Hacked For Love & The Dom's Songbird: A Billionaire Romance Collection by Michelle Love, Celeste Fall (9)

Tanner came and sat back down. “These are a couple of students I may use as interns if we end up having to go to court.” He tapped Steele’s knee that was exposed as her black skirt had ridden up as she sat down on the large chair that barely allowed her feet touch the floor. “This young lady is Steele Gannon.”

Steele let her eyes flicker up, but not long enough for the man to think she was eyeballing him or whatever the dominating people called it.

“Hello, Sir,” she said quietly.

“Look at me when you’re speaking to me,” he told her.

Her heart was pounding as she’d heard the man from last night say nearly the same thing and with the same tone to his deep voice. Her eyes snapped to his, and she stopped breathing.

It was him. His hair had been cut, the silky waves shorn, leaving only the slightest curl at the end of his dark hair. His face was still covered by the meticulously groomed dark beard and his dark eyes danced as they stared into hers.

“I am Arsen Sloan, Steele Gannon. What a strong name. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard a woman called something that strong before.” His tongue ran over his lips with a quick motion that made her heart speed up.

“My father named me. Thank you for the compliment, sir.” She had no idea if she was supposed to drop her eyes or not, but she couldn’t stop looking at him. All she wanted to do was jump over the desk and pull his mouth to hers in a hot kiss.

“No thanks necessary.” He looked at Rowan. “And who is this, Tanner?”

“Rowan Stevens, my other top student,” Tanner said as he gestured to Rowan.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Sloan,” Rowan said.

“You too. Now tell me are the two of you supposed to work closely together if this becomes a case?” Arsen asked Rowan.

Rowan gave him a nod.

“Not to worry sir, we can work well together, I assure you.”

Steele was back to looking at her lap as all types of thoughts were storming her brain. The man from last night might be a murderer. Never had she done something so reckless and she’d gotten into a probable murderer’s car and allowed him to fuck her like a damn prostitute. Her stomach was twisting on itself and bile was rising in her throat.

“Can you?” The way his voice sounded he must be looking at her and she lifted her eyes and found he was.

“Of course, Sir,” she answered.

“Arsen, call me Arsen, Steele,” he said with a commanding tone.

“Of course, Arsen.” Her hands twisted in her lap and he looked at them.

“No need to be nervous, Steele,” he said, his voice much softer, reminding her of how soft he could be.

But he could be hard as hell too and she was still mentally berating herself for being so foolish and doing what she did with him. She wasn’t fool enough not to realize that telling Tanner she knew Arsen was not a thing she was supposed to do. But she felt like saying it then running from the room.

Tanner patted her knee and her eyes flew to Arsen. He was frowning as Tanner said, “She’ll be fine, Arsen. It’s just this is her first case.”

Steele could tell that Arsen didn’t like Tanner touching her, so she shifted in the chair, crossing her legs away from Tanner so he didn’t tap her knee anymore. Her actions had Arsen’s eyes darting to her and his lips pulled back into a smile.

She smiled too, happy for some damn reason that she saw what he wanted her to do and did it without thinking much about it. Steele knew she should stay far away from the man who might be a killer, but she was drawn to him like she never knew possible. To make him mad at her for any reason was a thing she didn’t want to do.

The meeting went on as Tanner talked just a little about the way the women were murdered, but Arsen put a quick stop to it. “There’s really no reason to remind me, Tanner. It’s really not a thing I like to talk about and won’t unless they charge me and I have to.”

Tanner looked at Steele then down at the notes she’d been taking.

“I understand that, Arsen. I would like to get ahead of the police on this thing just in case they do throw the charges at you with rapid fire. Your phone records I’ll need and access to all your email accounts.”

Incredibly, Arsen’s already dark eyes darkened even more as he said, “I know you need those things, Tanner. I’ll send it all to you in an email later today. For now, I really need to get out here. So, we’ll keep in touch.” He stood and so they then left Arsen alone in his office.

Steele fought the urge to stay and when Arsen called out after them she thought he might be about to ask her to stay. Instead he said, “Leave all of your cell numbers with the receptionist. In case I want to talk to the interns.”

Her heart sped up, and she thought he might be looking for a way to talk to her again. Steele knew that wasn’t safe or the right thing to do, but her body was overriding her mind by leaps and bounds.

After leaving their numbers they went back to Tanner’s car and were barely inside it when Steele’s cell rang. She pulled it from her purse and saw a number she didn’t recognize.

She nearly refused the call when Tanner looked over her shoulder at the phone.

“Answer it, it may by Arsen.”

She did as he said. “Hello, Steele Gannon here.”

“Save this number, Steele Gannon,” she heard Arsen’s voice tell her.

“Yes, Sir,” she said, trying hard not to smile.

“I want to meet with you alone,” he said.

She looked at Tanner with wide eyes. “He’d like to meet with me.”

Tanner nodded, and she said, “Of course. Where?”

“Get out of that car and into mine. Don’t you see Paul holding the door open for you a couple of cars over?” Arsen said.

She looked out the window and saw Paul dressed in a black suit holding open the back door of the Escalade Arsen had taken her in last night. She was sweating bullets as she looked at Tanner.

“He wants me to go get in his car.” She pointed to his waiting driver.

“Do it,” Tanner said.

“Okay, I’ll be in the car,” she told Arsen, and he ended the call without another word.

Before she got out she asked Tanner, “Are you sure about this? I mean he might be a murderer.”

“He’d be a damn fool if anything happened to you with the two of us knowing he asked you to meet with him and had his car take you. You can’t be a chicken, Steele. You have to get to know your clients and they all will be accused of terrible things. The closer you can get, the more you can find out and the better you can help them to get off the charges.” Tanner patted her leg. “Keep your wits about you.”

She nodded and got out of the car and walked up to Paul who smiled. “You,” he said under his breath. “Imagine that.”

“Hi, Paul. Yeah, it’s me.” She climbed into the car she had gotten into less than twenty-four hours earlier and found the smell of leather and Arsen’s expensive cologne making her head lighter than it already was.

Paul pointed to a small refrigerator.

“Get yourself something to drink. You should really calm way down before you see him again.”

“Is it showing how much I’m freaking out?” she asked with a nervous laugh.

He nodded. “By the way, Arsen told me your name. It’s nice to officially meet you, Steele Gannon.”

“You too, Paul.”

The door closed, leaving her in the dark backseat of the car. The buttons from her shirt he’d ripped open the night before were still all over the floor. She smiled and took a beer from the fridge.

What was his plan for her?

ARSEN

Pacing in his office, Arsen had never been more nervous. It was infuriating him that the young woman had such an effect on him. Never did a woman make him nervous, yet she did somehow.

When he’d walked into his office to meet with the legal staff he’d just hired to represent him if he was officially charged with the murders, he nearly dropped to his knees when he saw her.

The woman from last night. The woman who he thought he’d never see again. He didn’t know her name because he hadn’t asked it. He kicked himself all the way home for not getting her number, name and apartment number.

He knew he’d want to see her again, but the things hanging over his head were not things he wanted to tell her about. But now she knew about them, so that was an issue no longer. And she was being taken to his penthouse and would be waiting at home for him.

Arsen knew that he should leave the young thing alone. He had so much going on after all. He may not be around to keep her anyway.

She had to be freaking out about what she had done. Steele didn’t seem the type who did that sort of thing. Her tight as hell pussy sure didn’t seem to be used much, but she sure seemed to like it.

She did so well following his commands. Not many could hold back an orgasm just because he said to. She showed great restraint, and he loved that. Steel showed promise she’d make an excellent sub. But would she even want that?

The girl was trying to become a lawyer. A criminal lawyer. Would the lifestyle he led be a thing she could accept? Could she let him control her? Is that even a thing he wanted?

Why break a free spirit? If that’s what she was.

He took out a bottle of Jack Daniels and tossed a shot of it down his throat. Arsen should be calling Paul and telling him to get the girl out of his penthouse. That was the smart thing to do.

But his body was overruling his brain, and he was walking out the door to take his Jaguar to his penthouse. Thinking could come later after he saw if she’d let him have a piece of her again.

If she was smart, she wouldn’t!

He got into his car and crossed his fingers that she’d not be smart, at least for the rest of that day, anyway.

STEELE

A large window overlooked the San Francisco Bay and Steele held her third beer as she gazed out at it. The alcohol had taken the edge off and she was feeling quite lucid.

The sound of his shoes clicking and clacking as he walked out of the elevator which led to the penthouse she heard coming up behind her. She spun around and placed the beer bottle on a small table beside her and readied herself to tell the man she’d slept with the night before that she was never going to do that again.

His dark eyes leveled on hers as he pulled his dark blue tie loose and ripped his shirt open at the top, the top couple of buttons flying away. Her heart pounded as he strode towards her. His face was set, jaw tense, and muscles bulging.

Her mouth opened to speak, but he was on her before a word could pass her lips. His mouth crashed on hers hard and his tongue thrust into her mouth. His tongue raked over hers and his hands were everywhere, holding her body to his.

One hand grabbed one of her legs hoisting her up to wrap her legs around him. Steele’s mind was gone, and she did as he wanted. Because she now knew that she wanted it too and no matter how strong her mind was, the attraction they had was stronger.

His erection throbbed against her soft core and she moaned in desire for him and quickly stopped. But he did nothing to stop it as he began walking, carrying her to another room.

