Chapter 32
Avidya
As the window was being replaced the following day, Detective Nathan Stone was knocking on the front door. I had just reached the foyer when Travis opened the door, allowing him in. Zachariah was not far behind me and hadn’t been the last day and a half. He hardly let me out of his sight with the whole Cody scare.
I couldn’t blame him one bit. I didn’t want to be left alone as it was. I couldn’t help but wonder if one of Cody’s men would try to come for us next. We still didn’t have a clear view on why Aaron wanted us dead.
I wasn’t entirely sure why this man was here, other than I knew that he worked for my husband in some sort of fashion. So far, I had stayed out of wanting to know who works for Zachariah and what they did. Sometimes, the less I knew, the better off I was.
I was just happy that the mess from yesterday had been cleaned up fairly quickly. I knew my husband had a number of men, and within an hour, the house was cleaned, the dead bodies of whoever was on guard were taken care of, along with Cody’s.
Another thing I was happy to be left in the dark on. I didn’t want to know what happened to that man, nor his body. I could still hear the echo of the gunshot from the back yard. Not just one shot, but three. Apparently, one shot to each knee as he attempted to run. Then one to the head afterward.
“Good morning,” Detective Stone greeted as he saw us, his eyes instantly moving from me to my husband. His light brown hair was the same as I remembered, although a little bit grayer around the edges. Like the first, and only time, I had met this man, he wore laid back clothes as though he didn’t care what people thought about him.
This was one of a handful of men that worked inside the police department for the Melendez family.
“What can I do for you, Stone?” Zachariah asked, his voice becoming business-like.
“Just a few questions about someone that seems to be missing,” the Detective answered smoothly. “Figured I may as well start with here since it does pertain to Miss Ray.”
“Mrs. Melendez, now,” Zachariah stated with clenched teeth. I didn’t think these two were so rude to each other before now, if I could recall. Or maybe Zachariah was just a bossy butt when it came to how I was addressed by nearly everyone around him.
“My apologies,” Detective Stone stated, bowing his head. “Glad you picked this man, Miss.” He paused, wetting his lips. “Can we talk a little more private?”
“Follow me to my office,” Zachariah stated, eyeing the man that was quickly working to get the new window into its frame. At least his tone wasn’t so hard towards the man that was just doing his job.
“Do I want to know what happened to the window?” Nathan Stone asked, following as my husband lead the way.
“Not really,” I answered. “That is one thing best left alone.”
“Gotcha,” Nathan sighed.
Zachariah, although not needed to do so, told me to not say a word on what exactly happened. He didn’t want word to get out that his house was targeted just because of me. It wasn’t new news that I was a target, and that there were too many threats over the both of us as it was.
Once in the office, Zachariah closed the door, then motioned for us to sit in three of the four leather chairs that were placed around the office. I sat closest to my husband while Nathan took a seat more across from the both of us.
“I am here on official police business,” he began. “So be wise about what you say.”
“Understood,” Zachariah stated with a nod of his head.
Not understanding myself, I looked at my husband questioningly.
“Means that what we say here, can and most likely used for whatever reason. Detective Stone will do everything in his power to make sure we are not held accountable, but if any information we give can help close a case, it will be used,” Zachariah explained to me.
“Oh,” I said. “Okay. Makes sense.” It did in a way.
“Alright, let’s get this over with, shall we?” Nathan asked, more to himself. “I have been contacted, about three days ago, that Cody Ray was missing. No one had seen him in church and a few of his fellow churchgoers were growing concerned about his disappearance. It’s not like him to just leave without letting a number of people know.”
That was true. Cody always made sure to let the people at church know where he was going if he was planning to leave town for a day or two. It certainly would cause some concern among the people who thought he was the best man alive to spread the good word of God. If only those people knew just how sick and twisted that man was. Nothing was as it always appeared to be.
“I was wondering if either of you have seen him,” Nathan hinted.
“He had stopped by the other day,” Zachariah stated, his voice calm despite the horror he had just faced. “He wasn’t here long, to my knowledge.”
“Do you know what he wanted?” Nathan asked.
“Cody had said he wanted to see me. Something about him being concerned about my well-being,” I answered. My answer was putting it mildly.
