Freedom in Chains

by Ann Raina

  "Thanks, dad," Kyra said with feeling. Her father winked at her and called out to his wife to collect her gifts.

  Julian sighed and hung his head. Kyra stroked his hair. "One more hour and I would've gone mad."

  "If you stay around you might see her more often," Kyra teased, but there was a hint of insecurity Julian sensed.

  "I stay if you want me to," he repeated. "No more and no less."

  "But it sounds as if you don't want to stay on your own."

  He looked up, solemn. "I know you don't want to be consumed. You want to stay independent. Yourself. Without a man telling you a direction. I respect that."

  "I don't mind you telling me what you want, Julian."

  "Well…there was that nice garter belt you smuggled into the bedroom before your parents got here. And if you've got high heels to go with it, I'll be very happy to stay around."

  * * * *

  Kyra admitted that Sabrina was right to some degree when she scrutinized her look in the mirror. The black corsage was tight fitting. In fact, it was so tight her breasts reached up as if they would fall out like ripe fruits. The garter belt and stockings were very black against her pale skin, stressing her slim waist and long legs perfectly. And then she put on the high heels. She possessed only one pair, made of black velvet leather, but it was enough for the show. Her legs seemed so much longer and, yes, so much more tempting.

  She applied new lipstick. Mascara and eyeliner were still fine, her cheeks flushing red without any rouge. Her hair was open, the long waves dangling down to the décolleté. She turned in front of the mirror, wondering at her look, so different from her usual, practical self. Kyra had always thought that being in business meant that you appear nice, presentable, and in charge, but that your knowledge and the way you behaved were by far more important than dresses. So she had never chosen the typical female business look, which tried to impress customers--male customers--with short skirts or high heeled shoes. In her spare time jogging pants and T-shirt were enough. No need to bother with looking desirable or even sexy. Right now she felt sexy as hell.

  Kyra had no string of pearls to go with the outfit, but a chain with a crystal fitted as well. Satisfied with her appearance she stepped down the stairs slowly, very carefully. To trip and fall would either be hilariously funny or hurt bad enough to forget what she had in mind.

  "Oh, wow, a goddess to worship."

  She looked at Julian in the hall. He was mesmerized, totally taken by her looks. He wet his lips, swallowed and stared at her as if he would eat her before she reached the last step. "You're so beautiful." He knelt before her, gazing up like in trance.

  "My, you are exaggerating," she whispered and stooped to kiss his brow.

  "No." He ran his hands up her calves to her buttocks and took a deep breath. "You're like a totally different woman."

  Kyra smiled, not knowing how to take his open admiration. His longing was like a third party in the room. "I promise I won't be."

  He kept stroking her legs. "You should wear more lingerie. It's amazing. The feel of it. The way you move. You're temptation on two beautiful legs."

  "You try to make me blush."

  "You already blush very nicely."

  Julian let his hands linger on the curve of her butt, reaching with his fingertips under the silken panties while he buried his face against her midriff. Kyra stroked his hair and the growing love she felt for him poured out through her hands. She wanted Julian close, as close as he could get, loving her back, consuming her if he wanted to and never looking back at what her life had been before.

  "Undress for me," she whispered and, between kissing and caressing, his clothes came off. She could not be fast enough to open the chastity device. He was already hurt, but did not want to stop. He blew her pity and regrets to mist as he carried her upstairs. Effortlessly. Determined. And Kyra did not protest, did not argue the least. A part of her wanted to change the arrangement, wanted to gain back control. Another part was just swept away, too happy to think. On the threshold of her bedroom Kyra surfaced from her dreams. "Put me down."

  "As my mistress commands," Julian said with a sparkle in his eyes and an impish smile that was a part of him she loved dearly.

  "You will kneel here and wait for my return." She waited for him to comply before she left the room.

  "You know, I've never actually seen your bedroom!" he called out to her.

