Dark Perception: The Corde Noire Series Read online

  “Place your hands on the sofa,” he ordered.

  Slapping her palms on the leather cushions, Melinda was thankful to have something to lean on. Nathan ran his fingertips down her back, his nails lightly scratching her skin.

  She waited, anxious to find out what would happen next, but as the minutes passed there was nothing. Melinda’s anticipation was building, and mixed in with it was the pleasurable swirl of excitement.

  “Spread your legs.” His voice sounded as if he was right next to her ear. “Do it.”

  Melinda hurriedly kicked her feet apart. Again, nothing happened for several seconds, and then … a low humming sound was all around her.

  “This is just a toy I like to use,” he reassured her in his sultry voice. “Something to reward you for being such a good girl.”

  The vibration began next to her right nipple and slowly made its way down her stomach. Melinda’s mind raced with possibilities of what this toy could be, and then it hit her just as the vibrating sensation dipped between her legs.

  “Oh, God,” she cried as he pushed the vibrator into her.

  The cascade of sensations was overwhelming. This was not the gentle tingle she was used to. Her back arched, and her teeth clenched.

  “Don’t fight it, baby. Let me please you.”

  He moved the vibrator slowly in and out of her. White heat rose from her groin and engulfed her. It was so much more than anything she had ever experienced. The waves of tension began cramping her muscles in unrelenting bursts.

  “I can’t …”

  “You will,” he commanded against her cheek. “You will take every second of it, and more.”

  A slap resounded and the sting on her left butt cheek only intensified her pleasure. Melinda groaned and her hips gyrated against his hand, rhythmically rising and falling with every penetration of the vibrator. She threw her head back as the orgasm climbed quickly from her depths, exciting every nerve in her body as it went. She held on to the sofa as the waves of her impending climax rose and receded.

  “Nathan!” she called, on the verge of collapsing.

  “That’s it. Scream for me, baby.”

  Then her body constricted in one overpowering spasm. Melinda screamed as her consciousness narrowed to only register the vibrations coursing through her. Never had an orgasm been so intense, and the throbbing continued on and on. When she finally fell against the sofa, her awareness returned. Covered in a film of sweat, she was completely dazed when Nathan unexpectedly kissed her cheek.

  “Where in the hell did you learn to do that … Sir?”

  He snickered as he stroked her back. “Years of practice.”

  Melinda raised her hand to the blindfold still covering her eyes.

  “No,” he said, taking her hand away. “I’m not done.”

  “I may not survive any more.”

  His hand went between her legs and teased her wet folds. “You’ll survive.” Melinda pressed into his hand, pining to feel him deep inside her. He pulled his hand away. “I want you to stand up.”

  Eager for more, Melinda dragged her body up from the sticky leather sofa. “Anything you say, Sir.”

  Nathan took her hands and guided her forward. “Kneel on the sofa. Put your hands on the back.”

  After she had positioned herself, Nathan spanked her butt. “You didn’t say, ‘yes, Sir.’ You need to acknowledge my commands, Melinda.”

  “Sorry, Sir.”

  Nathan firmly gripped her buttocks. He bit into her shoulder, making her groan with longing. Melinda heard the sound of his zipper and the rustling of clothes.

  “Tell me you want me.”

  She felt the warmth of him against her. Nathan tugged at the black cord around her throat.

  “I want you … Sir,” Melinda softly uttered.

  The sound of a foil package being torn open briefly echoed in the living area. While his hands went around her hips, Melinda braced against the sofa, desperate for him.

  “Yes,” she moaned as he plunged into her.

  He held on to her hips as he pulled out and slammed into her again, pitching her into the sofa back. This time he did not go slow; his penetrations were hard, fast, and deliciously deep.

  Melinda’s knees went weak.

  “Do you like this?”

  “Yes, yes, Sir,” she cried out.

  She could hear the slapping of their flesh, feel the force of him pushing into her, and smell the sweat on her skin. Nathan grunted behind her, pressing her into the couch while Melinda fought to support their weight.

