Christmas Captive: A Holiday Romance

by Isabella Starling

  His lips were everywhere, his tongue parting my folds and kissing every hidden part of me. My eyelids fluttered open and closed in an effort not to come on his tongue. It was impossibly hard to hold it, but every time Grayson felt me getting close, he pulled back with a devilish grin on his lips. He loved torturing me, and I loved his cruel touch against my skin.

  His touch was something between a punishment and a reward. The way he licked me spoke of years of experience, and a sudden bout of jealousy had me clenching my fingers in his salt-and-pepper hair. I wanted him. I wanted to sleep with him. I wanted to come for him. But I kept my promise, like I’d told him I would, allowing Grayson to torture my body with pleasure.

  I was a shaky mess by the time he was done, his erection pressing painfully against my stomach as he looked up to look at me.

  “Your time is almost up, Kitty,” he told me. “Twenty minutes and you get to come. Can you abstain a little while longer?”

  I nodded, gritting my teeth, and he went back between my legs, this time adding a finger to the torture, sliding in and out of my wetness. I’d never been more desperate for anything. I counted down the minutes, and when Grayson caught me doing it, he made me count down out loud.

  “Ten,” I whispered, my body so close to the edge a lick of his tongue would send me overboard. “Nine. Eight. Oh God, Sir…”

  “Keep counting,” he grunted, licking my clit until I clasped my legs around his neck, holding him in place.

  “Seven. Six. Five. Four.”

  My eyes were rolling back, my body ready for the release I was craving so very desperately. Grayson didn’t ease up, making every second of the time I had left unbearable.

  “Three…”

  He bit the inside of my thigh, making me cry out with pain and barely held back pleasure.

  “Two. Please, Sir!”

  He sucked my pussy into orgasm the moment that last number left my lips.

  “One…”

  I came apart beneath him, my body arching with desperation as he licked my cream. I came while crying his name, my fingers tangled in his hair and my eyes locked with his dark gaze.

  I should have known then and there that I already belonged to Grayson Kline.

  Chapter 11

  Grayson

  "We're going to have company tonight," I told Amicia as we sat down to dinner.

  "Oh?" She raised her brows, but didn't ask further questions before dabbing daintily at her lips and setting her napkin down. "Will you need me with you, Sir?"

  "No," I shook my head. "It's a business partner that's coming over, we have an important matter to discuss. Actually, you might remember him."

  "Who is it?" Her eyes sparkled with interest. She hadn't seen many of my partners apart from Florian who was a regular around the apartment. With Kai still being away, she hadn't even met him yet.

  "We met him at the opera, remember?" I set my napkin down too. "The man who was with your friend."

  "Oh, him." Her expression fell in an instant, making me chuckle.

  "I take it you didn't take much of a liking to him."

  "No, Sir." She shook her head vehemently. "He seemed very full of himself. And I didn't like the way he was treating my friend."

  I hadn't cared for how rough he'd been with his plaything either, but I didn't mention that to Amicia. It would only make her more nervous about him being in the same apartment.

  "Is she coming with him?" She asked next, a hopeful look on her face.

  "No, this is a business meeting."

  "What about, Sir?"

  I gave her a curious look. Amicia never asked much about my business, though I could sense she was interested. She was probably worried about probing me too much and asking questions I didn't want to give her the answers to. But in the moment, I found myself strangely eager to divulge more information.

  "We are entering a new business venture together," I explained. "He's coming over so we can drill down the details. I asked him to come here because I didn't want to leave you alone."

  "Thank you, Sir." Kitty's eyes sparkled and I smiled as she asked to be excused from the table.

  "You may go. Actually..." I tapped a finger against my chin. "I may want you to be present at the meeting after all."

  "Isn't it a business meeting?" she asked, cocking her head to the side. "I don't think I'd be much help, Sir..."

  She was obviously trying to get out of it, which amused me at the same time as it played to the sadist in me. A part of me wanted to see her squirming in front of my business associate, Ilan Gibbons. His name carried a certain weight in the city, but while he looked clean on the outside, he got his hands dirtier than I ever had.

