by Tia Louise
I’m growing wet just looking at the collection, thinking of my sexy husband using them on me, when the bedroom door clicks. Anticipation hums under my skin. He’s here.
“Ava?” His voice is quiet, and I stand with my back to him facing the late afternoon sun shining through the window. It silhouettes my body behind the white shirt.
Glancing over my shoulder, a lock of hair falls over my eye. He stands in the doorway silently watching me. His eyes gleam, and my pulse jumps.
“I couldn’t resist,” I say softly, a little breathless. “I stole this from the boutique today.”
Opening my hand, I let a small chain slip through my fingers. A different light enters his eyes, and my stomach tingles. Without a word, he crosses the space to where I’m standing. Grasping my wrist, he turns my hand over, taking the necklace and setting it aside.
“You stole cheap costume jewelry when I would buy you anything?”
“I suppose I ought to be punished.” My voice is pouty, and I lift my eyes to meet his.
They blaze a trail down my body as he studies me. The white shirt hangs open, and my nipples are beaded. Lifting a hand, he cups my breast, rolling a stiff bud between his fingers, teasing it, lengthening it. I sigh audibly.
“Discipline.”
I don’t smile. I won’t spoil the game, but I love that he’s with me. Shrugging my shoulders, I allow the shirt to slide down my arms. It falls all the way to the floor, leaving me bare to him. I walk to where the wedge is located and kneel. On the silky carpet, I lean forward and place my elbows on the floor, lifting my ass so he can see all of me.
A little hiss fills the air, and I close my eyes to the sound of Rowan removing his clothes. I remember the first time he taught me to do this. I had only read about dominance and submission in erotic romance, and I was so nervous and afraid. By the end, I had come so hard, I begged him to do it again.
He goes to the table and takes the mask, holding it in his hand. “Up,” he orders, and I push up from my elbows, sitting back on my feet to look up at him.
He’s completely nude, his erection pointing toward my face. Our eyes lock, and I lean forward, opening my mouth. With one hand, I guide the mushroom tip between my lips, flicking my tongue around the edges. He tastes salty, and his skin smells like the soap from his shower. He exhales a groan, and I take him deeper, pulling and sucking as he wraps the mask around my eyes, tying it behind my head.
His shaft is wet from my mouth, and I use the slickness to slide my fist down to the base and back up. My lips are focused on his tip, sucking and lightly touching him with my teeth.
I’m rewarded with another low groan, and his fingers cup my cheeks as my head bobs up and down on his cock. I can feel him thickening. I can feel the muscles in his legs tightening under my hand.
“Down,” he commands, his voice thick.
I obey, satisfaction warming my stomach. The French doors are open, and the shush of the breakers on the sea below fills the air around us. I turn and wait as he takes the thigh restraints and wraps them around my legs. Then he lifts my wrists, placing them in the cuffs attached to each side. He closes them and moves me to the wedge. I lean forward on my stomach, ass up, hands bound to the outsides of my spread thighs.
My breath comes in little pants as I wait for the crop.
“What have I said about stealing?” His voice is low and even.
“Not to do it, sir.” My voice is soft, submissive.
“Yet you did it again.” FLICK!
“Ah!” The biting sting on my ass causes my wrists to jerk against the restraints. The movement pulls my thighs farther apart.
“Be still,” he says. “Two more.”
I’m panting, breathless against the wedge and waiting for the light sting of the crop. FLICK! FLICK! Two more strikes, and I cry out. Still, my body hums with electricity, and increased wetness tickles my pussy.
We’re at the last step. He places the crop on the table and takes the remaining strap. It’s a padded belt that goes under my stomach and across my hipbones. His erection nudges at my entrance as I hear him wrap the handles around his wrists.
“I’m going to fuck you deep and hard,” he says.
“Yes,” I manage, my voice trembling.
In one quick pull, he sinks into me to the hilt. Using the handles, he pulls me up and backwards, going even deeper. A loud cry comes from my mouth. Points of light shoot behind my eyes, and he starts moving faster.
