Chapter Twenty
REX STARED AT himself in the mirror. He looked every inch the respectable businessman he was trying to play. The tailored suit hung perfectly as he finished his tie. The only problem was the tightness of his face. He was going to have to figure out how to either get rid of that or make it look like anger instead of the bone deep fear it was. The last two days had dragged and flown by at the same time. There had been a flurry of discreet meetings with cops and their own lieutenants to get a plan in place that had the best chance of bringing both Ari and Stella back alive. The plan was a good one. And it had been all Ari. Rex had tried to talk her out of it, but she was smart and stubborn and no one else had been able to come up with anything better.
Ari was with the make-up artist now who was covering her body in “bruises” that would wash off eventually, but for now looked like she been beaten repeatedly. Just before they left, Rex was going to flog her. The thought alone made bile creep up his throat. He’d never used anything other than spanking as a punishment for a submissive. Anything harder than that was administered only when the submissive got off on the pain. For him, anyway. He knew others didn’t think like that, including the men he would be throwing Ari back to tonight. Rex had argued with her for over an hour about the last part.
“I can’t do that to you. I won’t.”
“You have to. It needs to be believable. And I need to look punished, so they aren’t tempted to do anything too harsh right away. If I go in there looking happy and healthy, they’ll know something is wrong,” she’d reasoned.
“You’re assuming they don’t already know. What if I hurt you for no reason?” he demanded to know.
“If they already know, what you do to me won’t matter,” she’d told him then she’d continued with a taunt, “Are you telling me you don’t know how to use a flogger to make it look bad without being too much?”
Rex had actually growled at her for that comment, but she’d just laughed at him. He’d been unable to deny that she was right, though. He could make it look painful without it being too bad. And if it was a trap, what he did to her would be nothing compared to what she might face. That didn’t make him feel better though, it made it so much worse. Worse, because he loved her.
Yeah, that realization had hit him Friday morning as she had sat with the lawyer. Her steady courage combined with her extraordinary beauty and her brain was his personal brand of kryptonite. She was the one, the reason he’d spent his entire adult life getting out of the family business and bringing it to legitimacy. It hadn’t been enough, though, and it never would be. The world was a dangerous place no matter who you were, but being a Nardone, even now, added an extra layer of danger. His life would never be safe enough to keep her. Let Tommy be the one to have the family. Hopefully, by the time his kids were old enough to understand their history, they would just be a rich family with a successful business.
That didn’t mean he wouldn’t take care of Ari. After Ari had finished with the lawyer and all the arrangements made in case of the worst happening, Rex had closeted himself in the office and made certain that if Ari survived this mess, she would never want for anything. He hadn’t told her about the arrangements he’d made. She would find out when he brought her out of there safely.
A quiet knock on the door brought him out of his thoughts. “Come in,” he called.
The door opened, and he turned to find Ari. He held in his gasp. The make-up was stunning. She was dressed in only a tiny tank top and shorts and her body looked like a mottled collection of bruises. Even her face had some places that looked like cuts and a fading black eye.
“Good, right?” she asked with a smile that didn’t match how she looked. Rex had offered to get her a mild sedative, so she didn’t have to feel all the panic and fear, but she’d refused.
“Are you ready?” she asked him.
“Yes,” he swallowed. “Are you?”
Rex absolutely hated what had to come next. Yes, he loved dominating and hurting, but only when it brought them both pleasure.
He watched her face shift and then she did the last thing he expected; she slid to her knees.
“Yes, sir, please, I’m sorry. Will you punish me?”
She kept her head bowed and didn’t meet his eyes. What the hell was she doing? This wasn’t a scene. Then it hit him. A scene. She’d enjoyed everything they’d done together so far. Had she enjoyed when he spanked her the very first time. Could he make this just a little less horrible if he played it right?
He let his voice drop. “Ari, look at me.” Only when her eyes met his did he continue. “Were you a bad girl?”
She licked her lips as her eyes went wide. A flush crept up her neck. Oh god. She was fucking perfect. He cursed fate that he couldn’t make this perfect woman his. And she was perfect for him. He was already in love with her and here she was, begging for pain.
“Mark me. So when I’m with them you ”re dripping out of me and I can feel it,” she begged.
“Ari—”
“I’m clean, sir. I swear. Even Stan told them he thought I was a dirty slut and used a condom. They tested me before they sold me and I know they could lie about it, but I wouldn’t. I’ve never had sex without a condom, and they told me my blood work was clean.”