His mouth held hers as he kissed her like a man who thought he might never get to again. The sound of a door opening then slamming shut she barely heard as her heart was beating so hard and loudly she could barely hear a thing except that.

His mouth left hers and she looked at him as he tossed her onto a bed. She looked around the room and found it done in dark colors, red, and dark chocolate browns. It looked like something a man with his wants would have.

“Strip,” he said as he stood back and started unbuttoning the rest of the buttons on his white shirt.

She noticed the black jacket he’d taken off, and he was stepping out of his dress shoes. Steele thought about saying they should talk, but once he dropped his pants and his huge erection sprang out, she forgot what she wanted to say anyway.

Steele shimmied out of the tight, black pencil skirt and pulled the blue blouse off over her head. She managed to get the bra unclasped before he pounced on her as he had finished undressing.

He pulled it off this time without ripping it, but her black lace panties were history as he ripped them off. Arsen pinned her body beneath his and kissed her again. Hard and wanting, he kissed her as his huge cock pushed into her.

The pain reignited, and she writhed under him. He pounded into her as she wiggled as the burning sensation was nearly unbearable. His hand wrapped up in her hair and he pulled it hard.

His mouth left hers and he ran his tongue up her neck then his teeth bit her earlobe. “Be still,” he said.

Steele stopped wiggling. “It burns.”

“After how I fucked the shit out of you last night, it better burn,” he said as he continued to thrust hard strokes into her.

His words had her going to another place and for some reason she thought how hot it was that he was so brutally honest with her. She raised her knees to better accommodate him and he pushed even harder into her.

The pain turned to pleasure quickly, and she arched up to meet his thrusts. The wind left her lungs with every hard thrust he made. Her hands ran over his short hair and she moaned at how silky soft it was.

He let her moan, and she whispered, “I wish I could’ve run my hands through it when it was longer.”

“Shh,” he said in her ear. “No talking, only fucking.” His hot mouth moved down her neck then over her chest. He landed on her breast and bit her nipple hard.

“Oww!” she yelped and he let it go and stopped moving.

His eyes searched hers, darting rapidly back and forth. “Did that really hurt you?”

His eyes were narrowed at her and she found herself wondering if it did really hurt. “Not really, just surprised me I guess.”

“If I really hurt you, our safe word is rose. Okay? Do you understand me?” He ended his sentence with a tender kiss to her nipple which kind of ached for him to bite it again.

Steele nodded. “Rose, I got it. Okay, and just so you know, you can bite it again. It’s kind of nice.”

His smile went all the way over his gorgeous face and she couldn’t help herself as she took it between her palms and pulled him into a kiss. Her lips touched his softly, and he returned a gentle kiss. His tongue stroking her lips.

Arsen pulled his head back and looked at her. “You’re beautiful, Steele. I’m so glad I saw you again.”

“Me too. I could hardly get you out of my mind,” she confessed.

“Me too,” he said then kissed her again softly as he made long, slow strokes.

His hands roamed over her soft body, and he moaned as he caressed her silky skin. Her hands ran over his muscled back and she loved he way the muscles felt.

His body was perfect, and she wanted to taste every inch of it. He was being gentle with her and she liked it, but she loved it when he was rough. She raked her nails over his back and his kiss hardened.

Arsen ran his hands back and took hers into them, pulling them over her head and holding them down with one hand. He pulled his mouth off hers and smiled.

“Scratching, huh? I can fix that.”

He got up and left her lying on the bed. She watched him grab his tie off the floor and come back. He looped it around her wrists, then the other end over the bedpost. She smiled at him as he resumed his position above her.

“Now I’m going to let you have it. Remember, no coming until I say or I will have to.”

She smiled and interrupted him, “I know, spank me until I cry. I remember, don’t worry.”

His eyes went dark, and he growled. “Why did you have to come into my life at this horrible time? You’re fucking perfect for me.”

With that he took her breast and bit it hard, her body arched up but she stifled her scream as he slammed back into her. Her body shook with relief as he pounded her again.

The way he took her like a savage was a thing she found more than exciting. Every nerve was on fire. Every fiber of her being was relishing in the assault his body was making on hers. One of his hands fisted in her hair and he pulled it hard.

Her arms strained against the bond he had her in and she ached to run her hands over his body. She could see the muscles as they rippled over his back with his harsh thrusts. He was using every one of them to pound his hard cock into her tender pussy.

She shuddered as an orgasm began to build and she knew she couldn’t let it go. She wrapped her legs around him to try to hold herself back. She found herself aching to let it all go.

She knew damn well he knew she was fighting to hold on and he reached between them and squeezed her clit between his fingers. He sucked on her breast hard, making her stomach tighten in some deep place with every hard suck he made.

He was going to make her come and then what would he do to her? She held on, clenching her teeth and then she decided to try to make him come so he’d let her.

She did a few Kegel exercises and after about ten of them he groaned and took one last pull on her breast then looked up at her.

“Come.”

Steele found the sound she made a thing she didn’t know she was capable of as her body let go and she felt as if an enormous wave was crashing over her.

Arsen’s body tensed as he shot into her. He groaned like an animal then lay on top of her, letting their bodies pulse around the others.

ARSEN

Arsen had never let anyone control him sexually since Mistress Sinclair. He wasn’t about to let the young thing get the best of him. He finally pulled his head up after both had caught their breaths. He kissed her lips softly then pulled back to look at her.

Her skin was flushed, and she smiled weakly at him.

“My arms hurt.”

He rolled off and untied her, then rubbed her wrists and arms.

“Better?”

She watched him as he carefully rubbed her shoulders.

“That was something, thanks.”

He tweaked her nose and put his hands on either side of her.

“I know what you did to get me to come, Steele.”

She blushed. “You did?”

He nodded. “Sneaky, don’t you think?”

She shook her head. “It got the job done is what I think. You were torturing me.”

One eyebrow raised. “Was I?”

“Well, you know, not actual torture, but my body wanted to release so bad and you were adding more and more stimulation until I was about to come without you telling me to and I knew where that would leave me,” she said and ran a hand across his cheek.

Arsen ran his fingertips over her collarbone and spoke softly, “Steele, I can’t allow that sort of thing. I realize you didn’t know that, so this time there’ll be no punishment for it, but if there is a next time then there will be.”

“Well, what will the punishment be because I may be able to put up with that to get what I want,” she giggled, and he kissed her to quiet her.

“That isn’t how this works, Steele. The punishments are meant to get you to stop the behavior I don’t approve of. If it doesn’t detour you from doing what it is I don’t want you to do, then I’ll have to go to the next level and you don’t want that, do you?” He stroked her arms.

“Arsen, I’m not one of those women. I don’t want to be controlled.”

His laugh came from deep in his chest.

“You sure about that? Because your body begs to be controlled by me.”

Steele looked away and sighed. He pulled her face back to look at him and kissed her softly again. When he released her lips, she said, “You’re right.”

He smiled. “Another thing I think is perfect about you is that you’re truthful. Many women are stubborn and hate to admit things. I wish I didn’t have this thing hanging over my head. I wish you weren’t on my legal team and not really a woman I should be even thinking about making into my submissive.”

“Wait? What?” she asked her face riddled with confusion.

The way her eyes went wide had him thinking he’d jumped the gun and said too much.

“I can see that’s something which hasn’t occurred to you.”

Steele pulled her body to sit up, and she leaned against one of the mountainous pillows on his bed.

“Okay, time to talk, Arsen. Those women who you might be accused of killing. Tell me about your relationship with them.”

His face went void, and he got up, strolling in all his glory to the bathroom adjoined to his bedroom. He left her waiting for him to return and when he did he brought in a bottle of water. He took a long drink then handed it to her.

“Drink.”

She took the bottle and a drink then handed it back to him.

“Okay, now tell me.”

She’d wrapped the blanket around her tightly, covering her breasts.

“Steele, I didn’t ask you to come here to tell you anything. I don’t want to talk about them.”

“But I kind of need you too. You see, you’re accused of some bad shit, Arsen. Should I be afraid of you?” Her blue eyes hammered him as she looked at him more than he’d ever allowed anyone to.

“Yes and no,” he said. “You see, I’m sure to make you do things you never thought yourself capable of doing. But as far as killing you, no, you have nothing to fear. I’m innocent of those crimes.”

She let out a sigh, and he knew she was thinking that he might have been guilty.

“I didn’t think you really could kill anyone, but I don’t know you at all.”

“No one really does, so don’t feel bad,” he said as he climbed up next to her and ran his arm around her shoulders. “My story is long and full of terrible things I don’t like to recall. The things I’ve done with women I think are my business and mine alone. Don’t you feel like your sexual business is yours to keep to yourself?”

Steele was eerily quiet, and he found that disturbing. Finally, she said, “I don’t want to tell anyone about how much I enjoy what it is you do to me, if that’s what you mean.”

“Why is that, do you suppose?” he asked then left a kiss on top of her head.

“The obvious reasons. It would make me seem weak and you seem controlling and mean,” she answered.

“As long as you don’t see me like that is all that matters to me,” he said. He tilted her face so he could see her expression. “You don’t think that, do you?”

She shook her head and smiled. “I just never knew I’d want to be done that way. But I don’t want to tell a soul about it, to be honest with you. And to stay in the strain of being honest, I don’t want to be your submissive. I wouldn’t mind dating and seeing where this leads though.”

