by Black, Lena
“Do you still wish to participate?” He appears apprehensive.
“Yes, Mr. Hunt, I do very much.”
He lets out a satisfied sigh, taking a gulp of the wine.
“Excellent. Then, you may have this back.” He pulls my black and white diamond ring, a replica of his belt, my favorite belt, out of his shirt’s breast pocket. “I want you to wear this and never take it off again.”
He pinches my most significant finger and slides it on.
“Thank you. I’ve felt naked without it.” I run my finger over the white diamond buckle, gazing down at it fondly.
“I’ve been carrying it with me everywhere,” he confesses with a low, melancholy voice.
“You have?” I think I nearly swoon. “Then it makes it all the more special.”
“Yes, I carried it as a reminder you were real and not a dream.”
“I think you meant a real nightmare.” I smile up at him and he gives me a disapproving look. “Are the rules still in place?”
“Yes,” he answers with a firm nod. “Shall we review them?”
“No, I have them memorized by heart. However, I still want a contract as a guideline.”
I take another sip of my father’s private reserve. It’s flavorful and fragrant, the same wine I’ve always loved, yet there’s something different about it.
“I had them drawn up after our discussion in Seattle,” Hunt replies, breaking my train of thought. “We can go over it at later time. I would like to ease you back into the lifestyle. Ashamedly, I let my lust get the best of me last time.”
“I would like that. I want to learn. I desire this life with you as my Dom.” I smile up at him and nuzzle my head into his shoulder like an affectionate, little kitten.
He smirks down at me, amused. “I want to teach you and guide you in this life as my sub.”
“Well,” I breathe out, “now that everything is on the table, what shall we do, Mr. Hunt?”
“I would like to show you something if that’s alright with you?”
“They aren’t pictures of me sleeping while we weren’t together, right? I mean, you didn’t break into my apartment or anything.”
“I missed you, smartass.”
I roll my eyes. “I missed you too, control freak.”
He smiles down at me and chastely kisses my lips.
“Come. I want to show you.” He removes my legs from his lap and rises, extending a hand out to me. I take it, and he lifts me into his arms. “I can’t wait to get you naked and fucked thoroughly.”
“Well, what the hell is taking you so long?”
“Patience, my dear,” he gently reprimands. “We must teach you patience.”
“Delayed gratification sucks.” I pout.
“Yes, it can,” he agrees with a kinked smirk.
He releases me, taking my hand, and guides me upstairs. He walks us down the long hall to a door I’d never noticed before at the very end. We come to a halt and he turns back to me.
“I did this for you.” He has a nervous gleam in his mesmerizing emerald eyes. “Remember that.”
“Oh, shit, I’m not about to walk into a room full of bloody, hacked-up corpses, am I?”
He looks aggrieved for a moment, and I remember the detail about him finding his dead parents. I instantly cower, shooting my eyes down to my feet.
You stupid fucking girl. Are you really that dumb? Way to have a blonde moment you fucking…
He scoops a finger under my chin, lifting it, forcing me to face him.
“It’s okay, Gabrielle. You didn’t mean it.”
“I’m a fucking moron,” I utter.
“Hey! I don’t want to hear you talk about yourself in that manner. Ever. Do you understand me?” he asks with a stern yet loving tone.
“Yes,” I reply, nodding my head and smiling softly up at him.
“If you do, I will take you over…”
“Yes, your knee,” I interrupt, holding my hand up to halt him. “I got it.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome?”
He steps out of the way, allowing me to open the door to whatever lies behind. I grip the cool metal of the knob and firmly turn it, swinging the door open, baffled by what I discover.
Chapter Five
Hear No Lies
I scan the bedroom with a hurt curiosity. There is a massive bed with a plush white comforter, black sheets, and black pillows. The floor is white-stained wood with a huge white shaggy rug in the center. There is a sitting area in the corner furnished with black reading chairs and a little white table in between, with a large bouquet of white lilies, my favorite flowers, in an intricate crystal vase sitting atop of it. I notice there aren’t any dressers in the room.
