The Dark Side of Kingsley: A Billionaire Romance Read online

  "That sounds archaic. If I was chained, what possible choice would I have? I'd have to take whatever you gave me, I suppose."

  My cock hardened; the coy little brat knew precisely what she was doing. She reached her hand down and cupped my balls and hard cock through my pants.

  "Katarina, you're killing me. Would you settle on the warm waters of our hot tub instead of the Azure below? I think I want to start on that twenty now."

  I reached around and tweaked her nipple. She pressed into my hand, and reaching up and back, she wrapped her arms around my neck, so her chest was arched back, her breasts fully available to me.

  I pulled up her dress, so her naked ass was against my crotch. With her hands back behind my neck like a backward hug, I reached around both sides, working her breasts. She pressed into my hands as far as gravity would allow.

  I let go of her and ripped her dress off in one swoop. She screamed in shock, spinning around with only her ribboned ballet flats remaining. She looked like an exotic dancer. I gave her my alpha Dom stare, and her entire body began to vibrate in response. I curled my finger at her, and she obediently followed me inside.

  She lay on the bed, and grabbing her ankles, I pulled her to the edge. I opened her legs wide and, reaching down, slapped her pussy. Her face expressed such utter shock, it was hard not to laugh.

  Her expression changed to indignation. I slapped her again lightly, then I bent down and licked her from tip to her anus. She moaned as I worked back and forth along her reddened nether lips. Then I stood and slapped her mons again and again, lightly, drawing immediate blood flow to the area.

  Her indignation turned into an expression a porn star would envy. "Again, Kingsley, please."

  I leaned forward and repeated, adding in a nibble before slapping her mons. She was building quickly to her first orgasm. "Katarina, you will ask permission first."

  "Ooh, why?" she managed to pout between moans.

  "Because, you little minx, I said so. Now say yes, Sir."

  "Yes, Sir."

  "Good girl," I responded as I went down on her, this time using my teeth.

  "Ah, Kingsley, not fair, oh God, oh God, please, may I come, please?"

  "Now," I said, and her juices poured like an exotic waterfall. She was delicious. When I hit her mons, her juices snapped off her flesh like hard rain on the cement. She squeaked in mild protest, but within moments, she was cresting again.

  "Please, Kingsley, may I come?" she panted.

  "Yes." This game went on until she reached twenty orgasms. She lay panting on the bed, her legs quivering. I took my pants off and planted my engorged cock in her drenched womanhood. She barely moved, just let out a little groan. I went to town pummeling her, taking her precisely the way I wanted.

  Her little sounds turned me on and made me pump madly. It wasn't long before I was unloading inside of her. When I was done, I pulled out and went to the bathroom for a washcloth, and after wiping her, I helped her up and told her to go and get in the hot tub.

  The sun was about to set, and I wanted us in the hot tub with champagne. I also grabbed two bottles of water and followed her. She put her hair up in a messy bun and stared out to the horizon. She looked dreamy and relaxed, a good look for her. I handed her the bottle of water first and told her to drink.

  She downed half the bottle and then held out her hand for the champagne, which I handed to her. I used the deck phone to place our order for dinner to be sent to our room, along with a bottle of red wine to accompany the simple meal being prepared.

  I joined her and moved beside her, and I, too, gazed out at the horizon. I don't know what her thoughts were, but mine gravitated to my businesses, my work. I hadn't taken this much time off in ten years. I was calling this a research project, but it was just an excuse to be with Kate.

  The sun sank lower and was a brilliant orange and, in some spots, pink.

  "Cheers, Katarina," I said, clinking her glass. "Cheers to reaching your goal."

  She smiled up at me. "Cheers, King," she returned and clinked my glass against hers. Moments later, the sun disappeared, and we were bathed in an orange afterglow. I refilled our glasses and handed her the half drunk bottle of water. "Please finish this; you need to stay hydrated. You lost a lot of liquid earlier."

  She laughed and downed the bottle. "I may need another one before the night is through."

