just like my grandfather was.”
“Blackmail,” I said quietly. “That’s what he did to his members.”
He nodded, half laughing. “Extortion. A simple phone call to an attorney’s office or perhaps the local media. It was his way of righting wrongs. All under the guise of running a kink club. Did you know there are cameras in at least a few select rooms? Footage obtained and kept on file if necessary.”
“What about the information gathered for years?”
As he shifted closer, I could feel the heat of his scrutinizing glare. “As I told you before, you ask too many questions. You are correct in that Club Darkness, as well as my brothers, is being threatened. By whom, we don’t know. However, the lengths they are going to have already been crippling, allowing the fine members of law enforcement to believe that we are participating in criminal activities.”
His admittance caught me off guard. Why would he risk telling me anything about what they were facing? Another test. Another manipulation.
“And do you want to know what’s interesting?” he asked, a slight smile curling across his face. “Neither my brothers nor I have used a single bit of information from my father’s ledgers, nor have we even bothered to look what might be on the security drives. While at some point it might become necessary, we run a clean operation. That’s because of my brother. Michael refused to handle Club Darkness any other way.”
I folded my arms, feeling even more vulnerable than before. “Implied threats.”
“I may have issued a few in my enraged states, but it hasn’t been necessary to go any further.” He reached out, stroking my hair. “Yet our enemies seem to be growing restless.”
“Which usually means whatever there is to be found will be destructive. If you find the member with the most to gain or lose, you may locate the person responsible,” I offered, my heart racing. “I’d be careful. Whatever they are doing might have more significant consequences than you realize.”
He cocked his head, narrowing his eyes. “An interesting perspective after only spending a few days in the club.”
Another round of tension pulsed between us.
“Am I still your enemy?”
His expression was one of longing versus anger. “You are my greatest enemy.”
“Why?”
“As I said, because I care about you. That not only makes you dangerous in my life, it makes you impossible to protect.”
“I don’t need protection.”
“We all need protection, if only from our greatest fears.”
“And what’s yours?”
Gregory hesitated, taking several shallow breaths. “Remembering.”
I shuddered as he rolled his knuckles across my cheek before fisting my hair. “I understand.”
As he rose from the chair, he pulled me with him then yanked me against the heat of his body and onto my tiptoes. “I think you do.”
As he lowered his head until our lips were only centimeters apart, another trickle of juice slipped down the insides of my thighs. I was completely overwhelmed by desire, unable to classify right from wrong. The kiss was passionate, more so than ever before, the kind of intimacy that I would never expect from a man like Gregory.
He thrust his tongue inside, taking his time as he drew it back and forth across mine. So dominating. So temperamental. I palmed his chest, digging my fingers into his shirt, my mind slipping back into the very euphoria that he’d created the day we met.
All consuming.
Gregory slipped his hand behind my head, squeezing my neck before breaking the kiss. “My sweet pet. I’m glad we had that talk. Now, you’re going to please me.”
I couldn’t help but smile, my entire body tingling at the thought. “Yes, sir.”
“Down on all fours, my beautiful girl. Time to go for a walk.”
In a flash, an odd combination of guilt and desire, trepidation and excitement shot through every synapse.
But I did as I was told, easing down onto all fours.
“Good girl.” After wrapping the end of the leash around his hand, he tugged, forcing me to crawl beside him.
I’d ceased being Autumn Sutherland on any level, becoming the women named Valentina.
The pet owned by Master Gregory.
Chapter Fourteen
Gregory
Valentina...
I wanted to whisper her name over and over again.
My pet.
I’d actually never felt so close to a woman in my life. The fact that Valentina trusted me enough to perform in an entirely different way left my cock throbbing, my balls tight as drums, and my heart racing. My hunger was off the charts, my needs escalating to the sadistic levels they’d been before.
I wanted her as my pet.
I wanted her locked inside a cage.
I craved to provide the kind of training that she so desperately needed, giving her security and teaching her a heightened level of trust.
Allowing her to experience all the rapture she could handle. I almost laughed at the realization as I gazed down at her, stunned that she’d obeyed my commands. After everything we’d talked about, after enjoying almost every minute of spending time with her, I realized I was more excited than I’d been in years.
She did that to me.
She brought out both sides.
What startled me the most was how much I adored her.
Don’t lie to yourself.
I’d been trying to do that since the moment I’d laid eyes on her. The growing love I felt for her scared the shit out of me. However, I wanted to risk everything to keep her with me, to have her in my life.
Even if I wondered if it could come to pass.
If the asshole attempting to condemn my world would allow her to be in my life.
I refused to think about Maggie, even though my past feelings for her continued to surface. She’d been a force in my life, allowing me for the first time to explore as well as enjoy the sadistic side that I’d barely allowed Valentina to see. She’d also been my downfall, the truth behind her secrets nearly destroying both of us.
