A Promise of Passion Read online

  “Excellent, but if you burn the toast, I shall smack you.”

  “I can’t wait,” she giggled, and as she moved away, she blew him a kiss over her shoulder.

  Picking up his phone he called Lukas. He was ready to ask the Ambassador for the promised favor.

  “Lukas? How is everything in your household?”

  “It is superb, my dear friend, and you?”

  “Very well indeed, and I’ll be by to pick up my things shortly. I’m booked on the 5 p.m. flight, but before I go, about that favor. I’ve figured out how you can help.”

  “Whatever you need, Dominic, anything at all.”

  “This might take five minutes, do you have the time now?”

  “I do, please, ask away.”

  After Dominic carefully explained what had developed between himself and Vivien, he outlined his plan to help extricate her from the unwanted engagement. Lukas laughed out loud, and then Dominic told him how he could help. The Ambassador was quiet for a moment, then Dominic heard a loud sigh.

  “Yes, yes, I believe I can do this. It will take me a day or two, maybe longer, but yes.”

  “Whatever you can do, Lukas, merci.”

  “My dear, Dominic, what you have done for me, there are no words.”

  “I’m glad, Lukas, I truly am.”

  Ending the call, Dominic rose from the table and stretched. The first part of his plan would work. The part that Lukas might provide, the distraction that he wanted Robson to have, that would be up to Lukas and Robson himself, but there was still Plan B. That would take some doing, but it was an insurance policy Dominic was determined to acquire.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Vivien was as good as her word. She’d hummed happily as she’d cooked up a bountiful breakfast, and though she was tempted she did not burn the toast. Dominic leaned back in his chair, finished the last of his orange juice and smiled happily.

  “You are an amazing cook,” he declared. “I should call you a chef. This was the best breakfast. Eggs with parsley and cheese, fried tomatoes with oregano, it all reminds me of a small cafe I know in Itzig. Magnifique. I will take you there.”

  “Don’t get too excited,” she laughed. “I can only do breakfast.”

  “This I do not believe. Cooking is about feeling and instinct. If you can cook breakfast, you can cook.”

  “Is that right?” she beamed, moving to sit on his lap. “You might be right.”

  “So, now you will go and see Robson, and I will return to the Embassy.”

  “I’m worried. He can see right through me,” she remarked, her smile turning into a frown.

  “You must be a very good actress, you must shock him, and I believe you will,” he assured her.

  Together they cleared the table and did the dishes, then made their way to her bedroom to select the wardrobe for her meeting with her soon to be ex-fiancee, but before she started her makeup he paused, studying her.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “I think there is something more I can do to give you confidence,” he said softly, and placing his arm around her shoulder he moved her to the bed. “We have time for this, and it will be good for your head, and your body.”

  And my heart, she thought, as he began to deftly undress her, gently pushing her back on her bed.

  The black scarf was quickly around her eyes, and a short time later her ankles and wrists were tied to the four posts of the bed.

  Without the influence of the alcohol Vivien was keenly aware of the hot wetness between her legs, and the drumbeat of her heart against her chest. Her sense of helplessness filled her with an intoxicating excitement, strangely mixed with serenity. She loved the blindfold, the mystery, the way she found herself listening intently to the sounds of him moving around the room.

  “You look so divine,” he purred, sitting next to her, “you have such soft, pale skin.”

  His fingers were dusting across her stomach, then whispered to her nipples where they toyed for moment before delivering a sharp pinch to each.

  “Do you like to be at my mercy?” he breathed, his mouth at her ear.

  “I love it,” she sighed.

  “There will be a day that you will be at my mercy for a long time,” he promised, then smiled as he heard the sharp intake of breath. “We will lead up to that day, you will learn how to enjoy the euphoria of leisure, how to control your patience. I will teach you with pain and pleasure, but only if you want. Do you want?”

  “Yes, yes,” she whimpered.

  “This is my good girl,” he murmured, eliciting a quiet moan.