  She giggled all the way down the stairs, into the kitchen and back. Now she had everything she needed and, when she entered the room and looked at Julian's perfect back, she forgot the words she had wanted to say. He glanced over his shoulder when he heard her breath. "You will lie on the bed now and close your eyes."

  Julian got up, but hesitated. "You will handcuff me?"

  "Will that be to your chagrin?"

  "Oh, yes."

  "Then you'll be handcuffed." She came along on her high, high heels, swinging her hips as she had done before and knew the act watered his mouth and made the male animal roar with desire. She had the handcuffs swirling in her right hand while the left stayed propped on her hip. "On the bed!"

  It cost him an effort to follow and he still wanted to argue about the arrangement when she had him fastened to the iron headboard. She looked down on him. His arms were stretched above his head, and she read longing and frustration in his eyes. The more when she pulled the nipple clamps from their hiding place under the bed. "Kyra, please, that's exaggerating. I don't --"

  "Argue," she finished for him, smiling sweetly. The clamps with the chain and gem made a slow journey from his crotch up his chest. He inhaled sharply when she fastened them.

  "It hurts."

  "That's the idea." She placed the gem on his sternum and kissed around the clamps.

  "Kyra…"

  "Shh, relax." She kissed her way down his chest, leaving faint red lipstick marks.

  He squirmed on the sheets, grimacing. "It hurts! Take them off!"

  Kyra's lips continued their journey. Julian laid back his head, breathing fast and shallow to cope with the pain. He struggled, but she pressed down his thighs, parted them to inch lower until she could touch the tip of him with her warm lips. He cried out, bowed his back and Kyra used her whole weight to keep his legs pinned and to not be pushed off of him. She had taken him to the point he did not want to follow further and yet she made him comply. That was the purest form of power and domination she had ever experienced and it made her so wet she had to take a deep breath to slow down. Glancing up his sweat streaked body, she licked him, placing pleasure against pain and reveling in the emotions flowing across his face. He shook his head, still wanting her to free him, still turning his wrists uselessly. Uttering words without meaning, he tore the cuffs, and the bed rattled. The angrier he got the more seductive her moves became. She swallowed him, overruled his anger with devotion until his body shuddered with a mix of anger, pain and lust. Julian panted badly now, fighting for control and losing. Kyra struggled out of her panties and inched up on his body.

  "Look at me," she said. He rasped and swallowed dryly. His look was pained, but he did not try to argue again. "I promise you heaven in a minute. How does that sound?" He could not answer. Another shudder racked his body when she undid the clamps, discarded them beside the bed and gently, very carefully played her tongue around the most sensitive flesh. He screamed and, the same moment, she let him enter her. She had to stretch to get the stunt done, but the assault of emotions was worth the effort.

  Julian bucked under her. Hard. Fast. He thrust upward, deep into her, using every part of inch of space she had to offer.

  She held him inside and let her tongue reach for the other nipple, forcing yet another scream. Louder, but no longer filled with pain. She felt his muscles tense--she heard his hard breathing and knew he was unable to fill a thimble with coherent thoughts. He was reduced to the basics of lust and the effort to ride out pain to live the pleasure. The knowledge of his helplessness had made her wet and, now, she en
joyed the rough ride.

  Julian had had no choice--he was captured by his needs and the desire she had triggered in him. Julian reached the point where a tiny movement would be enough to push him over the edge. He almost held his breath, trying to withhold, trying to gain the perfect spark, but when Kyra flicked her tongue across his nipple once more he spilled into her. He squeezed his eyes shut, arched his back and thrust deep enough to make her fear he would come out front. She came a second later, digging her nails into his chest, bowing her head and letting out a loud moaning before she collapsed, breathlessly, on him.

  He lay on the bed, completely spent, worn out. Kyra listened to the staccato of his heart so content to have taken him to a new high. When she looked up there was still the strange expression of pain and lust on his face, as if his body could not decide which feeling prevailed. His eyes had lost focus in the first assault of emotions and were still distant.

  "Don't do it," he whispered when she reached out to open the handcuffs.

