by Rina Kent
Bah alors. I knew he was smart but this is wickedly smart. No wonder he feels out of place with his friends. He’s younger than them.
“The crowd he hangs with are evil.” Samir taps a hand on his heart. “I can feel it. Here. I look into their eyes and see Satan. Astaghfir Allah.”
“His group of friends don’t strike me as too evil?” I’m confused. Yes, they’re a bit superficial like all rich snobs, I suppose, but not that bad.
“No, not those.” Samir loops his hand. “The other ones. He doesn’t bring them here. I saw him with them in high-end restaurants.”
The other ones? What type of group did Dominic get himself into?
“Stay away, you little bugger.” Samir’s eyes drip with parental affection. “It’s a world bigger than you and me. You don’t want to hurt your parents, do you?”
“Don’t worry about it, Sam!” I stand and tap his shoulder. “I’m going to be completely fine.”
I head to the storage room, suddenly with so much energy to even do the boring stock. I retrieve the card from my apron and smile wide. My curiosity in Dominic keeps escalating to an alarming level. It morphed into a hungry animal and Dominic is dangling a huge steak in front of it.
It’s time to act on it.
12
Hades
Someone wise once said ‘It is better to be feared than loved.’
If Dominic only understands fear, then fear it will be.
It will be so fun to watch him fall to his knees. And it’ll be all because of a girl who couldn’t stay away.
Pathetic little people.
13
Camille
When Dominic said I will know when I arrive, my thoughts went to some underground depraved club. I wouldn’t put it past him. Honestly, I only came so I would leave.
Those club scenes aren’t something I stomach. Even if it’s with Dominic. Besides, he must’ve brought his nameless women here all the time. I still refuse to be another acquisition.
The entire taxi ride has gone in silence. Partially because the driver is so gloomy and gives me the chills. He didn’t acknowledge me or utter a word. He just stares at the side mirrors.
The second part is because I’m deep in thoughts, and I keep tugging on the straps of my dress. It’s a little black dress that Maman bought me at the beginning of the summer. I’m sure she didn’t picture me wearing it for a sociopath.
I wore red heels that I owned for a year but I never had the occasion for them. I shouldn’t even have packed them. It’s as if I had a premonition I’d be needing them for a moment like this.
When we finally arrive at the address, I pay the driver and exit without taking any change. As soon as he retreats, I inspect the place.
I freeze. It’s not some shady club. In fact, it’s one of the richest places in central London. It’s like I’m staring at a building right out of those ‘perfect homes’ brochures. A flat in such a place must cost a fortune and a few people’s organs sold in the black market.
Is this where he lives?
I shake my head. There’s no way Dominic would give me his address. Casual things happened in hotels. Like yesterday.
I take one last look at myself. I applied a bit of make-up today. The only loud thing is the red lipstick that Nancy made me wear.
I pat my loose hair for any rebellious strands and check my phone. It’s past eleven. I’m so late and it’s all because of dolling up.
Come on, Camille. To a new adventure.
I nod to myself and push through the building’s revolving door. The reception hall is even more impressive than the outside. White marble shines under soft white light.
Even the counter is pure marble. A gentleman who’s wearing a butler’s suit and white gloves stands behind it and smiles upon seeing me. He doesn’t look any older than his forties but his hair is entirely white.
His nameplate reads, ‘David’.
He says in an accent that resembles BBC’s anchors. “How may I help you, Miss?”
I fumble into my small bag for the card then show it to the man. “I’m here to meet Dominic?” I don’t know why it came out as a question.
David doesn’t even flinch. “Your name, please.”
“Camille.”
He nods. “Please follow me.”
That unexplainable pit of jealousy hits me again as I follow David’s measured steps. He didn’t find it odd that someone is coming for Dominic this late which means the latter always had late night visitors. Like certain nameless women.
My temper flares as I stand beside David while he hits the lift’s buttons. I’m so tempted to leave and to hell with Dominic.
