The Gate (Dark Path Series)

by Grant, KT

  And I would like you to get on your knees and suck me dry. He cleared his throat. Jabbing one of his rolls with his chopstick, he popped it in his mouth, chewing slowly.

  She didn’t poke him again for an answer like most women he associated with did. He had to give her credit. He liked delaying, seeing her impatience, which she hid by finishing her food.

  “What if I took a few days to think about it? My mind is pulp after the day I had.” A small fib, but one that should make sense to the woman he ached to kiss. There was no way in hell he would let Erika report anything about him, but as long as he dangled that carrot in front of her, she wouldn’t go anywhere.

  “How could I be so thoughtless?” She nodded in agreement and looked away. “You’re still mourning.”

  “Mourning?” He tilted his head, waiting for her to explain further.

  “The anniversary of your brother’s death still troubles you.” She gave his hand a pat. “It doesn’t compare to what you’ve gone through, but it took me a full year to get over my mother’s death. It took my dad much longer. I always felt guilty because I should have mourned her longer.”

  “People react in different ways. It doesn’t matter if it’s a parent, sibling, or friend. It’s still tough, even years later. Catherine is still haunted about losing Cameron.”

  “Catherine?”

  His mind must be moving slow today. “She was my brother’s fiancée. She’s also my business partner.”

  “Partner in Crawford Media? I thought you—”

  “In another business.” He poured more wine. “If you’re finished, I can see if I have anything sweet for dessert. I can also make coffee if you’d like?”

  “Sure. Thanks.”

  She threw her empty container in the bag, and he did the same with his. When their hands touched again, an electric current ran up his arm. She seemed to notice it also, her forehead furrowing.

  He almost reached out to smooth the lines away but held back. If he did, he would kiss her, laying her flat on the table in the time it took him to inhale. Escaping to the kitchen, he chucked the bag in the garbage can and opened the refrigerator, letting the cold air rush over him. At the moment, not even an ice cube down his pants would help him. Closing his eyes, he took several deep breaths until his lust no longer distracted him. After filling the coffee pot, he returned to his guest who inspected his music collection.

  He walked up behind her, setting his hands on her shoulders. “Like what you see?”

  “You must have every greatest hits music compilation ever produced.” She gave him an amused look. “And most of it eighties music.”

  “I’m a fan of that musical decade.” He gave her shoulders a squeeze then moved away. “How about we listen to some music while we enjoy our coffee?” He circled his finger over the stacks of CDs, selecting Prince’s greatest hits. He slid the disk into the stereo and skipped to the song Adore.

  “I’ve never heard this song before.” She swayed.

  “You expected me to play 1999 or When Doves Cry?” Snapping his fingers along with the beat, he moved to her side.

  “Yes. I love When Doves Cry. I’ve seen Purple Rain more times than I can count.” She tapped her fingers against the side of her leg.

  “Dance with me?” He held out his hand in an invitation. “We never did at the awards ceremony.”

  “Hmm, a man who likes to dance? The mystery thickens.”

  She slipped her fingers onto his palm, and he pulled her other hand around his neck. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he held her captive. Not once did he look away from her face and began crooning along with song.

  Erika’s eyes widened. When he sang the section about making love, she licked her lips. “That sounds….”

  “Sexy?”

  “Hot.”

  Chuckling, he drew her to him, not caring if she noticed his rigid cock. Her pupils enlarged, and her nostrils flared as she inhaled. He continued singing until he was lost in her gaze. When the song finished, it began again—he didn’t realize he’d set it to repeat.

  “Max, I feel dizzy. Does that sound silly to you?”

  He slid his palm up until it nestled near the side of her breast. “Not at all.”

  “I-I don’t think it’s a good idea if I’m going to interview you—”

  He pressed his lips to hers. She gasped, her mouth still open. He took the opportunity to lick the inside of her cheek. Her fingers dug into the back of his neck, the sting causing him to suck on her tongue.