“Dating,” Arsen said as if he’d just tasted something awful. “I’m not a dating kind of man.”

“I bet you’re not. And the fact is that we can’t really be seen going to the movies and holding hands as we walk through parks,” she said then laughed a little.

“Not that I’d do that sort of thing anyway,” he said with a chuckle.

“Nah, you’d never stoop to such a low-brow thing.” She ran her hand across his chiseled chest.

“You get me, Steele. Somehow I can see that you get who I am without really knowing a damn thing about me,” he said as he ran his fingers along her neck. He pushed the blanket away from her breasts and ran his fingers over one of them. “Your body is beautiful.”

“Said the man with the perfect body.” Steele sighed. “This is such bad timing. But maybe it’s really the perfect time as you don’t seem the type to conform and I, well, I have a goal to get to and being anyone’s submissive isn’t on my agenda.”

With her words Arsen felt himself shifting inside. Could he bend the rules for her? Could he live life a bit differently? Or could he manage to get her to come to see why he needed things the way he did?

“I have no idea if I even have the time to do this with you, Steele. I could be picked up by the police at any given moment after all. But I might not either. The thought of not being with you like this anymore is a thing that makes my stomach hurt. And I’ve already exhibited way too many of my past weaknesses with what’s happening to me. You make me feel strong and hopeful. With you a part of not only my life, but my legal team as well, I think I can manage to live through this crisis in my life.”

She looked at him and took his face in her hands. “Arsen, please never talk about not being able to live through anything. You can make it through whatever is thrown at you. I’m sure of that. The thought of dropping your case and walking away from you is a thing that would break me down. I think above anything else, you can teach me strength. In more than one way.”

Arsen was confused by his feelings for this young woman who laid in his arms. She was a child in so many ways, but she had something about her that told Arsen she was so much more and she was meant to be in his life. Maybe his life needed changing. Maybe hers did too.

“The things I could teach you are things you’ve never even thought about, I bet. For instance, did you know you hold so much power to influence people using your body, and I don’t mean giving it to them?” He stroked her hair and had to lean in and smell it.

“Body language, you mean?” she asked as she lay her head on his chest and ran her fingers in circles over his abs.

“Yes, but it’s so much more in depth than just how you do little things. The moment I saw you, I had a strange reaction to you that I’ve never had before. I also have never talked this much to anyone, especially a woman. You do something to me, Steele.” He leaned over her and kissed her cheek. “This is crazy and I know it, but please try this thing with me. We can hide it until all this legal shit is over.”

Steele’s body froze in his arms as she tensed up.

“Arsen, are you asking me to see you in secret?”

“I am, but much more than that. I want you to start to learn about how it is I want this relationship to be. Fuck, I can’t believe I used the word, relationship. I haven’t had one since, well, in forever. And that one ended horribly, but I always say that you should do what scares you or your life is no life at all. It’s time I follow my own advice.” He pulled her up so they could be face to face.

Her large breasts were a bit distracting, and she was breathing a lot with what he figured was excitement. “Arsen, I can’t be everything you want in a woman. If you expect me to not look at you unless you tell me to, I can tell you right now, that shit will get old quick. Some crazy sex I can handle, but all the rest, I think that’s going to be impossible.”

“All the rest can come in baby steps, and it doesn’t have to be any more than what you want.” He cupped her chin and gave her lips a feathery kiss.

“I could be really good for you and you for me, once I show you how great life is when you follow my rules.”

“Your rules,” Steele said. “I do have to say that you must be right about holding onto an orgasm until the other person is ready to climax too. That was right. You do have to speed up your climax though.” She laughed.

Arsen frowned.

“If I asked that of you would that be appropriate?”

Steele looked as if she was contemplating what he said, yet another thing he absolutely adored about her was the fact she would think about things before answering. Steele said, “No, it wouldn’t.”

“So a small set of rules for you to get used to wouldn’t be too much to ask for a woman who is not my sub as of yet?” he asked.

“Or maybe never,” she said. “How would you feel if I never felt like being put in that category?”

Arsen had to stop and think. He had to be honest with himself as well. He was a man who had a single purpose for women in his life. Not a night had passed with him staying in a sub’s bed or her staying in his. Would Steele understand that?

“How about we both bend some of our own personal rules for ourselves? For instance, I’ve never allowed a sub to stay in my bed all night, nor did I stay in theirs. But, I’d like you to stay the night with me. This is a huge rule that I’m letting go for you, so you can let something go for me. I’m all about your safety at all times.”

Steele’s face pinched as she asked, “Your girlfriends never got to spend the night with you?”

Arsen frowned. “None of the women who have been my subs or other sexual partners were my girlfriends. For that matter, nor will you be. I don’t do girlfriends, Steele. I do business transactions.”

“You’re the one who said the word relationship, not me,” Steele reminded him.

Arsen found himself at a loss for words. He was being a man that he wasn’t. He was being the same stupid boy he was with Beth, offering her all he had to give only to be tossed away like trash when he couldn’t stand up to her father.

“I might be wrong about this whole thing,” he said. “Forget about it. I’ll have Paul take you home. Go get a shower and dress.”

Steele could tell something had gone through his mind that shut him down. “I’ll do it, Arsen. I’ll take your secret relationship offer and we can see how this works out with no one being any the wiser if it doesn’t. You can set some rules for me and I can see if I can live my life while following them. You have proven to me that at least one of your rules makes me quite happy after all.”

Arsen shook his head, had she said what he thought he’d heard?

“Are you sure, Steele? I mean, I can’t make you any promises. I can’t tell you there won’t be punishments for breaking my rules. You have to understand that.”

She snuggled into his wide chest and smiled up at him. “As you told me, that’s how I learn to stop doing the thing that makes you crazy, right?”

“Right,” he said.

“So, what are your rules, Arsen?” she asked.

He had so many he had to think. He couldn’t dole out any hard ones or she might not stay and he wanted her to stay more than he’d ever wanted anything in his life.

STEELE

After a hot shower while Arsen left her alone to go write his rules down for her, Steele toweled off and wrapped the fluffy white towel around her body. Her arms ached a little from being tied up, but she loved it and ran her hands up and down them, remembering how awesome the whole thing had been with Arsen earlier.

The bedroom door opened and Arsen came in wearing only black pajama bottoms. Steele’s breath halted as she thought him the most beautiful man she’d ever seen.

“Hey,” she said.

His reaction was instant.

“Don’t speak to me until I speak to you, Steele.”

She looked down as his tone was harsh and it was a reaction she didn’t seem to be able to control. She pressed her lips together in a hard line. Standing still, she had no idea of where he wanted her.

He took her arm and pulled her to sit on the edge of the bed. Arsen handed her the paper that was full of his rules. She looked up at him as he paced in front of her.

“You want me to read these now?”

He stopped.

“Yes. Out loud please and ask me about anything you don’t understand.”

Steele cleared her throat as Arsen resumed his pacing.

“Steele must do as Master says at all times.”

She stopped and shook her head. He looked at her.

“What? Of course you know that’s the first rule, Steele.”

“Um, I’m not your sub and you’re not my Master, so that word will have to be stricken from this document if you expect me to take it seriously.” She looked directly into his dark eyes and found them boring into hers.

“It’s just a term, we use. How would you have me write it?” he asked.

“Just put your name in place of every single use of the word, ‘Master.’ I can’t express to you enough how degrading that feels to me. I will not be degraded at any time, Arsen.” She looked back at the paper.

“Fine, I’ll change that since this is not a dom/sub contract. So, go on and read the rest,” he said as his eye twitched and his hand flew to cover it.

Steele noticed though and frowned. “I’m making you upset, aren’t I?”

He shook his head. “No, I’m just not used to this kind of behavior out of any woman of mine and it’s taking some getting used to. Please continue.”

With a shrug of her shoulders she read, “I’ll just read this as if you’ve already changed the word then. Steele must do as Arsen says at all times. Steele will stay every night with Arsen.” She looked up at him. “You want me to live with you?”

“I don’t want to call it that, no.” He stopped his pacing and looked at her. “You share an apartment with another person and that’s not appropriate. Your things can stay there, for now anyway. You sleep in my bed, so I know you’re safe.”

“But Gwen depends on my financial help. And I don’t really want her all alone every night. That makes her not safe,” Steele argued.

“She’s not mine to worry over. You are, or will be, if you accept this. This rule is non-negotiable I’m afraid. Perhaps you could help her find another roommate. You can still help her pay the bills if you want to as I’ll be giving you a credit card to take care of all of your expenses. And you should, as you need to keep that room, you know in case things don’t work out.” He resumed pacing. “Keep reading.”

“We’ll discuss the credit card thing later as I will not be taking money from you. That’s a thing a prostitute does and I’m anything but that. Okay, next rule is, Steele will make herself readily available to Arsen at all times. She will be given a cell phone that is to be used only to communicate with Arsen and she will answer his calls and texts, if not immediately, then within thirty minutes. It should be noted that there will need to be a valid excuse for not answering right away and any excuse deemed unworthy will have repercussions,” she said then shook her head. “I have school, Arsen.”

“And I’m aware of that and would never ask you to come to me or answer my calls when you’re in classes, Steele. You need to trust me. I have no intention of ruining your education. I’d only like to enhance it and will if you allow me to exert my expertise with you. You can be assured I’ll never do something that would harm your career or your mind, body, or soul. I’ll care for you more than you ever thought possible.”

