The Gate (Dark Path Series)

by Grant, KT

  “The collar is a status symbol as well as a, do not touch to the world. She doesn’t need one. Everyone knows who owns her. I wish I could be so lucky to be owned by such a man,” Mistress Louise said with longing.

  Her touch lulled him, helped diminish his grief. He reached in his pocket, feeling his razor, wanting to find a secret place where he could be alone and use his instrument to forget—

  He jerked upright, his gaze on Louise. “You know what? You’re right. Why should I sit here like a loser, bent out of shape because I’ve been rejected?” He lifted her hand, flicking his tongue between her knuckles. She would give him the release he desperately needed and help him get over Cathy. “You’re a beautiful, fascinating lady. I’d love to spend an hour or so with you alone, so you can show me your special skills.” Grinning, he rubbed her bottom lip. “I’m willing to pay. How much do you charge?”

  Louise licked his finger, giving him a wide smile. “Honey, I’ll forgo my usual fee for you tonight. My payment is the number of times I can make you come in an hour.”

  He rose from the couch, offering his hand. Grabbing it, she stood, bumping into him. She cupped him between his legs and murmured in approval. He peeked over his shoulder, smiling, catching Catherine’s eye. She showed no reaction, so he winked at her and arched into Louise’s grasp.

  “Very nice. I think we’ll do well together.” She took his arm, leading him up the stairs.

  He didn’t look back to see if Catherine noticed, focusing his attention on Louise’s apple-shaped ass while he thought of all the ways she would help him find oblivion with her sharp utensils.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Catherine couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so nauseated. It had been years ago—first when Cameron had killed himself then when Raymond had kidnapped her the first time she left him. The aftermath of both events almost destroyed her, but she’d soldiered through and was a stronger person for it.

  But Bryan? She wasn’t so certain what her emotional state would be if he engaged in Louise’s special type of sex play. She was a freelancer, whose services were seldom used at The Gate, a once a month type deal she’d worked out with Max. Anyone at The Gate who solicited Mistress Louise’s specialty with knives and needles paid a very hefty price because of the health safety issues involved.

  Bryan was nowhere ready to take on Louise, no matter how much he offered to pay. She almost never pulled rank, leaving that responsibility to Max, but because the Gate’s youngest patron was involved, she was putting a stop to it.

  She marched across the main room on the third floor were various bondage and sexual games were played. Groups of people egged on the participants. Moans and cries surrounded her, but she ignored it all because she was on a mission to save the small piece of innocence Bryan had left in him. He might be a cutter, a willing participant in seeking pain, but not on her watch. If he wanted to be abused in such a fashion, she would be the one to do it. She would handle the consequences afterward.

  “Raymond, forgive me,” she whispered, tugging on her belly button chain, his gift for their six month anniversary. What she was about to do would break her vows. If he found out, he would be devastated, and she would be forced to join him in his emotional hell.

  She arrived at Louise’s room. A shooting pain hit her in the middle of her chest. For a second she couldn’t catch her breath. She hoped she wasn’t too late. Not bothering to knock, she slid in the master key.

  As she entered, the sounds of chimes and humming from the stereo pulsed in her ears. In the middle of the room, a naked Bryan lay on padded bondage bed, his arms bound with a scarf to a metal rack behind his head. He was aroused and panting. Louise, still fully dressed, leaned over him with a scalpel in one red-gloved hand while she manipulated his cock with the other. Neither acknowledged her presence.

  “Mistress Louise,” she called out.

  The woman turned to stare in her direction, frowning.

  “Cathy,” Bryan whispered.

  “Miss Catherine, to what do I owe the pleasure?” The dominatrix asked in an inviting voice, tightening her grip on the cock she held, coaxing a moan from her captive in response. “Here to watch?”

  “The boy and I have a standing appointment he’s neglected. I’m going to need him for an hour. If you don’t mind, I’d like to use your room. You’ll be reimbursed your usual rate for the mix-up.”

