Control

  I turned to follow him and he led me into the kitchen that was set apart from the living room by a half wall. Just like the other areas that I had seen, the kitchen was beautiful and had black quartz countertops and dark cherry wood cabinets. The flooring tile was a dark grey stone with veins of black quartz creating a unique pattern to each tile. The upper cabinets had brushed glass and there were interior lights which shown out from behind the glass. The large gas powered stove and other appliances were a light brushed nickel and the metallic color perfectly complemented the dark surfaces of the room. Daemon reached into his pockets to pull out his wallet and phone and he tossed them on the counter before turning to take my hand again. “Let’s go back downstairs for a second. I have something I want to show you.”

  Daemon led me back out into the hallway and to the elevator doors. We took the elevator to the garage and I followed Daemon to some hidden bay doors that were tucked away on the opposite side of where he had parked his vehicle. Daemon unlocked one set of the bay doors and it clanked loudly as he lifted it to the ceiling. He reached inside and flicked on a light and the lights buzzed as they came on. Daemon turned to me and motioned into the bay. “My white stallion awaits.”

  I laughed at his emphasis on the word ‘white’ and looked inside the bay to where he was indicating. My eyes widened at the sight of one of the most beautiful white motorcycles that I had seen.

  “While your bike is in the shop being repaired, I want you to use mine. I would prefer to lend you my truck in the meantime because it’s safer, but I have a feeling you would feel more at home driving something like this.”

  I shook my head when I realized what he was offering and I opened my mouth to decline, but was interrupted before I could voice what I was thinking. “It’s only for a few weeks, Damsel, and I only use the bike recreationally. You need transportation and it’s better for you to use this than pay for a rental. Please, take the bike.”

  “I’m afraid of what might happen to it, Daemon. What if Chris comes back and destroys this one too? I can’t afford to have two bikes fixed. At least with a rental, I could purchase insurance that would pay for the repairs if Chris were to do something to it.”

  Daemon wrapped his arms around me from behind and my muscles tensed from his close proximity. His body heat was apparent on my back and I reached behind me to wrap my arms around him to pull him closer. He rested his chin on the top of my head and I could feel his mouth move as he answered me. “The bike is insured, Damsel. If Chris were to destroy it, the cost to fix it would be covered. I want you to take it. I’m asking you nicely to take it.”

  I thought about his offer and how it would be more convenient than having to rent a car. Plus, he was right in his belief that I would feel more at home on a motorcycle than I ever would in an enclosed vehicle. I released Daemon and approached the bike. When I was close enough to touch it, I ran my hands along the smooth paint and leather seat. I threw my leg over the bike and sat down while taking the grips of the handlebars into my hands. I looked over to Daemon and his eyes had darkened and a wicked grin came over his face. I angled my head in question and he explained, “I’ve never been more jealous of an inanimate object than I am at this moment.”

  I laughed at his comment and then turned back to look over the different dials and indicators located below the handlebars. I reached over to Daemon and he placed the keys in my hand. I inserted the key and turned the ignition and the bike roared to life. I twisted the accelerator and the bike screamed and then calmed again. I could feel the power of the bike from the vibrations and I reached to turn it back off. I looked over to Daemon. “Thank you, Daemon. I don’t know how to repay you for letting me use it. It’ll make things a lot easier for me while my bike is being fixed.”

  Daemon nodded his head and then reached for me to lead me back outside of the bay. He closed the bay doors behind us and started leading me back to the elevators as he asked, “Is there any chance I could convince you to stay here with me while we figure out what to do about Chris?”

  I laughed at his question before answering. “I don’t think so, Daemon. Chris could follow me back here just as easily as he could my apartment. Plus, I’m not sure what we can do about him. Staying here seems unnecessary and I don’t want to leave David and Annie to fend for themselves if he were to show back up where we lived.”

  Daemon didn’t respond as he led me into the elevator. We rode up in silence and when the doors opened he took me by the hand and led me back into his apartment. We sat down on one of the leather couches situated in front of the large picture windows. The white gossamer curtains were pulled aside and you could look out and see the lights of the city below.

  Daemon turned his body so that he was facing me and the skin between his eyes was creased in concern. Between the soft light of the pendant lamps above us and the dancing of the flame sconces, shadows moved across his face, giving him an air of ancient times and dangerous encounters. The contours of his face made him appear as if he could have been a medieval knight or any type of rugged warrior. A breeze blew through the room causing the curtains to swing in and out from where they hung and it was easy to imagine I had been transported back to a time that existed centuries ago.

  He let out a slow breath before telling me what he was thinking. “I’m worried about you, Damsel. Chris appears to seriously have it out for you and I imagine he won’t stop until he hurts you in one way or another. I know you won’t hide here, so will you tell me what you intend to do to protect yourself?”