“Okay then, moving on,” she said as she continued. “Steele will not pleasure herself unless Arsen asks her to. What the hell, Arsen? Gee that’s really gross.” She kept reading. “Steele is not allowed to orgasm until Arsen tells her to. Yeah, I got that one. Moving on. Arsen has a say on who Steele is friends with.”

“That red head is out, Steele. She’s a real bitch and I don’t want her to have any influence on you.” He took her chin in his hand. “That won’t be a problem, will it?”

She shook her head. “I hate her anyway. I will have to stay firm on Gwen though. She’s my friend and will always be.”

“Then I will schedule a time for us all to be together so I can see how you two interact with one another and I will deem if the relationship is one that enhances your life..” He let her chin go and walked over to grab a bottle of water from the night stand. “Please continue.”

“Steele’s body is only to be given to Arsen to do with as he wishes.” She looked at him and frowned. “So you want to be exclusive I see, but I’m not your girlfriend. Okay. And what about you? Are you going to be only with me?”

“You have to trust me. I don’t plan on being with anyone else and if I am, I will be honest with you about it. But you have to realize I am the master of myself and as such, I can do as I please. As long as you are pleasing me then I see no reason why I’d even want to have sex with another, but that is my decision to make. Also, if you ever do decide to move all the way with this thing and become my sub then I can allow another to have sex with you if I want as your body will be mine.”

“Fuck that, Arsen!”

“I should’ve put that in there as well, but I’ll be sure to add it soon. That language is not to be uttered out of those precious lips of yours. For now, just know that it does not please me for you to utter curse words. And when I’m not pleased, it will reflect on how I treat you. Do you understand me, Steele?”

“I sure do. But please be advised that I will not be given to anyone else at this time. Not unless we do make a dom/sub contract. Which is getting more and more unlikely. And just so you know, if you think I’m going to be the only faithful one in this relationship then you’re far from correct.”

Arsen frowned and said, “Like I said, as long as you’re pleasing me I don’t see that happening.”

Steele smiled. “It’s just that I think I’d be really jealous is all, Arsen.”

“Noted,” he said as he ran his hand over her cheek.

“Okay then, Let’s see. The last thing here is pretty long. Steele must follow a diet and exercise program that Arsen develops for her. If she is caught straying from the diet and exercise program in any way, she will be punished. All foods and drinks must be consumed within a twenty-four-hour period. The program will include required times to go to bed and wake up.” Her eyes moved to him. “So, you want me to lose weight?”

Arsen got on his knees in front of her. He took her hand in his and kissed the top of it then looked up at her. “Not at all. I love your body and as such I want to keep it healthy. I want you around for a long time after all. These rules are all only to help you be the best you can be. The addition of punishment for falling off the program serves to help you stay on the plan, that’s all. You’re beautiful and I want you to know that. Everything I will do is only to your benefit.”

“I see, okay then.” She laid the paper on the bed. “So these are the rules for now anyway. I suppose as time goes on you’ll be adding to this.”

He nodded and got up and sat beside her, still holding her hand. “In time when you see just how much I’m doing for you, making things better for you, I think you’ll understand why the dom/sub thing is important. You should want to please me in every way that I want. You should want to show me how thankful you are for me. You should want me to dominate you and make you mine in every way possible.”

“You make it sound kind of romantic,” she said and ran her hand over his leg.

“Romantic? I wouldn’t say that,” Arsen said then stood up. “So, if I change the word Master to my name then you’ll sign it and we can start this?”

“Let me really look it over one more time before I say yes to that. It’s a lot to take in you know,” she picked up the paper and gave it one more read through.

Arsen watched her carefully as she read. He seemed to be noting every little frown she made and Steele was wondering if he was second guessing some of his rules. In the end, she found they were all something that she could live with, or try to anyway.

“Change those words and I’ll sign, Arsen.”

Arsen looked as if he had to stop himself from jumping up and down and Steele was shocked to find him grabbing her up into his strong arms. So un-dominate-like, she thought.

Her next thought was what had she gotten herself into?

Part Four: For Acceptance

STEELE

Step for step, Steele matched Arsen’s strides as they ran side by side in the park near Arsen’s penthouse. Both were wearing the running shoes Arsen had researched and bought them, New Balance 1500v2s.

After only one week, Steele knew more about Arsen than she thought possible. The man himself that was. Not the man he had been or anything about his dealings with the women who had been found dead.

No, not the past Arsen. Only the present Arsen and that man she was falling for more and more with each passing day. He was strict and demanding in many ways, but he was also caring and at times she saw something in his dark eyes that told her he was beginning to soften.

He made his list of rules and she’d followed it better than he thought she would be able to. Arsen showed her respect for how well she managed to understand what it is he wanted from her and why. Her only real weakness with the rules thus far was her love of soda.

The diet he placed her on did not allow any soda ever. Nor caffeine in any form. Her mornings had been hard and the one glass of orange juice that she was allowed each morning was just not cutting it. That’s when he came up with the morning’s activities to get her juices flowing each day.

Steele could say this about the man. He may have strict ways, but when she told him how her body was reacting to the sudden loss of the things that she’d used to get her going, he came up with alternative ideas to get it going again. Though he seemed tough as nails and a real chauvinistic bastard at times, he really was thoughtful and concerned with her overall health and safety.

They ran in the dawn’s light. Earlier than most so they wouldn’t be spotted together. Their relationship was being hidden because of his legal problems. But he had managed to fit in some lunches and a dinner as he introduced her as part of his legal staff when people who knew him came around.

Paul waited at the end of the trail for them. Each morning he took Steele back to her apartment to get ready for school and Arsen back to his to get ready for his day at the office. Then he’d take Arsen with him. They’d pick up Steele and drop her at college, then go downtown to take Arsen to his office.

Steele thought that it was absurd, but Arsen refused to let her take her truck to school. He was more than over-protective and that was about the only thing which grated on her about the man.

They slowed their pace to a walk as they finished up their run. Without looking at her, he said, “I have to commend you on how well you’re keeping up with what I’m asking of you. I think next week I’ll add a little more to our run, maybe another mile.”

“Sounds good,” she said and grazed his hand with the back of hers as if on accident but it was on purpose.

“Thank you for the compliment, Arsen.”

He gave her a sideways glance and took her hand in his.

“It’s deserved, Steele.”

Paul was waiting and opened the door for them to get into the Escalade. “Morning.”

Steele smiled at him. “Good morning, Paul. Thank you again for the ride.”

Arsen helped her in first then climbed in behind her. He did as he had done every morning and tapped his leg for her to put her foot up on. He unlaced her shoe and rubbed her foot for three minutes then did the same thing to the other one.

He’d explained to her about the tendons that needed massaged as she had never been a runner and it would take some time before her feet were in the shape that his were. She found it endearing. People thought he was a man who thought himself better than all women, but that just wasn’t the case with Arsen.

Steele was feeling especially thankful for him and asked, “May I run my hands through your hair, Arsen.”

He nodded without looking at her. She ran her hand up and felt the damp hair under her palm and wished they could go back to his penthouse and shower then dress and go off to their day, like normal couples.

She let out a sigh, and he looked at her. “What?”

“I wish we could just do this thing out in the open is all.” She ran her fingers lightly over his bearded cheek.

“Soon, I hope.” He looked back at her foot that he’d been massaging and after a couple of more seconds he stopped and placed it gently on the floor.

“Is your roommate asking you any questions about why you’re never there?”

Steele shook her head.

“No. She usually doesn’t come in until late anyway and I’ve been telling her I started this new diet and exercise plan so I get up really early. She thinks I’m insane and told me I didn’t need to change a thing about myself.”

“And you said what to that?” He looked at her and her eyes migrated to his.

“Nothing, because it’s none of her business anyway.” Steele’s eyes lit up as she said the words. She knew that was what he wanted to hear. And they were true after all.

His smile told her he was happy. The warmth of his hand on the back of her neck sent chills through her body. “So perfect,” he muttered as he pulled her face to his and took her lips with his.

Steele melted into him and her hands ran over his shoulders and down his muscled arms. She nearly moaned with how well developed his biceps were, but thought better of it.

She’d done so well with his rules that she hadn’t earned even one punishment. Only fantastic sex was her reward for making each day with no infractions of his rules. Steele found it easy so far, but she had to be honest with herself, the soda thing was beginning to haunt her.

He ended his sweet kiss and pressed his forehead to hers. “Since it is Friday I can take you to visit your horse this evening before it gets dark. I assume that you miss him since I hired that service to see to him.”

“It would be nice to see Tripper. Thank you, Arsen.” Her fingers trailed over his shoulder.

The car stopped in front of her apartment and after one more kiss she got out and went inside. It was only when she physically got away from Arsen that her brain would begin to work again. His mere presence seemed to take the air from her lungs and replace it with some need for him.

Even as she walked into the house and made her way to the bathroom to shower she ran her tongue over her teeth relishing the taste of him still fresh on them. She sighed as she put toothpaste on her toothbrush and cleaned the remnants of him away.

The shower finished the job and she no longer could smell him on her. But soon enough she’d be sitting in his car with him as he took her to school. Then she’d get a fresh kiss and as he ran his arms around her with a hug before she left him for the day, his cologne would linger through the day, making memories of the night before crop up in her head. Usually at the most inappropriate times.

