Jace pushed her skirt up higher, and his hands caressed her ass. Carrie’s pulse quickened, and her desire grew. She yearned to stand up and wrap her legs around his waist, but she forced herself to stay just as she was. She wasn’t the one in control here. Jace was. And that’s exactly how she wanted it to be.
“Two spanks,” Jace finally said. “If you cry out, I’ll just tease you until you think you’re going to burst.”
Oh god, Carrie though, digging her fingernails into her ankles.
Pain exploded in her ass as Jace spanked her hard. She rocked forward, digging her teeth into her cheeks to keep from crying out. Another flare of pain exploded against her ass, Jace slapping her hard with his open palm. Her skin seared with pain, and it made her eyes dot with stars, but it sent a delicious thrill of pleasure through her veins.
“Good girl.” Jace gripped her ass in his hands and slid his hard and swollen cock into her body. Everything inside her sparked with pleasure, and a loud moan escaped through her lips. Jace grunted and pounded against her, twisting her hair in his fists. Her head jerked up as he pulled harder, Carrie completely under his control. She couldn’t move now if she wanted to. All she could do was stand there, bent over and taking every rapid thrust of his cock.
He gripped her ass tighter and dug his fingernails into her skin. “You’re going to come now, Carrie. Come for me. Now.”
His command overcame every single thought inside her mind, and her body shook as a shockwave of pleasure ripped through her. Jace kept thrusting through her orgasm, hard and fast, and her lust built up once again. She moaned, rocking against him, his cock sliding in and out so fast she could barely breathe. Stars dotted her eyes, her heart thundered in her chest, and the second wave of her orgasm pulled her under as she screamed. Panting, she still gripped her ankles as Jace finally slowed, grunting as he came in the wake of her intense pleasure.
“You can stand up now,” Jace said, giving her ass one last spank. “Franklin will show you out.”
Flustered, Carrie decided to review the footage at home rather than in the office. She couldn’t stop replaying the scene from Jace’s office in her mind. Her ass was still sore from where he’d spanked her. He hadn’t held back this time, and she was certain her skin would be bright red, a telltale mark of what Jace had done.
She squirmed as she fired up her laptop and slid the CD into the slot. If she didn’t have so much work to do, she’d go right back over to his office and let him take her like that all over again. She might not be able to sign his contract, but she still wanted him to dominate her over and over again when it came to sex.
He hadn’t even brought up the contract during her quick visit, something she’d been certain he would do. Maybe he’d let it go. Maybe they could make this work after all.
Carrie began watching the footage, fast-forwarding to the moment Anders Holland went through the door of The Grand Rizzato. She watched him walk into the lobby and disappear into the elevator. Frowning, she rewound and replayed the tape until she’d memorized everything she could about the man in the video.
Now that she looked closer, she could definitely tell he wasn’t Jace Holt. His shoulders were narrower, his biceps smaller, his stance not quite as confident and cool, and—Jace had been right—his sleeves were too long. The man in the video wasn’t wearing a tailored suit, and Jace Holt never wore suits that weren’t tailored specifically for his chiseled frame.
Carrie flipped through Madison’s scrapbook to the photo she’d found the night before. Squinting, she leaned closer, drinking in every detail she could find. She glanced back at the screen, then back at the photo, before giving a nod and scratching Coco’s ears. Her cat meowed and purred, nuzzling against the scrapbook.
“You’re right, Coco,” Carrie said with a smile. “This mysterious date of Madison’s is definitely the man in the footage. It’s the same suit and everything. You can tell because his sleeves are too long.”
Unfortunately, there were a few problems with Carrie’s discovery. First, she had no idea who this man was. There was no name next to the photo or any other sort of identifying information. Second, Jace and Franklin had made the horrible decision to tamper with the evidence and provide the police with a doctored set of tapes. The police would never see the man in this video, so she couldn’t use his connection to Madison as any sort of proof that Jace hadn’t been involved in the crime.