  “You’re about to explode, aren’t you, Melinda?”

  “Yes … Sir.”

  “Ask my permission to come.” He bit the back of her neck. “I control you, Melinda.”

  Her orgasm was building, creating that glorious rush of tension. “Can I come, Sir?”

  Nathan thrust into her, hard. “Yes, come for me.”

  She caved as the climax crashed through her. Her muscles went weak and she fell against the sofa as he continued to pound into her. She screamed with wild abandon as her body quivered. Nathan gave a loud groan behind her and rammed into her as hard as he could.

  They were both clinging to the back of the sofa, panting to catch their breath, when Nathan removed her blindfold.

  “I love playing with you.” He kissed her shoulder.

  Melinda shook her head. “You make me feel like an inexperienced schoolgirl.”

  “I just know a few tricks to amuse women … it’s not rocket science.” He rolled on to the couch and then removed the condom.

  She settled next to him as he dropped the condom to the floor. “Do other men know the same tricks you do?”

  “Sex is just sex to most men. They’re not out to give pleasure, only to receive it.” He pulled her close. “But a man like me only likes to give pleasure, and to control that pleasure. Playing games is one way to do that.”

  She rested her head against his chest. “What other games do you know?”

  “I can’t tell you. I have to show you.”

  “Then show me more … please, Sir.”

  His arms tightened around her. “Soon, baby. We will play again, very soon.”

  * * *

  It was a little after sunup when Melinda awoke in Nathan’s four-poster, king-sized bed. She looked over to the spot next to her to see Nathan sleeping with his muscular arm curled up behind his head. Repositioning her pillow next to his face, she settled on her side and memorized every curve and every eyelash. She ran her fingertips lightly over his five o’clock shadow and wondered if it ever itched. She remembered something Jack had once said to her about how a five o’clock shadow was less uncomfortable than shaving.

  Jack. Memories of the times they had shared flowed across her mind like a cheesy wedding video. Why was he still haunting her thoughts?

  Rolling on her back, Melinda sighed. Here she was, in bed with another man, thinking of Jack. She and Jack were finished. He had lied to her, hidden who he was from her, and no matter what happened with Nathan, she knew she could never go back to her old life. The French Quarter would be too painful without Jack.

  “What are you thinking about so intently?” Nathan stirred beside her.

  She nestled next to him. “Nothing.”

  “It was something because your forehead was all bunched up. You only do that when you’re lost in your thoughts.”

  “My forehead bunches up?”

  He dragged his fingers across her forehead. “Afraid so. Keep that up and I’ll have to start getting you Botox injections.”

  “Eww,” she squawked. “I hate needles.”

  “Me, too.” He embraced her. “So what was bothering you at this hour of the morning?”

  She rested her head against his chest. “I was just thinking about how I could never go back to my old life in the French Quarter.”

  “You won’t have to ever go back to that life, Melinda. I promise I’ll take care of you.”

  “You can’t make that
kind of promise, Nathan. You don’t know how long we’ll last. We could end in another week, another month … who knows?”

  “Melinda, we’re never going to end.”

  Alarmed, she sat up in the bed. “What are you saying?”

  “I’m planning ahead … for us. I told you about our penthouse in my new development. I figure we’ll have at least a year before we can move in, but in the meantime, I was thinking of expanding my office into that storage room of yours. That way we could always be near each other.”

  “What about your privacy?”

  He adjusted the pillow behind his head while gazing up at her. “My privacy? What are you talking about?”

  “From the moment I began working with you, everyone has told me what a private man you are. I thought that meant you liked being alone.”

  He chuckled and ran his hand over his chin. “No, it meant I don’t like people knowing my business. That has nothing to do with us. I want you with me.”

  “I am with you.”

  He touched the collar on her neck. “I’m talking about our life together.”

  “Don’t you think we should date first, Nathan? We’ve been sleeping together for only two days.”

  “We’ve known each other for months, Melinda. Besides, I don’t want to date you. I want to be with you … always.”

