Nico's Cruse (10 page)

“But why? Why would she help you find me or me find you? Why
would she send you to me? She’s the one who cursed me.”

The cat faced them and leapt through the screen in one
bound, hopping over both sets of keyboards and landing perfectly on Nico’s
mattress. She went directly over to Rose, who petted her head automatically and
he heard the purr from across the room.

She meowed once, jumping off the bed and before she hit the
floor she’d completely transformed into a beautiful woman. Her chocolate-brown
skin shone with some kind of otherworldly glow. Her flowing white hair still
reached midway down her back, which was covered by a brilliant-white gown.

Her dual-colored eyes glowed like a cat’s for a few seconds
and then she blinked, completing her change into a human form. The key still
dangled around her neck.

Rose’s jaw hit the floor and Nico grabbed her, tucking her
behind him, keeping himself between the witch and her— to protect her.

Priscilla must have heard him because she answered his
question immediately. “I cursed you because you didn’t care about anyone but
yourself. No one’s feelings or thoughts or dreams ranked higher than your own.”
She nodded toward Rose. “They didn’t even rate on your scale of giving a shit.”

“But why would you help her find me, just to have her
trapped here?”

“I’ll admit to being a bit…rash when I cursed you a few
years ago. I am only four hundred and eleven, so I’ve got a lot of learning
still to do. It’s why I decided to help her find you. And you needed all the
help you could get. You’ve got enough ego to drown a whale.”

He hated that her explanation made sense. “But she’s perfect
and wonderful and doesn’t deserve this life. I’m sorry for how I treated you.
You didn’t deserve it and I have no excuse for it, but she doesn’t deserve this
either. Please send her back—”

“No!” His pissed-off female walked around in front of him
with fists on her hips. “I choose you.”

“But you deserve better than this, than me.”

“No, I deserve love and sex and happiness with the man I
love. And you deserve all of that too.” She focused on the witch again, saying
something so low he couldn’t hear her.

The witch smiled, moving closer to her.

Nico put a protective arm over her shoulder, staring down
the witch, daring her to hurt Rose.

Priscilla ran her hand along Rose’s hair and kissed her
forehead. “No, child, you don’t have to take his place.” She removed the key
off the collar handing it to Rose, who stared it, not understanding any more
than he did.

“But—”

“No he doesn’t have to live here either. Your love and
devotion, along with his love and apology have paid the debt he owed me.” She
glanced over at him. “And because you chose so well, you’ll be able to travel
between worlds anytime you want. No matter which portal you’re at the code on
the key will always be the right one. Any laptop will work for you or desktop for
that matter. If you need to login to
Crossroads
—which will now only be
accessible to the two of you—it will be there, waiting for you. Both of you
must travel together. That is my only rule.”

She moved away but Rose followed, giving her a hug.

Priscilla seemed surprised but closed her eyes, returning
the gesture with obvious affection. He was pretty sure he heard a tiny purr.

“I’ll miss you,” Rose admitted and then she stepped over to
Nico’s side.

He pulled her in close and nodded to Priscilla. He couldn’t
be angry at her. He’d treated her poorly and he deserved at least part of what
she gave him.

“And I you, Rose. Be happy.” Without another second to ask
more questions she transformed back into a cat then disappeared.

As soon as she vanished, the energy changed in the house—along
with the windows. The still life screens came to life in front of all of them.
Tree limbs blew in a gentle breeze, birds flew by, and vehicles moved along at
a slow pace out on the street next to the beach he hadn’t seen change in years.

Waves gently washed along the shoreline less than two
hundred feet from his home and he could hear them again. He couldn’t believe
he’d lived so long without hearing that sound. It was one of his favorite
things about living on the coast.

His most favorite stood next to him, smiling up at him.

He stepped up to one of the windows, holding his breath. He
flicked the lock, like he’d done a million times, grabbed onto the bottom of
the window and lifted it. A warm breeze rushed in the room as he opened it as
high as it could go.

He didn’t say anything, his throat clogged with emotion, and
Rose must have known. She came up behind him, wrapping her arms around his
waist and her cheek on his back, holding him close until he got his emotions
under control.

