Stark September (Stark Trilogy Book 1)

by C. D. Bradley

  “So that’s it, then. You’re done with him. You’ll just let him go? Grow the fuck up. I don’t know what he sees in you but there must be something. The way he looks at you, the way he looks when he talks about you…he hasn’t cared for a girl like this in…well, ever. He’s falling in love with you and you know it. Don’t toy with him. I know you’re mad, but don’t do this to him. He is devastated. Talk to him. You owe him that much. Get this resolved one way or the other before he leaves.” Paige’s voice was stern, but her compassion for Stark rang through.

  Kira was shocked. She still hated Paige, but it was clear that she needed to talk to Stark. She couldn’t let him go, not like this. “I’ll talk to him. I really miss him. But Paige, I’m not making any promises. I don’t know that I can be what he wants.”

  “Suits me. I’m not asking you to make any promises. And no, Vanilla, you’ll never be able to fill my Jimmy Choo’s. But he hasn’t asked you to do anything—you’re the one assuming what he wants. He seemed pretty happy with the way things were between you. Why don’t you talk with him and find out what he wants?” A slight cattiness had returned to Paige’s tone.

  “I just don’t see why he kept it from me. Why he didn’t tell me about that part of his life?” Kira asked, still hurt.

  “Zoe told me you said that. Seriously, when was that supposed to have come up? He’s not some kind of freak. He wants to be with you, for you. Not to have you as his sub. You have no idea what that is about, so before you pass judgment you should back off and give him a chance. When and if he ever wants to go there with you, it will be something you explore together. It’s about trust and pleasure, not punishment,” she said matter-of-factly.

  They circled back to the parking lot of her clinic. Kira was thankful they hadn’t gone for food. Her appetite was a little ragged after their confrontation. As the car stopped Kira reached for the door handle.

  “Kira, just remember beneath his tough exterior he’s very vulnerable. Other girls have come and gone and he barely seemed bothered by it. But you seem to mean more to him.”

  “I’ll talk to him. I’ll go by tonight—unless you’re planning on being there,” Kira said in an exasperated tone.

  “No, I’m keeping my distance. Besides he’s still hopping mad about the other night,” Paige answered with a chuckle.

  “OK, then tonight. And Paige,” Kira said as she stepped out of the car, “the best thing about vanilla is you can dress it up any way you want. I don’t need to fill your shoes. I’ve got my own.” Kira walked into the clinic and didn’t look back.

  “Well played, Vanilla,” Paige said, smiling after Kira was gone. She was starting to think her first impression of Kira may have been a little off. Maybe, just maybe, Kira wasn’t that bad after all.

  Kira stepped out of the cab. OK, at what point did I think this was a good idea? she thought as she wobbled slightly in the strappy black heels. She had been thinking about this moment all day. What exactly had possessed her to come dressed in this outfit, she wasn’t sure. She paid the taxi driver and straightened her dress. Pulling her coat tightly around her shoulders, she made her way up to the door. Kira nervously bit her lip as she rang the bell. She knew he would be home. She had texted him right after work and asked if he wanted to talk. He had asked if she wanted to go to dinner but she’d said she would rather meet him here. Kira decided that if they split, a public place would be a bad idea. And if things went as well as she hoped…well, the restaurant would be a bit awkward. She could feel her heart fluttering to life as footsteps approached the door.

  Stark gasped as the door opened and light spilled out of the house, illuminating the sexy vision on his door step. “Holy hell!” he breathed, taking her in. Stepping back, he held the door for her to come in. “You look…um. Wow. Amazing! Are we going out? I thought you wanted to stay in and talk about the other night?” He couldn’t take his eyes off her. His growing desire was going to make it very difficult to talk about anything objectively.

  Kira smiled up at him. “We’re staying in,” she said simply, allowing him to take her black wool coat. His fingers traced gently over her shoulders as he took the coat, revealing a short, strappy black dress. His tags still hung around her neck. “Are you OK?” she asked coyly. He was just standing there, staring at her, his expression a mix of disbelief and wanton need.

