He wasn’t sure he was getting through to her, so he continued with another light stroke and then another harder one. When he reached ten, her head had fallen forward, and he couldn’t see her face. “Sub?”
“Ten, Master. Thank you, Master.” She was still enough in the moment to be aware of the count, but her voice was wispy. He thought she might have gone under into subspace, almost to a hypnotic state. It was what he was hoping for.
“How are you feeling, Chloe?” He moved close behind her again and put his arms around her, supporting her weight. She was at her most vulnerable now, and he wanted to take advantage of it.
“Feeling…fuzzy, Master.”
“What else, Chloe? Are you ready to submit to your Master? Are you ready to forgive me and trust me again?”
“Yes, Master.” She leaned her head back against his chest.
He continued to play with her pussy, and slowly her cream began to flow. She rubbed her bottom against his hard cock and moaned. If this was just about the sex, he might have given up then and entered her, but he wanted more.
“Who is your Master, Chloe? Who has the key to your heart?”
“You do, Master.” Finally, she rested her full weight back into his arms.
John reached down and kissed her neck. “Good girl. Give me what I need from you and just rest in my arms.” John continued to hold her, infusing her with his warmth and strength. “I’m going to love you now, Chloe.”
“Fill me up, Master. Take all of the hurt away.” John held her against his chest, and his steel-hard cock butted up against her round, pink bottom.
He entered her from behind, and her hot, wet pussy surrounded him. Her silky skin caressed his belly as he plunged balls-deep into her. She stretched to accommodate his thick cock, and he began to thrust. Ah, this feels like heaven. This is everything I need. This woman is everything I need. He slowly increased the depth and pace of his strokes, and his cock pumped into her hot and hard. He filled her until they were both rapidly climbing the mountain toward completion. The scent of her desire rose, enveloped him, and he soared over the peak. She convulsed with pleasure and followed him over the top. He held her as they came down together, and he knew that he loved Chloe Carlton.
* * * *
Chloe felt the power of her femininity for the first time since she had walked away from J.J. She felt chills shimmering over her body. As he continued to pound into her, she rode his cock and arched her back. She closed around him, kneading his thick and demanding cock with her tight pussy. She pushed her breasts into his strong hands as he filled her soul. His steely cock pumped into her until she was breathless. He stroked her G-spot and took her over the top to another shattering completion. She felt his ecstasy shudder through him as he followed her over.
At that moment she fell deeply and irrevocably in love. She knew she could forgive John James Temple anything. She just would not let him know that for her own peace of mind. Chloe wished she was looking into his blue, blue eyes. She wanted to see if the moment had been as earth-shattering for him as it had been for her.
Epilogue
Courtroom A of the Circuit Court, Criminal Division, Broward County Courthouse, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Monday morning, December 15, 2014
Chloe, Kaylin, Del, and Jack arrived early and found seats in the row behind the prosecution table. The courtroom was full to capacity. Everyone was restless as they waited for Judge Martin Johnson to take the bench and for the bailiff to call the courtroom to order for the sentencing hearing in the murder trial of Alan J. Baker. Baker had been found guilty on November 11, 2014, of four counts of first-degree murder and numerous, lesser, included charges in the deaths of four young women.
Finally the judge entered the courtroom through the door hidden in the wood paneling behind the bench. “All rise. Judge Martin Johnson presiding.”
Everyone in the gallery had settled back down. Baker’s defense counsel, Neil Black, was offered the opportunity to introduce witnesses to testify as to the character of the defendant. Baker’s mother tearfully begged the court to show mercy and not sentence Baker to death. He was her only child. Baker elected not to testify on his own behalf. He was enjoying the dubious celebrity status being a serial killer afforded him. It was obvious to the observers that he was far from remorseful. While in jail awaiting sentencing, he had somehow managed to open a website and was currently collecting groupies and trying to raise funds for his appeal.
The prosecution represented by State’s Attorney, Miguel Juan Carlos Gatto-Alba, and the Assistant State’s Attorney, Gabriella Delaveccia, called witnesses to testify to the impact the defendant’s actions had had on them. The most heartbreaking was the testimony of Serena Gomez, Angela Gomez’s mother. Angela had been a young prostitute murdered by Baker and left next to a Dumpster behind a Pompano Beach fetish club in July. Mrs. Gomez held Angela’s daughter, Yoli, in her arms. The baby had been only four months old at the time of the murder.