He held her close just as a ray of sunshine shone through
the window onto their intertwined fingers.

A salty breeze came in off the ocean and it was perfect
weather. He took a deep breath and extended his hand out the window into the
warm sunshine. He flipped it over, warming his entire arm.

He swiveled around in the cage of her arms, clutching her to
him, choked again with emotion. “Thank you. I’ll never be able to love you
enough to say thank you.”

He had no idea how long they stood there, how many tears
they shed, but he’d never been so happy in his life. He looked up out of his
bedroom door into the space that held all of the BDSM furniture he hadn’t been
able to use.

His cock filled, getting hard for her in as much time as it
took him to scoop her up into his arms and walk into the other room.

It made him wish he carried her across the threshold after
getting married. He kissed her, wondering how long it would take him to
convince her to be his wife.

“Aren’t we leaving?” She laid her head on his chest, rubbing
her cheek on his skin.

It made him think of Priscilla, and for the first time, it
wasn’t a bad thing. “No. I want you here. In my house.”

“Didn’t you have me in your house already?” She licked his
flesh and his cock jerked against her ass.

“I thought you were a dream.”

She lifted her head, kissing his jaw, his lips. “And the
bathroom? Did you think that was a dream too?” She slid along his body, moaning
as she felt his erection as he set her on her feet.

“Possibly.”

She untucked the edge of his towel keeping it in place, and
giggled when it fell to the floor, revealing how ready he was for her again.

Nico pulled the towel from around her body, revealing her
one sexy inch at a time. He lifted her head with his knuckles, making sure she
heard every word. “I want to take you, knowing it’s the first time, but not the
last. I want to show you exactly what I’ve been dreaming of doing to your body,
and not just with a few cuffs and my hand.”

She went to grab his thickness, but stopped, turning the key
Priscilla had given her over in her palm. “I wonder if it actually goes to
something or if it’s just symbolic.”

The noise the key made as Rose laid it on the glass case
standing up next to them stole his breath. “Fuck.”

She jumped, peering at him, following his gaze to the key.

“Look at the lock on the case. Look at what’s engraved on
it.”

Rose reached for it, holding it in the light. A pair of cat
eyes watched them. Her intake of air said it all.

Priscilla’s lock had taunted him since the day he’d walked
into his house so many years ago. He knew her key would fit before he even
inserted it.

“It feels like Cinderella doesn’t it?” she asked him with
near reverence in her soft voice.

“But I don’t believe in fairytales.” He opened the top of
the case and the front lifted on hinges on the far side. He touched the black
leather, lifting it off the red satin material, holding it in place, keeping it
safe until he found the person who was destined to wear it.

“You should.”

Without a single word from him, Rose knelt in front of him,
giving him the honor of collaring her while on her knees. For him. He faced her
but hesitated before placing the stamp of his ownership around her throat. “Is
this what you want, Rose? Are you certain this is what you need?”

She peeked up at him with love and respect shining from her
pretty face. “I was willing to give up my freedom for you. To walk away from
everything I’ve ever known because you meant that much to me. I’d say that
should answer your question with a fair amount of certainty. On my knees for
you is exactly where I want to start our journey together. In some ways the
collar is my freedom…and yours.”

Her words echoed what he already knew. She was his, and he
was hers. They belonged together. Wherever they were would be home.

She held her hair up while he clasped his collar around her
neck. The leather was thin, dainty, and feminine, just like her. It was
perfect. The lock fit snugly at the back of her neck, and he used their key to
lock her in it. The key fit on a small D-ring on the front of the collar. There
was no reason he should understand that’s where it belonged…but it just did. He
closed the case then helped his Rose to her feet.

A full-length mirror stood off to one side and he stood her
in front of it so she could she herself, and him, full of pride, standing
behind her. “I will love you and protect you with every breath I take. I will
care for you, take you, and use you to your limits and beyond.” Her skin
flushed and he kissed her shoulder. “I have never been more pleased with a
woman in my life and in my bed. I love you.”

