The Dark Side of Kingsley: A Billionaire Romance Read online

  "Kingsley, I'm afraid."

  He knelt beside me and looked into my tear-stained face. "Katarina, beyond not being able to sit comfortably for the next week, you have nothing to worry about; you are safe." His eyes were no longer black, but they were determined. "Now, will you be brave and take your punishment?"

  There were so many things I wanted to say, but all that came out of my mouth was, "Yes, Sir."

  He stood up, and I was almost shaking in anticipation. I felt lubrication being spread in and around my rear entrance. That was not expected; was he planning on retaking my ass?

  Then I felt something cold and hard slowly enter. It was uncomfortable, and then I felt a tightening sensation and knew he'd put a butt plug in my ass. The tightening was the end of the plug sitting around my entrance. I wanted to squirm, but I couldn't move more than an inch.

  I tried bending my knees to see how much purchase I could get from my arms, when the first zing landed on my upturned ass.

  "Youch!" I hollered and tried to look back to and give him my big, sappy doe eyes in hopes that he'd soon stop, but I couldn't turn my head far enough. I heard the whoosh, and the strap landed on my ass, across both cheeks.

  I howled in protest, but before I could even catch my breath, another one landed right on top of the last one.

  "Yikes!" I screamed.

  Kingsley continued to rain blows upon my backside, and I screamed through the entire ordeal. I lost count of how many he delivered as a new sensation began to take precedence in my body. I could feel my lady parts clench with each blow, and as they clenched, the butt plug moved.

  The strokes that Kingsley rained down on my ass became a combination of searing heat and lustful desire. Alone, the spanking would have been brutal, but with the other sensation to focus on, I begin to look forward to the strap landing on my ass, the closer to the plug the better.

  He must have picked up on the change, too, because he began to focus his blows to the butt plug. The strap hit the end of the plug, sending an electric shock between my legs. I could feel how wet my entrance was and wondered if Kingsley knew how arousing this was.

  He landed at least twenty strokes at the end of the butt plug, and I was now almost out of my mind with need. "Kingsley," I wailed. "Please, Sir, I'll do anything you ask. Just please make me come; I can't take it anymore, please," I begged as the strap landed again at my apex.

  He moved his landing spot to my sit spot, and with the intensity gone, I was feeling every single stroke. After about twenty more, he finally spoke. "Anything, Katarina?"

  "Yes, yes, yes, Sir, anything, I swear, and if I don't listen, I promise I will never whine again when you want to discipline me. I promise," I screeched as he landed a particularly hard blow on the tops of my thighs.

  Then suddenly, it stopped, and Kingsley was bent by my side. "Katarina, tell me why you are being punished."

  I hated admission. As my need to run away was so instinctual, I would say anything to be able to move my limbs. King stood and walked away while I lay panting with my steaming backside still on full display. Then I felt a whole new other sensation, the hairbrush, on top of my already crisp skin. It was terrible. "Ahh," I screamed.

  He peppered my backside with ten and then asked again, "Why are you being punished, Katarina. I can keep this up all night if I have to."

  I was beginning to feel like he was a priest and, I, the penitent confessor. "Because I directly disobeyed you. Because, in doing that, I almost drowned. Because I was thoughtless and selfish. And I wanted to prove you wrong, Kingsley; that's the worst part. If I'd gotten away with it, I wouldn't have even told you. I was going to come back and jump in the pool, so you would think I had been there the entire time. I'm a naughty girl, and I'm also a very sorry one."

  "Is there anything else you want to say before we move forward?"

  "Yes, on the plane, I wasn't entirely truthful. I liked what you did to me. But I was so embarrassed by liking it and scared of my feelings. I'm still scared of what I like and want."

  "What scared you, Katarina?"

  "I want you, Kingsley. I want to be the natural submissive you say I am, that I know I am, but I'm afraid to be. I'm sneaky and self-serving and spoiled, and I'm not sure I can give you all the control over me."