“Baby steps, Simmons,” she said aloud to herself. This discovery could be a huge breakthrough. The man in the photo might just be the man who had killed Anders Holland. And if she could find out who he was, maybe she could force him to confess.
A knock sounded on Jace Holt’s penthouse door. He swept into his coat before answering, finding his assistant, Franklin Snow, waiting in his private hallway. Franklin looked as calm and stoic as always, his face betraying none of his thoughts. Jace liked that his assistant was as cold and closed off as he was, yet when it became important, he wasn’t afraid to tell Jace what he truly thought.
“You called, sir?” Franklin asked.
“Yes,” Jace said with a nod. “We need to go have a chat with Rick Allen. I’m not going to let him blackmail me about Carrie. He should have never brought her into this.”
Franklin’s lips went thin. “Miss Simmons is on her way up here. I’ll add that she looked quite pleased about something.”
Jace sighed, both thrilled and frustrated at the same time. Carrie had chosen the worst possible moment to come pay him a visit. “Tell me what she wants.”
“I couldn’t say,” Franklin said. “She wouldn’t speak to me.”
“Yes, might be best if you become scarce until she leaves,” Jace said. “She found out who you are, and she’s not terribly happy about it.”
Franklin’s face paled. “She knows who I am?”
“Don’t worry. She won’t tell anyone.” Down the hallway, the elevator dinged. “Just try to stay out of sight. Once she’s gone, we’ll go pay Rick Allen a visit.”
Franklin nodded and disappeared just as Carrie exited the elevator. Her gaze landed on Jace as soon as she stepped out, walking tall in a pair of sharp and sexy heels. She carried a heavy bag by her side, and her hair and makeup looked as fresh as they did that morning. Her curves were hidden under a long thick coat, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she wore nothing underneath.
Jace smiled and crossed his arms over his chest. “Back again already, I see.”
“It’s not for what you think,” she said, though the spark in her eyes betrayed her words. She sashayed to a stop before him, tipped back her head, and looked up into his eyes. A seductive smile played on her lips as she pressed a hand against his chest. “Going somewhere?”
“I’m certainly not going anywhere now,” Jace said, stepping back to let Carrie into his penthouse. After opening up to Carrie about everything from his past, he hated that he was keeping her boss’s blackmail a secret, but he knew telling her about it would only bring her pain. And she seemed so happy today. He couldn’t be the one to put a frown back on her pretty face.
Carrie strode past him into the large loft and placed her bag on his kitchen island. “There’s something I want to show you, but I need you to promise me you won’t freak out.”
Jace raised his eyebrows. This was interesting. “I’m not really one to freak out, Carrie.”
“Okay, bad choice of words.” Her hands tightened around her bag as she turned to face him. “Just don’t get mad at me, okay? I’m only trying to help.”
“Carrie,” Jace murmured as he took slow steps toward her. “I could never be mad at you. Frustrated, yes. But never angry.”
“Okay, well, just remember that then.” Carrie took in a big breath and then reached inside her bag. She pulled out a big square book that looked like one of those scrapbooks his mother used to make when she was still alive.
“Don’t tell me you’ve taken up scrapbooking,” Jace said, quirking a smile, though the memories of his mother were almo
st too much to bear. She’d been dead for five years, but the wounds felt as fresh as the day she’d passed. “I would have never imagined Carrie Simmons as a scrapbooker. It’s so domestic.”
“It isn’t mine,” Carrie said before sliding another paper from her bag. It was a print-out of the hotel security footage from the night of the murder, centering in on the man who had taken Anders Holland through the lobby.
Annoyance prickled through Jace, and he frowned. “I know I supplied you with the footage, but I’d really prefer you to stay out of this.”
“Too bad.” She jabbed a finger at the photo. “I watched this several times, and I see what you mean now. The man looks like you, but he’s not quite the same.”
“Well, I’m glad you’ve finally come to your senses. Is that all?”