She twisted around, beaming at him. She stood on her
tiptoes, placing her lips against his. It was her oath to him, and he heard
every word.

He rotated with her in a circle, searching his furniture for
the perfect piece to break her in on. A shiver overtook her body and he knew
she realized exactly what he was looking for. “Hmm…so many possibilities.”

“Should I be scared…Sir?”

His fingers found one of her nipples and pinched it, hard.
“Absolutely.”

Her pupils dilated and her head moved as if she listened to
the most beautiful symphony. “Face the back wall, close your eyes, and clasp
your hands behind you. I don’t want you to know what’s coming. Well, before you
do, obviously.”

“Obviously,” she repeated with a bit of fear and a healthy
dose of arousal heating her skin.

She followed his instructions and he set to work.

“Don’t open your eyes until I tell you to,” he ordered as he
walked her to the middle of the room.

“Okay.”

He flipped her around, swatting her ass, making her eep,
then twisted her around again. “Okay?” he asked next to her ear.

“Yes, Sir,” passed her lips as naturally as air filled her
lungs.

“I’m going to have my hands full with you, aren’t I?”

“Mmmm. I hope so, Sir.”

He stopped her in the spot he needed her in, shaking his
head knowing she couldn’t see him. He loved how free-spirited she was, and how
she submitted just enough to make him crave more, and more. “Bend at the waist.
Feel in front of you to help guide you down.” She followed his instructions and
pretty soon he had her bound on all fours on a modified spanking bench.

Her knees and ankles were cuffed to a padded section of the
bench, her stomach lay flat across the highest piece of the bench, and her
wrists were cuffed on the far side where she grasped handles below her
shoulders. It put her mouth and her pussy, along with her ass at very opportune
heights. He scrutinized every inch of her, memorizing just how beautiful she
looked, spread out for him. “How do you feel?”

“Exposed,” leapt from her mouth.

“Why yes, pretty girl. Yes you are.” He dragged his knuckles
along her spine all the way to her tailbone, dipping into her slit, finding her
wet and ready. “I believe my little slut likes the bench.”

She arched her back as far as she could, which wasn’t much,
as he fingered her pussy, getting her nice and ready to take him. “Keep those
eyes closed.”

He walked over to a cabinet and opened both doors wide,
letting her see the massive collection of whips, and clamps, and other
deliciously naughty toys he had ready to use on her. He already had several
things tucked beneath the bench but he wanted her mind in the right place for
him to take her.

Empty-handed he walked up to her head, and grabbed a fistful
of her hair. He grabbed the base of his cock and tickled her lips with it.
“Make it good.”

She didn’t have to be told twice. She opened her mouth and
swallowed him almost whole. She moved her head, licking at the sensitive spot
beneath the head of his cock, working it, loving it.

He took a half a step forward, forcing her to take more of
his length. She did it with a moan, sucking him deep. He moved her head to the
side so he could see her lips move and she bobbed her head with a purpose. He
was so turned on the cum in his balls was ready and waiting to leap into her
throat. He grabbed her hair, pulling her off his cock. It popped free with a
smack and he let her lick and suck just the head. “Look at me,” he ordered.

Her attention flipped up to him and she focused on him,
drunk on his taste, high on his domination but he knew he was the one hooked
for life. “You’re so fucking sexy.” He captured her mouth, sucking her tongue
into his mouth, eating at her mouth like he wanted to eat at her slippery cunt.
“Want a little more, pretty girl?”

She swallowed, glancing at his cock and then back up at him.
“A lot more, Sir.”

“As you wish. Close your eyes.” He reached below the bench
and she followed his movements, giving away the fact she hadn’t actually
followed his instructions. “Naughty,
sumisa
.”

She glanced up at him, realizing at the last minute her
mistake. “Sorry, Sir.”

“I’ve been waiting for you to mess up so I finally had an
excuse to punish you.”

“I’m sorry, Sir, really. I didn’t mean to watch you.”

“The apology is nice, but not enough to make up for not
following instructions.”

He grabbed a blindfold off the table behind him, and
fastened it around her head, blocking out her ability to see.

