MidnightInk-epub Read online

  The scent of coffee, herbs and leather hung in the air. In fact, the rawhide fragrance was stronger.

  He’d bound her like this during their photo shoot, but she’d worn a mask that covered everything, save for her eyes. She’d been a marionette.

  And now she’d never see the images.

  Odalia pushed the memories from her mind. There was no sense dwelling on anything save this moment. She tilted her head to the side and listened as Jacques crossed the floor again, coming nearer. Something slapped against flesh. A crop? A crop could be both thuddy and stingy. She liked the variety.

  Jacques swung something in the air so hard it whistled.

  No.

  Not a crop.

  A flogger.

  Odalia smiled and reached above her head for the chains, gripping the cold links.

  Bring it on, bayou boy.

  The first thwack of the individual leather tails of the flogger hit her across the shoulder blades, knocking her forward onto the balls of her feet. She grunted, but it felt good. Jacques hit her in quick succession, the strikes ranging from her upper back down to her ribs. The thudding sensation was more like a massage than anything else. In fact, she could stand there for an hour or more taking this kind of attention. Each blow licked out soreness, relaxing and easing her muscles into a delicious state of warmth.

  The rhythm broke, and for a beat, everything was still.

  Odalia sucked in a breath, her stomach dropping, and braced herself a moment too late.

  The flogger whistled through the air and snapped her across the shoulder blades, stinging her flesh.

  “Ouch,” she yelped, dancing in place.

  Jacques chuckled and let the tails rain down on her back in gentle, light caresses.

  “Not funny,” she groused.

  Okay, it was, but she wasn’t about to give the man an excuse to laugh at her.

  “Keep your feet spread.” He swung the flogger and the leather strips curled around her outer thigh on the right, then the left.

  She complied with his wish, feeling a little more alert.

  “Good girl.”

  The flogger swung up between her legs, and she yelped, jumping in place. Not from pain, but surprise.

  “Keep those legs spread.” Jacques’ tone was more amused than upset, a contradiction to the quick, stinging slaps of the flogger he delivered to either thigh.

  “Okay, okay.” Again she widened her stance.

  The next kiss of leather smacked her upper back, fire erupting in its wake as he unleashed the not-so-nice side of the toy. She danced in place, hissing, but kept her feet spread. Up and down her body he went, varying the strength with which he laid into her until she was flinching at the gentle licks and giggling when he popped her ass hard enough to leave a mark.

  Endorphins flooded her system, creating a heady rush of adrenaline, lust and oxytocin.

  Jacques circled around to her front, his gaze flicking over her body, lingering on her breasts. He swung a brown leather flogger in a swift figure eight. Odalia sucked in a breath and gripped the chains harder. Her shoulders were beginning to ache, but she didn’t want it to end. Not yet. She wanted more.

  He flicked the flogger and the leather tails snaked out toward her, gently impacting her chest before sliding down her breasts and stomach. He caught the end of the strips in his hand and again, allowed them to fall softly on her chest, not even hard enough to thud. More like tease.

  She arched her back, wanting more on her breasts. Her hypersensitive flesh yearned for more.

  Jacques let the flogger dangle from his wrist and closed in on her, cupping her face. She lifted up on tiptoes, still not tall enough to reach him, but begging just the same. He pushed her back down and bent his head, meeting her lips with his.

  Odalia gasped as an electric sizzle shot through her veins, more potent than lust or arousal, something different, something new. She leaned forward on the balls of her feet, seeking a deeper connection. He nipped her lower lip and smoothed over the hurt with his tongue, suckling her lip. Warmth pooled in her abdomen.

  He shook the flogger off his wrist and stepped in closer. One hand dug into her hair, tilting her head back, while the other delved into her panties, cupping her mound. A thick finger slid between her folds, finding the sensitive bundle of nerves. She gasped, rocking her hips back and forth. Her body shuddered, tiny electric volts jumping from cell to cell, the synapses vibrating to her skin. She tore her mouth from his, gasping as colors clashed over her vision.