  He sighed and stroked my back. "Katarina, I don't want to control you. I want to enjoy you and keep you safe and help you grow as a person and a woman. I want you to grow into the person you want to be, whatever that is. I have no interest in controlling every inch of your life. But, if you willingly put yourself in danger, you will answer to me. If you need extra guidance, I will give it, but in the end, it's all for naught if you can't be yourself."

  I heard the truth in his words and felt them bloom in my heart. I began to cry; he was offering me more than any other person on planet Earth had ever offered me, unconditional love. I realized at that moment that I loved him and loved what he was.

  "Kingsley, I love you."

  He smiled softly. "I love you, too, Katarina, right from the moment I saw you outside my club. You surprised me with your bravery, and you still do."

  The tears stopped, and he untied the ropes. When my arms and legs were set free, he had me climb on the bed on my hands and knees. "Are you ready for your reward, Ms. Kate?"

  "Yes, Sir."

  "I'm going to fuck you silly, and you don't need to ask for permission to come."

  Oh, happy day! He left the plug, and when he entered my swollen, wet folds, I quickly learned why. With each slam of his pelvis, the plug in my ass also jolted. I was a fiery hot mess, and within seconds, my orgasm exploded through me, shattering me into a thousand pieces.

  Time stood still, and I became a wave of sensations that crested and began again. I was brought back by Kingsley finally shooting his load. I collapsed on the bed, unable to move anything. He removed the butt plug and cleaned me up.

  We climbed under the covers, and when the blanket touched my ass, I yelped.

  He laughed. "You'll be feeling tender for days, little brat; serves you right."

  "Yes, Sir, it does," I said, closing my eyes, and I was unconscious in seconds.

  Chapter 11

  Kingsley

  Katarina was asleep in seconds; she'd had a rough day. Her developing self-awareness was staggering, and she had come further in a few days than I could have possibly hoped. I watched her sleep, a common occurrence for me these days. I contemplated her, me, and us as a couple as I watched her. She was so powerful, a force when she was awake, but while sleeping, she looked timeless and peaceful and very beautiful.

  I finally tore my eyes away and went out to the deck to gaze at the ocean. The moon was full, and it lit up the sea like a torch. She was right; this place was breathtaking. It had been too long since I'd been here last. I knew every staff member personally, and I had never heard of a Joseph. Could he be so new that I hadn't had the chance yet?

  I called down to Henri in HR. He wasn't on duty, but I knew he would answer my call. Since he lived in the hotel, Henri rarely separated himself from his work. Another reason why I hadn't been here in so long, between Henri and my GM, I didn't have to be here.

  "Mr. Deveraux, I heard you were here; welcome back."

  "Thank you, Henri. I need you to do something for me."

  "Of course, sir, how can I help?"

  "I'm sure you heard about our deck diver today?"

  "I did," he sighed. "I'm thankful she was rescued. That is a hazardous area."

  "Yes," I answered, "it is dangerous, and she was escorted to the deck and told that it was common practice here at the hotel."

  "What? Who would say such a thing?" I heard the indignation in his voice and knew I had called the right man to help me figure out the mystery employee.

  "That's why I'm calling. According to Ms. Wallington, she met up with a staff member named Joseph, who took her down the service elevator to the jump site. I've been thinking, most of our staff have been employed since I bought the
hotel, and I don't ever remember seeing a Joseph. I need you to find out what you can and get back to me ASAP."

  "Of course, sir. I'll call back shortly."

  I pressed end on my cell phone and grabbed myself a whiskey from the outdoor bar. As I stared into the inky night, I wondered if something else was afoot. Would someone intentionally harm Kate? Or was this purely accidental? If it was, why hadn't this Joseph character come and presented himself, begging to keep his job?

  My phone vibrated, and I answered it.

  "Sir, it's Henri. I have checked out the database for Joseph and Joe, and we do not have a staff member here with that name."

  I sighed, rubbing my free hand down my jaw. Something was going on.

  "How do you want me to handle this, sir?"

  "Henri, either one of two things have happened. Whoever it was works here and used a fake name, in which case, someone else who works here must know something. Or, an outsider has come into the hotel, intending to harm Ms. Wallington."