  “I’m not sure,” he said quietly. “I thought you were gone. About the other night, I’m so sorry it happened that way. Those movies were shot years ago. I forgot they even existed. It wasn’t something I keep around or watch.”

  “So do you still do that stuff? Do you like tying women up and punishing them?” Her voice was flat, unreadable.

  “I want to be with you,” he replied. “I’ve told you before that I would never ask you to do anything you didn’t already want to do. I could never risking losing you.” His voice was deeper, huskier. Discussing bondage with her dressed like this was too much.

  “Is that what you meant by living on the naughty list? Do you fantasize about tying me up and dominating me? Spanking my ass with your riding crop?” Her sultry voice nearly unglued him.

  Is she testing me? Fuck me… Thoughts of ripping her out of that dress and turning that pale ass bright pink with the sting of his hand raced through his head. “What are you trying to do to me?” he asked. The colossal bulge in his dark jeans revealed just how aroused he was. He leaned forward, putting his hand in her hair and pulling her close to him. He closed his eyes for a minute, breathing her in. “Kira, stop this,” he said, backing up abruptly. “This isn’t you. I’m not going there with you. I won’t risk losing you.”

  “But you’ve had Paige and Zoe and God knows who else in here. Why not me? Am I not sexy enough for your games?” Kira looked at him innocently. His eyes were locked on her fingers gently playing with the dog tags that hung down between her perfect breasts, which he noted were mostly exposed in that dress.

  “You’re killing me! That was different. Those were flings, just sex. You are different. You mean more to me. You mean everything to me.” His voice was torn.

  “Show me,” she said, smiling, biting her lower lip and twirling her hair innocently. “It’s supposed to be about trust and pleasure, right? So show me.”

  Stark could hold back no longer. The combination of the way her dress gently outlined the curve of her ass, her perfectly toned legs in those incredible heels, and finally, her invitation, put him right over the edge. “Come with me.” His voice had changed. It was darker, and the fire was burning in his eyes like she had seen on the film. Her heart raced with excitement and fear as he led her upstairs. He paused on the landing and pressed her against the wall for a deep, encompassing kiss. One strong hand grabbed her ass and pulled her thigh up around him.

  His kiss was forceful and needy. Her breath came heavy. It had been four days but it felt like a thousand years since she’d felt his hands on her. His tongue gracefully rolled across hers. His lips were warm and tasting of the whiskey he’d drunk earlier to calm his nerves. His kiss deepened. Kira smelled the mix of his cologne and whatever he had been cooking. Her only appetite now was for him. His hand held her leg firmly around him, holding her open to him. His massive cock pressed through his jeans and her lace panties. His hips grinding into her made her so very wet. A soft moan escaped her lips. She wanted him terribly. His other hand took her wrist and pinned it over her head. She gasped, wincing slightly. The sharpness of the sensation was electrifying.

  “So you want me to tie you up?” he growls into her mouth. Her responsiveness threatened to rip him apart. He fought the urge to pack her over his shoulder to the bedroom. “You have to trust me. Do you trust me, Kira?” His hot breath and the gravity of his words ignite her utterly.

  “Yes,” she whimpered, because she was too breathless to fully speak. Her heart raced a million miles a minute. Am I really going to do this? But I know I will.

  CHAPTER 13

  As soon as the consent escaped her, h
e was alive and wild. Still holding her wrist, he led Kira up the remaining stairs. Her heart beat faster with each step. She was excited and terrified to find out what awaited her. I do trust him, she thought as she followed him down an immaculate hallway with three heavy oak doors evenly spaced on each side. They were all closed. Her curiosity burned to see inside each one. As they approached the door at the end of the hall, her anticipation was suffocatingly thick. Her breath came short and shallow. He moved quickly down the hall then paused abruptly at the door, one hand on the knob and the other holding her wrist. He turned and pulled her tightly to him, and kissed her hard, as if he was getting one last kiss just in case. She closed her eyes and surrendered to his mouth, but he stopped. His lips barely touching hers, he spoke.

