The Darker Side of Love (A Dark Erotica Boxed Set)

by Tara Crescent

  His many memories made him happy. Was it any wonder he was so anxious to get back to her? Could his life be any better? After two beautiful children and more love then he had ever expected, Donovan decided to stop asking questions and simply accept the amazing gift he’d been given.

  The plane was already ascending and bringing him back home. Home. His favorite place in the entire world. Laci wasn’t expecting him until much later the following day so even if he was taking off late and arriving in the middle of the night, his only horny and very tired thought was how quickly he could get there to surprise her. For the moment, he leaned back, relaxed, yawned and fell into a deep sleep.

  Chapter Two ~ Descending

  The plane bumped slightly as it landed and the movement awakened Donovan. He glanced at his watch and, with great satisfaction, realized they were right on time. It would only be a little while longer and he’d be holding Laci. Considering the late hour, he’d most likely have to wait until morning to see Matthew but he might get the chance to hold and play with Victoria if she happened to be awake for a late night feeding.

  The training session he’d just completed had been set up nearly a year ahead of time and long before Laci announced her pregnancy. Her announcement wasn’t an unwelcome surprise, just an enormous one. Even so, Donovan was beyond thrilled.

  The early days when Matthew was an infant hadn’t gone too well until Laci had encouraged him to submit to his own fears about caring for his infant son. Tricked him into submitting was probably a more accurate description but Laci, somehow, always knew what to do and how to do it. She amazed him every single day.

  From the first moment the two had met, order and routine had surrendered to noise and chaos and he had never believed noise and chaos would bring him such joy. What was better than hearing Matthew’s little feet pounding on the wooden floors as he ran to Donovan for a hug? How could he describe the feeling of his son’s arms wrapped tightly around his neck and preparing himself to answer a million and one questions? Would he ever be able to explain the emotions he felt the first time he held Victoria in his arms? How his throat had tightened up the first time her little fist grabbed on to his finger and held on as though she knew that no matter where they were or what they did, he’d always be there to protect her?

  How could he ever begin to describe his feelings for Laci? He’d be the first to admit that things had sometimes gotten a little bumpy between them but those times were mostly due to his own insecurities. A Dominant with insecurities? Damn straight and he’d willingly challenge any other Dominant he knew to go up against Laci and remain secure. There wasn’t a man, woman or Dominant alive who could stand up to Laci and her ability to practically read minds, her unusual talent with handling whips, how she baked the best cookies he’d ever eaten or how damned sexy she was. He’d probably have a hard time explaining the stuffed unicorn and the growling horse but — hell — he’d just leave them for Laci to explain. No one would dare doubt her.

  What mattered the most to him was that she loved him unconditionally, never demanded anything, understood him better than he understood himself, supported everything he did and was horny as hell all the time. How come she never got tired?

  Her support was never more evident than when he realized he had to leave just one month after Victoria’s birth. How many wives would have understood about their husband leaving town for nearly an entire month after the birth of their child? How many wives would have understood that the reason the husband was leaving town was to travel to a client and train sex slaves for that month?

  The session had been arranged for a long time and it was a major coup for Master Donovan. This wasn’t an ordinary session; this was also a training session for other Dominants. Everyone had coordinated their schedules and it was going to be his time to truly be a Master’s Master. Such an opportunity didn’t come along very often and would serve to raise his status in the BDSM community but it would also give him a chance to teach his techniques and thereby reduce his busy schedule and that meant more time in Georgia with Laci.

  As much as he craved control, what he craved even more was his unpredictable life with his family. Maybe he should amend that to immediate family. The extended family around him, starting with Victor, pretty much got on every nerve he possessed. The night of Victoria’s birth, Donovan had been sitting at Victor’s bedside in the hospital because his ‘reliable’ assistant had fallen off a roof. Somewhere inside Victor was a strong, loyal and very dependable individual. He simply chose to keep the strength, loyalty and dependability well hidden and relished every chance to drive Donovan insane. He was even worse now that he had married Donovan’s cousin, Marion. Did the two really have to discuss their bedroom activities? All the time? In explicit detail?

