by Tabatha Kiss
“Want what?”
“Body-tingling, mind-blowing,” I say, licking my lips. “Sex with lots of water drinking.”
“You’ve never made a booty call before, have you?” he asks, amused.
I gasp. “I am not calling for booty… Okay, maybe a little.”
“Nora, even if I could leave here right now, I wouldn’t have sex with you tonight.”
“Why not?” I ask, frowning.
“Because you’re drunk,” he says. “It wouldn’t be right.”
“Well, that’s… respectful.”
He laughs. “Sleep it off, Nora.”
“Will we see each other tomorrow?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Anytime after five. I work in the morning.”
I smile. “You never take a day off, do you?”
“Look who’s talking,” he jokes. “Do you want to meet at the club?”
I imagine the dark, silent rooms on the third floor. Pink lights and time limits. “No,” I answer. “Come to my place.”
He pauses. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure.” I bite my lip. “I want to submit to you. I want you to teach me how.”
“Is that what you really want?” he asks, his voice low and wonderful.
“Come to my place,” I say again. “I have a condo on Michigan Avenue.”
He hums. “Of course you do.”
I grin. “Six o’clock. The Bailey building. Unit 4.”
“Again, Nora… are you sure?” he asks.
His voice curls around my spine.
“Yes, Mr. Snow,” I say.
“Then, I’ll be there.”
“Six o’clock,” I repeat.
“Six o’clock.” He makes that sound; that delicious, quick laugh I can’t get enough of. “I have to get back to work.”
I shiver with anticipation. “Goodnight, Mr. Snow.”
“Goodnight, Ms. Payne.”
He hangs up but I sit in place for a few more seconds just listening to the silent hum in my ears. Once again I start salivating like a damn dog at the sound of his voice. Mind-blowing, body-tingling…
“Hey, Nora!” Melanie slaps the door. “You fall in or something?”
“No.” I shove my phone into my skirt pocket. “I’m good.”
“Hurry up. Trix just got another dick pic and I have opinions.”
I laugh. “Be right out.”
As I stand, I catch sight of myself in the mirror again. My cheeks are flushed red. My eyes are bright and shimmering. For one damn second, I actually look relaxed. No thoughts of work or responsibility. No weight on my shoulders or creases in my brow. Just pure, blissful relaxation.
“Yes, Mr. Snow,” I say to my smile again.
Eighteen
Clive
Tomorrow night. Six o’clock.
One step closer to Nora’s client list.
I want to submit to you.
I can’t stop replaying her voice in my head. It makes me feel powerful and wanted. I want to hear it again. I’m going to make her say it again…
“How’s it going, Snow?”
My shoulder lurches forward as Roger smacks my back. I stand up straight against the door frame again. “Going fine,” I say.
People pass by us on their way out. It’s closing time. Roger the black blob, however, lingers in front of me.
“Didn’t see the newbie here tonight,” he says with a knowing laugh. “Trouble in paradise already?”
I sneer and point a stiff thumb over my shoulder toward the door. “Keep moving, Roger,” I say.
He pats my shoulder again with his black-covered hand and carries on toward the exit.
Trouble in paradise? Not even close, Rog.
I want to submit to you.
And she will.
That should keep me warm tonight. Hopefully.
I walk upstairs to the third floor. All six pink lights are turned off but I check each room just in case. I wipe down the furniture and the sinks. I check the closets to make sure everything is in place.
Same goes for the second floor. Wipe down the crosses and the benches. Hang up any spare leashes or chains onto the wall hooks. Sweep the floors.
Once the water and juice bar is tidied up, I head for the front entrance. Judy sits behind the counter in her usual place, counting down the register and filling out her paperwork.
“Second and third floors are clear,” I say, casting a wave. “I’m heading out. Goodnight, Judy.”
She glances up and flashes me a smile. “Have a good night, honey,” she says.
I step outside, pulling my coat a little tighter around me as I nudge the door closed. It’s starting to get cold. I’m not too thrilled about that but it’s just another thing in the world I have no control over.
I walk around the building to the back alleyway where my car is parked. As I draw closer, I fish into my pocket for my keys.
Tomorrow is Saturday. No plugging numbers at Little Black Book on weekends but I have an early shift at the gym. I’ll make my way there now.
The roads are mostly clear so it only takes a few minutes for me to cross town. I round the building and park in a spot down from the entrance. My shift doesn’t start until seven-thirty, so I have just under five hours to get a bit of sleep.
I lean over and grab the windshield visor from the floor by the passenger seat. I spread it over the dash and press it up to the window to block out as much of the annoying orange street lamps as possible.
My stomach growls and I look across the street at the twenty-four-hour convenience store. I won’t be able to sleep unless I eat something, so I twist around, grab my extra jacket, and step outside.
The man behind the counter waves at me as I walk in. Whether he recognizes me or not, I’m not sure. Nor do I really care. I pass by the register and grab a turkey sandwich and a bottle of water from the first fridge after the display of lottery tickets.
“That your car?” he asks me. “Outside the gym?”
“Yeah,” I say.
