Her Devil's Kiss
Page 10
“Who?” Alex’s voice slashed sharply through the silent room. “If he’s still in a covert assassin team, I’ll find him.”
“Daniel Escort. I found out his real name during the research I did on my handler when he started threatening me with my sister.” She accepted Rhone’s brief hug with a smile. It had been a harrowing time. “He earned the name Blade Runner early on in his career. As an assassin, you learn to disassociate yourself with your target. He never did. To him, it was personal, he loved to look into their eyes, watch their terror. He never killed silently. He wanted his victims to know what was coming.” Samantha looked at the men surrounding the body. “I don’t think he’s still with the CIA, Alex. This is definitely his signature, which means he signed up with the corrupt bastards. They would offer him the kind of targets that gave him the satisfaction he craved. Cruel, unfeeling … and with no holds barred.”
“And at a guess, he would have gone underground too. Become a shadow like every fucking bastard working for the Sixth Order,” Alex rumbled in an angry growl.
“That would be my guess,” Samantha agreed softly. She leaned against Rhone. His arms folded around her as he pulled her into his embrace. She felt his warmth penetrate her skin; she smiled secretly. This was where she belonged. Safe, in his arms.
“Well, now it’s Joanne and my turn. Out, all of you. We need the space cleared so we can get to work.”
“Forget it. I’m not going anywhere,” Lance drawled as he leaned against the wall.
“Neither am I.” Max went to stand next to him. His sharp gaze warned Joanne not to push his patience any further.
The two women looked at each other. “I guess we might as well put them to work then,” Lexi lilted. She hunched down and opened the large silver suitcase she’d carried with her. She flung surgical gloves at the two men. “Put that on. I don’t want the scene to be more contaminated than it already is.”
“Yes, ma’am,” they retorted as one.
Chapter Ten
Pamela tangled her fingers together behind her back. Standing in such a forced hunched over position had felt uncomfortable at first, not to mention embarrassing. The blindfold at least protected her from the curious eyes and speculation of the Club members and subs she could hear twitter all around. She kept her eyes closed behind the black silk sash and forced her body to relax.
Her mind wandered back to the scene in the shower with Alex. Her breath hitched as she felt the telltale heat flush her loins as she remembered his hands caressing her skin, pinning her in place as he powered into her. It had been so long since they’d been together that she’d been completely overwhelmed by the desire to keep feeding his lusts, even after her legs had crumbled and all she could do was hold on and ride the tidal wave that had been Alex White. He had always known exactly which buttons to push to arouse her, to get the most out of her sexually. This time she’d been in awe of his control. The power he’d exerted over her in such a strong, uncompromising way, had completely overwhelmed her.
She bit her lip. Alex disapproved of the way she’d lived and acted over the past three years. If she was honest with herself, she couldn’t blame him. The connection they’d made all those years ago had been special, a bond that had been so much more than just physical.
I wanted him so badly then and he knew it. I wonder if he ever understood just what he did for me at the time. That he’d been my savior.
If not for Alex, Pamela would never have survived Kieran’s debilitating emotional abuse, which had increased exponentially after the threat she’d made the last time he’d hit her.
At first, she hadn’t told Alex she was married and when she did, they had already developed feelings for each other. Strong feelings that bound them together deep inside their souls. Although he’d never voiced it, she’d known what he’d believed. That she would leave Kieran to be with him. If only she’d had the guts to do it. Maybe then Kieran would still have been alive.
She licked her lips and tilted her head. She could hear soft voices behind her and identified them as a couple of the trainee subs. Her sigh of regret was for her alone. She had treated them poorly since Alex had gotten hurt.
Oh god! I became Kieran … just on a different level.
The thought shook her to the core. Was that why he abused me? Because emotionally he couldn’t deal with living away from his beloved farm? Like I couldn’t cope emotionally with the thought that Alex might die.
Regret always came too late. She realized it now. Regret that she didn’t do the right thing—for both herself and Kieran by walking away rather than try and make things work. He might have stopped physically abusing her but the emotional scars he’d left from that point on, had cut deep. So deep that she’d begun to believe she was to blame for his unhappiness. She was still hounded by those memories. Joining a BDSM club had given her the escape hatch she’d sought in an effort to keep sane and not completely lose her personality to his constant emotional battering. It was where she’d met Alex.
Memories of their time together had been what had kept her going all these years, what had made her worm her way in at Club Devil’s Cove. She had to be near him. Her chin lowered.
God, I’ve been so selfish. It’s all been about me and what I needed. What did I give him in return? Nothing! I cut him off.
She felt the burn of tears behind her eyes. She didn’t bother to stop them and soon the blindfold turned wet.
Kieran in a way had won, just like Alex had said. He’d kept them apart, knowing how her guilt would make her react. Maybe he’d known her better than she’d ever believed.
But no more. It had to end. She’d fucked up and realized it now. Kieran had been buried, in more ways than one, and finally, she accepted that nothing would have changed the outcome. He would never have been happy, and if she’d left him, he would’ve done the same thing.
