by Zoe Blake
Closing the door behind me, I entered the unoccupied kitchen. Immediately, I sprinted to the front hall and looked for evidence of an alarm system. It would be a matter of a few seconds to disable it but fortunately there wasn’t one.
Heading back to the kitchen, I walked over to the refrigerator and grabbed the largest magnet I could find.
Without wasting any more time, I headed straight upstairs for the master bedroom. Ignoring the jewelry box proudly displayed on the vanity, I headed straight for the walk-in closet.
I spared a glance for the dresses hung neatly. Pulling one pink and gold dress out, I wondered if it was in my size; it was last season Gucci. This woman had nice taste.
I set the hanger back; I had to get to business first.
The safe was almost always hidden in the closet on the male’s side. Pushing aside several suits, I found it. It was a SentrySafe. Perfect.
Inexpensive home safes were ridiculously easy to break into. They weren’t really a deterrent to a real burglar. They just made the homeowner feel more in control.
Crouching down, I placed the magnet next to the handle. I knew a nickel solenoid prevented the handle from turning and pulled the bolts into place. All you had to do was displace the solenoid with a magnetic field. I could hear the lock trip. Opening the door, I pulled out the small jewelry boxes and the pile of papers. On top were two passports. I grabbed the female one. She was a brunette and a little taller than me but it should work, especially if I flirted with the TSA agent while he was checking it. I put back the other valuables. The last thing I wanted was for them to think their safe had been cracked and have the police flag the passport.
Looking around the closet, I grabbed a small pink weekender bag and tossed in the Gucci dress and a pair of heels. The richer I looked the less likely anyone at the airport would suspect or stop to question me. After grabbing an Yves St. Laurent jacket and matching scarf, I made sure everything looked in order before heading back downstairs.
Going back into the kitchen, I replaced the magnet and opened the refrigerator. I grabbed a yogurt and apple.
Looking around, I noticed they actually still had a landline. Sweet.
Picking up the receiver, I dialed 911. “Hello, police? Please hurry. I just saw a shady looking man hop over a neighbor’s fence. I think he might be a burglar.”
After giving them the address, I hung up. Heading through the backyard, I tossed the luggage over the fence and then followed. I was back on Montrose when I heard the sirens. After seeing no electronics or jewelry missing, the homeowners and police would assume the sound of the sirens had interrupted the burglar before they'd had a chance to steal anything. Even if they did check the safe, they would probably be so focused on the valuables, they wouldn’t even notice the missing passport.
I bit into the apple as I walked to catch the next Metra train.
I decided on the Westin. It was close to the airport but not too close and had a shuttle. After using Damien's cash to secure a room, I had to give the front desk clerk a little extra on the side so he wouldn’t ask for ID, but he made me leave a credit card number, so I had no choice but to use Damien's. I probably could have given him more money or talked my way out of it but something stopped me. Maybe it was my way of taunting Damien, pushing his buttons again. Challenging him to find me by just leaving little breadcrumbs.
It was only for one night. I would be gone by dawn on the first flight available to Montreal. Too bad there were no more flights today.
I opened the hotel room door and collapsed onto the bed.
Desperately, I wished I could get ahold of Samara. I didn’t have a phone and knew she had probably already ditched hers. I hated leaving Chicago knowing she was in the clutches of Gregor and Damien, but I had no choice. Obviously, I couldn’t go to the police, especially after hearing they were in the Ivanov’s back pocket. I had to stick to the plan and head to Montreal.
Feeling a little better with a plan, I decided to run myself a bath and order a big bottle of wine from room service. I knew I should eat, but all I wanted right now was a cool, numbing glass of wine.
I ordered the best, most over-priced bottle they had. What did I care about the cost? Damien was buying. The fact that they would charge his card since I paid cash for the room crossed my mind.
I was playing with fire, and I knew it.
Chapter 23
Damien
She looked almost innocent.
Deceptively so.
