Celebration (10 page)

“Yes, Joanna.”

He could hear the sound of those boots on the hardwood floor, as if she were walking around the apartment and the sound drove him wild.

“Now I’m coming into the room, wearing only my tall black boots.”

Mike could envision her, her hair loose and shining, her breasts swaying slightly.

“I’ve got one knee on the bed,” she whispered. “And I’m blindfolding you. Close your eyes.”

“Yes, Joanna.”

“Do you know what I’m going to do next?”

“I’m hoping so.”

Joanna laughed. “You know it. I’m straddling you. I’m kissing you.”

“Mmm. I never thought we’d have phone sex.”

“Behave or I’ll have to spank you too,” she said, her tone sharp and threatening.

Mike shivered. “Yes, Joanna.” His cock was hard and thick, pulsing with need.

“Now I’m turning around, my knees on either side of your head. Can you feel the smooth leather?”

“Oh yeah.”

“Can you smell my wet puss?”

“Definitely.” Mike closed his eyes, easily remembering the other times she’d queened him. It felt so good that he dreamed about it.

“And now I’m sitting on your face.”

Mike groaned quietly, easily able to imagine being buried in Joanna’s snatch.

“I’m riding you,” she whispered. “You’re eating me. I’m so wet that you might drown in my juices.”

“What a way to go,” Mike whispered and she laughed a little.

“You feel the leather boots against your ears and my warm puss all over your face.

“Mmm.”

“Now I’m easing down over you.”

“Yes.”

“Now I have your cock in my mouth. Let go of the headboard. Make a ring with your right thumb and finger, just like my mouth.”

“Yes.”

“Wrap it around your cock. Move it slowly, all the way to the tip, then all the way back to the root. Back to the tip, then flick your nail across the bottom of the hood, just the way I’d do it with the edge of my tooth.”

Mike did as instructed and moaned.

“Are you tied down tight?”

“Yes, Joanna.”

“Are you all mine?”

“Yes, Joanna.”

“Trussed and tied,” she whispered.

“Trussed and tied,” he echoed.

“Move your hand more quickly, fast and light, the way that drives you crazy.”

Mike was being driven crazy, right on cue. His heart was pounding and he was hot, as if his body was boiling beneath the skin. He was hard and thick, ready for Joanna even though she was a thousand miles away. “Wait until our honeymoon,” he said through his teeth. “Wait until we’re driving across country. I’ll take you wherever I want.”

“In the back of the car at the side of the road?” Joanna suggested.

“We can because the windows are tinted dark.”

“In cheap motels?”

“Especially in cheap hotels. You’ll have to be securely gagged there, unable to even make a sound.”

“I’ll have to be tied down tight,” she agreed.

“Helpless,” he said through his teeth.

“Completely captive,” she agreed. “I’ll pack appropriately.”

Mike moaned as he imagined it. “Tell me what you’ll bring.”

“Rope and satin cord, ribbon in both velvet and satin, all our harnesses and shackles. Tape.”

“Lots of tape,” Mike agreed. He tightened his grip on his cock and caught his breath at the additional pressure. “Don’t forget a wide leather belt. The riding crop. I need to spank you for this.”

“Don’t you forget your leather gloves and hood. I’m looking forward to being attacked on the honeymoon.” She dropped her voice to a whisper. “You could command me to get into the back of the car. Insist that I hood and gag myself. Then you could pull of the side of the road and park in some quiet spot. You could truss me helpless. You could spank me until my butt was red. You could take me over and over and over again, even drive off with me still bound in the back. You could take me into a motel in your bag, so no one even knew I was there, and punish me all night long.”

“Because you’re mine.”

“Because I’m yours and you’re mine.”

Mike came with a roar, shaking as the release swept through him. “You are dangerous, Joanna,” he whispered and she laughed. “You won’t be laughing when I teach you a lesson.”

“I can’t wait,” she said, the smile in her voice making him want her for real. “Feel better?”

“Much.” Mike admitted. “But it’s never as good without you.”

“I know. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, okay?”

Mike didn’t sleep quite as quickly as he’d expected. Instead, he had a quick shower then stared at the ceiling, his thoughts spinning as he wondered just how good Rex’s intentions were.

* * *

Joanna stared at the phone after she’d hung up. She was edgy and dissatisfied, even though she was glad Mike had been pleased.

The funny thing was that she was more concerned than horny now. She recalled the note in his voice when she’d shared her idea. She’d expected him to be excited for her, but now she realized why he’d been wary.

Because her plan meant she’d be working with Rex.

Joanna knew that Rex didn’t want her anymore. She’d seen the truth of that in his eyes tonight. He had given her back to Mike—actually, he’d given her to Mike twice. He knew that she loved Mike and that had destroyed his desire for her.

But Mike, a thousand miles away, was clearly a little worried. He hadn’t said anything because he wanted to prove he trusted her, and Joanna’s heart clenched at that.

She had to reassure him.

She had to do something that would convince him that she was his forever.

Joanna smiled when she knew exactly what would be the perfect choice.

She had someone else to call in the morning.

For the moment, she saved her files, shut her laptop and went to bed. She wore her hood and put on a pair of leather gloves. She bound her ankles to the footboard, turned out the light and touched herself, imagining that her favorite thief in the night had come for her one more time.

Chapter Four

Rex woke up on Sunday morning and was momentarily uncertain where he was. It was sunny outside, but he didn’t recognize the room where he’d slept.