While a portion of me hated that Christopher had brought her up, was there a chance the activity Michael had discovered had anything to do with her after all this time?
I shifted my thoughts away and toward Valentina, continuing to study her intently.
It was easy to see she was lying about something, although I could also tell how much she actually cared. Then again, I’d told her a few lies of my own just in case her motive was to find the damning evidence my father had kept. Maybe she was right in that this was very personal.
Maybe it was time for me to find out if the man I suspected was behind this truly had the chutzpa to do something so bold.
However, that would happen tomorrow. Tonight, I was hungry to finish what I’d started.
Seeing her in the collar had been far too exciting, every nerve ending seared from white-hot heat. She was stunning in the red leather, the matching leash a touch that I hadn’t been able to ignore. I envisioned a jeweled collar, one better befitting her personality, but there hadn’t been time to purchase anything but the crude reminder of ownership. Still, she was beguiling as fuck. As I slowly walked toward the berth, my thoughts slowly drifted to fucking her in every hole, feasting on her sweet little pussy.
And taking her training to
another level.
“You’re doing very well, my pet,” I murmured as I opened the door to the bedroom salon, turning on a single light. I’d planned the evening with every possible scenario in mind, although I hadn’t anticipated that she’d try to run.
I’d seen the look of fear in her eyes as she huddled against one of the little outbuildings. As if she’d seen a ghost.
Or a shooter.
While the threat that had been made indicated that whoever the asshole was attempting to destroy us was upping their game, I honestly doubted the bastard had the balls to have anyone follow either one of my brothers.
Then again, I could be wrong.
However, anyone attempting to gain entrance on the boat would be noticed immediately, the security system set in place.
I walked her toward the bed, slowly removing the leash, leaning over so I could stroke her hair. “You’re going to have to continue trusting me, Valentina. Can you do that?”
The way she looked up at me drew me in. There was such an innocence about her, a desire to experience things out of her comfort zone that fascinated me. Whatever game she might be playing, she’d blossomed in the most unexpected ways.
“Yes, sir. I can do that,” she answered demurely.
“Crawl onto the bed for me, my pet.” She followed my instructions without hesitation, remaining on all fours after obeying my command. I could tell she’d noticed the shackles I’d already placed in strategic positions at the head of the bed, the chains attaching them allowing for various positions if desired.
My mouth watered at the thought.
I put the leash on the small dresser, placing my phone and weapon alongside before pulling the blindfold out of one of the drawers. “Lie down on your back for me.”
Once again, she did as she was told, easing onto her back yet I heard her ragged breathing. When I turned to face her, she followed me with her eyes, her chest rising and falling. She remained nervous, her jaw clenched.
I took deliberate steps toward her, merely placing the blindfold down where she could see it. Her eyes opened wide, her mouth twisting.
“Hands over your head.”
“I don’t...” Her words trailed off and slowly she raised her arms.
“Relax, my pet. Nothing and no one will hurt you. That much I promise you.” The second I brushed the tips of my fingers along her ribcage, she let out a wondrous whimper, the sound riddled with desire. I rolled my knuckles just underneath her breasts before flicking the tip of my finger back and forth across her nipple.
Within seconds I was rewarded with a series of scattered moans, her entire body covered in goosebumps. The scent of her was incredible, her perfume as well as her feminine wiles a dangerous combination. Fuck, I wanted this woman, craved her like no other I’d had in my life.
Including Maggie.
I gently rolled my fingers along the underside of her arm, taking her wrist into my fingers. “Remember what I mentioned about when your senses are no longer available?”
“Yes... sir,” she struggled to say.
I secured one wrist then slowly moved around the bed, gently rubbing my fingers in her palm before repeating the move. “Tonight, you’re going to lose two.”
She bit back a cry as she stared at me, remaining unblinking. I could tell she was riddled with distrust, questioning even her rationality for being here.
Of being with me.
A man who’d told her time and time again that he was nothing but a monster.
I allowed her to watch as I trailed my fingers down her arm to her neck then brushing them across her jaw to her mouth. She pursed her lips without me commanding, her breathing less ragged.
“Are you wet for me, my pet?”
“Yes. Yes, sir.”
“Do you hunger for my cock?” I mused, swirling the tip of my finger around one fully aroused nipple then the other.
She nodded at first, swallowing before she could answer. “Oh, yes, sir.”
“Good girl. You should hunger. You should allow your desire to consume you, requiring more.” I couldn’t resist crawling my fingers all the way down her taut little stomach, teasing her pretty pink clit for a few beautiful seconds. Her moans were my reward, the sweetest music on the planet. When I pumped a single finger inside her wet heat, she shivered visibly, pulling against her bindings. The rattle of the chain against the wooden headboard was delicious on so many levels.
