His Dark Obsession (5 page)

“Sit straight. Turn your head and stare right into the camera.” Grabbing her jaw, he tilted her head slightly. “I want to capture the slight hollow of your cheek to emphasize your cheekbone. Keep your head at that angle.”

Pierce returned to his camera. “No, love, don’t lower your eyes. I want them looking straight up. They are so sharp and defined. They add to the contrast.”

Sarah’s eye’s widened the moment she heard the endearment. She was not silly enough to think he meant it but it still made her heart flutter to hear it.

“Hold nice and still for me.”

Sarah held her pose. Training her eyes just above his head at a large blossom, trying to think of its name. Focusing on the training she learned from Mrs. Needham and not on the fascinating man who may or may not have a tattoo who was standing before her.

Several still moments went by. Then there was a crash as a gelatin dry plate crashed to the tiled floor. Sarah jumped in response.

“This isn’t working.” Pierce ran is hand through his dark brown unruly hair in frustration. Pacing away in silence. He wanted to capture the woman he saw running in the West End. Her intoxicating energy and movement. Not this buttoned up, proper miss.

Sarah was devastated. He was going to let her go. She told herself she was upset because of the pretty amount of coin she would miss out on but that wasn’t the whole truth.

Abruptly, he returned.

Circling behind Sarah, she felt his rough hands in her thick curls.

“My lord!” Sarah raised her hands to stop him as she tried to twist around to face him.

Painfully gripping both her wrists, he barked, “Put your arms down this instant.”

Sarah meekly complied. Confused as to what was happening.

Mrs. Needham had styled her hair in a loose chignon on top of her head with artfully arranged large ringlets cascading over her shoulders. They always dressed simply for sittings not wanting their ensemble to betray the artistic vision of the client. Sarah had on a Prussian blue skirt, cream lace embroidered blouse and a wide black velvet fabric belt tied in a neat bow at her back with black lace boots. She was proud of her appearance. She thought she looked proper and elegant. She wanted to show him she had grace and composure compared to the wanton, harridan vision he received of her earlier. Now he was ruining it!

Pierce grasped her hair, taking a moment to appreciate the rich silky texture before securing it with one hand behind her ears. With his free hand, he undid the black choker ribbon around her neck.

“Oh, please, my lord!” complained Sarah.

“Hush!”

Using the ribbon, he tied the thick mass of curls back off her face and neck. Swinging around to check his handiwork, he crouched on his haunches before her. “Not quite there.”

Pierce reached for the buttons of her blouse. Sarah jerked back. Her bright jade eyes wide with alarm. His eyes narrowed in an unspoken warning. Sarah closed her right hand over the base of her throat. Her heart beating fast. She barely shook her head no. A tiny mouse standing up to a lion.

A tightening across his shoulders was the only indication of his rising irritation. Leaning in closer, his left hand caressed her exposed right forearm. Allowing her to feel the roughness of his hand compared to the milky smoothness of her skin. Allowing her to feel the slight pressure, he applied, subtly showing his superior strength. Allowing her to perceive his point without him having to say the words.

He would have his way.

Sarah lowered her eyes and relented. Her free hand nervously twisted into the folds of her skirt. She couldn’t believe she was allowing him to take such liberties. It was foolish since he had already seen her in a shocking state of undress but still.

When Pierce’s long fingers enclosed her wrist, she let him guide it away from her throat without any resistance. Easily undoing the top five little pearl buttons, her skin was exposed to the collarbone. Pierce could see just the barest sheen of perspiration from the heat of the conservatory. This close to her skin. He could smell the verbena soap she used to bathe. Resisting the urge to caress the spot where he could see her trembling heartbeat he stood up.

“Sarah, look at me,” he commanded.

She raised large, uncertain eyes to him.

“Good girl.”

He placed a hand on either side of her hips, closing her in. Of their own volition, Sarah’s eyes dropped to his mouth. She had never really looked at a man’s mouth before. I mean
really
looked. It was so very…very…

“Sarah…”

Pierce interrupted her wandering thoughts.

“Keep your eyes on me,” he gently ordered. “I want you to lick your lips.”

Pierce watched as the small tip of her tongue peeked out to sweep over her top lip. Tamping down the primal surge that came from a beautiful woman obeying your command, Pierce went further. “Now the bottom lip.”

Without taking her eyes of his, Sarah complied. Her cherry pink lips were bright and glistening.

Pierce leaned in close. Placing his hand along her jaw, he whispered against her lips.

“Now open your mouth…just slightly…as if you’re about to be kissed by a lover.”

Sarah leaned in…lips parted…eyes closed. Waiting for his kiss.

Then…nothing.

Then…the unmistakable sound of a mechanical shutter releasing.

Opening shocked eyes, Sarah saw Pierce standing several feet away behind his photographic camera.

