Claimed (25 page)

Dmitri never looked at her; in fact, he tightened his fingers around Steven’s throat, deepening the blue in his face. “Dmitri,” she snapped. “Let go!”

Not a second later, he released a coughing Steven, then he turned to her with eyes blazing. “Remove him from my sight. I suggest you do it
now
.”

Presley reached for Dmitri’s hand and tugged, forcing him to take a couple of steps back to put distance between them and Steven. Then she turned to her ex-boyfriend. “Go home, Steven.”

“You’re fucking stupid, Presley, to stay with him,” Steven wheezed.

Dmitri growled something fierce and took a step forward, but Presley pulled him back and gripped his hand with both of hers. “That’s enough, for Christ’s sake!” She huffed a frustrated breath, and to Steven, she said, “If you come near me again or contact my parents, I’ll have you arrested.” She paused, considering his offenses. “I’ll get a restraining order against you because you’re harassing me. Do you want a criminal record?”

Steven’s lips pursed as he rubbed his throat.

Turning to Dmitri, she said more softly, “Calm down. I’m right here, and I’m not hurt. Beating the hell out of him is only going to get
you
arrested.”

“While I like all of what just came out of your mouth and the way you delivered your message to this fucker—” Dmitri lifted an eyebrow; the hot flickers in his gaze hadn’t dimmed. “Aidan is a lawyer. Kyler is a cop. They’ll get me off.”

“Okay, you’re probably right. They seem very efficient.” She squeezed his hand in hopes that he’d understand. “But I don’t want this. I want Steven to go away. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

Dmitri stared at her for a long moment before he exhaled. To Steven, he said, “If you come within a foot of her, you’ll regret it.”

Steven glared at Presley, continued to rub at his neck, then finally snorted. “Fine, you want to fuck up your life and become some whore, go right ahead.”

Dmitri pulled against her hands, but Presley dug her heels into the ground to stop him. She was relieved when he obliged her. She was even happier when Steven strode around the front of his truck.

“Steven,” Dmitri called, and when Steven turned, he added, “I have power in Vegas. With that power comes a means to destroy lives. If you enjoy your life and your job, stay clear of Presley and her family.”

Steven paled, opened the door to his truck, jumped in, and with a squeal of his tires, drove off. Presley watched the truck hightail down the street as adrenaline rushed through her veins. Her hands trembled and her insides jumped, then, without any warning, a bubble of laughter rose from her throat.

Dmitri’s eyebrow slowly arched. “I don’t pretend to understand what you find amusing about this situation.”

She noticed how he looked at her, with no dominant fury now that Steven had left, and she couldn’t fight off her smile. “That felt good. Telling him off like that. Really good.”

Dmitri blew out a loud breath, shaking his head at her. “Doll, I prefer to make you feel good in other ways, which don’t include seeing your ex-boyfriend trying to force you into his truck while you’re screaming at him.” Wicked heat passed in the air between them as he grinned, full of arrogance, so classic Dmitri. “Like this way . . .” He closed the distance, then he sealed his mouth over hers in a kiss of pure possession. His lips were firm, his tongue thrusting roughly into her mouth. He didn’t sweep her away with his kiss, but he issued a stern order that his lips belonged on her mouth.

She liked his way better, too.

He did make her feel good.

Really, really
good.

Chapter Nineteen

Only a minute after Master Dmitri left Presley standing in the foyer of the mansion, a loud squeal erupted around her. She saw Cora running toward her at full speed, her breasts jiggling as she made a beeline straight for her through the long hallway. Presley laughed, which turned into a yelp as Cora smashed her
very
naked body against her.

“Oh my God, I heard what Steven did today,” Cora exclaimed, squeezing her in a death hold. “What a prick.”

“Um . . . Cora.” Presley tried to peel herself away but was afraid to put her hands anywhere, merely holding them out straight. “You’re naked. This is weird.”

Cora gasped, releasing her arms from around Presley, and stepped back. “Oops, I am, aren’t I?” She glanced down at her breasts before she folded her arms to cover herself and grinned sheepishly. “Sorry, I forgot.”

“Cora,” Master Aidan called. “Dungeon. Now.”