  "I can put out a notice that any staff member working the day shift today needs to report to me."

  "I want to interview them all. How many staff were working?"

  "Hang on, sir, let me check. Fifty, I will send out a message right now for all of them. What time, and do you want them together or separate interviews?"

  I thought about it. Did I want them all together? "No, Henri, space them out ten minutes apart, and I'll use my office. I want to intimidate them into telling the truth if they know something. And, I want no one coming up to my suite unless preauthorized by me. Until I know what is going on, I don't want Katarina at risk while I'm not here to protect her, got it?"

  "Yes, sir, anything else?"

  "Yes, are there any recent hires?"

  "Four, do you want those first?"

  "Were they on the schedule for today?"

  "Yes, sir."

  "Good, I want you to approach each one and send those four to me first. With any luck, I can figure this out sooner rather than later. I have a feeling, if someone is up to something, it's going to be in the new hires. And, Henri, let's keep this between us for the time being."

  "Yes, sir."

  "Good man, I'll see you in the morning at 8:00 am for my first interview. Goodnight."

  "Goodnight, sir."

  I hung up, a feeling of foreboding filling me. Something wasn't right, and the more I thought about it, the more I believed that someone was out to hurt Katarina, but why? What was there to gain from her demise? I thought about her parents. As an only child, would she be insured, and for how much? I couldn't see the Silicon Valley tycoon needing insurance money, but then again, I didn't pay much attention to what was going on with his businesses.

  I phoned my cousin and best friend, Devon Rutherford. Ruthless Rutherford was his name in the industry. He came from a long line of Scotland Yard investigators and literally had connections all over the world. It was late, but I knew he would answer.

  "Deveraux, what are you doing in Greece with the little Silicon Valley heiress?"

  I laughed. "You know me, Dev, out wandering the world with a beautiful woman."

  "Right, well, I do know you, and other than social engagements, you never wander the world with beautiful women, so what's up?"

  I quickly explained what had happened and my thoughts regarding Katarina's family. I also told him about my dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Wallington and my thoughts on her father. "Honestly, Devon, the man's a spiteful prick; it wouldn't surprise me if he is behind this."

  "He has some dicey business deals; his name has been circulating around lately. I'll see what I can find out, King. By the way, cuz, I'm in New York in a few days. I can reroute my flight back and see you in Cali, with what I find out."

  "We're headed to New York as well, day after tomorrow. How about we meet up for lunch?"

  "Right, at the plaza?"

  "Of course."

  "I'll meet you there. I assume you'll have a room for me."

  "Yeah, no problem, see you then."

  I hung up my phone, feeling better with a plan in motion. I always felt better when a plan was set in motion, especially when things were not as they seemed. I needed plans to feel in control. The funny thing about Katarina is she made me feel out of control.

  She was like a drug, and then when I heard that someone had jumped, I knew it was her. I thought I was going to have a heart attack getting down to the beach and out into the water. I'm in good shape, but I had to hustle to keep her from drowning, and the entire time, I prayed I'd be in time. I never pray, and I rarely, if ever, feel out of control.

  But now, it seemed she needed me in more ways than one. If her father was up to something shady, would he try to take out his own daughter? Or maybe he owed someone money, someone who was more than happy to hang his only daughter in front of him like bait.

  If he did, then the bad guys didn't know him very well, I don't think he gave a damn about his one and only precious girl. In a way, it was too bad he could never see her for what she was, but then again, the type of bully he was, he would have destroyed her. It was my win this way. I got to have and mold her.

  The moon had disappeared, and the night was very dark. I decided I needed a few hours of shut eye if I was going to be at my best. I walked in to find Kate thrashing in bed in the throes of a nightmare. I crawled in behind her and pulled her in tight. "Shh, Katarina, you're okay; sleep now." She pressed her still hot ass into my groin and went back to sleep. Exhausted, I followed and didn't stir until my alarm went off at seven am.