  Marion and Victor had adopted Jeremy, who was almost the same age as Matthew and the two little boys were an endless source of pleasure for Donovan. They were smart, funny, challenging and wise beyond their years. Too bad the same couldn’t be said for Victor. Or Trent Nichols.

  Trent was a world famous actor who had settled in Georgia because he loved being treated like anyone else and the residents of their Georgia town did just that. Donovan called him ‘the weasel’ partially because he was convinced that happily married Trent harbored a secret yearning for Laci. Of course, it was also because when it came to brain power, the world famous actor-weasel was one bulb short of a chandelier. Trent’s wife Sara had also just given birth to a baby girl and Donovan was sure Victoria and Adrienne would be spending many happy fairy tea party and doll house hours together in the future - undoubtedly while Donovan was assisting Trent who would probably get his entire arm stuck in one of the little girl’s doll houses. The actor-weasel would give a whole new interpretation to the show business expression ‘bringing down the house’.

  The remainder of the extended family wasn’t particularly troublesome. Virgil, the big fluffy dog-moose was great with the kids and took his dog watching duties extremely seriously. Matthew and Jeremy never got away with anything on Virgil’s watch. Virgil worshiped Donovan and slobbered on his shoes but he was the closest in temperament to submissive that Donovan was going to get.

  Thanks to Donovan, Laci’s father, John Grace, had recently reentered his daughter’s life after a long period of estrangement. These days John was happily snuggling with Trent’s mom, Mary Nichols, and the two loved being grandparents to all the children. As far as Donovan could tell, Mary’s only fault was her decision to share Trent with the world when she should have best served humanity by keeping him locked up in a room full of video games and spicy chicken wings. If he was lucky, he might be able to lock Victor in the same room and tranquility would forever reign in Donovan’s world.

  The plane taxied to the airport terminal and in a few moments he’d be on his way home. As Donovan emerged through the gate, he saw Victor waiting by his car. That was strange. Since he wanted to keep his arrival a secret, he hadn’t told anyone he was coming back early, especially Victor who could never keep quiet about anything.

  “Victor,” Donovan greeted his friend, assistant and source of annoyance, “how did you know what time I was getting in?”

  Victor looked at him a little strangely. “Uh … you called, told me, like you always do.”

  “I wanted it to be a surprise.” Donovan knew better than to waste time arguing.

  “Surprise? Sure, Donovan. Whatever you say. I can be surprised.” Victor did his best to look startled while putting the luggage in the car. Donovan huffed his frustration and settled in the passenger seat. A few moments later the car was headed to the highway.

  Still tired, Donovan put his head back and closed his eyes; his only thoughts were about getting back to Laci. He dozed a bit and for some reason the ride felt as if it was taking longer than usual but finally the car pulled to a stop and Victor opened the door.

  Donovan stepped out and looked around. “Victor, what the hell kind of a joke is this? This place looks like Anscombe Mano
r but we both know the manor was burned to the ground. I’m certainly not interested in buying another place so what are we doing here? Take me home. Now.” He turned to get back in the car.

  Victor’s brow was furrowed as he looked at Donovan. “Were you drinking on the plane? You’re acting a little odd, even for you.” He started to remove the luggage from the car.

  “You’re calling me odd? Victor, now what the hell are you doing? Put the damned luggage back in the car and take me home. Tomorrow we can resume playing How Many Ways Can You Aggravate Me? I know you live to annoy me, but it’s been a long trip, I’m tired and just want to go home. I want to see my family and I want to sleep in my own bed. Is that too much to ask?”

  “Your family? You want to see your family? You hate your family. The only one you even bother with is that cousin of yours and she lives all the way in Georgia. Did you adopt a new family I don’t know about? Can’t believe anybody’d adopt you.”

