Carrie's Answer (7 page)

Chapter Seven

Carrie squeezed her thighs together, trying her damnedest to stem the clenching of her muscles. They were in constant tremor. Marcus obviously took great pleasure in increasing or decreasing the vibrations. There was no rhyme or reason, just when he felt like driving her crazy beyond anything.

She became oblivious to her surroundings. For Carrie, there were no other patrons, no waitstaff. Only she and Marcus occupied the space of the restaurant.

“So, when is the baby due?” Marcus asked as he poured them another glass of wine. After their food had arrived, he’d begun to question Carrie about her life, her education, her family. She’d opened up to him about it all. He was interested and curious, laughing easily. He was unguarded for once, a sight Carrie rarely witnessed. It felt like a regular date. Regular, that is, until he turned the infernal vibe off or on.

“Officially not for two more weeks but the doctor told her it could be sooner.”

She felt so bad for her younger sister. Cassidy had married Kevin Lassiter after a whirlwind courtship and surprise pregnancy. Then he was shipped off to Iraq where a roadside bomb killed him a mere two weeks after his unit arrived.

Cass had been thrown for a loop, left alone pregnant and a widow.

“My parents are with her now. Luckily, Chicago is just a forty-five minute flight. I was planning on going out there in ten days and staying until she has the baby.”

The waitress took their empty plates away and brought dessert. Carrie eyed the plain vanilla ice cream and laughed. Marcus was many things but plain vanilla wasn’t one of them.

He noticed the odd expression on her face and, dipping one finger into the icy confection, he slid his ice-cream-coated finger across her bottom lip. Smearing it, he leaned in and licked it off.

“Ever play with your food, Carrie?” he whispered in her ear. He presented his finger again, full of ice cream. “Suck it off.”

She closed her eyes and opened her mouth.

“No, I want your eyes open and on me. Always on me,” he grumbled. She opened her eyes and he slid his finger into her mouth.

Who knew that sucking a finger could be such an erotic experience?

“Suck it like it’s my cock, baby.”

Carrie pulled him in deeply, watching gray eyes go silver with every stroke of her tongue.

Marcus pulled his finger out and repeated the process several times, feeding her the sweet dessert. When they were down to almost the bottom of the bowl, he changed tactics.

Instead of his finger going to her mouth, it traveled under the table, the cold cream touching hot, weepy flesh between her thighs. Carrie was unable to stop her gasp at the contact. Marcus pulled the vibe from her, replacing it with his cold finger. Taking it back out, he gathered the last of the vanilla treat. Sliding his hand back under her skirt, he surrounded her clit, rubbing it slowly. She shuddered under the lick of pleasure/pain as her clit went numb.

“Stand up and go to the ladies’ room. Take off your panties and sit down on the couch, legs spread, skirt up. Wait for me there.”

Carrie looked at him. Was he serious? His expression told her that he was. She left the safety of the booth and made her way to the restroom.

Marcus didn’t keep her waiting long; he had a quiet word with Joseph, the restaurant’s owner, and then joined her.

She was sitting exactly as he’d instructed, perched on the couch, her skirt hiked to the tops of her thighs, lace-edged stockings showing. Marcus didn’t even pretend to lock the door. He knew that Joseph would take care of anyone wanting to enter this particular room until they were through.

Marcus didn’t tell Carrie that, though. It was important that she trust him enough to know he wouldn’t put her in a position to cause her any embarrassment.

She was nervous, looking everywhere but directly at him. He walked over to her and went to his knees. Placing a hand on each of her ankles, he slowly let his palms ride up the silky stockings.

“Carrie. Where should your eyes be?” He kept his voice soft but he could see his words flash through her like lightning as her eyes whipped to his face. “Oh, you are just piling up the punishments.” He tried to sound regretful as she shuddered but truthfully, he could hardly wait to have her tied and vulnerable, waiting for his discipline.

“Now, reach above your head and grab the back of the couch.” He waited until she’d complied. “Do not remove them.”

She gave a jerky nod. Her chest heaved with each breath.

Marcus had a hand on each knee and he pushed them as far apart as the skirt of her dress would allow.

“Keep very still. I don’t want to be disturbed while I’m eating my dessert.” He wasn’t able to keep the wicked grin off of his face and was delighted with her gasp.

She made him feel powerful and he wanted nothing more than to please her body. Put his permanent stamp upon her.

He looked down at her plump nether lips. They glistened with arousal and melted, sticky ice cream. He leaned in. Placing his tongue on her smooth skin, he licked off every bit of the ice cream he’d put on her flesh. The taste was intoxicating, Carrie’s sweet juices combined with the rich treat. His mouth and tongue played over the outer skin until, finally unable to stand another second, he brought his thumbs up, pulling her apart.

