I can’t believe the effect this man has on me. Things like tight corsets and bondage aren’t usually my style, but for him–I would love to see what happens. My gaze zeroes in on my trapped wrist and then I lift my eyes to Luke and quirk a brow, in true Lieshe fashion.
“You’ll need my help,” he explains, dropping my arm and motioning to the laces.
“Oh, right,” I acknowledge and stand next to the changing booth, clasping the corset to my front while he undoes the laces down the back. My imagination is really running away with me–he was just being helpful.
After he unties the complex knot at my waist, I feel his finger dipping between the laces and my spine up to my neck and then down, down, down my back. Each touch leaves a small, fiery spark and by the time he is done, my skin feels lit up like the fourth of July. I am so thankful he has unlaced me or I worry I would have finally passed out.
He taps my bottom, shooing me forward, in what I could easily interpret as nothing more than a tap between football players. But given his effect on me, I whip my head around in surprise, surprised to see his retreating back.
I frown and step into the booth and get dressed again. The little devil on my shoulder says, he could have spanked us harder. Besides handcuffs, now I’m thinking about him spanking me. The angel on my other shoulder wonders what has gotten into us.
I’m shocked at how much time has passed when I glance down at my watch and realize I really need to get back to the hotel. Before I come back for this evening’s entertainment, I need a quiet minute. Or two. Maybe a cold shower.
I walk out and hand Luke the corset to add to my purchase. He carefully puts it in a nice cloth garment bag emblazoned with his logo. Both pieces are exquisite, but I still swallow hard when he gives me my total. I hand my business and credit cards over to him.
“I really do hope I see you in Baltimore,” I tell him, aiming for a friendly, business type voice. I don’t want him to know the dramatic effect he has had on me in case he is just being a great salesperson, but it’s difficult to hide.
“It would be my pleasure,” he says, caressing my fingers as he takes the cards from me, leaving a tingling trail in their wake. He hands me the garment bag with my new purchases tucked inside.
It’s been a bit of a whirlwind. Luke Devlin has left me dazzled. Don’t get me wrong, I am always willing to take in the sights. But Luke, sweet Heaven above, he has me topsy-turvy as I try to figure out if he is legitimately interested in me or just a flirt.
Before McHottie, I would have blown it off as flirting, but now, with my growing self-confidence, I entertain the thought that Luke really could be interested in me. It’s a fun thought. I also realize this is the first time I’ve thought of McHottie since I laid eyes on Luke.
Iwatch her walk away, taking the garment bag with her. What wicked fun she is to play with! Lieshe, with her enchanting features–glorious hair, mismatched eyes, and voluptuous body—is a masterpiece of temptation. My love of indulgence extends to my preference for lovers with curves. Today’s waifs do nothing for me.
I love seeing my claim on her reflected in her eyes, love knowing every timehelooks at her, he sees me reflected back at him, my yellow-green stain marring the mirror image of his amber eyes. Oh, the thought of his unimaginable pain isexquisite.
Toying with him has been a delightful pastime, meddling with his plans, thwarting his dreams from the shadows. Little nudges here and there to tip the scales in my favor.
Simply knowing I had ruined both of them had been enough in the beginning. But now the stakes are so much higher. A strategic win will require direct intervention. It is time to settle the final score.
I just didn’t expect to enjoy the game so much. With her rose scent tickling my nose, her trembling hands and the goosebumps I left in my wake when I touched her, my black heart stirred to life. My inner beast clawed at my skin to burst free. It was all I could do to keep my touch merely warm rather than searing.
But the best part? Her rapid breaths, dilated pupils, and longing looks at me curled my toes in happiness. I can smell the desperation for love on her like a heady perfume. So thick I can taste it, roll it around on my palate. She desires me, wants me. Everyone always does.
There will be nothing more satisfying than making her mine, leaving a wake of broken-hearted souls behind us. The beast within all but purrs at the vision–oceans of destruction and darkness will trail us like a midnight cloak. I will crown her with a wreath of black stars made from their suffering.
As she walks away and is swallowed into the crowd, I can’t help but laugh at these mere mortals, going about their daily business like anything they do is of any consequence.
Pawns. All of them. Fucking pawns.
Little pawns happy to be moved around. Happy for any little scraps of happiness or reward. Happy to be sacrificed.
Not me. I will never be a pawn again. I will never beg for scraps. I forged my own dark way.
And now—everything is on the line for the little pawns. They stupidly wander about, smiling, blissfully unaware of the grander game or the stakes contained therein.
I am the King,the motherfucking King,and she isma Reine Rouge. I will win and this victory,this one, will be the sweetest of them all.
Itrudge back toward my hotel. My ass is dragging. The trapped summer heat of the city is slowly dropping with the sun, but the humidity persists, pulling frizzy flyaways to tickle my neck. The short walk feels longer after so much walking and standing at the large expo center.
I am happy I accomplished my business goals today, but a little uncertain about some of the more personal aspects–like Luke. He is, well, he isfucking fascinating. No two ways about it.
I catch a whiff of an unusual smell, like spicy cigarettes, and it makes me smile, reminding me of Luke’s cinnamon scent. As I walk, it comes to me.
Cloves, I realize, are the spicy cigarettes. I remember trying them in college and coughing til I cried, but still enjoying the lingering flavor on my lips and being amused at the slight tingling they left in their wake on my tongue.
Luke is spicy and intriguing, like taking a drag from a clove cigarette. Thoughts of wanting to taste him have me marveling at my intense attraction to him. But how can I reconcile my interest in him with my powerful feelings toward McHottie?