I jerk my hands, which forces my thighs apart, and as he pulls the strap under my stomach, my hips lift, sending him so deep. I feel the heat, the irresistible urge, the mind-blowing sensation… He’s found my G-spot.
“Oh, god!” I’m crying.
The pleasure is so intense. I’m completely powerless with my hands bound to my legs. The mask blinds me, and all my senses are focused on my husband at my backside pounding deeper than he’s ever been.
Rowan is relentless. Our bodies are slick with sweat. The padded strap caresses my hips as he pulls it faster. It’s so good… it’s so much better. I feel every part of him touching me. I’m completely at his mercy as he dominates me.
My mouth opens as fever races up my thighs. The heat is a fist clutching tighter below my waist, flooding my stomach with pleasure, tightening… thrusting, until I’m moaning and gasping, calling his name as my insides shatter in trembling spasms of orgasm.
Rowan breaks right behind me. “Yes,” he shouts, holding me still as he pulses, filling me.
His thighs are against my ass, and his muscles tremor. His breathing is a rasp, and he lowers the straps. The belt falls loose as he wraps his arm across my breasts, lifting me against his chest. He turns my face so he can kiss me. Our tongues curl, and taste, smoothing together as our lips meld.
He’s still inside me, and I clench around him once more. He pulses once more, moaning into my mouth. Every muscle in my body feels spent. My body trembles, devastated by the most intense orgasm I’ve ever experienced.
His hand moves to my flat stomach, sliding up and down my skin. “This body is mine.” His hand moves higher, cupping my breast. “I love this body.” He kisses my lips, tracing his hand to the center of my breasts over my heart. “I love your soul.”
Another kiss, another possessive sweep of his tongue, and he pulls the mask, causing it to fall away. I blink into his navy eyes, and he smiles. “I love your kinky mind.”
I smile in response, and he holds me, looking down as he unfastens the restraints. My hands and legs are free as he slides out, turning me to lean back against the wedge while he puts our accessories aside and takes the thick robe off the door.
“Are you able to walk to the ocean?” he asks.
“Hm,” I sigh. “Do I have to walk?”
“No.”
He lifts me in his arms and walks through the house to the back door.
I laugh weakly. “I was teasing. I can walk.” Only I’m not quite sure it’s true. My legs feel like noodles.
He holds me closer to his chest, his voice a warm whisper at my ear. “I’ll carry you.”
I wrap an arm around his shoulder and press my cheek to his bare chest, kissing his heated skin. My eyes drift close to the sound of the soft thuds of his bare feet on the boardwalk. Next thing I know, he’s dropped the robe and we’re entering the calm waters of the secluded cove. Rock formations block the strong currents, and the water near Occitan is more like a gentle lake than a boisterous sea.
Rowan turns me so I’m facing him. My legs are around his waist and my arms around his shoulders as the cool water rises higher, lifting us on the delicious currents. It soothes the little sting of my spanking, and I’m completely relaxed.
“It feels so good,” I murmur, tracing my nose along his jaw. He smells like citrus and wood fires.
Currents roll past us in bubbling waves, breaking gently on the shore, but I’m blissed out in the arms of my sexy husband, my perfect lover.
“I hated leaving you this morning.” His bea
rd scuffs my cheek as he kisses my temple. “But you seem to be feeling better?”
Leaning my head on my hand, I study the line of his collarbone as the water swirls around and between us. “I need to finish my plan. Will you help me?”
“I’ll do whatever you need.”
Tightening my arms around him, I kiss the side of his neck. “Thank you,” I whisper.
“We’ll handle all the details tomorrow.”
He’s walking us to the shore, and I rest my head to the side. “I’m completely boneless,” I laugh.
“Come, beautiful. Let’s rest a while.”
* * *
My eyes spring open in the pitch darkness of our bedroom. Dread floods my stomach, and I blink several times, trying to remember. Was it a dream? Rowan is beside me quietly sleeping, but something is wrong. I’m trembling with fear.