  A kick of uncertainty in her gut roused her growing skepticism. “What if this is a mistake?”

  He sat up next to her. “We’re not a mistake. When I find a woman I want, she has to belong exclusively to me. I can’t risk her being seen with other men and raising suspicions about me.” He tossed aside the covers. “I’m sorry, but you either want all of me or none of me. I’ve committed myself to you, and if you don’t want me, then go.” He climbed from the bed. Without looking back at her, Nathan dashed for the bathroom.

  The shock of his statement sucked the air from her lungs. Cold waves of disbelief rippled through her. What had she done? She wasn’t ready to leave Nathan. No one had ever made her feel such wonderful things.

  Slipping out from beneath the covers, she tiptoed toward the bathroom. When she saw him leaning over the sink, he was gripping the edges of the counter so hard his knuckles were white.

  Melinda eased into his back and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I want to make this work, Nathan, but every relationship I’ve had has turned into a mistake, even with Jack. If I commit to you, I’m afraid I’ll blow it.”

  “You won’t blow it.” He rubbed his hand over her arms. “I won’t let you.”

  She rested her head against his back. “You may not want me one day.”

  He turned to her and eyed the collar around her neck. “I wouldn’t have put that collar on you unless I wanted you … always, no matter what.”

  She smiled, her apprehension fading. “Then I guess I’m your girl.”

  “And no one else’s?”

  “Yes, Nathan, no one else’s.”

  He held her close, and as his body melted into hers, a nagging sense of doubt consumed her. She had always read that everyone was anxious about commitment, but with Nathan it felt less like nerves, and more like fear. It was like the cold pang that gripped her in the darkness when awakening from a nightmare.

  But this isn’t a nightmare, Melinda. It’s your dream.

  Hugging him close, Melinda pushed her gloomy thoughts aside. Nathan was the first man who had given her the kind of life she had always wished for. She needed to relax and enjoy it. Maybe this was what everyone felt when their dreams started coming true. After all, it was easy to dream of wanting a certain life, but a lot harder to live the life you dreamed.

  “I’m going to have a busy few days ahead with lawyers and accountants.” He unwound her arms from his waist. “Why don’t you relax and spend the time working on your music?”

  “You don’t want me to come with you to your meetings?”

  He searched the vanity countertop. “No, not for this. It’s just going to be preliminary negotiation stuff. Nothing you need to be bothered with.” He retrieved his electric razor from the edge of the counter.

  Melinda shrugged, a little disappointed at not being needed. “I can work on my music.”

  “When this deal gets rolling, I’m going to work on getting you into a recording studio.” Nathan looked back at her in the vanity mirror. “You need to get a record out there to attract some big gigs in the city.”

  Melinda’s mouth fell open as her heart soared. “Are you serious?”

  “You bet. I want to see you on the stage at The House of Blues. I’ll get you there, just give me time.”

  She threw her arms around him. “Nathan, you’re too good to me.”

  “We’re going places, baby. I promise.” He flipped on his razor. “You’d better get out of here. Otherwise, I might just haul you back into that bed and miss my morning meeting.”

  “Yes, Sir.” She backed away from him.

  “God, I love it when you talk that way,” he mumbled, the desire glinting in his eyes.

  Melinda playfully slapped his firm, round ass. “Get ready for your meeting. I’ll make us some breakfast.”

  He ran the razor over his jaw. “No breakfast for me, I’ve got some paperwork to get through before I go. I’ll just grab coffee on my way to my lawyer’s office.”

  Melinda almost skipped out of the bathroom. When she returned to the living area for her clothes, she spotted the vibrator on the coffee table by the sofa. Curious, she wanted to pick it up, but for some reason that felt naughty. Then she wondered what was wrong with enjoying herself. Was the pleasure Nathan gave her a bad thing?

  Like a curious toddler reaching out to a flame, she extended her hand to the vibrator, almost expecting to be struck by lightning for her fascination. Still wary, her hand hovered over the object.

  “Go on,” Nathan directed from the bathroom. “Try it.”

