Page 34 of Carnal Desire
“You can’t do this.” He frantically starts pulling at the cuffs. “Help! Help!”
He looks towards the door pulling on his restraints.
“There’s nowhere to go.” I laugh when he looks back at me, fear clouding his eyes. “Nobody’s going to help you, Christian.” I swing the knife across his face and the blade slices through his skin like butter. I laugh even louder when his screams shift into pleas for mercy.
“Did you listen to her pleas for you to stop cutting her.” I slice through his other cheek watching his blood seep from the large gashes across his face. “Did you stop when she used her safe word? When she begged you for mercy?”
His tears mixed with his blood. “Please… don’t kill me,” he begs as best he can with deep slices across both cheeks.
I walk around his chair, yank his head back by his hair, giving me access to his throat. I think it’s appropriate since this is the same way he tried to kill her. I hate I don’t have time to torture him like he tortured her, but at least the motherfucker will be dead.
“The moment you hurt Cadence you signed your death warrant.”
I slice through his neck from ear to ear.
He tries to reach for his neck, but his hands are still cuffed to the table. I watch his widen eyes filled with fear as he knows I’m the last person he will ever see. He spits up blood as it mixes with the blood seeping from the wounds in his face and to his throat. His convulsing body finally starts to slow. His eyes remain wide open, but I can see the light leaving them as he releases his final breaths.
Then everything is quiet, and satisfaction moves through me. Christian Baptiste is dead.
“Rot in hell, motherfucker.” I spit on his corpse, place the knife inside my jacket, and walk out the door with minutes to spare.
Now I can get back to the woman I’ve falling head over heels in love with. It’s time we both start a new chapter in our lives. I’m ready to make it official. I’m ready to give her my collar. She’s mine and it’s time I let her know she will always be safe with me.
15
Cadence
It’s been two months since I learned of Christian’s death from the news. The Baptiste family is well known in the political world, so the death of the son of one of the most well-known senators in the United States despite his incarnation is big news. For weeks local and national news crews were camped outside my office once I returned to work trying to get my comment on the death of the man who tried to kill me. Even the local tabloidExposéhad done a feature on our relationship and what led to the downfall of one of America’s golden boys. Even though for a while the news of his death is an inconvenience to me because of all the attention aimed at me and our relationship, an invisible weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
I had no idea how much his being alive dictated my life outside of my sex life even though he was incarcerated. Now I no longer have to wonder if or when he’ll finish me off. And I have Brian to thank for that even though he never acknowledges his part in his death. I don’t know how he did it, but I know he had something to do with it, despite the official record says he committed suicide. While I hated Christian, I know he would never kill himself because he is or was a narcissist.
Now after all the trauma, all the ups and downs, I can’t believe I’m about to walk into Club Desire for the first time in almost three years and it’s because I’m going to watch one of my closest friends fuck her husband while I fuck my man. It’s like Christian’s death almost gave me permission to finally move on with my life.
When Brian first mentioned it, I wasn’t sure if this would be a good thing not only for me, but for us. With Elijah and Laila being our friends and Brian having that connection with Laila through her sister Tara, it was just a weird thing to wrap my head around. But there is something about watching two people enjoy each other that I really like. I’ve watched other couples before, but I don’t think those experiences will be anything like watching Laila and Elijah. Everyone agreed that all of us being together might be a good way to introduce me back to the club scene since I will be with people I know and have a friendship with. While I agreed to it, I hope it doesn’t change the way we see each other.
My membership is still active even though I haven’t been here in so long. It feels strange like I’m experiencing everything for the first time. Brian Hamm has definitely changed my life.
It wasn’t shocking that Brian knew both Elijah and Laila, but I was surprised he had been in a long-term relationship with Laila’s sister. I’ve known Tara for years and frequented Club Desire often, seeing her on a number of occasions.
“Are you sure?” he asks again when we reach the slender single arched glass-paned door of Club Desire. Attached to the red brick wall beside the door is the small discreet black plaque etched with a gold mask. It’s the only identifying marker for the club.
He keeps asking me if I am ready for this. It’s because he cares for me and is scared shitless I’m pushing myself to make this step before I’m actually ready. But I am absolutely ready to experience club life again. I do understand why he’s worried, but I think they were right. Experiencing the club with my friends may be the best thing for me. I’m excited and it’s a major step for me. I’m proud I’m finally trying to do it.
“Yes, baby. I’m sure.”
I finger the diamond collar he gifted me tonight. I cried like a fucking baby when he locked it around my neck. He knew I still had some hangups with my scar, so he had it custom made where it’s wide enough to completely cover it. It’s been quite a long and hard journey when it comes to how I see myself, but I’m definitely getting better. I never wanted someone to collar me again until I met him. Now I’m proud that he’s declared to everyone that I’m his and he’s mine.
“It’s time for me to at least try,” I continue. “And I want to experience this place with you. Make new memories here.”
“I’m proud of you,” he says, pulling me into his arms, then he kisses me.
“Thank you.” I pull away and the pad of my thumb wipes his lips free of my crimson lipstick. “I’m proud of me too. Now let’s go. Laila and Elijah are waiting.”
I take a deep breath and release it before looking up at him. The hungry look in his eyes makes me want to rip this dress from my body and have him fuck me against the wall of the building. I love when he looks at me like I’m the most beautiful creature in existence. The sexiest woman in the world. I push the desire down and save it for when we get inside.
He pushes the door open, holding it open for me. I step inside and wait for the panic to set in, but it doesn’t. I focus on the pressure of his hand against my lower back as he guides me towards the receptionist desk to keep me grounded. To remind me, he’s here with me through it all.
Bethany smiles at me when we reach the desk situated in front of the large, elegant Club Desire sign. Not much has changed since the last time I was here.