  “Amazing,” he muttered. “You came, didn’t you?”

  “Uh, yeah. A little,” she gasped, sagging against the restraints.

  “I’ll have to remember you come easily.” He removed his hand from her panties.

  Odalia peeked at him through her lashes. She did not like the sound of that.

  Jacques unclipped the restraints from the chains but kept his thumb through the D-rings. He brought her arms down in front of her, massaging her back and shoulders with his other arm. She leaned forward, placing her cheek against his chest and allowing him to hold her, care for her.

  Arousal still sang through her body. She shifted in place, rubbing her thighs together.

  It had been a long time since she’d had sex with a play partner, for a variety of reasons. Too many people wanted open relationships, which didn’t jibe with Odalia’s thought process. She was the jealous sort. Those she clicked with wanted a polyamorous relationship, which she wasn’t hardwired to function in, or they had no interest in kink. Not all that long ago, she’d tried to have a normal, D/s, free relationship, and it had ended almost as soon as it had begun.

  Odalia almost didn’t even know how to go about the business of asking for sex. Sure, she and Jacques had negotiated to a point, but sex had never been mentioned. Until last night. Did that count as negotiations? God, she hoped it did because she wanted him to fuck her with that big cock.

  “I can hear you thinking,” he said, voice low, as if they had to be quiet.

  “Yeah? What’s going through my mind?” She tilted her head to the side and peeked up at him.

  “Hmm.” He reached between them, cupping her mound again.

  Odalia gasped and her eyes rolled back in her head.

  “You’re still horny, aren’t you?”

  “Yup,” she said, popping the p.

  “Good.” Jacques stepped back, leading her toward the bed. “Because I’m going to fuck you until you come three ways from Sunday.”

  Odalia shivered and her pussy clenched.

  Yes, please.

  Jacques guided her to kneel on the mattress, facing the headboard. He produced a chain attached to something below the bed and clipped her cuffs to the end of it. She almost mourned the loss of her hands. Being able to touch him, rake her nails over his shoulders, all of it, would be amazing, but even better was submitting to his command.

  She knelt on the mattress and watched Jacques pull his T-shirt off, light pouring through the windows lining his loft. The idea someone could see in hadn’t occurred to her until she glanced over his shoulder into an empty room across the street.

  Odalia did enjoy putting on a show.

  He unzipped his jeans and shoved the rest of his clothing down, stepping out of his underwear and pants.

  Jacques was a big man, in every sense of the word. She shivered, eyeing his cock as he stroked himself from root to tip.

  “You can say no, bébé,” he said in a voice so low and rough she knew it was forced.

  “You’re right. I can, but I won’t.”

  His gaze flashed, and he paced toward the bed, digging his hand into her hair and forcing her back. She moaned into his mouth, seeking more connection.

  He climbed on the bed, breaking the connection long enough to rummage in the nightstand, muttering to himself until he retrieved a condom. She grinned, watching him tear it open with his teeth and roll the latex on his hard length.

  Odalia twisted to watch over her shoulder as he
laid his palms against her back and kissed the places that still stung. Their gazes locked as his tongue flicked over one hurt, soothing it. His hands grasped her panties, pulling them down her hips. She lifted up on her knees, and he slid them off, tossing them over the edge of the bed.

  Her heart hammered in her chest as if this were her first time, which was silly. But she savored the surge of nerves, the anticipation and the sense of urgency in her breast.

  She spread her knees and planted her hands on the mattress, fisting the sheet to give her something to hold on to.

  Jacques positioned himself between her legs, one hand at her hip. She felt the blunt head of his cock at her entrance and sucked in a deep breath. He pushed forward, and she breathed out, forcing herself to relax. He thrust, sinking deeper, his progress eased by how soaked her pussy had become during their play.

  “Damn, bébé.”

  Jacques withdrew and thrust again. She moaned as delicate flesh stretched around his girth. She’d never been so full before.

