by Suzy Shearer
Her pussy still spasmed, echoes of her orgasm still convulsing through her body. She closed her eyes and let her body drift along on the currents of her pain-pleasure as the agony slowly lessened and the endorphins in her brain sent her mind floating away from the pain.
She woke a few hours later feeling thoroughly used. Her breasts, her labia still felt very tender. They tingled, but Avril could see at some point Steven had rubbed arnica into all her aches, her welts, her bruises. They still glistened from the cream, and she could see a pattern of bruises where the pegs had bitten into her skin. She sighed and moved in his arms.
"I'm really proud of you. I had intended to punish you by not letting you come, but you were very brave. You deserved the reward."
"Thank you, Sir."
"Steven. We're not playing now."
"Steven."
"Shall I let you into a secret? I almost came myself when you did, it was fucking exciting, it was fucking amazing."
"You did?"
"Hell yes."
She felt his arms come tighter around her as he captured her mouth. The kiss was raw, passionate, and almost feral as he took her. To Avril it felt as if he claimed her as his possession, his own, yet again. She could only cling to him as his savage kiss tore her emotions to shreds. She felt tears run down her face from the intensity.
When he finally released her mouth, he gasped raggedly, "Avril."
They sat staring at each other, both overwhelmed by what had happened. Her heart thumped, and her lungs felt as if they couldn't get enough air. She could hear her blood pounding through her body. She was stripped bare as she let those gray eyes rip into her soul. She had to face the fact she'd fallen in love with him. In these months of being together he'd taken her heart prisoner.
"Tell me."
Her voice barely a whisper, "What?"
"Tell me you're mine. Tell me."
Even his voice held possession, though it was still gravelly, rough. She nodded, but he wasn't satisfied. He gripped her chin painfully hard between his fingers.
"Tell me," he demanded.
"I'm … I'm yours."
"Tell me you love me."
Her eyes widened. How could she admit it to him when she'd only recently admitted it to herself?
"Avril, tell me," he pleaded.
Her tears started afresh.
"Avril, please, I have to know."
There was a quality in his voice that she'd never heard, an insecurity. She realized he really needed to know, needed her reassurance.
"I … I love you."
His huge sigh of relief was overwhelming, and she felt his arms pull her close to his body, his mouth close to her ear.
"Thank goodness. I love you, Avril. I never expected this, never thought I'd find love but now. Avril, my Kitten, I adore you."
She tried to turn her head, to look at his dear face. He released her a little, just enough. It was there, written on his face, plain as the sun in the sky.
"I do love you, Avril. More than I ever thought possible."
"I—I can't really believe this."
"Neither can I, but it is true, my dearest, darling Kitten."
It felt as if her heart leapt up and down inside her chest. Her whole body felt as if it were glowing, as if Steven had whipped every inch. She felt elated and amazed.
"Are you sure, Steven? I mean, maybe it's simply because you found a masochist."
"No way! No, it isn't only that. Maybe it was at the first, but the more I've been with you the more I wanted. I think I fell in love with you in that first week we met. Of course, the sadism is part of it, but it's a small part. There's more to this. I want to see you all the time. When we're not together I miss you. It's like this pain in my chest that only goes when I see you. I want to know everything about you, what you love, what you hate. Do you understand?"
"Yes. I do, I feel exactly the same way."
"Then let's take this to the next level. Move in with me, live with me, let me show you my world while you show me yours together."
She searched his face. Could she take this step? Could she accept their love and become a permanent couple?
"I … yes."
Chapter Seventeen
Steven wasted no time. He insisted they move in together the following weekend.
"We're not kids, Avril. We both know what we want and how we feel."
"I know, but it’s such a big step and it's only been a little over four months."
"Yes, it is, and I know it hasn't been long, but I'm sure about us. I can't imagine my life without you. I want you beside me. Honestly, Kitten, I love you, love you more than I could ever have thought was possible. I don't want to waste another minute."
"Okay, let's do it because I don't want to be without you either."
After sitting down with her in the kitchen of her house they discussed whether they'd move into Steven's then buy a new house together or stay at Steven's. Avril’s house was nice but really small, and Avril truly loved his home. It was large and airy and built on a large block surrounded by trees. The house was only five years old and had all the mods and cons you could think of. To one side was a two-bedroom “guest house” where Steven’s housekeeper and her husband, Greg, lived. Steven had a swimming pool with a Jacuzzi in the yard as well as a large covered area with outdoor furniture and a large barbecue. The whole property was fenced off, which meant George could have lots of room to run, and she knew how much he enjoyed coming there. Earlier Steven had even Greg fit a dog door for him.
In the end she told him she wanted to live in his house. They talked about her home and finally decided the smartest thing would be to rent it furnished. Avril would only take a few select pieces to Steven's house—her queen-sized bedroom suite was antique. It had originally belonged to her grandparents, and Steven suggested they set it up in one of his spare bedrooms as he had a king-sized bed in the master bedroom.
Then Avril and Steven sat down with Anna and Greg to reassure them both that nothing would change.
