Sandra gathered the book and hurried into the office to find Creighton absorbed in his work, his laptop opened on the desk in front of him, his long fingers intertwined beneath his chin as he stared at the screen. He looked up as she nearly ran to the desk, her face ashen and her breathing labored as though she had been on one of her famous runs.

“You have to read this,” she panted, setting the book in front of him.

She pointed at the chapter she had just read and waited as he silently did as she ordered. A frown slowly creased his brow and his jaw set. She knew he had come up with the same conclusion she had.

“Do you know what this means?” he asked in a hushed voice.

“Besides the perversion factor, Miriam just accused her father of killing your neighbor’s wife,” she said.

“I can’t believe it. All this time and nobody ever knew what he was really like.”

“Miriam didn’t even suspect his alter ego and she was his daughter. I think Andrew needs to hear about this.”

Creighton nodded and removed the phone from his pocket, pushing the buttons that led to his connection with his brother.

She listened silently as he relayed the new information they had learned, reading the passages to Andrew. Her legs were shaking, and her stomach did a strange sort of flip. This was sort of nauseating and she had no choice but to move to the sofa and sit down. She felt slightly dizzy with all that was happening around her and she held her breath, counting to ten to control herself from vomiting.

The room was quiet as Creighton spoke with Andrew, agreeing with him several times. The conversation seemed to drag on for an eternity when in actuality it had been only a few minutes. When he hung up, he looked at her, his eyes a mixture of relief and irritation.

“Well?” she asked anxiously.

“We can’t jump to any conclusions, but Andrew is going to take this evidence to his superiors and see what they make of it. In the meantime, he thinks it may be prudent for us to meet with Miriam and try to push her for more information.”

“How? I thought she was out of the country promoting her book?”

“She was,” he told her. “But he got a call from her solicitors that she had returned to Europe to arrange her father’s funeral and was willing to meet with them and answer their questions.”

“If we go and talk to her, wouldn’t it jeopardize the case against her father, if there is one?”

“He’s dead, Sandra,” Creighton said, taking the book and moving to where she sat on the leather sofa near the side window. He joined her on the narrow seat and pulled her hand into his, caressing her knuckles with his thumb.

“Nothing we learn or do will affect that. It’s just a matter of legalities at this point. If the courts decide the evidence against the old man is strong enough, they will open and close the case in one hearing. At least the victims will have been put to rest.”

“What about the others? Miriam said she never saw him with another woman. Don’t you think she would have noticed something odd if he had a dark side?”

“Maybe she did,” he said lifting the book. “We need to read this book of hers and see if there are any other hints or innuendos.”

He drew a deep breath as he opened the book again, absently scanning the pages.

“What’s the matter?” she asked in a soft tone, watching his distracted expression become haunted.

“I have wondered a lot over the years why he decided to go to the barn that night he caught us,” he answered. “He had been gone most of the day. There were no lights or sounds from the old place and he never went into the barn before. He hated it and forbade Miriam from going in there. Why did he suddenly take a notion to visit it that night?”

“Miriam said in her book that he had seen the footprints in the snow and where they had led. He was probably just following his instincts. His daughter wasn’t in the house and the prints led to the one place he told her never to go into. Maybe he was just worried.”

“I don’t know,” he answered with a heavy sigh. “Miriam had been in and out of her house all day. She had come by and helped me with the milking and the feeding as well as doing her own chores, so there were a number of footprints in the snow. Why did he happen to follow that particular set?”

“Do you think he was going there for another reason?” Sandra frowned as he sighed again, shrugging his shoulders.

“I don’t know, but after finding those bodies buried where the barn used to be and reading Miriam’s own words, I can only wonder if he was there to dispose of another victim, and we just happened to be in the wrong place at the right time.”

“We may never know for sure,” she told him, leaning her head against his shoulder. “Unless he left a bedside confession or a diary, then the secret went to the grave with him.”

I suppose,” he mumbled, setting the book on her lap and laying his head against the back cushions.

“There’s something else, isn’t there?” she asked.

“Andrew found out that Konrad Bachmeier was given a license at the prison. He was eventually given early release based on his behavior and was ordered to report to probation, but he never showed up once he was out.”

“What’s that mean? Given a license?”

“It means he was allowed temporary release so he could work. They are looking into the job that hired him, but he was personally asked for by this company. Some kind of repair shop or something. Andrew isn’t sure if it was a place he used to work for, or if he had inside connections. Either way, this place has a lot of questions to answer as well.”