  “I want double for the inconvenience.” Louise ran her tongue over her lips, squeezing him harder. “I was looking forward to breaking this one in.”

  “You’ll be well compensated.” She gestured toward the door.

  Louise left the scalpel on the middle of Bryan’s chest, twisted both his nipples, and blew him a kiss. Tucking her box of instruments under her arm, she sauntered toward the exit.

  When she reached Catherine, she pressed her mouth near her ear. “Give my regards to Raymond. Last week when we dined together, we had an interesting conversation about you.”

  She stared ahead, refusing to react to the bitch’s taunt. With a giggle, she pinched Catherine’s ass and left the room, shutting the door behind her.

  Cursing Louise in her head, she approached the prone man. His chest was slick with sweat, his face red. His fingers curled into his palms and he flexed his feet. His cock curved up toward his stomach, the head leaking a sheen of milky fluid.

  “Oh, Bryan, what am I going to do with you?” She sighed.

  He stared at her, his eyes holding both arousal and suffering. Even though he didn’t ask, she would have to be the one to give him relief.

  “Let’s play another game,” he whispered. “You make me come, and if I don’t by the end of the hour, you take my virginity.”

  “How much are you offering me now?” She stood near his feet.

  “One million dollars.” The scalpel on his chest glowed from the lighting above.

  She climbed on top of him, straddling his calves, running her hands up his legs. He jerked, and she smiled. When she lifted his cock away from his stomach to inspect it, he twitched.

  “You don’t have any piercings. Why don’t you have this pretty boy pierced?” She swept her thumb over the head, circling her thumb around until it glistened more.

  “When I find the right mistress to own me, then I’ll get it pierced in her honor. Now suck it.”

  She slapped his cock then the inside of his thighs as a warning. “You do not tell me what to do, boy.” Taking both of his balls in her hands, she twisted.

  He groaned, his back bowing.

  The scalpel started sliding off his chest, and she grabbed it. Pressing the side of the blade into her finger, she brought a drop of blood beading on her skin.

  He licked his lips, his throat moving as he swallowed. Inching up his legs, she swiped her finger around a nipple, leaving a crimson stain.

  “You want to experience true blood play, huh? Do you want me to cut you, have me drink from you, or the other way around?” She rocked her mound over his weeping cock.

  “Me, do me,” he whispered, arching his back.

  Locking her legs around his, she swiveled her hips. She’d worn a thong under her skirt tonight instead of going commando. If she’d been bare, it would have been so easy to take Bryan inside of her.

  With the edge of the scalpel, she traced his nipples and down the middle of his chest. She didn’t cut him. She wouldn’t go that far, but she would let him believe she might. She sucked on her cut finger, moaning as though she was getting off.

  His breathing hitched. She rocked over him while she stroked the scalpel across his stomach. Cupping her breasts, she squeezed, wishing his hands were on her. Constricted by her top, she tugged the stretchy fabric down. Her nipples were tight nubs, waiting to be licked.

  She inched up until she hovered over him, presenting her breasts. She didn’t need to order him to take them in his mouth. He latched around her nipple, sucking hard. Whimpering, she lowered her head near his while she continued grinding against his d
ick, waiting for his release.

  He didn’t come but joined in on her humping. He alternated between each of her breasts, his mouth a moist cavern that caused an electric jolt to course through her. His tongue slipped out to lave over her sensitive skin. Her lower body clenched, her inner pussy muscles greedy to be fondled.

  Keeping her breasts over his face, she shifted, tugging down her thong until she threw it on the floor. She kept her skirt on and grasped his head to release her. His mouth came away with a pop. He licked his lips, his eyes burning bright with lust.

  “Now, you’re going to use your giant tongue to make me come.” She leaned in as if to kiss him. When he lifted toward her, she slapped him. He blinked, lowering his head back down, not saying a word. “Good boy.”

  She kissed his brow then slinked up higher, kneeling over his face, her cunt in direct line with his mouth.

  “Use your tongue like it’s your dick and fuck me with it.” She eased down, digging her fingers into his head when his tongue flicked her clit.