He grabbed the set of clover clamps on a chain he’d already
placed beneath the bench. He was pretty certain she hadn’t seen them, so
quickly he moved to one side of her. He bent, sucking one of her nipples into
his mouth until she moaned, begging for more. He released it, then pinched her
nipple in one hand, along with a clover clamp in his other. “Deep breath.” He
released the clamp, trapping her nipple between its two small white pads.

“Why…o…fuck!”

He fed the other clamp and chain through a hole in the bench
beneath her ribcage, intentionally letting it fall into the open cavity of the
bench, tugging mercilessly on her clamped tit.

“Dammit,” she cursed, panting as she processed the pain.

He moved to the other side of her, fishing out the other
clamp, then tongued her nipple, using his teeth just enough to give her a taste
of what the second clamp was going to feel like.

As soon as she moaned, he clamped her free nipple, caging it
just like the first.

“Sir, I can’t. I can’t. They’re too much.” She pushed
against the handles she had a death grip on, trying to sit up. The chain caught
on the hole between the two sides and she cursed again, moving back down
quickly.

“Welcome to your first predicament,
mi amor
.”

Air whooshed in and out of her lungs and she gripped the
handles in a set pattern, helping her process the pain.

“Predicament?”

“You do one thing and it has consequences. You try to sit up
and it pulls on your pretty clamps. Or you don’t follow instructions and I take
a flogger to your ass.” He grabbed a black leather flogger with skinny tails
beneath the other side of the bench, stood and hit her ass hard.

She forgot about the clamps and tried to sit up again, then
fell back down on her stomach when they bit into her sensitive nipples.

He struck out at her ass and back and thighs, striking
quickly, not giving her time to process any of it. When he heard her cry of
pleasure his cock jerked, wanting inside her.

He hadn’t been completely certain if she could take what he
wanted to give her, not until that moment, not until her sweet cry broke apart
the space between them.

His palm moved over her hot flesh, stroking her skin,
telling her in muted words she had pleased him.

“Thank you, Sir,” filled his heart with joy, and love, and
lust and he couldn’t wait even a second longer to have her.

He grabbed a condom from the table, had it on before he was
behind her again, then plunged deep inside her sweet cunt.

“Thank you, thank you…” she repeated as he worked his cock
inside her until her body engulfed him on every stroke.

He sucked two fingers into his mouth, getting them good and
wet, then rubbed them on her ass. Her pussy clamped down on him as he fed them
into her. “I love seeing you take me. Watching you twitch beneath me, moaning
like a whore, my whore. You’re so perfect.” He buried his fingers inside her
ass, feeling his cock in her pussy through the thin piece of skin separating
the two.

“Nico,” she screamed his name as she started to come.

“Come. Come for me, on me. Fuck that’s sexy.” He reached
under one of her tits and released one of the clovers. She screamed, making his
orgasm race to the finish line. He pumped inside her, filling the condom with
cum she’d more than earned. With the last bit of mental ability he had left, he
reached on her other side releasing her other clamp.

As blood rushed back to her tight nipple, she came again,
shaking with the strength of it as he fucked her in tight strokes in both of
her holes.

Shards of electricity raced along his arms and legs, making
him come again. He cursed, praising her name, and latched onto her ass, wanting
to touch every inch of her he could.

She mumbled her praise to him as he withdrew and he was glad
he’d blindfolded her so she didn’t see him stumble. He went into the bathroom
and washed his hands, grabbing a washrag and wetting it to take care of her.

She jumped when he placed the warm cloth to her wet slit and
gently wiped her clean. He put the cloth on the counter and un-cuffed her,
lifting her into his arms to carry to bed.

“My Rose Petal,” he whispered to her as he tucked her in
bed.

“My Sir,” she whispered back before she fell asleep.

He hugged her close, and followed her into dreamland.

The next morning when he woke up the sun already perched
high in the sky, and Rose’s side of the bed was cold.

For a moment, panic squeezed his heart, thinking she’d been
snatched away again and he was alone, and the day before really had been
nothing but a dream.

He pulled on a pair of sweat pants. “Rose, where are you,
mi
amor
?”

