by Dani René
“You really want this?” he questions, and I nod. “If I took your mouth now, if I claimed it as mine, you’d allow me to? Because, as much as I do this shit, I don’t force myself on any woman. So you’ll need to beg.”
His eyes that peek at me through his mask bleed with sincerity. “Would you like it if I begged?” My sassy remark grants me another tug on the strands he has in a fierce grip.
“I’d fucking love it, Firebird. To hear you whimper my name as I rain down swats on your beautiful ass while I’m deep inside you would be the ultimate heaven. Even though this isn’t the life I chose for myself, deep down, I love the control.” The more he speaks, the more my skin heats. As he utters his desires, my own tumble and twist low in my core, tugging at me. “I love to mark you. But I won’t make you do something you don’t want to. Your strength when we’re in there does things to me. Things that are forbidden. I shouldn’t want you this much, Paige.” The room feels too small. He’s too close. My body is too aware of how much I want him. I shiver at the words he utters. Reaching up, I run a finger over the strike of red that marks the left side of his mask.
“Why?” I ask quietly.
“Because if they know I do, they’ll kill me and you.” My heart leaps into my throat at his brutally honest confession. This isn’t something he should be sharing. “My heart isn’t what you see within these walls, Firebird.”
“Why do you stay? And why call me firebird?”
“I stay because it’s my prison. And you my little one are as rare as a bird born of fire, and as beautiful as one too.” His thumb swipes over my lips, with his gaze penetrating me in such a way I feel naked. His touch scorches me. This is a part of him. He’s opening up to me, allowing me to see behind the façade.
And even though he’s still wearing a mask, he’s showing me a glimpse into his heart. In the darkness of the world we’ve been thrown into, I see light. Because I see him. He leans in further, warm lips on mine. “You look at me too closely,” he mumbles against my lips. His mouth hovers lightly over mine. It sends a jolt of desire shooting through me, and I wish he’d just devour me.
“You make me feel like you want me to. I see you, Wolfe.”
He smiles at my words, and it’s a sight to behold. I wish I could see his whole face—to get the full effect of his beauty—but what I have to work with has to be enough.
“Perhaps I do want you to see me. The real me.” He ghosts the words along my lips, and then he does it. His mouth finally molds to mine. The heat of his kiss, the scruff on his chin, his body pressing against mine, everything turns me molten. Need burns like a flame in my belly. My hands come up, twining around his neck and pulling him closer. The ridge of his erection presses against my stomach, I hum my approval as my hips rise. Needing the friction, the heat, the touch.
Our tongues duel, our bodies burn, mine alight with a yearning that tightens everything below my belly button. His hands grip my hips painfully, as if he’s trying to mold his body to mine.
When we finally break the kiss, my lips are hot, swollen, and wet. My tongue wants to taste him again. “You’re a temptress, Firebird.”
“And you’re a sinful seducer, Wolfe. I’ve never… I mean, I don’t…” My words taper off, but seem to halt his movements. He slowly releases my hip where his one hand had found purchase during the kiss.
“What, Paige?” he questions, his voice still husky with desire. “I know you’re a virgin, it’s obvious, but don’t tell me you’ve never been kissed.”
“I’ve been kissed before, but I’ve never been consumed by a man like that.” My voice is barely audible, but he’s close enough to hear me. The corner of his mouth lifts into a sinful smirk.
“Somehow, with those big green eyes and your delicious body, I don’t think it will be the last,” he utters. I think I hear jealousy dripping from the words, but I can’t be sure. At least, I don’t think it would be wise for us to even journey down this path. He told me I’m forbidden, and as much as I want to stick to my plan, to make him care, I fear I’m the one falling.
Lifting my gaze to his, I lean forward. “Will you do it again?” Hope fills my chest and it laces my words. A blush spreads across my cheeks at the question, and I feel immature for asking.
“You’re going to be the death of me, little one,” he vows in a tone filled with barely restrained hunger and agony. As if wanting me hurts him. I suppose it does since he’s not allowed to.