“Perfect! Hold that expression of shocked loss! Oh! Sarah my love! You are wonderful! You have such a talent for this.”

Pierce quickly replaced the gelatin dry plate and captured the image. Captured the moment. The emotion.

Quickly recovering, Sarah raised trembling hands to button her blouse.
How humiliating!
Here she was fawning over him like a schoolgirl, mistakenly assuming he was taken by her charms when all he really wanted was a photograph!

Standing abruptly, she avoided making eye contact by making quite a show of smoothing out her skirts. “Well, Lord Warrington, I believe your session is over for this afternoon.” She hoped he didn’t notice the slight tremor to her voice.

“No. Certainly not. I’ll send a messenger to Mrs. Needham saying I require you for longer.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” she retorted. Walking with stiff dignity she headed for the entrance to the conservatory.

She never even heard him move. Strong fingers wrapped around her upper arm. The heat of his skin branded her through the soft linen of her blouse. Pulling her close to his side. If she were less distracted by the appearance of the other woman, she would have recognized the feel of his hard shaft pressing against her hip and know he was far from unaffected by her presence.

Pierce growled into her ear, “I decide when you leave, Sarah, not you.”

She hazard a glance at him through the corner of her eye. His glacial blue eyes shone with anger. The mouth she so admired a moment a go was tight with displeasure. She could almost flatter herself, the great lord was angry at the thought of her leaving his presence. After the humiliation of the almost kiss, she knew that was not true. He was just angry he lost his model for the day.

“Am I interrupting?”

Both turned to see a garishly attired woman standing in the doorway. If the scandalously low-cut vivid orange dress did not brand her as a fallen woman, the French chalk and face paint on her eye and lip certainly would have.

“I told Parker not to bother announcing me. It’s not like I don’t know the way by now, right dearie.” The woman gave Lord Warrington a suggestive wink.

Parker was obviously the butler, not that he had bothered to introduce himself to Sarah. Apparently this woman was privy to his name and was familiar enough to be permitted to wander about the house unescorted. The fact that it was Sarah’s first time at Lord Warrington’s home and she couldn’t possibly be expected to know her way about was lost on her at the present moment.

It was obvious to her now why she had no appeal. Sarah could never compete with the overt charms of such a woman.

“I was just leaving,” announced Sarah thrusting her chin in the air as she tried to pull her arm out of Pierce’s firm grasp.

“Shame. You’re a pretty little prim one ain’t ya. We could have some, you and me.”

“That will be enough from you, Fannie,” quipped Pierce. “Go inside and get ready. I will be with you momentarily.”

With another suggestive look between the two of them and a swivel of her generous hips, Fannie sauntered into the room.

Once again, Sarah tried to pull her arm free. Taking a deep breath, she said calmly, “I can assure you, I am perfectly capable of finding my way out. I wouldn’t want to keep you from your
guest
.”

“She’ll wait.”

Without releasing her arm, Pierce pulled Sarah behind him as they exited the conservatory. After several turns and more than one long hallway, Sarah finally asked, “Where are you taking me?”

“To find one of those dark corners I mentioned,” ground out Pierce.

“Lord Warrington, no…I…”

Pierce swung Sarah around till her back connected with the wall, cushioned only slightly by a thick tapestry. She had only a moment to glance around before his broad frame blocked her sight. They were in the library. The dark, unoccupied library.

Running his hand down her arm, Pierce closed his hand around Sarah’s delicate wrist, lifting it high over her head. Pinning it against the wall. Feeling the power of his height and strength, she was trapped. Sensing the danger she was in, Sarah watched the muscular swells of his chest beneath his thin linen shirt expand with each labored breath as he fought for control.

“Look at me,” he demanded soft and low.

Sarah kept her eyes trained on his waistcoat buttons. Her humiliation from him not kissing her and her jealousy of that woman had gotten the better of her and now she was going to pay the price. Despite the trappings of wealth and respectability there was something primal and uncivilized about Lord Warrington.

“Now,” he barked.

Startled, Sarah looked up at him. Her bright green eyes close to tears.

“Little girls who are used to boys shouldn’t try their games on men. Do you understand me?”

Sarah could only nod.

Pierce palmed one thick ringlet of her hair. Slowly gliding his hand down the long, silky length, pulling the curl straight. Gripping the end tightly, he gave it a sharp tug before allowing the curl to spring back in place. Her hair fascinated him. It was raven’s wing black. The color rich and deep. So long and thick, a man could wrap his hand around a silken lock twice. A vision of her head forced back as he fisted her hair before driving deeply into her small, tight body with his cock flashed before his eyes.

Sarah opened her lips on a gasp from the small sting of pain from the sudden tug on her hair. Watching his strong hand grasp the delicate tendril somehow heightened her awareness of his physical brawn compared to her diminutive size. She couldn’t help but feel the hum of restrained energy, as if he was forcing himself to only lightly touch her. What would happen if his restraint snapped?