Sandra knew this was frustrating for him. Creighton was used to being in control and taking charge of every detail in life, but he had to set his chivalry aside and allow another person to take the lead. Not just anyone, but the brother he had grown up resenting.

Thoughts of the old neighbor who had beaten him relived themselves before his eyes and she was certain he was thinking about how lucky he had been. Gerrald Bachmeier could have been a serial killer and they now owned his property. Complete with the rumors, fears, and ghosts of the past. Konrad Bachmeier could have an outside accomplice who helped him escape justice or could be hiding him out. She knew just by looking at her husband as he stared at the blank ceiling, his ire was mounting, and he was becoming frustrated by the minute. But she also knew that she had a slight control overtaking his mind off his troubles.

Slowly, she reached over and ran her hand up the soft bulge in his pants, squeezing gently until his eyes found hers. Her smile widened when she felt him grow hard beneath her touch. His expression began to darken. Passion replaced the irritation, and thoughts of old lovers and dead bodies, quickly vacated his memory as he watched her unzip his pants and slide her hand beneath the fabric. A soft moan escaped his lips when her fingers found the swollen flesh and began to caress it. Sandra had won him over and she was never happier that she had a secret weapon to use against him and his demons.

As Creighton stood, pulling her to her feet and wrapping her in his arms, she knew she could keep his mind occupied for some time to come. With her body and the desires they shared for one another, they would put aside the fears and confusion and concentrate on their love. She knew without a doubt, it was one diversion they would both appreciate.

Creighton paced the floor of the flat, staring out at the rain as it beat against the panes of glass. Their plans of camping and yachting had been altered by the weather, leaving them cooped up in the flat for days. It had been raining for a week straight and they were both beginning to feel the effects of cabin fever, without much else to do but talk or make love. Though both were enjoyable, having someplace to go would have been nice as well.

Ten days into their honeymoon and they had learned more about each other than either one thought possible. Memories and stories had been shared of both their lives. Sandra had learned about his life during his school years, his family, and his feelings of having a modestly sensible upbringing. He had a great love for his maternal grandmother and for Derek and his father as well. He admired them and spoke of their accomplishments and the many sports interests they shared. He was particularly fond of his mother. With her strengths, her love, and her determination, she was his idol above everyone else he knew. He insisted that he had always wanted to marry a woman like his mother and smiled when he assured her, he had.

They had played many hands of poker and Creighton was winning by a very slim margin, though Sandra had to admit she let him beat her quite a bit by breaking up some really amazing hands. He had discovered she really was a very good player and enjoyed tempting fate, though the stakes were always nicely paid.

Many new and interesting sexual techniques had been invented, including positions, fun with food, and loads of toy-time. His favorite version of the game, however, was stripping. He had won most of those hands, even without her cheating.

One day, after playing for nearly an hour, he insisted that she remain naked for the rest of the afternoon. He enjoyed making her squirm with her golden balls and anal beads, as she endured yet another loss, and bid her keep them in as they played several more hands. Eventually, he folded his hand and made love to her, smiling as she came harder than ever.

Andrew called earlier in the week and advised them that the courts were investigating the possibility of Gerrald Bachmeier being the Killer of The Yorkshire Beauties, as the papers were calling it, but until the forensic team had finished the autopsies and handed in their report, the case was still open. Creighton assured his brother he would contact Miriam and that they would visit her, but so far, he found several excuses not to follow through on his commitment. It wasn’t exactly the first thought on Sandra’s mind either. They spent the first night of their trip apart because of a female. She wasn’t exactly anxious to do the same with her honeymoon, because of an old lover.

Creighton sighed and fell to the sofa beside her as she continued to read Miriam’s book. She was nearly finished and had to admit, besides being filled with perversion and dark secrets, it was really quite good. Sandra bounced on the cushions as a result of his weight and she fought the urge to laugh as she closed the book. He was like a child, bored and anxious for the rain to end so he could go play.

“What would you like to do?” she asked him with a sly smile.

“I don’t know, but I’m about near the end of my tether waiting for this bloody storm to end.”

She couldn’t help but laugh at the exasperated, youthful look on his handsome face. She moved the book to the coffee table and straddled his legs, her bare breasts poked out from beneath the thin fabric of his shirt. The only thing she wore after making love a few hours earlier. Her naked bottom was pressed against the bulge of his pants and she smiled wickedly as he held her against him. His large hands cupping her firm buttocks.

