“What are you doing here, Winter?” Cary interjected. “I seem to remember you never had time for anything other than work.”
Winter fidgeted with his black tie. “Melissa works for the Atlanta Library System, so we had to come. Luckily, I was off from the hospital tonight and could join her and little Winter.”
Cary turned to Melissa. “I thought you worked with Winter at the hospital.”
Winter cleared his throat. “No, you’re thinking of Bethany, my first wife, the one I met…that marriage didn’t last very long. I met Melissa after my divorce and we just hit it off.”
Hunter observed the diminutive woman who never said a word and only had eyes for her husband. “Yes, I can see that,” he softly murmured.
“You know, Melissa has always been interested in writing, Cary. I told her all about you and your books. You two should get together. I’m sure she would love to hear about what it takes to get ahead in the literary world.”
Cary quickly took Hunter’s hand. “We really should get to those dolphins, Hunter.” She glanced back at Winter. “Good to see you again.” She nodded to his wife. “Melissa, great to meet you.”
Melissa merely smiled as the young boy in front of her suddenly dashed off to a corner of the otter room where two other children were pulling on an interactive children’s exhibit demonstrating the strength in an otter’s hand.
“Oh, lord.” Winter was about to start after the boy when he halted. “Good to see you…both,” he stated and then ran after his son.
Hunter spotted Melissa, who still was standing before them, not uttering a word. Cary then quickly jerked Hunter toward the exit.
“That was Winter?” he pressed, once they were safely out of the room. “How on earth could you have ever considered marrying him?”
Cary wiped her hand over her brow while letting out a ragged sigh. “Temporary insanity.” She led him toward the exit of the River Scout exhibit. When they were out in the atrium, Hunter gave her a worried going over with his green eyes.
“You okay?”
She let go of his hand and walked over to a metal railing at the edge of the platform next to the stairs leading to the atrium floor. “I can’t believe I ran into him of all people.” She spun around to Hunter. “His second wife? Can you believe that? And they have a kid? He has to be what two, maybe three?”
“I guess.” Hunter shrugged. “But they all look the same age to me.”
“Winter and I broke up four years ago. Since then he has had two wives and a kid?” She ran her hands up and down her bare arms. “Christ, that could have been me.”
He came up to her and placed his hands on her arms, rubbing them. “But it’s not.”
“Thank God. I saw that poor woman he married and I actually felt sorry for her. She looked just how I felt with him; oppressed and stifled.”
Hunter noted the anxiety in her brown eyes. “I got the impression he was surprised you were an editor. Why is that?”
She waved her hand to the exhibit entrance behind them. “You saw the kind of man he is. Do you think he could honestly tell if a woman was a writer or editor? As far as Winter was concerned, it was all just busywork.”
Hunter slipped his arm over her shoulders. “Yeah, I got that.” He perused the atrium, filling with patrons spilling out from the other exhibits. “Where to now?”
She rested her head against his chest. “If you don’t mind, I would really just like to get out of here. Go somewhere quiet for a drink.”
“Great idea. Any suggestions?”
She curled into him. “I put a bottle of vodka in the fridge before I left; interested?”
“That’s the best idea I’ve heard all night.”
Chapter 14
When Cary pushed the white door to her apartment open, a pair of vivid green eyes was staring at the two of them from the hardwood floor. With an insistent “meow,” the orange and white cat came up to Cary as they walked inside.
“I wasn’t gone that long, Sex Kitten.” She gave the cat a quick stroke.
Hunter pointed to the cat. “How long have you two been an item?”
Cary placed her yellow purse on the sofa by the door. “Four years. I found him on the street outside when he was a kitten. I had just broken up with Winter and was pretty down on life, and then he came along and perked me up. I always figured it was meant to be.”
“Still can’t believe you ended up with a guy like that.” Hunter shut her apartment door and turned the deadbolt.
“I think I was still suffering from all the years of listening to my mother tell me that I needed a man to be complete.” She walked toward the kitchen.