  “Yeah,” he muttered as his length lodged within her.

  Odalia’s inner muscles fluttered, hugging him tight.

  He wrapped her locks around his fist, and her pulse jumped to triple time as he pulled her head back. Most men wouldn’t dare fuck her like this, as though they owned her, body and soul, but Jacques was not a man who questioned whether or not he could. He simply did.

  Odalia moaned as he began to piston in and out of her, assaulting her sensitized pussy, pushing her forward with force, not gentle care. The roots of her hair prickled with a pleasant, slightly painful sensation as he tugged each time his cock plunged deep.

  “Oh, God,” she muttered and dropped to her elbows, seeking a better grasp on the edge of the mattress.

  His thrusts grew rougher, his hold on her tighter as she was bent into an almost impossible curve.

  She struggled to stave off the tide of orgasm until he’d found pleasure, till his cock pulsed deep within her. Biting her lip, she squeezed her eyes shut.

  Jacques circled her waist with his free arm, plunging deep and hard. His fingertips fanned over her mound, brushing the sensitive nerves.

  Odalia screamed as the tidal wave of orgasm washed over her, setting off the mother of all explosions behind her eyelids. She was aware of Jacques shouting, of his rough, uneven thrusts. Her body shuddered, spent and weak as he stilled behind her.

  For several long moments the only sound was of their labored breathing. Jacques moved first, pulling out of her and flopping on the bed. He unbuckled the cuffs and pulled her over his chest, cradling her.

  Odalia cuddled closer, loving the sensual feel of lying naked, spent and used next to someone.

  Chapter Three

  Jacques scratched Creature behind the ears. The pit bull’s tongue lolled out the side of his mouth. A single lamp chased away the darkness as he waited for his obsession to return to her home. Odalia’s come-hither eyes, the hardships she’d faced and her independence drew him.

  Odalia was a woman who challenged him, and Jacques liked a challenge. He did not like having let her down.

  The front door banged open, and Creature shot to his feet and across the room, tail and hindquarters wagging. Odalia kicked the door shut and dropped to her knee.

  “Hello, did you miss me?” she cooed at the animal. Her hair was up in a severe bun, and the uniform hid the colorful woman underneath. Why had it taken him so long to see her apart from the badge? He’d had a glimpse of what was underneath, and he liked it.

  “I know I did.” Jacques smiled and laced his fingers together behind his head.

  Odalia’s head jerked up, and she gaped at him. “What are you doing here?”

  “You have my Jeep.” Jacques pushed to his feet and strolled through the kitchen and living room. They’d had to scramble to get back to her Jeep, only to find its tires slashed, so he’d given her his keys.

  Odalia stood. “You put new tires on my Jeep. How did you get in?”

  “Your back window’s loose in the casing. Reached in and unlocked the door. Let myself in.” Jacques invaded her space, and she retreated until her back hit the door. The tough little cop responded to him on a base level, that was for sure. He cupped her face, turning her toward the light. There were no marks, no indication she’d had anything but a typical day.

  Thank the Lord.

  “That’s breaking and entering,” she whispered, a stern cast to her voice.

  “I call it being resourceful.”

  He bent and pressed a sweet kiss to her lips, and the hand clenching his heart eased its grip. Odalia pressed closer, a little moan escaping her lips.

  “No.” She shook her head and pushed him back.

  He lifted his hands and took several steps away from her, the single word a knife to his gut. “Sorry, I thought—”

  “Not that kind of no.” She dug in her pocket and shoved a piece of paper at him. “I guess I’m glad you’re here. I was doing paperwork today, and I found that.”

  He unfolded the paper.

  I’ve seen the pictures, you slut.

  “Where did you find this?” He turned the paper over. It was plain white paper, the kind found in any printer in the city.

  “In my active files on my desk at the station. The ones I’m sure to look at every fucking day.” Odalia knelt and hugged Creature, who seemed to sense his mistress’ distress.

  The sick feeling in the pit of his stomach dropped. It was as he’d feared. “It’s another cop,” he said.

