“That’s not the point, and you should’ve told me instead of swiping my keys,” I say, pointing my finger at him.
“Alayna, please understand the position that man puts me in. I’ve had to do some crazier things when it comes to you.”
My head snaps his way. “Like what?”
“Well, I’m referring mostly to when I had to enter your friends’ home and retrieve your belongings without their permission.”
I release a loud puff of air. “I know there is more you’re not telling me, but I won’t make you divulge that information. I’m sorry. I’m a little stressed after all I’ve completed in a matter of a few days, and I imagine you’re sick of being here with me.”
My phone rings, and I cringe when I see it’s Damon. Surely, he’s angry over the message I left, but I’m pissed, too.
“Alayna, I don’t appreciate the tone in your voicemail.”
“I don’t appreciate you doing something else behind my back.”
“What are you referring to?”
“Ugh! That means there is more than one thing if you have to ask.”
“Alayna, I’m busy at work. What are you upset over?”
“My car.”
“What about it? I’m making sure it gets to New York for you.”
“Exactly. I can’t even imagine what that is costing you. I told you I can take care of myself,” I say rudely.
“Young lady, we’re going straight past riding crop to caning if you don’t show a little more appreciation.” I gasp. “I’m serious, Alayna. Don’t challenge me.”
“Why are you so grumpy?”
“I’m dealing with a matter here at work, and I have a stubborn redhead biting my head off for doing something thoughtful. This move of yours is taking longer than I expected, and I don’t like it one damn bit. It’s Monday, Alayna. I haven’t seen you since Thursday morning.”
Feeling chastised, I recoil to the floor of my empty apartment. He’s quiet for a second. “I miss you,” he says softly as if he’s torn whether he wants me to hear.
I chew on my fingernail, feeling like a total jackass.
“Shit. I’m sorry, Damon. It is thoughtful. I’m just struggling with you paying for so many things. You really miss me?”
“Yes, so stop being difficult. I’m the reason you’re moving here abruptly, so this is the least I can do for you. Now, get that finger out of your mouth, and get that lovely ass of yours to the airport, so I can make it a bright shade of pink.”
I grin. “OK. I miss you, too. See you soon.”
Damon
That woman is maddening, yet I miss her something awful. What the hell am I going to do? I can’t lose her. Staring at the email, I call George’s extension. “My office now, please,” I say while gnawing on my pen.
He soon strolls in. “How are you?”
“Another email came this morning, and I’m about to fire Leon. He swears he can’t do anything about these, but he does still have a hacker working on tracing back the system’s breach.”
“Well, what did it say?”
“I have a week. That’s all they’re giving me to back out of the deal.”
“You’re not backing out. You heard PR; they said to tell the story to the news yourself. Then we can go to the Feds over Vasser and finish this deal. People will eventually lose interest in this story. Things will die down and go back to normal.”
“Yes, George. It’s all so fucking simple in your mind,” I snap before jumping up from my chair. I’m soon pacing as I look out the window.
“I’m sorry, Damon. I know this position you’ve been put in is terrible, but I don’t see any way around it. We could back out of this, and if they feel they’ve covered their tracks enough not to get caught, then they might leak it, anyway.”
“Alayna can’t find out. She’ll see me as weak and might leave to save her reputation. I can’t lose her, George. No amount of money is worth giving her up.”
“What happens if you don’t tell her, and she finds out later in your relationship? Then what? I’ll tell you what. She’ll be furious and hurt that you kept something like this a secret, and you’ll most definitely lose her.”
“Fuck!” I slam my fist against the glass.
“She’ll understand. You were young and the victim in the whole thing. I mean, you almost died for that bitch.”
“Exactly, and she’ll see me as that pathetic boy.”
“I don’t believe she will. I’m telling you; you’ll regret not sharing the truth. I haven’t even met Alayna, and I can see that she’s good for you.”
I lean my forehead against the glass, along with my palm. I haven’t felt this out of control in over a decade.