After dressing and grabbing her laptop Steele found her cell buzzing at her, telling her Arsen was back. Gwen surprised her as she came out of her room, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

“You didn’t come home last night. Where were you, Steele?”

“Um, oh, just out with a friend. I’m going out again tonight, I think,” Steele said with an edge of nerves that suddenly cropped up.

“Well, let me know at least. I was worried about you.” Gwen gave her a wag of her finger.

Steele laughed and opened the door. She didn’t realize that Arsen was already walking up to the door, a frown covering his handsome face. “Okay, Mom,” she said to Gwen.

Gwen’s face looked odd and when she turned to see what she was looking past her at, she saw Arsen. “What’s taking you so long?” he barked.

Gwen was quick to ask, “And this is your friend, Steele? The one you’ve been staying with all these nights?”

“Yeah, I have to go, Gwen.” Steele hurried out and Arsen took her by the arm, hurrying her along to the car.

“You know my time is important. Standing around and chatting it up isn’t a thing you should do while I’m waiting for you.” He threw the door open, and she slid in.

“Sorry, she caught me off guard.” She positioned the laptop on the seat next to her as Arsen got in. “And I was coming, you shouldn’t have gotten out of the car. What if someone saw you?”

“I don’t give a fuck!” He straightened his tie and looked at her. “You’re a person who works for me after all. It’s not beyond the realms that I might give you a ride here and there.”

“Okay. Man, you’re kind of grumpy. Did something happen I should know about?” She ran a hand over his thigh as a tiny piece of lint had somehow found its way to his slacks. “You look incredibly handsome today in this dark blue suit. Is it an Armani?”

He nodded. “Very good, Steele. You are learning about fashion like I told you to.”

“I’m trying. It’ll take some time. I’ve never been into clothes and shoes and things.” She moved her hand to run it over the tan skirt she was wearing and noted it looked nowhere near as nice as his suit.

“Once this is over, you’re throwing away every last piece of clothing you have and I’m buying you a new wardrobe. One that’s fitting for the woman in my life. I provided those things and cars as well to all my subs.” He took her chin in his large hand and made her look at him as her eyes had not left her lap. “You’re coming along so well. I think you should really start contemplating what it will mean to be my sub, Steele.”

“I’ll think on it then. So far it’s been a breeze, but something tells me I won’t cotton to every aspect of that lifestyle.” To make her point she ran her hand up his arm, stopping to feel his bulging bicep. “That arm there tells me you can probably wield a belt like nobody’s business.”

“I can do that to you now if you break any of my rules. You do realize that, don’t you?” He reached out and ran his hand over her breast. The white shirt she had on wasn’t buttoned up entirely, and he ran his hand from her breast the mere inch to her bare skin and shook his head. He buttoned the buttons all the way up. “I don’t want to see that again, understand me?”

She sighed, making her chest heave and said, “Yes, Master.”

His eyes cut to hers but she was looking away. “Look at me, Steele,” he said, sharply. She did as he said as it seemed nearly impossible to not do what he said to when he used that tone of voice. “That sighing shit is proving something that pisses me off, so no more of that. Understand me!”

Steele nodded. “So two more things to add to your list of rules for me then?”

“Seems so,” he said and picked up his phone and clicked away on it.

“May I ask what you’re doing?” she asked and leaned over a little to try to see.

“Adding those things to the list.” He tapped away, and she found herself getting angry. “And the one about no cursing as well, so it’s officially on the list now so watch yourself or you will feel the sting of my belt.”

“Arsen, are you being for real? I mean, are you keeping that list on your phone?” She managed to see he had a page up on his notes and there was the list of rules. “That’s not smart. What if the police take your phone and see that?”

“Your name isn’t on it.” He turned it so she could take a good look. It was headed with the words, ‘Terms of Agreement.’ “A contract is made up of the things we’ve mutually agreed on up until that point and it’s essential that I keep up with the rules so I can make a contract up when you agree to.”

“Which I may never do. By the way, I didn’t really agree to the last few, you just told me you were adding them.” She saw the school ahead and took the laptop onto her lap.

His eyes narrowed as he gave her a sideways glance. “Eager to leave my company, Steele?”

“Never, but thanks to Gwen, I’m running about one minute late and will need to rush to my first class now.” She leaned forward. “A goodbye kiss?”

He sighed, and she looked at him as she pulled back. “Oh you can sigh but I can’t?”

“There are a great many things I can do that you can’t.” He took her chin and pulled her back and pressed his lips to hers. She started to run her hands around his neck and press her body to his, but he stopped his kiss which remained only on her lips, no tongue and no hug. “You were a bit disagreeable this morning, so no mind-blowing kiss for you. Think about that for future reference.”

“But, I kind of need one to get through my day. I was kind of counting on it,” she said as she stayed leaning in as close as he’d let her.

“I suppose you’ll think better of making me wait and leaving your top buttons open and making over the top sighs then, won’t you, if you need my kisses so badly?” The car stopped and Paul was opening her door before she could even think of what to say to that bull crap.

She scooted out and turned back. “Have a nice day, Arsen. I’ll miss you.”

“You too,” he said not looking at her but at his phone instead.

His cold nature was making her stomach hurt for some reason and she turned back after she got out. “Arsen, I’m sorry.”

He glanced at her. “Thank you for the apology. We’ll be here at four-thirty sharp.” He looked back down at the phone in his hand. “Let’s go, Paul.”

Steele felt as if she’d been slapped and when Paul’s hand touched her shoulder, she looked back at him. “Oh, sorry, Paul.”

Rowan stopped short as he walked from behind the car. “Steele, what the hell?”

Steele took off, trying to hurry away from Rowan, but he easily caught up to her and grabbed her by the shoulder, making her spin back around. “Rowan, don’t,” she said under her breath.

“What are you doing with him?” he demanded.

Her eyes went wide as Arsen came up behind Rowan. Arsen’s voice was low and stern.

“Hands off her, boy.”

Rowan lifted his hand from her shoulder and turned to face Arsen.

“This isn’t right. You could be a murderer.”

And just like that Arsen knocked him out.

“Oh, God!” Steele fell to her knees as Rowan lay on the ground. She looked up at Arsen. “Not necessary, Arsen!”

She patted Rowan’s reddened cheeks. He moaned and his eyes fluttered open.

“Bastard, you sucker punched me.”

Arsen leaned over and sneered. “That was no sucker punch and you will keep your hands off her and mind your fucking business.” He looked at Steele. “What are you doing? You need to get to class, Steele.”

She stood up and took off towards her class. She glanced back once to see Arsen pulling Rowan up and dusting him off roughly. Steele was shaking as she went into the classroom of Professor Goldstein.

“Mornin’ Steele,” he said happily.

“Good morning,” she said back and Rowan came in after her, a bit of grass on the back of his head and a swollen jaw.

Rowan went straight to Tanner and said, “I need to talk to you after class.”

Although Tanner was whispering, Steele heard him.

“What the hell happened to you?”

“Arsen Sloan happened to me and it seems he’s been happening to Steele as well.” Rowan looked directly at her as he said it and she dropped her head.

This will be very bad!

ARSEN

Arsen had pulled a bag of ice from the office freezer and he held it over his red knuckles. He cursed Rowan. His cell phone rang, and he cursed again. When he saw it was the San Francisco Police Department, he cursed one more time.

“Arsen Sloan,” he answered.

“Hi, this is Detective Riddle, Mr. Sloan. I need to talk to you this morning. Now I can come to you or you can come to me, but I need this taken care of before noon.”

“I’ll come to you. I’ll leave now,” he said and hung up.

After making a stop in his office to purposely leave his phone in a locked drawer, he left his office. Before he left it, he called Paul from the office phone and told him to be outside.

Something told him this day would not be a good one, and it was all falling into place. A numb sensation was filing his body, and he thought about not being able to hold Steele anymore if he went to prison.

The young woman was creeping under his skin. Her subtle defiance was a thing he couldn’t stand in most women, but she had him thinking of her as strong instead of head-strong. He never thought he’d find himself experiencing such feelings again, not after what Beth did to him all those years back.

Arsen cursed again as he realized he needed Tanner to be there. He pressed a button and the privacy screen went down.

“I need to borrow your cell, Paul.”

Paul handed it back and Arsen made the call to his attorney. Tanner told him he’d meet him there and not to say a damn word until he got there. Arsen gave the phone back and tried to settle back into the seat. His eyes caught something on the floor and he picked it up.

He saw one of her buttons from the first night they’d been together. Letting her go is what he should do. He was nothing but trouble and the poor thing would be devastated if he went to prison. But his selfishness knew no bounds as he wasn’t about to give her up.

He put the button in his pocket for reasons he didn’t even know. It was a piece of her that he could keep close to him and it brought him a tiny thread of security. In this insecure world there was Steele, and he was beginning to hate himself for needing her so damn much.

Arsen had never found it so hard to maintain his disciplined demeanor. When she was looking at him, when he refused to give her the goodbye kiss he had given her each morning before dropping her at school, he had to mindlessly look at his phone in order not to give in to her.

He shook his head and sighed deeply. His world seemed to be falling apart. It seemed almost nothing was in his control any longer and he hated it all. The car pulled to a stop and when he looked up, he saw the police station.

What can they possibly have found?

STEELE

Heart pounding, Steele followed Tanner up the stairs of the police station. He’d taken her and Rowan out of their second class to go with him to be there. Some detective was going to talk to Arsen.