Her long blonde hair spread out on the pillow. She slept on her stomach with one knee pulled up and the covers kicked off. She was dressed only in a pair of silk panties. This pair was black with a pattern of tiny red cherries. Her skin looked soft and warm. I had to resist the urge to run my fingertips up her spine. Her beautiful full lips were slightly parted. Every now and then, she made the cutest mewing sound.
After seeing she was gone, I'd raced to the apartment door and immediately noticed it was unlocked. Then I realized what the clever minx had done. I shook my head, still not believing I had fallen for such an old tried and true trick. No doubt about it, this woman had me turned around and upside down.
Life from this point forward was never going to be boring. Not with Yelena by my side. And she would be right by my side if I had to chase her halfway around the globe. There were just some women who were worth it. Besides, I’d be lying if I didn’t say I loved the chase. It was no fun hunting easy prey. Any other woman in my life was just that, easy prey; the moment I approached, they rolled onto their backs, exposing their vulnerable undersides and just begging me to pet them.
Not Yelena.
Each time I approached, she bit, clawed, and kicked.
Forcing me to overpower her.
Forcing me to compel her submission through my superior strength.
I shifted in my seat as my cock grew thick and heavy at just the thought of it.
Hell yeah, it was way more fun hunting prey that fought back.
Problem was, we were out of time… and I was out of patience.
Standing up, I leaned over her prone form. Picking up one silky curl, I used the end to tease and tickle her soft cheek. Her little nose scrunched and twitched. Her arm came up to brush her cheek. I tickled her skin again. This time with a sleepy huff, she rolled onto her back. Giving her time to settle in, I took a step back and reached into my duffle bag for the padded wrist restraints I had packed especially for when I caught up to her.
Carefully, I lifted one wrist off the pillow and slipped her hand through. I then secured the belt strap to the headboard.
She slept on. Helped no doubt by the half empty bottle of wine on the room service tray which I apparently bought with my credit card.
That she had managed to lift my wallet without my noticing still rankled me. The worst part was I didn’t even know when she had lifted it. Was it on the roof? Or later? I would be damned if I would ask her. It was bad enough she had lifted it without my notice, I wasn’t going to let her know I didn’t have the first clue as to when it had happened. My babygirl would get way too smug over that tidbit of information.
Crossing the room, I stepped to the other side of the bed. Once more, I gently lifted her wrist and put her hand through the padded restraint. After securing the second strap to the other side of the headboard, she was well and truly trapped.
Returning to my seat across from the bed, I took a moment to admire my view. She had amazing breasts, just enough to fill a man’s hand. My cock got harder just at the thought of sucking one of those cute pink nipples into my mouth, scraping the delicate flesh against my teeth. Giving my baby the edge of pain I knew she enjoyed. Her lithe body was now stretched out and open. Her legs gently spread. As if she were waiting for me.
Aware the clock was ticking, I decided it was time to wake her up.
I lifted the lid off the ice bucket and loudly dropped two ice cubes into a highball glass.
Reaching into my jacket pocket, I pulled out my silver flask a
nd poured myself a generous portion of Macallan Rare as I watched her eyelids flutter.
It took her a moment to realize she wasn’t alone in the room. I could tell the precise moment she learned she was tied to the bed. I watched as she tested the tight binds and tried in vain to sit up. Then her vivid, bright blue eyes turned on me.
My pretty angel let loose an ear-piercing scream and a string of curses that would impress a drunken sailor.
I had a fairly impressive vocabulary, but I must admit even I learned a few new ones. I think several of them might have even been in French.
Calmly, I raised my glass and took a sip, relishing in the smooth bite as the slightly chilled scotch coursed down my throat. “Yell all you like. I took the liberty of booking all the surrounding rooms. I didn’t want to chance that we would be disturbed.”
“Fuck you, Damien!” shouted Yelena as she kicked out.
I smiled. “Is that an invitation?” I stood. She immediately quieted as her wide eyes watched my hands lower to undo my belt buckle. With a snap, I pulled the heavy leather free of the jean loops.