  She didn’t circle her tongue with his, just let him take over the kiss. With a growl, he clutched the back of her head, holding her in place. He grazed his thumb over her tight nipple, enjoying her squeak.

  He broke off the kiss, nipping her chin and side of her throat. “I want to devour you, to possess you like no other man has.”

  “I bet you say that to all your women.”

  He stopped, framing her face in an immobile grip. Her hands grasped his wrists. Panting softly, she observed him. He took note that her nipples were rock hard. The slight scent of citrus combined with her arousal met his nose. She was excited. He wanted to cheer.

  “I’ve never said that to another woman. No other woman compares to you. From the moment I met you, I’ve wanted to fuck you a million ways but wanted to take care.”

  She swallowed. “Why? I’m not some fragile doll that will break. I want you to show me you who you really are. I won’t judge. I want you to…fuck me a million ways. It’s been so long since I’ve been with a man.”

  He ground his teeth, thinking about any other man kissing or touching her, sticking his tongue in her cunt and lapping away her juices. “How many men have you fucked?” he asked, not caring if he sounded crude.

  “Two. Once in college and again about five years ago.”

  His hands moved to her hair. “And Milton? You never had him in your body?”

  “No!” She lifted up on her toes, trying to reach his mouth.

  He gave her another kiss. This one not as hungry as before, but one full of tenderness to soften the insult he’d slung at her. Knowing Milton hadn’t claimed her that way made him want to beat his chest and howl.

  She joined in on the kiss, looping her leg around his thigh. She rocked her pelvis forward, and he slipped his hands around her firm bottom, digging his fingers in her cheeks. He swiped his thumb over the seam of her ass, a promise of more to come.

  When he tilted her back, she gasped in surprise. Leaning over her, he sucked on the side of her throat, wanting to leave marks of his possession. Riddled with lust and a ravenous hunger, he tore open her blouse. Ignoring her cry, he leaned down and sucked her satin-covered nipple into his mouth. He murmured his gratification at the fabric barely covering the breast he consumed. He circled his tongue around her areola and nipple while seizing her hips with his hands, his fingers digging in her flesh. She yelped, and he released her breast.

  “Am I too rough?” He refused to apologize for his nature. She would have to accept the beast lurking within.

  “Yes, but I liked it. It makes, um….”

  “You drip between your thighs, baby?” He cupped her there, circling his thumb over her swollen clit.

  Moaning, she tilted her head back. “Yes.” She licked her lips. “B-but can you call me something else besides baby? It makes me think of a four year old in a tutu.”

  He laughed, landing his mouth on hers, his fingers busy manipulating her mound. She rocked on his palm, begging him to go inside her pants. Instead, he twisted her around until her back met his front. He removed his hand to her cry of dismay and locked her wrists in his grip, dragging her over to the table. With one last wet kiss to her throat, he bent her over.

  “Lay face down. Grab the edge. If you don’t do what I want, I’ll smack your ass until you do.”

  She gave him a dazed look. “Sounds kinky. Do you do this with all your lovers?”

  He swatted her bottom for her insolence. She cried out, and he smothered the so
und with a kiss. He licked her lips then drew his tongue across her cheek to dip the tip inside her ear. When she shivered, he bit down on her earlobe.

  “Do you want me to punish you? Stop asking about any woman I may or may not have fucked on this table. I want to do something that will give you amazing pleasure. Trust me.”

  Turning to the side, she cupped his cheek. The gesture almost brought him to his knees. He hid his reaction by kissing her palm.

  Reaching around her waist, he unzipped her pants and jerked them down. She wiggled her hips, which brushed over his cock. Damn. Gliding his hands inside her panties, he cupped her pussy. The trimmed hair gave him easy access to her folds. Using two fingers, he spread them apart to rummage for her clit, swiping over the bud. With his other hand, he dipped in from behind, homing in on her asshole and circling that, too.

  “Oh, right there!” she yelled, clutching his wrist to aid him. She rocked into both of his hands. “Yes, Max, that’s it.”

