Kinked Kisses (Club Stratosphere Book 1) Read online

  Tom dropped down to his elbows, his sweat soaked belly pressing into her back. Her muscles twitched beneath his weight, the final twinges of her orgasm chasing each other out of Lexa’s body.

  “That was,” he panted against her ear. “Holy fuck.”

  Lexa smiled, her eyes drifting closed. “Mmmm… You’re welcome.”

  He rolled off, pulling her to his chest and Lexa settled into Tom’s embrace. His soft chuckle the last thing she heard as she fell asleep.

  Chapter Six

  Lexa clicked off the browser window she’d been staring at for the last ten minutes and sat back in her chair. She sighed, looking out the floor to ceiling windows of her office. It had been a month since she and Tom found her belongings on the back steps of her house. Four weeks of fruitless searching for a place of her own.

  Finding something that fell within her criteria was proving to be impossible. Anything within her budget usually turned out to be the size of a shoebox, and in less than favorable areas of town. The apartments that boasted enough room to take a deep breath without feeling claustrophobic, and within walking distance to work, were so far out of her price range as to be laughable.

  She pushed the subject aside. Nothing was changing on that front any time soon. For the time being she would stay at Tom’s and deal with things one day at a time. Tom had gone with her this morning to fill out paperwork with Human Resources advising them of the changes in her life. Her divorce. Her name reversal from Porter to Rodenberg. Her relocation to Tom’s, and their relationship status as far as that was concerned.

  Turning back to her laptop, Lexa brought up a new tab on her browser and entered the website address for Stratosphere’s ‘Members Only’ section. Username and password entered, she logged in and immediately went to her inbox. No new messages waited for her as she scanned the history of emails between herself and Sir Daniel. Short communications, usually confirming times and dates for play sessions. They’d never corresponded beyond those short bits of “be here at this time, on this date”.

  With the edge of her thumbnail between her teeth, Lexa worried at it as she pondered the last few weeks. She heard the murmur of Tom’s voice, the deep tenor carrying over from the office he occupied beside hers, and smiled. He’d turned out to be everything she could imagine wanting in a Dominant. Kind, attentive, always seeing to her needs before his own. He requested nothing of her, trusting that she would submit when she was ready; and she did, without reservation. What they discovered that first night together had felt natural—the dynamic of Dom and sub falling into place with ease.

  Lexa knew one thing for sure. Whatever it was between her and Tom, she wanted to see where it led. The journey, she knew, would be amazing. The destination didn’t matter, as long as they were together.

  Decision made, Lexa opened a new message and addressed it to Sir Daniel, asking if they could meet that evening at their usual time and location–eight thirty by the St Andrews Cross in the left corner of the playroom. She pressed ‘Send’ and waited. Sir Daniel would reply promptly. He always did. True to form, a handful of heartbeats later, his reply hit her inbox. Of course. See you then.

  Logging out and shutting down the browser, Lexa rose from her seat. She took a slow, deep breath and stepped out from behind her desk. Shoulders straightened, Lexa left her office. Butterflies churned in her stomach, and she vowed with each step toward Tom’s office that this would be the one and only time she would allow herself to lie to him.

  Paused in the door, Lexa observed him for a moment. He studied the screen of his laptop, green eyes intent on whatever he was reading. Tom scratched at his jaw and then ran his left hand through is hair. She frowned, recognizing the gestures for what they were.

  “Hey,” she called out, breaking his concentration. Tom looked up at her and she gave him a small wave. “I’ve got something that just came up. An old friend wants to meet for drinks later, and I said I could make time for dinner rather than drinks. I don’t expect to be too late. Around nine thirty-ish, maybe?”

  He cocked an eyebrow, gaze flicking from her, to the screen, and back again. “Uh, sure. Something just came up on my end, too. I forgot about a dentist appointment that was scheduled months ago.” Tom gave her a small smile, leaning his elbows on the edge of his desk. “Do you need a ride?”