“I wouldn’t fuck you if you were the last man on earth,” she hissed.
I leaned over the bed, my hands falling on either side of her head, capturing some of her hair and pinning her in place.
Looking deeply into her enraged eyes, I warned, “Well then it’s a good thing I have no intention of asking your permission.”
Her mouth opened on an outraged gasp, and I swooped down to claim it. Bruising her lips with a punishing kiss. Taking more than I gave.
Breaking the kiss, I stood over her half naked form.
Gesturing with a nod, I said, “I see you helped yourself to the cash in my wallet.”
Yelena stayed stubbornly silent.
“Too bad you also used the credit card. That was a stupid, rookie mistake. You had to have known the American Express concierge would call me. That card is heavily monitored.” I narrowed my eyes as I watched the play of emotions cross her features. She had to have known using that card was a risk. Hell, slipping a quick hundred to the front desk clerk would have solved the issue.
But she hadn't, she'd given him the credit card.
Did she want me to catch her?
Maybe she wasn’t even aware of it, but I think she did.
And I had no intention of disappointing her now that she was back under my control.
“I’m not going to marry you,” she ground out.
Chapter 24
Damien
I ran a hand through my hair. I couldn’t contain a frustrated sigh. “So, you overheard?”
“Are you going to deny it?” she accused. She strained against the binds to raise up her shoulders and meet my gaze. Her chest flushed a delicate pink as she became more agitated. “I heard you talking about me. Dictating my future as if I had absolutely no say in the matter.”
She didn’t, but that was definitely not the way I wanted her to learn of my marriage plans. But it changed nothing. We would be married as soon as I could arrange it. “Baby, it’s for your own protection.”
“Liar. You just want to use me. You’re no better than the Italians or those stupid Columbians… or my stepfather,” she spit out.
Grabbing her by the jaw, I forced her to lock gazes with mine. “Babygirl, you don’t want to test my patience right now,” I threatened, holding on to my self-control by a very thin thread. If she wasn’t a virgin, I would have fucked her raw by now. As it was, I knew I would have to come first at least once to ease the tension before I even tried to fuck her, otherwise I might hurt her.
“I don’t like your tone,” she fired back.
“You’re about to like far less than my fucking tone.”
Tears sprang to her eyes, and she whispered, “I hate you.”
I reached for the hem of my t-shirt and pulled it over my head. “We both know that’s far from the truth.”
“No. I really do fucking hate your guts.”
I shrugged. “Guess I’m just going to have to prove you wrong.”
Yelena pulled on her binds. “Not exactly a fair fight. Are you so afraid of me that you have to tie me up to win?”
I chuckled. Damn if this little brat didn’t relish in pushing my buttons. She could spew profanities and declare her hatred all she wanted. I could see the light in her eyes, the flush on her cheeks. The way her thighs clenched and quivered whenever I stepped near the bed.
She may have hated me, but she wanted me all the same.
Keeping my eyes trained on her, I lowered the zipper to my jeans and stepped out of them. My erect cock sprang free. Her eyes fell to my waist then lower. Taking my cock in my fist, I gave it a few pumps. It was one thing to feel all ten inches press into her lower back like she had on the roof earlier, but it was another to get a good look at it. I knew the sight intimidated her. Good.
Turning, I reached into my bag for the pink stiletto knife she had thrown at me earlier. Making sure she could see the handle and recognize it as her own, I flicked the blade open. Resting a knee on the mattress, I swiftly sliced through the thin silk fabric of her panties over each hip. Gripping the center, my fingers grazing the soft mound of her cunt, I pulled the fabric free.
“Bastard!” she fumed.
Padding barefoot across the room, I dropped four more ice cubes into my glass before pouring a generous three fingers from my flask. I took a sip, as I returned to the bed. Setting the glass within reach on the nightstand, I placed a knee on the mattress.
As I expected, Yelena kicked out at me with her left leg. I easily captured her ankle in a strong grip. Moving to kneel between her thighs, I pushed her legs open wider. I could see her whole body stiffen.