Sarah had a terrible need to see him slip the harness off. She needed to know. Were the intense looks and fleeting touches him just teasing her because he viewed her as barely out of the schoolroom? Because he didn’t consider her enough of a woman…like
that
woman Fannie? The idea piqued her feminine pride. While it was true she was used to more immature young men…boys…fawning over her, it didn’t mean she did not have the whiles to attract a man if she wanted to. This man.

It was foolish. It was dangerous. She could hear her old teacher’s biblical warning,
pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall
. She didn’t care.

Tremulously licking her lips before speaking, Sarah murmured in what she hoped was an alluring voice. “You need to let me go. One of those boys you mentioned is waiting for me.” It was an irrational lie. She regretted it the moment she uttered the words.

It was too late…it had hit the mark.

Ice blue eyes turned a deep sapphire. His mouth curved into a slow, arrogant smile. Releasing the wrist he had pinned to the wall, he took a step back.

“Well, we mustn’t keep him waiting,” he said indulgently.

Sarah felt a momentary disappointment.
He did think of her as just a silly schoolgirl
.

Just then a strong arm wrapped around her tiny waist. She could feel the searing heat of his hand pressed against her lower back. His other hand spanned her chest, just below the collarbone. Sarah held her breath as it deliberately slid down the pearl-buttoned lace front of her blouse. His fingers lightly grazed the inside curve of her breasts as he pressed the bones of her corset deeper into her skin. After what felt like an eternity, he rested his tan, sinewed hand along her flat stomach.

Sarah felt a pull at her back. He had untied the bow securing her black velvet ribbon belt.

Her bright green eyes reflected her rising alarm.

Raising her arms in a defensive gesture, as if she were any match for his brute strength, she pleaded, “I’m sorry. I didn’t…”

Pierce captured her outstretched arms by the thin wrists, quickly and expertly wrapping her velvet belt around the delicate skin.

Sarah tried to pull back but his grip was too strong. “What are you doing?”

The moment her beautiful lips uttered the taunt, Pierce felt a primal surge to mark his territory. If she were going to be in the presence of another male, she would feel the imprint of his hand the whole time. Pulling her by her ribbon secured wrists, Pierce dragged Sarah across the room to the plush chairs before the unlit fire.

“Please! I’m sorry! I lied. I lied,” she cried.

“All the more reason for you to be punished,” said Pierce. His face, a mask of stern determination.

“Punished? You can’t! You wouldn’t dare!”

Pierce leaned in, crushing her bound wrists between them. Pressing close to her lips, he whispered, “You will find I dare quite bit, little one.”

Taking advantage of Sarah’s shocked stillness, Pierce sat, dragging her over his knees.

At first Sarah was too stunned to issue a protest. Then he began to pull up her skirt.

Taking a huge handful of Prussian blue skirt and the ruffled petticoat underneath, Pierce flipped them high, exposing her lace-edged fine linen drawers. Sarah screeched in protest, kicking her legs out.

“Kick one more time and I will tie your ankles as well.”

The terrifying thought instantly stilled Sarah’s furtive movements.

“If you don’t release me this instant, I’ll…I’ll scream for help!” she warned. “I’ll…I’ll call for Parker!”

Pierce laughed. “My staff and especially my butler know better than to interrupt their master.”

Sarah felt helpless. She was at the mercy of a madman! She tried another tact.

“Please. I’ll be good. I promise. I won’t ever taunt you again,” she whined.

“I’m here to make sure of it.” His voice low and husky, filled with dark promise.

She could feel his fingers searching beneath her bunched up skirts at her waist. With horror, she felt his skin against her own. His fingers dipped into the waistband of her drawers, slowly pulling them down over her now exposed bottom. Her face burned with humiliation. This was far worse than the embarrassment from the episode in Mrs. Needham’s parlor. Then his transgression on her person could be excused as a life or death necessity but this…this…was beyond the pale. As with then, she felt lightheaded, unable to draw a full breath, posed as she was prone over his knees. Her corset cut painfully into her side. She could feel the unmistakable press of his aroused member pushing against the soft swell of her belly.

Pierce was pleased. Her heavy skirts had hidden the generous curves of her derriere. Lush and round. Perfect for spanking. He ran a large, warm hand over one soft, full curve.

With her tied wrists, she desperately tried to grab at his trouser leg to force her body up and off his lap.

“Stay still,” he warned giving her a slight slap on the upper thigh.

“Oh!” cried Sarah at the contact but she stilled nonetheless.

Once again, Pierce caressed her bottom. Rubbing his hand in leisurely circles, exploring each rounded curve. He admired the soft, golden radiance of her flawless skin. Anticipation rising to see it glow a bright pink from his ministrations. The sweet pleasure from pain. Placing his left hand between her shoulder blades to keep her steady, he raised his right in a firm arc.

