Black Promise (Obsidian Book 3)

by Victoria Quinn

  “I never asked you to make the sacrifice.”

  “Bullshit.”

  Fire rushed through my body at a million miles an hour. “I said I didn’t want to be your sub, and I walked away. You’re the one who said you’d change to make this work. I never asked you to.”

  “But you didn’t give me any other choice.”

  “It’s not the same thing,” I argued. “If you miss it so much, why don’t you just go back to it? You can find a woman far more beautiful than me to get on her knees and ask to be whipped.” The idea of him being with anyone else repulsed me, but I was too angry to control my tongue.

  “I can’t live without you,” he snapped. “And don’t act like you didn’t know that.”

  “You never tell me you love me.”

  His nostrils flared like I’d said something that really pissed him off. His shoulders grew rigid with his fury, and he breathed through the rage, attempting to keep himself under control. Then, out of nowhere, he rushed me.

  He dashed to me so quickly I could barely see him move. There was nowhere to go but backward, and my back hit the kitchen counter when I ran out of space. He grabbed me by the hips and threw me onto the counter before he grabbed my panties and ripped them apart. He got his slacks undone and his cock out in record time, shoving himself violently inside me.

  I gripped his shoulders and held on as he fucked me on the counter, giving it to me hard, without giving my body a moment to acclimate to his enormous size. He was rougher than he’d ever been before, taking me like an animal.

  He grabbed the back of my neck and focused my gaze on his, still thrusting deep inside me. “Because I don’t need to say it.”

  6

  Calloway

  Rome wasn’t going to change her mind.

  I needed to accept it and move on.

  For the most part, I thought I could do that. The sex satisfied me. There was no other woman I wanted to be with besides her. I didn’t have fantasies about other women, and I certainly didn’t think about my former lover, Isabella.

  But there were moments…of weakness.

  Sometimes my thoughts would drift away during the workday, thinking about how Rome would look in my exclusive playroom at Ruin. I would graze the edge of the whip across her delicate skin, making patterns in my movements. And then I would strike without warning, tapping her along her back or her ass.

  And also the mound between her legs.

  I found myself so aroused that I forced myself to think about work, something I found innately boring. It usually did the trick and caused my cock to deflate like a popped balloon. After a few minutes of tenderness in my balls, that faded away too.

  And I returned to calm.

  Rome and I didn’t talk about our fight again after we fucked on the kitchen counter. We both took out our rage on one another, fucking to rid the irritation we both felt. I wanted her to change for me, to make a compromise. And she wanted me to be purely vanilla, a man satisfied with straight sex.

  We would never meet in the middle.

  But since there was no other option, I stayed. I could be with another woman, but that would mean she could be with another man.

  And that would certainly make me commit murder.

  I worked out vigorously that morning before Rome woke up, going for a long run on the treadmill and then hitting the weights hard. I hadn’t been sticking to my routine lately because I was too depressed when Rome left me. Then when she came back to me, I didn’t want to leave her unprotected just to hit the gym. Getting a private work-out area in my garage seemed to be the best solution to my problem.

  I finished a set then sat on the work-out bench, sweat drenched into my clothes and skin. It felt good to work out again. My body finally got to move and feel those endorphins it missed. In some ways, the intensity reminded me of my sessions with a sub—powerful and challenging.

  The garage door opened, and Rome stood there in one of my black t-shirts. My clothes were at least three times too big for her, but the shapeless fabric somehow looked sexy on her—probably because it was just another way for me to possess her. “It’s Saturday morning.”

  “Your point?”

  “Who works out on a Saturday morning?” she asked incredulously.

  “A man with a beautiful woman to satisfy.” I racked the weights then wiped the sweat off my forehead with my shirt.

  “Well, you could come upstairs and satisfy me,” she said playfully. “And ditch the weights.”

  “They go hand in hand.” If I wanted her to remain just as addicted to me as I was to her, I had to keep myself in shape. My body needed to be chiseled from marble, and my muscles needed to be as strong as concrete. Rome loved my size and strength. She never specifically said it, but I could tell.

  “I’m gonna make breakfast. You want anything?”

  “Egg whites and wheat toast.”

  She rolled her eyes. “That’s the most boring meal I’ve ever heard of.”

  “It’s not so bad.” I massaged my hands because I’d felt the muscles in my joints tighten when I gripped the metal bars of the weights. “I’m gonna shower. I’ll join you in fifteen minutes.”

  “Okay.” She rose on her tiptoes and kissed me on the lips, not caring about all the sweat. She placed her hand against my chest, right over my damp shirt. She didn’t seem to care about that either because when she pulled away, a smile was on her lips. “I’d love to watch you work out sometime.”

  “I’ll do it shirtless, then.” I went upstairs and showered before I joined her at the kitchen table. My boring meal was covered with foil so it would stay warm. I pulled it off then sipped my coffee.

  It was obvious neither one of us was going to mention last night. The conversation wasn’t going to go anywhere positive. We’d have to accept each other’s position and make the best of it. Neither one of us wanted to walk away, to be with anyone else. Ignoring the elephant in the room was the only option we had.