“Did he say anything about where he was going?” Nathan asked next.
“No, nothing. He did seem a bit skittish, though. He wasn’t right,” I answered. Surprisingly, the lie fell off my tongue almost too easily.
“Alright,” Nathan said, appeased with that answer. “What car was he driving? Do you recall?”
“I can’t remember,” I stated after a moment, really not able to say what car he did drive here before breaking in. That little detail was not a concern, and Zachariah’s men had taken care of it.
“Where were you, Zach?” Nathan asked.
“At work,” he answered. “My wife called me shortly after Cody left, upset and worried about the man. He is her father, after all.”
“Do you think Cody Ray is a danger to himself?” Nathan asked next.
“I think he could be, yes. Since my marriage, he’s been a bit strange. He seemed like he was upset with my choices. My mom, Lynn, even ran off. I haven’t heard from her for a while now,” I said, worry lacing my voice.
Huh, maybe I can be a good actress, I thought. Or maybe my husband was finally rubbing off on me.
“I didn’t know she was missing,” Nathan stated, turning his full attention on me.
“I don’t think Cody ever did report it, officially I mean. I’m sure mom has her reasons. They were never truly happy together,” I shrugged. “She did call me a couple of weeks ago, and seemed unharmed, for the most part. Scared, upset, and worried about life, but okay otherwise.”
“Alright,” Nathan said, rubbing his jaw. “I think that’s all I have for now. Thank you both for taking the time to talk. I hope you are both doing well.”
“Perfectly,” Zachariah said. “Couldn’t be happier.”
“Good,” Nathan stated. “I’m glad you two are working out so well. I’ll let you know if we need any more information from either of you with locating Cody.”
“Of course,” Zachariah said, standing up and shaking the man’s hand.
It didn’t take Nathan long to leave the house, the door firmly shutting behind him.
“You can lie,” Zachariah said in awe, a look of pride in his eyes.
“Of course, I can,” I said with an eye roll. “Doesn’t mean I like to.” I had expected to feel remorse for doing so, but I felt nothing. I knew lying was a sin, yet I felt like it was the right thing to do.
“What happened to my sweet, innocent Kitten?” Zachariah asked out as he caged me in by placing both arms around my waist, pulling me into him.
“You happened,” I whispered out, my lips a breath away from his. “You are a bad influence on me.”
“Oh? Is that so?” he laughed.
“Very much so,” I giggled before pressing my lips against his.
Every passing day, I felt bolder to take what I wanted, when I wanted. I loved it.
Chapter 33
Avidya
I was filled with nerves as Zachariah circled around me, slow and easy with each step he took. Although it was storming outside, my blood boiled with need. I was warm from inside out as my heart beat in a steady rhythm.
My arms were limp at my sides. My breathing was heavy with anticipation. I needed this. I needed this as much as I needed my husband.
“Do you remember the safe words?” Zachariah asked out, startling me with his voice in the quiet hum of the room.
“Yes, Sir,” I answered. “Red is to stop. Green is good, and yellow is to slow down.”
“Good girl,” he praised, running his hand down my arm. Goosebumps were left in the wake. “Do you remember the rules?”
“Yes, Sir,” I said, keeping my voice quiet so it didn’t seem so loud in the room as another strike of lightning lit up the sky outside the window.
We stood in the bedroom, the lights dimmed to set the mood of what we were about to do. I craved this, and he knew that. He felt the same thing, I was sure of it by the way he had been looking at me all day long
We were like two souls reaching for one another every second of the day.
We had gone over what would happen earlier this morning after Zachariah had asked to make sure this was what I truly wanted. He had said he’d be happy with just playing around in bed like we have been so far but I wanted more. I needed more. He had to understand that. Wasn’t he a man that desired to have power? Wasn’t he a man that wanted me to submit to him?
I could see it on his face. I wasn’t going to force him to give up something he needed. We could come to a compromise.
“I won’t use any pain toys on you,” he went on, repeating what we had already discussed. His voice was smooth and warm like a warm summer’s day. I would never tire of him talking to me. “With your fair skin, I don’t want to leave lasting marks, but I will use rope and silk ties. They work just as well, if not better, than other things that I do have here.