I set the items down on the counter and reach for my wallet.
He waves a sympathetic hand. “On me tonight, pal.”
I pause. Guess he remembers me just fine.
I’ve encountered this kind of thing plenty before. In the end, it’s best not to turn it down. It fills my stomach and makes them feel good about themselves. Win-win.
He eyes the patch on my jacket. “Thank you for your service,” he says.
“Thanks.”
I take the water and sandwich and walk out with them back to my car.
There’s some trash on the backseat. I gather the empty bottles and food wrappers and toss them in the trashcan outside the gym. I grab an extra blanket from the trunk as well. Can’t have too many of those.
I toss it onto my backseat on the way in and close the door behind me. Only a little bit of light from outside manages to slip in through the window covers. I won’t need much anyway.
I set my watch to go off at seven as another hunger pang rattles my gut. I tear open the sandwich wrapper and take a quick bite of the corner. The bread is a bit moist but it’s food. Free food. Won’t complain.
I lay down on the seat with bent knees, resting my head on the small pillow against the door.
This time next week, I could be anywhere but here. It’s hard not to get excited.
Even harder not to think about Nora Payne.
I want to submit to you.
Blood spreads a little faster through my limbs. Good. If those six little words get me through another day, then I’m happy. Six little words until six o’clock tomorrow. I can do that.
I’ve been through much worse.
Nineteen
Nora
I feel like a damn high school girl waiting on her prom date to come pick her up.
Except this time, he’s not going to come in, compliment my mother on our lovely home, and give my dad a handshake.
He’s g
oing to fuck me.
I tried on a dozen black dresses before choosing this one. I’m still not even sure it’s the best option but if things go the way they’re meant to tonight, I might not even wear it for very long.
Damn, I need a drink.
Shoes first.
I bend my knee, quickly raising my foot and slipping my red stiletto over my ankle.
The doorbell rings downstairs.
“Shit, shit, shit,” I whisper as I shove on my other shoe.
All day. I have spent all day cleaning and tidying. It’s finally six but how the hell did it get here so fast?
I look in the mirror one last time, quickly fluffing my hair to make it look like I didn’t spend an hour making it look like this, then rush down the stairs.
Late dusk shines in from the windows in the living room and I give mother nature an enthusiastic thumbs-up for the perfect mood lighting. At least she’s looking out for me tonight.
I unlock the door — one last breath — and open it.
Clive Snow stands in the hallway and takes that breath away from me.
I expected jeans and a t-shirt, his usual work outfit at Red Brick. He wears a black suit with a red tie instead.
I gulp.
“Hey,” he says, smiling.
“Hi,” I say.
His eyes fall on my dress. “You look amazing.”
“And you look…” I shake my head and move out of the way. “Like you’re still out in my hallway. I’m sorry. Come in.”
He chuckles and steps inside, instantly looking around my living room. “So, this is what Michigan Avenue looks like from this side.”
I close the door and lock it out of habit. “To be honest, I never get tired of it.” I sneak a peek at the mirror by the door. Still looking good. “Would you like a drink?” I ask him.
“Ice water, please,” he says.
I cringe. “Right. No alcohol. That wouldn’t… be right.”
He smiles. “Nora, relax.”
“What? No. I’m fine. I’m very, very relaxed…”
I walk past the stairwell to the kitchen down the hallway. Clive follows behind me, taking slow and soft steps as he looks around. I try and tame my fidgeting hands as I reach into the cabinet by the sink for two drinking glasses but I nearly drop the damn things twice.
Get your shit together, Nora Payne.
I fill them with ice and water. “Okay—”
I gasp as I turn around and find Clive standing directly behind me.
“Nora,” he whispers. “Set the glasses down.”
“‘Kay.”
I abandon them on the counter’s edge. Clive reaches behind me and nudges them a little farther away from me before curling his arms around me and pulling me in for a hard kiss. I melt completely, giving in to the overwhelming pang for his attention deep inside of me.
“Relax,” he tells me again as he draws a line along my cheek with his thumb.
I nod and catch my breath as his hands fall away from me. He picks up one of the water glasses and I do the same.
“Would you like a tour?” I ask.
He raises the glass to his lips. “Only if it ends in the bedroom,” he says.
“Okay. Well…” I pour a large, cold portion of water down my burning throat. “This is the kitchen,” I say, wiping my mouth.
I step around him toward the hallway. He follows close behind, a large, lingering shadow that could pounce on me at any moment.
“Bathroom here,” I say, pointing into a room to the right of the kitchen. We enter the hall and I gesture to the closed door halfway down. “And this right here is my home office.”
I keep walking, barely pausing to take another sip. “Living room,” I choke. “With the wonderful view of—”
I twist around to find Clive halfway up the stairwell.
“And… that’s how you get to the bedroom.”
He peeks over his shoulder at me, his blue eyes pinched with devious intent.
I exhale hard and follow him upstairs. Clive waits for me on the landing and we walk to the bedroom together.
“I have something for you,” he says over my shoulder.
“Oh, yeah,” I recall. “You said you did.” We enter the bedroom and I walk to the bedside table to set my glass down. “What is it?” I ask, excitedly.