  She curled her hand around the scalpel, turning the blade away so as not to cut the man under her who was pleasuring her. His tongue was thick and wide, a meaty tool that slipped in between her wet folds.

  “I can’t get enough of you,” she whispered, wiggling from side to side as she tried to reach her orgasm just from his tongue alone.

  She was so involved in finding her pleasure, it took her a moment to notice Bryan cupping her ass. Oh my God, he’s not bound!

  Before she could jump off him, he sat up. She tumbled back, her legs flailing in the air. Twisting out from under her, he launched forward, trapping her beneath him, his hands circling her wrists.

  She struggled, freeing a hand—the one with the scalpel. As she tried to push him away, she slashed his breast and part of his nipple. A line of blood appeared. Gasping in shock, she flung the blade away.

  “I am so sorry. I never meant to—”

  His lips crashed down on hers, and he gave her a kiss that stole her breath. She tried to shut her mouth, but he wouldn’t allow it, his tongue slipping inside, tangling with her own. She pushed at his chest, her hands slick with his blood. Grabbing both her wrists in one hand, he flung them over her head, kissing her the entire time.

  She moved to kick him but found herself wrapping her legs around his waist, digging her heels into his back. She sobbed into his mouth, rubbing her breasts over his chest, slick with his sweat and blood.

  “Take me,” she begged, so hot for him to fill her. It had been so long since a cock had thrust inside her that she wanted his to fuck her all the way up into her throat.

  His lips never left hers as he rocked into her mound. He didn’t invade her but rubbed his dick across her entrance. Sliding his hand over her waist and hip, he cupped her, stroking his fingers between her damp folds.

  “You’re so wet.” When he moved down, she offered her chest to him, which he devoured with teeth and tongue. His fingers circled and poked, spreading apart her pussy lips.

  “God, save me,” she whispered, losing the battle.

  The head of his dick coasted in. She shifted her hips to accommodate his girth. He slid inside, and she tightened her legs around him. With a deep groan, he bit down on her breast. His head jerked up, and his eyes rolled back in his head. Then he started pounding into her.

  “Yes, Bryan!” She dug her nails into his arms as he fucked her.

  His mouth crashed down on hers again, biting and licking. She tasted blood as their teeth and lips mashed together. She garbled out coarse words to direct him. He responded by slamming into her, shaking the bed under them.

  Her back throbbed from the intensity of his fucking. When his mouth left hers, she caught her breath. Then he latched onto the side of her throat, biting down on a tendon. Screaming, she clawed his back, scoring his skin with her nails.

  He chuckled and lapped where he’d marked her. He stared straight into her eyes, his thrusts slowing. He smiled with pride. He circled his hips, hitting the direct spot that brought on her orgasm. Throwing her head back, she screamed, shaking from the intensity of her release. Bryan stilled, then erupted in a violent jerk, his hot cum filling her. He fell on top of her, twitching as the last of his release rushed through him and into her.

  At some point the chimes had stopped, the humming of the chorus petering off.

  Curling his arms around her head, he kissed her cheek and mouth. “Thank you…thank you, my beautiful, wonderful, Cathy.”

  She allowed him to hold her, to cherish her while she lay limp, wrung out. Tears trickled down her cheeks, staining them just like the blood smearing her lips and Bryan’s chest.

  Chapter Nineteen

  The light from the moon hit Erika’s face, and she rolled over to escape it. She should shut the drapes, but she was too comfortable to move. She closed her eyes again to find the sleep that had eluded her over the past few hours, just dozing but never falling under the darkness she hoped for.

  A scraping sound across the room caused her to sit up. The sound came again.

  “Catherine?”

  A figure appeared in the doorway, someone she recognized too well.

  “It’s Max.”

  She sucked in her breath as he approached the bed. She reached to switch on the bedside lamp, lighting the room. Deep grooves marred his forehead, outlined his mouth. A long angry red line marked the side of his throat. His bottom lip was swollen and split in the middle.

