Chapter 23
CELEST
The way Flex praises me as I swallow his cum makes the submissive in me proud.
“You’re such a good girl.” He scoops me into his arms and walks us over to the bed. “But I’m not even close to being done with you tonight. Do you wish to use your safeword?”
“No, Master. I want everything you have to give. I am yours to take.”
“Then get on your hands and knees. It’s time to claim this,” he says, slapping my already tender ass. I’ve never received a punishment while giving a blow job before. It was transcendent. “I’m just going to get some lubricant and a condom.”
At this moment, I have no fear of Flex claiming me. I’m overwhelmed with joy that I have something to offer him that I haven’t given to anyone else. I position myself on the bed, my heart beating wildly. Flex has been preparing me for this for some time, and I’m excited to be a good girl for him.
The familiar sound of foil ripping sends a jolt of desire straight to my core. I don’t look back, keeping my gaze down. Until my Master tells me otherwise, this is my default state. I feel his weight as he climbs onto the bed and moves to be right at my back .
“This is going to be cold, pet.” He smooths his hands over my ass before squeezing a generous amount of lube between my cheeks, and a shiver runs through me. “I’m going to take it as slow as possible. When I tell you to relax and take a breath, you do as you’re told. It will help.”
Now I’m a little nervous. Flex is well endowed, to say the least, and this is a first for me. Lucky for me, I thrive on pain. I drink it in and let it fuel my desire. Tension builds as he rolls on the condom and adds some lube. Then, he grips my hips and pushes just the head of his cock inside me.
“Relax, pet. I’ll make it feel good. I’ve got you.”
I blow out a breath, attempting to quell my nerves. When he feels I’m ready, he moves achingly slow, giving me another inch. Then another. Each time, he gives me a few moments to adjust to the intrusion.
“You doing okay, Celest?”
“Yes, Master.”
“Good girl. I’m going to ease in the rest of the way, and you’re going to breathe through it.” I prepare myself, but the foreign sense of fullness back there is overwhelming. I know my breathing is erratic, adrenaline coursing through my veins.
Flex rubs reassuring circles on my back. “You’re doing really well, pet. So good. And you feel so fucking amazing. Now, I’m going to move. Use your safeword if it’s too painful, but I think you’re ready. Understood?”
“Yes, Master.”
He runs one hand up my spine before fisting my hair and forcing me down onto my elbows. It pushes me into a wider spread of my legs, letting my body open to his cock as he begins to fuck my ass.
“You’re doing so well, pet.” He slowly starts circling his hips, each thrust coming easier than the last until it’s wickedly satisfying. As his movement picks up pace, I find myself moaning in reply. Whatever I thought this would be like, Flex has me on the edge of orgasm. The pain is fleeting, but it punctuates every delicious thrust as he claims me .
“Who’s whore are you?”
“Yours, Master Navarro. Forever yours.”
“That’s right. You’re fucking mine.” He twists my hair around his fist, tighter and tighter, until he pulls my head back, his other hand digging into my hip as he sets a punishing rhythm. I never imagined it could feel this good. We are connected body, mind, and soul, and I let go, putting complete trust in my Master. My love.
“Fuck, Celest… come with me.” He continues to thrust harder and faster, wringing every ounce of pleasure from my body, which I freely give. Tears well in my eyes as he crashes over the edge, taking me with him. “ Celest… oh fuck… Celest. ” My name is a litany of worship as it falls from his lips.
My entire body shakes as we come down from the high of release, but Flex is quick to flip me onto my front. “You have one more orgasm in you, pet.”
He straddles me, a soft sheen of sweat coating his abs as he looms over me. He discreetly discards the used condom before kissing every last inch of my body. It’s different with Flex. The bloom of love in my chest as he cherishes each kiss and flick of his tongue is something I’ve never felt before. I feel genuinely loved. His fingers trail lazy patterns on my skin, his lips following close behind until I’m writhing under his expert touch.