There are three white walls with black crown molding, and one massive wall made of glass to our right, highlighting the same splendid view of West San Francisco and the brightly glowing Golden Gate in the distance. Everything is white and black, including Damian’s beautiful photographs of our spectacular city. There are a few of us mixed in from the charity, Olivia’s birthday, and about town.
He must notice me admiring them because he says, “Who knew the damn paparazzi were actually good for something besides sticking their cameras in everyone’s business.”
“Yeah. The vultures wouldn’t leave me the hell alone. It was really the cherry on my sundae. I’d done a good job of staying low key until you.” I smirk at him over my shoulder, and he gasps. “I’m happy I can still do that to you.”
“You do many things to me,” he murmurs, pulls my back into his hard torso, and shoves his face into my neck, breathing me in.
“You aren’t alone,” I purr, resting my head on his broad chest.
“No, not anymore, not since I got you back, and I never intend on letting you go again.”
“I don’t plan on going anywhere except your bed.”
“It’s our bed, Gabrielle,” he whispers into my ear, “yours and mine.”
“Fine, our bed,” I reply, lifting my head up and observing the setup of the room. “Would you please tell me what I’m looking at right now?”
“This is your room.”
My room?
“I’m not sleeping with you?” I turn to face him, still wrapped in his secure arms. “I thought you said it was our bed.”
“Of course you are, and yes I did. This is for you, when you need space or time alone.”
“I thought that’s what my apartment was for,” I retort, cocking an inquiring brow.
“You won’t be living there anymore. This is your home now. I’ve provided you with a hideaway. I can stand you needing time away from me, but I can’t actually be away from you.”
I want to tell him no, that this is ridiculous, but I won’t. Well, not now anyway. I don’t want to ruffle any feathers before we’ve had a chance to settle back into the relationship. Plus, I have no plans of going back there anytime soon.
“It’s a little odd, but terribly sweet.” I stand on the tips of my toes and kiss his chin softly. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, angel.” He tilts his face in and returns my loving gesture on the forehead. “I used black and white for a semi-blank canvas. I figured you could add color, art, whatever you like. It’s your space. Feel free to do with it as you please.”
“Would you take pictures of us? Like the photos you replaced in your room?”
“Yes, I’d love that greatly. Are you sure you wish to expose yourself to my camera? It can be quite revealing.”
“I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t want to.” I set my hand on his chest, feeling his strong heart beat under my palm. “It would be an honor to pose with you, for you, an artist of your caliber.”
He lifts his hand to my face, tracing a finger down the side. “It would be an honor to photograph a woman of your caliber.”
He grips me tighter, heaving me into his hard body.
“Are you going to fuck me now?”
“No, I’
m not going to fuck you, Gabrielle,” he replies, and I stare up at him, hurt by the fact he hasn’t taken me yet. “I’m going to make love to you, but not now. I want to make us dinner, unwind, and enjoy you on more than just a physical level. I want to spend time with you. Please, be patient.”
“Alright,” I reply, defeated. “I’ve just missed you. I want to be as close to you as possible.”
“Believe me when I say, I want you, angel. I always want you. However, we don’t need to fuck for me to feel close to you. Now, let’s get you changed into something comfortable and fed. You look famished.”
I try to remember the last time I ate. That is, besides the cheese and crackers I had downstairs. Three days ago. No good. Just then, my stomach gurgles, and I wrap my arms about my waist.
He eyes me inquisitively, seeing right through me.
“Unacceptable,” he states, and I giggle at him. “What?”
“You being you I guess.” I shrug. “I’ve missed it terribly.”
The grave look on his face melts away, leaving behind a huge, teeth-bearing grin.
“Alright, angel, what do you want to eat?”
“I don’t care. Whatever you decide is fine with me.”
“Why don’t you go slip into something comfortable,” he says, running his finger across my collarbone, “While I start dinner.”
I shiver with need.