  "Plenty where that came from," I answered as I sank back into the tub. When the food arrived, I donned a robe and answered the door. I took the serving cart and wheeled it out to the deck, along with a second robe for Kate.

  She sat up. "Thank goodness, I'm starving."

  She sat at our deck dining table while I removed the lids from the dishes. She grinned at the fare.

  "Kingsley, what a great idea. The night is our movie and, to compliment it, pizza and wine. I love it."

  For the rest of the night, we chatted companionably, like old friends, while we ate pizza and drank wine. We took two more dips into the hot tub before calling it a night and succumbing to slumber.

  Chapter 10

  Kate

  I didn't know what to expect when we arrived at the Grotta Palaizzese yesterday. I honestly thought our relationship would be over, and Kingsley would send me packing. I shared with him a partial truth that I knew would come to a head down the road, but for now, I just wanted to put the plane ride out of my mind.

  He was right, when he said getting spanked and put in the corner wasn't that bad. I was accurate when I said, without humanity, it was not a lifestyle I would ever seek and couldn't understand why others would.

  But there was more. I liked it; not the harsh parts, although those had value, too. It was the surrendering I craved, the ability to let go of everything. In the environment King created, all one had to do was be wholly present and accept one's fate.

  I had never been one to accept anything. If someone had an opinion, I either agreed or didn't. If someone had a request of me, I said yes or no. But what Kingsley did for me was so much more.

  I got the opportunity to see myself clearly for the first time, and I didn't particularly like what I saw. I both loved and hated him for it. That was the root of my problem. I wanted it and didn't, craved the release but wanted it on my terms. I challenged him and came when I wanted, and then, when ordered not to, I gave up my free will and accepted it. Why? That scared me then set me spiraling downward.

  I was thrilled that he still wanted to be with me, despite my childish antics. I wondered why he felt bad for his actions and, consequently, felt the need to make it up to me. I had him treading in deep water, a depth he was unused to. I was traveling in depths I was unused to, but I felt I had the power, somehow, and that was also confusing.

  "Katarina." Kingsley got my attention. We were back in the private jet, flying to Greece for our last European stop and then heading back to New York. "Look, there is Athens."

  "Are we going there?" I asked.

  "We are going to Santorini, to the Petra for a late lunch, and you will finally get a chance to swim."

  I smiled and replied, "Sounds wonderful."

  The jet was making its descent. "So, why Greece and this particular location?" I had noticed that Kingsley had overlooked many of what I felt were obvious destination choices, and I was curious as to the method of his choices so far.

  "Ownership."

  "Excuse me? What does that mean?"

  "I mean, Ms. Kate, that I own these establishments; that's how I have been able to ensure our privacy."

  I felt my jaw slacken. He owned the most romantic destinations in Europe, and yet he had never been romantic, himself. There was a piece to King that I was missing. He chuckled at my expression, and I quickly closed my mouth.

  "Aren't you just full of surprises?"

  He chuckled again, enjoying his surprise. I decided to not ask about his choice of businesses he owned and, instead, changed the topic. I would mull over this newly discovered side of King later. We landed at the
airport and had a quick twenty-minute drive to the hotel and restaurant. The ride, itself, was unremarkable, but when we arrived, my breath hitched when I saw the view. He was right. I didn't care what he said; I was going to dive off the cliffs and into that incredible bay.

  We arrived, and instead of going through the main entrance, Kingsley took us up a flight of stairs that wrapped around the outside of the structure and brought us to a private rooftop pool and dining area. Wow, this was spectacular, looking over the edge. The ocean was too far down to dive into, but I could see that there were many levels down the hillside and thought I could find the right vantage point. After all, I couldn't be the only one who wanted to free-fly into the seafoam green that lay beneath us.

  The patio door separated the living quarters from the deck with large, glass, moving walls and were folded in so I felt like I was on top of the mountain, the view, unlimited as far as the eye could travel. I quickly decided this was my favorite spot and told King.