“You taste so fucking good, pet. I’ll never get enough.” A moan escapes me as he rears up and positions himself at my entrance before taking me in one hard, earth-shattering thrust. My pussy is drenched and ready for him, desperate to take all of him. To have him stake his final claim.
“Oh my God. Master… never stop! ” It’s a plea. I dream of a happily ever after I never thought possible.
“I couldn’t even if I wanted to. You own me, pet. You fucking own me.” His lips crash down on mine in a fierce kiss, our tongues twisting and tangling in a slow, sensual fuck, in time with her hips. It’s not frenzied. We are making love to each other in the most intimate way possible—face -to-face. Chest-to-chest. Lip-to-lip. There are no restraints, and I take advantage, wrapping my arms and legs around him, feeling the hard planes of his back beneath my fingertips.
“You’re mine, Master.”
“Fucking right I am.” Our need for each other is primal in its simplicity. As our bodies move, we push each other to the brink before reeling it back time and time again, teasing ourselves as we become one. I would walk through fire for this man, and he sets my world alight as he rips one last orgasm from my body.
“Yes… yes… oh God… Flex! ”
We collapse in a tangle of limbs, soaked in sweat and sated beyond measure. I could lie here with him in this moment for the rest of my life and die a happy woman.
“That was the hottest sex I’ve ever had. Fuck me, pet.”
I chuckle as I rest my head on his chest, brushing my fingers over the smattering of hair on his pecs. “Really?”
“Positive.” He leans down and kisses the top of my head before tucking my errant, damp tendrils of hair behind my ear.
“Me too.” My voice comes out squeaky, and I’m immediately embarrassed.
“What was that?”
“Sorry. I’m just… this all feels so new. I know we’re both experienced, but this seems different. New. Exciting.”
“That’s because it is. I’ve never been in a relationship like this before, Celest. You consume my mind, body, and soul. When I’m with you, I can’t get enough of you, and when I’m not, I think about you. I awake from dreams of you and rest easy at night with you in my arms. I know we said you staying at my place is temporary, but I don’t want it to be. Will you think about it?”
A sudden pang of fear grips my chest. “I’m scared. It’s not just me.”
“I want it all. You. Gracie. Even your mom. If you want her with us, then we’ll make it work. If you want her close, I have a vacant apartment two blocks away. I was about to look for a new tenant.”
“That’s sweet of you, but she could never afford the rent in your area. I don’t think we could afford it if we pooled both of our wages.”
“I don’t want her money, Celest. I want her to have a safe place to call home that you’re comfortable with and she’s still close for Gracie. Family is everything.”
“Have you ever thought about having kids?”
“Not until I met you and Gracie.”
“Well, you met me two years ago.” I do wonder sometimes—why now?
He slips his finger under my chin, tilting my face to plant a featherlight kiss on my lips. “But I was an idiot back then. When I finally saw you for the first time, you had me hook, line, and sinker.”
“I always saw you,” I jibe. It’s hard not to when you’re walking around looking… like this,” I gesture to his glorious naked body. “You’re sort of gorgeous, sexy as hell, and with all that charm. I don’t think I’ve ever spoken to a sub who wouldn’t climb you like a tree.”
“Are you planning on pimping me out?”
“Not a chance. No one touches what’s mine,” I say with resolute authority.
“You are so fucking cute.”
“I’m serious.”
“I know. I just find it adorable. I’ve had subs who wanted to get their claws into me but never one who would cut a bitch for looking at me the wrong way.” He’s laughing, but I don’t crack so much as a smile.
“Do I need to say it, pet? You already know. I just asked you to move in with me.”
“I still want you to say it.” I pout.
“There will be no other subs, Celest. I’m madly in love with you, and everyone else can kick rocks.” That makes me smile.
“Good.”
“And…”
“I won’t be going near another Dom. You know that.”
