Red Hots

by Hines, Yvette

  Unable to take the silence, Kindle glanced up at her friend and, seeing Emmalee’s measured gaze, she groaned. I should have stayed on the topic of the case we’d been discussing.

  “What?” Kindle demanded.

  “Oh, my god! Did Dom Hawk make you go without undies one—”

  “Shhhhhhh.” Kindle launched up from her seat and waved her hands, trying to silence her friend as she rushed to her door and closed it, for the second time that day. “Really, Emmalee. The door was open. Besides these walls are paper thin.” She returned to her seat.

  “Sorry. I guess I don’t think about that, since most of the people I work around know my lifestyle.” She leaned back in her chair and gave her an apologetic look.

  “Well, this isn’t a lifestyle for me. I told you what I agreed to. After this trial, most likely it will be over between Masaun and I.”

  “You sure that’s what is best?”

  Kindle let out a dry chuckle. “Hell if I know anymore. My mind feels upside down in my head.”

  “That’s understandable,” her friend’s tone was gentle. “It is a lot to get used to in the beginning.”

  “The beginning is all it will be. I haven’t even been able to call him Dom Hawk…I just stick with Sir. It’s generic and non-binding.”

  “If and when the time is right, you will.” Emmalee shrugged a shoulder. “Don’t fret over it. You’re giving him respect and that’s all that matters at the moment.”

  Smiling at Emmalee, Kindle felt grateful that she had a best friend that was kind-hearted and understanding. “Thanks, Em.”

  She started eating her fruit then asked, “So, Kin, when did the panty demand come down?”

  Leaning back in her seat, Kindle let her head hit the high-back, leather chair. “Today,” she groaned.

  “For how long did he make you do it?” Emmalee asked.

  Kindle met her friend’s gaze. “Probably when I get home tonight since he took them with him.”

  Emmalee’s instant laughter was loud and unrestrained echoing around the office.

  Kindle was sure the sound had traveled through the walls.

  There was a knock at her door. Kindle called out for the person to come in while Emmalee didn’t even try to control her continuous laughter.

  Chris, her researcher, opened the door a crack and leaned his head in. He glanced from Emmalee, who was now wiping tears of laughter from her face, to Kindle. “Sorry to interrupt. But, if I can have a few moments with you before you head back to the courtroom.”

  Putting the lid back on her half-eaten salad, Kindle said, “You sure can. My ex-friend and I are done.”

  “Great. I’ll be in the conference room.” Chris left.

  Emmalee started packing up her food, laughing again. Her voice came out warbled as she tried to get herself under control. “You know you still love me.”

  Standing, Kindle walked around the desk. “Yes, but I don’t like you very much at the moment.”

  Rising, with her small soft side cooler in hand, Emmalee hugged her. “I’ll take that. Call me if you need me. To scream or talk.”

  Staring into the sincere eyes of her friend, Kindle nodded. “I will.”

  Emmalee left to get back to her job, and Kindle picked up her briefcase from the side of her desk where she’d placed it when she’d come to her office to meet Emmalee for lunch. She started to head to the door, when she back tracked her steps.

  At her desk again, she pulled out the key from her pocket and opened up the drawer where she kept her purse. Opening the basic black clutch, she pulled out her cell phone. There was a missed call from an unknown number that she wasn’t concerned about.

  However, there weren’t any missed calls or messages from Masaun. She didn’t know what she had expected. Maybe that he would give one of his commanding texts that read PUT PANTIES ON... Then she would beg Judge Geneon for a brief delay of start and run to the local department store and grab a new pair.

  But there was nothing. Sighing, she returned the phone and rose after securing her desk. As she walked from her office she was tempted to still ask for the late start just to prove to the man that he wasn’t the boss of her world.

  Even with the defiant thoughts roaming her mind as she went down the hall, she didn’t act on them.