Fear was coursing through her veins and she wanted to break down and cry so badly it physically hurt to hold it all back. Rowan had told Tanner what he saw and suspected. Tanner told Rowan there was not a thing illegal about it so he should mind his business with a man like Arsen. Steele was relieved Tanner didn’t ask her anything about it.

She bound up the stairs in front of Tanner and Rowan, making Rowan remark, “Worried about your boyfriend, Gannon?”

She ignored him and made her way inside. Finding him sitting on a chair, waiting. His eyes met hers as she came through the glass doors and he stood up. “He brought you?” he asked her.

She nodded and stopped short as she nearly had thrown her arms around him and this was not the place to be doing that.

“Are you okay?”

He nodded.

“I’m glad you’re here,” he whispered.

Her heart pounded with his admission and she brushed his hand with the back of hers.

“Me too.”

Tanner and Rowan made it in and Arsen’s eyes darted to the young man he’d punched earlier. His jaw still swollen.

“He brought him too, huh?”

“Yes, Tanner is his mentor as well.” She looked back to find Tanner telling the officer at the main desk something then he gestured for them to follow him as a man in a white shirt and tan slacks opened a side door. “Here we go then.”

She and Arsen walked side by side behind Tanner and Rowan as the officer greeted them with a smile and a nod. “This way please.”

They followed the detective down a long hallway and eventually into his small office. Only two other chairs, besides his, were sitting in front of his small desk that was strewn with papers. She and Rowan had to stand behind Tanner and Arsen.

Steele took out her notebook and pen and prepared to write down every word. She stood right behind Arsen and looked at the detective as if he was the devil himself.

The detective sat down.

“Mr. Sloan, I have a few questions about your relationship with Meagan Stanley, the first homicide victim.”

Arsen nodded but kept his mouth shut. Steele’s stomach knotted as the detective turned over a picture on his desk and revealed a caramel-colored woman who was naked and had marks around her neck that clearly showed where someone’s fingers had gripped her throat. Her wrists and ankles were bound with rope.

The detective pushed the picture towards Arsen. “Would you like to tell me when you made these marks on Meagan Stanley’s neck?”

Without any hesitation Arsen answered, “At two in the morning on the date of September third of this year.”

Steele wrote the words with a trembling hand. He had choked the young woman and had just admitted to it.

“Care to clarify why?” the detective asked.

“She asked me to do it.” Arsen ran his hand through his hair and Steele knew he was nervous.

“I see. So this is a thing you practice often? Choking women?” The detective leaned back in his chair and his eyes roamed up to Steele. “You’re a woman near Miss Stanley’s age. Do you like to be choked, Miss?”

“Miss Gannon,” she answered. “And no I don’t.”

The detective looked back at Arsen.

“Was Miss Stanley your current sub at that date, Mr. Sloan?”

“No. I had no sub at that time.” Arsen’s foot began to tap a little.

“But she had been your sub at one time. I do have the contract you gave me on your relationship which had ended about when was that?” The detective moved some papers around and picked up a stapled stack of three pages.

Steele knew it was the contract he’d made with the dead woman and her heart was pounding so hard she was afraid they all could hear it. She had to swallow hard to get the bile which had gathered at the top of her throat to go back down.

Detective Riddle looked at the papers and turned to the very back. He turned it for Arsen to see. “See here at the bottom where she and you both signed, terminating the contract some two years before you choked her?”

“I do, and I understand there was no written agreement about that at that time, but it was consensual. She was into that kind of thing. I don’t know what to tell you. But we both know that was not what killed her. Those marks were days old.”

“A couple of days old, Mr. Sloan. Forensics also found your semen still in her.” The detective laced his fingers and placed them behind his head.

“I don’t see how. I used a condom,” Arsen argued.

“I didn’t say it was in her vagina, did I?” Riddle smiled. “I’m sure I don’t have to spell it out for you.”

Arsen shook his head. “So are you telling me that she was murdered after I left her house?”

“You tell me. It seems you two were having sex pretty often.”

Arsen fidgeted in his chair.

“Three nights in a row. The first night is when the marks on her neck were made. The second night was different, and no marks were left and the third night there was no actual penetration but there was oral. But she’d made me remember why it is we didn’t work out in the first place and after she gave me oral sex, I left with no intention of seeing her again.”

Steele was reeling and had to lean against the wall. Her face had paled and the detective saw that. He stood up and excused himself then left the room, coming back with a chair. He placed it next to his then went to Steele and took her by the arm, placing her in the chair.

She hated it. She was able to see Arsen’s face then, and she found she could barely look at the man. He wasn’t happy with it either. His eyes bore into hers and she looked down at the notebook.

Arsen let out a sigh and said, “Look, there had to be someone who went to her house after I left it. That’s where you need to be focusing on. I’m not a killer, Detective Riddle.”

“But it does seem that your hands are the ones on the other two women as well. Do you mean to tell me they all liked to be choked?” The detective leaned over and looked at the notebook Steele was writing in. His shoulder touched hers and she turned her head, finding him much too close. “Do you know any women who like to be chocked, Miss Gannon?”

She looked up and shook her head. Then her eyes traveled to Arsen’s finding him frowning at her. She crossed her legs in the opposite direction and leaned more to the other side so the detective was no longer touching her.

Arsen spoke between clenched teeth, “I do believe Miss Gannon does not frequent the clubs those women did. If you had ever been in one, Riddle, you would find the majority of the women there beg for it. They want the marks left on them. Personally, I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as they did.”

“Hmm,” Riddle said then tapped his fingers on the desk. “I’ve been reading up on this whole dom/sub thing that you seem to be all about. You must have a lot of controlling issues that you should most likely be seeking therapy for, Mr. Sloan.”

Arsen stood up and Steele’s eyes flew to him.

“Now you listen to me, you sawed off piece of shit. I did not kill those women and you are wasting precious time finding out who did while you fuck with me. My sex life is not what’s illegal here and you damn well know it. Now if you have nothing better to do then I have business to tend to and really need to get the fuck out of here.”

Riddle smiled as if he’d gotten just what he wanted from Arsen.

“Temper issues too. Hmmm.”

Arsen slammed his fist on the desk and Steele stood up abruptly.

“Arsen! Stop!”

Every man in the room looked at her as if she was insane. But Arsen sat back down.

“I’m sorry, Riddle. Perhaps I should see someone about my quick temper.”

Steele sat back down and looked back at her notes. Riddle cleared his throat and said, “Okay then. I do need you to go ahead and give us your prints and we’ll be taking some whole hand prints for our forensic specialists to verify the marks on the women’s necks. You see, they all were strangled and if the prints match then you are our only suspect.”

Arsen’s tanned skin paled a bit and Steele knew it was because it was his hands that had made the marks and he would be taken in and most likely proven guilty. Her heart ached for him, but her mind was asking her how the hell she could trust he was telling the truth.

ARSEN

He wiped the black ink away from his hands with a towelette they had provided him after taking his prints. The things which would damn him. He took the stairs out of the police station as Steele walked by his side.

Arsen could hardly look at her after all he’d said. He wondered if she thought he was a murderer.

“Will you ride with me?”

“I think that’s a bad idea,” she mumbled as Tanner came up on the other side of Arsen.

Tanner said, “Look, I know it’s just a matter of time until they pick you up. The prints will come back as yours and we both know that. But the plan is that I’ll get you out as soon as they set bail and then we can begin an investigation into the murders on our own. I’ll need you to really think about all you did with the women so we can see if any of the places you went had surveillance cameras that might have caught someone of interest following you when you were with the women.”

Tanner’s car was parked in front of Arsen’s and they all stopped at it. His driver opened the door and Tanner gestured for Steele to get in first. Arsen grabbed her hand and pulled her back and whispered, “Steele, I really need you.”

She pulled back and looked at him. Then she looked at Tanner.

“I’m going with him.”

Rowan rolled his eyes and said, “Are you an idiot?”

Tanner gave Rowan a swift pat on the back.

“Get in the car, Rowan.”

He did as Tanner said but looked at Arsen.

“Nothing better happen to her.”

Fire flashed through Arsen.

“Little boy, you should watch what the fuck you say to me and her for that matter.”

Tanner tried to ease the tension.

“Watch your temper, Arsen.”

Steele took Arsen’s hand in hers and gently pulled him.

“He’ll be fine, Tanner. Come on Arsen.”

He allowed her to pull him away and as they walked he squeezed her hand. “Are you mad at me?”

She shook her head. “How can I be?”

“Are you disgusted with me?” He stopped and turned her to look at him.

The way her eyes darted back and forth answered him and he dropped his eyes and led her to the car where Paul waited for them with the door open.

Steel slid in and Arsen moved in next to her. After Paul had closed the door she turned to face him and took his face between her palms.

“Arsen, you can tell me anything. Even if you did do it, you can tell me.”

Fury filled him and he pushed her hands off his face.

“So you don’t trust me! Steele I have to have your trust or we have nothing!”

“Arsen! How the hell can I just blindly trust you?” she shouted back.

“Cursing, that will cost you,” he said in a low growl. “Or are we done?”

She looked away, and he could tell she wasn’t sure.

“I’m sorry. It’s just that I’m very confused and I know it all happened before me, but I’m jealous too.”

“Jealous? We both have pasts, Steele. Nothing can be done to change that.” Arsen grabbed a bottle of liquor from the little fridge and took a long drink. He sat back and held the bottle.