“Yeah, my mother used to tell me I needed a good woman to feel complete.”
Cary went to the refrigerator. “I think you need a fulfilling career to feel complete; you need another person to make you feel…real.”
He came up to her side. “Real? What do you mean?”
She pulled the bottle of vodka from a shelf in the refrigerator. “You and I work in a world of fantasy. Happily ever afters are the norm, but that’s not how life works. You need the bad to appreciate the good, the ugly to learn what is beautiful, and periods of hopelessness to teach you to always be hopeful. Without experiencing such opposites, we never learn how to be grounded in the middle. Having a relationship with another person takes you to those extremes, and also teaches you to realize that it’s not always about being happy, it’s about appreciating life…all of it.”
He folded his arms over his chest, considering her words. “You should put that to paper. Make that the cornerstone of your story. Two people who go through the extremes of emotions between them, but learn how to appreciate the middle ground they find.”
She paused, putting the bottle on the white Formica countertop as she thought for a moment. “That sounds like a really good idea. Thanks for that.”
“Anytime.” He took in the curve of her hips as she stretched for the oak cabinet above and selected two old-fashioned glasses. “I still find it hard to imagine that after all the years of dealing with writers that you never wanted to become one.”
She turned, placing the two glasses on the counter next to the bottle. “I told you I was never brave enough to put my name to paper.”
“Funny, I don’t see that.” He came up behind her. “You’re not afraid of anything. There is something else to this.”
She picked up the vodka bottle and twisted the top. “If I become a writer, Hunter, my editing clients will drop me. I’ll become the competition. Anyway, if I write a book, it may still never get published.” She poured out some vodka into the first glass.
“If you write it, I’ll publish it.” He took the bottle from her hand.
“What if it’s horrible?”
“It won’t be.” He placed the bottle on the counter. “We will work on it and work on it until it’s perfect.” Hunter put his arms about her.
“I thought you wanted a drink.”
He lowered his mouth to hers. “Not at this particular moment.”
Hunter became undone when he kissed her. Her tongue enticed him, making him tighten his grip and lift her from the floor. There was no doubt in his mind this time. He wanted her. He wanted to feel her naked body next to him, kiss her tender skin, and lose himself in the pleasure of her.
Hunter was carrying her down the short hallway to her bedroom while Cary tore at the buttons on his shirt. When he reached the open bedroom door, he stopped. Putting her feet on the floor, he flipped the switch on the wall, bathing the room in the warm light from the ceiling fan above.
“What is it?” she asked, alarmed.
He stepped into the room, checking the bed. “Just making sure there are no hidden handcuffs, or leather straps.” He pulled open the drawer on the nightstand and eyed the box of condoms. Removing one of the foil-wrapped condoms, he flung it on the bed.
She strutted into the room. “I keep that stuff in my closet. You want me to get something?”
“Hell no.” Hunter sat down on the bed. “For once, I want it to be just you and me. No gimmicks, no games, and no paraphernalia.”
She nestled in next to him. “What difference will that make?”
He pushed her down on the blue bedspread. “It makes a great deal of difference to me.”
“Why? It’s just sex, Hunter.”
“No, it’s not, Cary.” Kissing her again he slowly undid the buttons down the front of her yellow dress. “I want to know who you are. To be with you and not some woman you’re pretending to be.” He opened the dress and caressed her skin.
“I’m not pretending,” she adamantly denied, sitting up.
“Yes, you are. You’re a walking contradiction. You wear these flowing, feminine dresses, have white ribbons tying back your curtains, and even have a cat.”
“A cat named Sex Kitten,” she defended.
He eased one shoulder free of her dress. “But then you like to tie me up, go to bondage clubs, and act as if sex is no big deal.” He nuzzled her ear. “But it is a big deal. It shows me the real you.”
“The real me?” A reflective sigh escaped her lips as her shoulders drooped. “I very much doubt if you would like that Cary Anderson.”