  What she had with Masaun was nowhere near the caring relationship that Emmalee had with Randolph, but Kindle was willing to satisfy that little corner in her soul that wanted the consideration with the pseudo attention Masaun gave her, until it was over.

  Chapter nine

  “Hi…um, Sir. It’s Kindle.”

  He could hear her sigh through the phone. By her stumbling of what to call him, he knew that she was still either struggling over her acceptance of his role in her life, or she was still pissed about him taking her underwear yesterday.

  He smiled at the thought of her placing her panties, still carrying the heat from her body and even slightly dampened by the cream of her sex, in the palm of his hand. He’d placed the underwear in his pocket and had not removed them until he got home. As conservative as Kindle portrayed herself, he would have expected her to be an all-cotton kind of woman. However, the wispy lace panties proved what he already knew, she was sensual by nature. And secretive.

  She’d almost had an epileptic fit when her coworkers had knocked on her door. Her wanting to keep their relationship just between them was completely alright with him. It was how he conducted his own lifestyle and the management of Decadent Treats.

  “Hello.” Sitting at his desk, he saved the document he was working on and leaned back in his chair, holding his cell phone to his ear. He’d keep the conversation just as casual as she’d started it.

  “We’re on a ten minute recess, so I only have a few minutes.”

  However, she’d thought of him in that moment. He felt a warm caress around his heart. Refusing to analyze his response to her words, he listened.

  “Court should adjourn around three today, but I will need to meet with my team afterwards for a while.”

  “That’s understandable.”

  “If seven is not too late, I should be able to get away by then.” He could hear other people’s low murmurs, and he figured she’d found a room or alcove to call him.

  “I’ll expect you at seven, Song Sparrow.”

  She paused, but said, “I’ll be there, Sir.”

  They ended the call. Nothing more needed to be said. Masaun sat his phone down on the desk, taking pleasure in the fact that she’d called his cell instead of attempting to avoid him and leave a message on his office line. It could have been as simple as a case of her realizing it was only ten o’clock in the morning and chances were he was in his office and would pick up that phone. Or, it could have been that she had understood after yesterday’s events he wasn’t a Dom that liked to be disobeyed on any level.

  He hoped it was the latter. He wanted Kindle to begin to think of herself as his submissive. It may only be for a short time, but he could not deny the satisfaction that dominating her had brought to his life. A surprise, but the pleasure was there just the same.

  ~YH~

  “Kristy, you did great today.” Kindle stooped down before the little black girl with the big, brown eyes. Eyes that were filled with more wisdom than any eight year old should have.

  Kristy Martin was the last abduction victim of Peter Dashell, and she was also the only survivor able to testify. The other four children were dead and buried beneath his prized tomato garden.

  The little girl’s mother, a single parent, occupied the chair beside Kristy and a social worker was on the other side of the table.

  “I was scared.” Kristy held a blue crayon in one hand, she’d been coloring a picture of an angel, but allowed Kindle to hold the other between both of her hands. The little girl showed remarkable success over the last eight months, since she had been discovered and rescued. Kristy withheld eye contact from any adult, shied away from any sort of touch except her mothers and
hadn’t spoken for two weeks following her return home. However, the child trauma counselors for the county had made amazing progress.

  Kristy being able to testify had been one of the major events CA Harvey had gotten the judge to hold the trial for. With all the evidence stacked against CKP Peter, Kindle didn’t need the little girl’s testimony to prosecute and get a conviction on the sadistic bastard, but Kristy needed a chance to stand up against her tormentor. So that when she grew up she would know she was solely responsible for her abductor receiving his due justice.

  “I know you were, sweetheart. I am so proud of you.” Kindle felt her throat tighten at the memory of the brave little girl’s testimony.

  Judge Geneon had emptied the courtroom of everyone, reporters and curious observers there to watch the trial were escorted out before Kristy had come in. Kindle had made sure she stood close to the witness stand but at an angle that blocked the little girl’s direct view of the defendant. Until she asked her if she saw the man that took her from the museum during a school field trip. Stepping aside, she’d watched Kristy lift her small hand and point a steady, accusing finger at CKP Peter. Kindle had wanted to cheer and hug the girl right there knowing the struggle Kristy Martin had gone through to get to that point.