  I opened my mouth to respond to Daemon’s question but closed it again when I had no answers to give him. I hadn’t put a lot of thought into what I would do about the situation with Chris. Except for what happened at the bar, he hadn’t yet committed a crime that I could easily connect back to him. I could try for a restraining order due to his threats, but even then, a piece of paper was not going to stop a person intent on harming me. The best that piece of paper could do was momentarily blind him if I threw it in his face and ran like hell to get away. Somehow, I doubted that would be enough. On top of that, all I knew was his first name and where he worked, so going to the police or courts would be useless until I could better identify him.

  “I don’t know what I’m going to do.” I looked down and fidgeted at having to admit that I didn’t know. I sighed and looked back up into his eyes. “I haven’t thought that far out, Daemon, and at this point, all I can do is watch my back. Technically, he hasn’t done enough yet for me to file charges or anything of that nature.”

  Daemon appeared to be struggling with my response. He reached down and took my hands into his. “I’ll be honest with you. It’s hard for me not to throw you into one of the rooms in this apartment and keep you locked in there to keep you safe.” My eyebrows shot up at what he said and he softly chuckled at my expression before adding, “But I know you would just end up tearing down the door or climbing out the window in an attempt to scale down the building, so I won’t actually attempt to kidnap you.”

  I laughed at the mental imagery of me climbing down the side of his apartment building. Of course, with my fear of heights, tearing down the doors seemed to be the better option.

  “I appreciate your concern Daemon and I understand it. You need to realize, though, that I’m not as fragile as you think…” Daemon put a finger to my mouth to stop what I was saying.

  “I know, Damsel, you don’t need to explain yourself to me. I have a very good idea of who you are, and don’t get me wrong, you are an amazingly sexy woman because of your independence. I just want you to know that you’re not alone in this. I want to help you.”

  I nodded in acknowledgment of what he was saying. “Thank you for caring. Even if I refuse your offers at times, it doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate them. Sometimes I just need to do things on my own.”

  I shifted my position so that I could move closer to Daemon and settle myself beside him. I sighed, rested my head against him and he put his arm around me. I mus
t not have realized how tired I was because my eyes began to drift closed and I was completely relaxed in Daemon’s arms.

  Daemon and I sat that way for a while before he reached down and tilted my face up to him. He slowly leaned down and placed his mouth over mine. His kiss was sensual and seductive and my body responded instantly to it. The masculine scent of his cologne teased my senses and I felt a heat start to ignite between my legs. I reached my hands up into his hair and pulled him down closer to me. My mouth opened to him and our tongues slid against each other. His taste was addictive and I couldn’t seem to deepen the kiss enough to satisfy me. My body needed more. Daemon broke the kiss and I groaned in complaint to the lost contact.

  A wicked smile came over his lips and he leaned down again to trail kisses down my jaw line and neck. He slightly nipped at the sensitive skin behind my ear and my head fell back as a soft moan escaped my lips. My body arched up into his and he growled at the pressure and heat between us. His hands moved down the sides of my body and when he reached my thighs, I lifted my legs to wrap around him. Our passion began to build and hasten when his mouth found mine again. I ran my hands up his chest and over his broad shoulders and my fingers clenched and grasped the material of his shirt.

  Daemon shifted his position and pressed himself between my legs and my body rocked against him seeking more contact. My hands moved from his shoulders and I grabbed at the bottom of his shirt. I began to lift his shirt to gain contact with his skin but he reached down to stop me and pulled away from the kiss. “Not here, Damsel, not like this.” I groaned louder and threw my arm over my eyes while I tried to calm my body.

  I could feel and hear Daemon’s heavy breathing as he stood up and took my hand. I looked up into his face to find that his eyes had darkened and his gaze once again reminded me of a predator stalking its prey. He pulled on my hand to lift me from the couch and placed his hand on the small of my back as he led me towards his bedroom.

  My mind started racing as he led me down the hallway and I suddenly remembered what he had said to me last night at Tomb. As he pulled me into his room, my hand broke free of his and I backed away from him slightly. I nervously looked around the room, trying to see if I had somehow missed seeing canes, whips, riding crops, or other types of objects that could be used to control a person as he warned he would do to me in this very room.

  Daemon cocked an eyebrow at me and a lopsided smile appeared on his face. “Looking for anything in particular?”

  I finished my inspection of the room and after not finding what I assumed could be lying around, I answered, “I was just thinking about what you said to me at Tomb.”

  Daemon let out a humorless laugh before he said, “Okay. You’re going to have to help me out here, Damsel, I’m not sure to what you are referring.”

  I looked him straight in the eyes and held his stare. He really did appear to be confused. “Last night, in the storage room at Tomb. You told me if you got me in your bedroom, you would control me.”