The first contact was a full-handed spank in the center of her left cheek. He paused. Watching as her skin turned momentarily white only to blossom into a light pink showing the perfect outline of his hand.

Sarah howled in response. More indignant than hurt.

Pierce repeated the gesture on her right cheek. Admiring the mark of his hand on both her exposed globes. Wishing he had brought his photographic camera in here with him. He would have loved to capture this complete, superb moment.

The very moment he marked her as his own.

He waited till the faint outlines of his hand started to fade. The only sound in the room, the quickly indrawn breaths of his captive.

Then he punished her in earnest.

Raising his arm, he released a quick succession of hits across her bottom to the top of the black stockings on her upper thighs. With each strike, her precious bottom jiggled. Her hips lurched. He watched as her skin began to bloom a bright pink.

“Stop! Stop! It hurts,” she tearfully begged.

The itching, stinging pain had grown to an unbearable, bruising heat. With every contact of his hard hand, her body jerked. Her skin burned.

Ignoring her pleas, Pierce continued his assault on her vulnerable bottom. Careful not to strike the same place twice in a row, he evened his strokes…first one cheek…then the other…first the plump top…then the rounded underside.

“Oh god! Please! I cannot take it!” choked out Sarah in desperation.

“You can and you will,” he growled, renewing his efforts. Despite the harshness of the spanking, Pierce was in truth holding back. There would be time later for a truly merciless spanking to really test her limits. For now, he was content to make an impression on her…literally.

As her skin darkened, he increased the time in between contact. Relishing in how her cute bottom cheeks clenched. How her hips shimmied from side to side. Her slender legs pumping up and down on her toes as she woefully anticipated the next punishing spank. The movement teased the hard length of his cock, pressed close to her middle. Every tremor. Every slight movement. Every painful indrawn breath. He could feel it
all
along his considerable shaft.

Sarah could not imagine being in a worse predicament. She knew she deserved this punishment. She had behaved like a petulant child who had been denied a toy. She had expected his annoyance maybe even anger but not this…never this. The pain came in throbbing waves now, each one worse than the last. Her bottom felt like it was too close to the fire, which made her own body’s response all the more confusing. The pulsing heat of her skin seemed to cause a pulsing sensation in a
very naughty
place. The sting of his slap causing a matching rising stirring in her middle. The tingling had an edge of excitement…a spark of pleasure…that thoroughly bewildered her.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry! Please don’t spank me anymore.” Her large emerald eyes brimming with tears.

“Have you learned the dangers of taunting me? Of lying to your betters?”

“Yes! Yes! Please!”

Pierce rubbed his hand over her heated skin. Enjoying how it warmed his own. He decided to test her promise not to lie.

“Did you enjoy your punishment, Sarah?” he softly asked. His voice warm and low.

What a ridiculous question thought Sarah. How could he ask such a thing? She opened her mouth to tell him absolutely not when his words gave her pause.

“Think carefully before you respond, my love,” warned Pierce. He pressed one intimidating hand at the top of her bottom where it met her lower back in a dimpled ridge. Gliding his fingers along the upper curve of her bottom, he allowed his thumb to gently press between her cheeks.

Sarah sucked in a shocked breath, holding it close. She clenched her cheeks in an agitated response.

“Unclench your bottom or I will resume your spanking,” he said with authority. Sarah reluctantly obeyed but it took great effort.

He continued to move his hand deliberately over her warmed-up curves, pressing his thumb deeper. The tip touching the rouged, puckered skin of her hidden back passage causing Sarah to cry out in panic. Pierce applied the slightest pressure to the sensitive spot before continue to stroke downward. As his fingers slid over her soft skin, his thumb explored the softer petals of her cunny.

As his thumb dipped into the dewy proof of her forbidden desire, he asked again, “Tell me Sarah, did you enjoy your punishment?”

“I don’t know what you are asking of me,” she whimpered. Her secured hands nervously twisting into the loose fabric of his trouser leg.

“Do you feel my thumb?”

Far too ashamed to respond, Sarah remained mute.

Pierce took his free hand and gave her a sharp slap on her left cheek.

Sarah cried out in pain and shock.

“I asked do you feel my thumb?” he repeated as he lightly pressed his thumb along her cunny.

“Yes,” Sarah shamefully whispered.

Pierce pressed the tip into her tight cunny. Relishing in how her body instinctively clamped down on the digit, trying to force him out. While cupping the underside of her bottom with his fingers, he slowly pulsed his thumb in and out of her body. Her own arousal easing his movement.

“Oh! Oh! Don’t! I don’t…please,” she breathed.

“Your body is telling me you secretly enjoyed your spanking. Now I want to hear it from your lips.”

“Oh, please don’t make me,” she begged.

“Say it,” he commanded.