“I have an idea,” she told him with a seductive grin. His eyes roamed down the gap between the open buttons that exposed her deep cleavage.

“And what is that?”

His tone was deep and husky as he lifted her higher on his lap, his hands massaging her butt cheeks.

“Let’s go to a movie,” she told him, nearly laughing at the shocked expression.

“Now?”

He nearly croaked the words making her lose control of her restraint. She kissed his forehead and pressed her breasts into his face, pulling away just in time to prevent him from capturing the erect nipples between his lips, smiling as he tried to follow them.

“You are the one who’s bored, so let’s go find something to do. I’m sure there is a theater somewhere around here that has a matinée.”

“Yes, but they are all in French or have subtitles.”

“So? I can read English, remember?” Creighton narrowed his eyes at her, the hands around her bottom squeezed.

“Or we can stay here and keep each other occupied?” he suggested with a raised eyebrow.

“No more sex,” she argued, wiggling off his lap to stand before him. “You’re going to wear me out before I have a chance to see our first anniversary. Now, let’s go find something to do. You’ve been bored for days and it doesn’t look like the weather is going to break anytime soon. I’m sure we can find a bowling alley or a dance club, something to waste a few hours.”

“Fine, but I get a rain check. I’m not going to wear you out, but I will make certain you remember how much you are loved.”

“I remember vividly, thank you. Now, get up and get dressed.”

Creighton stood up with a playful grin causing her eyes to widen as she turned and ran to the bedroom, followed close behind by the very handsome figure of her husband. Playing with this man - in bed and out - made for a pleasant afternoon, regardless of how it was done.

He caught her as she entered the room and they tumbled onto the bed, laughing as she wrestled in a weak attempt to escape. After several moments they lay embraced, panting almost as heavily as they did after making love.

“Come on,” she argued weakly. “We both need an escape from this expensive, luxurious dream home of yours.”

“Ours,” he corrected, slapping her bare bottom.

“I’ll let you choose the genre.”

His eyes widened at the thought of choosing the type of entertainment to occupy their afternoon.

“You’ll agree with anything I choose?”

“Yes, if it takes you out of this slump you’re in.”

“Agreed,” he smiled wickedly. “But remember, you asked for it.”

The theater was dark and crowded. Sandra took a sip from her soda they had purchased at the concession stand and glanced at her husband. She had anticipated the worst-case scenario when he chose the theater and the movie, but she had to admit this was not what she assumed she’d be seeing.

On the big screen at the front of the darkroom played the latest animated flick of wild animals on the loose in Paris. She glanced to her husband as he reached between her legs and took a handful of popcorn from the bag. He looked at her innocently and smiled. He knew exactly what she was thinking.

For as long as she had known him - which wasn’t long at all if she thought about it - watching a cartoon was the last thing she would ever have accused him of doing. Though it was fun and the many children around them laughed as she read the subtitles in English, she knew she still had a lot to learn about her husband.

The rain had let up by the time they left the theater, but the streets remained wet. The spray of water from the passing cars splashed over the curbs and sidewalks, making the walk back to the flat difficult and soggy. Creighton maneuvered them through the streets to the French restaurant where they had eaten several times since coming to Versailles. They greeted the manager, Maurice, as they entered, a genuine enthusiasm radiated from him when he showed them personally to their usual table; a small booth in the far corner where they could sit in private without interruption. They ordered their usual cheese and ham filled crepes and Calvados, then leaned back in the seat and waited for their supper.

“How did you like the movie?” he asked her with a twinkle in his dark eyes.

“It was very romantic,” she teased. “And completely off the wall from what I assumed you would want to watch.”

“I like cartoons, besides I promised Traci Ann I would see it. It’s her newest, most favorite movie of all time.”

Sandra giggled as he linked his fingers under his chin, just as his niece did when she wanted something from her uncle. Which she usually got.

“I have to admit, I’m not just surprised but perhaps a little disappointed,” she admitted as their brandy was served. “I had mentally braced myself for something far less…generic.”

“I thought you didn’t like that sort of movie?” he asked in a half-grin.

“I’m learning to like a lot of things I never thought I would.”

“I’m very glad to hear that,” he smiled, but allowed the conversation to drop as their meals were set on the table in front of them.

They continued to talk about insignificant things as they ate. Just relaxing and enjoying the time they shared until the rain began again. Creighton sighed, setting his nearly empty glass next to hers. This was not exactly the type of honeymoon they had planned, but there would be many long years together to sail and camp once things back home were settled. He took her hand in his, kissing her fingers gently, distracting her from the weather outside.

