“Like what, Ms. Flynn, that ridiculous cocktail you’ve been nursing all night? Really, Charlotte, you’re not some giggling college girl looking for a quick buzz.” He placed a tip on the bar. “You will drink this and then we shall leave for the evening.”
“Like hell I will!”
“You will, Ms. Flynn. We have unfinished business to attend to.”
***
The hotel elevator hummed as it headed toward its destination. Charlie stood facing the wall, reading an advertisement for the Monks Bar while Declan took a call. She knew what they were doing there. Her nerves had nearly destroyed all feelings of desire. She knew this moment was going to happen, and yet now that it was here, Charlie felt as though her heart was about to jump through her chest. She was certain Declan was taking her to his suite to devour her. Of course, it had to be a suite. He was a Pearse after all. Panic cracked like ice in her veins and spread to her heart and mind. Despite everything that had happened and all she had experienced in her past, something with Declan made her feel nervous and awkward. As though she had extra sensory perception, she was suddenly aware of every blemish, every freckle, and every little extra fat deposit. Suddenly her reflection in the shiny brass walls of the elevator made her wonder what she was doing there.
Charlie turned abruptly, and he was there, inches away from her. She stilled, her gaze locked on his. A sudden thrill of fear, or something, pulsed through her body. She let out a slow, hesitant breath, suddenly wishing she hadn’t as she was sure her breath must smell dreadful. Declan still hadn’t moved an inch, and she was starting to feel a bit afraid. Her senses were telling her to move before something happened, but she couldn’t. She stood, locked into staring at his face.
When it came, she wasn’t expecting it; his hand moved up, his fingers against the skin at the base of her throat, moving up around her neck. He held her for a second before he crushed his lips against hers. For a long moment she struggled against his touch, attempting to pull away, but his firm hand on her shoulder and neck held his body warm against hers. After a moment of brain whirling, freaking out, she allowed herself to fall into the kiss and kiss him back. Their lips merged, blending and moving as the intensity grew within each of them.
Charlie parted her lips, and his tongue slipped against them gently. She flicked her tongue against his, wanting more. Declan took his tongue away, and she slid hers after it, allowing her tongue to slip into his mouth, where he moved his against it like she had done to his moments before. Declan’s grip on her was hard now as the kissing grew more intense. He slid his tongue into her mouth, and she put her lips around it, sucking it as she thought of sucking on his cock, and he made a noise inside his throat, smashing his lips back over hers. The emotions running through her were heady and making her feel faint. Charlie tucked her fingers into the belt holes of his suit pants, pulling his body hard against hers. Her back was up against the wall, her handbag on the floor at her feet. She could feel him actually becoming hard, and she pushed her hips toward him.
He pushed her back into the wall, hard, his mouth devouring hers, one hand around her throat, the other somewhere, but she had no idea where! The feel of his erect cock through his pants was making her crazy. Her hand rubbed up and down his crotch, firm but gentle at the same time, and he removed his lips from hers to moan a little. She wasn’t going to allow it, and she pressed her lips back against his, wanton and stupid with lust.
Declan stopped her, breathing heavily, and his hands moved down to her wrists, locking them tightly.
“No,” he said, his gaze on hers.
“I-I …” Charlie retreated a bit.
“No! Charlotte, I have not given you permission!”
Her gaze searched his for a moment, and she smiled a coy smile. “Yeah? Simple solution, tell me I can do it!” Charlie moved her head forward for another kiss, but he merely raised an eyebrow at her, and she squirmed, feeling a little silly. She tried to move her hands, and he allowed her a little bit, until her fingers began to touch the crotch of his pants again.
“No!” he told her, firmly.
“Yes!” she responded, even more firmly. She struggled to break his grip, the whole thing making her more turned on than before. By God, nobody had made her feel like this, not even Griffin. She squealed in her throat as she squirmed wildly, trying to unlock the grip on her wrists. The battle went on for a long while until suddenly he let her go. Declan’s arms twisted around her, and he kissed her, a mind-blowing kiss on the mouth, which she returned with just as much fervor. Her hands were roaming back over his cock again, massaging it through his pants.
