Traded for Love (19 page)

She'd moaned and groaned herself hoarse. Her breaths stuttered in and out of her.

I tossed the pump over my shoulder and walked around to the foot of the bed.

Whenever she moved, the cups would quiver, causing her to jerk in response. I relished the fact that
I
was the one who made her feel like this.
I
was the one who inflicted the agonizing, constant suction on her nipples and clit.
I
was the one who was stretching her resistance thin.

I basked in the glow of having her entirely at my whim. I'd wanted her like this all night. I wanted nothing more than to watch her fall apart, for the facade she put on for everyone else to wither like the petals of a flower past its prime.

Her thigh and arm muscles twitched. Only a woman consumed by ecstasy moved like that. But I wasn't even close to done with her.

It was my turn to get mine, now.

First, I teased her clit by thwacking the suction cup. Her legs shook as her sweat trickled to the sheets.

“Beg for me,” I commanded.

“Phlease!” she cried around the ball-gag. “Phlease, Master!” She tugged at the posters in vain. There was no way she'd get out of my knots.

“Please, what?”

“Phlease … fuck me.”

I resisted the urge to plunge in immediately, but even I wasn’t strong enough to entirely resist her begging. I scooped her ass up, so I was lined up, and began easing into her.

Hot, wet, gripping … so perfect.

“Christ … ” I whispered, dropping my head back.

It took me a moment to adjust to being inside of her. Torturing her had been just as torturous for me. The wait had been awful, but we were finally united, joined at the roots of our being.

Fucking her was like second nature. She opened at my forward thrusts, and squeezed as I slid out. It was a perfect, fevered dance. I wanted to see her face without the impediments of the blindfold and gag, so I stopped moving inside of her.

I lifted away the blindfold. She was dazed, looking at me with misted over eyes. Those beautiful brown irises were glued to me, searching for the moment I would release her.

“Turn your head,” I said. She lay her cheek against the pillow, allowing me to undo the buckle on the gag's strap. I retracted the ball from between her teeth. It'd smudged her lipstick a little, but that made her look all the more alluring. Destroying her was art. She looked how I felt inside yesterday—completely ruined.

Her gaze was vacant.

“Should I stop fucking you?”

She shook her head. “Please don't, Master.”

There was true submission in her voice.
Fuck yes, I've done it
, I thought,
I've tamed her
.

“What do you want?” The strength of authority in my voice surprised even me.

“Use me,” she whispered.

It was too much. I lost all resolve and took little care for her comfort as I drove myself in. Still tethered to the bed, she bounced every time our hips met.

I couldn't get enough of her, this sweet, tantalizing vixen. I gripped one of her tits as the suction cup on her clit slapped against my stomach.

She screamed with reckless abandon, begging for me.

Her back arched and I took the opportunity to open the catch on one of her nipple cups. She gasped as the pressure released. A few seconds later, without warning, I opened the other. Her pitiful moans only spurred me forward.

The last to go was the clit device and she squirmed as her tender flesh was freed. As I fucked her to my heart's content, I slipped my thumb over the swollen bud. She tugged at the posters again. They creaked with the force of her pull.

“Fuck yes! Just like that, Master!” she belted out at the top of her lungs.

I'd struggled to keep it, but when she addressed me directly, my restraint broke. I folded under my own all-encompassing orgasm. My head fell back as I rode the waves washing through me. A few minutes passed before I remembered where I was.

When I looked down, her eyes were half-closed as if she was on the edge of sleep. Her breathing was still heavy, though, leading me to believe she was just exhausted.

We were both totally spent, which is exactly how I wanted it.

I untied her arms and legs and she drew her arms and legs close to her body. The red welts across her ass, as well as the rope impressions around her wrists and ankles were testament of how hard I'd ridden her.

Though I had no interest in
cuddling
, I had the distinct feeling I should ease our parting by doing
something
. I was at a loss as to what that
something
was. She lay on the bed, placid, quiet, breathing steadily. I settled in beside her, but didn't touch her.

When I'd fully gathered my wits, I set my hand on her shoulder.