“I believe, my darling, you owe me a rain check,” he whispered.

“What exactly would you like me to do to you, sir?” she asked with a soft blush.

The more time she spent with this man, the less she found herself blushing. A good thing, she supposed, considering how often she used to perform the act prior to meeting him. Though he would come up with an occasional moment where embarrassing her seemed to be his goal.

“Oh no,” he insisted. “You owe me. Therefore, I do the performing and you do the accepting.”

Sandra shook her head in amusement when he stood and took her hand in his, helping her from her seat. She knew by the look in his eyes that he had something quite wicked and deliciously perverted in mind, and she found her heartbeat racing at the many possibilities.

“That sounds far less safe than the movie had been.”

“Trust me?” he asked tossing several bills of paper money on the table. Sandra nodded, watching his smile encompass his entire face and eyes.

They waved to Maurice as they stepped out the door and back onto the sidewalk. He opened the umbrella before leaving the shelter of the awning and wrapped her in his warm embrace as they hurried down the few short blocks to their flat.

Once inside their home, he turned and shut the door, locking it before glancing back to her with the familiar seductive grin. Without a word he took her hand and led her into the bedroom, closing the door behind them and encasing them in near darkness with only the lights from the street shining through the open drapes. Sandra’s heart began to beat wildly. Her anxiety and excitement took control of her nerve endings, making her feel very sensitive and alive.

He brushed up against her, his hand trailing around her bottom as he walked into the bathroom. The sound of running water echoed through the stillness and she smiled again. He stepped out of the adjoining room a moment later and wiggled his forefinger to her, causing her to bite her lip to prevent herself from giggling. He had not only started a bath but had removed all his clothing and stood in the doorway. His erection was the evidence of the anticipation of their evening and what he had planned.

Sandra walked into the bathroom, her hand accidentally brushing his hard shaft as she passed, lifting her dark green pullover sweater across her head and smiling as he inhaled sharply. She stood by the double sinks, unfastening the waistband of her pants, and slowly pulled them off to reveal the thin fabric of her red-hot panties. He frowned slightly when he saw them. He had grown used to her being completely bare beneath her clothes and she fought the urge to laugh as she watched his expression, while she slipped them off her hips, dropping them to the floor around her ankles.

Without a word, she stepped to the tub and climbed over the edge, smiling innocently to him before sitting down in the water between the bubbling jets. Creighton joined her, wrapping his arms around her slender waist and easing her back against his chest. He snuggled her close, kissing her neck and caressing her arms before cupping her breasts, his thumbs brushing across her erect nipples. Sandra felt the heat warming her, making her feel the erotic desire of passion begin to flow through her veins.

Several long moments slipped by as he massaged various parts of her body, loving and caressing each area in turn. By the time he was finished, her skin was alive and tingling as she waited for his next move.

“Are you tired, or can we play?” he asked against her ear.

“I can’t imagine ever being that tired,” she assured him. “What did you have in mind?”

“Something very intense and very domineering. You have to surrender your complete trust to me.”

“Don’t I always?” she asked, turning her head to look into his handsome face.

“Yes, you do,” he answered, his eyes pooling with the love and emotion that burned inside him. “Let’s go to bed.”

Creighton stood up from the water and took her by the hand, stepping onto the tiled floor with her. He kissed her briefly then reached for a towel and quickly dried her off before rubbing it across his own body.

“Are you ready to get trussed up like a naughty, naked kitten?” he asked, walking back into the bedroom with her. Sandra narrowed her eyes slightly and smiled.

“I’m far from being a cat,” she told him.

“Really? Why do you think they call this a pussy?” he asked caressing her between the legs. She frowned at him again, feigning irritation.

“I don’t like that word, it's vulgar,” she scolded.

“But it’s a proper word.”

“How do you see that?”

“Because when I pet it, you purr. Just like a…”

“Don’t say it again,” she ordered, and he laughed, leaning in to kiss her.

“Ready?” he asked again.

“Whenever you are,” she answered and waited as he walked to the foot of the bed, lifting the black bag and unzipping the compartments.

“I’m not going to blindfold you this time,” he told her, tossing the feline mask aside. “I want you to see everything I do to you.”