  He tested the waters, sticking part of his pinky into her asshole. Jerking up onto her toes, she shouted. He barked out a laugh, continuing to play with her cunt while he pushed her down on the table. He would have taken her right then and there but his condoms were in his bedroom. Instead, he would be generous, giving her all the pleasure until he got her into his bedroom and took what he wanted.

  When she was dripping wet, he pulled off her underwear and pants and knelt between her legs. He smacked her inner thighs, enjoying the way they shook. As she kicked up her legs, he pressed them down on the table, kissing each of her ass globes and lower back. Her skin was so soft, delicious on his tongue. Satisfied she was a quivering mess, he moved his hands under her legs, spreading apart her cunt to feast within.

  He curled his tongue, licking her saturated folds, circling around until he dipped between her ass cheeks, almost overcome by the sharp tangy taste there.

  She humped his mouth. “Max!”

  Drops of her fluid trickled down her legs, staining the table. His tongue was coated with her moist heat. She rocked and jerked, begging him for more. He answered her pleas with multiple smacks on her ass and thighs, finding himself shockingly aroused by her red skin. If he used his strap on her, would she welcome it?

  Every suck and slap from him caused her to cry out. His name on her lips was heaven to his ears. He didn’t let up the pace of his mouth as he worked her over.

  “I can’t take it. I’m going to—” She arched back, her entire body shaking.

  Fuck, what a beautiful sight. He devoured her climax as her inner pussy muscles contracted. When her ass cheeks tightened, he almost stuck his finger in her anus, but decided to keep circling her hole instead.

  She came once, and before she recovered, she came again. It wasn’t until she fell to the table limp that he let up.

  He didn’t allow her to rest. Tugging her up, he positioned her on her hands and knees on the floor. The view of her already reddened ass caused his palm to twitch. Relenting, he gave her three swift swats. She responded by releasing more of her feminine juices, which he greedily licked away.

  He hoisted her in his arms, whispering every endearment he could think of. “You were so beautiful, sweetheart. You tasted amazing. Giving yourself to me pleases me to no end.”

  He marched into his bedroom, laying her on the king sized bed so he could undress them both. He left her to grab one of his ties. He almost chose cuffs, but thought it best to save them for the next time.

  Erika’s eyes were closed. When he tapped her cheek, she looked at him and yawned. He swallowed the yawn with a kiss then moved down to nibble and suck on each breast.

  She shoved her hands into his hair as he pleasured her. Her legs moved back and forth until he landed between them. His cock tried burrowing into her pussy, but he reached down, stroking himself to stop from going too fast.

  “Did you enjoy what I did to you on the table?”

  Her nipples stood at attention, and he tweaked one, thrilled when they tightened even more.

  “Yes, I did,” she said with what sounded like surprise in her voice.

  Straddling her, he bent down and kissed her, his tongue licking, his teeth nipping. Not too rough now. We can’t draw blood just yet….

  He linked their fingers together, the tie covering their hands. He rubbed his nose over her cheek then moved to whisper in her ear. “I can make you come harder than ever before if you let me tie you up and allow me to do whatever I want to you.”

  Her gaze met his. “What if I want you stop?”

  “Do you know what a safe word is?” He pushed aside a riot of curls plastered to her face and neck.

  “I think so. I pick a word, and if I say it, you stop, no questions asked.”

  “Correct. The moment you say it, I stop and won’t force you to go further.”

  “Okay.” Biting her bottom lip, she nodded.

  He jiggled his foot, waiting for her word.

  She dipped her chin, her cheeks growing even redder. “You can’t laugh, but the only word I can come up with is whiskers.”

  He hid his face in her neck, snickering. “Based on Whiskers the cat in your book?”

  “Yup.” She sniffed. “Don’t judge me.”

  He coughed to cover his laugh. “I’m not judging.”

  Leaning in, he shared a kiss with her then looped the tie around her wrists and fastened them to the headboard.

  “Tug on it.”

  She did as he requested. “It tightens around my wrists.”