“Tired?” I asked.

She nodded, but didn't make a verbal answer.

I got up and began pulling on my underwear and pants. She didn't move at all as I finished dressing. She was facing away, so I walked around into her field of vision. Her eyes were still glassy; her gaze still vacant.

“I'll be back tomorrow night. Will you be … available?”

She nodded slowly.

“Good.” I adjusted my cuffs. “Goodnight.”

I had the strangest impulse to kiss her cheek, but easily dismissed it.

Sentimentality was not one of my former traits, and it wasn't about to become one now.

I left the room and closed the door behind me.

At the end of the hall, I could hear two people fucking in the room we'd been in yesterday. I laughed. This place was great—so convenient.

I let myself into the lounge. Only a few couples were left. The rest had either gone into the rooms or gone home.

Drake was sitting at the far side of the room having a drink and an animated conversation with Julia. She was smiling and looked more relaxed than I had seen her in a long time. It was obvious they hadn't slept together, which, for some reason, relieved me.

I went up to their table. “We're going, Julia.”

“Where's Chastity?” Drake asked.

“She's asleep.” I grinned. “Guess I tuckered her out.”

“You were in there for quite a while,” Drake said, checking his watch. “Sleeping huh? Hm.” He stood up. “Excuse me, Julia.” He gazed at me with heat in his eyes. “Doe.”

“Goodnight, Master Drake.” I saluted him flippantly as we headed for the exit.

As close to giddy as I'd ever been, I offered Julia my arm as we went up the stairs.

“I take it you had fun,” Julia mumbled.

“I did. She's amazing,” I gushed.

“How much longer is this going to go on?” she asked as we reached the top landing.

I gave her a stern look. “As long as I want it to.”

“Not forever, though, right?”

I swept the tip of my thumb over the edge of my bottom lip as I considered her question. “Maybe.”

“And you expect me to keep coming back?” Her eyes were misting over.

“I don't just expect you to—” I said, narrowing my eyes at her. “I order you to.”

(Drake)

“Drake? Did you hear me?” Margot snapped her fingers in front of my eyes.

I blinked. “I'm sorry. God, I'm sorry. What were you saying?”

“That's the fourth time you've spaced out during this conversation.” She stood on the other side of my desk staring daggers at me. She popped a hand on her round hip.

“I'm sorry.” I sunk back in my chair.

“I was saying: Jerome asked for a raise.” She sighed. “Where
are
you? You've been spacing out all day.”

“It's Chastity—” I began.

My words caused her look of irritation to melt into one of concern. “What's wrong?”

“She's just sick. She won't be in for a while.”

“Was the doctor's news that bad?”

“No. The doctor said she's fine. She's just … stressed out.” I feigned a smile. “Jerome can have a fifty-cent raise, as long as he shows up on time. He's been late a few times this week.”

She pursed her lips. “Don't change the subject. Now that we're on it, I'll tell you what I think. I don't like how disturbed you are about Chastity.” She stepped forward and rested her hand on mine. “I've known you since before you met her, and you've invested way too much in that girl. She hasn't done the same for you.” She tsked.

“You're right, Margot. I know you're right.” I shook my head. “I gave her my heart, and she didn't want it.” I shrugged my shoulders. “I'm not in love with her anymore, but … I am devoted to her in a way.”

“You still care about her—more than you should. You let her live with you, rent free. You give her a job. You provide for her. I'm sure you do
other things
for her, too.” She raised an eyebrow. “She's using you.”

“Probably.” I rested my cheek on my hand. “But I'm letting her, because I know she's alone. She doesn't have anybody else except me.”

“I'm sure if it wasn't you, it'd be someone else.”

“Wow!” I exclaimed, running my fingers through my hair.

Her cheeks flushed at my agitation. “Well! I've never been one to mince words. You're worth a hell of a lot and I think she's been taking you for a ride for years. I think that's the way she works. She worms into the part of your heart that loves the deepest and the part of your brain that would normally tell you to run, but by the time you realize it, it's too late.”

I grinned. “I'm sure I'm full of holes.”