Alex almost dying had shaken her to the core. They deserved to be happy, and now she believed they’d been given a second chance at life. Every person needed a harbor as security. Alex was hers.
Pamela had been addicted to him before and now she craved all he had to offer. Security, safety and love, an anchor she could hold onto; because without him in her life, she’d be nothing.
A feeling of serenity flowed through her. Peace and acceptance. This was where she wanted to be; where she belonged—a submissive. Master Rage’s sub.
“Mistress Pam?” a hesitant voice spoke next to her. She’d been so engrossed in her thoughts, she hadn’t heard the sub approach.
“Not tonight. Tonight, I’m just a trainee sub like all of you.”
“I’m sorry. We never intended for you to be punished and humiliated like this.”
Pamela turned her head and smiled. She couldn’t see anything but at least she could try and ease the young woman’s mind.
“It’s not punishment or humiliation, little one. I’m being reminded what it’s like to be a submissive.”
“I don’t understand. Are you saying that … you’re not a Domme?”
“For a while I was, but deep down …” She inhaled deeply. “I can’t deny that I’m a submissive and always will be. It’s time I fully accept that and return to what makes me happy.”
“So, you’re not angry with us?”
“Not at all. Now, unless you want to see Master Rage punish me for talking with you, you better leave.”
“Just so you know, Mistress Pam, we all love you. You might have been strict and a little … rough with us over the past couple of weeks but you have taught us so much.” She hesitated briefly. “I hope Master Razor will allow you to continue to train us. We trust you and know you have our best interest at heart.”
“Thank you, little one. I would like that.” Pamela was moved by the request. She decided to discuss the matter with Rhone and Alex. Whether or not she was a Domme, she still could offer the best submissive training of all of them.
“I’ll leave you alone now. Do you mind if we stay and watch?”
“Not at all, but always remember, whatever you witness during this scene, as a submissive, you’re always the one in control.”
She listened to the soft footsteps retreating. She cleared her mind and calmed her breathing as she waited. Finally, at peace with the direction her life was taking.
“How much longer are you gonna make her wait?” Bruce stared through the two-way window of Rhone’s office into the Entertainment Room.
Alex didn’t respond immediately. He too, was enraptured by the sight of Pamela Seeger waiting for him in the center of one of the platforms against the wall of the large room. She looked hot as fuck in a black thong and a tight under-breast corset with a demi bra that barely covered her nipples. Over the distance, he could see the coral colored areolas peep from the royal blue satin that cut into the rounded curves of her breasts due to the position she stood in.
“She needs to rediscover the thrill of waiting patiently for her Master,” he said as he took a sip of his drink. “Reconnect with the submissive in her.”
“Hold on.” Bruce turned a sharp gaze on Alex. “Rediscover? What do you know about our formidable Mistress Pam that we don’t?”
Alex contemplated his response. He’d kept his prior association with Pamela secret because of the emotional state she’d been in since Kieran’s death. But things had changed. It was time they found out the truth.
He turned to face the rest of the Senior Masters, gathered as usual for a short meeting at the club. “Pamela and I have a history.”
“No shit, Sherlock. Do you honestly think we haven’t realized that over the past couple of months?” Max crowed.
“Yes, mate. I’m afraid you haven’t been too successful in hiding your feelings whenever you look at her,” Keon said easily. He shuffled around in the chair. He raised his glass. “You’ve got good taste, Alex, I’ll give you that.”
“Which doesn’t mean we understand what you mean with reconnecting with the submissive in her. We all thought she’s a natural Domme,” Ethan interjected.
“She’s not a Domme. It’s all been a ruse … to keep me away from her.” His eyes sought her out again. Her posture was relaxed, which surprised him, considering the position she was in. Her legs were spread the width of her shoulders and kept in place with a steel spreader bar. The customary fuck me shoes she wore gave her legs added length. His mouth began to drool as his eyes trailed over their toned length, remembering the strength in them as she wrapped them around his waist. He deliberately shook off the memory. Her wrists were tied together behind her back and hooked to a chain hanging from the rafters, which had been pulled up, forcing her upper body to lean forward as her arms were dragged higher and upward. Her eyes were covered with a black blindfold.
“I don’t follow.” Richard sounded confused, which by the expression on everyone’s faces, par Rhone’s, they all shared.
Alex blinked as his gaze caught Rhone’s. “You know.”
Rhone shrugged. “It’s my business to know everything of the people I invite in as shareholders to the Club.” He settled in a chair and pushed his long legs out in a lazy pose. “But it’s your story to tell, mate.”
Alex shrugged. “Long story short, Pamela and I met five years ago while she was still married. Kieran Seeger couldn’t adapt to city life and took out his frustration with his fists until he almost killed her. Pamela gave him an ultimatum. He stopped the physical abuse but turned to tormenting her emotionally. She joined the same club I frequented at the time to find a safe haven and to keep her sanity. I didn’t know at first she was married.” His eyes clouded over. “I suppose I was naive to believe she would leave him. She grew up Catholic and would never have embarrassed her parents by divorcing him.”