“She sees the best in me. She finds the good in the Damon I’m ashamed of, but she also brings out Reed, and I didn’t think he existed anymore.”
“Have dinner tomorrow with Renee and me and bring Alayna. I’d like to meet her.”
Shoving my hands in my pockets, I turn around and stare at him. “Sure, but I know what you’re doing. You’re going to use this to convince me that she’ll stick by my side, but she doesn’t deserve any of the shit she’ll have to deal with.” I take a seat at my desk. “I need to get back to work, but we’ll have dinner.”
Chapter Sixteen
Alayna
“Love is a cocktail of pleasure and pain.”
Roger is driving me to Damon’s from the airport, and I’m surprised when he says that Damon had returned home from work earlier than normal. He really must’ve had a bad day.
I text so he’ll know Quinn is walking me up to the penthouse. He doesn’t respond, so I’m becoming concerned over his likely mood. I’ve witnessed Damon’s outbursts before.
Quinn sets my suitcase on the floor once inside, and I thank him before he leaves. Strolling through the foyer, I notice the house is dim and quiet.
As soon as I step into the living room, I’m pushed against the wall. Startled, I shriek and then feel Damon’s body pressed against me.
“You scared me to death,” I say a little breathless.
“I didn’t mean to.” His hands shove far into my hair and grip it tight as his lips slam against mine. His tongue is darting in and out and stroking with ferocity.
I’m wearing my comfortable, black yoga pants and my off the shoulder grey sweatshirt, so I feel his erection pressing forcibly against my body.
He releases my lips and stares into my eyes, his fingers still woven tightly in my hair.
“I have to have you right now.” His look is desperate, and once again, Damon’s treating me as if I’m the only other person in the world and all he needs for his survival. Still holding onto my hair for dear life, he leans over and sucks on my neck before he’s raining kisses along my bare shoulder.
“I love this outfit,” he says. “Come.” He takes my hand firmly and pulls me down the hallway. We go into the room I usually sleep in. “Take off only your shirt and bra, and kneel like you did when we used the flogger. I’m sir now.”
“Yes, sir.” He leaves the room, and I get on my knees. I’m biting my lip hard as I speculate on what we’ll be doing. He’s in the most aggressive mood I’ve ever seen him in, so I have a feeling pain is definitely involved. It surprises me when I realize I’m wet just from the thought.
I hear Damon return. He takes hold of a chunk of my hair in the back and pulls it downward. I’m now staring up at him. “This is a riding crop. Feel it.” I move my hand along the stick. “This one is made of cane, and it’s wrapped in leather.”
He moves his finger, pointing to the parts of it. “This black loop at the end will be used for lighter impact and shouldn’t hurt.” He holds the crop horizontal and moves the end up and down, showing how flexible the loop is. “Lay your forearms on top of the bed and lean over some.”
I do as he directs and realize my backside is now sticking out, giving him easier access to it. “I’ve left you with a little extra padding, but when I strike you with the
long section of the cane, it’s going to hurt. You will determine how much so. Do you understand what that means, Alayna?”
“Yes, sir. I need to use my safe words.”
“Very good.”
After Damon drapes my hair over one shoulder, he drags the loop down the center of my back. It tickles a little but is still exciting. I feel it connect with my shoulder blades lightly.
He continues giving me short, faint taps across and down my bare back. It feels good. When he gets to my butt, he slowly skims the end across it a couple of times. My muscles clench, and I know I’m only getting wetter.
The crop is placed at the under curve of my backside where it meets my upper thighs. He slides it from left to right. “This is where I’m going to strike you the hardest, Alayna.” He gives me one quick hit, and it stings but not badly.
The next thing I feel is the loopy end making contact with my ass. These are harder than taps and sting but in a good way. His hand massages my butt cheeks after. Then I feel the cane part of the crop hit them just below the center. Ouch.
“Alayna, I was not happy with you earlier today. Your challenging behavior was not entertaining this time.”
