by Selena Kitt
He smiled, the light sparkling off his tooth.
This was his payback for the night before. Though she apologized, he was tough and didn’t get over things easily. If she had a hat on, she would have tipped it in his direction and tell him game well played. Instead, the pressure behind her eyes told her it was time to get his ass out of here and go take a shower where her tears would blend with the water.
She cleared her throat. “You know, I have a lot of work I need to get done.”
“You know how I like to leave little messages, so I wrote a note in her yearbook. Told her how I felt, but she never responded. I looked for her, but she disappeared.”
He stood. “It was almost as if she vanished, or took on a new identity, I never could find Margaret again.”
She didn’t know when all the oxygen left her apartment, but she struggled to breathe and was pretty certain she would pass out. Her body seemed as if it were swaying, but she was standing perfectly still. He said her name.
“You never wrote anything.” At the realization of what she said, she turned her back to him and covered her mouth with her hand.
“You didn’t know, did you?”
She kneeled down, trying to get the room to stop spinning.
“You never looked, did you?” His footsteps vibrated through her carpet and shook her body.
She didn’t move.
“I don’t know why I thought you would do what other girls did, because you weren’t like any of them.” He came up beside her, slid her yearbook over to her, and flipped it to the back page.
She touched the paper, but her hand trembled and her vision blurred through tears.
“Let me help you.” He kneeled down and read the passage. “Margaret, I can do this. Mike.”
Six words. Six words that had she had seen them would have changed her life, Mike’s life. She ran her fingers across the scrawled handwriting of a teenage boy.
“I didn’t mean to hide from you, I just wanted to know what would happen if you didn’t know me.” She took a breath. “I wanted you to want me the way I wanted you. I wanted to know why you didn’t want me before.”
He took her chin, nudging her head until she faced him. “I don’t know why I didn’t see it.” He wiped her tears away. “You look just like I thought you would without the makeup. I used to dream about it.”
“I still wear the makeup on the weekends sometimes.” She swallowed.
“The makeup was sexy, I was stupid.” His eyes searched her face as if he were seeing her for the first time. “I should have gone with my gut back then.”
“It’s not your fault.” No matter what happened, she said it and freed both of them.
“I didn’t know until yesterday when you left me.” He took her into his arms. “I always wondered what happened to you. It never felt finished between us.”
“Like you needed closure?” She reached up and caressed his face. This was the first time Margaret got to truly feel him.
“Yes.” He held her tighter. “When I’m with you I feel like I can do anything.”
“You always made me feel special.” She traced his features with her fingertips. “What made you write that in my yearbook?”
“I didn’t want you to know when I struggled. I was having a tough time.” He put his hand over hers. “But there was one thing I forgot to say in that message.”
She wanted him to take her back to the bed, back in his arms and prove this was real. “What?”
“Not only can I do this, but I love you. We are connected.” He treated her to a light kiss.
Margaret’s first kiss.
“I love you too, always have.” She hugged him, pressing her body as close to his as possible, making the connection tangible. “I think we finally have closure.”
He picked her up. “And a new beginning.”
Acknowledgments
Every writer needs her support system, and mine is incredible:
SJ Davis – my amazing editor and publisher
Tamara Eaton – for her expert copy editing and giving me a safe place to bounce ideas
Troy Tokarczyk – for fixing my face
Megan J. Parker – for her beautiful graphics and book trailer
Rue Volley – for her amazing jewelry featured on the cover
Cameron Preston – for being there for me and giving me the soundtrack to the story
YA – For writing in my yearbook. I didn’t see it until 10 years later.
About the Author
Kim Carmichael began writing eight years ago when her love of happy endings inspired her to create her own. She has a weakness for bad boys and techno geeks, and married her own computer whiz after he vowed to keep all her gadgets running. When not writing, she can usually be found slathered in sunscreen trolling Los Angeles and helping the beautiful become even more beautiful.
Connect with Kim online!
Website:
www.kimcarmichaelnovels.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/kimcarmichaelnovels
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/KimCarmichael4
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6524806.Kim_Carmichael
Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/kcnovels/
Amazon Author Page:
http://amzn.to/1m1pjKt
The Devil’s Kiss Trilogy
Gemma James
The Devil’s Kiss Trilogy
Copyright © 2013 Gemma James
Cover design by Gemma James
Cover images used under license from www.bigstockphoto.com
All rights reserved.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
NOTE TO READERS: THE DEVIL’S KISS TRILOGY is a novel with a BDSM edge that does NOT conform to safe, sane, and consensual practices. Intended for adult readers 18+ only. If you are easily offended by dark subject matter that pushes the boundaries, this story is probably not for you. Approximately 52,000 words.