He was already half hard, but the thought of being bare inside her had him all the way there in seconds.
“So you want me to hurt you and then fuck you? You’re a dirty girl, aren’t you?” His voice sounded raw.
Her eyes were steady as they met his. “Only for you, sir.”
Fuck.
Ari had next to no sexual experience, but at this moment, it didn’t matter. She’d been forcing back the nerves and the fear every minute for the last two days. Hell, for most of the last two weeks. For this space of time, the fear receded. It was temporary. She knew that the danger that was coming was real.
Right now, that didn’t matter. She was on her knees for Rex. The man she’d fallen in love with completely without meaning to. The man she knew she couldn’t keep. He didn’t want a family or complications and she was all of both.
Rex had argued with her every step of the way when she had brought up the topic of giving her a real flogging and sending her back into the auction in the outfit she’d left it in. In the end, she’d won him over. Or at least gotten him to stop arguing. She was right, and he knew it.
The tiny glimpses of pleasure pain he’d given her in the past week had been unlike anything she’d known existed. And just this one last time, she wanted it again. She wanted it all. The pain. The pleasure. The feel of him bare and hot inside her. He’d agreed to the flogging, but making love to her afterward hadn’t been part of the plan. At least, not the one they’d told everyone about. This was just for her. And hopefully for him.
Ari knew he didn’t love her. He’d made it clear he never planned to love anyone who wasn’t family. She wasn’t expecting that, but she hoped like hell she could talk him into one last real scene. No matter what happened tonight, they’d be going their separate ways soon. She’d never tried acting, but she hoped that starting right now she could be convincing enough to get through it. The first test was the begging to get a scene out of Rex before they had to go.
Ari shifted forward and crawled toward Rex on hands and knees. She let her hips sway, knowing that her ass would peak out at the bottom of the ridiculously tiny shorts. When she got to his feet, she dropped back down and dropped her head onto the floor between his feet.
“Please, sir,” she said, her voice clear. “I know I was bad, and you need to punish me. But it was only because I needed you so much.”
He was quiet for a long time and Ari started to fear that he wouldn’t go for it. She almost pushed back so she could stand up and apologize for real and tell him they didn’t have to. She’d let him off the hook. Obviously, she’d misread the whole situation.
Ari was so lost in the thoughts of rejection that she missed him coming to one knee in front of her until his hand was on the back of her neck.
His voice was husky with what she recognized as need as he spoke, and Ari’s heart raced. “You were a very bad girl, but if you take your punishment like a good girl, then I’ll give you what you want.”
Ari let out a long sigh. “Thank you, sir,” she said, letting her own desire slip into her words.
“That will be part of your punishment, though. I’m going to stripe your back for being so naughty then fuck you on your back so I can see your face.”
Ari shivered at the dark promise. He got it. He understood exactly what she was asking for and he was going to give it to her. This was it. She knew in her heart that nothing would ever compare to this moment, so she was prepared to remember every detail. Someday, hopefully, she’d meet a nice guy she could be happy and build a life with, but he would never be Rex. She would never even look for someone like him, knowing that what she felt right now couldn’t be replaced.
The hand on her neck tightened, bringing her back to this moment. Rex used his grip to pull her up to her knees. “Show me what you want,” he demanded.
Ari’s breath caught, and she brought shaking hands up to unbutton the pants of his suit. She pushed his pants and black boxer briefs down far enough that his cock sprang free. She moaned quietly and leaned in, her tongue lapping against the tip of him. His hands threaded through her hair, not doing anything yet, just making his presence known. Ari relished the taste of his skin on her tongue. When his grip tightened in her hair, she took her cue and opened her mouth to swallow him down.
She tried to take him all the way in, but her gag reflex kicked in and her eyes teared up as she pulled back instinctively. His hands were rougher now.
“No. Take it,” he growled.
Ari lifted her eyes to meet his with an unspoken plea for him to take it if he wanted it. Rex understood. His hands held her in place, and he slid into her mouth in short, smooth thrusts. He didn’t try to force her farther, just used her and Ari hummed in delight. Heat pooled between her legs. She was past listening to the voice in her head that told her being used was shameful. Nothing about what she felt was shame in this moment. Desired, needy, and beautiful. Rex may not have loved her, but the tender expression on his face told her he appreciated what she offered.