  The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and she fought off the associated shiver. She felt like such a rat for lying to him, but what other option did she have? Lexa knew that she’d have to tell Tom about Sir Daniel at some point. This, however, was not that time. She shook her head, waving off the unspoken offer. “Nah, I’m good. We picked a place within walking distance from here, and I’ll grab a cab home afterward.”

  His smile widened at her mention of home, and her heart plummeted. She was doing the right thing, Lexa reminded herself. This had to be done so they could be together, move forward. Still, she couldn’t shake the nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach. The one that said no matter her good intentions, things were about to take a turn—one she might not be prepared for when it happened.

  “Okay,” he smiled. “Text me when you’re on the way home. Oh, and save room for dessert. I’ve got something special in mind for us later.”

  Lexa narrowed her eyes at him, a small smile tugging at her lips. She shook her head and turned slightly to go back to her office. “It’s probably a good thing I did laundry last night. I have a feeling we’ll be needing that load of towels I washed.”

  His laughter followed Lexa to her office, wrapping around her as she sank down into the leather office chair. She mentally crossed her fingers and hoped it was a sound she would enjoy again.

  ***

  Tom stood in the shadows, scanning the crowd. For a Thursday evening, Stratosphere’s dungeon was surprisingly busy. He sipped at the bottled water a waitress had brought for him earlier. The staff knew him by sight, the single tail he wore wrapped diagonally around his chest was his signature accessory. House Doms wore masks to conceal their identities, and each chose something singular to identify themselves. Sir Daniel’s weapon of choice was the single tail whip, and he wore it as his badge.

  Sconces lined the walls, giving off a soft light that left most of the room in some degree of shadowy privacy for its occupants. A red spotlight shone down on the stage and cast a sensual glow over the naked man bound to a frame in its center. The submissive’s wrists and ankles were bound with simple jute, the heavy rope cuffs securing him suspended from the sturdy metal.

  Mistress lifted her flogger, a heavy fall of long, thick leather straps, and flicked her wrist. The tails whooshed through the air, landing with a solid thwack across her submissive’s broad back. Tom flinched, familiar with the feel of Mistress’ powerful swing and the brutal sting of her flogger. He would have felt bad for the sub, except he knew just how much Jonas, Mistress’ boy-toy, loved the pain she meted out to him.

  The opening notes of Nick Jonas’ Levels boomed out from the sound system and Tom straightened. He took the few short steps to where the Saint Andrews Cross stood and scanned the crowd for Angel. The song was her cue that she was on the floor, and on her way to him. He grinned, spotting the familiar shape of her face beneath the mask she wore. His eyes roamed from the top of her head, and the tight bun at the crown, to the sweep of her forehead and the curve of her cheek beneath the leather strip covering her eyes.

  Her eyes met his and her lips curved into a small smile of acknowledgement as she made her way through the crowd. Tom noticed the short robe Angel wore, the article of clothing out of place with her usual appearance. His beautiful little sub wasn’t one to hide her body. Clad in nothing but her custom made cuffs, she strode through the club from the locker-room to the play area confident and comfortable in all of her naked glory. Tonight, she wore her nerves like an uncomfortable sweater. Her shoulders rounded, head bent forward as if avoiding the gazes of the other subs and Doms in the room.

  This is it, he thought as he watched her appro
ach. She’s going to break it off with Sir Daniel tonight.

  Handing his water to a passing waitress, Tom unwrapped his whip and set it in the deep v of the cross’ notch. He stood, legs braced wide and arms crossed over his chest as she finally stopped in front of him. She was close enough he could discern the lemony vanilla of her perfume; a scent he associated solely with Angel. Lexa preferred the scent of strawberries and cream in her everyday life. He’d been immersed in it every morning for the last month whenever he got in the shower after her. The soft, sweet scent floated through the office behind her, teasing his senses and inciting his lust.

  Angel stood in front of him, her eyes cast downward, as expected. He waited. This was her meeting and she would speak when she was ready. He wouldn’t interfere with whatever plan she had for how this was going down. When she was done saying her piece, then and only then, would he step in and set the record straight for her.