Titles by Gemma James
(a pseudonym for Christina Jean Michaels)
Titles written as Gemma James:
ULTIMATUM (The Devil’s Kiss #1)
ENSLAVED (The Devil’s Kiss #2)
RETRIBUTION (The Devil’s Kiss #3)
THE DEVIL’S KISS TRILOGY (The Devil’s Kiss #1-3)
THE DEVIL’S SALVATION: FINAL EPILOGUE (The Devil’s Kiss #4)
TORRENT (Condemned #1)
RAMPANT (Condemned #2 – coming October 2014)
Titles written as Christina Jean Michaels:
EPIPHANY (Legacy of Payne #1)
AWAKENING (Legacy of Payne #2 – coming late 2014)
UNHINGED (Legacy of Payne #3 – release date undetermined)
Summary
“Who am I, Kayla?”
I met his gaze—maniacal eyes possessing me—and shuddered. My heart feared him, but the gate of my sexual need was manned by him, owned by him. And he knew it.
“You’re my Master.”
HIS ULTIMATUM
Kayla Sutton faces a question no mother wants to face: what would you do to save your daughter? Broke and desperate, she siphons thousands from the company she works for in order to pay for her daughter’s life-saving treatment, but when Gage Channing discovers her theft, she is shocked to learn that her domineering boss has no intention of turning her over to the police. Instead he issues an ultimatum—submit to him, or go to jail.
ENSLAVED BY THE DEVIL
As her daughter’s life hangs in the balance, Kayla must dig deep to find the strength to fully submit, to travel down the path of pain and pleasure. But when her past catches up to her, prompting a free fall into forbidden territory with a man she once fiercely loved, she knows her only recourse is to come clean about her transgression and beg
her Master’s forgiveness…only she never imagined he’d have such a horrifying punishment awaiting her.
RETRIBUTION ISN’T SO BLACK AND WHITE
She faced sexual servitude in Ultimatum. In Enslaved she was seduced into craving it. Now she must find the strength to either accept the part of her that craves him still, or walk away for good…
Acknowledgments
For my husband, who doesn’t enjoy reading but took the time to become invested in this story. Thanks for loving me, despite my craziness. To my kids, who understood that the headphones meant mom was at work. I have the best husband and kids in the world!
I also owe a huge thank-you to my best friend Crystal Richter. You’ve been there from the beginning tossing ideas back and forth with me. You’re the most awesome friend anyone could ask for, and I love our late night trips to the coast. To my childhood friend Adria, who was the first person to read the beginning of what turned out to be a very bumpy ride! Thanks for believing in me, and I’m so glad I brought you over to the dark side!
And saving the best for last! Thanks to the readers, for without whom this story would have remained in the land of obscurity. Your words of encouragement and support mean more than you know. You guys continually amaze me with how much you’ve embraced this dark world my naughty muse created. Thanks for taking a chance on my work—you guys are the best!
Part One
Ultimatum
Chapter One
The Decision
“You wanted to see me?”
“Yes, shut the door, Kayla.”
His tone issued a warning that echoed in my ears, and I almost jumped as the door clicked shut. As usual, his presence caused an unsettling tickle in my stomach. Gage Channing left no room for mistakes or excuses—every single one of his employees displayed their best behavior, or else. I shuddered to think of the woman he’d fired last week; she’d scurried from the building as mascara tracked down her cheeks.
“Sit down.” He gestured to the leather chair in front of his desk.
I sat, crossed my legs, and forced myself to meet his gaze. He had a way of piercing people with his eyes. They were startling—the kind of blue that dolphins played in. I got the feeling he saw right through me, as if he’d known what I’d been doing and had bided his time until the perfect moment presented itself to pounce. Was that moment now?
He slapped a folder on the desk. “Do you know what’s in here?”
“N-no, Mr. Channing.”
“I’m disappointed, Ms. Sutton.”
My heartbeat tumbled twice, then sped up. He rarely addressed me so formally, a fact which caused a fair amount of gossip in the office. Some speculated the boss had a thing for me, and others went so far as to claim we were screwing like rabbits after hours. “I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you’re getting at.” Liar! He’d found me out; I was sure of it.
“I’m referring to the ten grand you stole from Channing Enterprises.” He opened the folder and pushed the evidence in front of me. Account statements. Ledgers.
Oh God…
“I trusted you, Kayla. I even promoted you to personal assistant, and this is how you repay me?”
“I was desperate.” I swallowed hard as the reality of my situation threatened to choke me. He’d have me thrown in jail, and Eve…Eve would die without me by her side. “My daughter is sick. I needed money…please, I’ll pay you back. Every penny.” I lifted my head and faced his granite expression. “Just don’t turn me in.”
If he was affected by my plea, he didn’t show it. “I don’t plan to alert the authorities.” He snapped the incriminating file shut. “But you’re correct when you say you’ll pay me back.” He steepled his fingers and rested his chin on them. “There is something I want. I’ve had a contract drawn up outlining my terms, and if you want my silence—and the evidence destroyed—you’ll sign it.”
“What do you want from me?” My voice quivered, and when he flashed a devilish grin, I gripped the chair to keep from bolting.