  "I'd like you to keep me company," I told her with a wicked grin. "I might get bored. So you'll be kneeling at my feet while he pays us a visit. I'll surely enjoy his jealousy when he sees you again, too."

  "But, Sir-"

  "Yes?" I cut her off sharply, my eyes daring her to go on. Amicia swallowed, shaking her head without another complaint. She was getting better at obeying me, which pleased me. I dismissed her, telling her to be in my office ten minutes before Gibbons was set to arrive, and to wear something that would please me.

  I had an after dinner whiskey while my toy got ready, and didn't get the chance to check whether she was waiting, because the bell rang a couple moments early. I let the doorman handle Gibbons, my mouth forming a thin line as I waited for the lift. The man was already trying to intimidate me with his early appearance, but I'd be damned if I let him.

  The elevator doors opened and Ilan Gibbons sauntered out with a wide grin. He looked good, always had, but I knew there was pure evil lurking underneath his exterior.

  "Good to see you, Gibbons," I muttered. "Care for a drink?"

  "Have your maid make me an Old Fashioned," he nodded. "Where's your office? And more importantly, where's that pretty little captive of yours?"

  Ignoring his words, I guided him to the office. Amicia was nowhere to be seen and my mind raged at her disobedience. I mixed Gibbons a drink at the bar myself, ignoring his quips about how short-staffed I was. It wasn't like I couldn't afford a maid, I just valued my privacy. The less people around, the fucking better, as far as I was concerned.

  Moments after I joined Gibbons at my desk, there was a timid knock at the door which could only mean one thing. I called for Amicia to enter. The door opened, and she stood on the doorstep in a red leather corset with white fur lining, and matching red velvet gloves. Around her neck was a velvet ribbon with a bell. I smiled at the sight of her.

  "A little late, aren't we?" I asked her, bemused.

  "I'm sorry, Sir. Let me make it up to you." Amicia smiled wide, dropping to her knees and seductively crawling closer to me until she settled on a plush white pillow by my feet. I'd almost managed to forget about Gibbons until the pervert spoke again.

  "Doesn't seem like your toy is very well trained," he grumbled. "Disobeying you already, is she? If you'd like to teach the girl a lesson, I'd be more than happy to help. I know you young men are stingy with the pain you dole out, but I'm certainly not afraid to slap a bitch."

  Amicia crawled closer to me, glaring at my business associate.

  "I assure you, I'm perfectly capable of disciplining Kitty myself," I told him with a firm smile. Absent-mindedly, I ran my fingers through Amicia's hair. I could tell I was making old Gibbons jealous, and it fucking pleased me. I wanted him squirming in his seat, realizing what he'd missed out on.

  "Shall we get straight to business?" I suggested. "As far as the SoHo area goes, I've debated-"

  "There's something I should say before," Gibbons interrupted, holding his hand up. I gritted my teeth. I didn't take well to being interrupted, especially by sleazy men like him who thought they had the world by the balls. "I'm backing out of the deal."

  My mouth thinned and Amicia slid even further behind my chair, sensing the shift of mood. "You can't back out, Gibbons. The papers have already been signed."


  "I'll make it work," he waved his hand dismissively before a wicked smile overtook his face. "Unless of course, you're willing to renegotiate."

  "We've already discussed and signed off on the details," I hissed.

  "Well, unfortunately for you, I changed my mind," Gibbons smirked, setting his eyes on Amicia. "You have something I want and I am unwilling to work with you until you... share it, at the very least."

  "What are you talking about?"

  "Your little captive, of course." He leaned forward. I prayed he wouldn't attempt to touch my Kitty, because if he tried, it would not end well for him. "I should've bid higher. I realize that now. But I'm giving you an option—sell her to me before the end of your contract. I'll pay good money."

  Amicia's fingers dug into my leg as I shook my head. "She's not for sale."

  "Everyone has a price," Gibbons drawled. "I'm sure your Kitty does too." He grinned when he saw the worry etched on my face. "Oh yes, I've done my research. Amicia Romano is her real name. A wannabe dancer."

  "You had no right-" Amicia spoke up, but I gently took her shaky hand in mine and pulled her back.