“Would you like my help when I’m done?”
“No, thank you. I wish to serve you tonight.” The tone of his voice promises a lot more than tasty food, causing my insatiable appetite for him to rise. I’m starving and only his carnal flesh will satisfy my cravings.
Once I’m dressed in one of his white oversized tees, I saunter downstairs where the smell of his mouth-watering cooking wafts through the air, enveloping my nose with its tantalizing scent. I walk through the massive main room into the kitchen where Hunt is chopping up vegetables at the island in the center of the room.
“It smells amazing. I can’t wait to get it in my mouth,” I say flirtatiously, walking up behind him and kissing his back. He peers over his shoulder, giving me that kinked smirk that drives me mad. I walk around the counter to the opposite side so I can face him.
“Thank you. Are you hungry, angel?”
“I was, but after smelling the grub, I’m starved,” I comment, patting my empty stomach.
“I would imagine so.” He puckers his lips and cocks that damn brow. “It’s probably been days.”
He knows. But, how?
“How can you tell?”
“You’re pale with dark circles under your weary eyes, which also means, you haven’t been getting enough sleep. Your body and face appear thinner; your cheeks have begun to hollow and your curves have lessened. I felt it when I held you.”
Suddenly, I feel self-conscious about how I look. I feel my cheeks and realize they do feel sunken. I run my hands over my hips and waist and they feel smaller too.
“Every time I thought of eating, I wanted to vomit,” I confess, ashamed of my appearance. “Things haven’t exactly been easy for me either, Damian.”
“Hey,” he says, taking my attention off myself. “You look beautiful. Nothing will change how gorgeous you are to me. Plus, it’s nothing a warm meal and a good night’s sleep won’t take care of. We’ll get some meat back on those bones, even if I have to personally feed you breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”
He smirks at me, and I smile back, giggling at the idea of him feeding me like a baby. I sigh and relax, feeling much better about my new undead appearance.
“I’m sorry, angel,” he blurts out of nowhere. “I should have been there for you.”
“It isn’t your fault.” I shrug.
“Yes, it is…I haven’t been there to watch out for you, take care of you.”
“It isn’t your fault,” I repeat. “It’s mine. I shouldn’t have left you, but I was terrified. I was terrified for me, for you, for us…I’m still terrified.”
He strides around the island with a powerful green gaze and takes me into his arms, gliding his knuckle over my cheek.
“Elle, I’ll take care of him. I don’t want you worrying about it anymore. Am I clear?” he inquires with a deep, smooth voice, calm, confident.
“Yes. I’ll try not to,” I reassure him, but even I’m not convinced.
“You’re so strong, brave, kind, and selfless. You’re more than I could ever hope to be…I should’ve seen the truth. I should have known something wasn’t right. I should have come after…”
I place the tip of my finger over his lips, quieting his thoughts.
“It’s over, and we’re together. Let’s just enjoy our weekend.”
He opens his lips slightly and takes the tip of my finger into his mouth, gently clamping his teeth down, swirling his tongue, suckling with his sensual lips. He stares his overwhelming sexual gaze, and I’m lost.
He rips my finger from his mouth and claims mine roughly, dipping his silky tongue in, playing with mine.
“If memory serves, you’ve never had sex in a kitchen,” he mumbles through our lips.
“No, have you?”
“No, but that’s about to change.” There’s a growl in his voice.
He scoops his hands under my ass and lifts me onto the island, adjusting his hips so he can slide into his space.
“I’ve missed having you between my thighs,” I utter, wrapping my arms about his neck.
“I’ve missed being here…I’m home.”
I moan, wildly claiming his mouth, and he meets my rough, quick pace. His hands roam and cling all over my back, neck, hips, and thighs. I tear my lips from his, breathless.
“What are you going to do to me, Mr. Hunt?”
“I fully intend to give you a vigorous whipping for your actions,” he states, tapping me on the tip of my nose.
“What actions might those be?” I ask flirtatiously.