“We were expecting you more than thirty minutes ago, Miss.”
I pause my chain of thoughts. “We?”
“Yes.” The man keeps his neutral gaze on the elevator. “Dr Johnson said you will arrive at ten thirty.”
“Dr Johnson is so sure of himself,” I grit out, struggling to remain polite. Dominic was so sure that I would come.
I should blow him off just so he’d learn that not everyone falls at his feet.
“I beg your pardon?” the polite butler asks.
“Nothing.” I wave away. “Tell Dr Johnson to keep his habits to the women he brings here.”
I turn to leave.
“The women?” His brows furrow. “No other woman but you have come to visit Dr Johnson’s residence, Miss. In fact, it’s a miracle he’s at home. He spends all his time at the lab.”
My breath hitches and I almost fall for it. Almost. Dominic’s sociopathic nature almost got me. “Does he tell you to say that to every woman?”
“No, Miss.” His tone is completely serious. “I have no reason to lie.”
The lift dings. The man presses a P button and swipes his card then motions inside. “Please.”
The thought to run away evaporates. I’m more curious to know about Dominic’s place. I can’t believe he actually invited me to his place.
I step into the lift. David stares at me for a second too long in an unreadable expression. I don’t know why it resembles the taxi driver’s stares. It evaporates as fast as it came. I must be imagining things.
David bows as the doors close. “Have a nice evening.”
The lift keeps going up and up and so does my heartbeat. Now that I’m going to be at the same place with Dominic again, I can’t help replaying yesterday. I wonder what he has in store for me today.
The lift dings and it’s kind of haunting in the darkness. I didn’t ask the receptionist which number is Dominic’s flat. I fish for the card, but there isn’t a number on it. When I attempt to go downstairs and ask David, the lift’s doors open fully to reveal a flat – or more like a lounge area with darkish sofas.
It’s one of those lifts that open straight into the flat. How am I supposed to knock in this case?
Maybe Dominic is asleep. How would he know I came over? David didn’t contact him.
My gaze strays over the soft lightening in the lounge area. It has a huge glass wall that overlooks London’s buildings. Just like in the hotel.
The glinting lights in the distance mesmerise me. They’re so far and yet so near. Sort of like Dominic.
Seriously? Will I compare everything to that enigma now?
When the lift’s doors start to close, I step into the flat. Perhaps I should remove my heels to not dirty the carpets.
I’m still contemplating the idea when a shadow looms behind me. I’m about to scream but a strong hand stifles it. My heartbeat quickens with both fear and excitement as hot breaths tickle my ears. “You’re late. How should I punish you?”
14
Camille
I gasp at the sheer force Dominic is holding me with. Something in my body springs to life just like when he spanked me against that table or when he face fucked me.
This raw feeling is foreign.
Scary.
Thrilling.
I don’t get to think straight. My mind seem
s to cease working around this man.
With his hand still around my mouth, he pushes me forward. I yelp as I fall against the sofa head first. My dress bunches up to the middle of my thighs. Cool air tickles my scorching skin.
Dominic isn’t done.
He yanks at my zipper so hard, I’m afraid he’ll tear my dress. He pushes the fabric down my arms and to the floor so I’m lying in black lace underwear. They’re matching this time.
He groans, and I try to look at him. He threads a strong hand in my hair, keeping me in place. I turn my cheek so it’s laying on the cool leather. I inhale deep. It smells of Dominic.
Intense.
Exotic.
Mind-blowing.
“I want to look at you,” I groan and use my hand to prop up. Dominic yanks both my arms behind my back and grabs them with one strong hand. My body falls back against the sofa. Cool leather wraps around my wrists.
My pulse heightens and a current of need settles inside me. This is only the second time he does this. Why does it feel like I want him to bind me forever?
“Should’ve thought of that when you came late.” His authoritative tone whispers near my ear. I finally get a sight of him. He’s still fastening the leather around my wrist and he’s… only in boxers.