“Tell me why you’re so scared of letting go,” I question, acting braver than I feel. A shudder that travels over my body is evidence of my apprehension. He moves off me completely, standing at full height.
“Sit back,” he orders and I scoot against the headboard. Watching him curiously, I can’t help smiling when he settles beside me. Immediately, I feel his warmth and affection. This man isn’t a monster.
“If I do let go with you, I’ll hurt you. I… There are things I like, things I enjoy, and I don’t want you to see that kind of darkness. The darkness that runs through my veins. Yes, I’ve whipped you, and I’ve caned you, but that’s my job.” His words still me, squeezing my heart. There’s a certain sadness in his voice, causing me to turn to him fully. I’m on my knees gazing at him. I want to know more about him. I want to delve inside his mind, to learn about who he is, what his dreams are and how they differ from mine. He continues then, telling me with a smirk, “For me, I enjoy other ways of delicious torture.”
“You won’t hurt me.” The surety in my tone startles us both. Something shifts between us. Emotion passes from me to him, as if a rope is tethering my heart to his. Because when he glances at me again, meeting my stare head on, I see it. Affection. He cares for me. He might not want to. But he does.
“You shouldn’t believe that,” he says earnestly.
“Well, I do.” Pushing up, I rise to stand beside the bed, my arms crossed over my chest, causing him to chuckle. He swings his legs over the edge, his hands grip my hips and he pulls me closer, so I’m positioned between his thighs. For the first time, I’m staring down at him, and him up at me.
“You’re a little firecracker, and you’re going to burn me alive. Aren’t you?” he asks. His smile is incredible, it lights his dark eyes reminding me of dark chocolate. Nodding, I place my hands on his shoulders and feel the tension ease at my touch.
“Tell me why you’re here, if this isn’t what you want. And why do I scare you so much?” For a beat, he just watches me. Our connection strengthens with every thud of my heart, and when I shift my thumb, I feel the thrum of his pulse just below the smooth skin of his neck.
“You ask too many questions, baby.” The word falls from his mouth—it tumbles and hangs between us. My heart kicks in my chest at the endearment, and our gazes lock.
“And you evade too many answers,” I respond quietly, my voice low as I lean in closer, inhaling his scent. Spicy, warm, and it reminds me of cinnamon and cigars. A smoky sweetness. It’s just him.
“If I tell you about me, it makes this personal. It drags you into my darkness, and I fear your light will be dimmed, Firebird,” he murmurs against my cheek.
“What if I scorched your darkness and let it burn to ash?” I feel his smile against my skin, and it sends goosebumps rising all over my body.
“Then perhaps we’ll rise from those very ashes, baby.” A cocky smirk on his lips has me grinning.
“Aren’t you the poetic one?”
“Don’t get used to it. I’m not always this lyrical.” He chuckles, and I can’t help feeling happiness ease itself between us. It’s a foreign feeling after the week of torment, and I know as soon as the next words are out of my mouth, I’m going to regret asking them.
“Do you know why I was kidnapped?” The gates shut in his eyes, turning his face to stone. The icy chill of his demeanor sends a shudder through me.
“I told you, little firebird, you ask too many questions.” With that, he rises, leaving me on my bed. “I’ll be back later. Be dressed. I’m taking
you into room five for training.” He opens the door, and when it shuts behind him, tears break the barrier and stream down my face.
I fucked it up. We were getting somewhere, and I had to go open my big mouth. This morning I overheard a couple of the other girls talking. Apparently, room five is the worst one, filled with toys that hurt. Not the pleasurable hurt, but the kind of pain that will stay with me. He must be angry. I wonder if he’s angry at me for asking the questions, or at himself for not being able to give me the answers.
7
Kael
She asked questions I couldn’t answer. Even though I want to give them all to her. The way she looks at me with those emerald pools that disarm me. That kiss, her touch, everything seems to be churning in my gut like a storm brewing within me. I’m caught up in her magic. In her flames. And I’m going to get burned.
This is no life for someone like her. For any of the girls here, but Paige is different. Special. I’d love to take her outside so I can see the rays of sunlight brighten her eyes. To watch her hair come alive like dancing flames that remind me of the fire that rages in her eyes. Everything about this woman has consumed me.