  Sliding his hand between her thighs he slapped her lightly, watched her body stiffen, then a moment later relax. Staring down at the pink palm print, he dropped his mouth and softly kissed, listening to her soft moans, then moving his fingers against her sex, finding her satisfyingly wet, be rubbed his thumb against her entrance as he circled her clit with his tongue.

  “Oh, Dominic, that’s amazing,” she muttered, “please, don’t stop. It’s so…ooh…”

  He did not acknowledge her, but continued twirling his tongue as his thumb teased, promising to enter, pushing and releasing in a steady cadence. This was a dance he knew would send her blood rushing, her thighs would ache to squeeze together, but the simple bondage would interfere, and her aching need would grow into an intense craving.

  Dominic was very patient when it came to providing pleasure and exacting discipline. He derived great delight watching the joyful reactions of a woman’s body, and with Vivien that delight was great, not because she was so beautiful, but because strong feelings for her were filling his heart.

  It was her writhing that told him when it was time to gently retreat, and moving up her body, kissing as he made the journey, he lingered at her breasts, devouring them hungrily, finally sliding off the bed and untying her limbs.

  “On to your knees,” he directed, “wide apart.”

  Breathlessly swept up in her need, she rolled on to stomach and assumed the position, waiting impatiently for him to impale her, but Dominic took his time, allowing his fingers to do the initial exploration before slipping his cock home.

  “Vivien, there is something in your past, a guilty secret you have carried for a long time. Something you did that was very naughty, something you were never punished for,” he said firmly. “Isn’t that so?”

  His voice was thick, his accent seemed stronger, and she whimpered into the pillow she’d pulled under her head.

  “Yes,” she whimpered. “How did you know?”

  “You don’t have to tell me what it is, but you think about it as I spank you. I am going to punish for it, and then I will bring you the pleasure.”

  “What?”

  “You do need to be punished, don’t you?”

  “Yes, yes, I do,” uttered, her voice muffled by the pillow.

  Her pussy was on fire, every nerve in her body was alive, she was aching to come, but first she would have to succumb to his discipline. Why it was such a deliciously decadent thought she wasn’t sure, but it sent a rush of wanting through her legs, and she squirmed against him.

  “Ah, so you understand. Now I will spank you,” he declared, and immediately slapped down, land his hand on her bottom with a hot sting.

  Her pussy grabbed him, and he resisted the urge to pump, keeping himself buried as he spanked, his swats delivered with a practiced rhythm, turning her skin scarlet.

  “Owwww,” she wailed, “I’m sorry.”

  “Good, you are sorry,” he declared, continuing to smack her, “but I’m not finished.”

  As his hand bounced from cheek to cheek she squirmed against his cock, enflaming them both, fueling their ardor.

  “You were a naughty little girl sometimes, weren’t you, Vivien?”

  “Yes,” she panted.

  “You got away with all sorts of things because you were so beautiful?”

  “Yes,” she wailed, squirming as his hand slapping.

  “But you’l
l know better with me, won’t you? You’ll know there will be punishment, and sometimes you’ll be naughty just to feel this, but be careful, because there are other ways to teach a lesson to a naughty girl.”

  “Ohhhh, Dominic, please take me, please,” she begged, pushing back against him.

  “Just a few more, and then yes, then I will fuck you.”

  She howled and wriggled as he landed a several more sound smacks, then abruptly his stinging hand became a comforting caress.

  “Oh, thank-you,” she breathed. “That feels so good.”

  “I know, my sweet girl, I know,” he purred, “and now you will climax very big.”

  Clutching her hips he rode her forward, surging his cock with powerful strokes, pushing her into her moment. Her perfectly pink backside stared up at him, its lush color sending the blood to his head, and when she cried out her rapture, and her body convulsed, he squeezed his eyes shut, joining her with his own groans of release.

  Moments later, as she lay panting heavily, cradled in his arms, she lifted her head to kiss him.