“Damn it, Charlotte!” he broke off quickly, grabbing her arms again.
“You know I can play this game all night!” she teased, her eyes sparkling with the desperate lust she was giving in to.
The elevator doors opened to the silence of Declan’s floor. Hesitant to step out first, Charlie watched as Declan exited, waiting rather impatiently. “Come, Charlotte. We have a full night ahead of us.” Charlie could feel the heat of his stare on her neck, her chest, and her legs as she made her way out of the elevator. They walked hurriedly to his room, and Declan pulled a key out of his pocket, quickly sliding it into the slot. Charlie heard the door close behind her and felt Declan’s heat against her skin. She expected him to touch her, but he didn’t. Instead, he brushed his mouth against the shell of her ear. “Come.”
Come. Just one little word. Four letters. How could something so small feel so big? How could his stare pierce right through her like that? Dare she accept? What lurked down the path he wished to walk? His hand, which seemed to burn with passion earlier, now seemed cold, almost menacing.
Why then did she curl her fingers into his palm? Why did her voice betray her thoughts?
A quiet whisper of “yes” escaped her lips. There was no turning back once she had taken his hand. What had she agreed to? What was she thinking? She wasn’t thinking; instead she was feeling. She was responding with lust, and that trumped any logical action. This was not about rational thought. No. This was about something far more primal. Although her secrets might haunt her, she couldn’t say no. She did not want to deny him. She was a willing lamb to a sacrificial rite of decadence. He offered his hand and in return she offered her soul.
He pulled her across the room to a chair. Declan sat in the chair staring up at her intently.
“Charlotte, please kneel here so I can pull your hair down.”
Charlie knew once she knelt before him, everything would change. She knew when she first saw Declan she would belong to him. He would own her. Now that the moment was here, the anticipation electrified her. Charlie knelt by his feet. Declan reached one hand down, pulling the band free, spilling her hair around her shoulders. He ran his fingers through it, brushing the side of her neck and going through her hair as he lightly brushed the swell of her breasts.
“There. That’s much better. Charlotte, your hair is far too beautiful to be kept up like that.” Declan’s eyes darkened. Leaving her no time to get comfortable, Declan yanked her to her feet. Confusion replaced Charlie’s feelings of lust momentarily, but before she could get steadied, Declan wrapped a hand around her throat, applying a bit of pressure. Her reaction was immediate. She bit down on her lip trying not to make a sound. She pressed her thighs together in an effort to try to stop the pulsing of her clit.
“You like this, don’t you?” Declan whispered gruffly, squeezing harder. “One of your biggest desires, but you have had trouble finding a match for your wants until now.”
Declan gripped her throat hard enough now that she struggled to breathe normally, but she didn’t want him to stop. She loved it. He might be ready to hurt her, but she didn’t care; she was too lost in how good it felt. As quickly as he started, he released her. She gasped for air, her pussy throbbing.
“Do you want to know a secret, Charlotte?” His breath was hot as he spoke, his lips hovered just above her flesh, yet she felt branded by his whisp
er.
“Yes, please,” she managed to utter, her mind confused by the contradiction of inviting butterflies and the screaming need to pull back.
“I like that you’re nervous. In fact, your uncertainty fuels my need to touch you, to push you down on my bed, and watch in lustful amusement as you struggle with your emotions. The knowledge that you do not comprehend the sensations racing through your body, the hint of fear due to your unleashed imagination, all of it only edifies my need to claim you. Own you. And, do you want to know one more thing?”
“Y … yes.”
“Before I penetrate you, before I mark you, you, my dear Charlotte, will be begging. Begging me for experiences you cannot even articulate. You have no idea, no fucking idea how desperate you will become, and that makes me want you all the more.”
Swiftly, he reached a hand out, pinching her left nipple between his thumb and forefinger through the material of her dress. He pulled and she cried out, pleasure pulsating through every part of her body.
“Do you want more, Charlotte?”
Charlie nodded.
“I asked you a question, Charlotte,” Declan said, moving to her other nipple and giving it the same rough treatment. “I expect an answer.”