Carefully moving the blankets aside, I ease out of our bed. It’s one of those memory foam mattresses, so he doesn’t stir as I rise, scooping his discarded shirt off the floor and pulling it around my shoulders. Quietly, I make my way down the hall to the sitting area where I left my laptop.
I don’t know why I have this premonition. It’s like I know something bad has happened. It’s inexplicable, but the pounding in my chest forces hot tears into my eyes. My fingers fly over the keys as I type the familiar letters and numbers.
The peaceful Maryland neighborhood is on the screen. It’s sunny and a car drives past. Nothing is disturbed. It looks the same as always.
Opening another window, my heart beats faster. London is only a day’s journey from Monagasco, and it’s night on Grace’s street. It appears to be raining. Headlights flash as they roll past, and I see it. I see the dark cars parked along the curb. I see the lights flashing white in the colorless window. I hiccup a breath and pull up the police wire, but I already know. It’s happening again. I don’t have to reference the numbers. I remember them.
Suspected burglary…
Coroner case…
Over.
Chapter 11
Rowan
Ava is asleep in the sitting room when I find her before sunrise. The laptop is open, and she’s wrapped in my shirt. I pick her up and carry her in my arms back to bed. She stirs, hugging my neck.
She’s crying, and her little whimpers are like knives ripping my stomach to shreds. “What’s wrong, my Ava?”
I lower her to the bed and pull her closer, her face against my chest.
“I had a dream…” she sniffs. “I knew… somehow.”
“Knew what, my love?”
“It’s too late.” She shakes her head and presses her nose into my side.
I can’t tell if she’s still asleep and dreaming. I’m not sure if this is residual emotions from her discovery of the other girl. I hold her slim body, moving my hands up and down her back as she calms.
“Sleep, darling,” I whisper. “We can figure it out in the morning.”
She only wraps her arm around my waist. She holds me, trembling a long time before she relaxes. I’m awake much longer, mentally running through what I know. Freddie is keeping tabs on everything. Nothing has changed as far as I know. I can only assume my beautiful wife had a bad dream.
André and I have researched the specifics of Ava’s situation. It’s extremely unusual. We’ve learned the amount of money Ava stole puts her at risk of grand theft charges in Florida, which could mean she’s facing five to ten years in prison. I remember it had been the leverage Reggie used against Zelda years ago to make her help him.
I’m sure we can get the charges dropped, especially considering she’s my wife, the queen regent of Monagasco. Even if we can’t get them dropped, Monagasco has no extradition agreement with the United States, and I’ll be damned if I let anyone take Ava.
By cruel comparison, any sexual assault charges she might want to file against this Dwayne Vega bastard would fall outside the statute of limitations. Combined with a lack of evidence, we essentially have nothing legal to use against him. He walks away scot-free.
I have no intention of sharing any of this information with my beautiful bride. Still, learning it, combined with the ongoing pressure of implementing this new referendum is what drove me to the track yesterday… with some very unexpected and extremely pleasurable consequences.
Glancing down at my sleeping wife, I smile remembering her sassy, seductive greeting. If it were physically possible for my jaw to hit the floor, it would have happened when I walked in to see her wrapped in only my white dress shirt and an assortment of toys waiting.
At times it is difficult to maintain control around her, and that time, my response had been primal. I’d let go and followed my basic instinct to possess her. Taking her from behind, jerking her ass up and to me with that strap... I’ve never come that hard in my life.
Tomorrow, I have a videoconference with Prince Fayed of Tunis, my sometime racing rival and friend. For now, my queen is safe and sleeping at my side. I’ll do anything to make her happy and help her with this problem. It’s the last thought on my mind as I drift to sleep.
Chapter 12
Ava
I decide to wait on telling Rowan about Grace until I’m sure I’m correct in what I think is happening. Still, I can’t escape the fears crowding my mind. First, Ramona is killed in a robbery. Now Grace. It can’t be a coincidence… Can it?
Could it possibly be some sick twist of fate? Is it possible after all this time, with the two women living oceans apart… Could Dwayne be searching for the money?