  Kindle was thankful that the defense attorney had given Kristy mercy and refused to cross-examine the little girl. Simeon was shrewd and at times used devious tactics to get his guilty clients off, but he wasn’t heartless when it came to children.

  “For real, you were proud of me, Miss Kindle?” Her brown eyes softened with wonder.

  She swallowed to keep her voice steady and said, “For real proud.” She rubbed the back of Kristy’s hand.

  Kristy sprang up from her seat and wrapped her arms around Kindle’s neck. Bearing the slight weight of the little girl, Kindle pulled her in close as she returned her embrace.

  When Kristy released her and slipped back onto the chair beside her mother, Kindle rose. “You all are free to go. Court is adjourned for the day.”

  Gina Martin stood and thanked Kindle. “I’ll be here tomorrow. Kristy’s grandmother will stay at the house with her.”

  It had been that way since the trial began on Monday. Gina had wanted to be present during the entire trial of the man who had stolen her little girl and had her for three days before she was found. It was for that reason Kindle had called Gina to the stand as her first witness. Since her testimony was complete, the mother chose to occupy the front row directly behind Kindle.

  “Then I’ll see you tomorrow at nine.” Kindle watched the trio stroll from the room. Once the door had closed behind them, she’d allowed her trembling legs a break as she lowered herself into a chair.

  She just needed to breathe. Before the little girl she had put on a good front, but she’d been overwhelmed with emotion all day knowing Kristy would be testifying. In a case involving such a small child, there was always the risk of retraumatization to the victim and that was the last thing Kindle wanted for her. However, the day had been a success.

  Kindle wanted to see Peter Dashell underneath a jail for life for his actions against Kristy and the other children. The death penalty was legal in Virginia, but she wasn’t going for it. She knew what inmates did to child molesters and pedophiles in prison and she wanted Peter to suffer every day for the rest of his life for what he’d done to the children. Death would be too merciful.

  “Kindle, you alright?”

  Lifting her gaze, Kindle hadn’t even realized Alejandra, a junior attorney on her team, had come into the room. Forcing a smile on her face, Kindle stood. “I’m fine. Just taking a breather.”

  “Tell me about it. It was a tough day.” Alejandra Vega, a Mexican-American woman of twenty-seven, was new to the field by a year. She was holding a stack of files and Kindle’s briefcase.

  “Yes.” Kindle took her briefcase and led them both from the room. “Has the team already headed to the office?”

  “Everyone but Chris, he went to get pizza. He snagged your credit card from your briefcase.” Alejandra smiled.

  Laughing, Kindle said, “Of course he did.” Chris had followed her from her first practice, and knew her well. He knew she would never allow her team to pay for food when they were working late, because she saw it as her job to feed her staff. “We’ll get started on rehashing today’s events and he can jump in when he gets back.”

  They strolled down the back hall to take another exit away from the reporters out front. Kindle just didn’t have the tolerance today to field questions.

  “May I say something…that truly may not be any of my business?”

  Keeping up her stride, Kindle glanced at the woman wondering what was on Alejandra’s mind. “You may as long as I have a right not to answer.”

  The younger woman’s chuckle was light, still exhibiting her youth and naivety. Kindle knew once the girl had been a prosecutor for a while she’d laugh less often, her soul weighted from the grimness of humanity she’d witness over and over again.

  “Of course. Well, I just wanted to say that the hunk…you know that guy in your office the other morning.”

  Kindle didn’t need her to emphasize which guy, Masaun’s image had already come up in her mind. “Uh huh.” Had Alejandra seen something between her and Masaun?

  “Well, he’s very hot. If he’s your man, you’re one lucky lady.”