From Master Aidan’s clipped tone, it became apparent that he wasn’t overly pleased with her, maybe explaining why Cora was naked. Presley looked over Cora’s shoulder, spotting Master Aidan, who frowned as he stood next to Master Dmitri and Master Kyler at the end of the hallway.

Cora snorted softly, dragging Presley’s attention to her, and she rolled her eyes. “The grump has summoned me.” She leaned forward and kissed Presley’s cheek. “I’m glad it all worked out today.” She turned and all but bounced her way to Master Aidan. “See ya down in the dungeon.”

Trying not to look at her friend’s bare butt, Presley watched Master Dmitri leave his conversation with Master Kyler. His intense eyes, as always, were fixed directly on hers when he approached. As if he saw nothing else in the house or around him but her standing there and waiting for him.

Right now she saw only him. His height and impressive physique, the fluid, powerful way he walked, and the sexy curve of his mouth all made heat flicker through her veins. Dear God, this man was sexy, and her draw to him felt almost electric.

Master Dmitri reached her and he placed a finger under her chin, locking her into his stare. “I’ve put the dungeon under Master Kyler’s care for the night. We’re going to the bedroom. It’s been a long day, and you must be tired.”

A flash of disappointment made her chest heavy, erasing the slow building of arousal. “We’re not going to play, sir?”

That smile turned devilish, and his eyed darkened. “Oh, we’re going to play.” He brushed his lips across hers, then he dragged his mouth ever so slowly along her cheek to whisper in her ear, “Just not in the dungeon, Presley.”

She shivered under the force of what those words meant. There could be only one reason he wanted to play in the bedroom. “Sir . . .” At the arch of his brow, she added, “Speaking of that, I’ve been thinking about my soft limit.”

His mouth twitched, as if he were unsurprised. “Have you?”

She nodded, hating how her cheeks still warmed, especially because he gave her that sexy grin to indicate that he noticed. Not to lose her bravery, since she knew deep down she wanted this but fears and nerves had stopped her, she blurted out, “I want to have sex in the dungeon.”

“Of course you want that, doll.” With the playful twinkle in his eye, he skimmed his knuckles up the front of her neck. “I’m pleased you’re allowing yourself to grow, Presley.” He lowered his hand, gave her a hard look, and firmed his voice. “We can discuss the removal of your soft limit tomorrow. For tonight, it’s
my
choice to play in the bedroom. Understand?”

Her breath caught at the sheer power she found staring intently at her, and she managed, “Yes, sir.”

“Very good, doll.” He gathered her hand in his, and in complete silence, he made quick work in leading her upstairs.

Once she followed him into his bedroom, he tugged her over to the red chaise by the fireplace, and his dark gaze pinned her to the spot. The primal look in his eyes declared the wait to indulge in her body had ceased, and she wanted him to take her.

A slow smile reached his face as his eyes searched hers, then he did a full sweep of her body. When he looked into her eyes again, she squirmed under the passion in their depths. The playfulness she had spotted was replaced by his stern look. “Wait for me right there, love.”

She did as she was told and stood in place while he entered the closet, only to return a moment later holding a gorgeous diamond necklace. Her heart pounded in her ears, and she couldn’t take her eyes off his hand. He drew closer and she got a better look at the necklace, realizing it held sapphires, too. A vanilla person would see a beautiful choker. Presley knew from what she’d read in her erotic novels that to the members of Club Sin
,
this necklace was a show of ownership.

“I had an appointment with a jeweler this afternoon,” he murmured.

The light in the room sparkled off the diamonds, but she forced herself to look at Master Dmitri as he continued. “You’re an easy woman to shop for, doll. I saw this necklace, and it had you written all over it.”

He was right; she absolutely loved it. “It’s so beautiful, sir.”

“I’m glad you think so, love.” He settled in front of her, and her breath became trapped in her throat as he caressed her neck, causing a thud of passion to thump low in her belly. “Do you know what it means to be collared?”

Liquid warmth slid through her veins. “Yes, sir.”

“You understand then that this collar brands you as my submissive?” When she nodded and tears filled her eyes, he softened his voice. “Now, I want my expectations to be clear.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Considering you have a bad habit of thinking for me.”