  "I'll handle this," I told her calmly before turning my attention back to Gibbons. "While I appreciate your sudden interest in my toy, it is neither welcome nor warranted, as she will never belong to you."

  "That's up to her." Gibbons leaned back in his chair without a care in the world. "I think she should be the one to decide, don't you?"

  "I don't want anything to do with you," Amicia barked from her half-hidden position.

  "Oh but darling, think of the money." Gibbons' eyes sparkled as he leaned forward. "I could make you rich."

  "I don't want your money," Amicia muttered.

  "That settles it as far as I'm concerned," I added pointedly. "She's not fucking interested. If you strike a deal with the girl after December twenty-fifth, that's up to her. But while she's mine, you will not touch her."

  "Then you can kiss your deal goodbye," Gibbons delivered the punchline we'd all been waiting for. "The copy with my signature has... ah, mysteriously disappeared." He smirked. "How convenient for me."

  "If you want to play dirty, that's fine with me, Ilan," I told him. "Just know you're playing by my rules now."

  I stood up, buttoning my blazer, and he followed suit, eyes flashing with anger. He was seemingly so convinced I'd accept his offer, he seemed shocked I was already done with the conversation.

  "Need I remind you our lack of collaboration will cost you?" he spoke up viciously. "Are you really trying to complicate your own life even further, Kline?"

  "No," I smiled broadly. "I'm just trying to put the trash where it belongs."

  He gasped, the color draining from his face while Amicia giggled behind us. "I will not be spoken to like that."

  "And what are you going to do about it?" I smirked. "You may run the legalities around here, but I can have you dead within the night."

  "Are you threatening me?"

  "Yes," I grinned. "What are you going to do about it?"

  After a moment of silence, he hammered the desk with his fist. "You haven't heard the end of this, Kline. And you'll wish you'd agreed to my terms the next time I come here."

  "I don't have regrets," I told him. "And I'm not about to start because of you. Now, if you'd be so kind and get the fuck out."

  The man stormed out of his office, and I watched him smash the elevator button with his finger. He gave me one last pissed-off look before the doors closed and the lift began its descent.

  My argument with Gibbons would cost me months of work. But there was nothing to be done. He'd offended my Kitty, and threatened me. He was lucky he'd gotten out alive. Most men of his stature and age were wise enough not to try and provoke me. Gibbons would just have to find out the hard way why that was.

  "Are you okay?" I helped Amicia to her feet. "You're shivering. Are you cold?"

  "No, that guy just gives me the creeps," she muttered. "Is he gone?"

  "Yes, and he isn't coming back." I ran my hands down her ice-cold forearms. "You're freezing. It's too cold in here for this adorable Miss Sexy Santa outfit."

  She grinned despite herself, doing a little twirl for me. "You like it?"

  "You look perfect, Kitty," I assured her. "How about you give me a little private show in the playroom?"

  Her eyes sparkled with delight. "I would love that, Sir."

  "Perfect," I smirked. "Then what are you waiting for? Get that little ass in the room so I can put some marks on it..."

  She seemed scared by the thought and yet she smiled, heading straight for the playroom. My mind unfolded with dark possibilities of what I could and would do to her in the room. One thing was certain. Everything Gibbons wished he could do to Amicia, I would end up doing to spite him tonight.

  Chapter 12

  Grayson

  A week had passed since I'd taken my newest plaything to the Opera. With Kai being gone, I'd been consumed by the tasks I needed to complete to keep my business in check. I didn't have much time to spend with Amicia, and she seemed to understand that I was a busy man. Still, the sad look in her eyes didn't escape me. Those days, the only time I got to spend with her was sitting down to dinner together. It was my favorite part of the day, marred only by the sadness in her eyes.

  I made sure she had enough to do. She still exercised daily in my private gym and went for regular swims and sauna visits. I’d gotten a dance instructor for her at the gym, which she’d been delighted by. I also scheduled massages for her twice weekly, along with beauty treatments and salon visits. She always looked perfect, like a refined version of the girl I'd first seen in Le Cabaret.

