by Sara Fawkes
“She explained a few things, yes.” Kate sounded like she had more to say but didn’t know how to voice her thoughts, so Alexander stopped and turned back to face her.
“I would like to know what is on your mind, little cat.” He saw her swallow again at the nickname and knew she liked being called that. “If you have any reservations or questions . . .”
“See, I just got out of a really bad relationship. Well,” she backtracked, gnawing at her lip, “it wasn’t bad per se, but it ended really abruptly. I’m not sure if it would be a good idea . . .”
She trailed off, but Alexander understood. “A good idea to get into another so soon?” After a moment’s pause, Kate gave a jerky nod. “Understandable, certainly. What do you do for a living?”
The random question seemed to confuse the redhead. “I run a public-relations firm based out of Phoenix. We’re small, but growing.” A note of pride crept into her voice. “I’ve been given a few really good contracts and contacts over the last few months and was going to start really exploring my options after I got back from the honeymoon.” Her expression soured slightly. “Looks like I’ll be doing it solo again.”
“Honeymoon?” Alexander interrupted. He had no interest in messing with women who were taken, or tied in any way to another, without the other party’s permission.
Kate nodded. “I was going to be married this past week. Then one day before the date, my fiancé sent me a text message apologizing and saying he changed his mind.” Her shoulders slumped. “He wouldn’t take or return my phone calls, meaning I had to cancel all the wedding arrangements and tell everyone that the wedding was off.”
“And yet you came on your honeymoon?”
Kate glared up at him. “I deserve this,” she said, a stubborn set to her jaw.
Alexander relaxed and nodded. He found her reaction endearing although Kate didn’t look like she’d appreciate hearing that. “I like strong women,” he murmured, resuming his walking. “Your type are much more interesting to me.”
“You think I’m strong?” Kate piped up. “But I thought you liked submissive sorts?”
Alexander snorted. “Just because a woman gives freely of herself to another in the bedroom doesn’t mean she is a doormat for the rest of the world. Take you for example: hardworking, driven to succeed, willing and able to shoulder responsibility even in the worst situations.” He could tell from the stunned expression that he had pegged her correctly. “Let me guess: your ex-fiancé, and most of your past relationships, were the kind of men who allowed you to make the decisions, never stood up to you, or backed down if you ever argued.”
“I’m not that bossy,” she protested, and Alexander’s mouth twitched in a small smile. “But . . . Okay, maybe I haven’t had the best luck with my choice of men.”
“Perhaps because you are looking for the wrong type of male?” He let her digest that as he led her inside another room. “I’d like to show you a few things before you make any decisions.”
As Kate walked through the door into the smaller conference room, Alexander closed and locked the door behind her. “This is to keep anyone else from coming inside,” he said at her uncertain expression. “You can leave at any time, I won’t stop you. I’d just like to introduce you to some of the items I use on a regular basis.”
Kate still looked skeptical, and Alexander realized he would really need to focus on making her trust him. Given the recent history with her ex-fiancé, her resistance wasn’t surprising, but it could become a hindrance if they wanted anything long-term. Don’t get ahead of yourself, Alexander thought. This may lead nowhere. The thought only fueled a burning drive to have the little redhead. Mine.
Shoving the possessive streak into the back of his mind for the moment, he walked into the room and stopped first by a tray of leather items. “Not all scenes are quite as dramatic as that which you saw in the other room,” he said, picking up a black flogger. He handed it to Kate, who took it hesitantly, as if afraid it might bite.
“It’s so soft,” she said, curious. Her fingers caressed the dark hide, and Alexander felt his cock stir. “Does it really hurt when you . . . ?”
The little redhead was a tantalizing treasure he desperately wanted right then, but he didn’t want to scare her. Not yet, anyway. “There is a sting, yes, but that one doesn’t leave welts like those you saw with Selena, the woman in the other room, unless you use a very heavy hand.” He moved toward the end of the room next to the leather cross, then beckoned her over. “Come over here, little cat.”