When I pulled my finger away, I rubbed it across my lips, my cock twitching to the point of utter pain.
I took my time moving toward the blindfold, holding it in front of her for a few seconds before lifting her head. While she didn’t fight me, her body tensed once again as I secured the thick cloth behind her head. I backed away, heading for the dresser drawer and pulling out a set of headphones. I wanted every other sensation to explode, allowing her a surreal experience of a lifetime.
It would also increase her trust, or so I hoped.
“Now, you need to relax and allow your imagination to soar.” As I placed the headphones over her ears, Valentina tossed back and forth, her hips bucking as she fisted her hands.
“What are you doing?” she asked, her demanding tone returning.
I leaned over until our lips were centimeters away, darting my tongue across the seam of her mouth. She jerked up, arching her back in an effort to get to me. Very gently I pressed open her lips with mine, holding the stance until she eased back onto the bed. I allowed the French kiss to be a subtle reminder that I did indeed adore her.
Perhaps more than I cared to admit.
When I eased back, she gasped. “Don’t leave me. I don’t... I don’t know if I can do this.”
For reassurance, I rubbed my hand across her cheek then took my time undressing, watching her every move as she attempted to relax. Still tossing her head back and forth. Still fighting the leather straps.
Still hungering.
As I crawled onto the end of the bed, she pursed her mouth. When I pushed her legs back, opening them wide, she issued a single whimper. The moment I leaned over, blowing across her sweet pussy, she let out an intense moan. I settled between her legs, savoring her fragrance before dragging my tongue along the inner thigh of one leg.
“Mmm...” she mused, still fighting to get to me.
I repeated the action on her other leg, smiling as her legs quivered yet she opened them as wide as possible, a wonderful offering. She was so damn wet, her pussy lips glistening, and I was one parched man, desperate to lick up every drop. However, I wanted this to last for a long time. I teased her for a couple of minutes, darting my tongue across her thighs and across the area over her pussy.
“Oh. Yes...” she murmured, stretching and shifting, undulating her hips. Everything about her was fascinating to watch, my entire body ripe with desire as the electricity pumped alongside the adrenaline. I was alive and on fire, every muscle tensing as I prepared to ravage her. I sent a shower of hot breath dancing along her thighs then directly across her pussy, growling from the way her hips undulated. While I’d shut down two of her senses, every one of mine was heightened, creating a hard hammering of my heart. I wouldn’t be able to resist her for long.
When I finally swirled the tip of my tongue across her clit, she let out a bedraggled moan, the sound somehow echoing. I flicked the tip back and forth, enjoying every second of seeing her squirm from pleasure, still desperate to break free. She curled her toes as I held her down, her breath skipping. Everything about this was sinful, delicious filth that would remain with me for some time.
As I sucked on her already swollen clit, the taste of her filling my mouth, I became more parched, my desires becoming more savage. My control seemed lost around her, my hunger too great.
“So good. So...” Valentina laughed softly, as if what she was saying was ridiculous. I couldn’t take my eyes off her as she dragged her tongue across her lips, purrs slipping up from her throat. She had no idea how crazy she was making me.
Spots floa
ted in front of my eyes from the building hunger, desire that yanked the beast from his lair. I’d finally had enough of taunting her, my entire body too wired. I buried my face into her pussy, licking her relentlessly for a full minute. I lapped her flowing cream, the taste exquisite. Within seconds, I knew I was bringing her close to an orgasm. When I pulled back, she was gasping for air. While she continued to struggle, her body’s reactions were all about the pleasure she was receiving.
Wanting more.
Needing more.
I drew my fingers along the crack of her ass, sliding one then a second into her tight little channel. While I was disappointed that she hadn’t worn her plug, I’d known she would fight my control. Such a bad little girl. A woman requiring harsh discipline, strict training. And I was prepared to give it to her.
Closing my eyes, I allowed myself to feast, driving several fingers inside while I licked up and down the length of her. Her sounds were more fervent, her entire body bucking. I adored the way her skin glistened in the light, the quivering of her legs as I pinned her knees against the comforter. She was close to orgasming. So very close. I brought her right to the height of pleasure then lifted my head, smacking her pussy lips with three fingers.
Yelping, she yanked hard against her confines, her mouth twisting in frustration.
“What are you doing?” Huffing, she dropped her head and I could swear I heard her cursing under her breath.
I repeated the move, sucking on her swollen folds then smacking her pussy several additional times.
“Oh, God. I...” A nervous laugh slipped past her lips, her entire body quaking to my touch.
There was nothing more that I loved than licking a beautiful woman, bringing her toward the precipice of sheer ecstasy. With every lap of my rough tongue, every thrust I made deep inside, she continued to fall into utter bliss.
“Oh, yes. Oh... I’m going to come. Please let me come. Please.”