“Oh, come now, Elle. You know what you did.”
“No, I don’t. Why don’t you tell me?” I lean in and nip at his chin. He moans.
“Are we playing games now…? Fine, let’s play. You lied to me. You broke promises and my heart. I think those are all worthy offenses to be punished.”
Hearing the words spill from his lips with that rich, sumptuous voice causes a sharp pain in my chest.
“I understand,” I reply, sliding off and turning to face the counter. “I’ll take it like a good girl.”
I bend over, pleased, pulling my t-shirt above my bare ass, and wait for my corporal punishment.
“Oh no,” he replies in a husky voice. “Now is about pleasure. I will discipline you soon enough, but right now is about worshipping you, your body.”
I stand up and spin toward him. “Are you ever going to spank me?” I ask with an irritated tone.
He laughs softly, shaking his head in amusement. “Yes, Gabrielle, I will spank you…later.”
I can only imagine what he has in store for me. Before I can think about it too much, he snatches me up into his arms, sitting my bare ass on the cool marble surface of the island. He slides his fingers under the hem of my oversized shirt and rips it over my head, leaving me totally naked and ready for him.
He comes onto my lips with a desperate fury that shows me how much he’s missed me. I kiss him back with the same fervor and need, grabbing onto any bit of flesh I can grasp. His hands roam up and down my back, fingers kneading with an urgent aggression that sends tingling waves of warmth up my body.
I wrap myself about him, clinging my legs to his waist and arms around his neck. He groans against my lips, cradling me in his large arms, smashing my bare breasts into his hard pecks. He leans his large body toward me, causing me to tilt with him.
The cold bite of the marble is shocking and I shriek, fiercely arcing my back. My breasts lift up, meeting Hunt’s warm, wet grasp. His mouth seizes my hard nipple, teasing it with his tongue and yanking with his teeth. My hands fly to his back, clawing urgently at it.
We’re totally immersed in each other when Banks’ voice calls out to Hunt from just outside the kitchen. “Mr. Hunt?”
We don’t have much time to react before he comes through the door. “Mr. Hunt, We have a…”
He stops dead in his tracks when he finds Hunt facing him, aggravated, and me behind him, bashfully poking my head out. I grab my shirt off the counter and hastily throw it on.
Hunt answers him with a stern tone, “What is it, Banks?”
I take a peek at Liam, who looks a bit stunned and embarrassed, but there’s a hint of a smile slightly spreading his cheeks.
Hunt clears his throat in an attempt to get Liam’s attention off me. He succeeds. Liam looks at him with an alert, straight gaze. “We have new information that needs your immediate attention.”
Hunt turns to me and his demeanor seems to have shifted. He’s no longer upset, but he’s still tense, concern radiating from his eyes.
“I have to take care of this. I want you to go upstairs and wait for me. I will let you know when dinner is ready,” he orders, turning back to the counter and grabbing a small, assorted fruit platter. “Take this with you.”
“What’s wrong?” I ask, alarmed, as he hands it to me.
“It’s nothing,” he replies in a low, husky voice.
“Damian…”
“I’ll let you know when dinner is ready,” he interrupts, kisses me on the forehead, and gently guides me toward the door. I turn back to him on my way out of the room, ready to argue with him, and spot an anguished look on his face. I decide to drop it.
Something isn’t right.
I head upstairs with my snack, but instead of going to our room, I rush past it to my bedroom at the end of the hall. I shut the door and turn on the recessed lighting, glancing about the lavish space. I walk over to the bed and set the plate on a table beside it. I view the photos on the walls, scan the books I hadn’t noticed before next to my reading area, and admire the breathtaking evening skyline.
Once I’ve thoroughly inspected my surroundings, I leap onto the bed with a book in hand. I lie back, allowing my body to sink into the cloud-like mattress. Just like my bed. I prop up a few pillows against the contemporary white headboard and lean back into them. I crack open the book and listen to the crisp sound it makes as I turn the pages to chapter one.