Putain. Why is he so hot? I mean, shouldn’t he have an imperfection or something that will make him more human?
My thighs clench with need as I take in his defined abs and that ‘No Regrets’ tattoo.
Dominic smells of a head-turning male shower gel and leather. There’s also a hint of his natural smell that isn’t doing any favours to my already heated body. Dark brown strands fall haphazardly on his forehead. They’re half-damp, giving him a ruggedly handsome look.
When he speaks, his brows are furrowing. “I thought you weren’t coming.”
“I thought so, too.”
Once my wrists are secured behind my back, he reaches a finger and traces my bottom lip. “Why did you change your mind?”
I gulp. It’s hard to find words when he’s touching me. “I couldn’t stay away,” I say light-heartedly. “Do you use some sort of enchantment on me?”
“Do you, Camille?”
I shake my head – as much as I can while my cheek is on the pillow.
He nods with an unreadable expression before he stands. “You better be ready for what’s to come.”
I strain to catch sight of him. “Promises, promises…”
I don’t get a warning before he yanks my underwear down. I hiss a breath when the cloth rubs against my still sore ass.
Mon Dieu. He ripped the underwear.
“What’s your problem with my underwear?”
“They’re always in the way.” His voice is absent-minded as he lowers a hand to my ass cheek. He squeezes one ass cheek and massages the other. I suck in a breath of both pleasure and pain. I can tell by the appreciative sounds he makes that he’s liking what he sees.
“Fucking beautiful.” His strokes are firm and soothing, and it rips a moan from me. “I knew your skin would look magnificent with my marks on them.”
I don’t miss the pride in his tone. He likes that he left his marks on me. I like it, too. What does that make me?
“I couldn’t sit properly since yesterday.” I had meant to whine, but it came out in a breathless tone.
“Good. I’ve been on your thoughts as you’ve been on mine.”
He’s been thinking of me?
I don’t get to analyse that. His hand comes down on my ass. Hard.
“Aaah!” I shriek as the sting zips pleasure straight to my core and tears spring to my eyes. How can something so painful be so pleasurable?
“This is for being late.” Slap. “You won’t be late again, baby girl, hmm?” Slap.
“Noooo!” I scream then muffle the needy sound in the leather. I’m pretty sure he can feel my arousal if he just parts my clenched thighs. My core pulses and my nipples throb against my bra.
Just three slaps and I’m so wanton, I can already feel the tightening at the base of my belly. It’s like the pain is heightening my pleasure.
Dominic goes back to massaging my ass, and I moan against the sting. His touch has this calming, surreal effect.
His other hand fists in my hair and pulls my head back so I’m staring at his punishing eyes through a blurry vision. “Don’t stifle your screams for me. No one will hear you except for me.” His finger dips between my legs, and I whimper when he touches my sensitive folds.
Dominic grunts. “And I want to hear you scream, baby girl.”
I nod frantically because apparently, I’ve been reduced to a mute. He adds another finger and I moan. He keeps his heated eyes on me. Those deep browns make me want to free fall to sin. They make me want to do things my brain knows it shouldn’t.
Dominic continues pumping in and out of me. I don’t last long. I can’t. I’ve been so ready with just three slaps. The sombre look in his eyes is a trigger for a heart-wrenching pleasure.
“Show me your darkness, baby.” He whispers against my ear. “Fall. I will catch you.”
I do. Dieu. I just do. I clench around his fingers so hard, it wrenches my insides. I scream out my release and fall. I just fall. Because apparently, I trust Dominic to catch me.
He lets go of my hair but doesn’t remove his hand from the sofa. My head falls against his palm as I breathe harshly. My body is still shuddering with the aftermath of the soul-shattering orgasm.
We stare at each other, me droopy-eyed and Dominic hard-eyed. There’s a sheen of intensity covering his face that causes a shudder to draw down my spine.