Gage got up and rounded the desk. His body overshadowed mine as he knelt beside me. A line of stubble darkened his jaw, giving him an undeniable hint of danger. “I want you as my slave.”
“Your slave?” My jaw dropped. Did I even want to know what that meant?
“Hmm, yes. My slave.” He lowered his gaze to my mouth, then lingered on my breasts, and his inspection burned a hole through my blouse. In response, my nipples tightened underneath the silk. “Surely you’ve heard of BDSM,” he added.
I screwed my mouth shut. I didn’t like where this conversation was going at all.
“Bondage, discipline,” he said, inching closer, “punishment.” The last word he savored, as if fine wine dampened his lips. “I’d say you’ve earned quite a bit. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“I can pay you back,” I said. “It’ll take time, but I’ll get the money.”
“I don’t want your money.” Warm and minty breath breezed across my lips, inviting my mouth to mate with his. I edged away and clung to the side of the chair.
“I want your submission,” he continued, “absolute ownership of you and your body. That’s what I want.”
I worked my jaw, searching for the words to express my disbelief, but only ended up staring at him in stunned silence. The man could have any woman he wanted, and all it would take was a crook of his executive finger. “Why are you doing this?”
His face darkened. “I have my reasons.”
“You’re crazy if you think I’ll agree to this.”
“You’re too gorgeous to waste away in prison.” He placed a hand on my leg, right above my knee. I tensed, afraid to move, afraid he’d push his possession further if I resisted. “You know”—he gently slid his palm upwards—“the penalty for embezzlement in Oregon is up to five years.”
My breath hitched as he grazed the skin underneath the hem of my skirt. “Don’t.”
He raised an eyebrow. “No?” Gage reached for the phone. “Are you sure?”
The futility of my situation spilled from my eyes. Upset with myself for displaying weakness, I wiped the tears from my cheeks. “Don’t call.”
As if I’d given him permission, he uncrossed my legs and wedged them apart. “I love natural redheads.” He slipped his fingers under the edge of my panties and smoothed them over my crotch. “Are you just as red here?” he asked, grabbing a pinch of hair.
With a nod, I closed my eyes. My entire body tingled, and not in a good way. I couldn’t believe my boss was doing this to me…in his office in the middle of a workday.
“I’m tempted to leave you natural, at least for a while. I want to see you first.”
My face burned with humiliation, and it took everything I had to keep my legs apart. I balled my hands until my fingernails bit into skin. “This is sexual harassment, you bastard. It’s illegal, and so is blackmail.”
He withdrew his hand, and by the time I looked up, Gage had reclaimed his seat. “Don’t think of it as blackmail. Think of it as an alternative to prison. I’d much rather punish you myself.” He opened another folder and slid the contents across the desk. “You either submit to me or go to jail. Either way, the decision is yours.”
With unsteady fingers, I fiddled with the paperwork but couldn’t bring myself to read his demands. “What exactly do you have in mind?”
“Let’s start with the basics.” He gestured toward the contract. “You’ll be my submissive for the next six weeks, beginning immediately upon your signature. I prefer a live-in arrangement on the weekends. During the week I expect you to follow my rules.” He leaned back in his chair and kept a steady gaze on me. “You’ll come to work as usual, but under no circumstances will you flirt or date other men, or entertain or go out with friends—”
“What about Eve? I spend most of my time at the hospital.”
“I’m aware of that, and I don’t have an issue with you seeing her, but the weekends belong to me, understand?”
If I could shoot daggers with a s
ingle glance, he’d feel my pain. “What else?” I tossed the contract down and crossed my arms.
“I expect absolute obedience.” The corner of his mouth curled. “I won’t hesitate to punish you when necessary. Of course, you’ll choose a safe word.” He frowned, as if the idea didn’t please him. “However, should you decide to use it, our contract will become null and void, and I’ll turn you over to the police. If you speak with anyone about this, the same stipulation applies.”
Tears of desolation dripped down my cheeks, and I no longer cared about hiding them. His ultimatum terrified me. I wasn’t a stranger to abuse, but being someone’s slave—in every sense of the word—was a terrifying concept. “Eve will wonder where I am on the weekends.”
“She’ll benefit from our agreement. I’m allowing you to keep the money, which in turn ensures she gets the treatment she needs. I understand it’s experimental and that you don’t have the luxury of time.”
I narrowed my eyes. “How did you know about that?” I hadn’t talked to anyone about Eve’s treatment. It was too painful a subject, and the last thing I wanted were platitudes thrown in my face. The insurance had refused to cover it, and Eve was out of options.
“I have my sources.” He leaned forward with a smirk. “I have vested interest in you, Kayla—ten thousand dollars worth. You’re desperate, and I know you’ll give me what I want because even though I’m giving you a choice, your love for your daughter won’t.”
“There’s a hole in your logic. Even with the ten grand, I’m still short.”
“You underestimate me. I’ll pay for her medical bills in full. She’ll be taken care of.”
The bastard had me, and he knew it. “What will you do to me?”