I’m going to die in her blaze and I can’t do anything about it. Not because I don’t want to, but because I’m already falling. And if it means I’m burned alive, then so be it.
If my father finds out about us, about these feelings, he’ll not only torture Paige, he’ll make sure she shatters. And he’ll enjoy every moment. He’ll take the one thing I know he’s dying to claim. Her purity. The only reason he hasn’t done it yet is because his clients prefer virgins. And he gets paid more.
The thought of any other man touching her sends jealousy coursing through me, and rage burning in my veins. Even though I have no say over it as I know I’m going to have to let go soon.
If I could save her I would. All I can do is make sure she’s ready for the moment she steps into those vile rooms. Where there’s no light left. Only darkness and depravity. I can’t be her prince, but I’ll be her knight. Not the one she wanted, but I’m the only one she’s going to get. It kills me not to be able to really talk to her. To explain why my life is spent in this godforsaken place—because no God would step foot inside here.
Shame haunts me daily, guilt riddles my veins—it slowly eats at me, and I’m left with nothing. Just a shell. I don’t want this. I’ve never wanted to be like my father, but I have no choice. If I try to leave, he’ll kill me. His own son. Unless…
“Kael!” My sister’s happy tone comes from behind me. I turn to find the little pixie almost floating on her pink ballet flats. She regards me with a wide grin.
“What’s got you so happy, Theia?”
“Dad’s agreed to allow me to work full time with Dax. Well, at his club. Since it’s nothing like Caged, you know Dad doesn’t give a fuck about it. And the agreement Dax has with Daddy Dearest is that Inferno is his alone. So I’ll be moving out. Inferno has apartments above the club, so I’ll only be here when I’m needed. Which I’m hoping is never.”
Nodding, I pull her into my arms. My sister is the only other woman in my life that I can’t help allowing into my darkened heart. She brings light, just like Paige. “I’m happy for you. This life is not something you should be caught up in.”
“It’s definitely not my idea of quality family time, that’s for sure.” She pouts, scrunching her nose.
“You’re lucky,” I tell her honestly. When I meet her gaze, I know she can see how I feel. The hurt, the pain from being in here. It’s too much. So fucking much.
“You’ll get out. One day. Perhaps with some beautiful woman you’ll fall hopelessly in love with and you two will live happily ever after.” She giggles playfully.
That’s one thing about my sister, she’s a nosy little wench sometimes. Even though I shouldn’t say anything, I nod. “Maybe.”
“I better get going. I love you, brother.” A quick peck on the cheek, and my little sister bounds off, probably to find Dax.
I head up to my suite, needing the silence of the room to calm me. Especially from the woman who’s invaded my mind. I’ve never found it difficult to separate feelings and emotions from what I do. I learned how to block them out, but Paige has found a crack in my shield and she’s burrowed herself in there without me realizing it until only moments ago.
There’s strength in her, which is good because it’s the only thing that will get her out of here. If something happens to me, I hope Samael will look after her. Perhaps not like I can, but in his own way.
My brother is an asshole, but not a day goes by that I don’t hope and pray to anyone who will listen that Sam finds love. He’s cold, shut off—it’s his coping mechanism to be an asshole. It’s the only way he knows how to survive this life we’ve been thrown into. I think, deep down, he needs a woman who can not only push his boundaries, but to take what he can offer. Only then will my brother be happy.
Settling myself in front of my computer, I pull up the browser I had open the other day. A gallery in New York looking for artists. My heart lies there, but ever since Paige, it lies here too. I want to break her out of here and steal her away.
Can I do it? Is a normal life possible for her and me?
There’s no doubt I’ll be hers. But will she be mine? Will she be able to let go of the anger I see in her eyes and just believe this is something I have no choice in?
Questions. That’s all I have. It’s all I can focus on because the answers I need are not within reach. Not yet, anyway. The need to run is at the forefront of my mind. To throw Paige in the car and drive through the gates of our estate, to leave this place without looking back. But I can’t. I’ll be caught before I even reach them.