Then he saw the framed tattoo designs on the black wall and realized he was still at Wicked Ink. He was tired, but he felt very good about the world. He was sore in a few places that reminded him of the need to build his stamina for Athena’s party, and that made him smile.

Rex was wearing only his jeans, so went looking for his shirt, boots and jacket. He smelled coffee when he came out of the small room, and changed his direction. It turned out there was a galley kitchen in the back of the shop, where Louise was making coffee.

“It’s not for the meek,” she said in warning, handing him a steaming mug of very dark brew.

It smelled fabulous. Rex took a long grateful sip and felt the caffeine surge through his body. “Great party,” he said, just as Zeke came in the back door. He was carrying a bag that smelled savory and warm.

The sun was out, so Zeke couldn’t really be a vampire. Rex hid his smile by taking another sip of coffee.

“Fresh empanadas from Maria,” Zeke said. “There’s chicken or vegetarian. I’m hoping there’s still salsa in the fridge because I forgot to get some.”

“Right here,” Louise said. “You got some from her on Sunday?” she asked, clearly incredulous.

Zeke grinned. “It’s my special charm.”

“Who knew?” Louise whispered, pretending to be surprised, and Zeke laughed.

They all went to the front of the shop and stood around the counter to have breakfast.

Rex couldn’t help glancing at the binder, which was still on the counter, and thinking about its contents. “It’s amazing,” he said, remembering the night before. “All those Plume members and their tattoos.” He was a bit overwhelmed by the affection he’d been shown the night before, and wished there was something he could do for them all.

Something more than thirteen airfares.

“You picked your winners yet?” Zeke asked.

“Not yet. Let’s see. Amanda’s already going,” he said, grabbing a sheet of paper to make a list. “What about Charlie?”

“He’s never got any money,” Zeke said with a roll of his eyes.

“Athena will be glad to see him,” Louise added.

“Probably.” Rex nodded. “And Vlad, too, just because.” He started the list with them.

“Tess and Tex?” Zeke suggested.

Louise shook her head. “She’s an stewardess. She can probably get them cheap fares.”

Rex hadn’t thought of that, but Louise was right. “I want to send the boys from the stables, too. Hoss and Slim and Little Jim. Tony. Athena might have a job for him.”

“You’re already up to six,” Louise noted, then gave him a hopeful smile. “Please, Master?”

Rex grinned. “Zeke and Louise, assuming you want to both go.”

“We’ll be there,” Zeke said with a nod. “But I’ll pay our fares. Business has been good, thanks to the Plume. I don’t need more from you.”

“You sure?” Rex asked. Louise looked between them both with excitement.

“Positive. We’re already going.”

“You didn’t tell me!”

“Surprise.” Zeke rolled his eyes as Louise jumped on him in her excitement.

Rex cleared his throat. “What happened to everyone who went to work for the Count?”

“Two of them were here,” Louise said. “Tina and Tiffany.”

“More than that,” Zeke said. “Desdemona said the two tall guys had worked in the house. I don’t know their names.”

Rex considered his list and managed to keep his voice even. “I guess he survived their torment then.”

Louise grinned. “Maybe just.”

Rex changed the subject for a moment. He picked another seven former Plume members easily from the night before and finished his list. Zeke said he and Desdemona could contact everyone and they worked out a plan for Rex giving them the plane tickets. They finished the empanadas and the salsa in contented silence, then Rex took a breath and asked what he wanted most to know. “Do you know where the Count’s house is?”

Zeke shook his head, then glanced at Louise.

“I can find out,” she said. “Anna will know.” Louise pulled out her phone and chose a number. “No, don’t hang up,” she said quickly, then walked away, her words coming low and fast.

“When are you leaving for the party?” Zeke asked.

“Next Tuesday night. I’d better book a fare, actually.”

“And we’d better get started on your tattoo. It’ll need at least a week to heal before you can show it off.”

“Hey, she wants to talk to you,” Louise said, offering her cell phone to Rex. If Anna wanted to make a deal, maybe he’d be buying another airfare.

There was one last thing Rex had to solve before he went to London, and all he needed was an address.

He took Louise’s phone, more than ready to be persuasive.

* * *

The Count had a new plan.

It wasn’t as appealing as his old plan, but was distinguished by the fact that it would work. He didn’t need to rely upon anyone else, or the agreement of anyone else, to make this new scheme work. It would give him something to do and probably a lot of pleasure.

It would suffice.

He’d gotten the last bottle of champagne from the wine cellar in the house he’d decorated in tribute to Pauline and Athena. He sat in the living room, looking at the bottle unopened on the coffee table. It was a very good vintage, and he’d planned to enjoy it with Athena.

To celebrate their new project.

But that wasn’t going to happen and he couldn’t see the point of wasting good champagne. Athena was out of his life, probably for good, and he was going to make his peace with it.

The champagne might help.

He certainly wasn’t going to leave it behind.

The house was empty now, all of the servants dismissed. The BDSM paraphernalia was gone, most of it given to his staff as parting gifts. The house was just a plain house in a nice neighborhood, if one with a few secret passages. The real estate agent would list it for sale the next day. She was sure it would sell quickly, given its location, condition and the Count’s aggressive choice of a selling price.

But the Count would be gone even before the listing went live.

The alarm system gave a little trill and the Count turned with a frown. It immediately went silent, which was strange. Either there was an alarm or there wasn’t.

The Count walked into the foyer to check the control panel. It appeared that everything was fine and the house was secure. He ran all the checks again, confused. It was almost as if he’d imagined the warning sound, but the Count wasn’t fanciful.