by Cassia Leo
I brush a long lock of hair off Rebecca’s face and see her eyes are closed. She’s always so tired during the first few months of pregnancy. When she was pregnant with Junior, she fell asleep at Billy’s funeral. She was so embarrassed, but I thought it was adorable.
And she wasn’t the only one who was out of it at Billy’s funeral. Bruno was hopped up on pain meds after spending six days in the hospital for the gunshot wound that nicked his carotid artery and shattered his clavicle.
But Bruno’s a tough kid. He was back at work a couple of weeks after the funeral. His aim isn’t as good as it used to be, but he’s still the only guy who knows what needs to be done before I say a word.
By the time we get to the Brooklyn Bridge, Rebecca is snoring softly. I almost consider telling the driver to take us home for a quiet evening alone, but I know she’ll be pissed as hell tomorrow morning when I tell her what she missed out on. And I’d rather she save her anger for the bedroom.
Rebecca likes to complain about my temper sometimes, but she’s got quite a bite herself. And she secretly loves the way I keep her on her toes. Three years ago today, two months after she gave birth to Ella, I had Rebecca abducted and flown to Paris for our surprise wedding. It took her four hours to forgive me for scaring the shit out of her and climb onto the altar. But it was the best decision she ever made. And how many women would die to say they were abducted by Knox Savage for a surprise wedding?
I reach forward and place my hand over Rebecca’s abdomen, holding it there as she breathes in and out. Ultimately, Rebecca knows I’d never do anything to hurt her. And I’d never let anyone else hurt her. My world changed the day I proposed to her on the bridge. New York City became a different place.
Suddenly, everywhere I looked I saw something or someone who could hurt Rebecca or my children. I tried convincing Rebecca to move to the country with me, but she didn’t seem interested in milking goats or learning to cook. She’s too fucking spoiled. But that’s what I love about her. She’s my city girl, through and through.
And Junior’s in a good private school. She said she’d consider moving to the Hamptons if the school turns out to be a dud. But she doesn’t want to leave the city. She loves working for me.
Yes, Rebecca works for me now. Her law enforcement background came in handy when I created a new position for her at Knox Security: Research Analyst. She’s supposed to report to my security analyst, but she reports to me instead. And by reports to me, I mean she comes into my office every now and then and drops her reports on the floor. Then I help her pick them up. We have a great working relationship.
I shake her shoulder gently as the car pulls up in front of the Knox Security building. She sits up and lets out a long sigh. She blinks a few times as she looks out the window.
“Why are we here?”
“I want to show you something before I give you your anniversary surprise.”
Her shoulders slump. “Can it wait? I really don’t want to go in there right now. I’m so tired.”
“Can it wait?” I repeat her words back at her. “Is that the way you talk to your boss?”
She glares at me then steps out of the car. I try to suppress my smile as I step out after her.
13
Rebecca
Knox rarely chastises me in the office. And he never reprimands me in front of anyone else. He believes that everyone at Knox Security should respect and fear me the way they do him. But in private, he can sometimes be a prick.
I know you don’t become successful without having some form of perfectionism. You have to be really good at what you do to be in high demand. And Knox is extremely good at what he does. His ability to hide and protect people is unmatched by anyone else in the industry. He continually reminds me of this every time I screw up.
But he hasn’t reprimanded me at work in months. Heck, it may even be more than a year since he last chewed me out over a mistake. So whatever I did to deserve a talking to before our anniversary surprise must have been pretty bad.
Somehow, I can’t bring myself to care. But that’s not what Knox is going to want to see. There is nothing that pisses him off more than apathy.
By the time we reach his office, I’m teetering between extremely nervous and supremely pissed. I stand in front of his desk in my black halter dress and silver sling backs waiting for my scolding, trying not to look too annoyed.
He stands behind his silver and black desk chair, eyeballing the tablet on the glass desktop. His smile reappears briefly as he reaches for the tablet. He taps in his passcode and turns the tablet around to face me. A mugshot of a heavyset Puerto Rican guy pops up next to the stats for a guy named Carlos Rivera.
“Do you recognize this guy?”
I try not to roll my eyes. “No. Who is he?”
“This is Carlos Rivera. He’s been on the run for two years for conspiracy to commit murder. Do you know who he was planning on killing?”
I grit my teeth. “No. Who was he planning on killing?”
His nostrils flare as he begins losing his patience. “Me.”
I let out a soft chuckle. “Yeah, right.”
“You think I’m joking? Do I look like I’m joking?” He pauses for a moment, then he continues without giving me a chance to respond. “I told you yesterday that I had a very important case for you and what was your response?”
I think back to yesterday and it takes a moment to remember what I was doing. “It was the end of the day on Friday. I told you it would have to wait until next week because I was taking Jade to get her shots.”
“So you think Jade’s immunizations are more important than my life?”
“What? Are you — Did you seriously just ask me that?”
“Answer the question!” he roars.