  I was fresh out of the shower when Katarina woke up. She sat up and hissed, quickly rolling onto her tummy. I tried not to laugh at her expense, but she could be so comical, it was hard not to. I strode to the bed and looked down at her ass. It was swollen and red with seven distinct leather marks from her thighs to her sit spot.

  "Would you like me to find some sandpaper for you to sit on, Katarina?"

  She threw her pillow at me. "Hilarious, King. Are you going somewhere?"

  "Yes, I have an impromptu meeting this morning. Don't worry about getting up; we're going to stay here today and head to New York tomorrow. My cousin is flying in from London and is meeting us at the hotel for a late lunch tomorrow afternoon. I thought we could do cocktails with Ethan and Pam later that night. Does that sound good?"

  "Oh, I think that sounds great, but let me find out if they're available."

  She reached for her phone, and I got a shiver that ran up my spine.

  "Wait, Katarina, don't use that phone." I handed her mine. She looked confused but took it, and after punching in the numbers, she went out onto the deck to talk to him. I took her phone apart and took out the SIM card. If her father was in on her potential demise, it would make sense he would be tracking her on her phone.

  I flushed the card and then smashed her phone. She chose that moment to walk back in, her eyes wide with surprise.

  "I'll explain later; use my phone until I can get you a burner. And don't use it unless you absolutely have to."

  "Kingsley, is there something wrong?"

  "I don't know yet, Kate, but I want you safe. Please stay here, swim, eat, nap. Would you like a massage? I can send someone up, maybe a pedicure?"

  "Um, a Mani Pedi sounds wonderful, but not a massage. I don't want anyone but you to see my ass."

  I pulled her to me and kissed her deeply, my tongue probing her mouth, and my cock hardening against her. "Afraid people will know your boyfriend spanks you?" I meant it as a gentle joke, but she seemed to take the comment seriously.

  "Yes, sort of. I want to shout it from the rooftops, my boyfriend loves me, and, yes, he smacks my ass! Another part of me wants to hide under a rock and never see or talk to another human being ever again, except you."

  "I see, well, let's hope I never have to spank you in public, or the part that wants to hide under a rock may win." I laughed.

  She playfully punched me in the arm. 'Ugh, you're an awful tease, you know that, Dev
ereaux?"

  My eyes widened. "Why, you little minx, you're calling me Deveraux now? We'll see about that." I grabbed her burning globes and squeezed. She yelped and squirmed out of my arms, running out of the room. I laughed and gave chase. We did several rounds before I caught her and gave some playful smacks on her perfect, round ass.

  "Listen," I said, on a more serious note. "What are the rules for this morning?"

  "Hmm, jump off a ledge and run up your expense account?"

  I couldn't help but laugh at the gleam in her eye as she teased me. Then she rolled her eyes as I waited for a proper response. "Stay here, swim, eat, get a pedicure. Got it. Anything else?"

  "Yes, stay off the phone unless absolutely necessary. If you need to phone me, look in contacts under KW. That's my work cell, which I have with me, and listen, Katarina, if anything feels off to you, or you just don't feel right being here alone, text me. I will come right away, okay?"

  Her brows creased. "I certainly hope you fill me in on what's going on. You're kind of scaring me." I held her close and peered into her lovely blues. "No need to worry, Katarina. I will keep you safe. And…" I added, holding her back at arm's length, "…the lunch pairing we were supposed to have yesterday, we will have today." I slapped her ass. "Better get your robe, Katarina, I don't want the expediter who is bringing you breakfast to see you naked."

  I kissed her one more time and then headed down to my office. I had half an hour until my first staff member would arrive. I phoned Henri to make sure our plan was in place, and he assured me it was. When I heard a knock on my door an hour later, I thundered, "Enter."

  A terrified looking Italian woman who looked to be in her sixties stood just inside the door. I beckoned her to take a seat. Her name was Rosa Carerra. Through our ten minutes together, I learned that Rosa had just started working because her husband died. She had four grown children and six grandchildren and had bills from the funeral and a mortgage to pay. I made some notes on her husband's name and date of death and added a note to pay off Rosa's mortgage and give her a wage increase.