  “Dominic, that was amazing. My butt hurts, but I feel so much better. How did you know?”

  “Everyone has guilty secrets. It is important to be punished, then you can be free of them.”

  “I feel as if I’ve landed in the life I was supposed to lead, it’s as if I’m finally free. Do you know what I mean?”

  “Of course. We are the same, the yin and the yang,” he purred. “When you see Robson, your bottom will still be tender, and it will give you strength. You will be calm, because you have just released so much tension. The time with him will go fast, and it will go well, you’ll see.”

  “I believe you.”

  “If you find yourself hesitating, think of your tender bottom as me behind you, pushing you forward and giving you strength.”

  “I will, I promise.”

  “Now we will dress you, and make you look right.”

  “Poor Robson,” she sighed. “I almost feel sorry for him.”

  “You know so little about him,” he muttered, “but soon you will more.”

  “What do you mean? When will I know?”

  “When I have all the facts,” he promised.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  She had sounded almost normal on the phone, though a bit tired, and Robson was looking forward to seeing her. Not because he missed her, but because he wanted to hear what she had to say. Would she confess to being with another man? Would she pretend everything was absolutely normal? As he’d stared at the ceiling the night before, unable to sleep from the strange turn of events, he couldn’t help but wonder if she’d been seeing whoever it was for a while, or if it had been their first date.

  The sound of the tires crunching on the gravel snapped him from his pondering. He’d wanted to send a car, but she’d been adamant that she would drive herself.

  “I have other errands to run before I leave for the airport,” she’d protested. “I have to have my car.”

  The boat was already rocking, and he didn’t wish to bring on any more water, so he’d let it go, but her stubbornness had been out of character, and it was something that would need correcting. It was time to rein her in, and do it in no uncertain terms.

  Stepping to the window he peered outside, and was shocked at what he saw. The disheveled stranger climbing from the car didn’t resemble his beautiful Vivien, not in the least.

  He’d told her he’d be waiting in his study, and taking a deep breath he moved back to his desk and braced himself for her entrance. The bang of the front door told him she’d be walking in any minute, but the familiar sound of her shoes clipping across the black-and-while tiled foyer did not signal her entrance. Puzzled, he moved quickly to the double doors of his office and pushed them open; there was no sign of her.

  “I believe Miss McKay went up to her room, Sir.”

  Chambers, ever at the ready, was standing at the back of the foyer.

  “Thank you, Chambers,” Robson replied, fighting his ire, furious that she’d bolted up the stairs without stopping in to see him first.

  Appearances mattered, and Chambers was still in the foyer, so he moved casually forward and slowly up the stairs, but when he reached the hallway he hastened his stride, marching to her room, and without knocking he burst through the door.

  She was fishing through a chest of drawers so her back was to him, and for that he was grateful. The tennis shoes, old jeans and sloppy sweater had startled him, and he was glad she’d missed the look on his face. The rumpled trench coat she’d been wearing when she’d climbed out of the car had been thrown across the bed, and her bag was on the floor.

  “Vivien? Are you all right?” he began, keeping his voice controlled.

  “Kind of,” she replied, turning to face him.

  “Good heavens, what happened to you?”

  There were dark circles around her eyes, her skin was pale, and her hair was a bird’s nest.

  “Not quite sure how to tell you,” she sighed, her brow crinkling.

  “Just tell me,” he said firmly. “Whatever it is we can work it out.”

  “I’m afraid I went on a bit of a bender last night.”

  “I see, so hung over are we?” he scolded.

  “A bit, and…well…then…”

  “Then what?” he pressed, you picked up some stranger for a one night stand? I don’t care. I’ll think of a way to punish you, but I don’t care.

  “You know I’m not a drinker,” she said hesitantly.

  “Yes, I know,” he said brusquely. “What did you do?”

  “I got a bit carried away, started dancing with this chap…”

  “Go on,” he sighed impatiently.