  Rome took a bite of her single slice of French toast and read the newspaper. Black circles were marked around certain listings, like she was looking up something for sale.

  I sipped my coffee then narrowed my eyes to what she was doing. “What are you doing?”

  “I was just checking the listings to see what’s available.”

  “Listings for what?”

  “Apartments.”

  I was about to take a bite of my toast when I hesitated. She was thinking about moving out? “Why would you be looking at an apartment?” Was this because of the fight we had last night?

  “I know I moved in here because of the situation with Hank. Now that he’s not a problem, I thought I should leave.” She finally looked up from the paper and met my look. She immediately flinched when she saw the fury in my eyes.

  “For one, we don’t know if he’s still a problem. He turned into a pussy when he came face-to-face with me, but maybe his balls will grow some courage. Two, you’ve lived with me once, and you left when I didn’t want you to. Now you’re trying to leave again. Being together under one roof is what I want. So you aren’t going anywhere.”

  “I just—”

  I snatched the paper and crumpled it with one hand before I set it on the table.

  Rome remained calm despite my hostility. “You asked me to live with you because Hank was a problem. I didn’t know if that invitation was still active because—”

  “It’s always active.” I wanted her to sleep with me every night. I wanted to look at her face every morning. I wanted us to be together all the time. If she lived somewhere else, it would just be a waste of rent because she would be here all the time anyway. And I would be worried about her living alone.

  “So…you’re asking me to move in with you?”

  “Obviously.”

  “Calloway.” She gave me a firm look, telling me she was being dead serious. “Are you really asking me that?”

  We hadn’t even been seeing each other for a year yet, and our relationship wasn
’t even close to being normal. We waited a month to have sex, but our relationship still progressed at an alarmingly rapid rate. But there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that she should be there with me. I didn’t want her to live on her own just out of principle. I wanted us to be together—always. “No.”

  Her eyebrows scrunched together.

  “I’m telling you to live with me.”

  Her eyes softened at the remark, the blush moving into her cheeks. When she showed her vulnerable side, she was somehow more beautiful than when she was angry. She took a deep breath like she was trying to control an emotion circling deep inside her chest. “Good. Because I didn’t want to leave anyway.” She grabbed the balled-up newspaper then tossed it at my face, being playful.

  I let it bounce off my cheek before I smiled. “I’m glad we finally agree on something.”

  The second I woke up the next morning, my cock was throbbing and anxious for release. I barely even opened my eyes before I rolled over and moved on top of Rome, separating her thighs with my knees.

  She was still half asleep, but her body reciprocated, her legs easily falling open. She took a deep breath as her eyes opened, taking in my features as she ran her fingers over my body. Her body danced slightly, coming alive now that she knew what was coming.

  The tip of my dick found her entrance like he had a mind of his own. I slipped inside and felt the moisture between her legs. I pushed through, feeling the slickness as I sank deep inside her. I held myself up on my elbows, choosing to be lazy on a Sunday morning. Once I was completely inside her, I pressed my face into her neck and thrust slowly inside her.

  She wasn’t fully conscious yet, but that made the sex better. We could really feel each other without thinking. All we did was enjoy the touch of one another, the ecstasy for our affection. My cock felt right at home in her tight pussy, the place I’d claimed as mine exclusively.

  She pressed her face into my neck as her hands gripped my shoulders. She gently rocked with me but allowed me to do most of the work. It was a lazy fuck, one where we were both getting off but doing the least amount of work at the same time.

  I never thought I would enjoy it so much.

  There was no foreplay. No dirty talk. Just good sex.

  She came in record time, breathing hard into my neck as the sensation ripped through her. She sank her teeth into my skin, biting the muscle as she suppressed her scream. Her throat was still raspy from sleeping all night, so her moans didn’t come out like they usually did.

  Now I wanted to come.

  Her pussy was so wet and tight, and she continued to bite me as she dragged her nails down my shoulders.

  I moved my lips to her temple as I gave my final pumps. “I love coming inside you, sweetheart.”

  “Mmm…” She pulled me deep inside her as she prepared for my release.

  That sexy little sound she made caused me to explode. I shoved myself as deep inside her as I could go, dumping my seed and feeling high as I did it. There was nothing that made me feel more like a man—coming inside Rome.

  I remained in the same position when I was finished, my face still pressed into her neck. I could smell her natural scent so easily, and I adored it. My cock softened inside her but was in no rush to leave. “Good morning.”

  “Morning.” She sighed and kept her limbs locked around me, having no interest in leaving either.

  “I could stay just like this all day.”

  “Me too…except I have to pee.”

  I chuckled then kissed her hairline. “Good point.” I moved off of her and slowly pulled out, my cock still releasing drops of my seed. When I looked down at her entrance, I could see my come dripping out.

  Now I was turned on all over again.

  Rome moved her fingers between her legs and touched the area, getting the come stuck to her fingers. She popped them into her mouth and sucked.

  Holy fuck.

  She gave me a seductive grin before she got out of bed.