Marcus’ breath caught at the sight. She was so fucking turned on. Man, he couldn’t remember a woman ever being this wet for him. His tongue was greedy as he moved forward and lapped her pussy.

He took turns rimming her entrance then pushing in. He sucked the combined cream from her body. Small amounts had dripped down farther, landing on her most secret of holes, and Marcus licked her there as well. Her cries were muted as she tried to remain still and not bring in unwanted attention to the room they were in.

Carrie’s head fell back as Marcus speared her again with his tongue. No man had ever treated her like dessert. Marcus drank nosily from between her thighs. She moaned louder now as he slipped two fingers into her channel. Crooking them, he moved them around until she cried out. He zeroed in on the exact location of her G-spot. Carrie was ready to fall to pieces as his sure fingers stroked her steadily, building up her pleasure.

“Marcus, please,” she sobbed. She may be embarrassed later at how needy she sounded, but not now. Now she needed to come in his mouth.

“Please what, baby? And look at me when you ask.” The smooth cadence of his voice bathed her in desire.

She met his eyes, which mirrored the passion she was sure showed in her own.

“Please, Marcus, I need to come.”

He smiled at her before diving back between her thighs and working her clit into his mouth. He sucked hard, nibbling it before soothing it with his tongue.

He pulled back just enough to say, “You’ve been a bad girl today. I shouldn’t let you.”

Her whimper of distress came out perilously like a sob.

He flicked his tongue over her clit once more before murmuring into her pulsing flesh, “Then come for me, baby.”

Her body immediately convulsed around his fingers, clutching them tightly inside as Carrie let loose a sound she’d never have recognized as coming from her own mouth. She shivered and shook endlessly, riding out the absolute, most pleasurable feeling she’d ever known.

Marcus slowly withdrew from her and she felt empty, but he didn’t give her long to mourn the loss of his touch. He rose, grabbing the back of her hair and pulling until she looked up into his eyes.

“You’re so beautiful when you come for me,” he said and claimed her mouth with a kiss that burned her from head to toe. He was declaring ownership. Carrie kissed him back, trying to demand the same thing from him.

God, she was in over her head. How the hell was life supposed to continue as it had been when this weekend was over? She was headed for the worst kind of heartbreak but she was unable to tear herself away from him. She would worry about the rest later.

“I need to hold you.” Her voice was a raw whisper, strained from her screams.

“Then hold me,” Marcus responded against her lips.

Wrapping her arms around his back, she pulled him closer as they kissed over and over until they had to break apart to breathe, both panting heavily.

Marcus stood, not meeting her eyes. He carefully helped Carrie to her feet.

“Let’s go home,” was all he said as he opened the door and escorted her out.

Chapter Eight

They rode back to Marcus’ house in silence. In fact, the only movement had been when Marcus placed Carrie’s hand over his thigh and squeezed it. She kept it on his firm muscle until they pulled back into his driveway.

He came around to her side of the car, helping her out, leading her back into his house.

After closing the door, he guided Carrie up the stairs to the back of the house. There he unlocked a simple door, escorting her inside. Marcus turned on the light, which bathed the room in a soft glow.

The walls here were a deep scarlet, so unlike the stark white rooms downstairs. Rooms that held the barest amount of furniture. There were no family photos, nothing to personalize his living space. It was as though he never spent time in his house. It was hard to call such a cold place home.
Unfinished
was how Carrie thought of it. So unlike her own cozy apartment, which was brightly colored and full of her personal photos and souvenirs.

She examined the contents of the scarlet room, noting all the equipment, and gaped. In the corner was a low bed. Several steel bars were placed at varying heights around the room. A large X covered in black leather leaned slightly against one wall.

A black, fur-covered, gymnastic-style horse stood ominously near the bed. On the other side of the bed, a large armoire loomed, doors slightly ajar. Inside, she saw paddles, floggers and a multitude of other implements she couldn’t even begin to name. Set inside as well was a vertical row of small pull-out drawers. She shivered when she tried to imagine all the toys that might be hidden there.

Square in the middle of the room sat the most interesting structure: one large step flanked on either side by two smaller steps, almost like the winner’s podium at the Olympics. Above the top step hung a large gold ring. It didn’t take a genius to understand what was supposed to hang from the ring.

Anticipation slithered down Carrie’s spine, along with a healthy dose of caution, as she fantasized about each item.

Marcus left her in the middle of the room and took a seat in a leather wingback chair, appearing completely content to watch her take in the sights. He looked so relaxed, so comfortable. This was his domain, and his obvious ease with the room radiated from him. He was in his element and it showed on his handsome face.