“To start, I want you to place your hands behind your back.” His voice held a tone to it that demanded my complete obedience.
I did as he commanded. His voice alone made my core clench in need.
“I’m going to tie this rope around your wrists and hands,” he said, letting me see the brown rope he held in his hands. I knew he wouldn’t do anything I was uncomfortable with. “It won’t be tight.”
I nodded my head, speechless, as he moved behind me and wrapped the rope just tight enough around my lower arms down to my wrists. The rope was soft against my skin, made for this purpose. I had enough slack to move my elbows out slightly, I felt anything but caged in. I felt ecstatic that he was finally willing to give this a try.
“Color?” Zachariah asked as he finished making a knot to secure the rope from falling.
“Green, Sir,” I answered, testing the bond.
“Perfect,” he said, looking over his handiwork as he walked back in front of me.
Unlike me, Zachariah had a pair of boxer briefs on while I stood in front of him naked as the day I was born. I noticed that his light gray boxers were slightly tented as my eyes roamed his well-built frame. I couldn’t help but lick my lips at the thought of him.
“See something you like?” he asked, a glint in his eyes.
“Always,” I whispered out, my voice breathy.
“Kneel,” he ordered after a moment.
Slowly, I dropped to my knees before him as he helped to steady me by placing a hand on my arm. I couldn’t help but look up at him, my eyes dark with need. My breasts jiggled slightly at the movement.
“Perfect, Kitten,” Zachariah said, running a hand down my hair with affection. My stomach filled with butterflies as I leaned into his touch.
He took a step away from me and I wanted to whine at the loss of his touch. I craved him; craved anything he’d give me.
Without a word, he dropped his boxers, letting them fall to the floor in a pile before using his foot to kick them out of the way. I watched with a watering mouth as he slowly stroked his cock, causing it to harden and lengthen as he watched me.
“I do love you tied like this,” he groaned out. By his tone of voice, I knew his words were true. “What do you think?”
I lifted my eyes to his, not sure how to respond to that statement. I did like it, in a way. It certainly could take a bit more time to get used to the feeling of being at his mercy, but I did enjoy being at the mercy of this man. He owned me as much as I owned him.
“I want you,” I muttered, ignoring the blush that took over my face as my words. I did want him. More than anything.
“You already have me, my sweet,” Zachariah said, his voice filled with love. I could feel the love for me from his one heated look.
We were meant to be here; I could feel it in my gut.
“Are you sure you want this?” he asked as though he was afraid to push me. Was he afraid that I wouldn’t be able to handle this? Or was he afraid that he’d take it too far and scare me? Neither was possible. I wanted to know what he felt, how he saw this from his point of view. I wanted to know why people liked to give control over to the man, who happened to be a Dom. I just wanted to understand it all, and to do so, I had to take part in it.
“Don’t you dare back out,” I growled out through clenched teeth. All the teasing all day long was about to make me combust.
“Calm down, Kitten,” he laughed.
“I’m not a cat,” I hissed out.
“I think we’ll put that mouth of yours to better work,” Zachariah stated, a smirk in place.
“Please do,” I gritted out. I’d do just about anything to make him follow through with his promises.
“You should ask nicely,” he stated, still slowly rubbing his cock.
“Please. Sir,” I said. I couldn’t help but wonder if he was purposely trying to rile me up. I wouldn’t put it past the man.
“Much better, Avidya,” he stated before stepping forward. His cock was at the perfect angle for me to take him in.
I did without any warning, without any foreplay. I needed him as much as I needed air to breathe.
“God, Avidya,” he grunted out as I took his cock as far as I dared. I quickly used my tongue to lubricate him, then hollowing out my cheeks, I took him into my mouth.
Too soon for my liking, he pulled out with a pop, out of breath.
“You are way too fucking good at that,” he said. Despite the words, he was pleased. I was pleased with how well I knew his body.
“Up,” he said, laying a hand on my arm to help support me to stand. It was a good thing as I could have fallen flat on my butt if he hadn’t. “How're your arms?”
“Fine, Sir,” I answered.
“No tingling?” he asked.
I shook my head, flexing my arms at the same time.
“Let me know instantly if you start to hurt,” he demanded.