When Kate saw what Alexander stood next to, doubt crept into her eyes. “Kate,” Alexander stated, the cajoling note gone from his voice, “come here.”
Hesitantly, the little sub moved forward until she was standing beside him. “From now on,” Alexander continued in clipped tones, “if you are to be my sub, you will obey what I say, or there will be consequences. Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir,” she said immediately as if cowed, then her eyebrows drew down. “Or do I need to call you something else,” she asked, rational thought intruding. “Like with Mistress Francesca?”
Warmth suffused Alexander, and a joyful note leaped inside him, but he kept himself outwardly composed. “Calling me ‘sir’ will do very well,” he stated, itching to caress her skin. The unconscious acceptance of his authority and place brought out a passionate side he hadn’t felt in years. “This is a Saint Andrew’s Cross,” he explained, indicating the padded contraption before him. “You saw a slightly different version in the other conference room, designed for more intense scenes. This one is designed to be more comfortable. Now, step up on the stage.”
Uncertainty shone through Kate’s eyes, and Alexander sighed. “If you cannot give me your trust,” he said in a low voice, “then all of this is for naught. You wrote down a safe word, correct? Do you remember what it is?”
“Red.”
Alexander nodded. “Do not use the word lightly, but if we are going too quickly, or there is an issue I should know about, remember that you can use it. Now, step up onto the stage and put your back against the cross.”
Kate stepped up and did as he commanded. She looked small against the tall cross, and Alexander wondered if she knew how to wear high heels. That thought only served to turn him on more; his cock was standing at attention and jumped when the little redhead’s gaze lowered to see the straining bulge. Alexander didn’t bother to hide it, letting the little sub know how attractive he found her. He stepped forward, his bare torso brushing up against her breasts as he adjusted the wrist straps above. Her small nipples were like needles, their path along his belly making him tense. It had been far too long since he’d taken a lover whose presence made his body sing, and it took all his control to hold himself back.
When he finally stepped away, Kate was flushed and trembling. She turned large eyes to Alexander, her desire clearly mirroring his, before taking a long, shuddering breath. Alexander bent his head until he caught her eyes again. “Will you trust me?” he murmured.
The redhead closed her eyes and swallowed, then gave a jerky nod. Alexander set his hands on the Kate’s waist, feeling the quaking skin beneath his fingers. He felt and heard her breath hitch, then lifted her arms above her head. He pressed her back against the padded surface of the cross, then moved his hands up to work the restraints. The supple leather cuffs slid over her small wrists, and he cinched them down, then ran his hands down her arms. Those wide green eyes stared up at him, clouded with desire, and this time it was Alexander who swallowed. He had an elaborate plan on how to win her trust, but all he wanted now was to peel those pants from her legs, lift her until she straddled him, and pound her into oblivion.
Who’s the one in control now?
He stroked his hand down a pale cheek and felt an odd burning sensation in his gut when she turned her face into his palm, rubbing against him like a cat. Fuck plans, he thought, reaching down and grabbing her behind the knees. She gave a small yelp when he hoisted her up, wrap
ped her legs around his waist, then lowered his mouth onto hers.
KATE’S BODY WAS ablaze with wanton lust, and there was nothing she could do about it. Not that she wanted to change anything about that moment. It was difficult enough to think about anything other than those lips and the fingers grabbing tightly to her ribs.
Her hands itched to touch him, but they were locked above her head. Alexander held her secure off the ground, his body taking her weight, as he plundered her mouth and touched every inch of her body. He didn’t ask for permission, he demanded it, and Kate gave him everything he wanted. When his mouth dropped to her neck, and teeth closed over her skin, she gave a breathy moan and tightened her legs around his narrow hips. He bit down, hard enough to send a jolt through her body, but the pain was an aphrodisiac that left her craving more.
Alexander’s hands dipped beneath the belt of her jeans, grabbing the round globes of her backside and squeezing, parting and kneading the tissue. “I want to be inside you,” he whispered, moving his mouth closer to her ear. He grabbed the thin skin with his teeth, and Kate’s breath caught in her throat. “I want to fuck every goddamn inch of you.”