Christ, she was beautiful. Her ocean blue eyes were bright with unshed tears and wild with suppressed arousal. Her creamy skin had a delicate pink flush, as her breasts rose and fell with each frightened breath.
She should be frightened.
I felt the need to claim her as my own.
To put my scent on her, my mark.
Seize her as my treasured possession.
A demon stealing his piece of heaven.
Yelena hissed through her teeth. The slight sheen of arousal glossed the soft curls between her legs.
“My baby did a bad thing running away from me like that,” I chastised darkly.
Yelena stayed silent. The hunted assessing the hunter.
“I thought I made myself clear when I spanked this cute cunt of yours pink that I wouldn’t tolerate any more disobedience.” Using the back of my forefinger, I caressed her pussy… up and down, up and down.
Her breath caught, as she fought her physical response to me.
“I don’t take orders from you,” she fired back.
I smiled.
Fuck, I loved the fight in her.
“That’s where you’re wrong, babygirl. I’m in charge now, and you will obey me.”
“Fuck you!”
“I think it’s time I did something about that dirty mouth of yours,” I threatened as I rose up on my knees.
Looking down at my fully engorged cock, Yelena threatened me back. “Put that thing in my mouth, and I’ll bite it off.”
Grabbing her jaw again, I tilted her head back. “When I’m done with you, you’ll be begging me to fuck your mouth.”
The headboard thumped and rattled as Yelena tried once more to fight her wrist binds.
Raising my hand, I gave her right tit a hard slap. She immediately stilled. A look of pure shock frozen on her face.
Reaching over to the nightstand, I picked up one ice cube.
I held it aloft over her open mouth, watching as the scotch whisky-soaked drops of ice water coated her lips. The tip of her small pink tongue flicked out to taste the smoky liquor.
I moved to slide the cube over her right breast, tracing the crimson outline of my fingers which had marked her delicate skin. I then circled her pert nipple.
“Stop. It’s cold,” she moaned as she
bit her lip.
I moved the ice over her belly, watching as the muscles of her abdomen twitched from the icy sensation.
I met her eyes as I moved the ice cube lower.
Yelena began to shake her head. “No, Damien. No. I don’t like this,” she complained.
“This is a punishment. You’re not supposed to like it.”
I placed the softened, melted edge of the ice cube between her cunt lips, pressing it against her clit.
Yelena’s hips pitched off the bed as she cried out. I placed my left hand on her stomach and forced her back against the mattress.
“It’s too cold! It hurts!”
I chuckled. “I think you enjoyed the heat of my spanking a little too much earlier. Time to try a different tactic.”
With that, I placed the melting cube at her tight entrance and pushed. The ice cube slid in deep with my finger. I could feel her muscles clench painfully around the icy intrusion.
“Stop! It hurts!” screamed Yelena as she tried to twist her hips to escape the pain.
Reaching over her, I picked up another ice cube. Her eyes widened.
“Don’t! Please don’t,” she whispered plaintively.
Ruthlessly, I pressed the ice into her cunt. Yelena cried out as her whole body stiffened. I knew the ice was causing a special kind of pain. A clenching, tight, raw kind of agony as her warm muscles contracted painfully from the cold touch.
I picked up the third ice cube. Holding it over her squirming body, I let the icy drops of water fall onto her flat stomach. A warning of what was to come.
“Please! I’m sorry! Okay? I’m sorry I ran away!”
“Not good enough,” I growled. She needed to understand that each time she ran from me, each time she fought me, she put herself in greater danger.
This time, I used the edge of the cube to part the folds of her cunt. I moved past her entrance to press it against the tight rosebud of her ass.
“Don’t! Oh God! Don’t!” she pleaded.
I caressed her puckered entrance with the ice cube. Her butt cheeks clenched as her thighs tensed with her efforts to close her legs. The watery slickness of the ice helped me push the cube into her dry, tight entrance. I knew this one would hurt far more than the ice in her pussy.