Sandra blushed scarlet, causing him to laugh again. He walked back to the side of the bed and lowered her down to the covers, deftly moving to her hands and stretching them above her head as she layout across the mattress. He cuffed them securely to the wooden posts then returned to the end of the bed, where he spread her legs apart and fastened them to the footboard. He picked up the nipple clamps and slowly crawled up between her legs, straddling her waist and pressing his hard erection against her belly.

“We’ll use these again since you seem to be getting used to them,” he told her, bending over to kiss and suckle her nipples until they were hard pebbles. The heat of his mouth sent erratic waves of desire coursing through her. He took one nipple between his finger and thumb, pulling on it to elongate it, then slipped on the clamp and snugged it down without making it tight.

Sandra moaned at the sensation than nearly growled when he bent over her, running his tongue along the imprisoned flesh and smiling as she sighed deeply. He turned his attention to the other side, repeating the familiar action until both clamps were in place. She was sensitive, more so than normal it seemed, but her breasts quickly adjusted, and she smiled at him. Once she was trussed up, as he called it, in the cuffs and diamonds, he leaned back on his heels to admire his work.

“That is a sight worthy of Tiffany’s,” he insisted, climbing off her to stand beside the bed. “Yes, quite nice indeed. Perhaps I should send a picture to the corporate office and show them what a real gem looks like.”

“Don’t you dare!” she snapped, a look of horror on her face knowing there was nothing she could do to prevent him. Fortunately, he laughed again, making her aware that he had been joking.

“I would never allow another person to look at this body,” he assured her. “It belongs to me alone. Now, let’s see how much you can handle before you pass out.”

Creighton walked back to the end of the bed and picked up the feather duster. He smiled wickedly, and she bit her lip to keep from giggling as he slowly ran it across the top of her foot, around the side and down to the sole. Sandra tried to wiggle, but it was useless. She was held securely in place, the only thing she could do was wiggle her toes.

He slowly, and deliberately, tickled the feathers up her inner thigh, brushing against her crotch and down the opposite side. She relented and began laughing, squirming as much as possible while he moved the feathers up the outside of her legs and across her tummy. He tickled along her sides to her breasts and over her imprisoned nipples, causing her to moan loudly, followed closely with another laugh.

The torture continued for several moments before he leaned down and licked the sensitive tip of her breasts, making her growl softly with the mixture of pain and pleasure. With a sly grin, he returned to the foot of the bed and glanced up at her flushed face as he picked up the blue rabbit and turned it on, holding it up for her to see. Sandra bit her bottom lip again as he began to caress her labia with his warm hand, her flesh still sensitized by his tickling. The tip of the vibrator pressed against her moist opening and he slowly pushed forward a little further, bending over and running his hot, wet tongue along the lips of her vagina.

“Delightful,” he whispered, spreading her labia with his fingers and licking her swollen clitoris.

Sandra moaned, closing her eyes as he picked up the speed of his tongue, biting and sucking the small bud until she tried to arch her back. Quickly, he thrust the vibrator deep into her, positioning the bunny ears around her clitoris and turned the switch to its maximum setting.

She gasped hard, trying to squirm against the abrupt thrills radiating through her, but he held her in place with a large hand across her tummy. He bent over her again and licked her throbbing clitoris, making her cry out as she suddenly climaxed, flooding her soul with deep relief.

A few agonizing moments passed before he relented, turning the rabbit’s vibrations down to a very slow pulsating motion, but left it positioned inside her. He rose up and looked into her eyes as she slowly came down, smiling a wicked grin when she looked at him, panting for air.

“That was good,” he told her as he picked up the riding crop. “But I think you can handle more.” Sandra screwed her eyes shut, readying herself for the arousing, stinging sensation.

“Open your eyes or I’ll stop everything.”

She immediately obeyed, sucking her bottom lip between her teeth to steady her nerves. Creighton held her gaze with his as he slid the tip of the crop down her torso, to her crotch and over her inner thigh. He swatted the outside of her hip, causing her to yelp in surprise. She wasn’t expecting him to hit her there and was trying to anticipate his next move when he slapped the opposite hip. He moved back to the first hip and flicked the crop against her delicate flesh, and she screeched. Sandra quickly began to sense a pattern when the leather struck the opposite hip again and was prepared for the next stinging bite, but instead of her hip, he flipped it across his initials and she whimpered loudly, the sound mingling with a soft moan.

Creighton caressed her legs and inner thighs with the leather causing chills to run along her spine, her muscles tensed trying to anticipate his next action, her lower limbs shaking with desire. He turned the vibrator speed up slightly and trailed the crop across her ribs and over her tummy then back down to her side and hip. Without rhyme or reason, he flipped the side of her breast and she inhaled sharply.