Raising her head, she ran her tongue along the top rim of Alexander’s ear, and was gratified when his fingers dug harder into her hips. His need provoked an answering response with her, and Kate shut her eyes to everything but the sensations. His grip bordered on painful, but it only added to the whole experience, and Kate’s teeth unconsciously closed over the hard cartilage of his ear.
“Feisty minx.” There was approval in Alexander’s voice as he pushed his hands lower, moving the jeans farther down Kate’s hips. His questing fingers slid across her aching core, and Kate moaned loudly, flopping her head back against the padded cross. “You’re so wet,” he murmured, each word bursting through Kate’s body. “I want you so goddamn bad . . .”
“Take me,” Kate whispered, and felt the pants slide the rest of the way off her hips. She uncurled her legs from his hips, still held firm against the padded cross by his torso pressed against hers, and gave a thankful sigh when the jeans slid easily from her ankles to pile onto the ground. Alexander wasted no time getting back between her thighs, and Kate only had a moment’s hint at a thick probing before something thick and hard shoved deep into her slick passage.
Her head rocked back at the invasion, a gasp bursting from her mouth. Alexander surged inside again, deeper this time, and Kate gave a small moan, breathing fast. His teeth slid down her neck, closing in again over her breast and sucking at the skin there. The last sane part of Kate’s brain told her she’d have several hickies once this was over, then Alexander’s rhythmic pumping drowned even that voice out.
Energy built within her body, radiating out from her belly at each thrust. Alexander’s fingers dug into her buttocks, spreading her cheeks almost painfully wide to take his onslaught, and Kate’s breath hitched in her throat as her body roared toward completion. As the orgasm burst over her, body quaking and bucking, Kate cried out and dropped her head onto Alexander’s shoulder. The waves continued with each thrust, and something told her he was also close to finishing.
The handle on the door leading inside jiggled as somebody tried to come inside, and Kate’s gaze snapped to Alexander. The Greek Dom didn’t slow down his pace, eyes boring into hers, as someone again tried to enter the room. For some reason, the situation struck Kate as amusing. “They seem to want to come in here pretty badly,” she panted out.
“Let them come.”
An answering fierceness bubbled up in Kate, and a small smile curled her lips. “Let them come,” she repeated, gazing at the beautiful man before her. Alexander seemed close to finding his release, and Kate remembered how, the previous night, she hadn’t allowed him the chance to finish. The unfairness of that washed over her, and she clamped down with her hips. “Let them come,” she repeated, rolling her hips and tensing her core muscles.
The answering moan she heard from Alexander gave Kate the impetus to try it again. Lifting herself higher by pulling on the manacles, Kate met his thrusts, squeezing him tight inside her. Alexander gave a hissing breath, pounded into her twice more, then came hard inside her. His body trembled against her as Kate milked him dry, softly kissing his neck and shoulders. When she sat back and looked at his face, the open expression she saw there made her smile.
Alexander quickly shuttered his look, that impenetrable Dom wall falling back into place, but Kate still gave his forehead a small kiss in appreciation. His hands, only moments before tearing at her flesh, were gently rubbing at the sore area around her hips. “Now what?” she murmured, letting her forehead fall against his chest.
Alexander chuckled. “Perhaps we can take a tour of your suite?”
Chapter Four
“SHOW ME THE contents of your suitcase again. I wish to see what we have.”
Kate pulled the suitcase up onto the bed, then stepped back as Alexander began pulling out the contents. She’d been given some gag gifts at the bridal shower, only a few of which she’d brought. Kate blushed at some of the items he pulled out and watched as he separated her undergarments into different piles. The sexier panties, she couldn’t help but notice, went in their own neatly folded pile alongside the few pieces of lingerie she’d been given. The bright pink corset was given a place all its own.
He picked up the fuzzy double set of handcuffs and looked them over. “These will do. Now, go into the bathroom.”