She laughed with him, tears falling down her face, as he settled his eyes in line with hers. “I think we’ve come to the point where you understand when I expect submission from you and what is expected of you.” He arched a brow. “My voice, my look, you are aware, yes?” At her nod and shiver, she received another low chuckle. “I don’t want a twenty-four/seven submissive. The dungeon and bedroom only for servitude, yes?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Very nice.” He stared at her with a fixed gaze, reaching down into her soul and bringing more tears with it. “I want you to know that you were right—I do need someone to take care of me, too.” He cupped her face and leaned in, enveloping her in his woodsy, masculine scent. “You do that just by being you and caring for me in the way you do.” He smiled gently and brushed the tears off her cheeks with his thumbs. “I need that, Presley, as much as you do, even if I didn’t realize it.”

She sniffed, controlling her tears. “I’m happy you do, sir.”

His voice became rougher, and his eyes filled with fierce emotion. “Together, we’re better, aren’t we?”

So simply said but not simple in its meaning. That one line said it all. She needed him. He needed her. “Yes, sir.”

He leaned away, and as she stared at him, a shift appeared in his features. She knew his Dom look well now. His demand for submission was in the hard set of his mouth, the dark sensual look in his eyes, and the firm set of his shoulders. The warmth in his face shifted to pure possession, causing her to tingle from head to toe.

“To your knees.”

As the command slid over her in a wicked heat, Presley slid down, and her knees pressed against the soft carpet beneath her. Master Dmitri stepped in behind her, flicked her hair over her shoulder, and asked, “Whom do you have to please, Presley?”

“You, sir.”

He placed the necklace over her head, wrapping it around the front of her neck. “Whom will you disappoint if you fail?”

“You, sir.”

“Yes, Presley, this isn’t about you being a Club Sin submissive anymore. You are
my
submissive.” The collar tugged against her neck as he clasped it. “Who will always protect you?”

The heavy weight of the necklace around her throat felt so similar to the touches he’d been using there that she shivered. As if, subconsciously, he’d known his collar would go there; she believed she’d known it all along, too. “You, sir.”

“That’s exactly right, doll.” He strode in front of her, cupped her chin, and captured her gaze. “Who will always love you?”

She blinked, not quite expecting to hear that admission so soon. “Sir, are you saying you’ve fallen in love with me?”

He hesitated, then his voice softened to a low rumble. “Doll, I fell in love with you the moment you walked into my office.” Leaning down to her face, he stared at her dead-on, and his eyes positively glowed. “I claimed you as my submissive the moment you called me Master.”

A flood of tears rushed down her cheeks, then he sealed his mouth over hers. She sensed in each brush against her mouth an equal happiness coursing through his soul. He broke the kiss, he continued to clasp her face and leaned his forehead against hers. His whisper of “Mine” slid into her heart, and she echoed the acknowledgment by whispering, “Yours.”

Without another word, his hands left her face, then he strode toward the chaise. He sat down, rested his forearms on his knees, and zeroed in on her with that stare that had claimed her soul. “Stand, turn around, and remove your clothes.”

Presley stood slowly and spun on her heels, and the sleigh bed filled her vision.

As sexily as possible, she bent to give him a view of her bottom, removing her socks. She dropped her scrubs, tossing her shirt and pants on the floor next to her. Looping her thumbs into the sides of her lace panties, she bent again at the waist. To entice him, she pulled the panties below her cheeks and gave a little wiggle.

“Don’t move.”

She inhaled sharply, as she hadn’t heard his approach, and his rich intoxicating scent engulfed her. “Place your hands on your thighs.” Once she complied, he used the flat of his hand and rubbed the round part of her bottom. “You’re very beautiful, doll.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Slap.

The smack jarred her into full awareness of her body, bringing forth a devilish heat between her thighs. Her blood turned wicked hot, and the heat on her bottom simmered through her veins.

“It’s not wise to tease a Dom with a fine ass,” he murmured, continuing to rub her backside in a slow swirl. “Naughty girl, Presley.”

Slap.

Her bottom flamed hotter, and flames rushed into her sex, moistening her to an uncomfortable level. “Yes, sir.”

Slap.

His force had intensified, yet it was more of a thud than a sensation that stung. Each thump against her cheek sent a zing soaring straight to her clit and warmth pooling low in her belly. She tightened her hands around her thighs, fighting to remain in one place and not grind herself against him in a demand for more.