Sandra couldn’t resist the sensations burning through her. She closed her eyes and fell into them, relishing the bite of the crop against the opposite breast and back to the first. The torturous treatment continued, causing just a moment’s pain followed by the most delicious heat of arousal, basking her in the warmth and expectancy of his movements.

Each flip of the leather took her desire to a new height as he traveled further up the round globes to her clamped nipples until she thought she would go insane, but then he stopped suddenly and removed the diamond restraints, suckling her throbbing nipples into the heat of his mouth. When he had finished, he looked into her eyes again and smiled. She felt dizzy, the knowledge of what he was doing and the reaction to his passionate assault caused her mind to reel. She knew what was about to happen and welcomed it. Her mind felt like she was spinning on a slow Ferris wheel.

“You look beautiful,” he told her, kissing her lips as he laid the riding crop across her stomach and reached down between her legs, slowly moving the vibrator in and out of her. Sandra tried to resist, she wanted to feel the release deep inside her core, but he turned the speed up all the way and wedged it further into her vagina, his thumb brushing her clitoris.

He straightened up above her, watching the heat and passion fill her face as he retrieved the crop, striking her breasts again, taking her by surprise. Her shoulders lifted slightly off the bed, followed by her hips.

“You want to be spanked there too?” he asked with a wicked grin, granting her silent pleas, flipping the leather crop against her wet labia.

“Again?” he asked, and she nodded. He slapped her a second time before reaching down and opening her lips.

“More?” he whispered, and she nodded. Her breath was a deep ragged pant. She felt the loss of her control. All sanity vanishing with one simple word.

“Please,” she pleaded, straining against the soft cuffs holding her to the bed. “Harder.”

Creighton’s eyes widened and he quickly obliged her request and slapped the crop against her clitoris, hard. Sandra screamed, her eyes closed, her breath a ragged pant as the stinging sensation traveled up her stomach and down her legs simultaneously, causing her slender body to twitch. He didn’t move for a moment, waiting for her to regain her composure and open her eyes. When she did, he raised a single eyebrow questioningly to her causing her to smile rather shakily.

“Again,” she ordered.

“Hard?” he asked,

“Yes, and don’t stop.”

“What do you want me to do to you?” he asked, and she moaned.

“Make me cum,” she panted.

Creighton obeyed, slapping the crop against her swollen clitoris once, twice, three times until he knew she was lost. She screamed out his name, feeling the sensation of her climax radiated over her, the heat of release traveling through her veins.

When the leather struck her a fourth time, she found the strength to arch her back against the cuffs and cried out, a savage sound echoed through the room and she held tight to the vibrator inside her. Her body shook, her limbs pulling at the cuffs as Creighton slapped her one last time and watched as she writhed beneath his assault, her body convulsing against her climax.

He reached between her legs and switched the rabbit off, but left it positioned inside her, allowing her to slowly radiate down. After a few long seconds, she laid back gasping for air, her tongue licking her dry lips. She briefly registered the sound of the door opening and his feet padding down the hall but could not form a full thought as of yet. A few moments later the door closed again, and the echo of liquid being poured into a glass sounded like a tidal wave beside her pounding through her ears. He reached up and unfastened her cuffs, smiling as she opened her eyes and stared blankly at him.

“Drink,” he insisted, helping her sit as he pressed the glass into her hand. Sandra took a drink of the cool sweet liquid. His favorite champagne, domperidone. It was very refreshing and bathed her mouth and throat with the promise of more yet to come.

“Have I told you how amazing you are?” he asked.

“Only a lot,” she answered breathlessly.

“Well, you are. You’ve come a long way in such a short time. I would never have dreamt that you would be able to do anything like this, telling me to make you cum and then begging for me to beat you.”

“You didn’t beat me,” she insisted. “You - flicked me - and I like being flicked.”

He laughed softly as he took the glass from her hand and swallowed a large mouthful before setting it back on the bedside table. Sandra smiled as she laid down again, moving her hands up above her head as she waited for him to restrain her.

“Eager little thing, aren’t you?” he asked in amusement.

“I'm just trying to be an obedient wife.”

Creighton laughed as he reached for her hands. Pulling them forward, he kissed each palm, sucking on the tips of her fingers in turn before cuffing one with the feline covered restraint. He slid the other side of the cuffs through the wooden headboard and restrained her other hand to it, making certain there was enough slack for her to move. She looked at him with a frown, watching the smile that pulled at his full lips.