Kate rushed to do his bidding, a bounce definitely in her step that had been lacking before. The bathroom was one of her favorite places in the suite. It was massive, easily the same size as the living room, with a giant shower that was more like a cave; no door separated the fully tiled enclosure from the rest of the bathroom. There were four sprayers coming from the sides, which had surprised Kate the first time she’d turned the water on, as well as a large showerhead in the normal position. A smaller, more maneuverable hand-sprayer sat halfway down, only a few inches above her head, and she had used that for most of her showering.
Alexander followed behind her, putting a hand to the small of her back and maneuvering her into the shower. “Strip.”
The command was simple, but self-consciousness reared its ugly head, and Kate hesitated. When she caught Alexander’s eye, she remembered his words from earlier regarding her obedience and, eyes on the floor, she began to strip out of her clothing. He had not yet seen her naked and she felt frumpy beside him, but still did as he said.
When she got to her panties and bra, she again hesitated.
“All of them?” she asked.
He nodded, folding his arms. “All of them.”
Chest tight, Kate unhooked her bra and slid it from her shoulders, dropping it into the small pile of clothing beside her. Her panties were the hardest articles to part with, but she closed her eyes and quickly pushed them down hips and legs, kicking them to the side. It took her a moment to gather the courage to look up into Alexander’s face, but when she did she saw the appreciation in his gaze and blew out a relieved breath.
Alexander undid his own leather pants, peeling them from his hips before throwing them outside the shower over the edge of the stand-alone tub. He started the shower, deftly maneuvering away from the water until it was warm before stepping into the stream. Rivulets outlined the muscles of his chest and belly, and Kate resisted the urge to reach out and touch him.
Barely.
Alexander rinsed himself quickly, then opened his eyes to look at Kate. “Take the washcloth on that hook and bathe me.”
Kate did as she was told, nervously stepping forward. She got the rag wet from one of the side jets, then took the soap from a dish on the wall. Lathering up the cloth, she reached up and began carefully wiping at his neck.
“Harder.”
Kate pressed the washcloth more firmly to his skin, swirling around and soaping his neck and shoulders. Her hands trailed down his torso, moving over the hard muscles there, and Kate’s task flew from her mind. Th
e soap made his skin soft, and when her thumb flicked across one small nipple, Alexander grabbed her wrist. Taking the cloth out of her hand, he dropped it into a corner. “Give me your other hand.”
When Kate complied, he lifted them above her head, backing her against the cold tile. Her nipples hardened at the sudden chill, and she felt the cuffs close over her wrists. They weren’t as soft as the ones in the dungeon, but they didn’t dig into her skin. He let her go, and Kate was surprised to find that her hands were actually attached to the wall above her. A ring in the shower wall, blending artfully into the tile work, held the cuffs.
Alexander stepped back to admire her, and Kate swallowed. He looked like sex on a stick, and he was hers. That thought boggled Kate’s mind. Ted had been so average in comparison to the man before her; it was like comparing a twig to a giant oak. Alexander ran his hands along Kate’s torso, skimming across her belly button and over her pelvis. He cupped her mound gently, and Kate jerked, her body flaring to life.
“I prefer a more groomed appearance,” he remarked, and kissed her forehead. “It’s wonderful to know you are truly a natural redhead, however.”
This was the first time she had seen him fully naked, and the sight was breathtaking. Kate’s eyes traveled down his body to find that he was also groomed, his member jutting out from his pelvis. Even as she watched, it jumped and grew another inch, and an answering ache started between Kate’s thighs.
Giving her another appreciative look, Alexander turned back to the shower and stepped beneath the spray. Water again trickled down his belly as he washed off the soap, muscles stretching and rippling, and Kate felt her mouth begin to water. She rattled the cuffs in frustration, then watched as Alexander, ignoring her, grabbed the shampoo and lathered his hair. Kate dug fingernails into her palm at the sight of his perfect backside, aching to touch and taste.
Alexander quickly rinsed his hair, then stepped forward against Kate. His body was hot compared to the tile, and Kate shivered at his closeness. “Shall I bathe you as well?”