Another strike across the ass and I flinch. Shit! That hurt. “When I do something for you, you are not to question it. Do you understand?”
I don’t respond since letting him spend his money on me is a struggle.
“Do you understand, Alayna?” Damon asks demandingly.
“Yes, sir,” I say sulkily.
“I think you need a memory to recall when you consider being difficult.”
I feel the strike to the spot he said he’d hit me at the most; the space between my ass and my thighs. Holy Shit, that stings. In reflex, I pull in my pelvis.
“Stick that ass back out, Alayna.” I taste the blood from my lip I’ve been biting as I shove my butt back out for him. Another whack lands in the same spot and hurts just as much.
The crop gently glides from the nape of my neck and down my spine until it meets the top of my thin, yoga pants. He reverses this, and my bare skin feels the pleasure while my ass still holds on to the pain.
“Are you enjoying this?”
“Yes, sir.” My knees almost give when he jerks my pants down. Two fingers thrust right into me, causing me to gasp. “Baby, you are soaking wet. It’s been an exhilarating surprise to find that you enjoy our playtime more than I expected you to.”
“I do, sir.” My hair is twisted around his wrist and yanked backward. His stare is salacious ... carnal. He plunges his tongue in my mouth and strokes mine fiercely while his fingers move inside me. I’m so turned on that I could easily come this way.
Damon lets me go completely, and I whimper from the loss of his touch. “I’m sorry, baby, but we’re done with the extra padding. Now that I’ve seen your ass, I can’t cover it back up.”
I soon let out a yelp when he strikes me right above my thighs again. Sharp, short hits from the loop connect with my ass in several spots. The stings linger, so the accumulation of them radiate across my ass, and I like it.
“How are you, Alayna?”
“Good.”
“Do you want more?”
“Yes, sir, please.”
Damon swats my ass again with the loop but harder. He massages one of the cheeks with his hand before doing the other one. Moving back to above my thighs, he strikes with the cane section.
This pattern continues several times, each hit getting harder and harder. Instinctually, I pull my butt in from the pain, but he forces me to stick it back out for him.
I’m turned on beyond belief. The rough, lascivious act is titillating, yet the pain is becoming unbearable, so I’m confused. Tears well up in my eyes, but I can’t will myself to stop him.
“As red as your ass is, I’m hoping this memory will stick when you think about challenging me, Alayna, but this might backfire since it’s evident you’re enjoying it. Tying you up doesn’t work anymore, and now possibly this. What shall I do to you next?”
“I don’t know, sir.” I manage to choke out my words between the sharp breaths I keep taking to keep my tears at bay. My head is pulled back again, and he’s staring down at me. I feel the tear that escapes and runs down my skin.
“OK. I thought you were enjoying it. Why are you crying?”
“It hurts, sir.”
“Then why haven’t you used a safe word?” He’s pissed.
“It’s thrilling. I like it, and I want to please you, sir.” His expression softens before he leans over and kisses me again. This one is slow, sensuous and gentle, like an apology and thank you wrapped into one. It’s heavenly.
“That’s enough for today. Get on your hands and knees atop the bed. I’m going to fuck you now. Are you going to challenge me when I do things for you?”
“No, sir.”
I hear him strip and put on the condom. He’s soon on the bed behind me. “Your red ass excites me, Alayna. Very much so.” My hips are grabbed, and he’s soon thrusting into me. He repeatedly brings me back against him hard. He’s slamming into me, and I feel as if he’s fucking me even more into submission.
Whatever happened today is causing him to use me to regain control. I’m quickly learning it’s what he needs. I love Damon, so I let him. And oddly, everything he does to me brings pleasure.
He reaches climax, taking me in unison to a blissful place. Shortly, he’s off of me and I collapse. I’m exhausted. I’ve been on the go for over a week, and I can’t keep up any longer.
“Are you hungry?” he asks after he returns from the restroom.
“I’m too tired to eat.”