  "It is lovely, isn't it? I spent two months in this very room several years back, when I first acquired the hotel, which was in dire need of an overhaul. I wanted to feel the spaces and learn everything I could about the community and the history of this place, so that this became more of a restoration project than a renovation. Since 2004, it has made the top ten every year, so I guess taking the time paid off."

  "I'd say. I love it here; it just feels good. Hey, I noticed we walked in on the main level and only came up one flight, but looking over the edge, there seem to be many floors. How does that work?"

  "Part of what I learned was how this rock face was used historically. This was a space for the gods, so the locals were not allowed to use and experience the space. When I restored and renovated, I added in those levels beneath us, and they all have private terraces. I've been accused of being an old-world throwback from Constantinople. The legends of their terraced gardens inspired me."

  I walked to the edge and peered over again. "I want to see it all. Is that all right, not too embarrassed to be seen with me, you know, new money and all? Besides, I really want to find a launching spot, and I need to go down for that."

  Kingsley's smile turned into a frown. "What do you mean, a launching spot?"

  "You know, so I can jump into the ocean."

  His chuckle held no humor. "No, you will not be jumping into the ocean. That is why I have brought you to my private suite, so you can swim to your heart's content."

  I pouted; he was playing that damn alpha card again.

  "Keeping you safe is part of being with me, Katarina."

  His cell phone went off. He glanced at his watch while he answered, "Kingsley," then he listened to his caller, his brow drawing down, giving him an irritated look.

  He hung up, and when he shut off his phone, he looked irritated.

  "Katarina, we have an hour until lunch. Please relax; take a swim. I have something I have to fix."

  As much as I hated to see him go, I looked at this as my opportunity to cliff jump. I would get back in time to climb out of the pool, and we would enjoy a lovely lunch, with him none the wiser. I put on my worried face while my inner brat did a happy dance.

  "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, I hope everything is okay."

  He was already closing the door behind himself. I raced into the master suite and opened the closet. Sure enough, there was a bathing suit and all its accompaniments. I threw off my navy striped sundress and heels, threw on the bikini, a pair of shorts, and flip flops and went looking for the way down.

  Being a rich girl, I always was able to maneuver around staff, so I quickly got my answers and access to the staff elevator that would take me to the bottom level. It was still about a hundred feet from the ocean, but others had done it, so it had to be somewhat safe.

  My bratty self was so excited, while my newly sub-self was trying to caution me. I shut that voice down pretty quickly and chose to listen to my badass, bratty alter ego. I really did like a little danger in my life. The exhilaration of not caring for those brief minutes was equal to the place I got to when Kingsley took me to what he called subspace, whatever that was.

  I stood on the ledge and took off my flip flops. When I looked down, the view was terrifying, but I wanted to do it so badly, I just stepped off. I floated in the air for seconds, and it felt amazing, and I knew, if this were my last act alive, I would die a fulfilled woman.

  But all too soon, I hit the water. The current was stronger than I realized, and I had to fight my way back up to the surface. I looked around for a way to the shore, but all I could see was the damn rock face in front of me. I would have to swim around, and I quickly saw the folly to my actions. Even being a strong swimmer and in good shape, this would be a great distance, and with the waves, I didn't know if I could make it.

  I dog paddled toward the direction I thought the parking lot was located. When I came around the edge of the cliff face, I saw the shore, but it was still a long way off.

  I tried not to panic as I paddled and got buffeted by the waves. I was in good shape and a strong swimmer, but I had not anticipated the strength of the sea this close to shore. I paddled for an eternity, struggling and silently praying that I'd make it. And suddenly, there was Kingsley. I was sure it was him, or maybe he was a mirage.

  Something was swimming toward me. I stopped swimming and tried just to tread, keeping my head above water as best I could. But I was losing the battle and finally succumbed, allowing the water to pull me down.

  I felt muscular arms wrap around me and hold me in a firm grasp. A part of my brain noted that they must be in great shape, as we were still far from shore, and my rescuer swam with a vigor that, if I'd had, it would have gotten me to the beach.

  "Kate, Kate!" It was Kingsley.