“I can’t spank you from the front,” he told her. “You want restrained and I want you on your tummy. I love looking at that beautiful bottom of yours, especially when it’s pink.” He walked to the end of the bed and released her feet. “Do you want the cuffs or the bar?” he asked watching the blush creep up her cheeks.

“The bar,” she answered.

He pulled the silver tube out of his bag on the floor and cuffed her ankles to the leather restraints.

“Do you know what I like best about this bar?” he asked and without waiting for an answer he showed her, sliding it open wide. Her legs were moved to resemble a pair of scissors, spreading them as far apart as she could comfortably handle. He reached down to where the rabbit laid inside her and turned the vibration back on, slowly thrusting it in and out of her, twisting it from side to side as he did.

“I love watching you cum,” he told her honestly and increased the speed.

“Why?’ she asked in a soft whisper, her hips arching slightly upward against his hand.

“Because your innocence makes it all the more precious to me. I love knowing that each orgasm you give me is mine. No man has ever experienced what you offer me. I love knowing I’m the only one who has ever touched this body.”

“I love the way you touch me.”

“How about a little more?” he asked with a wicked grin as he slid his hands up her legs. Sandra moaned, squirming at his touch when he leaned in and began spreading tiny bites across his initials, his tongue slipping between her wet lips as he teased and bit her swollen clitoris.

“I’m not going to let you cum yet,” he whispered as she began to writhe beneath his mouth.

He stopped the wonderful vibrating between her legs, removing it from her tight body, then grabbed the bar and quickly flipped her over to her tummy. He laughed at her surprised screech when the restraints holding her hands tightened above her, twisting with his sudden movement.

“Bottoms up,” he ordered helping her pull her legs up beneath her, her bottom thrust in the air, her head resting on her outstretched arms. “Ready?” he asked again and she softly nodded.

Sandra felt the warmth of the gel drip onto her bottom and his fingers began to massage it across her soft flesh, between her cheeks and inside her tight throbbing vagina. He continued to massage her for a few more moments until she felt the tip of the small beads press against her anus.

Drawing a deep breath to steady her rampaging nerves, she braced herself for the strange, erotic sensation that began building inside her. Creighton slowly pressed one bead after another into her, gently massaging her bottom with a large hand over her cheeks, spreading the heat of the gel across her until the beads were in place. She sighed deeply as he continued to caress her and then moaned again when he placed the rabbit back inside her vagina, the ears against her clitoris. Before she could form another thought the leather hand struck against her bottom and she gasped in alarm.

Creighton smiled as he massaged her with the warmth of his large bare hand, causing the gel’s temperature to increase. He turned the speed up on the rabbit slightly then slapped her again before massaging her bare bottom. Again, he increased the speed, slapped her, and massaged her tingling buttocks. This torturous rhythm continued until she was certain she would lose her mind, then felt the mattress sag when he climbed up on the bed between her legs. He pressed her hips down slightly before removing the rabbit and thrusting his hard penis into her quivering vagina.

He allowed his erection to take the place of the vibrator as the rhythm began again. He thrust into her, spanked her hard and massaged the spot he had struck. He pulled out of her, slapped her bottom, and thrust into her, slapping the other cheek than massaged both. Again, and again he repeated his actions causing her to moan, her vaginal muscles tightening around him.

Sandra rode out the passion, the intensity growing until she was positive, he was going to make her go insane. She loved how she felt with this man, loved how he touched her and how he made her feel alive and free from fear or embarrassment. It took all of four more long, deep thrusts before she found herself climaxing again. His urgent movements increased, his spanking stung her buttocks until she screamed a deeper release, taking him over the edge with her, growling savagely behind her as her body quivered and throbbed tightening around his hard shaft.

A few moments later he unfastened the restraints and collapsed beside her on the bed, embraced in each other’s arms, panting and sweating, completely spent from the events of the evening. It had been more passionate, more demanding than it had been since their wedding night and her bottom stung from the spanking. Her breasts were sore, and she felt like she had been ridden for days.

“Like it?” he asked her softly, his breath warming her ear and she nodded, causing him to smile in response.

“I like everything you do to me. You have a very vivid imagination, for a perverted deviant.”

“And I have a lot of ideas, my love. We have only scratched the surface of playing.” Sandra grinned then yawned, snuggling closer to his chest.

“Tired?” he asked her, watching her nod her head.