  “Permission to speak freely?” she asked, her familiar voice soft but loud enough to be heard above the music. He flicked his wrist, giving her the signal to speak and bring her eyes up to his. The mask and lighting kept the color of her irises hidden, but he didn’t need to seem them to recognize the familiar shape of Lexa’s eyes as she looked up at him. He smiled, head tilted to the side encouraging her to continue.

  She bit her lip, fingers fussing with the sash of her robe. Signs of the shy and reserved Lexa breaking through Angel’s calm and confident façade. It tore at his insides to see her go through this, but he knew it was something she needed to do so they could move forward together as a couple.

  “I’ve met someone,” she began. “Outside of the club. He’s…” she hesitated, as though searching for the right word to describe him. “He’s amazing. Everything I’ve dreamed of but never thought I’d have. He gets me, you know?” Angel looked up at him again and he nodded. “So, anyway. I wanted to tell you face-to-face, and explain why I won’t be back for another session. I want to see where things go. With him. I should have done this sooner, but couldn’t bring myself to work up the nerve and actually do it. But, he deserves my full attention and I’m going to give him that. I hope you can understand.”

  Tom nodded to signal that he did understand her request. He held up a leather glove clad finger and signed for her to close her eyes. She hesitated a moment and then did as requested. She’s such a good girl, he thought as he reached behind his head and undid the mask covering his head and half of his face. He shook out his hair, running his fingers through the tangles.

  Dropping the mask at her feet, Tom touched a fingertip to her chin. She turned her face up, eyes meeting his.

  “I do understand, kitten.” He grinned as her eyes widened and her mouth formed a small ‘o’ of surprise. “I’ve understood since that day when you came to me after work. The butterfly marks on your back were all my doing, and I recognized them instantly.” He cupped her cheek, bending to flutter a kiss against her lips. “It’s always been me. Since the very first time you stepped onto the floor here. I’ve always been the one giving you exactly what you needed. I want to continue being that for you, if you’ll let me, kitten. Let’s see where this goes. Together?”

  She stared silently at him for long minutes and his heart beat wildly in his chest as Tom waited for her to say something, anything, in response to his revelation. He’d known it would come as a shock to her when he unmasked their long standing relationship but, as the minutes ticked by, his certainty of her reaction became less and less firm.

  Finally, after what felt like eternity and a day, Lexa brought her hands up and undid the sash on her black silk robe. She pulled the right side, the length slithering free into her hand. Lifting her eyes to meet his, Lexa held out the sash.

  “Together,” she said with a wide, beaming smile. “I didn’t bring my cuffs.” She let out a short, rueful laugh and shrugged. “I wasn’t planning on things going this way. I never would have guessed it was you behind the mask, but I’m so happy it is. I can’t even begin to tell you…” Lexa lifted the length of silk and offered it to him. “It’s not much but, like my heart, it’s all I have to offer. Take it, please? Use it. Bind me. Make me yours.”

  Tom took the sash, wrapping it around his fist as he stepped close and pulled her to his chest. He lowered his lips to her ear and whispered, “I already have. You’ve been mine since the first time I clipped you to that cross, kitten. We just didn’t know it until now.”

  Pressing a kiss to the soft spot beneath Lexa’s ear, Tom guided her to the Saint Andrews Cross where his single tail waited for them. He bound her right wrist with the length of silk, tying it to the thick slab of highly polished wood. She placed her left hand, palm down, on the other side of the large x and adjusted her stance, mimicking the shape of the apparatus to which she was bound.

  Tom kissed her hair, breathing in the sweet scent of her. He traced the tip of the whip handle down her spine, his cock twitching inside his leather pants when she shivered from the touch. Leaning in, Tom murmured against her ear. “Be a good little slut now, kitten.”

  Lexa nodded and Tom moved to his preferred striking distance. He drew his arm back, flicked his wrist and let fly. The whip snaked through the air, cracking as it kissed Lexa’s back and branded her with his declaration of love.

  Epilogue

  Sirens screamed in the distance. Hushed voices tinged with concern tried to push through the fog of her consciousness. Pain ripped through her abdomen but she was too tired to scream. So, so tired. A baby’s sharp cry broke through the miasma and she frowned. Something was missing.