  Melinda yanked her hand back. “I was … I was just wondering how it worked.”

  He sauntered to the sofa, his smirk widening. “Pick it up.”

  “No, that’s all right.”

  He took her hand and slammed it on top of the vibrator. “It’s not a sin to want pleasure, Melinda.”

  “I know.”

  He pressed his naked body into her back. “Then what are you afraid of?”

  “It feels … dirty.”

  “But you liked it last night, right?”

  “Yeah, but you covered my eyes.”

  His hand went down her back to her right butt cheek. “If we’re going to play, you’re going to have to be open to new ideas. Allow me to do things to you so I can please you.” His fingers ran along her right cheek and dipped into her folds. “You want me to please you, don’t you?” He began to stroke her clit.

  Melinda’s body heaved with longing. “Yes, I want you to please me, Sir.”

  “Then you’re going to have to let go of your fear.”

  She clutched the arm of the sofa when his fingers thrust into her.

  “Tell me you trust me,” he whispered.

  “I trust you, Sir.”

  “Tell me I can do anything to you,” he demanded in a cold tone.

  “Yes, anything, Nathan.” The delight from his fingers was rambling through her.

  He stopped and smacked her ass. Melinda almost fell forward on the sofa with the force of his blow.

  “It’s Sir,” he hissed. He stepped back from her. “Pick it up and finish.”

  Her eyes flew open and peered around at him. “What?”

  He snatched up the vibrator, turned it on, and shoved it into her hand. “Finish with this.”

  “I don’t understand … Sir. Why?”

  “I want to watch you.” He sat down on the sofa in front of her. “Come on. I haven’t got all day.”

  Melinda looked down at the device in her hand, unsure if she could do what he wanted.

  “I’m waiting,” he barked.

  Melinda flinched at the harshness of his voice. “Sir
, I’m not sure—”

  “If you don’t do it, you can pack up your things and get out.” Nathan lowered his head to her. “Go back to that rat-infested hellhole you lived in, back to reading cards in Jackson Square.”

  Fear grabbed hold of her heart. “I can’t go back there.”

  “Then do it, Melinda. No more discussion.”

  Quashing her anxiety, she nodded her head.

  “Get on your knees,” he ordered. “On the floor in front of me.”

  She got down on the floor, but hesitated for a moment as her grip tightened around the vibrator.

  “Do as I ask or you will suffer my punishment.”

  Punishment? She didn’t want to find out what his punishments would be like. Closing her eyes, she lowered the vibrator between her legs. As Melinda pushed it in, she concentrated on doing what he wanted. Very slowly, she moved the vibrator in and out.

  “That’s it. Moan for me.”

  Moaning, Melinda began to rock back and forth as heat flowed through her. Her orgasm was building and she moved her hand faster, wanting to hurry the rush of her release.

  “I want to hear you call out.” He spanked her ass hard.

  “Oh, God!”

  Soon, she could no longer hold back and frantically manipulated the vibrator, hurtling toward her climax.

  He slapped her butt even harder. “Do you like fucking yourself?”

  “Yes!”

  Another brutal whack rang out. “It’s ‘yes, Sir,’ baby.”

  Her butt stung like mad, but Melinda didn’t care. She was on the cusp, and just when she was ready to come, Nathan ripped the vibrator from her hand.

  Melinda tumbled against the sofa, her eyes screaming with confusion.

  Nathan eased back on the sofa, showing her his hard cock. Putting the vibrator in his mouth, he sucked on the tip. “I love the taste of a woman.” Licking his lips, he lowered the vibrator from his mouth. “You ever had a woman?”

  She wanted to turn away, to hide her revulsion, but she couldn’t. “No. I’ve never done that.”

  “Pity. I like watching two women go at it.” He dropped his eyes to his erection. “Before I let you come, you will please me.”

  Melinda scooted closer to the sofa, and leaning over his lap, took his cock in her hands. Moving her fingers over his shaft, she heard him let go a frustrated sigh.