  “Kira, I…I want you to know you mean more to me than anything. I will never ask you to do anything you don’t want to do. For this to work you must do exactly as I say.” Each word vibrated on her lips. A mix of terror and unbridled excitement coursed through her flesh. Before she could speak, he continued. “Let me have complete control. Surrender and lose yourself in me. You have to trust me completely. And I will trust that, when you need to, you will tell me to stop.” He paused for what seemed like an eternity, then finally said, “You are ultimately in control.” His voice was low and stern.

  She could feel the vibration of his words on her lips. Fear and delicious anticipation surged through her. “Like a safe word?” she said and almost giggled at the ludicrousness of this moment. Am I seriously going to go into this room and let him exact whatever sexual torture he wants on me? Oh, yes…

  “Something like that,” he said with a smirk. “All you have to do is tell me to release you and you are free.”

  “Release me,” she said softly, trying the words out. So simple and yet the implication was immense.

  “Good girl.” Stark’s deep tone sounded more authoritative.

  Kira realized she was holding her breath as he turned the knob slowly and the door swung open wide. Her breath caught and she gasped at the magnificence of what must be his bedroom. The lights were out, but the room was illuminated fully by a soft blue light coming from the moon reflecting off Pikes Peak. The phosphorescence of the moonlight transformed the room into an otherworldly stage. Opposite the wall of glass lay a very large, modern bed. Its massive wooden frame was dark and the soft sheets and comforter appeared to be a silver-gray. The walls, a deep slate, seemed to fade into the shadows. The far wall was made of rock or slate and held a see-through fireplace, through which she could see the bathroom on the other side. With the touch of a button he turned on a roaring fire. The magical ambience of the room was transformed by the flames into something more sinister.

  A moment of doubt filled her as he led her to the bed and instructed her to sit. Calm down, Kira! He doesn’t want to hurt you. Just relax. Kira struggled to keep calm despite her aching anticipation. Stark walked over and pressed on a panel in the wall. A door slid open, revealing multiple drawers. He pulled a thin drawer open and took out a simple black silk scarf. His face was stern, but the fire in his eyes revealed his inner pleasure and his need for what was about to happen.

  “Stand up,” he commanded, walking with deliberate steps toward her. “Turn around.”

  Apprehensively Kira rose and did as she was told. With eyes downcast, she rose and turned. Her breath caught slightly as she felt his hands clasp her zipper and begin to pull it slowly down her back. Silently the silky fabric drifted to the floor. He gently placed the scarf over her eyes and tied it tightly so that she could not see anything he was about to do. She was in total darkness. What the hell? Do not panic! This will be fine. The darkness was alarming. Kira struggled to hear what was going on around her. She could feel her bra being unfastened, exposing her to the night. Her breasts and nipples ached with the exposure to the cold air. Silently repeating her mantra to remain calm, Kira slowed her breathing.

  A slow smile spread across Stark’s face as he beheld the dream before him. She stood there in the middle of the room, clad in only stockings, heels, and the silk blindfold. He saw the uneasiness on her face and the way she bravely tried to hide it. “Be still!” he commanded and knelt before her. Oh God, this woman! For a moment, Stark rested his head against her. With each breath he inhaled the scent of her growing excitement. Kira breathed in sharply, feeling the warmth of him against her sex. Each hot breath warmed her entire body. Then suddenly he pulled away. Despite the overwhelming desire to throw her onto the bed, Stark maintained his control and slowly removed the delicious heels and peeled the stockings away from one glorious leg at a time.

  He grasped her elbows, binding them behind her. This arrangement immobilized her upper arms, opening her chest and thrusting her breasts forward, exposed to his view. Though the tightness of the binding bit slightly, it caused Kira to grow wet with anticipation. The loss of sight was frightening at first but now heightened her other senses. She was acutely aware of the sharp coldness of the room but this was offset by the warmth of the fire. When he came closer, she could smell the scent of his cologne mixed with the smell of her arousal. The room was silent except for the sound of his breathing and…was that the sound of instruments moving? Metal maybe, clinking together—and the pounding of her own heart.