It’s not only the girls who are held here. In some fucked up way, Sam and I are also held by the prison my father has set for us.
My heart hurts for us. The two Wolfe boys, brought into a blue-blooded family. One of the sickest families in the country.
Shaking my head, I continue my search and pour over pages consisting of apartments I’ll never have. Places I’ll never visit with her. With my firebird.
I’ve always dreamed of a family. Children. When I look at her now, I ache to see her swollen with my child. Perhaps two.
Before the thoughts drag me under, I shove away from my desk. Heading into the bathroom, I strip down and turn on the tap. The cascading water turns from an ice-cold waterfall to scorching rain, and I step under the scalding shower. With my eyes shut, I picture her. Her beautiful curves, her long flowing hair, those lips. Fuck, those lips.
Her small, delicate hands. Long, lithe legs. Beautiful, creamy skin I want to lick every inch of. Fuck, I need her. Fisting my dick, I picture her bound by crimson rope. I’d like to have her tied, open to me. Her tight body needy for me as she begs. Calls me Sir.
My hand moves faster as I imagine sliding into her cunt. Into her tight ass. Owning every fucking hole. My head falls back as my balls tighten, pulling up with my release. Growling her name as I find my temporary bliss, I make my vow under the water that’s attempting to cleanse me.
She’s mine.
I’ll have her.
And I’ll make sure she never forgets me.
Whatever happens.
To Burn In Your Blaze
Anger, violence, and hatred
Emotions that fuel you
Pleasure, tenderness, and love
Emotions that burn me
And I’d gladly turn to ash because of you
Dani René
8
Paige
I’ve been alone in my bedroom for three mornings. Scarlett brought my breakfast each day, but she didn’t stay long. I don’t leave the bedroom unless he’s with me. And I don’t know when I’ll see him again.
The room itself isn’t bad. The queen-sized bed is pretty with white sheets and a crimson comforter. There’s only one window which is too high for me to see out of, but there’s a sky light which wakes me when morning co
mes.
An en suite bathroom with a large shower and bath sits to the left of my bed. There’s not much else in the room besides the table and dresser. A small closet just beside it. All the furnishings are a dark red, almost the color of blood. There’s black and silver that pop against the walls that are painted an off white—with no art, no clocks, nothing, they’re bare, just like me.
After Wolfe left me three days ago, I spent the night staring at the stars through my skylight. It was last night after sleep stole me that I dreamt of the night of my eighteenth birthday. It was a memory which forced itself into my mind and now, as I lie here, I try to recall it.
Turning on the little stereo, the iPod shuffles and a song comes on, slamming me back in time. Just over a week ago. The night of the masked ball. My birthday. The day my whole life changed.
“Paige, I would like to see you in my office. You head down and I’ll be there soon.” My father smiles, but his face is tense with emotion.
Nodding, I give him a few moments, grabbing another glass of champagne, draining it. I close my eyes, enjoying the bubbles as they fizzle their way down my throat. Once I’ve set the glass on a passing waiter’s silver tray, I head down the hallway toward the large room he uses as his home office. It’s more like a study, with shelves of books and a large fireplace. The memory of the kiss I’ve just had still has my body buzzing along with the alcohol that races through my bloodstream. Heat. His lips. His hands.
Shaking my head, I step in through the doorway and find myself alone. The party is in full swing, so I wonder why my father would call me away. Surely, he could have waited to talk to me tomorrow.
“Father?” I call out, but I’m met with silence. Reaching for the lamp on his desk, I turn it on. A low yellow light bathes the room with ghosts and shadows, and a cold shiver runs through me. Our home, though immaculate, is cold. It’s always been devoid of love and emotion. My parents aren’t the loving, cuddly kind. They expect me to be the poised doll, smiling at people I don’t know and acting as the sweet and innocent woman. All in an effort to make my father look good under the public’s scrutiny. A family man. Nothing could be further from the truth. As much as I love him, we’ve never had a close relationship. I’ve always been a business transaction, nothing more.