She rolled her eyes. “Well, all I did was come in here to talk about the raise. I'm going to go close up and go home.”

“Goodnight,” I said. “And, Margot,” I called out to her as she opened the door. She stopped and turned. “Thanks for caring so much about me.”

“I promised your mother I would.” She smiled. “Don't stay here too late.”

I chuckled. “You know how rough it is at the end of month. I have to balance the books and all that fun stuff. I'll get home sometime before midnight.”

I went into my drawer for the past month's credit card reports and noticed the Michael Kors bag sitting on top of the stack of manila folders.

It'd been a few days, but the vision of her face hadn't faded. Emily: the pretty, but insecure young woman I'd met in a bookstore. She'd been anxiety ridden when I'd met her for the second time. The day before, I'd made her blush. There had been something beautifully innocent about how flustered she became around me. If I was honest with myself, I liked making her uncomfortable, if for no other reason than I liked seeing her see-saw through emotions. She was fun to play with in that way.

How should I get her purse back to her?

I supposed I could mail it, but I was sure it was full of credit cards and other things a hard-up mailman might swipe. I wondered if I should take it to her myself. I didn't have her number, so there was no chance of calling her to come pick it up. Hell, I didn't even know what her last name was.

She'd been so upset when I'd introduced her to Chastity. I couldn't possibly have guessed she would react that way. After all, we'd only just met.

She couldn't have been dumb enough to form some kind of attachment to me, could she?
I laughed and shook my head.
Nah
.
She has to be smarter than that
.

I pulled out the folder I needed and shut the drawer with a huff.
Mailing it is,
I thought.

Hours passed as I worked on the end-of-month accounts. Everything balanced out, which made me a very happy business owner.

By the time I checked my watch, it was almost midnight. Downstairs was closed tonight, but it'd be open again in full force tomorrow.

As I gathered my laptop and coat, I heard a knock at the back door. Curious, I checked the security camera feed.

Doe …

Trying to keep my anger in check, I dropped my things and went for the source of the knock.

I almost tore the door off its hinges. “What do you want?”

“Where's your guard?”

“Get the
fuck
out of here and don't come back,” I said through gritted teeth.

“I'm sorry, Master Drake, but I have a date with your slave.” He tried to push past me and I shoved him—almost off his feet—much to Julia's alarm. She detached herself from his arm and stepped away.

“You don't have a date with anybody,” I sneered.

“What the hell are you talking about!?” Doe said, brushing himself off. “She and I have an arrangement.”

“I'm the owner here, and after what you did to her last night, you won't be seeing her ever again if I have anything to say about it.”

“What I did? We fucked. That was it,” he said indignantly.

“You dominated her,” I pointed out.

“Yes? And?”

“You didn't warm her up. You didn't perform aftercare. You didn't make sure she was calm and relaxed and grounded before you left her alone.”

“Do what? Warm her up?” He grinned. “She seemed warm to me.”

I fought hard not to punch him in the face. “You don't know what the fuck you're doing, do you?”

“Oh, I know what I'm doing—better than you do!” Doe straightened his collar.

My resistance failed and I drove my fist into his cheek. He fell backward onto the pavement.

“Stop it!” Julia screamed, dropping beside him.

“Get off me!” Doe pushed her aside.

“How many times have you fucked
her
like that?” I pointed to Julia. “How many times have you put her into a submissive trance and not helped her out of it?” I growled. “Do you treat all the women you meet like shit? Do you treat your
wife
like that?”

“Look, Drake, I have no fucking idea what you're talking about. I use women the way they want to be used, then get rid of them when they don't please me anymore. I don't know what this
aftercare
is.”

“No. Of course you don't.” I scoffed. “You're just a child with a whip. You treat everybody in this world like cattle. You mate with them like they're dumb animals and you send them to slaughter. Well, not this time. I won't let Chastity become
her
.
”

Julia's eyes glistened with tears. “Stop talking about me like I'm not standing here! You're just as bad as him!” She covered her face. “I can't do this anymore. I can't …” She walked away from us, fading into the darkness of the empty parking lot.