  That night, it was a week since I'd made her come with my mouth on her sweet little cunt, and I was eager to have more of her. We were sitting down to dinner again, and my toy was unusually quiet, unwilling to meet my eyes. I asked her question after question, but only received one-word answers in response. I understood she was lonely, but this was no way for a kept pet to act, and I was going to tell her as much.

  Her knife made scratching noises against the china as she ate, the only sound in the quiet room.

  "Are we going to spend some time together tomorrow?" she asked, making me look up at her.

  "Aren't you forgetting something?"

  Her eyes narrowed. "Are we going to spend some time together tomorrow, Sir?" she asked, the hint of snarkiness obvious in her voice.

  "If I can find the time," I replied, returning to my food.

  I could feel her staring at me, but I refused to acknowledge it. She was being a very bad toy, and I couldn't tolerate her misbehaving.

  "You're neglecting me." Her voice was defiant, tinted with sadness.

  "How so?"

  "I've been alone this whole time." She put down her fork and crossed her arms, glaring at me. "You don't even pay attention to me anymore. What's the point of paying all this money to keep me if you aren't even doing anything with me?"

  "That's not a question you should ask," I told her plainly. "I don't appreciate you meddling in my affairs, Amicia."

  "I'm not meddling," she hissed. "I'm just wondering what I've done to upset you this much."

  "Upset me? You haven't upset me."

  "But you don't even look at me anymore!" she cried out, sweeping her arm over the table, and knocking over her own plate. We both watched as the porcelain crashed to the ground, breaking into pieces and slivers of white, shiny material. Amicia's lower lip trembled. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."

  I didn't respond, just rubbed my temples. "That wasn't a wise thing to do, Amicia."

  “It doesn’t matter. Nothing does.”

  "Nothing?" I'd had enough. She'd pushed my limits long enough. "Apologize."

  "Apologize, to you?" she laughed bitterly. "No, I don't think I will."

  "Apologize," I demanded again, glaring at her. "Now."

  She seemed to understand I was serious, and she got the word out through gritted teeth. "S
orry."

  "Apologize properly."

  "I'm sorry, Sir." She was angry now, and I knew it would soon be time for me to discipline her. "It's just a plate. And it seems like the damn thing matters more to you than I do."

  I gritted my teeth together as I stared her down. "It's not just a plate. It was part of my mother's dowry. It's been in our family for generations. As for your second accusation, Kitty, I'm sure you know just as well as I do, you're wrong. You're my property, just like the plate. And you sure aren't acting like it, which I don't like."

  My words shut her up, and her lips formed a line as she stood up, getting on her knees, and scooping up the pieces of the broken plate.

  "Leave it," I demanded, but she paid me no mind, still sweeping up the broken porcelain. The inevitable happened moments later and she hissed, a long slit opening on her left ring finger, blood dripping all over the hardwood floor.

  I kneeled next to her, and she sheepishly allowed me to wrap a silk handkerchief embroidered with my initials around her hand. I stopped the bleeding and guided her back to her chair.

  "Does it hurt?" I asked, and she shook her head, refusing to meet my gaze.

  "Not anymore."

  "It's not too deep, so it shouldn't need stitches," I muttered, and Kitty nodded. "Amicia."

  Finally, she looked up at me. From my tone, she seemed to realize I was angry, and she shrank back in fear, as if she were afraid I was going to slap her.

  "You disobeyed me," I reminded her. "You broke a prized possession and hurt yourself in the process. You do understand you need to be punished, don't you, Kitty?"

  She nodded; her eyes boring into mine. The fear was there, making her terrified, and making me wonder how she'd been punished before she'd met me.

  "I'm not going to hurt you permanently," I promised her. "You have my word. But I cannot allow you to act this way, as if my orders mean nothing at all. Do you understand, Kitty?"

  "Yes, Sir," she managed to get out.

  "Now," I went on. "Will you tell me why you've been so upset over the past few days?"

  "I..." She swallowed. I knew she didn't want to admit she was starting to feel things for me, and I also knew I shouldn't have been pushing her, because I had nothing to offer her in return for her feelings. Yet I couldn't help myself. I was the sadistic prick who wanted everything from her, giving nothing back. "I've been feeling lonely. You've been very busy."