  Lexa woke with a start, sitting up in bed suddenly as the dream dissipated. She glanced at the baby monitor on the bedside as another cry echoed from across the hall. Tom rolled toward Lexa, mumbling a sleepy offer to go get the infant and bring her to their bed.

  “It’s okay. I’ve got it.” Slipping from the bed, Lexa made her way to the nursery across from their bedroom. The baby let out another wail and Lexa’s breasts began to tingle, signaling her milk was about to let down. If she didn’t get to the baby soon there would be a milky mess to clean up down her front. “Crap. Crap. I’m coming. Shush, Angel. Mommy’s coming, sweetheart.”

  Reaching the crib, Lexa picked her daughter up and pivoted to sink into the rocking chair beside it. She adjusted her tank top and settled the newborn to nurse. With the baby latched on, Lexa quickly setup the breast pump on the other side, and leaned back to rock slowly. She looked down at her daughter, smiling as she watched her tiny hand flex against the curve of Lexa’s breast. “Good girl,” she cooed as she patted the baby’s onesie covered bottom.

  Lexa let her gaze wander to the other crib. It sat empty, the baby that should have occupied it absent. She recalled the dream that had woken her up and shuddered, the trauma from the birth still fresh.

  The pregnancy had been a breeze. From the moment she and Tom had decided to try conceiving on their wedding night, to when the first contraction hit, everything had gone without a hitch. Angelica Rose Daniels came screaming into the world six hours after the onset of labor, and was a healthy six pounds, five ounces. She had a set of lungs on her to rival an opera singer, the sound filling the birthing suite when she let out her first cry. Tom had beamed, tears streaming down his handsome face as the nurse presented them with their daughter. Her little face had been red and scrunched up. Tiny fists waved in the air as though she were mad at the world and letting it know, in no uncertain terms, that she was unhappy with having been evicted from her comfy little spot.

  What came next was unclear to Lexa. She had to rely on Tom’s account of the events and the brief flashes of memory that came to her in dreams and nightmares such as the one that had woken her up moments earlier. From what Tom had recounted, while the medical team were busy helping deliver the first baby, the placenta had partially detached for the second. Lexa was hemorrhaging, and the twin she had yet to deliver was quickly losing its oxygen and blood supply.

  The obstetrician a
nd nurses moved quickly. An emergency C-section was setup and the second twin was delivered within minutes. The room was silent during the delivery; Tom had told her. Everyone held their breath while they waited for the baby to take his first breath and cry when the doctor gave the bottom of his feet a tap. Nothing. The baby lay limp and bluish in the doctor’s arms, his chest unmoving.

  Chaos erupted as nurses sprang into action, whisking the unresponsive baby away while the obstetrician put Lexa back together and dealt with the complications from the ruptured placenta. Tom had stuck by Lexa’s side, dumbstruck and grief-stricken by the turn of events. The nurses encouraged him to stay with her while they tended to the second baby, assuring there was nothing he could do until his son was stabilized. Right then, they advised, his wife and daughter needed his support.

  Lexa had woken up in recovery a few hours later, confused and in pain. She recalled none of the harrowing events after passing out from the blood loss. Tom had been there, sitting in a chair beside her bed, with their daughter sleeping peacefully cradled in his arms. He’d looked up when she whispered his name, smiling softly as he reached out to squeeze her hand. His beautiful green eyes had been filled with sadness, the smile not quite reaching them as he told her about their son’s birth, and subsequent close call.

  Shaking her head to clear it of the memories, Lexa refocused on her daughter. She smiled, tracing the light blond fuzz on top of her head. “Your brother comes home tomorrow, my little angel.” The baby snuffled against Lexa’s breast and she smiled. “I know. It’s been a long two weeks without Luke to keep you company, but our Lucky will be home with us and you’ll have your partner-in-crime back.”

  “Yes, she will.” Tom chuckled. Lexa looked up to see him leaning against the doorframe of the nursery, his arms crossed over his chest.