Ari lost herself in the sensation of him fucking her face, so she didn’t know how much time had passed before he stopped and pulled back. She lifted a hand to wipe her face streaked with saliva and tears and stopped her with another, “No, you ”re beautiful just like that. Take your clothes off and go kneel on the couch, arms on the back, knees wide.”
He gave her a hand before getting to her feet. She was grateful because her knees felt weak. Rex released her once she was steady. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Go, get in position to take your punishment. Don’t keep me waiting,” he finished with a long slow lick to the shell of her ear. She shuddered. He turned her toward the couch, smacking her ass gently to send her on her way. Her thoughts were surprisingly blank, and it was amazing. Rex was in charge now, and she didn’t have to make any more choices.
Standing next to the couch, she stripped out of what little clothing she was wearing. She settled into the position Rex had directed her to and waited. A tiny part of her worried that a flogger would be different from a spanking. Would it just be pain? Or would it bring need too? She pushed that away, it didn’t matter. It needed to be done. Rex knew what he was doing. She had her safewords if she really needed them. The hand coming to her neck didn’t even phase her. It was like her body knew his touch, so it could never be a surprise. His fingers trailed down her spine, and she arched into the sensation. That brought a smack to her ass.
“Stay still,” he commanded.
Ari whimpered but forced her body back into position.
“I’m going to start with fur to warm your skin up and get it ready. After that I’ll do leather.”
Ari didn’t nod or respond. She didn’t need to. She trusted Rex to take her where she needed to go and do what needed to be done. As the fur started falling, it almost tickled and Ari had to lock her muscles to stay in place and keep from giggling. Eventually, though, he put enough force behind it that a gentle burn started spreading across her back. Her body relaxed, and she lost track of time again. The heat at her center had faded to a noticeable, but distant, aching throb. She wanted to beg for more, but she didn’t. She just felt. Somehow she missed the fur stopping because she jolted when something cold and hard slid between her legs. A quick pinch reminded her to stay still as whatever he was using was rubbed against her opening. Then it was gone.
Rex dangled the handle of the flogger in front of her face and tutted. It was shiny with moisture from between her thighs.
“Such a bad girl. That turned you on. I guess I’ll have to do something else to teach you a lesson.”
“Yes, sir,” she whimpered.
“Don’t worry, I’ll help you remember to be good.”
Ari was still too relaxed to tense, even when she heard the sound of the leather flogger moving through the air. It landed in a fan of burning pain all over the left side of her back and shoulder. Ari gasped. It fell again on the same side. It hurt, it really did, but the hurt was beautiful. She wished she knew where it was going to fall just so she could lean into it more. Rex didn’t use a pattern, though. He built up the intensity until it edged on too much, but he kept her there. Her brain gave in eventually and slid away from the reality into a place where she floated, feeling absolutely nothing, sure in the knowledge that Rex would take care of her, for now at least.
Rex dropped the leather flogger and picked the fur back up. He cringed as he used it on the red, swollen skin in front of him. He needed to bring her back down gently. She’d hit fucking subspace. The first time she’d been flogged, Ari had flown. Rex had given her pleasure over the last week, but this was different. It made his heart ache. She really was his perfect match, and he couldn’t keep her. When her body sagged, he put the fur flogger down and scooped her into his arms. She moaned in pain and Rex hated himself more at that moment than he ever had in his life. Yes, he’d brought her to the highest of highs, but she would come down in pain and be thrown into battle. For his family.
Rex wanted more than anything to take her place, but this was something only she could do. He and Tommy had both tried to talk her out of it. Hell, even the police had insisted they would find another way, but Ari had been adamant. In the end, he’d backed her up and that had been the end of it. Now he held her for what would likely be the last time. There were so many wishes in that moment. Most of all that he could give her the kind of life she and her family deserved.
Rex laid her tenderly on her stomach on the bed and he gently rubbed an unscented numbing lotion into the angry red skin. It wouldn’t take the pain away completely, but it would make it manageable for her. He moved around the room, gathering up a bottle of water and a little protein snack pack from the fridge. He put everything on the table next to the bed and pulled Ari into his arms. His dick was hard enough to pound nails right now. Flogging Ari would have been enough to do it, but she’d made the sexiest sounds while he’d done it, and he’d gotten even more worked up. The chorus of moans, gasps, and whimpers would be burned in his memory forever.