My tongue is urging to dart out and lick my lips or better yet, lick his lips. I want to kiss him so bad. I want intimacy with him. He owes me that much after everything.
Why isn’t he kissing me?
As if detecting my thoughts, Dominic removes his hand from under my cheek and his other hand from inside me. I swear my core clenches around his fingers trying to keep him in. He flips me around so fast, I yelp when my burning ass rests against the cool leather.
Dominic is hovering over me in no time. He yanks the straps of my bra. It rips underneath his fingers and falls in shreds around me.
“I missed these.” He grunts, grabbing both my breasts while his strong thighs straddle my waist. I moan as my nipples become painful under his assault.
“It’s been barely a day.”
“A long fucking day,” he rasps against a peaked nipple before he bites it into his hot, scorching mouth. “You will still be punished for leaving yesterday.”
I arch my back, trying to move my bound hands. The position is straining my shoulders and my ass still burns, but sick pleasure courses through me at being completely under Dominic’s mercy – or the lack thereof.
His tongue laps on my nipple while his fingers pinch the other one. Shots of pleasure overwhelm me. I buck against him. Dominic body pushes mine down. I gasp when I feel his thick hardness against my belly.
“Dom…” I pant.
He releases my nipple with a pop, and I mourn the loss. My lips part when I see the hard lines on his face. “Shut up.”
Disappointment lodges in the depth of my throat. “Why?”
“Because your voice makes me want to tie you down and never let you fucking leave, Camille.” He yanks down his boxer briefs.
His fist wraps around his thick cock, and like yesterday, I can’t look away. Pre-cum already coats the tip. He guides his erection to the bottom of my stomach and down my wet folds. “Look what you’re doing to me.”
“Dom…” Dieu. Whose needy voice is that?
“Shut up, Cam.” His voice is harsh and pained and I can feel his rock hardness at my entrance.
“S’il te plait, Dom.” I capture his eyes with a pleading stare. My body rocks underneath him.
“You’re challenging me. I destroy my fucking challenges, so why am I not destroying you, baby girl? Hmm?”
I swallow. He’s questioning
his nature. That should be good. Or not. Maybe once he realises I shouldn’t be pushing him, he’ll burn me.
Only I don’t care.
It’s one night and I want it with everything in me.
“Why do you provoke me then take everything I throw your way?” He’s still running his erection up and down my slick folds. Teasing me. Driving me mad.
“Je veux tout.” I want everything from him. I don’t want him to hold back. Ever.
His strong hands come on either side of my face, palming my cheeks. His mouth crushes against mine. He slams inside me in one go at the same time. I gasp in his mouth, but he swallows it. His tongue takes the opening to dive inside.
It’s not a kiss. It’s a claiming. A madness.
He kisses me with a ferocity I’ve never known. He devours my moans, my screams and my freaking breath. He kisses me like he never kissed before and will never kiss again.
He sits up and pulls me into his lap so my throbbing ass cheeks rest on his thighs. I cry out at the new depth. His thickness stretches me from the inside, ripping me apart.
“Attend… Dom…” I breathe against his lips. I can’t find the brainpower to speak in English.
“Relax.” He speaks against the corner of my mouth and licks my bottom lip. “Trust me.”
It’s strange that I do. Despite knowing what he is, I trust that he won’t hurt me. At least not in a way I don’t agree with.
Dominic goes back to kissing me while rocking his hips. This time, it’s slower like he’s savouring me. I moan as I get used to his size and overwhelming power.
His gentle phase comes to an abrupt halt. He pounds into me and attacks my lips with his. He barely gives me any openings to breathe. I’m so delirious with both light-headedness and the feel of him inside me and his tongue doing wicked things in my mouth.
He increases his thrusts. One of his hands clutches my hip while the other surrounds my back over my bound hands as if he’s keeping me from falling apart.
In a way, he is.