“Anna, I’m the world’s worst housekeeper. I work full time, and to know I don’t have to do anything when I come is absolute heaven.”
“I’m glad, Avril. I was worried when Steven told me you were moving in. What about cooking?”
“What happens at the moment?”
Steven nodded, then said, “Well, sometimes I eat out, sometimes I cook something. If the gang are coming around Anna is great. She cooks stuff for me.”
“I really haven’t done much in the way of cooking, Avril, unless needed. But I do make sure the pantry, fridge and freezer are always stocked.”
“So, can we continue that way?”
“Of course. And any time you’d like me to cook, just ask. Even if you decide you want me to do it full-time, I have no problem. I really enjoy cooking.”
“Thank you so much, Anna.”
The following Saturday Ash and Kaden helped move Avril’s things and then stuck around for a barbecue. Jake had gone off again to a work site for a few months. Avril had finally seen past the formidable exterior of Ash and now liked him as much as she liked Kaden and Jake. She discovered beneath his stern and commanding demeanor was a caring, passionate man who loved his family. He was unattached and told her he was a confirmed bachelor, despite his parents trying to set him up with every single Indian woman they met.
It surprised Avril how quickly she and Steven fell into a routine. Their life at the club was as wonderful as their life away from it. Avril had to pinch herself at times for reassurance that it was all real. Throughout the week whoever came home first would begin cooking unless they'd arranged to dine out. They went to the monthly Tuesday evening munches and took their turn at selecting a venue and acting as hosts. George acted as if he'd lived there forever, and as far as he was concerned Steven was top dog and could do no wrong. If Avril or Steven didn’t have time to walk George, Greg had taken to doing it, and George was lapping up all the attention.
Avril's trip int
o work took a little longer, but she quickly discovered she could catch an express bus that meant the journey only took another nine minutes than the one from her old house.
She noticed people at work were talking to her more, greeting her, acting friendlier, and she realized her Ice Queen persona had defrosted quite a bit. She'd always planned to retire early, at maybe fifty-seven or fifty-eight. She had managed her finances well and had a small investment from the money she'd inherited when her parents died. Avril knew she could live a very comfortable life from it without giving up on life's little luxuries. She didn't want to be one of those people who worked themselves to death, and when she mentioned her plan to Steven one Monday evening when they were relaxing after dinner, he totally agreed.
"I don't know how many people I’ve known about who've worked until their late sixties and then a year or two after they retired, they died. I don't want that. I want to enjoy my life."
"I'm the same. I've actually been scaling back the amount of flying I do, leaving it to the younger pilots. Of course, there are some jobs I simply can't refuse, but I'm thinking by the time you retire I'll probably be only in the office once a week and taking the occasional flight."
"Do you have to retire? I mean is there some sort of age limit?"
"Well, commercial pilots retire at sixty-five, but private ones don't have an age limit. I also have to have a medical every two years, and that started when I was forty. Before that it was every five years."
"So that means you have to retire from flying charters in twelve years."
"Yes, but I want to have done with that long before then. I'll still fly to keep my license current, and anyway I love piloting, but charters? No thanks."
Avril was pleased. It would mean they could spend more time together, but she wanted Steven to know she wasn't broke, wouldn't be hoping he would finance her.
"I have some money," she blurted out.
He regarded her as if she was a little crazy, then smiled. "I imagine you do, Kitten."
"Oh hell, I meant I wouldn't be a burden to you when I do retire."
"Sweetheart, you would never be a burden, and anyway I have more money than sense."
"Damn it, Steven!" She wished she could explain it better. "You know what I'm trying to say. I have money invested. I won't have millions, but I'll have enough."
"My dearest woman, I don't care if you were in debt millions. You and I are going to spend the rest of our lives together. As far as I’m concerned, my money is now your money as well. You'll actually have to get used to the fact that I can afford to give you a heck of a lot more than you would ever imagine. We can travel. We can do things you've only dreamed of. You and I, together."
"Oh."
"Now enough about worrying. You will never be a burden to me, and I know I'm going to love spoiling you rotten."
"Oh heck."
He merely laughed at her then swept her into his arms and kissed her. Every thought, every worry, disappeared as his lips took possession of hers. At that moment he could have given her a multi-million-dollar plane and she would have accepted it cheerfully as long as he kept kissing her. When he released her, he searched her face with a serious expression.
"You do know you have to marry me, don't you, Kitten? I want the world to know we belong together."
"Marry you?"
"Of course. Heck, I was going to do this properly. I had it all planned."
"You did, hun?"
"Yep, I was going to take you flying, then dinner at some remote location before I got down on my knees, but I can't wait." He dropped to one knee and took both her hands. "Will you do me the immense honor of becoming my wife? I love you very much."
Avril felt her eyes fill with tears, and for a moment she was speechless. She could only nod. Steven leaped to his feet and gathered her in his arms.
He was murmuring across the top of her head, "I love you. You are the only woman in the world I've ever loved. You make me that happy."
"I, oh, Steven, I love you, too, dearest."
He kissed her, then dragged her to his office. Steven made her sit on the desk while he opened the safe.