  “Breathe, Kira,” he instructed. His voice pulsated through her.

  He is behind me, she thought, trying to get her bearings for what was happening. Though he said nothing, she felt his presence. With deft fingers he clasped her panties and pulled them slowly downward. Kira fought to maintain normal breathing. In one swift move her panties fell to the floor. She gasped for air as cold metal slid gracefully down her back. What is that? Panic gripped her as the frigid instrument trailed downward, pausing for a moment at her ass, then moving on down to her ankles. Kira felt a tightening around her ankles as metal and then a leather strap was fastened. Her other foot was pushed wide and then fastened as well. A rod was between her ankles, holding them into position, bound tightly with the straps. Stark said nothing but she heard him breathing. He was so close. She felt him staring at her, bound and naked in the middle of this room.

  “I have dreamed of this moment since I first laid eyes on you,” he growled like a starved animal about to devour his prey.

  Despite her racing heart and impending fear, she was elated to be wanted in this way. The eagerness of his voice excited a long-ignored need in her.

  Stark stood staring at the exquisite vision before him. A clash of moonlight and firelight danced across her heaving breasts in a dark waltz. Stark felt his already hard cock strain painfully in need. Patience, he ordered himself. He had waited too long for this moment to rush it now. It was all about self-restraint. He would pleasure and torture her to her breaking point, then make her come until she could not breathe. He desperately wanted her to understand this part of his life. He had been so surprised when she had called today. He knew he wanted only her, needed only her.

  The heat from his body warmed her, yet he did not touch her. Kira wanted to beg for him, but was afraid to speak. Suddenly she was hoisted by the bond at her elbows, sending her slightly forward. Her weight shifted to her toes, causing her to arch her back to maintain her balance, forcing her ass back and out. With her ankles fixed in place she was helplessly exposed, positioned for his pleasure. Becoming painfully aware of her current predicament, she contemplated asking him to release her. Yet the promise of things to come stifled her resistance. Rugged hands drifted over the sides of her face, down her neck, across her shoulders, and came to rest over her dog tags.

  “I see you are still wearing my tags,” he said flatly. “That’s a good girl. I want you to keep me close to you always. I am always here with you,” he finished, his lips almost touching the tags and her breasts.

  The sensation of his hot breath on her chest made her throb for him. Without warning she felt the wet warmth of his mouth clamp down on her nipple. He sucked and bit gently, sending electrical impulses surging
directly to her clit. She squirmed, but as trussed up as she was left her powerless to move.

  “Be still, baby. We’re just getting started. You wanted to see what this is all about, remember? Here you are mine, only mine.” His voice was dark and low. And then he was gone.

  The absence of his presence was more painful than the restraints. She listened intently for a clue to his next move but all was silent until a melancholy song filled the air. The music was dark and powerful. Her anticipation built with the crescendo of the music, the tortured melody saturating every inch of her. Suddenly he was all around her, rough hands groping her breasts, a vibrating pressure finding her clit, followed by his tongue. The sensation was intense and powerful. She cried out as the vibrating pressure filled her and the soft lapping of his tongue became a forceful sucking on her overly sensitive clit. Heat encompassed her. She fought the need to come but became lost in the music and the intense sensations between her legs. A sudden sharp sting erupted across her ass. She couldn’t help the cry that escaped her lips. The intense sting was followed by another. Kira could not explain why the burning sensation excited her so. She struggled slightly in her restraints. Then nothing. He again was absent. She waited, trussed up like a twisted Christmas present, unable to move. The music dwindled into a slow serenade softly calling, haunting her.

  Stark stood back, just in the shadows, watching. He could see she was nervous but was impressed by how in control she remained. He wondered how long she would be able to withstand the deprivation. How long would he be able to last? He wanted her now, wanted to taste and feel her soft skin. With her elbows pulled back like that, her breasts were so open to him, perfect mounds just waiting to be tasted and licked. He longed painfully to take her, but he remained very still, waiting.