  "Why?"

  "Don't let me go so easily."

  "Something about the night being still young etcetera?"

  He smiled through the exhaustion. "Yes, something like that."

  She straddled him and let her hair touch his face. Her voice was low and rough with emotion. "You mean you want to stay my slave for the night? Do what I want you to do? Meet my demands?"

  "And more."

  A thousand ideas ran amok in Kyra's mind, all of them leading to very interesting and new games. "Hmm, tempting."

  Julian's smile deepened. It was Christmas and he had not exaggerated that he would make her a present.

  CHAPTER 23

  "Do we need to watch TV for breakfast?" Julian asked as he balanced a full tray with toast, jam and tea into the living room. Kyra cleared the coffee table so he could put it down.

  "My dad said something about not missing the news. Sit down." She chose the channel with the local news and took the tea mug Julian handed her, pulling up her legs on the couch.

  "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," the anchorman said with a well tempered smile. His name was Brad McKenzie and his reddish hair and pale skin told enough of his heritage. He flashed white teeth into the camera. "I'm Brad McKenzie and with me today is Eve Sander." The camera swung to her and her smile was even brighter, accentuated by dark red lipstick and a perfectly powdered face.

  "Good morning. Headline news comes to you like a belated Christmas gift. Yesterday evening Mayor Damian Cresgood and Commissioner Hammer stated in a press conference that police efforts had finally paid off."

  The picture was replaced by Marvin Hammer in his uniform, face sincere, but eyes sparkling with joy. "This Christmas Day will be remembered by all Bostonians, may they be young or old. The combined efforts of police task force and FBI led to the arrest of the wanted assassin. Though we still can't tell you his name we can tell you that he is not only responsible for the November attempt on me, which killed my bodyguard, Herb Natasky, but also for three more crimes committed within the last twelve months. It is our conviction that this man will be proven guilty in court in the shortest time possible."

  The camera showed Ms Sander again. "Later last night District Attorney William Buck stated that he expected the suspect's confession within days. So far interrogations led to the conclusion that John Doe has a history with the east coast mob. Various leads told police forces that he has worked for them for years. His involvement in major crimes is assumed yet not proven. Nevertheless, this arrest is already stirring unrest among local criminals, who are assumed to have connections with the mob. Further arrests are to be expected, said the district attorney." She smiled again very pleasantly.

  Kyra glanced at Julian, but the happy words she wanted to say died on her lips. Julian looked stunned, as if the news had been bad. She frowned. McKenzie led over to the next topic, but Kyra had only eyes for Julian. If she had not known better she would have said he was concerned about the arrest and worried. But why should he be worried? Kyra was glad, relieved. The arrested could be the hitman who had tried to kill her, so, hurray, she had one hitman less to worry about. She sipped tea, still observing him.

  He caught his expression, took a deep breath and reached for his toast. "Everything all right?" he asked. "You haven't eaten yet. Shall I butter your toast?"

  "I'm quite able to do that alone," she gave back lightly, hoping he would not see her doubt.

  His grin was back. Boyish and so very mature at the same time. "Last night you wanted me to be your servant. Mistress." He made it sound as if the word had more then three s in it. "How come you're now able to do something alone, hmm?"

  Kyra hid her grin behind the rim of the mug. "How come you still want to serve me after what I did to you last night?"

  "Oh." Julian drew a deep, deep breath and let it out so slowly Kyra had to smile. "Addiction, maybe. What you did last night fit for the gods. Really," he stressed when she squirmed uneasily. "I lost count how often you brought me, but it was a-fucking-mazing, Miss Jennings."

  She blushed for real and it was no good that she tried to hide it.

  Julian grinned, all masculine, all knowing that she had enjoyed the night as much as he. "No fair." He crawled across the upholstery and she hastened to put down the mug before he reached her.

  His eyes were half closed, his lips curled to a devilish smile. "You got me on the hook and I won't come loose. So better feed me."

  "You only say that because you liked the garter belt."

