“That’s ridiculous.” I gasped as he pinched my nipple hard. His index finger traveled lower, barely touching my skin. He brushed my clit, and I clenched tightly but the touch was brief as he moved farther along, ever so gently parting my folds with his index finger and brushing the sensitive spot inside.
“So wet,” he murmured. “I’ll have a taste.” He sank down on the chair so he was at eye level with my pussy. My body tensed in almost unbearable anticipation as he leaned forward. His breath fanned over my wet pussy. Then his tongue darted between my pussy lips, licking along my slit once, before he leaned back to watch my lust-torn expression. “You almost came, sweet Aislinn. I’ll have to be more careful. You’ll have to suffer far more.” He shook his head as he ran his tongue over his upper lip. “Your juices taste sweeter than anything I’ve ever tasted. It’ll be difficult quest to find another woman whose come is equally delicious.”
My heart clenched at the idea of Lorcan being with someone else. Hadn’t I dreamed of leaving him not too long ago? Why was I bothered by the idea that he’d fuck another woman?
He shrugged, his muscles flexing. He reached out again and slid his middle finger over my slit, palm upward. His other hand came up to tug my nipple. I held his gaze as he brought me closer to the edge again.
Lorcan kept up the gentle teasing with his finger, brushing my folds and clit in ghost-like touches, twisting my nipples, and occasionally risking a lick, for at least another hour. The tent in his pants was impressive but not once did he try to find relief himself, ignoring his own need completely. I wished I had his self-control. I was filled with so much need, I was close to asking him to hurt me if he only gave me an orgasm after.
Lorcan could probably sense that I was close to breaking. I wasn’t sure why he had chosen this form of torture, which really wasn’t a punishment I’d expected. Knowing my husband’s brutality, I feared the worst. I didn’t understand his reasoning, but I didn’t care anymore. My arousal coated Lorcan’s palm and my inner thighs. The warehouse was silent, except for my panting and Lorcan’s low, concentrated breaths as he inched his middle finger into my opening. My walls clung to his finger, needing more. When he was buried knuckle-deep inside of me, Lorcan stopped moving. I rocked my hips for additional friction, but Lorcan lowered his hand until only his fingertip remained inside of me.
I let out a desperate sigh. I just wanted Lorcan to do whatever he had in mind, to finish what he’d begun. He’d been teasing me for too long. My entire body was taut like a bow, ready for release.
Lorcan rose to his feet and walked over to the spot where his baton leaned against the wall. He picked up it from the ground. “Ready for the pain?”
I tensed, my eyes widening and my heart beating wildly in my chest.
Lorcan chuckled. “Not yet?” He nodded and approached me with the baton, hitting his palm with its tip.
He brought the tip to my sternum then slid it lower like he had done before, but this time he slid the tip of the baton along my swollen flesh and pressed it up to my opening. I clenched, wanting something inside of me, even this baton. Watching my face closely, he worked the tip of the baton into my opening. I gasped at the feel of the cool material inside my heated channel. I was used to Lorcan’s thick shaft, so I grew quickly accustomed to being stretched by the weapon. Lorcan only teased me with the tip, sliding it in about an inch only to pull it out again. My core gripped the stick, trying to contain the pleasure it brought, even if it was nothing in comparison to Lorcan’s cock. He fucked me too gently with only the tip until I was shifting back and forth, trying to drive the baton deeper into me, but the chains I dangled from prevented that. Lorcan regarded me stoically as he pulled the stick out despite my protest.
“Open your mouth.”
I did so without hesitation and allowed Lorcan to push the tip of the baton into my mouth, tasting my tangy arousal. I circled the tip with my tongue then sucked it deeply into my mouth, all the while locking gazes with Lorcan, wanting him to imagine it was his cock.
He pulled the baton away, and I stifled a smile. I got to him too.
“You want more, sweet Aislinn, don’t you?” he growled.
I nodded frantically, no longer caring for dignity. The pleasure had banished the all-consuming fear I was feeling since Lorcan ordered me to come to the docks. “I want you, Lorcan. Your cock, your fingers, your tongue, all of you.” The words tumbled out, burying any hint of embarrassment and shyness in their wake.