  “I want you to feel safe. If you don’t like the feeling of being tied down, you can get out. Just grab the headboard and make me believe you’re still confined.”

  “You enjoy sex this way? Do you have other…toys?”

  The cautious way she asked made his heart skip a beat She was interested in trying it out.

  “Yes, but for now I won’t break out the big boys. I don’t keep all my tools here. Just a few to heighten the encounter.” He gave her another kiss. “Lay back and enjoy yourself.”

  He played with her breasts, tugging, pinching, and biting while devouring her luscious mouth in between. He almost went down on her again, but he couldn’t abstain any longer. After rechecking her bonds, making her hold onto the headboard’s iron slats, he climbed off her and pulled out a condom from his bedside drawer. He rolled it on, stroking his dick a few times, then concentrated on Erika.

  He knelt between her thighs, petting her cunt, a soft pelt thanks to being waxed and trimmed. He wanted her to grow it in for him, so he could shave it, rendering her bare for when he ran his tongue and mouth over her the next time. Yes, there would be a next time for everything he wanted to do with her.

  Hooking her legs over his shoulders, he kissed the inside of ankles. He fit a pillow under her hips, raising her up to his satisfaction. Her pussy glistened with dampness, and her inner thighs trembled.

  He slapped his palms on either side of her face, landing his lips on hers, stealing her breath. She ate at his mouth, whimpering, shifting her legs.

  “Now, remember your safe word.” Holding his cock, he thrust deep into her.

  She bit down on his bottom lip, bringing blood. His mind blanked, and he rammed into her, pumping fast. She tried meeting him with each motion, but she locked her legs around his shoulders and couldn’t keep her grip on the headboard.

  “More!” She arched her back.

  He sped up, rocking forward. Sweat trickled down the side of his face. Some dripped on Erika’s chest and stomach. Leaning down, he licked away the salty drops, clamping his mouth around her breast. He sucked hard, fucking her relentlessly as she cried out his name. He squeezed her thighs, wanting his fingerprints all over her, for her to remember their night together.

  Fuck, he wanted to come. She felt so damn good. But he held back his climax. Sliding in and out, her cunt drenched his cock while his balls slapped under her ass with each thrust. He lifted her legs higher, bending them until her knees met her chest. To his amazement she came f
rom the new force of the position and the particular way he hit her G-spot.

  Never had a woman come so many times with him. He had yet to come once!

  He gave her more until she stilled, her eyes drifting shut. Worried she had passed out, he lowered her legs. He leaned forward, cupping her cheeks. Her eyelids flickered open, and she smiled. Laughing, he kissed her.

  “Erika, you are it. The one.” Moving his hands up, he gripped hers and came.

  His body jerking, he roared from the force of his release.

  “Max,” she whispered.

  Before he closed his eyes, he spotted the tears slipping down her cheeks. He licked them away then collapsed on her as the last of his orgasm petered off. Exhaustion swept over him. Damn, it was like he’d run a marathon.

  With little to no strength left, he rose up on his knees to study his beautiful bounty. His and no other’s. His heart was ready to burst. Euphoric, he untied her from the bed then rubbed her arms and wrists to bring back circulation.

  He’d never felt this unnerving fascination with another lover or one of his submissives. But with this woman he’d fucked within an inch of her life, he feared he had lost a piece of his soul.

  She opened her eyes, clutching his upper arms. “Hold me?”

  Her request humbled him. The trust she gave him after he’d used her in such a rough manner. Not bothering to take off the condom, he enveloped her in his arms, her curls tickling his nose. Not caring about the sweat or stickiness coating their bodies, he pulled her close.

  “Thank you.” He ran his hand up and down her back.

  She didn’t say anything, having fallen asleep in his embrace, her soft snores lulling him into a state of relaxation.

  Chapter Nine

  Catherine shook hands with the couple. They’d decided to do something extra special for their tenth wedding anniversary and came to her for help in setting it up. She was honored she could be part of such a memorable occasion. Motioning to one of the bodyguards to come over, she handed him the keys to one of the third floor rooms.