“Come.” Damon reaches his hand out to me. He narrows his eyes when I hesitate, so reluctantly, I take his hand and climb out of bed.
I trudge behind him, admiring his naked ass, kind of surprised that he didn’t put anything on. He leads me toward his bedroom. Oh hell no. Please don’t tie me up in the shower again. I’m too freaking tired.
We walk in, and he releases my hand. He turns on the bathroom light and leaves the door cracked before he folds back the navy duvet from his neatly made bed.
I look around his room, finally having time to take in the surroundings. It’s in shades of blues and tans and coordinates well with the rest of the house. I’ve noticed he wears a lot of blue, too.
There is a large painting on the wall of what appears to be a home library. The shelves in the picture are lined with books. I don’t recognize it, so I’m curious who painted it.
“Get into bed, Alayna.” My head darts from the painting to him. He’s still messing with the bed, but I believe it’s to avoid eye contact with me. I’m stunned, not expecting him to let me sleep in here anytime soon if ever.
I stroll over and climb into the massive, king size bed. It’s tall and made from solid wood. I’m now fully awake, analyzing what exactly it means to be in his bed. I’m facing him, my eyes wide as he climbs in. He rolls onto his side and smirks at me.
“I thought you were tired.”
“This surprise move woke me up. Can I ask who did the painting?”
“My sister, Debra. She gave it to me as a gift when my first novel hit the New York Times best-seller list.”
“She’s an amazing artist. It’s lovely and so detailed.”
“It means a lot to me, but I didn’t feel I deserved it.”
“Why?”
“I published my book through my company, so I was able to give it a lot of exposure. I felt like I cheated.”
“Damon, you wouldn’t have continued to sell books if you weren’t a great author. I’ve read your writing and it’s wonderful.”
He wraps an arm around my waist and kisses my forehead. I love when he’s sweet. “Are you close to your sister?”
“She’s always been there for me. I should see her more often.” Looking away, his forehead wrinkles as if he’s recalling something upsetting. His mood is all over the place.
“Do you want to talk about your da
y? I know nothing about running a corporation, but I do know a lot about the publishing world if you need to vent.”
“No,” he says curtly. Pulling away, he rolls onto his back.
There is something I’d like to discuss with him, but I’m not sure if it will send me back to my own room. It’s becoming awkward between us rapidly, so I’m taking a chance. At least it will end the silence.
“I need to ask you something.”
Damon rubs his forehead. “What, Alayna?”
I wish he wouldn’t become so irritable when he has to open up. “Do you get tested regularly for STD’s?” I watch a grin spread across his face as he rolls back toward me. Shoo, what a relief.
“Once a year, sometimes twice. I’ve worn a condom every single time I’ve ever had sex.”
“Every time?” I ask, sounding surprised.
“Every single time. Also, without getting into details, I’ve never engaged in sexual activity with people who would be careless. It’s always been more about the pain with me and fucking.
“Kissing, oral sex, it’s all too personal for me, so the images you have swimming in your overthinking head are most likely not accurate.”
“If you gave me an accurate picture, I wouldn’t overthink.”
“Stop, Alayna. Remember our conversation about staying in the present? Of all the days I’ve known you, I need you to do that today more than any of them.”
He looks away again. I wish I was a damn mind reader. “There’s always a chance of catching something, Alayna, but I’m safer than anyone you’d meet out at say a bar. That I’m certain of. I get tested regularly which is more than most people do.”
I nod thoughtfully, contemplating how I should approach my next question.
“If this has concerned you, why did you wait until now to say so? It’s not very responsible of you if it’s been a worry.”
I scowl at him. Maybe I won’t give him the news I believe he’d love to hear.
“I’m not a child, so I don’t need you to lecture me about responsibility. I haven’t been worried. I knew you were someone who would be cautious, but it would be irresponsible of me not to ask if you’ve been tested considering what I’m about to suggest.”
One Urge, One Plea, Keep Me Trilogy Page 19