  Did I do that? She ached to tell him she was sorry but instead hugged her knees to her chest.

  “May I join you? I promise not to touch you.”

  She nodded, wary as he sat next to her. Folding his hands on his lap, he stared ahead.

  She rested her cheek on her knee, expecting him to start talking or try to touch her. He did neither.

  Okay, it’s going to have to be me. “How did you get in? The door’s locked.”

  “I have a key to all the rooms in the building, just like Catherine does.”

  She did mention that. “How did you know I was here?”

  He peeked at her from the corner of his eye. “She texted me.”

  “Oh.” No big surprise.

  “That’s all you have to say? You’re not going to call me a stalker?” His voice was thick, brittle. Lifting his thumb to his mouth, he bit down.

  “Stop.” She didn’t think, just grabbed his hand. Before she pulled back, he linked their fingers together. “Max,” she whispered.

  She tugged on her hand, and he sighed, letting it go.

  “We need to talk.” He ran his hand down the side of his throat over his scratch.

  “I can’t believe what we did at your apartment.” Her face warmed as she though back to the violent sex they’d shared.

  “That was one of the best fucks of my life. Now we’re even.”

  “How?” She straightened, her temper rising.

  “You had your way with me like I did with you. Now that we got rid of all that pent up anger between us, we can talk like rational adults—”

  She hit her knee with her fist. “This is serious. You can’t come here, act all coy and bashful, and think I’ll forgive you. You refused to tell me the truth. You’re keeping secrets. I won’t allow you to pull a fast one over me just because you’re good with your cock.”

  She threw off the covers. As she dropped her feet on the floor, he shot up from the bed. Taking both her hands in his, he stared down at her with an open expression.

  “I fucked up, I admit it.” A combination groan-laugh left him. “I knew about Walsh Publications being in the red for over a year, and I was waiting for when your father retired to strike. I never planned to seduce you in order to make it easier for me to take over the company. I lost myself in you. I was trying to find a way to tell you, but none of that mattered when I was with you.” Sitting back down, he kissed the tops of her knuckles. “All I can think about is being with you, in you as you’re under me and falling apart in my arms.”

 
; “Usually tied to your bed or to some attachment in the wall,” she muttered with a sigh. “One of the most important things missing between us right now is trust. How can I trust you when you kept this from me? I accepted everything else about you, from your sexual needs to even your past with Chris’s sister, which I still don’t know the full story. You can’t expect me to be okay with everything. When push comes to shove, I’ll always side with my father.”

  “Before I met you, everything was black-and-white. Now, it’s not. In less than a month, you shook the foundation I’ve built that has worked so well in both my professional and personal lives.”

  “Me? I’m no one special. I’m—”

  He clasped her by her arms then pushed her flat on the bed. He rose over her, his body vibrating with anger. When he brushed aside the hair falling over her forehead, she didn’t struggle or fight. His face so close she could see his irises, feel his warm breath on her cheek.

  “Do not put yourself down like that. The moment I saw you on stage accepting that award with your father, I was punched in the gut. I’ve never felt that way about anybody, not the women I dated or the women who come to The Gate.” He brushed his lips across hers. “You fascinate me. You make me want to be a better man. To try to be normal.”

  “Normal?” She rested her hands on his arms.

  He nodded. “You must realize by now I’m not some ordinary man with average needs or wants. I’m always looking for ways to give me a sense of peace that’s always beyond my reach. I thought I found it at The Gate. For a while, it alleviated my urges. But then I grew antsy, wanting something more. The thrill of making money and having power helped, but even that lost its appeal.” He brushed his fingers over her mouth and down the middle of her throat until he flattened his palm over her chest where her heart beat. “Now that I’ve found you, I’m keeping you. You’re a balm for my fractured soul.”

  “That’s a great speech, but I don’t believe for a second you can give up the lifestyle. You’ve lived it for too long, and you love it. I’m just one of many who will be in your life for a short time until you don’t need me anymore,” she whispered, sadness filling her.