"Close your eyes."
Avril felt him slip a ring on her finger, and then he told her to open her eyes. She glanced at him. He appeared to be holding his breath as she gazed down. On her finger was a huge round brilliant cut diamond, tension set, with the diamond nestled safely between the two arms of an open platinum band. Avril thought it was the most beautiful ring she'd ever seen, and she promptly burst into tears.
"It's…" Sniff. "It's…"
"Kitten!"
Finally, she managed a sort of sentence, "I-it's beautiful," as Steven hugged her tight.
Avril felt him relax as he kissed her hair, then her cheeks, her eyes, her nose.
"My darling, darling, Kitten. Come here."
He kissed her properly then, but his kiss turned into his usual possessive, hungry fierceness. She felt the same. She felt she needed to let him know how much she needed him, how much he meant to her. Their kiss turned even more savage. She felt him tearing at her clothes and knew she was doing the same to his. Suddenly they were both naked, and he pushed her back onto the desk, papers flying everywhere as he swept them aside. To say he pounded into her would be an understatement.
He fucked her.
No other word for the savage way he took her, and she encouraged it, screaming for him to go harder, deeper, to hurt her. He bit down on one breast, his teeth sinking into her tender flesh, and she screeched as an orgasm took her to the next level. Steven grunted, pummeling into her, and then he shouted her name and she felt him fill her pulsing channel with his cum. He fell forward then, his weight on her, and he tried to roll off, but she held him fast. She needed his weight, his power as she began to cry again.
In fear he almost leaped off her, lifting her and carrying her upstairs to their bedroom.
"Kitten, I'm sorry, don't cry. I didn't mean to hurt you, I'm sorry."
"No." She sobbed between her tears. “I’m … I'm happy."
Stunned, he studied her, then started laughing. He flopped onto the bed beside her and took her hand, lifting it to his lips. They lay, gathering their breath, letting their racing hearts drop to a semblance of normal rhythm. Finally, Steven rolled onto his side then gave a sheepish gasp.
"Oh baby, I'm really sorry. Look."
His bite mark on her breast was angry and raw. In one place it had pierced her skin and was now oozing a little blood. He jumped to his feet and went into the bathroom, coming back with a tube of cream, which he gently rubbed into her wound.
"It's okay, honey. We both got a little carried away, and I know you. When you get savage you bite."
"Savage?"
"Yep, savage." She kissed his cheek. "But I love it."
"Oh, my dearest, Avril, what did I do to deserve a wonderful woman like you?"
"Guess we're made for each other."
"Guess we are."
"Steven." She waited until he looked at her. "My ring, it's very beautiful. I love it."
"I'm glad. I had it made weeks ago when you agreed to move in and I prayed you’d like it."
"I do. Love it almost as much as I love you."
Somehow, they managed to stir enough to sit in the bathtub and relax.
Avril wasn't sure how she made it through the week. She had to pinch herself that many times. She was really touched when on the following Wednesday her secretary called her into the staff room. It seemed everyone was there, and they presented her with a beautiful cake and a cut-glass vase filled with lovely flowers. She had to hold back the tears as she thanked everyone. Gail whispered to her that most of the women were envious of her. They were all a little in love with Steven, especially since that first day when he'd dragged her like some wild caveman from the office.
Life was perfect. She and Steven talked about wedding dates and decided they would marry in three months’ time, in September—around the eighth month annivers
ary of when they met. Neither wanted a big wedding, only something intimate with their friends.
Jake, Ash, and Kaden were overjoyed when they told them, and after talking it over, she and Steven decided to marry in the club then go onto to Rivers for their reception. Steven took charge and booked the date, leaving Avril to find a wedding dress.
She thought life couldn't get any better except maybe when they married. Steven wanted them to spend the honeymoon in Italy. His parents were coming out for the wedding and staying for two months to catch up with their friends. They would stay at the house, and Anna and Greg would make sure they were okay while Avril and Steven took over their Italian villa and relaxed under the Mediterranean sun for a month.
The following Friday Avril left work at five then went home to shower and change. She was meeting Steven at the club as he was flying somewhere. Kaden had offered to pick her up so she wouldn't have to drive her car home. They arrived at the club around six forty-five. Avril locked her bag away, and then the two of them joined Ash and Iain Nelson, one of the friendly unattached masters who Avril enjoyed talking to, for coffee while she waited for Steven to arrive. When Iain and Ash finished their coffee, both men went off to begin their DM duties, leaving her and Kaden to chat.
Chapter Eighteen
Avril sat waiting in the lounge. Kaden had left to find someone interested in being tied up. Steven had told her he would be there no later than seven-thirty. At lunchtime she'd found this great little shop that stocked all sorts of crazy underwear for plus-sized women, and now she was dressed in a deep red corset with matching bikini pants under her kimono and she hadn't bothered sashing it. Her breasts kind of rested on top of the corset. Never in her life would she imagine she'd be fine showing her body to all and sundry, but here she was with her big boobs on display. Of course, this change had come about since the evening Steven had made her walk naked through the club.