  His head dropped but then he looked up and took a step towards me to reach over and take my hands into his. He pulled me towards him and brought my hands up to his mouth to place a kiss on each one. “So what exactly is it that you are looking for around my room?”

  “Whips, chains, canes, other torture devices; I don’t know, just things you would use to control someone.”

  Daemon appeared to be stifling a grin. “Paige, I believe I also told you last night that I don’t need those things to do what I intend to do to you. You have the wrong idea about what I was saying.”

  “So explain.” I glared up at him in challenge.

  A hint of aggravation flitted through his gaze before he grabbed me by both shoulders and pushed me over to his bed. The momentum from his actions sent me flying back onto the mattress looking back up as he lowered himself down and crawled over me. My eyes couldn’t help but watch the way his muscles flexed as he moved up my body. He was almost feline in his movements, only adding to his appearance as a predator. When we were finally face to face, he put his hands on the mattress on either side of my head as he spoke in a sinful, deep timbre tone.

  “You are the most frustrating woman I have ever known. From the minute I first met you, you have done nothing but argue, fight against me and push me away. But at the same time, your skin and your body crave and react to my touch. And I have to tell you, Damsel, I’ve never been more intrigued and more turned on than when I hear those sassy little words of yours spill out of those lips and then see those exquisite bumps run up your arms when I come near you.” He reached over and traced the crease of my mouth with his finger and his gaze became heated.

  His crystal blue eyes burned into mine as he said, “I have no bigger desire than to break that persistent stubborn streak in you, right here and right now.”

  His voice dripped with sin and dark pleasures and the sound of it was causing an involuntary dampness to develop between my legs. Regardless of my body’s reaction to him, my brain wouldn’t give up the fight.

  “So, what? You want to break me? Tame me like some wild horse?” I laughed. “Where’s your riding ring? I must have missed that when you gave me the tour of your place earlier.”

  The look in his eyes became primal at my words and I shivered under the intensity of his stare.

  “Oh my sweet, little damsel, you’re in it at this very second.”

  I opened my mouth to retort when he covered my lips with his hand. His grin turned mischievous and I knew I was being cornered.

  “You can keep talking, but you’ll only make me more determined to break you down completely. You are so fucking arousing when you’re angry and stubborn.” His mouth formed that arrogant grin that reflected an air of authority.

  He removed his hand and replaced it with the slowest and most seductive kiss I think I have ever experienced in my life. His tongue teased at my mouth and every time I tempted him to enter, he pulled away, only to begin again. His hands ran up the sides of my body and his thumbs brushed the sides of my breasts. I arched up into him instantly and he lowered his body to press against mine. I could feel his excitement through his jeans and I trembled in anticipation of his next move. I was completely confused by the influence he had over me. I wanted to fight against him, but something deep within me wanted nothing more than to give him everything he wanted, exactly as he wanted it.

  He pushed himself back up above me and I groaned at the loss of his touch. Smiling a triumphant grin, he stood up to move around the bed. I continued to watch as he approached me and leaned down to whisper in my ear.

  “Stay.”

  His large form stood up and I was motionless as he walked around the room and lowered the lights. The only illumination left in the room was the fire sconces which bathed us in dancing shadows. He walked into a room that I assumed was the bathroom and emerged holding a scarf of some sort in his hands. I tensed slightly trying to determine what he was doing.

  I pushed myself up into a sitting position with my legs hanging over the edge of the bed. Daemon kneeled down in front of me and used his hands to part my legs. He moved forward so that he was kneeling between my legs and his expression turned serious when he looked in my eyes. “I’ve decided to teach you what you get with being stubborn. But, I’m going to blindfold you while I do so and I want you to sit in the middle of this bed when I’m done doing that.” He turned slightly to motion over to a small device that sat in the corner of his room. “That is a white noise machine. I use it to sleep normally but I’m going to turn it on during this. Every sound, smell and sensation I want you to experience will be from me. There will be no outside distractions during our time together. Do you think you can handle that?”

  I nodded that I could, but my nervousness prevented me from saying it out loud. He smiled sweetly at me again. “I promise you, Beautiful, there will be no pain, no force, and I won’t do anything to you unless you ask me to. Since I’m allowing you to be in control, you have to direct me, understand?”
/>
  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean you need to tell me what to do. If you want me to kiss you or touch you or even come near you, you have to tell me. You are in control this time, understand?” I nodded and he smiled and placed the blindfold over my eyes before he tied it behind my head. He must have sprayed some cologne on the soft cloth because I was suddenly overtaken by the scent of him. I could tell that he stood up then and I felt his hands on my shoulders, gently guiding me to the middle of the bed. I sat with my legs folded underneath me, resting my bottom on my feet. I heard him walk across the floor and a soft click sounded, followed by a noise that reminded me of static from a television.