“In the living room, checking out your music collection. Is
there seriously any CD you don’t have?”

He rounded the corner and there she was, sitting Indian
style on the rug beneath the coffee table looking at the cover of one of the
many albums he’d amassed over his time trapped inside the house. She’d put the
nightgown back on at some point, which he loved and hated.

Hated her not being naked but loved the idea of taking it
off her again.

“Couldn’t go anywhere, couldn’t travel. There’s only so much
stuff you can buy, but music I could make room for.”

He smiled at her, ecstatic that she was still there. He
leaned over and kissed her. “Mmmm,” he hummed, kissing her deeply. “You made
coffee.”

“Sure did. Hope you don’t mind. I helped myself to your
kitchen and figured out your coffee machine.”

“Hell, no I don’t mind. This will be the first cup of coffee
I’ve had, made by someone other than me, in a long time.”

He wandered into the kitchen, glancing back at her several
times before he lost sight of her. He grabbed his coffee, swallowed the first
delicious taste down and let it chase away the rest of his worry.

He made his way back into the great room, settling on the
couch. Rose came and joined him, snuggling into his side. “I wonder how long
it’s going to take?” he asked her and tucked her hair behind one of her ears.

“What’s going to take?”

“For me to believe this really isn’t just the best dream
ever.”

Her eyes squinted for a second and she kissed him. “I don’t
know but I hope a long time because I like how you look at me.”

“How’s that?”

“Like you can’t take your eyes off me. Afraid I’m going to
disappear I imagine.”

He played with her hair, twirling it around his fingers,
watching how the sunlight made it shine and shimmer. “That’s partly correct.
The other part of me just can’t take my eyes off you because you’re gorgeous
and mine. Mine.”

“I like that word from your lips.” She dragged her fingers
across his lips and he said it again.

“Mine.” The heat under his skin ratcheted up a few degrees
and she must have noticed. She fanned her pink cheeks.

“You make me hot.”

“You do all that on your own,
mi hermosa sumisa
.”

“I love it when you speak Spanish to me. It’s incredibly
sexy. It would make my panties wet, if I were actually wearing any.” A sly
little smile tilted her lips, and he slid up her nightie revealing nothing but
skin.

“How about I make you some breakfast and then we can crawl
back in bed and I can have my way with you…several times.”

“Deal, but I have a request.”

“Only one?”

“For now,” she said, and wrinkled her nose.

“Mmhmm. Name it.”

“You have to cook me breakfast in my kitchen.”

He thought about it, remembering he could leave with her.
They could go anywhere as long as they went together. “You’re on.”

He drug her into the bedroom and brought up the video chat
screen. He pushed the connect button and faced Rose. She turned around, draping
her hair over her shoulder so he could see the password on her key. He read the
numbers out loud and then typed them in. The connection opened immediately and
they both breathed a sigh of relief.

“Pretty sure it’s going to be a bit before both of us
believe this is all real.” She kissed him, placed the laptop on the bed, then
crawled through.

He watched her go, focusing on the little peek of ass cheek
that showed every time she moved her legs. On the other side she slowly tugged
the satiny silk fabric over her head, letting it fall to the floor beside her.

“I’m going to take a shower before breakfast. Care to join
me, Sir?” She wandered off toward the bathroom with a bounce in her step and a
naughty gleam in her eye.

He reached through, testing again, then pulled it back out.

Need for her surged through his veins as he heard her shower
start. He wanted her in the shower, slick and warm. His lips curved upward as
he caught sight of her climbing in the shower in the mirror above the counter
in her bathroom.

Life’s too short for “what if”s
, he decided.

He went to the playroom, grabbing a ball gag along with a
couple whips from his collection for later.

“Are you coming?” she yelled for him on the other side of
the connection, making his smile grow. “Or are you just waiting to see what I
look like when I’m finished?”

He loved how eager she was to experiment with him, how
willingly she took what he needed to give her. He’d make sure the fire in her
eyes never died, and nearly growled with the first few ideas that popped into
his head.

He took one last glance around his bedroom and climbed
through after her…