Clive puts his water down next to mine. “Face the mirror,” he tells me after a quick glance around. “And close your eyes.”
I squint playfully at him before doing as he says. He walks up behind me and I feel his warm fingers gently push my hair to one side of my neck. His hands move out in front of me and my lips twitch as he lays something around my throat and fastens it.
“Open them,” he says.
I look at our reflection. It’s a thin, black choker made of leather with a small pearl dangling from the middle. Simple and classy. My style in almost every way.
My jaw drops. “Holy— is that a real pearl?” I ask.
“A real pearl?” he quips. “I work three jobs. Of course, it’s not real. It’s plastic.”
I chuckle. “Well, still. It’s so pretty. Thank you.”
He spreads my hair down my shoulders again. “Thought you’d like something a little nicer than a hanky. And… it keeps others at arm’s length from you.” His eyes fall on my body in the mirror. “I want you to myself, Nora Payne.”
I feel the smooth leather choker. “You want to own me,” I say.
He grips my waist from behind. I shiver as his warm breath spreads along my neck. “Yes,” he answers as he kisses my shoulder. “But I know I have to earn that. If you’ll let me.”
He pinches the top of my zipper.
“Say that again,” he says as he slowly slides it down my back. “Tell me the reason why you asked me to come here.”
I lick my lips. “I want to submit to you.”
“Again.”
I let the dress fall to the floor. He admires my nearly naked form in the mirror, his hands crawling around me to feel my bra and panties.
“I want to submit to you,” I say again.
He grabs my chin and guides my head back to crush his lips on mine. I kiss him back, parting for his tongue and reaching behind me to caress his neck. I push up on my toes and he leans down to meet me. I cup his chiseled face, press our bodies together, and I kiss him just like every other time before.
Clive slides his hands up my back and unclasps my bra. He guides the loose straps down my shoulders and I let it fall to the floor. His hands continues down my shoulders, firmly squeezing my breasts on their way down to my panties. I bite my lip as he guides them down and the throbbing between my thighs intensifies threefold.
“Sit on the bed,” he says, stealing one more kiss from me.
I tremble at the words. “Yes, Mr. Snow.”
He smiles as I walk away. I feel more tension fade from the room and by the time I sit down on my bed, it’s gone completely. It’s just me and him up here. Just me and my Dom.
And I want to learn.
Clive stands over me and reaches into his pocket. “Your right wrist, please.”
I extend my hand as he withdraws a pair of handcuffs from his jacket pocket. I pause, just barely recoiling as he smiles at me.
“Just the one wrist first,” he says. “To get used to it.”
I let him cuff me, each metallic click of it sending bolts of heat throughout my core.
He slides his belt free and unzips his pants. “Ms. Payne,” he growls.
My tongue twitches, salivating for him. I reach for him, hooking my fingers into the elastic liner of his briefs. He watches with lustful eyes as I pull them down to his thighs, exposing his hard cock. I open my mouth, wanting so badly to taste him again, but I take it slowly. I lick his tip, massaging it with several long strokes of my tongue as his fingers curl behind my neck.
“Good girl,” he whispers with a heavy groan.
He reaches into his jacket pocket again but whatever he withdraws is locked in his enc
losed fist.
“Lie back,” he says. “Head on the pillows. Spread your legs.”
I slide his cock out of my mouth and nod. “Yes, Mr. Snow,” I say.
He finishes undressing himself as I move, taking his jacket and shirt off and letting his pants fall to the floor. I lay against my pillows with open legs, just like he requested, and he towers beside the bed in nothing but his socks.
“Hands above your head,” he says.
I feel the handcuffs on my right wrist as I move them up to my headboard.
“I’m going to restrain you now,” he says, his eyes on mine. “I’m the only one with the key. If you’re a good girl, you will be freed when I’m done with you. Do you understand?”
I twitch, completely enthralled by the deep growl in his voice. “Yes,” I whisper.
“You will have no control,” he adds. “You will submit to me completely. Body and mind. Do you understand?”
Oh, hell yes.
This is what I wanted. What I needed. A chance to give up control. No more orders or meetings or deadlines. Just a few damn hours to submit to someone else’s demands, just like Melanie said.
I’m not the boss in here. He is.
And it feels so fucking good.
Twenty
Nora
I smile at Clive. “Yes, Mr. Snow.”
His gaze glides down my body before he leans over and slips the cuffs around the bars of my headboard. He waits for a moment, softly staring into my eyes, giving me one last chance to back out. I do nothing.
He closes the other cuff around my left wrist, locking them in place above my head.
Clive climbs onto the bed and settles between my spread legs. I look down at our naked bodies, admiring his hard cock as it rests on my mound.
He moves forward and balances on his arms above me. “Kiss me,” he says.
I part my lips and raise my head to meet his mouth. It’s a soft, slow kiss, but full of heat and need. He massages our tongues together, turning me on even more. His cock presses harder against me. I want to satisfy him so badly. I want him to take me hard and fast but the look in his eyes tells me that he will make this last.