“And what about another sub?” It’s a valid question. I’m well-known for enjoying my time with Freya .
“That depends on you. I’m not going to do anything with Freya and her Master without you.”
“So, you’d be okay if you were doing what you did before, but with me fucking you at the same time?”
“I…” I’m not sure what to say.
“It’s not a trick question, pet. I’m asking because I know you and Freya enjoy each other. I know you’re not concerned with Pierce. If I thought that for a second, we wouldn’t be talking about this right now. I want you to be fulfilled, and as your Dom, I need to know.”
“Can I think about it? Right now, I just want it to be me and you in here.”
“And if I ask you to come with me to the voyeur floor so I can fuck you into submission, so everyone knows who owns you?”
“Then I will gladly go with you. I want everyone to know I’m yours.”
“We’re on the same page. Now, I need to get you clean and cared for before we head home.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“I’ll fill the tub.”
“Not that. ‘Before we head home.’ That’s what I like the sound of.”
“Are you saying what I’m hoping you are?” He sits up, holding my gaze as he pulls me into his lap.
“You’re my home, Flex. You, me, and Gracie. I want to take that leap of faith with you.”
“Fuck yeah!” He squeezes me so hard I can’t breathe.
“You’re crushing me.”
“Sorry, pet. I’m just so fucking happy right now.”
“Can we just go home? There’s a lush tub, and you can give me all the necessary aftercare.”
“Tonight is full of firsts for us. First anal for you. Can I say you were fucking amazing?”
“Yes.” I giggle.
“First girl I asked to move in with me and first to get the Dom treatment at my place. ”
“You’ve never taken your subs home?”
“No. Did you take a Dom to your house?”
“Obviously not. I have Gracie to think of.”
“I never wanted to share my space with someone else before. You’ve ruined me for any other woman.”
I shift off Flex’s lap, uncomfortable with that statement. I go in search of my clothes, but he’s quick to catch hold of me. “What’s wrong? Your whole demeanor just shifted on a dime.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Whatever you’re feeling right now is valid, so please don’t shirk it off. I need to know if we’re going to make this work.”
“I don’t want to ‘ruin’ you for anyone else. I want this to work out, but if it doesn’t, I would want you to be happy. It’s the same thing you said that night I called things off. You wanted to ‘ruin me’ for any other man.”
“It was supposed to be a compliment.”
“You’re not the first man to say something like that to me. I believed him for a very long time. That everything he’d done to me, and all the things he’d let others do to me, had ruined me. I felt dirty no matter how long I showered afterward. And the worst part is…”
Flex reaches for me. “What?”
“Sometimes I orgasmed.”
“Your body reacts to certain stimuli, Celest. That’s not your fault. I’m so sorry. Is that why you said we were done? Why I found you here with other Doms?”
“Yes. I hated myself for it, but I barely survived his ruination. I started picking up the pieces after I found out I was pregnant with Gracie, and it was one day at a time. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be whole again.”
“Our experiences shape us and break us, pet. It’s all about how we get back up and fight for what we love. I joined the Navy because I was broken, and I fought like hell to find the boy I once knew. I’m still fighting, but I want to do that with you. Maybe you can do it with me, and we’ll find a way to move on… together.”
“Are you sure about this?” I hold my mom at arm’s length, searching her face for any sign of doubt.
“Yes. You need time to settle in with your little family.”
“But you’re family. You gave up everything to come here to be with me.”
“I’m not going to the moon. I’ll be two blocks away. It’s the best of both worlds. We’ll be close but can also have our own space. I’m just happy that we can put that wretched neighborhood behind us. This is what’s best for Gracie. Flex will be a wonderful father.”
“Right now, he’s just Flex to Gracie. It’s still early, and I’ve been second-guessing myself every day if this is the sensible move for her.”
“She loves him, and he adores both of you. He’s a keeper. Enjoy this phase of life, darling. You missed out on so much because of…”
“Don’t say his name. I wouldn’t spit on him if he were on fire.”