“Yes.”
“Yes what?”
“Yes I want more, Declan.” Charlie could barely think straight as she saw the desire flare to life in his eyes again. She ached for him to touch her again. She needed his touch.
“Are you still nervous?”
Charlie shook her head. After all this, I can’t possibly be.
“Bend over and place your hands on the table. If you move them, you won’t like the consequences.”
She hesitated briefly before turning, bending over and staring at the painting of the Pittsburgh landscape. Silence crept in between them. As it stretched, Charlie’s embarrassment transformed to excitement.
Declan’s hands deftly pulled her panties down, and he explored her flesh. He moved his fingers along the crack of her ass and down to her pussy. He lightly brushed against her labia and then back up to her ass cheeks again. He caressed her for a few more moments. Charlie yelped as he smacked her left cheek with his bare hand, hard enough to leave a handprint. Declan wrapped his arm about her waist in an effort to keep her still. He held her tightly as his hand came down hard again, this time on her right cheek. Then back to the left, then the right, then a caress to smooth the skin.
“When I ask you a question …” Declan delivered another blow that made Charlie jump. “You answer the question and address me as Mr. Pearse. Don’t give me a nod. Don’t address me as Master. You haven’t earned that right yet, and neither have I. Do you understand, Charlotte?”
“Yes!” she shouted as he caressed her ass once more.
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, I understand,” Charlie whimpered.
“Wrong answer, my Charlotte.” He kept spanking her, alternating spots. Charlie gritted her teeth at the pain, but soon it gave way to undeniable pleasure.
“Yes what, Charlotte?”
“Yes, Mr. Pearse!”
Declan relented in his smacks to Charlotte’s ass and began kneading her flesh with gentle fingers. “That’s better. Good girl.”
Charlie drew in a cleansing breath and relaxed, pushing back against his fingers.
“And when I ask you to do something …” Whack! He slapped her ass. He went into a steady rhythm, slowly building in speed and intensity. “Never hesitate. Understand?”
“Yes, Mr. Pearse.”
“You learn quickly, Charlotte.” He massaged her ass again, and her juices slipped down her thighs. “I’m very pleased.”
Charlie wriggled with anticipation, expecting another forceful blow to her derriere. Instead, there was a new command.
“Spread your legs.”
Charlie obeyed without hesitation, moaning as Declan’s hand slid between her legs. He inserted a finger into her warm depths, working it in. Her body clenched around his finger as she pressed back against Declan’s hand. She moaned, eager for him to continue, or to increase his pace and bring her to orgasm.
“Would you like to come?”
“Yes,” she moaned as his finger moved faster in and out of her body.
Without warning, Declan rained down another smack on her behind. “And you were doing so well.”
Charlie cried out in a mixture of pain and pleasure, squeezing the side of the table desperately to steady her hands.
“I won’t forget again, Mr. Pearse. I’m sorry.”
“Good girl.”
Declan returned his attention to the growing ache between Charlie’s legs, rubbing her in just the right way. She whimpered, moaned, and gasped his name, but he kept his pace the same, keeping her on the edge of bliss, but not letting her come.
“Do you want this from me, Charlotte?”
“Yes, Mr. Pearse.”
“From anyone or just me?”
“Just you, Mr. Pearse.”
Declan stopped rubbing her clit and turned Charlotte to face him. “Go home, Charlotte, I will text you instructions.”
Charlotte didn’t know whether to shout at him or cry. Instead, she stared at him blankly for a few moments before she realized he had issued her an order.
“Yes, Mr. Pearse, as you wish.” Charlotte smoothed her dress back down and gathered her things.
As he walked her to the door, Declan handed her what looked like a leather journal.
“Don’t come tonight, my pet. I will know if you do,” he warned her before placing a chaste kiss on her forehead and then the corner of her jaw. “Please get some rest tonight.”
Charlotte left the hotel room realizing this was only the beginning.