After another long drink, Steele placed her hands over his around the bottle. “Arsen, that’s not a wise decision.”

“I know that, Steele. Believe me, I know that I make poor, mother fucking decisions all the fucking time. You are a poor decision. I should leave you the fuck alone and I know that. I’m about to rot away in prison anyway. If I can’t get you to trust me and believe I didn’t kill those women, then I’m fucked for sure.” He took another long drink then let her have the bottle.

She put it away and got on her knees in front of him, placing her hands on his thighs.

“Arsen, don’t think like that. I’m sorry. I wish it was as easy as you telling me you didn’t do it and all the doubt could disappear, but I would be lying to you if I told you that.”

He took her chin and ran a finger over her lips.

“I need you to believe me, Steele. Or this is over.”

He could see her thinking and pulled her up to sit on his lap. He had to convince her. She looked at him and he saw she desperately wanted to believe him, but her brain was battling her heart.

Arsen pressed his lips to hers and felt her body turn into liquid. He pushed his tongue through her lips and ran his hand up her skirt, finding her warming already. One finger he pressed against her clit and she moaned and ran her arms around his neck.

He stroked her clit until she was squirming with the need to release. He stopped moving his finger and took his hand away then pulled his mouth from hers. She was panting and looked at him with confusion.

“Steele, do you trust me?” Arsen looked hard into her eyes and he found the answer behind them.

“I do,” she whispered.

“You cursed and you have to be punished. Do you understand that?” He searched her eyes again.

They actually brightened.

“I do.”

He lifted her off his lap.

“Drop your panties and get on your hands and knees and lift the skirt up over your hips.”

She looked at him for a moment then did as he’d told her. She turned away from him as she went to her hands and knees then lifted her skirt.

He pulled his leather belt from his slacks. Arsen ran his hand over her smooth, white ass then placed a kiss on one ass cheek. He knew this would make them or break them, and he gritted his teeth as he swung the belt.

STEELE

The sting as the leather bit into her flesh had her making a small scream before she choked it back. Steele had no idea how many times he would hit her and she was trying hard not to let any tears get away from her.

Another hard whack and she flinched with the pain. Arsen’s voice was tight as he said, “Do you think you’ll curse again?”

She shook her head but didn’t answer out loud. Another smack across her ass, this one harder had the tears springing forth.

“Out loud, Steele.”

“No, sir. No, Arsen,” he words were laced with her tears and she felt his hands running over her ass.

Sobs began to come out of her and she knew it was from so much more than the pain. It was for everything. She was about to lose the man she was pretty positive she was beginning to love deeper than she imagined possible.

His arms were suddenly around her and he turned her to him. He pulled her into his wide chest and shushed her with soothing sounds and soft caresses.

“It’s okay, Steele. It’s all going to be okay.”

She took his lapels in her hands and pulled at them as she leaned back and looked up at him. Tears ran in rivers down her reddened cheeks.

“No it isn’t. None of this is going to be okay. They’re going to take you away from me. I just found you and they’re going to take you away.”

His hand ran over her hair and she found him smiling at her. He kissed her slow and soft.

“I just gave you your first punishment and you’re thinking about what might happen to me instead of being angry with me?”

She sniffled and said, “How can I be angry? You just did what you said you were going to. And it did hurt and it will definitely make me think about what comes out of my mouth.” Steele eased her cries. “The truth is I don’t think I would’ve even cried if I hadn’t been holding it back since Tanner came and told me they’d called you in.”

Arsen moaned as he pulled her hair back, exposing her throat.

“You’re so fucking perfect, Steele.” He pressed his lips to her neck then ran his tongue up until he reached her mouth.

He kissed her hard and laid her back on the floor. Her skirt was still hiked up, and he ran one of his hands to hers and moved it to his swelling cock.

“Take it out,” he told her then continued his kiss.

His mouth was hard on hers as she fumbled to unbutton his slacks and release him. She knew she should be mad at him for spanking her, but a part of her wanted to know what it was like.

The fact was it allowed her to release the tension she’d been holding and with that came a lot of freedom. Unbelievably, she found it had stimulated her as well and she was wetter than hell and aching for Arsen to be inside her.

She finally freed his erection and guided it to her. He pressed into her as soon as she lined him up and she moaned with how fantastic it felt as he filled her.

Hard, deep thrusts he made, as she wrapped her legs around him. She arched her body up to meet each thrust and ran her hands through his hair. He ran his hands back and took hers in them, holding them over her head.

She wondered if he hated being touched during sex. He seemed never to want her hands on him. He pulled his mouth from hers and looked at her as he pounded into her.

“Say it,” he said, and she found herself confused.

“Say what?” she asked.

He shook his head and took both her wrists and held them with one hand as he took the other and smacked her thigh.

“Say it.”

She searched his eyes as he continued to thrust into her. Something in them was making them shine, and she suddenly knew what he wanted to hear.

“I love you, Arsen.”

He smiled and kissed her hard, thrusting his tongue to the back of her mouth, claiming every last part of it as his. She found her heart pounding with what she’d said. But was aware he’d not said it back to her.

Somehow it didn’t really matter as she could tell he did have love for her. She arched up as her body was aching to release. And for the first time he pulled his mouth from hers and said, “You come when you want to. As many times as you want to.”

A knot formed in her throat and tears began to fall as he watched her. She let the orgasm overtake her and he watched her as it did. A smile moved over his face as he continued to thrust in and out of her.

“My God, you’re beautiful when you come, baby.” He kissed her long and deep and she felt more for him than she had before.

His body tensed and he spilled into her. She was shocked to find herself coming again with his release. They lay on the floor, flooding the car with their gasps. Arsen released her mouth as their bodies began to stop throbbing against the others.

The privacy window opened just a little and Paul said, “Boss, you might want to get yourself cleaned up. The police are waiting in front of the building.”

“Fuck!” Arsen said as he rolled off her.

Steele sat up and looked for her panties.

“Arsen, I’m so sorry. What should I do?” She found the panties and pulled them on quickly.

He buttoned his slacks and zipped them after tucking his shirt back in. He put the belt back on and grabbed his jacket. As he sat back on the seat, she ran her hands through his hair, taming it since she’d ran her hands through it, messing it up before.

Arsen took her wrists in his hands and said, “You are to stay at my penthouse. Promise me you won’t go anywhere. I’ll be out as soon as I can.”

She nodded and said, “I will. Don’t worry about me.”

“I can’t not worry about you, Steele. Just as long as I know you’ll do as I’ve said, it’ll help me not to go crazy until I can get back to you.” He kissed her again. “Tell me again, before they take me away.”

“I love you, Arsen. I’ll be there waiting for you. I promise.” She gave his hair one last smoothing and managed a smile.

He pulled a set of keys from a hidden compartment.

“Take these so you can get into the penthouse.”

The car pulled to a stop and Paul came around and opened the door. “She should probably stay in here,” he said.

Arsen nodded.

“Take her to my place, please.” He looked at Steele. “One more rule, Steele.”

“What is it?”

“That little dick, Rowan. I don’t want you around him without me present. Tell Tanner about my arrest and do not go with him to do anything. I don’t want the little shit head to mess with your mind about me.”

“Okay, Arsen.” She found she couldn’t stop touching him as she ran her hand over his cheek.

His hands ran up her arms, and he kissed her one last time. Then got out of the car. The door closed behind him, shielding her from the officers’ view.

Steele watched as the police officers came straight up to Arsen and both took out their guns and pointed them at him. His hands went up, and he stopped moving.

Her breathing stopped and more tears found their way out. She pressed her hand to the dark glass as sobs racked her chest. One officer cuffed him and put him in back of the police car. They drove away with him and Paul started driving her away.

She watched out the back window as they went in opposite directions and cried hard as she lost sight of the police car. She’d never felt that much pain before and it hurt more than she knew she could actually live through.

It was as if she was in an alternate reality as Paul pulled up to the building where Arsen’s penthouse was. He opened the door and when he saw her state he opened his arms.

Steele same into them and cried on his shoulder.

“I’m so scared, Paul.”

“I know. So am I,” he said. “Somehow he’ll make it out of this. He didn’t do it you know.”

She nodded.

“I know. There has to be something we can do to help find the real killer, then this will be over and we can move on.”

“You’re a smart girl. Think on it,” he said and let her out of his tight hug. “Now go on up and have a nice, stiff drink and relax.”

She gave him a weak smile.

“Okay, thanks.”

Steele wiped her eyes and walked inside. The place felt odd without him there. She wandered to the bathroom and picked up his bottle of cologne. After dabbing a little on her wrist and taking a sniff of it, she made her way to the kitchen and made herself a small glass of cognac.

The keys she laid on the counter top and noticed one of them looked different. Like an old key, maybe to a box or something. Curiosity overtook her, and she took the keys and went to Arsen’s office. He’d never taken her in there, but she’d seen him come out of it.

The aroma of leather filled her senses as she opened the door. The chair behind his large oak desk was leather and there was a leather sofa against the opposite wall. A large set of cabinets lined another wall, and she went to them, opening one at a time. Careful not to disturb any of the contents, she looked around in them.

At the back of the third cabinet, she saw a dark box. When she pulled it out, she saw it would take an old key to open it. She placed it on his desk and put the key in the slot and the box opened. Inside was one thing, an old tattered notebook with the words, ‘life sucks’ scrawled across it in black marker.

