Page 101 of A Heart So Savage

“I don’t want you to have control.” Ava pouted. “I want you wild. Feral. And I don’t want to think about a thing.”

“If I fuck you like you need to be fucked, you won’t be able to think at all.”

“Fine,” she huffed in exasperation. “My safe word is ‘more.’”

“Good God, I’ve created a monster.” Kingston chuckled. “That won’t do, lamb. Choose another or we’ll go straight up to the penthouse, put on pajamas, and spend the night watching Christmas movies.”

Ava laughed, slapping his arm playfully. “Oh! You wouldn’t dare!”

“Try me,” he said, leaning back with arms propped behind his head. “I think I’ll have some popcorn while we watch the movie. Maybe even hot chocolate…”

“Okay! Okay!” She peppered his face and neck with kisses. “You win, beast. And there…that’s my safe word, okay? Beast.”

Kingston pulled her in for a real kiss, his mouth slamming down on hers and reminding Ava just how dominant he could be. “It’s perfect.”

* * *

There was somuch to look at.

Ava drank it all in. Every decadent swath of fabric. Every crystal that dripped from the sconces and the multiple chandeliers. The lighting was softly romantic, the music both sensual and potent. Heavy wood furniture with finely carved accents and black velvet fabrics sat scattered around the cavernous space. People perched upon them, laughing and sipping cocktails.

A gleaming, hardwood bar took up the length of one wall with bartenders of both sexes clad in crisp tuxedos and red bow ties mixing drinks. Waitresses carried trays while balanced on black heels and wearing slim-fitting, black sheath dresses. Slender ribbons of red encircled their necks. Everything was classy, beautiful, and so sexy that it was understandable why people fought for membership invitations.

There was a variety of men and women inside the club. Some had partners along with them, submissives in various stages of undress. A few wore collars with leashes attached. Some even wore masks but all members were recognized by one detail. A diamond-encrusted gold pin in the shape of a crown worn over the heart, or if one’s clothes were missing, a bracelet of the same design encircled the wrist.

Kingston clasped Ava’s hand and guided her down a long hallway. On either side were open doors, and each portal revealed rooms where different activities were underway. Some had Ava’s mouth dropping in shock.

“Another night, Ava, and I’ll indulge your every curiosity about what takes place in those rooms,” Kingston said in a murmur when she lagged behind him. “But right now, I want you all to myself, and I’ve no patience for simply watching things when I’m going crazy for you.” Stopping abruptly, he pulled her tight against his lean form. “Do you trust me, Ava?”

She smiled softly at his silly question. “With my life. You know that.”

From his pocket, Kingston withdrew a length of pearls with diamonds nestled between each creamy orb. There was a clip at one end, and Ava realized it was a leash. A leash that matched the design of the choker she wore. Earlier, when he placed the jewelry around her neck, she wondered about the necklace’s diamond-encrusted loop in the shape of a crown at its center. Now she knew.

He attached the leash to the collar and dragged her even closer, his eyes dark as blue-black velvet. “Later, I’m going to wrap this leash around your throat while I’m deep inside you, Ava. I want you to imagine it’s my hands holding you so tight, giving and taking your breath. You will come so many times tonight, you will lose count. But after each climax, you will thank me. You will say ‘thank you, sir,’ and beg me for more.” He kissed the end of her nose. “Do you understand, my savage lamb?”

“Yes. I understand, sir,” Ava replied breathlessly, her knees wobbling with unbearable anticipation.

“Good girl. Now, come along. I have several surprises for you in the room that’s been prepared for us.”

The room into which Kingston led Ava was as scrumptiously illuminated as the rest of the club. Certain areas sat in pools of soft light while the rest of the room remained mysteriously dim. A bed with tall posts and spindles for a headboard was in the center of one wall. A large black structure in the form of an X occupied a corner, and in the other, a padded bench with a variety of buckles and leather belts dangling from it. In the center of the room, bathed in a circle of white light, was a reclining chair that looked like something found in a barber shop. This one, however, had straps to restrain a person. A rolling metal cart was beside the chair, the top level containing an instrument resembling a gun and what looked like small pots of some sort of paint.

Ava came to an abrupt halt. “What is this, Kingston?”

“First part of the surprise.” Kingston laughed, tugging on the leash until she had no choice but to follow him. “Remember, you said you trusted me.”

“Yes, but…” she stuttered.

“I’m giving you a tattoo, Ava. So, there is no doubt that you belong to me. The decision you must make is where you want it placed. Down the center of your back, running along your spine, or across your ribs.” His eyes glittered with possessiveness. “Or maybe on the inside of your thigh?”

Ava slumped in relief. “You frightened me, Kingston. But I suspect that was on purpose, wasn’t it?”

That sadistic streak she adored, the one that would always run through Kingston’s soul, peeked out behind his smile. “Maybe a little. Make your choice. Oh, and Ava? I will be strapping you down for this. Can’t have you moving around if the pain becomes too intense.”

A half-hour later, Kingston worked on finishing it up while Ava wished he would let her see the progress.

“No peeking just yet,” he said of the words inked down her left flank and over her ribs. Three words that meant everything to them both were now branded into her skin. Ava shivered, knowing this was a permanent link to the man who had placed them there.

Crush.

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