Chapter Five
Despite the very late hour, Mikki’s bedroom door opened as Charlie crept down the hallway. Charlie and Mikki couldn’t be more different. Charlotte’s older sister could sometimes be bossy and overbearing. Charlie also knew her quieter, bookish nature drove Mikki crazy. And apparently so did her evening with Declan.
“Charlotte Elise Flynn!” Mikki’s hands were on her hips. “Did you turn your phone off? All I got from you was some bizarre text about Declan and then nothing!”
Charlie just smiled.
“Honestly, Charlie!” she said.
“Ugh … Mikki! You and Aaron set me up with him in the first place!”
Mikki followed Charlie into the living room. Settling down on the couch, Charlie started reading her text messages from Declan.
Declan: Take your new journal and inscribe a brief thought about our impending relationship that comes to mind. It can be an original idea, lyrics, or a quote but it must be relevant. Place your journal on my desk Monday before the workday commences.
Mikki sighed like she was auditioning for a telenovela. “You found out what he was, what he liked, and yet you dove right in without thinking just like you always do, Charlie. Always. You are forever letting your heart cloud your judgment. It’s why you can’t ever find any happiness.”
Charlie picked up her laptop and began searching for an appropriate quote, ignoring her sister.
“You think you’re so smart. What do you think will go on at work when people find out? Don’t you think people will talk? What will Mom and Dad think?”
Charlie and Mikki’s parents lived in New York, and though they weren’t close, Charlie was sure they would have a negative opinion about Declan and his “pursuits.” Regardless, Charlie was fairly certain Mikki wouldn’t discuss it with their parents. Or would she?
Charlie calmly set her laptop on the coffee table. “Michaela, you are not going to say one word about this to Mom and Dad. So help me God, I will dig out that video clip of you at cousin Becca’s bachelorette party and plaster it all over YouTube!” She picked up her laptop and started her search again. “And my personal life is no one’s business at work. Understand?”
Mikki perched on the arm of the couch, checking her nails. “Charlie, I’
ll never understand.” She pried the laptop from Charlie and began to type in Declan Pearse’s name.
“Hey, give that back! I was in the middle of something!” Charlie yanked the laptop back from her.
“So do you have a contract or something?” she said. “Don’t you get a say in how this all plays out?”
“We haven’t gotten quite that far yet.”
“So you’re just going to hand yourself over to some strange man and let him do God knows what to you?”
“It’s not anything like that, Mikki.”
Mikki walked over and motioned Charlie to hand the laptop back over.
“Mikki, don’t you have anything better to do?”
“Nope …” Mikki smirked. “Not a thing but torture you about Declan. Oh, wait you might enjoy that way too …”
Charlie’s phone rang just then. “Shh!” She stood from the couch calmly, pressing the answer button. “Hello?”
“Charlotte.”
Charlie turned away from her sister and walked toward the hallway. “Yes, Mr. Pearse.”
“Did you receive my text instructions?” His voice was deep and demanding.
“Yes, Mr. Pearse. I am working on placing the quote in my journal now.”
“Good girl. Remember, don’t touch yourself when you go to bed. You are not to come without my express permission.” Declan spoke matter-of-factly.
“As you wish, Mr. Pearse.”
“Goodnight, pet. Sleep well.”
Charlie turned around and ran smack into Mikki. “Frick, Charlie! What did he say?” Mikki nudged her a bit in the side. “Your face turned like fifty shades of red! Oh. My. God. Never mind. I do NOT want to know!” Mikki huffed and went into her room, slamming the door shut.
Charlotte smirked and returned to the couch and her waiting journal.
***
Declan’s phone vibrated as he sat in the meeting. He loathed Monday morning meetings. Especially this morning. He wanted to get into the office as soon as possible to see if Charlotte had followed his instructions. Damn this is killing me. I need to be in better control. Eric rattled off some numbers about marketing targets for the new young adult department they were developing. Declan couldn’t concentrate. His thoughts drifted to the Friday before with Charlie and how things had moved considerably quicker than he had planned. He was always so methodical, so calculated in every aspect of his life, especially when it came to selecting a new submissive. But Charlotte’s feisty edge had him spinning like a top, and he knew the only way to show her who was in charge was to punish her.
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