  Odalia laid her head against Creature’s back. The dog whined and twisted to sniff at her.

  Jacques crouched next to her, hating to press her, but if they were dealing with a cop, it changed the game. “After I finished at the shop, I drove over here. There was a car parked down the street in direct sight with a man in it. He didn’t move, didn’t go anywhere for almost an hour. Do you know anyone who drives an older, blue, four-door sedan?”

  Odalia shook her head and stood. “No, not that I can think of. Does it have to be a cop?”

  The pain in her gaze, the way her brow furrowed and the corners of her mouth turned down, hurt his heart.

  “Let’s think about it. Who would be able to frame Kenny and leave a note in your things in the middle of the station?” It made sense, and he didn’t like it either. The implications that another officer was behind it went against everything his little cop believed in.

  “I need to go to the gym.” She strode through the house and up the stairs, Creature on her heels.

  Jacques followed, reaching the top stair as Odalia tossed her uniform shirt on a chair and kicked her shoes under it. She shucked her belt and pants all in one move, leaving her in black panties and a tank top. The lines of worry had deepened, and a haunted expression clung to her.

  The room was decorated in gauzy fabrics and geometric patterns, with candles on almost every surface. The fragrance of pears clung to the air. Pears and vanilla. It was neat, clean and showed a touch of the feminine side she hid.

  “Hey. Hey, stop a second.” He caught her elbows and pulled her to a stop as she crossed toward a dresser next to the bed. When she didn’t meet his gaze, he tapped her chin with his knuckle. “We’re going to catch him.”

  Their gazes locked, and the turmoil boiling inside of her broadcast loud and clear. She jerked her arm out of his hold.

  Creature trotted past them and jumped onto the bed, making himself comfortable.

  “I need to hit something,” she muttered.

  “Hit me.” If she needed to take her anger out on someone, who better than him? This was his fault, after all. He hadn’t protected the images like he should have. Just bringing the camera into the office while they ate would have solved their whole problem. Instead, he’d thought with his cock, only wanting to be near Odalia. He couldn’t move forward with her, with what he wanted to do, until they got those pictures back.

  Odalia needed to ground herself. She needed something he could give her. A little h
ot and heavy physical action.

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” She rolled her eyes and grabbed stretchy yoga pants out of a drawer.

  “I’m serious, bébé.”

  “I am not hitting you.” She stepped into the pants, scowling at him.

  “Fine.”

  Jacques took one step, grabbed her by the waist and tossed her back on the bed. Odalia squawked, and Creature jumped to his feet, barking. He went to grab her leg, but caught the flash of iron-gray fur from the corner of his eye and jumped backward.

  Creature’s jaws snapped together where his arm would have been.

  “Stop.” Odalia snatched Creature’s collar and hauled the dog off the bed. “My dog will tear you to bits. Come on, Creature.”

  She led the dog to the stairs and gave him a little push. The dog glanced over his shoulder, almost appearing sad before he trotted down to the first floor. She closed the door and turned to stare at him.

  In a move so fast he might not have been able to dodge or deflect if he’d wanted to, she took one step and planted her right foot in his chest, knocking him back onto the bed. He bounced, grinning. She had fire, and he didn’t mind getting burned.

  She jumped on top of him, straddling his waist, and punched his chest, once, twice, not hard enough to hurt. The third blow never came. Her shoulders slumped. She lowered herself until she lay on top of him, her head pillowed on his chest.

  Jacques reached up and unrolled her hair, taking out the pins and letting the locks fall in loose waves, pooling all around them. He dug his fingers in, massaging her scalp until she relaxed.

  It was a crime that someone was destroying the beautiful pictures they’d created. He’d savored each pose, the progression of dressed to nude, how she’d submitted to every show of bondage for the camera while looking past it to him. They’d danced around each other, exchanging power through the give and take of subject and film. Whoever the bastard was, Jacques hoped to get a piece of him for defiling such a beautiful thing.