I stare into his eyes for a moment, then I shake my head. “I am through arguing about this. The next time you give me an assignment this important, you be up front with me about it or I swear to God, Knox, I’ll quit.”
He cocks an eyebrow and chuckles. “You think that’s it? You think you’re getting off that easy?” I turn to walk out of his office and he grabs my arm. “Not so fast, Mrs. Savage. I don’t think you’ve been properly punished for your bad judgment.”
I spin around to give him a piece of my mind, when I notice the bookcase behind his desk slowly swinging backward. I watch, completely mesmerized, until it stops moving and I glimpse the blackness beyond.
“What’s that?”
I recognize the hungry look in Knox’s eyes when he responds. “Your penance.”
14
Knox
The fear in her eyes is a turn-on. But the fear quickly turns to excitement when I hit the light switch and she steps into the new dungeon.
The walls are a deep maroon color and silver drapes hang from the ceiling to floor, framing mirrors that are meant to look like windows. Hanging on the walls between each faux-window are various punishment tools: whips, paddles, brushes, feathers. Then there are the restraints: ropes, chains, cuffs, belts, and even a straitjacket. Gags and blindfolds are in the bedside table with various other toys.
There is one plush gray sofa at the far end of the room and a couple of armchairs flanking the entrance where we’re standing. Up against the wall on the right stands a rolling “wheel of pain” with wrist and ankle straps. Just beyond that is a plain canopy bed with a regular mattress — no spikes — for recovery. But above the bed hangs an intricate suspension system, which I suspect we’ll have lots of fun with in the future.
She turns to me after she’s had a look around and she can’t hide her excitement. “You had this planned all along?”
“Maybe.”
“Is Carlos Rivera even real?”
“Yes, he is very real. And he was ordered to take me out.” I press a button on my phone and the wall closes behind me. “But he’ll never find me in here.” Taking a step toward her, I slide my arm around her waist and pull her against me. “So I guess that means you still need t
o be punished.”
Her breathing quickens as I brush my lips over hers. But she knows the rules. She’s not allowed to kiss me unless I give her permission.
Keeping my lips pressed against her, I pull the skirt of her dress up and slide my hand between her legs. I smile when my fingers find the soft flesh, freshly-waxed and soaking wet.
“No panties. Such a good girl,” I murmur in her ear as I press my thumb against her clit.
I pull back and tilt my head as I look at her face. Her eyes are closed, lips slightly parted, as if she’s waiting for something. Removing my hand from between her legs, I reach up and slowly slide my thumb into her mouth. The corners of her lips turn up slightly as she sucks softly on my thumb.
“That’s right, baby.”
I slide my thumb out of her mouth and she opens her eyes. I shake my head and she quickly closes them again. Taking her hand, I lead her toward the bedside table.
“Strip.”
She begins pulling her dress over her head as I pull a blindfold out of the bedside table. When I turn toward her, she’s standing patiently with her eyes closed, trying not to smile. She’s not wearing a bra.
I take her nipple between my index finger and thumb and squeeze, gently at first then a bit harder. She winces at the pain so I lean forward and take her nipple into my mouth to soothe her. She lets out a soft sigh as I trace my tongue in a light circle around her nipple.
I move behind her and tie the blindfold in place. Then I sweep her hair over her shoulder to expose her neck. I trace my fingertip lightly down the back of her ear and neck, smiling as goosebumps sprout over her shoulders. I continue down her spine until I reach her perfectly round hips. She’s holding her breath as she waits for me to do something.
I lean forward and whisper in her ear. “Don’t move.”
Peeling off my shirt as I cross the room, I retrieve a length of rope and black wooden paddle from where they hang on the wall, then I tie her wrists low on the bedpost so she’s forced to bend over. Leaning over her, I reach between her legs to find her clit. She whimpers as her knees begin to buckle.
“Are you comfortable, princess?”
“Yes.”
“Yes…?”
She moans, trying not to collapse as I caress her slick bud. “Yes, Master.”
Her legs tremble as I massage her slow and then fast, and I know she can’t take much more before her legs turn to rubber and give out beneath her. I remove my hand from between her thighs and she gasps.
“Wait. Please don’t — ”
“I didn’t say you could speak.”
“But I — ”
I switch the paddle to my right hand and swat her; not too hard, but enough to quiet her. Instantly, her legs straighten up so her ass is higher in the air. Her way of begging for more.
“Are you ever going to make me wait when I give you an assignment?”
“No, sir.”
I trace the cool edge of the paddle over her round hips, then down the side of her thigh. “How many spankings do you think you deserve for such a grievous error?”
“Whatever you think I deserve. You’re always right.”
I glide the paddle between her legs. She lets out a desperate whimper as I move it gently back and forth between her folds. Just the sight of luscious ass and her moisture glistening on the paddle is getting me rock hard. I want to push myself inside her right now, but I must be patient.
Sliding the paddle out from between her legs, I land another soft swat on her backside. Her cheeks are getting a soft pink now. I caress her skin softly to soothe her and her breathing slows down as she relaxes. Four more swats and I toss the paddle to the floor.