“Nope.” Carrie patted the large book before beginning to flip through it. Pages of colorful cut-outs and photos fanned before them. “This is Madison Holland’s scrapbook, and I found a photo of her with someone who I believe is the same man.”
Jace stared hard at Carrie, who was avoiding meeting his eyes. “Madison Holland’s scrapbook. Tell me how you got ahold of this.”
“That doesn’t matter,” Carrie said quickly. “Look at the photo.”
Jace glanced down at the picture, still frowning. The man looked vaguely familiar to him, but he couldn’t remember where or when he’d seen him before. Carrie pointed at the sleeves, and yes, she was right. The man’s suit wasn’t tailored, and he had the same dark hair as Jace. In fact, the suit fit him exactly the same as it fit the man in the security footage. That couldn’t be a coincidence.
“You believe this man is the man who led Anders Holland to his death,” Jace said.
“He’s not as handsome, but he could pass for you if he didn’t show his face,” Carrie said with a nod. “And the suit is similar enough. Do you recognize him?”
Jace gave a quick shake of his head. “I feel as if I’ve seen him somewhere before, but I don’t know where.”
Carrie sighed and closed the scrapbook. “Well, I’ll see what I can do. Maybe someone in my office will recognize him.”
“Carrie.” Jace’s voice went low and deep as he grabbed her elbow and twisted her to face him. “Tell me where you got Madison Holland’s scrapbook. I can’t imagine the police just handed it over to you.”
“The police didn’t have it.” She swallowed hard, still refusing to meet his gaze. “I may have snuck into her apartment.”
Jace’s grip tightened on her arm, and his pulse hummed in his neck. “Carrie Simmons. I told you not to go near that place ever again.”
“Lucky I didn’t sign that contract then,” she said, lifting her chin. “Because as it stands, I can do whatever the hell I want.”
“You put yourself in danger.” Jace gritted his teeth. “I won’t have you doing that for me.”
“Oh yeah?” Carrie whispered and licked her lips. “What are you going to do about it?”
Jace whipped her around and pulled her coat from her shoulders. Underneath, she wore a lacy black number that showed off every smooth curve of her body and made his cock hard. Growling, he swept aside her hair and dug his teeth into her neck, nipping her skin until she cried out in pain.
“Go and wait for me in the playroom. Now.”
Carrie stood naked and chained in Jace’s closet as he paced around her, his whip hitting his palm in a rhythmic beat. His eyes were hot and dark, and she squirmed under his intense scrutiny, her breath caught in her throat. She’d been yearning for him to do this to her again, and now that she was here, every cell in her body felt on fire.
He brushed the end of the whip against her nipples. They hardened under his touch, swollen and desperate for more. She moaned, her eyelids fluttering shut as he continued to caress her with the rough material. Her body arched toward him out of its own volition, and Jace stepped away, taking the whip with him.
She gazed at him across the closet, and a wicked smile lit his lips. She knew he could see the lust in her eyes and the goosebumps peppering her arms and legs. Her heartbeat fluttered against her neck as she tried to calm her breathing, but it was no use. Her chest heaved with each belabored breath.
“Spread your legs,” Jace commanded.
Carrie obeyed, taking wide steps out to each side. She wrapped her hands around the chains to hold herself steady, but she barely got her footing before Jace flicked the whip against her pussy. Sharp pain radiated between her thighs, and she cried out. Stars dotted her eyes.
“Oh god, Jace,” she gasped as her pussy ached for more. She didn’t understand how so much pain could make her so wet, but she could barely stand still from the need pulsing through her. She yearned for him to whip her once again.
Jace reached out and slid the whip between her thighs, rubbing her and teasing her and making her tip forward so that she could rock harder and faster against the stick. He laughed as he pulled it away, trailing the end up her stomach and slipping the wet whip along her heaving breasts.
The whip lashed out again, this time slapping hard against her stomach and leaving a large welt in its wake. Moaning, she arched her back and let the pain flood her every sense. He whipped her once more before moving behind her to slash hard against her trembling back. She shook against the pain, moaning and scraping her fingernails against the rough chains.