“But I want the chance to know her.” He eased the dress over her other shoulder, slid it down her hips, and then tossed it to the floor. “Let’s do this my way for once. We might like it.”
Her hands went to his wide chest and finished undoing the buttons on his shirt. “I’m game.” After helping to gently remove the shirt from around his sore shoulder, she traced the outline of ripped muscles in his abdomen with her fingertips. “But what if we don’t like it your way?”
Hooking his finger beneath her black bra strap, he slowly lowered it down her arm. “Give me tonight.”
Hunter slipped the other bra strap down and then freed it from her body. Easing her on the bed he kissed her right nipple, and as his teeth grazed her flesh, Cary shuddered beneath him. His hands began their eager quest of her soft skin, and when he came to the elastic waistband of her black silk panties, he hesitated.
Kissing her again, he slipped his fingers inside her underwear and pushed the silky fabric down her hips. Hunter’s mouth traveled the hills and valleys of her chest, lingering over her nipples and kissing the recesses of her stomach. She wrapped her legs about his waist, encouraging him, but Hunter pushed her legs back on the bed. Cary’s movements became like a woman on fire. She dug her short nails into his flesh, kneaded the muscles in his firm butt, and when her hands found the fly on his pants, he stopped her.
“Tonight, you’re my captive.” He removed her hands from his trousers and stood from the bed. “Get on your knees.”
Cary sat up, her eyes wide with trepidation. “What?”
Flipping her over, he curled his arm underneath her stomach and brought her to the edge of the bed. He positioned his hips behind her while rubbing his hand over her smooth, round ass. His fingers found their way to her delicate folds, teasing her wet flesh. Slipping two fingers inside, he pressed his thumb into her nub and rhythmically moved in and out of her. Cary moaned as her body rocked back and forth against his hand. And just when he felt her muscles tense, he removed his fingers.
“No,” she cried out.
Hunter kissed her back while his fingers lightly skimmed the outline of her folds. “It’s my turn to see how hot I can get you.”
She was about to face him when he shoved his fingers deep inside her, forcing them as far as they could go. Slowly thrusting in and out, he brought her closer to climax once more. Just when her breath was coming in short needful gasps, he stopped and Cary whimpered with frustration. But he ignored her, and then started his teasing all over again.
Cary was bathed in a light film of sweat and panting as he brought her to the brink yet again, but when he stopped this time, he roughly turned her over. He hurriedly spread her legs apart and kneeled at the side of the bed. Covering her folds with his mouth, she groaned when his tongue flicked over her very sensitive nub. He was merciless in his assault, sucking, nipping, and licking until he felt her body buck. But when she screamed at the height of her release, Hunter did not stop; he kept on tempting her with his mouth until he made her come again and again.
When he finally stood from the floor and angled over her body, kissing her stomach and chest as he went, he hovered over her face, grinning. “I’m not done with you yet, sweetheart.”
He hurriedly lowered his pants and boxers. Reaching for the condom on the bed, he tore the package open and quickly slid it on. Raising her legs in the air, he rested them against his chest and wrapped her ankles about his neck. Bringing her hips to the edge of the bed, he entered her with one powerful thrust. She sucked in a loud breath as he filled every inch of her. Pulling out, he rammed into her again. First, that familiar burn made its way up from his groin, and as he hungrily moved in and out of her, the burn morphed into a white fire. When his eyes connected with hers, he was suddenly lost. He slowed down his rapid thrusting, and began to fight for control. When her face contorted in a mask of pleasure as the tension in her body began to crest, Cary clasped the bedspread in her hands. He waited, and when she let go, Hunter smiled as her guttural scream filled the bedroom. As the fervor of her orgasm diminished, he mercilessly dove into her. Driven by his demand for release, he grunted as the white fire in his gut spread outward, and when he could feel his climax rising, he pounded into her until he cried out her name.