“My daughter was a good woman. Some may have judged her for her life choices, but she went back on the street after Yoli was born to put food in our mouths and keep a roof over our heads. She loved her daughter. Now Yoli will never know her mother.”
The charges were read, and the defense and prosecution made final statements. After making a scathing statement about Baker’s conduct before and after the trial, Judge Johnson passed sentence—Baker received the death penalty for each count of capital murder. “Sir, I only wish we could execute you four times for the heartache and pain you have caused.” The courtroom broke out in pandemonium at the sentence, which would certainly result in years and years of appeals before it was finally carried out. The judge boomed, “Order in the court, or I will clear this courtroom.” When it had quieted down again, he continued. “The defendant is remanded to the custody of the state for transportation to Death Row at the Florida State Prison at Raiford, Florida. This proceeding is adjourned.” Alan Baker was hustled off once again in handcuffs.
Jack buried his face in Kaylin’s neck and hugged her tight. Chloe could see Jack’s shoulders shaking, and she knew that he had carried a load of guilt over Lucy’s murder. The beautiful twenty-two year-old Lucy had been the receptionist at his club and had been murdered in the garage of his building by Baker, who was a club member. Her body had been tossed into the Dumpster. Despite the tight security in the building, Jack had always felt that he should have done more to protect her.
Chloe turned back to the prosecution table in time to see the very handsome but staid State’s Attorney reach down and take Gabby’s hand in his and squeeze. He leaned over and said, “Will you join me for lunch to celebrate, querida?”
“Uhh…I have some important things waiting on my desk, Miguel.”
“They can wait. I’d like for us to celebrate, and I have some things I’d like to discuss with you.” Gabby didn’t look thrilled. Chloe had seen her shy away from the very macho Latin prosecutor before. Testosterone seemed to pour off of him in waves. She knew he made Gabby very nervous.
Before Chloe could intervene, Gabby looked up at him apprehensively and gave in. “Okay. I need to drop these files back at the office.”
What was up with that? Gabby was going to lunch with Miguel Gatto without kicking and screaming as he pulled her down the hall? Amazing.
* * * *
Chloe jumped as J.J. stepped up behind her and put his arm around her waist. She hadn’t seen him come into the courtroom and take a seat in the back row. “I have a meeting back at the office, but can I take you to dinner tonight? How about The Capital Grille? I’ll make a reservation and pick you up at seven.”
She smiled. “That would be lovely. I’ll see you at seven.”
That evening Chloe dressed carefully. She chose a black, silk column dress that ended several inches above her knees and the high, black, Christian Louboutin “fuck me” pumps with the red soles that drove J.J. crazy. She carried a small red clutch handbag. Her hair was pulled up in a sexy twist at the back of
her head. Her only jewelry was a diamond-trimmed Cartier tank watch with a black python band that had been her grandmother’s and small, glittering diamond stud earrings surrounded by a halo of small stones. She spritzed lightly with her favorite Bvlgari Omnia perfume. The spicy floral was heady, and she knew J.J. loved it.
The evening just seemed to have a special vibe and she wanted to make an effort to look beautiful for her man. Dinner at the five-star restaurant at the Galleria on Sunrise Boulevard with its beautiful traditional décor, excellent food, fabulous wine collection, and outstanding service was a treat. J.J. had been very attentive since they had gotten back together. That was not to say that he wasn’t as Dom-y as ever and that her butt didn’t occasionally get in the way of the palm of his hand. They had enjoyed many trips to the dungeon and theme rooms at The Black Iris Club. She was now used to seeing Kaylin and Jack in scenes at the club. They never interacted with each other, choosing to respect each other’s privacy, but the four of them frequently had drinks and dinner in Jack’s apartment before going over to the club for the evening.
* * * *
At The Capital Grille on Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Monday evening, December 15, 2014
John and Chloe were seated in a private booth near the back of the restaurant where it was quiet. The waiter brought Chloe a red rose when he came to take their drink orders. They ordered martinis and an appetizer platter. John held her hand under the table, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her. They talked about the Baker sentencing hearing that morning. They both had noticed how upset Jack had been.
“I hope this gives him some closure. He hasn’t been able to let it go. Of course, Lucy’s parents were destroyed. Who wouldn’t be, losing a child like that?”
“Were you ever able to locate Mitzi Jones’s parents? Was that even her real name?” He knew that the human trafficking case still sometimes haunted her.