  I wasn’t letting her get away after that. I snatched her by the wrist and yanked her back to the bed. Positioning her diagonally across the bed, I moved on top of her again and shoved my semi-hard cock inside her. I moved through her slickness and the remains of my come, and within minutes, I was hard all over again. “You aren’t going anywhere.”

  “Since we don’t have any plans today, how about we go see your mom?” Rome set the plates on the table, grilled chicken with rice and vegetables. She sat down like the conversation was casual.

  But when it came to my mom, it was never casual.

  I hadn’t read to my mom in a while. I was too distressed when Rome left me, and when she came back, I was too preoccupied. Every time I went and saw my mother, I hoped things would get easier—but they never did.

  When I didn’t say anything, Rome looked up from her plate and looked at me.

  “I haven’t seen her in a while. Been meaning to stop by.” I took a bite.

  “Then we should go today.”

  I didn’t want to make things complicated, but there was something I needed to say. “I appreciate the offer, but you don’t have to come with me. I don’t mind going alone.”

  She eyed me hesitantly, like she was unsure if she’d said the wrong thing. “Would you prefer to go alone?”

  “No. I just don’t want you to feel obligated.” She was my mom, not hers. It wasn’t a burden for Rome to carry.

  “I don’t feel obligated, Calloway,” she said quietly. “You don’t have to do everything alone. We’re in this together, you know. You helped me with Hank when you didn’t have to. I want to help you in whatever way I can. My presence seems to help her memory…”

  The longer this relationship progressed, the more I realized just how dependent I was. Before Rome came into my life, I wasn’t attached to anyone or anything. I alone and free, but I was okay with that. But the instant I looked at Rome, I felt something. She turned out to be a woman I could never walk away from. The affection, the closeness, everything was nice. Now I was addicted to it. “Okay. We’ll go after we’re done eating.”

  With the same book tucked under my arm, we entered the assisted-living facility and greeted my mother’s nurse. She always remembered me since I’d been coming there for years. She knew a lot about my life, about my job, and even my younger brother, Jackson. But it didn’t make up for the fact that my mother didn’t even remember my face.

  We walked to my mother’s room, a small one-bedroom apartment with a living room, a kitchen, and a single bedroom down the hallway. It was a nice place with plenty of room for a single person, and the balcony was the best part. It cost me an arm and a leg to keep her here, especially since Jackson refused to contribute. But it was worth it to know she was in a good place.

  My mom was on the patio in her rocking chair, like always. When she was well, she used to do the exact same thing. Any excuse to be outside was a good excuse. She liked to spend her time gardening or just sipping a glass of lemonade as she watched the neighborhood kids go by on their bikes.

  I examined her features the moment I stepped outside, seeing my eyes in her face. Even without her memory, she possessed the same grace. Her outfits always had to be beautiful and wrinkle-free, and the jewelry she wore was very specific. She had no one to impress, but her need to look nice was one of principle.

  Like every other time I saw her, I introduced myself. “I’m Calloway. I’m from Humanitarians United, and I’ve come to read to you.” I extended my hand.

  She eyed it for a moment, as if she wasn’t sure if she should touch me. Then she placed her hand in mine and gave it a gentle squeeze. “It’s nice to meet you, Calloway. Please sit down.”

  I stepped aside and allowed Rome to greet her next.

  My mom stared at her hard, a flash of recognition coming over her face. “Do I know you from somewhere, dear?”

  I shouldn’t be jealous that my mom remembered Rome better than she remembered me. I should only feel hopeful that there was a possibility that
my mom could come back from this, that she could remember some events of her life—including me.

  “I came to read to you a while ago.” Rome placed her hand over my mother’s, her affection warm. “That must be why you recognize me.” She leaned down and hugged my mom, wrapping her arms around her.

  My mom softened at the touch and returned the embrace, like she was greeting a daughter. “Aren’t you sweet?”

  Rome sat in the chair beside me, still wearing that gorgeous smile. Not only was she beautiful, but she had this amazing quality that drew everyone’s attention. Something about her made everyone obsessed, wanting to know more about her and be with her constantly. She obviously had some kind of special ability because she changed me—a Dom.

  “How’s your day going?” Rome crossed her legs and tucked her hair behind her ear.

  “It’s going,” Mom said with a sigh. “I had a difficult morning…couldn’t remember where I was or how I got here. It’s just one of those days.”

  I couldn’t imagine how that would feel. Every morning, my mother woke up with a blank memory. She didn’t remember her family or her friends. She woke up in a place she’d never seen before. Her nurse told me some days were difficult—and others were extremely difficult. “You look nice today, Theresa.” It was strange to call her by her first name instead of Mom. Even though I was a grown man, I still preferred to address her as my mother. She was the woman who raised me, after all.

  “Thank you…” She searched my face as she tried to recall my name.

  “Calloway.” I hid my hurt with a smile.

  “Calloway…that’s a nice name.”

  That was the twentieth time I’d hear her say that. “Thanks. My mother had good taste.”

  Rome moved her hand to my knee and gave it a squeeze.

  “Are the two of you married?” Mom asked.

  “No,” I answered. “We’re dating.”

  “You two would make beautiful children,” she said, wearing her graceful smile.

  “Thanks,” Rome said. “Maybe someday.”