Jace wrapped his strong arms around her waist and lifted her ass high into the air. His fingers dug into her thighs, tight and rough. Before she knew what was happening, his cock was inside her. Jace thrusted hard, her thighs and ass rocking against his chiseled body. The chains dug into her wrists, but the pain only enhanced the pleasure rushing through her.
Jace groaned and nipped her shoulder with his teeth. Carrie’s eyelids fluttered shut as she breathed in the heady scent of cologne and gin. She felt her insides tighten as the pleasure built up inside her, and before she could catch her breath, her orgasm ripped through her. Jace thrusted hard as she came, following her pleasure with his own.
He set her down gently, wrapping his strong and comforting arms around her body, pulling her in close and breathing against her hair. He murmured something far too low for her to hear, but the softly spoken syllables sounded like three words she’d been wanting to hear for a very long time. She closed her eyes and sighed, total satisfaction making her feel relaxed, warm, and safe.
Jace had his concierge drop Carrie off at her apartment. He hadn’t disagreed when she’d said she needed to go home and do some more work on her cases. It struck her as a little strange. Jace usually demanded she take her nights off from work, but he’d seemed so distracted after they’d had their game of pleasure and pain.
She hoped that didn’t mean he was getting tired of her already. The other girls he’d been with since they’d been apart must have been a lot more knowledgable about BDSM than she was if he’d taken them to that club in the city. They’d probably even signed that contract, decision-making abilities revoked and everything.
Carrie just couldn’t do that.
Sighing, she trudged up the stairs to her third floor apartment. When she reached the landing, she paused, her blood running cold. Her door was cracked open. Carrie would have never left her door unlocked, much less open. Her fingers tightened around the wooden bannister, and she slid her fingers through her keys to fist them in her hands.
Quietly, she stepped forward and pushed the door open. Silence met her ears, and she peered inside. Everything was trashed. Her heart leapt into her throat as she flew inside the apartment, her caution thrown right out the window.
“Coco!” Carrie cried out, whirling around for any sign of her cat.
Coco trotted out from behind the capsized trash can and howled up at Carrie. She dropped her bag to the floor and went to her knees, scooping her poor cat into her arms. At least Coco was okay. That was all that truly mattered.
With tears in her eyes, Carrie picked her steps carefully through her apartment to take in the damage. He
r TV was still there, as well as her stereo. Frowning, she tried to piece together what had happened. Why would someone break into her apartment and not steal any of her valuable electronics?
That’s when she noticed her laptop was missing from her coffee table. Her laptop that had the CD of Jace’s security footage from the night of the murder. Carrie pressed her lips together. Everything made sense now. Someone had broken into her apartment to steal those tapes.
Jace and Franklin had just settled into the backseat of the limo when Jace’s cell phone rang. Sighing, he glanced at the screen. It was Carrie. He’d seen the way her face had fallen when he’d agreed she should go home for the night, but he needed to take care of this Rick Allen situation before that photograph got leaked to the press.
He answered the phone with a smile. “Missing me already?”
“Jace.” Carrie’s voice sounded shaky. “Someone broke into my apartment and stole your security footage.”
A million emotions flashed through Jace’s mind. Fear, anger, alarm. But most of all, concern. “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”
“I’m fine. It happened before I got back,” Carrie said quickly. “But Jace, the footage is gone.”
“Stay right where you are,” Jace demanded. “I’m coming to get you.”
“What the hell is he doing here?” Carrie backed up when Jace strode into her trashed apartment with Franklin Snow on his heels. She shook her head and held her purring cat tighter against her chest.
“He’s here to help,” Jace said, casting a glance around the apartment. The burglars had done a thorough job of Carrie’s place and had left things in quite the state. Her couch cushions were piled on the floor, her cutlery was scattered across every surface of her kitchen, and her picture frames had been ripped from their places on the walls. The strange thing was, all of the valuable items had been left untouched. This was all a stage.
Dangerous Page 16