Lorcan swallowed, his gaze becoming so fierce I shuddered with a deep longing that almost made me come without touch or penetration.
“I really want to hurt you,” he rumbled, and I could hear the need for brutality in his voice, could see it in the tightening of his muscles.
“But at the same time, I want to fuck you and make you come so hard my name will be the last prayer on your lips.”
“That’s blasphemous,” I whispered thickly, so desperate for more of him, for him to see that I was his.
“Add it to my list of sins.” He stroked my cheek. “Do you want to come?”
“You know the answer.”
“Answer me.”
“Yes, I want to come.”
“Will you welcome pain in exchange for pleasure?”
I wasn’t sure what he had in store for me. I was half terrified, half aroused. Lorcan opened his zipper and freed his thick erection. It was glistening with his own need.
“I see you’re too scared to answer,” he murmured, circling me until he came to a stop behind me. His breath fanned over my neck as his hard length pressed against my ass cheek. He shifted so the tip wedged between my cheeks, slowly driving them apart until it brushed my other opening. I stiffened.
His hot breath ghosted over my ear. “I have to hurt you. I have to fuck you. I have to make you come. I want your tears of lust and pain.”
I pressed back, driving the tip of his cock further between my ass cheeks so his tip nudged my opening harder. Lorcan gripped my throat, his eyes locking on mine. He rubbed his palm over my pussy, gathering my juices on his cock until it was slick. “Pain first, then release, Sweet Aislinn.”
His eyes burned into mine with a myriad of emotions as his cock forced its way deeper into my tight channel. I tensed, my lips parting in a whimper at the fierce pain, the utter sensation of being stretched beyond the impossible. I squeezed my eyes shut when I couldn’t take any more, ready to beg Lorcan to stop. But without a word from me, he stopped when he was maybe halfway in. I breathed slowly, trying to force my body to relax.
“When I found out that you were working with the police, it felt like a knife in my heart. Do you think the pain you’re feeling now is worse?”
I swallowed. “No.” I knew nothing hurt more than having your trust or your heart broken.
“Right,” Lorcan rasped. “I want to hurt you worse, but at the same time I hate seeing you in pain and want to make it better. You make me weak, Aislinn, and I don’t like it.”
Lorcan’s palm cupped my breast and massaged gently. Then he slid it lower until his fingers reached my clit. He began to rub me until pleasure built again, and I felt myself slacken around him. His fingers moved faster and then he thrust two into my pussy. Fingering me hard while the heel of his hand slammed against my clit, I barreled toward release. I cried out at the first sparks of my orgasm. Lorcan grabbed my throat and pushed deeper into me. I was too far gone to let the pain stop my release and shuddered in pain and pleasure as Lorcan worked his cock deeper into me with shallow thrusts while his fingers kept fucking me mercilessly. I wasn’t sure how much more I could take, but Lorcan didn’t stop. He gently stroked my clit with his index finger while he fucked my ass with about two-thirds of his length.
I breathed shallowly, feeling overwhelmed. Despite the overly stretched sensation, the feel of Lorcan inside of me from behind made his manipulation of my clit even more intense. Soon, I was panting again. This time when I toppled over the edge, I was prepared for the pain as Lorcan claimed me fully. His pelvis pressed against my ass and he groaned. I could feel him twitch inside of me and the knowledge that it gave him so much pleasure turned me on despite the situation.
Soon he began to fuck me slowly, and my breath lodged in my throat every time he filled me. Two of his fingers slid into my pussy and he began to finger me in rhythm with his thrusts.
I hung limply from the chains as I panted. Pain and pleasure had my body in a torturous grip there was no escaping from. Lorcan slammed harder into me and so did his fingers. I trembled, feeling a wave of pleasure getting ready to crush me.
“I can feel my cock inside of you,” Lorcan rasped. “Claiming every part of you.”
I cried out as my orgasm hit me, and Lorcan let out a harsh shout. His cock expanded inside of me, making me see stars for a second. I shuddered, my clit throbbing fiercely.