Reclining next to her on the bed, he was breathing hard into her neck when her fingernails lightly raked all the way down his back to his hard, round butt.
“Now that was something. I think I like your way better.”
He rose up on his right elbow. “See? You should let me take control more often.”
She combed her fingers through his curly brown hair. “You were different tonight.”
Hunter rolled on his back. “I wasn’t tied up.” He tossed the condom to the floor.
She cuddled against his chest. “I’m not talking about the sex; I’m talking about this entire evening. For the first time since we met, you haven’t been pushing me away.”
He put his arms about her. “I haven’t been pushing you away.”
“Yes, you have. You’ve been trying like hell to keep me at a distance. So what changed?”
Hunter kissed her shoulder. “I guess you’re growing on me.”
“Growing on you?” She sat up and shimmed to the edge of the bed. “Somehow I get the impression you don’t let women grow on you.”
He tossed his arms about her and pulled her back to him. “You talk about me keeping you at a distance. What about you, Cary?” He nipped at her earlobe. “You’re always pretending to be this cool and elusive woman, when I know deep down you’re not.”
When she faced him, Hunter swore he saw a hint of fear shimmering in her eyes, but then it was gone. She smiled and brushed her fingertips along the dark stubble on his chin. Her eyes were glowing with contentment, making Hunter want to hold her in his embrace and keep her safe forever. She kissed his lips, gently at first, and then she kissed him again, more insistent than before. Her arms went around his neck and she crushed her body against his.
When Hunter kissed her back, he could feel his desire building. They fell back on the bed as her kisses burned against him; her eager hands stroked his chest and butt, driving him mad. Unable to hold back, he moved her hips beneath him as his mouth tasted her right nipple. Her hands were running through his hair as he spread her knees apart. Frantic, he dove into her, letting out a long satisfied breath as her hot, wet flesh closed around his shaft. His body trembled with the overwhelming sensation and Cary lifted her hips, begging him to go deeper. Ramming into her again, Hunter lost all sense of control. He held on to her, driving into her with all the force he could muster. Clinging to each other, their bodies moved together as one, and as their desire mounted, Hunter felt something change. He could have sworn that she was
finally opening up to him and revealing her true self; the gentle woman behind the rough exterior.
As his climax catapulted forward, her body arched against him. When she screamed into his chest, Hunter gave one last thrust and exploded into her. She held him against her as he shook with the last remnants of his orgasm, and when he collapsed on top of her, she rubbed her cheek against his.
“That was even better,” she whispered.
He squeezed her tight. “Best yet.” As he held her, a jolt of panic hit him. He immediately sat up. “Shit. We didn’t use anything. I got so caught up I forgot to—”
She put her fingers to his lips. “It’s all right. I’m not in any danger of getting pregnant.”
He flopped back on the bed. “But what about the other stuff?”
“Before Winter and I slept together, he insisted we get tested. He refused to wear condoms, so I started on the pill. I’ve been on it ever since.”
He rolled over on his side, facing her. “What about the others?”
She turned to him. “Others?”
“The other men you met in those clubs?”
She eased back on the bed. “There haven’t been any others, Hunter. You’re the first man I have had in my bed since Winter.”
He sat up, bowled over by her confession. “That’s been what? Four years?”
“Four and a half, actually,” she calmly commented.
“But how…you knew about handcuffs, and ties, and you—”
“Everything we did I read about in books, talked to people in the clubs. I’ve never actually tied a man up before you.”
His arms slipped about her. “Why didn’t you say anything before?”
“I wanted to appear experienced, like Smut Slut. You liked her, and I was hoping if I acted like her, you would like me, too.”
“What makes you think I liked Smut Slut?”
She hesitated for a moment. “The way you…spoke about her. I thought you wanted a woman like her.”
He laughed into her short brown hair. “Jesus, Cary. I wish you would have told me this before. Maybe then I could have saved myself the trip to the ER and avoided spending a small fortune on Advil.”
The Bondage Club Page 20