“No. We never got a hit on any of the databases for her DNA. Unfortunately, some things are destined to remain a mystery.”
They ordered Filet Oscar served with lump crabmeat and a Béarnaise sauce. On the Sommelier’s recommendation, John chose a Sonoma Coast La Crema Pinot Noir. By the time dessert was served, Chloe looked full and content.
“Dan’s divorce is going to be final in a few more weeks. We’ve decided to form a new firm—just the two of us. Small, lean, and mean. We’re going to take some space in Jack’s building, maybe share space with Nikki Sommers and see how that works out.”
“That’s great, honey. Congratulations. I know you and Dan work well together.” She smiled contentedly. “J.J., this food was just excellent. I don’t think I’ve ever had a better meal.”
“So, you’re full, happy, no blood sugar drops or crankies in sight?”
“Very funny, wise guy.” She laughed.
“Then, while you’re in a receptive mood…” He was nervous. He had practiced what he wanted to say at this moment for weeks. He took her hand and kissed it. “Baby, I want to start this new phase of my life—the new firm, new offices, new outlook—with you by my side.” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. He took the ring out of the box and slipped the diamond-encrusted Tacori engagement ring with the two-carat round center stone on her finger. “What do you say?”
Tears were gathering in the corners of Chloe’s chocolate-brown eyes, and she threw her arms around his neck. He pulled her into his chest and kissed her hard and thoroughly.
She pulled away slightly. “How can I answer if you keep kissing me like that?”
“Okay, I’ll wait until you give me your official answer before I kiss you again.”
“My answer is yes. I want to start this new phase of your life with you. We can both leave the past behind and move forward into a wonderful, new future.”
Suddenly flashes of light illuminated the table, and the ring on Chloe’s finger sparked blue flickers as the moment was captured for posterity. Apparently Kaylin, Jack, Gabby, Miguel, Del, and Nikki had been waiting in the bar for him to get his act together. They surrounded the table, and the waiter opened two bottles of champagne. Flutes were filled and extra chairs and dessert menus were brought to their table.
“Sorry to barge in on your big moment, J.J., but we couldn’t resist. Congratulations.” Jack held his glass up. “To the most star-crossed lovers ever. May all your paths be smooth from now on.”
Kaylin was tucked up against Jack’s chest while tears of joy silently slid down her cheeks. “You’re going to be so happy, girlfriend. I just know it.”
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I was born in New Jersey and grew up an only child on a small farm in the “Garden State.” My father grew acres and acres of flowers for commercial florists and various produce, such as tomatoes. My high school years were spent at Wayne Hills High School, where I was not one of the popular, preppy kids, or one of the hoods—which kind of left me in limbo as I wasn’t one of the brainiacs either. Weekends were spent going into “the City” and Greenwich Village with my friends and doing a lot of things I probably shouldn’t have—don’t tell my grandkids!
After attending Katharine Gibbs School in Montclair, New Jersey, I began a career as a legal secretary and then a paralegal. I moved to Florida and currently live in Davie, Florida, with my dog, Snickerdoodles, a.k.a. The Dude. I was married for eight years but have been single for many years. My major addiction is jewelry, but any kind of shopping will do for a fix!
After my longtime job as a paralegal was ended by the economic downturn, I decided to turn lemons into lemonade and finally write the stories I’d had in my head for many years. I had always wanted to write romance novels, but my family and job kept me too busy.
My major interest aside from my family and friends is horses. I enjoy putting an animal character into my stories if possible. I am extremely “low-tech” and probably should have been born in the 1800s, as I enjoy driving a horse and buggy for fun. I also enjoy horseback riding, but the ground has gotten harder and further away over the years.
I have a small farm and vacation home in Ocala, Florida, which is my favorite place in the world. There’s nothing as wonderful as swinging in the hammock in the shade and listening to the music of the wind in the pines while cuddled under a quilt reading a good book.
Books have always been my escape into love and adventure, and through reading, I have been able to be many people, do many things, and go to many wonderful places I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to be, do, or see.
I hope that all hardworking women who have a moment to put up their tired feet and relax with a cup of coffee—or a glass of wine—will feel like they have had the opportunity to enjoy a trip to beautiful South Florida, my own backyard. I hope they also enjoy getting to meet my fantasy friends and experiencing something new and different with a touch of hot romance thrown in for good measure!
For all titles by Skye Michaels, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/skye-michaels
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Chloe's Rescue [The Black Iris Club 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 16