The thought is in my mind when our special refugee email account dings. My brow lines, and I foolishly think in the midst of all this chaos, perhaps something good is about to happen.
The email subject is “Family Information”:
My Dear,
I’m so proud of you. After all this time to find you’ve risen to such heights. Queen regent. I can’t say I’m surprised. You were always the most beautiful of the girls.
I’m sure one hundred and fifty thousand dollars isn’t much to a queen regent, but the fact is it’s everything to me. I’ve used a process of elimination to narrow my search to you. Now you have two choices, which I will present to you in person tomorrow.
Call me old ]-fashioned, but I want to see my girl one more time. I’ll be at the Pantone Café at noon. Do not make me wait. Do not tell your husband, and if you value the lives of your loved ones, do not bring the guards.
Cordially,
Daddy Dwayne
Pushing away from the table, I run to the bathroom and barely make it in time to puke in the toilet. Tears spill over from my eyes, and I cough.
“Oh, God!”
I reach for a tissue to wipe my face. Another tissue to wipe my eyes. My stomach churns, and the weight of fear and misery presses down on my shoulders. I can’t tell Rowan? I can’t bring a guard? How will I escape Hajib? What does he mean by the lives of my loved ones?
Every breath is laced with painful fear. I stagger back to the laptop. When was this even sent? Yesterday!
I’m in our bedroom. Rowan is at the palace, and Hajib is somewhere waiting to take me back when I’m ready. A quick glance at the clock tells me it’s after eleven. I don’t have much time. I scoop my black shift off the floor and throw it over my head. In the bathroom, I clean my eyes, which are smudged black from my tears. I brush my teeth and grab the stolen necklace off the counter.
The bag from the boutique is on a chair, and I drop the necklace into it. It’s the only cover story I can think of. Sandals on, I race down the stairs and out the door without even consulting Hajib. I hop on the Vespa I haven’t used in ages and take off towards the mainland. Traffic is light this time of day, and I’m able to quickly maneuver through traffic to the small shop. The owner’s eyes light up when she sees me. I’m sure she’s hoping the paparazzi will catch wind that I’m here and take pictures. It’s free advertising for her.
“Majesté!” She steps around the counter and does a little bow. “You
’re back. What can I find for you today?”
Looking over my shoulder, I hold my breath, waiting to see if I’ve escaped the black towncar carrying the stocky driver. So far so good.
“Somehow this necklace was mixed up with my things. I didn’t pay for it.” I take the costume jewelry out and place it on the counter. “I’m so sorry.”
“Ah!” She lifts the item and inspects it. “Would you like to add it to your purchase now?”
“Um, no. I’m just… heading to a lunch date, if you don’t mind.”
Going to the back of the shop, I slip out into the alley, leaving my Vespa parked out front. Hopefully, it will give me a little time. Pantone Café is down by the water. It’s a walk-up food stand with a long counter and colorful awnings.
My entire body is trembling with fear. With every step my dread increases. I don’t want to see this man. I don’t want to be alone with him. The only comfort I have is it’s somewhat public. The staff behind the counter will be present. Turning my watch, it’s five minutes until noon. My hand shakes, and I slow my walking. I want Rowan. I want Hajib. I don’t want to be here…
“Still beautiful…” The voice is a cruel rasp at my back, and I spin around, holding out my hand.
“Stay back!” The words are out before I can stop them.
Dwayne Vega is as fleshy and pale as ever. Watery brown eyes move over my body, and his sick smile causes acid to rise in my throat.
“I had no idea you’d be so easy to find. Of course, that also means we don’t have much time.”
“Tell me what you want.” My voice is sharp but shaky. I’m terrified.
Flashes of panic surge under my skin. The internal confusion over whether to run or scream or freeze in place twists my guts, and I’m afraid I’ll vomit again.
“I want my money. You’ll give it to me or you’ll regret it.” He holds out a business card. “This is where you will leave the note. Two days. I will be there. If the money is not, I will take something from you.”