  Donovan rubbed his forehead, every bit of his impatience more than obvious. “Okay, Victor. Clue me in on the joke so we can get back in the car and I can get home. Did you find this place and figure you’d bring me here to irritate me? Well, it worked. I’m irritated. I’m also fucking furious. Does that make you happy? The last place in the world I want to remember is Anscombe Manor. You know as well as I do what happened when that bastard Frank Harding sent Laci to the manor under false pretenses. Why the hell would you want to remind me about that? You’re supposed to be my friend, now stop screwing around and take me home.”

  “Donovan, why are you rubbing your head? Did you hit it? Did the plane make a rough landing or something? Maybe you should have it checked out. Come inside and I’ll call your doctor.”

  “Victor, in about thirty seconds you’re going to be rubbing your head because I’m going to slug you, and I promise, it’ll make falling off the roof feel like you fell onto a pile of feather pillows. Take me home. Now!”

  “Okay, Donovan, you’re starting to worry me. This is your home and you’ve threatened to push me out a few windows but I never fell off a roof.” He was still puzzled as he looked at Donovan. “And who the hell is Laci?”

  “Victor, enough is enough. Laci is my wife and you damned well know that, so take me home and make it fast.” He turned to the car.

  “Like hell! You’re not married. The only knot you’ve ever tied was on a submissive.”

  Chapter Three ~ Landing

  Donovan glared and felt as if smoke would soon be blowing out the top of his head. “Victor, why can’t you be cooperative? I’ve been away for nearly a month and I’m anxious to get back. I want to see Laci and I want to see my kids. Victoria has probably gotten really big and I can’t wait to hold her and play with her. I bought more of those ranch play sets Matthew and Jeremy love and tomorrow you and Trent can fight them for playing rights. Now, take me home.” He again turned towards the car.

  “Kids? Okay, Donovan, no joke. You’re really starting to worry me. What kids? You don’t have any kids, at least none that I know about. And you’ve mentioned this Laci person twice. Who is she? Did you meet her on your trip? And you want to hold and play with Victoria who has gotten really big? I get the holding and the playing part; I mean Victoria must be one of the submissives, right? But why did she get so big? Too many marshmallows in her cocoa? Too many chips in her dip? Too many olives in her martini? Too many martinis?”

  “Martinis? For a two month old infant? Is that how you care for a baby? And what do you mean none that you know about?” The tone of Donovan’s voice was hovering somewhere between rage and outrage. “You’ve been looking after Matthew and Jeremy since they were newborns. Now you’re taking care of Victoria and Adrienne and I’m seriously beginning to question that decision. I’d think you were having a delayed reaction to the head injury you got when you fell off the roof except the doctors couldn’t find any trace of trauma. That could all change tonight when I shove your head through the nearest stone wall now stop fucking around and take me home!”

  Victor didn’t move, instead standing there and frowning at his employer’s statements. “Are Matthew and Jeremy the slaves or the submissives? And are Victoria and Adrienne coming with them for training? Exactly where does Laci fit in? And Trent? Usually I set up all your sessions here at the facility so did you set them up this time? Is that why I have no idea what the hell you’re talking about? How do you expect me to keep everything straight if you go pulling this crap on me? And how many do you plan on training? You like to keep your training sessions small. You always say that’s how you get the results you get and now you’ve got a whole busload coming in. You’re never gonna remember all their names. I’m gonna have to get those little, sticky name tags and you’re gonna have some pretty unhappy submissives on your hands if those tags get stuck in any unusual places. I hope you get my meaning.”

  “I hope you live past sunrise which isn’t looking too good at the moment,” Donovan snarled. “Why do you have to play these games?”

  “Hey! I’m not the one playing Name that Submissive. That’s your little game and you’re usually pretty good at it. Everyone knows alcohol and altitude don’t mix real well but you never listen. Exactly how many drinks did you have on your flight back here?”