Mindful of her tender skin, he ran his hands over her body in soft caresses with just a hint of pressure. She’d be coming down soon, and he wanted her to know that he was there and that she was safe… for now. The minutes passed, and he felt her begin to shift in his arms. As her eyes flickered open, she groaned and nestled close to him. Rex was glad he thought to take off his shirt and tie before lying down. He was still wearing his suit pants. He had pulled them back up, but they were still unbuttoned.
“Hey, baby. How are you? Does it hurt too bad?” He spit the questions out fast, hoping she wouldn’t notice the term of endearment that had slipped out.
“It’s ok,” she mumbled against his neck. “Need you,” she said, pressing kisses along the column of his throat.
“Ari, it’s ok. We don’t have to—”
She nuzzled his neck and then bit his ear. “Want to. Promised.”
Rex wanted to, but her broken speech told him she hadn’t come down all the way. Ari had given consent before they started, but right now, that didn’t seem like enough. He tried to push her back so he could see her face, but she was having none of that. She threw her leg over him and wrapped her arms around his chest. He could have overpowered her without difficulty, but he didn’t want to. He wanted her. Just this one time, for the last time, with nothing between them.
He rolled her onto her back slowly, knowing it would hurt. Her eyes popped open, and she hissed in pain. Rex pulled back, but Ari tightened her arms.
“Come back. It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not. You ”re hurting.”
“And?” she asked him, her voice level.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he said.
She smirked at him. “Oh, yeah?”
That made Rex smile. “Cheeky brat.”
Her face sobered. “Rex, that was the most amazing experience of my life. I know I’ve said that before, but you keep upping the ante. Yes, it hurts, but in the most amazing way.”
“And you’re sure you want to keep going?” he asked hesitantly.
“Please,” she pleaded, her big blue eyes boring into his. Rex couldn’t resist that. He leaned in and kissed her, doing his best to pour everything he was feeling into the kiss. Rex couldn’t give her the words, but he could give her this. The kiss was tender, sweet even. He licked her lips gently, coaxing her to open. His tongue swept in to taste her in long languorous strokes. The flavor of her was like a drug. He thought he could have kissed her forever, but her hips arching up into him begged for more. He stood up and quickly pushed his pants, underwear, and socks into a pile on the floor before climbing back over her. The body under his was so small compared to his own, but it wasn’t weak. Never that. She’d proven it repeatedly since the moment he’d first seen her.
He returned to kissing her until she was breathless. He kissed down her body and let himself tell her some of the things he wanted to, even if he couldn’t say the most important.
“You’re so beautiful. Want you so much. I’ve got you.”
The last he said as he blew a cool breath across the wet, swollen entrance between her legs and gave her reddened ass a gentle squeeze at the same time, causing her body to bow. His hands anchored her down and his shoulders held her legs apart as he licked into her. If her mouth was delicious, the taste of her here was intoxicating. His own personal drug, designed to take him down. He lapped, kissed, sucked, and nibbled until she was writhing, and her words were incoherent. She was no longer feeling the pain in her back at all. She was right where he wanted her.
Sliding back up her body, he kissed her, and she kissed back, hungrily licking her own essence from his mouth and lips. He groaned and shifting slightly slid inside her warm, wet heat. He forced himself to move slowly, but the pleasure had his eyes rolling back in his head and made him ache for more. Deeper, harder. He did his best to go slow and gentle, but his hellion was having none of that.
“More, Rex.” Her eyes met his as she pleaded. “I need it. Harder. I want to feel it later.”
Her words snapped his control. His hips slammed forward, and Ari’s head fell back as she cried out, “Yessss, oh, that’s it… ooooo… god… Rex… fuck….” The words fell out of her mouth, and it drove Rex to make her lose control one last time. When she planted her feet and pushed her hips up into him, he stopped thrusting and ground his pelvis against hers in tight, fast circles. He saw the moment it pushed her over. Her eyes closed and her entire body tensed. Her channel clamped down on him, dragging his orgasm from him even as he thrust one, two, three more times before he froze over her.
Rex had thought her beautiful the first moment he’d laid eyes on her, but this right here, the vision of her completely sated, would be the one he loved in secret for the rest of her life. Rolling to the side, he allowed himself to hold her close for a few fleeting moments. He would have loved nothing more than to drift off holding her and wake up there in the morning. But they couldn’t do that. They’d already taken a lot of time and needed to get moving.
Rex didn’t know if there was anything he would ever regret more.