  Saying Masaun was hot was an understatement. The man made commanding sexy. “Why would you think he was my man?” Kindle asked. They reached their wing and waited for the elevator to take them up.

  “The way he looked at you. The quiet boldness, like we weren’t even there. It was intense and passionate without being sleazy and crude. You know like a lot of guys look at a woman in a bar, as if they’re trying to figure out what kind of underwear they’re wearing beneath their clothes.”

  She could verify the thoughts going through Masaun’s mind as he’d given her that final fiery glance. However, one thing was for sure, he didn’t need to determine what kind of panties she wore, because he had them in his possession when he strolled away.

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” Refusing to confirm or deny the relationship between her and Masaun, Kindle steered the conversation in the direction of the case.

  Tonight would be soon enough for Masaun to command her full attention, right now she just needed to get through the next few hours.

  Thoughts of the dominant male could wait.

  ~YH~

  Masaun stood at his back window, staring out into the yard. He could see the extension he had built onto the back of his house—a dungeon he used when he used to hold play parties at his home. He hadn’t had one in a while. A long while. The dungeon was accessible from a door inside his personal, private playroom that he never allowed anyone else to use, or from going outside the door to the backyard.

  Taking a breath, he glanced over at the clock on the wall. It was five minutes to seven and he expected Kindle to arrive at any moment. She hadn’t called with any excuses about needing to work longer or time getting away from her and she just preferred to go home, so she should be on time.

  After work, he’d gone to The Dollhouse to work privately with a Dom and his submissive wife. The man had learned through their play time that his wife truly enjoyed being dominated in the bedroom. They had done the adult thing and actually talked about entering the lifestyle. Masaun liked the couple, who had been married for eleven years with five children, but they still took time to keep their intimate relationship active.

  Following the two-hour session with them, he’d come home, gone for a run then downed a protein shake to boost his energy and showered. Now, he waited.

  His doorbell chimed at exactly eight o’clock. He wondered if she had been at his front door already and just stood there until the precise time.

  Leaving his post, he went to answer the door. “Good evening, Song Sparrow.”

  “Hello, Sir.” She stood on his porch dressed in the same black an
d pink pinstriped pantsuit he’d seen her wearing in the recap of the televised court case he watched while he dressed.

  He hadn’t given her instruction on what to wear, that would have meant her going home first and he didn’t want the delay. Stepping to the side, he allowed her to come in. “You may hang your jacket up in the closet and place your shoes inside as well.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  The widening of her eyes revealed her surprise. He was sure she probably expected him to have her naked and over a bench the second she walked in.

  “We’ll get to our session soon enough. I’d like to talk first. Have you eaten?”

  Her jacket was hung and she was in the process of removing her shoes, ebony heels that almost placed her eye to eye with him. Glancing up to meet his eyes, she said, “No, Sir. I got pizza for my team members but I didn’t feel like eating.”

  “Good. Join me in the kitchen, I make a mean hoagie.”

  Her eyes lit up and a small smile curled at the corner of her lips. Now barefooted, her lips were not too far below his if he wanted to lean his head down and kiss her.

  The thought rocked him back on his heels. He hadn’t expected it, but with her grin stretching her full mouth just enough to draw his gaze to her lips and hold it there, he could not deny the urge.

  He knew that it most likely had a lot to do with the fact that the last time she was in his home, standing in the same spot, he was buried balls deep inside of her—her tight wet walls sheathing him like she was carved perfectly for his pleasure.

  Even now, his cock was rising in memory and anticipation of being inside her sex again. No other woman or submissive had had such an instant effect on him. However, this time he could not allow himself to become susceptible to the lure of Kindle. He would keep things in their proper perspective.

  Turning away from the temptation, he led the way to the kitchen.

  Then why dinner? his mind taunted.

  It was true. At eight o’clock at night, he didn’t need to offer her a meal. But as a Dom he knew it was his job to be concerned with the well-being of any submissive under him. The last thing he needed was for her to become ill or faint during a session because she had not eaten all day.