“You did well at the restaurant.”

She cast her eyes down as he spoke.

“Carrie.” His voice was much harsher this time. “You will not look away or down from me, ever. You are to keep your eyes on me always. I want a submissive, not a slave, and as such it’s important that I am always able to see your reaction.”

When he spoke, she snapped to attention and those beautiful brown eyes gazed straight at him. Carrie had no clue how important it was to him that she always meet his eyes.

While it was true that he wasn’t looking for a slave and that he needed to gauge her reactions, his need for her attention went much deeper.

Karen had never met his eyes. With Carrie it had to be different. He felt it deep in his bones. His reaction to her being here, in his home, stirred up feelings he wasn’t prepared to deal with. So rather than try to analyze his own reactions, he was determined to examine every facet of hers.

“Now strip.” He watched intently as she slipped her filmy black dress over her head. She stood tall and proud before him, her brand-new scarlet lace bra and matching panties exquisite against her pale skin.

Fuck, she was beautiful, her full breasts stretching the lacy bra. Marcus’ cock pushed hard against the denim of his pants, like it wanted to reach out and stake a claim on this woman. He breathed in deeply, trying to get himself under control. Carrie’s beautiful, curvaceous body was making that impossible.

“Turn around and bend over for me.” Marcus’ voice was slightly husky this time as she turned around and bent at the waist.

His palms throbbed with the need to touch her. Standing up, he eased himself over to her, placing both palms against her ass and massaging the firm flesh deeply. Closing his eyes, he rubbed her dewy, soft skin before slowly circling back and forth. He stepped back and pulled a chair around to stand in front of her.

“Hold onto the chair. It’s time for the rest of your punishment.”

She immediately complied, which brought a smile to Marcus’ face. He slid her panties down to her knees.

“Spread your legs as wide as you can, baby,” he whispered, watching in fascination as she widened her stance. His mouth watered at the sight of the red lace tight around her knees, her ass on display for him.

Marcus placed both hands against her bare ass. Rubbing lightly, he skimmed the surface with the tips of his fingers. When he noticed her legs getting restless, he slid a finger along her slit.

Marcus marched his fingers to her hard little clit, placing the very tip of one directly below it. He traced circles around it, not quite touching but causing all kinds of sensations to run through her body, as were evidenced by the multitude of goose bumps along her skin.

“You were a very bad girl today,” he murmured and then smacked her behind. It was more noise than anything else but she jumped, a tiny squeak slipping from between her closed lips. Marcus grinned when her skin became pink with his handprint. It looked perfect there, marking her ass as his.

“You aren’t allowed to come ever, baby, not unless I give you permission.” Again he landed another blow in a different spot.

“Do you understand what I am saying to you?” Another spank. Pushing two fingers into her wet entrance, he gave her three more slaps to her ass. She was soaking his hand and Marcus loved it. He wanted her opened wide and dripping and he really fucking wanted to lick her clean.

He slowly inserted a third finger. It glided effortlessly in and out of her swollen passage. He landed another stinging slap while increasing the speed of his fingers pumping her. She was so close to coming.

“Tell me what you can’t do.”

When she hesitated, panting, he landed another smack. Her skin became red faster this time.

“Come,” she half sobbed. “I can’t come until you say I can. Marcus!” She cried out as he shoved his fingers more forcefully into her.

He leaned over and kissed the middle of her spine.

“Good girl,” he whispered against her back.

His desire for her was like a fire that couldn’t be quenched. Marcus feared in that moment that he would never get enough of Carrie, never tire of her.

When his thoughts began straying into territory he didn’t want to deal with, he brought his shaking hand to his lips. Humming his enjoyment, he licked her sweet juice from his fingers. She tasted like the sweetest peach, and he savored the unique flavor of her essence.

Walking over to the armoire, he pulled open a drawer. Inside were two boxes, one white, one black. He chose the black one and, moving back to her, he stood behind her.

“Turn around.”

She turned to face him. She was flushed; her dark brown eyes were glazed. Marcus imagined what her reaction would be when he was buried deep inside of her welcoming, plush body. His cock, jerking in his pants again, reminded him that time was a-wasting.

Marcus opened the long box and withdrew a red velvet collar. It was plain but laden with meaning. He’d picked it especially for her, knowing how the deep scarlet color would contrast with her smooth, pale skin and dark hair and eyes.

“Carrie, will you wear my collar this weekend? It’s my gift to you.”

Her eyes shone brightly, as though he were offering her diamonds instead of plain velvet.

“Oh yes, Marcus, I will.”

Her words struck him with the force of a vow. Without the slightest hesitation, she turned back around and lifted her hair so that he could place the strap around her neck.