My head fell back on his shoulder, completely overwhelmed. For a second Lorcan pressed his face into my hair. It was strange being this close to him now, to hear his heartbeat, feel his warmth. Too soon, Lorcan stepped back and pulled his cock out of me. I winced at the sharp pain. Lorcan loosened the knot keeping me chained to the ceiling. The rope fell and suddenly I was free. My legs buckled and I dropped to the floor. My calves were shaking, not just from my orgasm but also from the cold and the flood of emotions. Lorcan zipped up his pants while I tried to get my bearings. When I finally stood, my legs were shaking. I could feel Lorcan’s release run out of me, and suddenly I felt hollow. Lorcan took out his wallet and tossed a wad of cash at me.
My eyes grew wide with indignation and shock. Was he really paying me for what had just happened? “We’re married.”
“Buy yourself a one-way ticket back to Dublin. I don’t want to see you in New York again. I’ll send you divorce papers to sign. Consider this fuck and your life my wedding gift to you.”
I couldn’t believe what he was saying. I always thought I would have to flee from New York and hide from Lorcan to escape our marriage. Now he was letting me free, just like that?
The worst thing was, I didn’t want him to drop me like I meant nothing. I was confused and not sure what I was feeling anymore. These last few months of searching for Imogen and becoming a part of Lorcan’s brutal world had completely messed with my head. It was frightening. Our time with Finn had changed things. I saw a side of Lorcan I hadn’t believed existed. Few people had ever been so gentle with Finn while treating him like a normal kid.
“You’re sending me away?”
“Would you prefer if I do what I usually do with traitors?”
“I didn’t tell them anything. I just wanted to find Imogen. I still need to find her. You can’t just send me away.”
Lorcan stalked closer, eyes blazing with fury. “I can and I will, and you better take this offer. You’re damn lucky, Aislinn.” Now wasn’t the time to argue with Lorcan. He was furious, for good reason.
I grabbed my dress and quickly put it on but it was ruined. Lorcan moved toward a row of steel lockers I hadn’t noticed before and removed cargo pants and a checkered shirt from it. “These are Nollaigh’s. He’s thin as a stick. They should fit.”
He flung the clothes at me, and I barely caught them. I felt like bawling. I was completely overwhelmed by the situation.
When I was dressed, Lorcan picked up his phone. “Get her now.”
Five minutes later, the longest five minutes in my life because every second in Lorcan’s rage-filled presence made me feel guiltier, Seamus entered the hall. If he was surprised that I was still in one piece, he didn’t show it. Maybe Lorcan had shared his plans with him. I didn’t even care that I wasn’t wearing panties and socks. The clothes covered everything I wanted covered, and I was still in a state of shock when Seamus led me outside toward his car. Lorcan had his back turned to me as if he didn’t want to see me. Was this our goodbye? Lorcan had been such a crucial part of my life these last few months…
I couldn’t believe that only a few months had passed. It felt as if I’d become a new person in that short time.
Seamus didn’t speak as he took me away. The low rumble of the car filled the uncomfortable silence. I soon realized that we weren’t heading toward the apartment. “Where are you taking me?”
“To Gulliver’s. After we searched your belongings for hints about your betrayal, we sent them over to your uncle. You’ll stay with him until your flight leaves tomorrow morning.”
“So soon?” I whispered, shocked.
“You have no business in New York anymore.”
“But my sister—”
“Listen to my advice for once. Teturn to Dublin and forget everything that happened here. Your sister is a grown-up. You should save yourself. You’re lucky Lorcan didn’t kill you.”
I pressed my lips together. I couldn’t return to Dublin like this. Without Imogen. Without having talked to her at least once. And part of me wondered if I’d miss Lorcan. It was strange to consider. I never wanted our marriage. I despised what he did. And yet part of me still couldn’t believe he just gave me up like that, as if I meant nothing to him.
Maybe it was just sex. But if that were the case, then why did he spare me?
“Will you bring Finn to Gulliver too?”
“Yes. Once I drop you off, I’ll head home to Maeve and pick him up.”
“He won’t understand what’s going on.”
“I guess you can explain everything to him.”
How could I explain everything to him? I hardly understood any of it myself.
“Time to get out,” Seamus muttered. I glanced out of the window to find Gulliver on the sidewalk, huddled under a huge umbrella to avoid the heavy rainfall.