Steele pulled it our carefully and opened it to the first page. At the top of the first page was written, ‘Day 1 - The Day I Met Beth.’

She read the page and saw it was about Arsen’s first love. And by the end of the fifteenth page, she found out why he didn’t think love was something for him.

It seemed that Arsen had been beaten nearly to death by the girl’s father and the girl was actually mad at Arsen over it. Seemed he hadn’t stood up to the man who was older and larger than he was.

The rest of the little notebook told her about how his mother abandoned him while he was in the hospital and how he had to go live in a foster home. Then the girl’s mother, who was a secret BDSM lover, took Arsen as her sub.

By the time she was done reading, Steele was livid with the two women and one girl who had damaged Arsen so badly. She replaced the notebook and put it right back where she’d found it.

Her stomach hurt as she thought about Arsen as a skinny teenager who got beat up so badly he had to spend a week in the hospital. And he had described some of the things the woman he called Mistress Sinclair had done to him, to make him be submissive to her.

Steele was seething with anger at the women. In an effort to better understand the man she’d fallen in love with she went through his desk and a note in the top drawer caught her attention.

In feminine handwriting the note read; I know what you did, and you won’t get away with it. The initials, K.P. were at the end.

Steele put the paper back in the exact same spot she’d found it. One of the victims, the last one killed was Kyla Peterson. And by the file Tanner had on Arsen, she was his first sub.

Meagan had been killed first. A week later, Lacy Andrews, Arsen’s last sub, was killed. Kyla was killed last and somehow she must’ve seen something that led her to leave him the note.

Steele pulled every drawer on his desk open and in the back of one of the drawers was a small length of rope. She didn’t touch it, but she knew it was the same type of rope the three women were bound with.

She closed the drawer as her body went numb and her brain quit working.

He did it!

Part Five: For Approval

STEELE

Cool air blew over her face as the vent in the ceiling of the small room in the police station poured the cooled air out. Her chair was directly beneath it as she waited for Arsen to be brought in.

Tanner had called her early that morning and asked her to meet him there so he could talk to Arsen and she could take notes.

After what she had found in Arsen’s office the day before, she had a pretty restless night. But when it came down to it, she thought there had to be someone setting him up. The man she was beginning to know just couldn’t do those terrible things.

The door opened, and she stood, ready to see Arsen, but instead saw Rowan. “What are you doing here?” she asked as she sat back down.

“I work on this case too, Gannon.” He took the chair next to hers and she knew Arsen was going to have a fit if he got there before Tanner did and found them alone.

“Want to know what I found out about your boyfriend?”

“It’s most likely rumors but go for it, Rowen.” She crossed her arms over her chest and listened.

“After snooping around, I found the woman who made the man.”

“Let me guess. Her last name wouldn’t be Sinclair by any chance?” She smiled.

“Yes, and it seems he and her daughter had been high school sweethearts and your boyfriend got his ass beat pretty badly by the girl’s father,” he said.

“Look, I already know this. I know she was his Dom and that doesn’t make him a killer.”

“It certainly gives the man the psychological past which could make him into a man who hates women. A man who might kill women, Gannon. Don’t you see that?” He smirked as if she was stupid.

Steele scooted her chair away from his a bit as she was beginning to get uneasy Arsen would catch them alone.

“You have no idea about him. He doesn’t hate women. I have reason to believe he’s being set up.”

“I gained access to a club called, Fierce. Arsen has his own room there and what it’s filled with is more than kinky. It’s downright sinister, Gannon. More than mere whips and chains.” His eyes narrowed at her.

“How did you get into his room?” she asked in disbelief.

“A friend of a friend works there and let me in early this morning. Tanner knew about it,” he told her and she found herself furious he had gone through Arsen’s private things. “Choke collars, some things on the wall to hold women up off the floor in chains. You wouldn’t believe the assortment of paddles and even long poles. And two of these long poles looked like there were blood stains on them.”

“Blood?” she asked. Her body tingled with a chill.

Would he actually hurt someone?

“What do you think happens to flesh when something like that strikes it, Gannon? There was even this wooden thing where it looked like he could trap a woman in it and take her or beat her and there’d be no way she could get away. It was a room of nightmares for any woman.” He leaned forward and placed his hand on her leg and looked into her eyes. “It’s not a place for you and you really need to think about what the hell you’re doing with him.”

“I don’t know what to say. I don’t entirely believe you.”

“Not only is the man most likely a serial killer, he’s an awful monster who gets his rocks off hurting women, Gannon.”

And then the door opened and Arsen stood there. He was alone and free and his face was red with anger.

“What the fuck are you doing alone with him, Steele?” His eyes went to the hand Rowan still had on her leg and she jumped up.

“Arsen! You’re free!” she said and took a step towards him.

He reached out and grabbed her arm, moving her behind him as he glared at Rowan.

“I heard you, you little piece of shit! How dare you talk about things you have no idea about? I’m no killer and what I do in private is just that, private!”

Rowan was up and in Arsen’s face. A very stupid thing to do.

“Look, Sloan, you don’t intimidate me and she needs to know the truth about you and your sick ways!”

And in an instant, Rowan was falling backward as Arsen had punched him. In the eye this time and it was already red and swelling.

“Arsen, no!” she screamed.

Steele grabbed his arm and found him shaking with rage. She pulled at him and he finally allowed her to get him out of the room.

“I told you he would tell you things to interfere with us.”

What Rowan had told her was making her think she might be in over her head with Arsen. But the man had some kind of hold over her and her body continuously overruled her brain.

Maybe I am stupid!

ARSEN

The entrance to the police station was rather busy that morning and as Arsen and Steel made their way to his car, he stopped dead in his tracks. A man was standing at the back of his car, looking directly at Arsen and tipped his head in a hello. He walked away slowly, without looking back.

Steele noticed Arsen’s reaction to the man.

“Do you know that guy?” she asked.

Arsen began to move forward again.

“No.”

Steele watched the man walk away. His brown hair was cut short, and he wore tan slacks and a white collared shirt. He looked a bit like an accountant or a computer nerd.

Paul was quick to get out and open the door for them.

“Nice to see you, boss.”

“You too, Paul,” Arsen said as he let Steel get in first.

Once inside the car and alone Steele pressed him about the man.

“You know that man, Arsen. Who is he?”

“Never mind, Steele. It’s not important anyway. What is important is why you decided to be alone with that prick when I told you not to.” He took a bottle of liquor from the little fridge and took a long drink.

Steele didn’t say a word. After he took one more long drink she took the bottle from his hand and put it back in the fridge. “For God’s sake, it’s nine in the morning, Arsen.”

As she sat back down he looked at her and ran his hand over her cheek. “You have no idea how much I missed you last night as I lay on the tiny, hard bed in the cell they put me in.”

She took his hand in hers and held it to her face. “I missed you too. I hardly slept.”

“Me too,” he said.

“Tell me who the man is, Arsen.”

His eyes went dark, and he pulled his hand from hers. “Drop it, Steele.”

Her arms crossed in front of her and she frowned.

“Damn it, Arsen! You’re always telling me I need to trust you, but you don’t trust me enough to let me in on anything.”

“Maybe that’s because you’ve proven yourself untrustworthy.” He reached over and buckled her seatbelt. “Try to remember to buckle your safety belt, Steele.”

“How in the world have I proven myself untrustworthy?”

“I told you not to be alone with that prick and you did it anyway. I’m not an idiot. I know you thought Tanner would get there before they brought me in to talk to him. You sat there and listened to what the moron had to say. Your curiosity overrode your want to follow the rules I have for you.” His hand tapped her thigh, and the other took her chin and made her look up at him. “We’ll deal with that little indiscretion when we get home.”

He could tell that she was fighting the urge to roll her eyes at him. And he had to give her credit for not doing it. His hand left her chin and cradled the back of her neck, pulling her to him.

As mad as he was that she’d gone against him, he had missed her like he never imagined possible and needed to feel her. His body tingled as their lips met and he allowed himself to need her at that moment.

She was so far under his skin that he had no choice it seemed. He loved her and he knew it. With his impending arrest and trials, he felt an urgency to have her in a contract with him. His intention was to draw one up and hopefully she’d decide to enter the contract with him. He needed some security with the woman in order to stay sane with all the craziness in his life.

When he finally stopped his kiss and released her he pressed his forehead to hers.

“I love you, Steele.”

He saw her lips quirk into a smile.

“I love you too, Arsen.”

STEELE

After showing Arsen the note and the rope which he seemed to have never seen either before, Steele was sure that he was innocent and being set up. They took both things and burned them in a small metal trash can. Then for good measure, threw the ashes into the garbage disposal and cleaned everything with bleach afterward.

She was waiting for him in his bedroom as he had told her to go in there and wait for him. He had to punish her for breaking his rule about Rowan and she understood. She’d known the moment Rowan had walked into the room she should’ve went out and waited in the hallway.

And for some damn reason, she wanted him to do it. Wanted him to discipline her for not doing what he told her to. Steele was a strong woman and had never felt she needed anyone telling her what to do.

It wasn’t so much she thought she needed the discipline as she thought Arsen did. She felt if he felt she trusted him and would be submissive to him, he’d really let her in. Let her into his mind, his soul, and the past that made him the intricate, dark man he was.

She sat on the bed and looked down as he came into the room. She was willing to take the pain his punishment would bring if it would somehow help her take the pain which filled him away.