He turned to stare at the blonde woman, noticing one of the trainee subs talking to her. His sigh dragged out as he turned to face his friends.
“I couldn’t walk away from her and we ended up having an affair outside of the club. Somehow, Kieran found out and instead of dealing with it, he committed suicide. Pamela has been living with the guilt since then. She only became a Domme to keep me away from her.”
“But why follow you here if she didn’t want you in her life?” Richard asked with a frown.
“Because, mate, she never stopped loving him.” Max smiled at Alex. “I guess since she’s now your trainee sub, that might change.”
“Oh, she already told me she loved me after I came out of the hospital but if there’s one thing I don’t need, it’s pity love.” He held up his hand when Ethan opened his mouth. “No, whether or not she believes she loves me, I’ve had enough. It’s time to move on. I want a wife and children. She made it clear there isn’t a future for us. I’ll train her and set her on the right path. Hell, I’ll have some fun while I’m at it, but I am done being used.”
“Good luck with that, mate. Especially as I heard a little birdie tell me that she moved into your house to help out your mother,” Ethan said with a chuckle.
Alex snorted. “I’m old and wise enough to smell a scheme when I see one. Now I have two interfering and irritating women underfoot.”
The deep laughter of the men followed him toward the door. “That being said, I believe it’s time one of them starts learning that I’m not the same pushover I was all those years ago.” He winked at them over his shoulder as he opened the door. “I’m going to need some help with her training tonight. Feel free to join me downstairs.”
His footsteps were light as he ran down the stairs. It felt good to have opened up to his friends. They had always shared their woes. It hadn’t felt right to keep it from them all these years.
He joined the small group of members standing in front of the platform. His eyes took inventory of Pamela’s posture. He was well pleased as he took note of the proud tilt of her head. She wasn’t showing any signs of discomfort. The subs twittered excitedly as they noticed his presence. At the same time, he watched Pamela’s spine stiffen. She knew he was there, watching silently. She didn't move and soon her body relaxed again.
Alex had no doubt that by now her arms must be killing her from the pressure of being pulled back so high. He jumped onto the platform with the suaveness of a jungle cat, soft and undetected—courtesy of his years as a Navy SEAL. He circled her, watching every muscle twitch as he went. Her head tilted just an inch to indicate she felt his presence.
Her body glowed with sensuality in the dim lighting from the sconces on the walls. Like always when he was in her presence, he stood helpless against the invisible pull of her allure. She exuded a carnal magnetism that threatened to break through his resolve to keep her at a distance. When it came to Pamela, Alex had never been able to disassociate his physical attraction from the emotional. Somehow, the one fed off the other. To see her in such a submissive position waiting on him like all those years ago, tugged at his heartstrings.
Get a hold of yourself, White. It’s not meant to be. Move on. Like you decided!
He didn't touch her, but he moved closer, allowing her to feel his presence in the heat of his body close behind hers. Her breathing hitched and released in quick little puffs. This close, he noticed the tremor of her upper arms. He cursed silently and quickly moved to the chain pulley. He released it and it turned slack. He always took care not to cause a sub unnecessary discomfort or pain. She’d been waiting in this position for nearly an hour. Her muscles must be causing her excruciating pain by now.
Pamela didn't move, she kept her arms in the elevated position. His lips twitched with pleasure as he moved behind her again. His warmth permeated into her skin as he brushed her hair back over her shoulder and traced her cheek. His hands moved over her shoulders to force down her arms.
“Straighten.”
&nbs
p; She slowly stood upright. Her moan was low as he started to massage her upper arms. His fingers found every tight knot as he moved them over each bicep. He didn't say a word, just listened to her delightful mewling sounds as he loosened every one with supple movements of his hands.
Better?” His voice sounded gruff in her ear.
“Much better, thank you, Sir.”
Alex's lips twitched. It was going to take a while for her to revert to calling him Master—if ever. He was still wondering about her motives when she had joined him in the shower a couple of nights back. He shook it off. He did know why and he refused to allow the sexual tension that existed between them to rule his behavior or his mindset. Not now and not ever again. She had made it clear they didn't have a future years ago.
The sudden declaration of love, in his opinion, had been a gesture of pity ... spurred on by the empath in her. He didn't need any. Her words just before the explosion echoed in his mind. “There is no choice to make, Alex. I made it four years ago. What we had was a mistake. It’s over and has been for a long time. There are no embers left to rekindle. Leave me alone.”
What he needed was a wife who wanted to share his life and give him children. After Kieran's death, she'd made it clear that she would never marry again. He'd clung to the hope that time would heal her wounds and she would realize her future was with him. When she changed her lifestyle and became a Domme, she’d doused any hope he had for them. Even if she’d been honest in her declaration and still loved him, that much hadn't changed. He had to let go of the remnants of feelings in his heart and seek his own happiness.