“I will,” I promised.
That was a good enough answer for him as he left me standing where I was as he circled me again.
“Someday soon, I’d love to have you tied to the cross, spread open and begging for me,” he declared. “I do plan to have you tied to that bed soon enough.”
I groaned, knowing I wanted that too. I just wanted him in any way that he’d give me.
“You like that idea?” he asked, seeming slightly surprised.
I nodded my head, my breathing increasing at the thought.
He walked behind me once more, and began to untie my hands. He purposely touched me as he unwound the roped.
Afterwards, he ran his hands up my arms and to my shoulders, rubbing my muscles the entire way. I moaned, loving the feeling of being slightly sore, yet needing so much more at the same time.
“How sore are you?” he asked.
“I’m fine, Sir,” I answered, letting my eyes slide closed.
“Good,” he stated. “Go lay in the middle of the bed.”
Nodding again, I did as commanded. I swayed my hips as I took the few steps to the bed, then crawled up onto the bed from the foot.
“Teasing me?” he asked, amused.
I looked at him from over my shoulder, giving him a wide grin. I didn’t expect him to be right behind me as I turned, although I should have.
“I like this,” he stated, grabbing my buttcheek in one of his hands, squeezing and making me groan from his touch.
Without warning, he pulled back his hand before lightly hitting me. My body jarred from the action. It didn’t hurt, and I couldn’t help myself push my butt out for another.
“Another?” he asked, his voice going straight to my core.
“Please, Sir,” I replied.
Without a word, he hit my butt three more times, in three different spots. The action made my core clench in need, begging to be used and filled. I wanted him; needed him.
“Are you wet?” he asked, using a pinky to feel my wet core. I felt like I was dripping in need for this man. “Very wet, Avidya.” He moved back, waiting for me to finish following his instructions.
Once I was in the middle of the bed, he crawled up the same way I did. Kneeling over my hips, he took one of my arms, lifting it above my head and tied it to the headboard. He repeated the action on my other arm. Once more, I tested the bounds, finding just enough slack to not hurt me as long as I didn’t fight them.
“Color?” he asked, his voice filled with lust.
“Green, Sir,” I whispered out. This wasn’t the first time he tied me to the bed, nor would it be the last.
My eyes watched every movement he made. His eyes swirled with thoughts of how he could possibly use me to his liking and I wanted him to do just that.
“Perfect,” he smiled before leaning down and crushing his lips to mine in a heated kiss. The kiss didn’t last as I’d have liked, though. Leaving my lips, he made his way down to my neck, then to my chest slowly.
I gasped out as he took one nipple into his mouth, teasing me as he swirled his tongue around the hardened tip. A moment later, he gently bit my nipple. I arched into him, my core throbbing with need.
He repeated the process on my other nipple as the slight pain went straight through me.
“Please, Sir,” I begged. I couldn’t help but buck my hips upwards, craving him. “Please.”
He didn’t waste any time in lining up his cock, teasing me for a moment before pushing in in one swift move.
I gasped out in surprise at the intrusion into my core, clenching around him. I had never felt fuller than I was now.
“Zach,” I grunted, willing him to move.
He began to move, slow and steady within me. Where his hips held mine down, I was barely able to meet him thrust for thrust.
“More,” I begged as he pushed into me slowly once more.
“I have you right where I want you,” Zachariah smiled, teasing me again and again. “Let’s see how far I can drive you with need.”
“Ugh,” I panted, letting my head press against the pillow as he teased me from the inside out.
I felt so much all at once. My arms pulled against the restraints, causing just enough pain to keep me from losing my patience with this man. I was so close, but so far away from combusting.
One of his hands sneaked up to my breast, rolling my nipple between his finger and thumb.
“I can feel you,” he grunted out, close himself. “So fucking tight.”
I was unable to form any words as he began to speed up his thrusts, nearly jarring my head into the headboard.
With three more thrusts, I burst as stars exploded behind my closed lids. A low groan of completion left my throat as Zachariah followed right behind me, shooting his load deep into me with a grunted moan.
As my core gave out one last squeeze around him, my body went limp as I was caught off guard by the sudden, intense feelings, somewhat overwhelmed.