  “Not enough to medicate me against dealing with you. Even if I was sucking Bourbon straight from the barrel, it wouldn’t be enough. Why are you acting this way? I’m tired. I left late so I’d get back here to surprise Laci and now I have to deal with you and your idiocy. Is Trent in on this too? When does he pop out of the bushes to annoy me?”

  “Wait. I kinda lost track. Is Trent one of the submissives or one of the kids?”

  “Trent is one of the weasels,” Donovan was nearly shouting, “and he’s really good at weaseling. You know damned well who Trent is.”

  Victor pondered for a moment. “Wait! You’re telling me that you’re training slaves, submissives and weasels? When did that happen? You need to keep me in the loop. Do the weasels need special cages? They better be housebroken,” he stated, “‘cause I’m not setting out newspapers and picking up weasel poop. Hey! Did you know that when you hear a weasel scream, it’s a sign of bad luck to come?”

  “Hey! Did you know that when you hear Victor scream it’s a sign that I’m choking you?”

  “Don’t weasels eat vermin?”

  “I thought they ate spicy wings. If it was vermin, they could feast on you and Trent and solve all my problems. I’ll happily supply the little forks, now take me home!”

  “Donovan, why do you keep saying that? You are home. This is where you live.”

  Shaking his head with hopeless frustration, Donovan started getting back in the car. “This has gone on long enough. Usually you just annoy me but this time you’ve gone way past annoyance. I’ve been working non-stop for nearly a month and I want to go home to my real home, with my real wife and my real children. And the dog-moose. At this point, I’m even looking forward to seeing the stuffed unicorn.”

  Victor continued to frown at Donovan. “The dog-moose? The stuffed unicorn? The weasels? Did you meet someone from one of those hidden camera TV shows? Is that what this is all about? You really had me going.” Victor looked around and preened. “Tell me the truth. Am I on TV? Where’s the camera hidden?”

  “I’m sure you’ll find it tomorrow morning when you’re standing in line at the unemployment office. Be sure you smile pretty. Take me home.”

  “Look, Donovan, I don’t know what’s going on but come inside.” Victor unlocked the heavy wooden doors and pushed them open. He placed the luggage on the floor and turned back to Donovan. “If you need a drink, I’ll make you a nice drink and if you’ve had too much to drink, I’ll make you a bucket of coffee. I’ll make you a tub of coffee, if I have to. The nice strong stuff.”

  “Victor, is there something in this house I need to see because I’m probably not interested but if it means you’ll get back in the car and drive me home, then fine, I’ll go in t
he damned house. And whatever it is, it better be good.” Donovan took a few steps into the house and looked around. The more he looked, the angrier he became. “What the hell is going on, Victor? This place looks exactly like Anscombe Manor looked before it was destroyed in the fire. Every bit of it is identical. The furnishings, the wall coverings, even the crack in the stone floor from the day you thought it would be amusing to try the sport of curling and dropped the forty pound curling rock. You said this floor was as keen as any ice sheet. If I had a rock, I’d threaten to crack you but you’re cracked enough. How much of my money did you spend to recreate this sick joke?”

  “Donovan, why don’t we go into your office so you can sit down for a while?”

  “No! I’ve had enough. The only place I’m going to sit is in my car and if you won’t drive me home, I’ll drive myself. You can stay here or you can come with me. At this point, I don’t really care because you are minutes away from looking for a new job.” Donovan stormed out of the house and headed back to the car.

  Victor ran after him and opened the passenger door. “Okay, Donovan. Get in. We can go wherever you want to go but I’m gonna drive. I’m not sure what’s going on with you but you’re not in any condition to get behind the wheel of a car.”

  Donovan slid into the seat while grumbling, “The only condition I have is Never-Ending Aggravation brought on by you. If I could get rid of you, I’d live forever. Just get me home. Get me home now and you can come back for the luggage tomorrow.”