“I love you, darling, but I’m going to enjoy having a place of my own. I can’t believe Flex has been so generous to me.”
“Because we’re family, Nora,” Flex chimes in as he stacks the last of my mom’s stuff into the moving truck. My mom goes to him, wrapping her arms around him.
“Thank you, Felix. I’m so happy for you and Celest.”
“Don’t forget me, Gan Gan!” Gracie runs over to Flex, her hands held high. He scoops her up in a heartbeat and hugs her tight.
“How could we forget you, little bear? Are you excited to have all your toys at our house?” Her face beams as he kisses her forehead.
“Yes! I wike my new room.”
“I’m so glad. Do you pinky swear to let me know if there’s anything you want for your new room?” He holds up his pinky finger, linking it with hers.
“Yup. I pwomise.”
As I look around my meager home, I can’t quite believe that today is the day we move into Flex’s penthouse in Manhattan. Even in my wildest dreams, I couldn’t have imagined this is the road my life would take .
I sashay over to Flex’s side, giving Gracie a peck on the cheek. “Are you excited, sweet pea?”
“Yes, Mommy.”
“Then, let’s go home.” I push up onto my tiptoes and capture Flex’s lips with mine. “To our home.”
“Fuckin’ A.”
“Funkin’ A. Funkin’ funkin’. A-B-C.”
“That’s not how we sing our A-B-Cs, Gracie.” I’m going to throttle Flex.
“Sorry, pet. This is going to take a little getting used to.”
Gracie keeps singing, and as hard as I try, I can’t contain the laughter that spills from my mouth on such an exciting and happy day. I don’t know if Flex is laughing because of Gracie or because I’m laughing so hard, but I love the sound of his deep, gruff chuckle. One thing is for sure when it comes to us—life will never be boring.
My mom wanted to go back to our old neighborhood to visit with her friend, Betsy, so I took a half day off work. She brought Gracie to my office at lunchtime, and we have had such a lovely afternoon. We went for tea at Tiffany’s. I’ve never been in the store before, but Flex booked it for us. He bought Gracie and me matching dresses and was trying to convince me to splurge on a little keepsake, but I drew the line there. I love that Flex wants to do such sweet things for us, but I can’t let him buy such lavish gifts.
Gracie and I spend the rest of the day in Central Park until we meet up with Flex for dinner before my shift at Viper. He’s been trying to get me to quit, but now that we’re living with him, I really want to at least buy my own car. I’m almost there, and then I’ll go back to a one-job woman. He won’t let me contribute to any of the bills, and I know he spent a fortune making Gracie’s room pretty, not to mention furnishing my mom’s apartment with anything and everything she could ever need.
We agreed to meet in the lobby at five o’clock, but we’re thirty minutes early. Gracie was getting tired, and she missed having her nap today, so she’s a little grouchy. She’ll perk right up the moment she sees Flex. She adores him as much as he adores her, and it fills my heart with joy every time I watch them together.
As my heels click on the marble lobby floors of The Callaghan Group and Gracie skips at my side, a shiver runs down my spine. What is the old saying? Someone is walking over your future grave when that happens.
A hand wraps around my bicep. “Nice dress… Helena.” Cold dread takes root in the pit of my stomach, my body freezes in place, and I cling to Gracie. All the pieces of the puzzle suddenly fall into place. It’s him. I’d know that voice anywhere. It’s haunted my dreams for years.
I turn to see the devil himself staring back at me with those cold, dead eyes.
Michael .
“Did you miss me, sweetheart?” His grip tightens.
“Gracie, why don’t you…” He cuts me off before I can tell Gracie to go and see the lobby security guards. With Flex’s concerns about our safety, I usually have a security detail with me at all times, but I was planning on meeting Flex here, so I told my bodyguard to take the rest of the day off. I left him outside this building, and I have no idea if he’s still there. Probably not.