I bend over her and twist my fingers through her hair to turn her head. My other hand reaches forward, grabbing her nipple and twisting until she lets out a soft squeal.
“Do you want more?” I whisper in her ear.
“More. Please.”
“Please…?”
“Please, Master?” Her plea comes out high-pitched as I squeeze my fist around her hair. “Oh, my God,” she pants.
I unbuckle my belt and unfasten my pants, and she screams as I push myself inside her. Another thing I love when Rebecca’s pregnant is how she feels tighter. As if I needed any more reason to lust after her.
She’s so fucking wet. She loves the paddle more than anything else. I pierce her slowly, watching my cock as it slides in and out of her perfect pussy. Then I grab her hair again and ride her hard. Letting her cries fuel my desire until I come like a fucking rocket blasting off inside her.
I untie her wrists and scoop her up in my arms so I can lay her down on the bed. It’s recovery time. Now I get to take away all the pain and build her back up. I must admit, this is my favorite part.
15
Rebecca
My abdominal muscles and my arms ache from the tension and release. Not to mention the stinging on my skin. I let out a thankful sigh of relief when Knox lays me on my side on the cool comforter.
I love the paddle the most. It makes me feel like a naughty schoolgirl, which is my favorite fantasy. But I knew Knox would go easy on me today considering I was already so tired when we walked into our new dungeon. He’s a very considerate master.
He retrieves a soothing balm from the bedside table and lies next to me so he can rub it over my cheeks. His hands are warm and firm as he smoothes the balm over my skin. I just want to scoot back and melt into him.
“Does that feel better, princess?”
“Yes, sir.”
He grabs my hip and pushes me forward so I’m lying on my belly. He rubs my back for a while, kneading the tension away until I’m completely relaxed. Then he moves down to my legs, lightly massaging the backs of my thighs. As his fingers whisper over the sensitive area where my thigh melts into my cheek, I feel myself becoming engorged with anticipation.
He grasps my hip again and turns me onto my back. His sky blue eyes are filled with a deep longing as he gazes down at me. Then his hand lands gently on my abdomen.
“Let’s have one more after this one. Just one more.”
I smile as I reach up and wipe the sweat from his brow. He turns his face into my hand and lays a soft kiss on the inside of my wrist. How can I ever say no this man?
“Are you afraid I won’t be quite as appealing when I’m not pregnant?”
He leans forward and kisses my cheekbone. His hand travels down my abdomen, then he whispers in my ear. “You are beautiful whether you’re pregnant or not pregnant. There is nothing and no one more appealing…” He traces the tip of his tongue across my top lip. “…than my princess.”
His hand glides over my hip and around to my ass. He lightly drags his fingertips over my tender skin, just hard enough to get me even more aroused. Then he grabs my ass with his massive hand and pulls me onto my side so he can press his body against mine.
He rubs his cheekbone against mine and I can hardly breathe. I wrap my arms around his neck and drape my leg over his hip so he can enter me. His solid chest is pressed against mine as our bodies rock back and forth in unison. A sensual dance of healing and forgiveness.
He kisses me hungrily as he grinds his hips into mine. “Just one more.”
I throw my head back and let out a throaty chuckle. He seizes the opportunity to suck on the hollow of my neck. Then his hand slides down between us so he can massage my clit as he moves in and out of me.
Each thrust compresses his finger against my flesh, like a greedy finger pressing a jackpot. And by the trembling in his shoulders, I can sense that we’re both about to win this round.
“Oh, Knox,” I breathe, my body shaking as I finally get the orgasm I was denied earlier.
His cock twitches as he lets go inside me. I close my eyes to savor the warmth of his manhood as it fills me up. I clench the walls of my pussy around his cock and he smiles. His cock continues to twitch as he softens inside me. I do this a few more times as I kiss him and drag my fingernails over his back. An
d soon he’s hard again.
“I’ll give you one more if you give me one more,” I whisper in his ear.
“I can do better than that.”
After six years together, I know there’s nothing Knox wouldn’t give me. And giving him one more child is hardly a compromise considering everything he does for me and the kids. And my mom. All he asks in return is that I belong to him. And that’s hardly difficult. I love being his.
But I am not his possession. I am his fuse. I’m the fuse that lights him up. That keeps him ticking. He can’t function without me and I’m useless without him.
From the moment he dragged me into that abandoned garage six years ago and I looked into those electric blue eyes, I knew my life would never be the same. I knew who he was the moment I felt that electric energy. I knew he was Marco.
“You don’t know me, so don’t bother sifting through those pretty little thoughts.”
I smile as I think of those words he spoke to me six years ago.
No, I didn’t know Knox Savage. I made him.
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Chapter One
Six blocks and the guy walking on the opposite side of the street is still going in the same direction as me. I don’t spook easily. I’m used to walking the streets at night. In fact, I only walk the streets at night. But something about this guy doesn’t feel right.