Karen had allowed him to collar her once and then she’d insisted it be made of nothing but diamonds. His ex would have laughed her ass off to receive such a simple gift. Carrie had amazed him again. The differences between her and Karen had always been there but they had never been more pronounced than they were in this moment.

He carefully clasped the collar into place. It was a perfect fit. A small length of silver chain dangled from the clasp, emphasizing the delicacy of her neck. Stepping in front of her, Marcus held back a smile at the wonder in her expression. He needed to play this cool.

She absently stroked the collar, her body visibly trembling with frustrated arousal.

“Take off your panties and assume your position.” He watched with satisfaction as she shimmied out of her panties and dropped to her knees before him, holding her scarlet-lace-clad breasts up to him like a gift. He stepped close to her and murmured, “Put your mouth on my cock. Make me feel it through my pants.”

She immediately complied, opening those luscious lips over the throbbing bar of his cock. The pleasure was maddening, even muted through the fabric of his jeans.

“Go to the cross,” he said, pointing to the X-frame. “And crawl. I want to see that gorgeous ass sway.”

Her eyes sparked with anxiety and desire as she crawled like a jungle cat in heat across the floor, her curves and her skin so fucking sweet. He smiled in approval when she reached the apparatus and automatically resumed her position.

“Stand up, baby. I want you stretched out on the cross for me.”

She moved gracefully and obediently, her gaze never leaving his.

By the end of the weekend, Marcus was certain that she would belong to him. In fact, he suspected she already did. The question remained, was Marcus ready for it? There was something more here than fulfilling his ex-assistant’s fantasy of being dominated or his desire for her tender body. He knew his heart was dangerously close to giving in to the feelings he’d hoarded for her over the years. Feelings he’d always refused to put a name to. Feelings he’d always put off as caused by the fact that they’d worked so closely together for so long, that she’d been there for him when no one else had.

Tonight he wasn’t using that excuse. Marcus wasn’t a fool. He knew that this weekend would plot the course of his future. And he prayed it would turn out better than the past had.

Fuck, he was turning into a sappy ass again. Daniel was never going to let him live this down.

Carrie stepped up to the leather-bound contraption and stopped, waiting for further instructions. The collar felt soft against her throat, and as she stroked the lush fabric it made her feel like a princess. This collar would always serve as a reminder of her weekend with Marcus Worthington. If their relationship didn’t go beyond the next few days, she would have this to remember the best time of her life. A time when she felt beautiful, wanted and needed by the man she loved.

“Place your back against the X and raise your arms above your head,” Marcus murmured into her ear. While he kept the volume soft, the tone was commanding, and she shivered. She stepped onto the small platform and raised her arms.

Marcus reached up and placed one wrist into a leather cuff, securing it snugly enough to restrain her but not tight enough to hurt. He then moved to her elbow, repeating the procedure. He cuffed her other arm in the same fashion, leaving her upper body completely immobilized against the apparatus. The cool leather felt wonderful next to her heated skin.

Carrie stood before him, her breasts thrust outward, begging for his attention. Her ass was pushed tight against the leather.

He skimmed over the cups of her bra, tracing patterns over the lace before cupping her breasts and palming them as her nipples stiffened and thrust out. His steely gray eyes never leaving hers, he grabbed the middle of the bra and ripped it in two. Carrie’s breasts spilled out, and he hissed loudly as he let one finger trace the valley between her breasts before stroking it over the full mound.

He let his finger slide over to her left nipple. Placing the pad of his finger on it, he moved it in circles before plucking lightly at the rosy bud and pulling it away taut. She closed her eyes and focused on the sheer pleasure he was giving her with his touch.

“Carrie,” he warned. “Open your eyes.”

She snapped her lids up and watched him as he licked his finger and thumb, grasping her other nipple. Her nipples stretched and elongated with every flick of his skillful fingers.

“Damn, baby, your nipples are so responsive.” He leaned forward and wrapped his lips around one stiff peak, sucking it deeply into his mouth, grazing his teeth across it. The pleasure centering in her nipple shot straight to her pussy. Her arousal starting to coat her lower lips, she couldn’t hold back and let out a small, breathless moan.

“That’s it, baby. Cry out when it feels good.” His lips went back to her chest, giving her other nipple the same careful attention as the first.

“These would look so fucking beautiful with a hoop through them.” Marcus emphasized his point by pinching the tight tips. “So long, so fucking hot.”

His head ducked to lick, suck and nibble at her breasts some more. He played with her until the liquid between her legs began traveling down the tops of her thighs. Carrie’s body was strung so tightly she knew Marcus could make her come instantly with one touch. She was already on fire from the spanking. Now he was turning up the heat with his careful ministrations to her breasts.