“I’ll pick you and Finn up in the morning and take you to the airport. Someone’s going to watch the house. Don’t try to do something.”
When I didn’t get out right away, he leaned over and shoved open the door. Rain and wind slapped against me. Gulliver rushed over to me and half dragged me out of the car then toward his front door. Once inside, he slammed the door shut and locked it twice before pocketing the keys. He closed the umbrella before turning to me. He quickly looked away as if he couldn’t bear looking at me.
“The moment I saw you on my door step I knew you meant trouble.”
Done with being insulted and chastised, I glared at him. “Your world is already rife with trouble without my presence. I never wanted any of this to happen, but I at least acted because I wanted to help my sister. What are your reasons for your actions?”
“I don’t have to explain myself to you. Be glad Lorcan didn’t kill you. He isn’t a lenient man. You’re lucky.”
I didn’t feel lucky. I felt adrift and helpless. Rushing past Gulliver, I made my way toward my old room, where my suitcase awaited me. My belongings had been stuffed into the suitcase and were wrinkled. I slipped on a sweater and a skirt before going to find my uncle.
He sat at the kitchen table, hunched over a cup of tea, his expression pinched. I sat down across from him.
“I can’t leave now. I need to find Imogen. She’s in Florida, so I don’t even have to stay in New York, but I can’t return to Dublin yet. Can’t you have a word with Lorcan?”
Gulliver slammed his palm down on the table. Tea spilled over the rim of his cup. He grimaced, got up and quickly cleaned the table with a dish towel.
“I won’t talk to Lorcan. Neither should you. That you’re still alive and well is a miracle of major proportions. Don’t you understand? Lorcan doesn’t show mercy, but allowing you to live after your betrayal is mercy, Aislinn. Lorcan honored your marriage. He valued the holy bond, even when you didn’t.”
“It’s a bond I never wanted.”
“But a bond you said yes to.”
“I didn’t mean to betray Lorcan. I wanted to find Imogen, and the police promised to help me. That’s more than Lorcan did in all the time.”
Gulliver shook his head. He raised a finger. “You know nothing.”
I frowned. “Do you know anything?” I wondered if Gulliver would confirm Lorcan’s story about Imogen.
“I’m sure he already told you. Lorcan found your sister a few weeks ago. In Florida. She was about to embark on a cruise of the Caribbean with a Russian oligarch she met in Sodom. She didn’t want to postpone her trip, even when Lorcan told her about you.”
I swallowed. Hearing it again didn’t make things any easier. I wanted to defend her, say that Imogen wouldn’t do it, but that actually sounded like something Imogen would do. Not to hurt me but because she thought of herself first and didn’t pause to think of the consequences for others.
“Why didn’t Lorcan tell me right away? With all his secrets he practically forced me into the arms of the police.”
Gulliver shrugged. “You are his wife. Don’t you have an idea?”
“He wanted to chain me to him, to New York. He knew I’d try to leave once I found Imogen.”
“Lorcan has his ways to keep you where he wants you. Maybe he wanted to protect you.”
I scoffed. I was still reeling from everything that had happened. I needed to figure out a way to reach Imogen. But without the name of the yacht or the oligarch, that was impossible.
Gulliver leaned across the table and gripped my hands. “You need to accept Imogen’s decision, and what’s even more important, you need to respect Lorcan’s. He gave you a chance to return to your mother. Think of Finn. Return to Dublin immediately. I already talked to your mother and told her that you’ll be back tomorrow. She’s excited to have you and Finn back.”
I tugged my hands away from Gulliver. He knew I would take the flight because of Finn. I didn’t want him to figure out what was going on. Things were too volatile in New York right now.
“Can you ask Lorcan for details about the yacht and the oligarch?”
Gulliver rose to his feet. “Once you’re back in Dublin, I’ll see what I can do. But, Aislinn, you should be aware that you can’t leave the past behind. The name Devaney will forever be part of your history. Everyone who matters in Dublin and Ireland knows about the marriage. You can’t return to the life you knew, even if you try.”
I wouldn’t understand what Gulliver meant, not until later.