  Uh-oh, he was going to be mad. But right now, I could hear the fear in his voice. I opened my eyes. "My hero," I gasped and then rolled over to throw up what felt like a gallon of seawater.

  "You might not think so when I get you upstairs," he smirked as he pounded the water from my lungs.

  When nothing was left, I rolled onto my back, feeling like I weighed a thousand pounds, and when he pulled me to my feet, my legs felt like rubber. He held on to me as we made the short walk from the beach to the hotel. We didn't need paparazzi; the guests and visitors on the beach were snapping pictures of the crazy lady who'd jumped from the hotel.

  Oh, God, I'd really screwed up. We would be trending all over social media again, and this time, it was totally my fault. I decided to wear an expression of remorse, hoping it would help to cool down Kingsley, who I knew was furious. As we went back up in the service elevator, I wondered about the staff member, Joseph, his name tag had said. He had given me the directions.

  "King, I know you're mad, but one of your staff members took me to that spot, and he said people did it all the time."

  His glare sharpened, his eyes almost black with anger. "What was his name?"

  "His name tag said Joseph."

  "I'll look into it, but for now, it's into the shower and food, and then we will discuss what happens next." I decided it would be prudent to try to calm the wild beast that was literally vibrating beside me.

  "Yes, Sir," I said.

  He laughed. "Oh, no, you don't get to directly disobey me the moment my back is turned and then say 'Yes, Sir' like that will help lessen your consequences. I don't care if you scream red for an hour."

  I was desperate; I didn't want to pay for my crime.

  "B-but you said we would take this one day at a time and you would respect what I had to say before deciding what to do with me."

  He laughed as the elevator dinged on our floor. We stepped out and into his suite, as it was the only room on this floor. "In the shower, you go, little brat."

  I went into the shower and cleaned up. When I exited the bathroom in nothing but a towel, I found lunch waiting on the deck. I stepped out and sat down. I didn't want to eat as I had so much tension in my gut, but I was also starving and
wolfed down what was on my plate, while Kingsley watched, arms folded.

  I pushed back my plate, and he said, "Okay, Katarina, let's hear why I should listen to you and not go with what I want to do."

  Here it was, the chance to get out of this, to lessen or lose my punishment altogether. But I didn't know what to say. He was right. I was a complete brat, and for the first time, I saw it from his side. If he didn't exercise his dominance, if I asked him not to, it would be like asking him to be less than he was, and I knew what he was when I took this on. If I tried to get out of my punishment, then I wasn't getting to be who I was, either. The girl on the plane, who knew better but didn't admit it, needed this chastisement. So, instead of trying to avoid it, I embraced it. I stood up and moved in front of him. I let my towel fall to the ground, and then I knelt, placing my knees on top, and stared up at Kingsley.

  His expression was unreadable. I thought he would make a great poker player. I blew out a breath and said, "Kingsley, Sir, I am very sorry for what I did. I have no defense; I was a brat and did not listen. In retrospect, I wish I had listened, because I could have drowned. I deserve whatever punishment you decide to give me."

  His expression did not alter, but the darkness in his eyes decreased a little. "I'm proud of you, Katarina, that you are willing to take your punishment. Go inside and stack all the pillows at the end of the bed. I want you lying over them, your ass high in the air. Is that understood?"

  The tears glistened in my eyes, not because of what was about to happen, but because I was repentant. For the first time in my entire adult life, I was upset that someone was upset with me.

  I did what he ordered me to do and waited for Kingsley to deliver my sentence. I felt so naked as I lay over the pillows, my feet at least a foot off the ground. I must have waited for some time, because I think I fell asleep for a few minutes, and when Kingsley entered the bedroom, it startled me.

  "Stretch out your arms, Katarina."

  I did as he said, and he looped the silkiest rope I'd ever felt around my wrist and attached it to the other end of the bed. Then he did the same with my left wrist. My arms were now stretched; there would be no hiding my ass from him. He parted my legs and attached them to each end of the bed. Now, I was feeling very vulnerable.