  “I took him back to my place.”

  “I see,” fine, this is nothing, but it will be useful. I’m sure you’re eaten up with guilt.

  “There’s more,” she whispered.

  “More? How can there be more,” he frowned, “and why are you dressed like that? Another thing, you came racing up here when I told you to come to my study. I want answers, Vivien, and I want them now!”

  “Fine,” she sighed, rolling her eyes like a petulant teenager. “I knew we were going to have a scene and I wanted some aspirin before it started, so I came up here first. As far as my clothes, this morning I was too tired to care, and quite honestly this is who I am. I was raised on a farm, Robson, I’m comfortable in jeans and a sweatshirt, and I just felt like being myself for once.”

  As Dominic had suggested, she’d added defiance to her voice, sending the subliminal message, I’m doing what I want, and wearing what I want.

  “I’m afraid that’s not acceptable, Vivien,” he said sternly. “You will dress as I have taught you.”

  She knew that was the opening for which she’d been waiting. What she had to do next was completely out of character, but Dominic’s words rustled through her brains.

  If you find yourself hesitating, think of your tender bottom as me behind you, pushing you forward and giving you strength.

  “Oh, go fuck yourself!” she exclaimed.

  He stood, in stunned disbelief, staring at her, and it took him several beats before he was able to find his voice.

  “What did you say?”

  “Robson, I’m so, so sorry,” she whimpered, her expression and demeanor instantly changing. “I didn’t mean that.”

  “I’m astounded, Vivien, completely and utterly astounded,” he declared. I will take that rod to your backside after all, and do a bit more as well.

  “I’ve just got a beast of a headache,” she complained. “I really am terribly sorry.”

  “What’s the other thing,” he grimaced, “the more you spoke of?”

  “You won’t be very happy,” she simpered, “he was a tabloid reporter.”

  “A tabloid reporter?” he gasped.

  She didn’t respond, but stared back at him, her gray eyes wide.

  “Did you know before you…I can’t even say it,”
he seethed, his fists curling into tight balls at his side. “Did you know before you took him home with you? Tell me, tell me right now!”

  “I think, before,” she stammered, “but he was so nice.”

  “What did you tell him? Did he grill you?”

  “I don’t recall our conversation, but I do remember thinking I was having fun like I used have back home, before I became famous. At least there’s a silver lining. I’m sure I had fun. I remember laughing at the-”

  “Enough,” he snapped, once a commoner, always a commoner. “It’s just as well you’re going out of town,” he growled. “I’m very, very, angry with you.”

  “Oh, speaking of going out of town, before I forget, I’m worried about my ring,” she frowned, seemingly unfazed by his fury. “I’ll be in dressing rooms, leaving early, working late, and I don’t want anything to happen to this,” she continued, pulling the large diamond off her finger. “Will you please keep it for me? I don’t want to trust it to a hotel safe.”

  Robson, still in shock, stared at her broken nails and scratched knuckles as she pulled off the engagement ring. It had once looked so perfectly gorgeous on her perfect hand, with her perfectly pink, perfectly manicured nails.

  “What happened?” he asked staring at the wounds, his curiosity momentarily overriding his anger.

  “I don’t know that either,” she shrugged as she offered him the ring. “Please keep it safe for me, I’d hate anything to happen to it, and Robson, I feel terrible about all this,” she said softly, “especially what I said earlier, when I snapped at you. I didn’t mean it. I don’t want to leave town on bad terms. Can I have a hug?”

  Taking the ring he dropped it in his pocket, and awkwardly put his arms around her.

  “I’m so looking forward to being your wife,” she whispered. “When I get back we can go through all the arrangements together. I want to be more involved.”

  Pushing her away he glowered at her.

  “You need to leave that flat of yours. When you return from Paris you’ll move in here, where I can keep an eye on you, and it’s about time I taught you what’s involved in running this house.”

  “Whatever you say, Robson.”