How can I stall Michael or signal to one of the building security guards? I’m paralyzed with terror. I thought this nightmare was behind me, but it’s only just begun.
“Please, let her go. Don’t hurt her. She’s innocent in all this. Please, I’m begging you.”
“You always were pathetic. I need our little cherub.”
“H…” I’m about to scream bloody murder. Someone will help us.
He drops my arm and, within seconds, has Gracie’s hand in his and a blade paused at her side. “I would keep your mouth shut, princess. You wouldn’t want my hand to slip.”
Tears stream down my face, but I’m trying to stay calm for Gracie. If she starts fussing about the stranger holding her life in his hands, we’re fucked.
“Fine. Promise you won’t hurt her, and I’ll go wherever you want. I will do whatever you want.” I’m running a million scenarios over in my head. Can I just stall long enough for Flex to get here? Can I get a message to him?
My phone is in my pocket. It’s my best chance of alerting him. Slipping my hand into my pocket, I pull it out just enough to call his phone before slipping it back into my pocket and hope to God that he knows something’s wrong.
“Hurry up, Helena. I don’t have all day.”
Please hear me. Please hear me.
“I have a bodyguard outside. You can’t get out of here without drawing attention.”
“Sorry to tell you, but he’s gone.”
“This is where I work, Michael. We’re meeting…”
“Your Richie-rich boyfriend. Yeah, we’ll be gone by the time he gets here.”
“I’ll go with you, Michael, but let Gracie come to me. She’s scared.”
“Why would she be afraid of her own daddy?” The word is repugnant on his lips.
“What do you want from me?”
“Revenge. I just want to prove a point. You embarrassed me when you left. You tarnished my fucking reputation. I’m going to restore it.”
“To what? The sickest fuckboy drug dealer in Seattle.”
“Exactly. You should be proud. When you left, I had to work harder to make sure everyone else understood that I am not a man you want to cross. I diversified. I built a fucking empire. You serve so many purposes for me.”
“So what, you kill me to make an example? No one will even remember me at this point.”
“Walk out the door and into the blue car idling outside.”
“Give me Gracie. ”
He gives me that one small concession. I quickly pull her up into my arms. “Mommy, why are we leaving? Fex isn’t here yet.”
“Can you be a good girl for Mommy and play the silent game?”
“Why?” I can see the fear in her eyes, and it’s a crushing blow.
“Everything is fine, sweet pea. Just do this one thing for Mommy.”
“Okay.” She snuggles against my chest, her little arms wrapped tight around my neck.
As soon as we step outside, I know we’re on borrowed time. I can’t even check my phone to see if Flex has heard any of this.
“Aren’t drug dealers supposed to drive black SUVs? The blue Camry seems a little beneath you, Michael.” My voice is cold. Measured. Clear enough to give Flex as many details as possible if he’s listening.
“Shut up, you stupid bitch.”
“Now, I’m stupid? I’d say I’m quite clever for leaving your sorry ass. What’s with the long, blond hair? Are you fucking a hairdresser these days? You never struck me as the type to rock a man bun.”
His fingers dig into my arm so hard I almost cry out, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction. “I will kill you slowly before I take Gracie and sell her to the highest bidder. She needs to know what happens to backstabbing whores.”
Panic is clawing its way up my throat. “If you touch a hair on her head, I will fucking murder you, Michael.”
His palm connects with my cheek, sending me stumbling back. I don’t even register the pain as he grabs Gracie from my arms and tosses her into the back seat of the car. I run over, climbing in beside her. He wrestles my bag off my shoulder and tosses it on the sidewalk before slamming the door and getting in the front seat.
I’m praying Flex figures out what’s happening and finds us in time. We share locations on our phones now, so I know he’ll come for us wherever we end up, but will it be too late?
Gracie crawls into my lap, her tiny body shaking with fear. I wrap my arms around her, holding her and whatever broken pieces of myself that I can .