  "And the corsage," he nodded, earnestly. "And the stockings. And the high heels that dug into my back."

  "Sorry for that."

  "No sorry."

  "Not even sorry for what I did after that?"

  His eyes had that shine, like the aftershock of an orgasm and it made her gasp. "You mean when you tucked my balls with a chain to make me massage your feet while you watched a movie?"

  She blushed deeper. Spoken at daylight it seemed so harsh and not at all loving. If she told anyone she had forced Julian through pain to make love to her in such fashion she would have been considered mad. "You were very good at undressing me," she said to change subject.

  "Until my lips bled, yes. I had never thought of this thing to have so many hooks and eyes." She tried to stop it, but had to giggle. "Yes, right, make fun of me. All my fault." He stole a kiss and she locked her arms around his neck. "Careful." She eased her grip immediately. "That collar's got some edges to it." He grimaced. "I'm glad it comes off sooner than later." He kissed her again. "Though I know now that without being a convicted criminal I would never have met you. Never had a chance to do this." He swept her in his arms and kissed her as if he wanted to drink her down. Breakfast, TV and everything else were forgotten. Kyra closed her eyes and lived the moment. She could worry about his reaction to the news later.

  * * * *

  Kyra took a bottle of champagne to Oliver. He ripped his eyes open. "Is there something to celebrate that I should know of? God, don't say that I missed your birthday or something!"

  "No, nothing like that." She handed him the bottle. "If you got glasses and Pierre close by, maybe, I would like to tell you why I came."

  "Sure. Gladly. Did you see that I got something new to wear?" He flashed the Roman leather skirt Kyra had made a gift. "See? Fits perfectly. I don't know why men stopped wearing skirts. It's so comfortable!"

  "You could start a new fashion. Wear it outside in summer." She sat on the couch. Pierre came to help with the bottle, brought glasses and looked at Kyra's very content face. "I might find a fitting cross belt and cape to go with the skirt and sandals."

  "Really?" Oliver padded to the couch to sit while Pierre poured the champagne. "That would be great. I do have a whip."

  "Actually I have the whip at the moment. But I'll trade it for a flogger, of course."

  "My, my, you're in a giddy mood, hmm? What about Mr. Fantastic? Why didn't you bring him along?"

  "Would he enter your house?"

 
; "That's mean," Oliver replied, pretending to be hurt. Pierre laughed. "And you keep your hilarity to yourself. Okay, so what are we drinking to?"

  Kyra lifted her glass. "The hitman who tried to murder me was caught yesterday."

  "Really?"

  "I just called my dad and he confirmed that it's the same John Doe they had arrested at the end of September."

  "Wow! Okay, I drink to that." They drank, and Oliver smacked his lips. "Pierre, you will excuse us, all right?"

  "Sure." Pierre took his glass and left and Oliver turned back to his neighbor.

  "Did you like your gifts?"

  "Oh, yes." Kyra let the words hang in the room until Oliver squirmed on the couch.

  "Tell me!"

  "Details?"

  "If you tease me another minute I'll get a flogger."

  "Well, well, my dear Oliver, you're an impatient man."

  "Yes, since I was the one helping you along I'm impatient to learn what you did with it."

  "First I would like to know why men are all the same."

  Oliver laughed. "Hell and that's a question you ask me of all people? You're kidding!"

  "How did you know that Julian would drool the moment he saw the garter belt?"

  "Did I?" He shrugged and his face sobered. "The idea of seduction rests in every man. They all want to be inspired. Lingerie is just a part of it. The other parts were just in you. He saw the exterior, but what he lusted for was the interior, no doubt about that."

  "He was…very eager."

  "Sounds like a sluttish word from you." The male grin was back. "I interpret eager to he wanted to fuck you on the spot and you barely made it to the carpet in the living room?"

  Kyra blushed. "I was more resistant to his pleading. He had to wait until my parents were gone."

  "Oh, my!" He slapped his thighs. "Thank God they didn't know what you both had in mind when they rode home."