I should never have stopped running.
Four years ago
“You’re nothing but a whore. You had one fucking job. Don’t get knocked up.”
“I’m not the only one to blame, Michael. It takes two to tango.”
“And just how many ‘twos’ have you been a part of lately? I’m just supposed to believe it’s mine?” The disdain in every goddamn syllable makes me want to hurt him the way he’s done to me so many times before.
“You’re the one who passed me around your friends like it was nothing. And yes, you should believe it’s yours because you’re the only one who fucked me without a condom. Doesn’t feel so great now, does it?”
He grabs my face with his large hand, squeezing until the metallic taste of blood floods my mouth. “You’ll pay for this.”
“I know. In about eight months.”
“You’re not seriously keeping it?”
“Yes.”
“You’re a fucking addict.”
“I’m going to get clean. I’m not letting you pass me around anymore. I can be a good mom. I just need some time.”
“Once a whore, always a whore.”
“I’m leaving.”
He grabs me by the throat. “You think I’m going to let you leave with my kid?”
“You don’t even want it. I’m fine with that. I’ll walk out of here, and you’ll never see me again. I’ll never ask you for anything. Ever.” He tightens his grip.
“You can’t run from me, Helena. I’ll always find you. You’re my whore.” I can barely breathe with his hand wrapped around my neck, stars dancing across my vision, everything darkening as I struggle to suck air into my lungs.
He leans in, his disgusting tongue licking up my cheek as I thrash against him, fighting to break free. “I…” Clawing at his hands, my survival instinct kicks in, not just for me but for the baby growing in my belly.
“Run, run, as fast as you can, I’ll always catch you. I’m the boogey man. ”
I summon the last of my strength and knee him in the balls, dropping him like stone. Grabbing my purse, I sprint for the door. This is my one chance to leave. If I don’t go now, I’ll never escape him, and I won’t bring a child into the world with the threat of Michael looming over us.
“You fucking bitch,” he shouts as he thrashes on the floor of his filthy apartment. “I will come for you, Helena, and when I do, I’ll gut you like a fucking pig.”
I don’t stop, don’t look back. I just propel myself forward, my entire body trembling as I run out of his apartment, almost falling down the stairs in my haste. When I reach my piece-of-shit car, I have to calm my breathing long enough to steady my hand and get the key in the lock.
There’s no time to break down, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on my chest as I peel out onto the street and put the pedal to the metal. It’s not until I’m on the freeway that I realize my face is wet. I touch my cheeks, tears streaming unbidden as I flee with no idea where I’m going.
Seattle has always been my home, but with a baby to consider, I know I have to leave and get as far away from Michael as possible. I won’t risk going back for my possessions—what little of them I have. He’ll be waiting for me.
I ditch the car at the first available rest stop and use what little money I have to buy a bus ticket. It doesn’t matter where as long as it’s far away from here. Adrenaline pumps hard in my veins as I wait for the bus to pull out of the station, afraid that Michael will find me before I get a chance to escape.
Finding a seat in the back of the bus, I curl in on myself, silently weeping as we start moving. I’m leaving behind everything I’ve ever known with no idea how I’m going to support myself or this life growing inside me. I’m an addict. How do I do this? I’m already getting withdrawals.
An elderly woman in front of me turns with tender compassion. “Are you okay, dear?”
I quickly wipe my tears. “She’s dead.”
Her wrinkled expression is somber. “Who?”
“Helena.” I choke out my name. I’m as good as dead. I will never utter this name again. For all intents and purposes to everyone in my life, I’m dead and gone.
“I’m so sorry for your loss.” Her kindness is my undoing. “What is your name, dear?”
I hesitate. Helena is dead, burned to the ground in a split second. She was the addict. I don’t have to be that person anymore. I can’t be, but who will rise from the ashes?
“Celest. My name is Celest.”