“I should have taken a nap so I could keep up with you,” she told him followed by another yawn. Creighton reached down to the foot of the bed and pulled the blanket up across them.

“You more than kept up with me. Sleep now, my darling,” he told her gently, kissing her cheek and cuddling her close to his side. “You’ll need your strength for tomorrow.”

“You know, we still have to call Miriam,” she insisted sleepily.

“I know.”

“Tomorrow,” she told him with yet another yawn, relenting to the intoxicating need for sleep.

Tomorrow held the promise of another incredible day with this man as they both drifted to sleep. A day in the life of Creighton Ashford, dark overlord of perverted passion and owner of her heart.

“I have a present for you,” Creighton said with a childish grin causing her to draw a deep breath. Telling him to stop spending money on her was getting to be an old argument and she knew she was losing.

They had slept in that morning and then enjoyed a pleasant breakfast of croissants and espresso while discussing plans for the day. Creighton agreed he would call Miriam later and arrange a time to meet with her before returning to England, though neither one was very eager. She didn’t want anything or anyone to invade their private paradise.

“What is it?” she asked with a deep sigh.

Creighton’s smile widened as he walked with her to the sofa and sat beside her, handing her a small brown package. Sandra wasn’t immune to receiving presents, but he seemed to go overboard with them. Jewelry was his favorite gift for her, next to vibrators. She pulled the paper off and lifted the box with an expensive cellphone and looked up to him.

“You’ve used mine enough to become familiar with it. This is exactly the same. I’ve had all your numbers from your old phone programmed in, as well as my family and the office. You can do everything with it; play games, surf the web, email, and listen to your music. I can even download your kindle to it, and it has a writing program so you can make notes when the inspiration strikes you.”

He reached for the box and began pulling it apart as they spoke, removing the phone, charger, and earphones. Sandra took the small black device from him after he powered it on. It was such a wonder and she felt the sudden surge of panic. She had never had anything so technical before.

“You’ll have to play with it to get used to how it works.”

“This is wonderful,” Sandra said with a slight frown as she scrolled through the many icons.

“What’s the matter?” he asked, bringing her eyes to his.

“Nothing, it’s just that I have never used anything like this, except for yours and you were always right there to guide me. I’m afraid I’ll delete everything if I press the wrong button.”

“You won’t,” he smiled. “I have it all backed up and it’s harder than you think to wipe out your information.”

“Why did you do this?”

Sandra couldn’t help but wonder what the importance was to have a cellphone this advanced. She normally used the house phone, and her cell was only for emergencies, or when she traveled.

“Because I’m very protective and I want to be able to stay in contact with you when I’m away, or during long meetings. It has GPS, so you won’t get lost when you go running. You’ll have the freedom of getting to know the neighborhood. Once the house is finished, I’ll be working at home most of the time, but I will need to go to my office occasionally, and unless I can convince you into coming with me, I’d like to know you’re just a call away.”

“So, you’re going to stalk me with a cellphone now?” she teased, smiling at his innocent expression.

“What can I say? Old habits die hard.”

Sandra smiled as he reached for his own phone to silence the annoying buzz.

“I thought you told everyone you weren’t going to be available by phone?” she said, watching him press the button for his voicemail.

“Considering everything that is going on back on the farm, I figured it would be a good idea to stay close in case Andrew has news.”

He was silent as he listened to the messages, allowing her time to sort through her own phone. It really was a marvelous device, but she still feared the technology.

“Andrew has a preliminary on the first three bodies,” he said quietly as he hung up his phone and slid it back into his pants pocket. “The first one is Lynette Stone, and according to forensics, she has been dead for fifteen years, give or take a few weeks. They are questioning her husband and Miriam, considering all she wrote about in her book.”

“What about the others? Does Andrew know who they were?” she asked, watching the haunted look cross his face.

“The second body has been identified as Angela Meacham. She’s the granddaughter of an old neighbor who died about the same time Lynette disappeared. Angela was from Scotland and came to Yorks to bury her grandmother. She stayed about two weeks to close out the property and left, but she never returned home. Her former job said they received a letter of resignation from her, saying she was quitting and staying in Yorkshire. She never cashed her last paycheck and hadn’t been seen or heard from since.”

“What about her family?” Sandra asked in a hushed tone. “Didn’t they report her as missing?”

“She didn’t have one. Her grandmother was the only family she had. When she died there was nobody left. It would be easy for her to disappear and no one would be the wiser.”

“What about the third one?”

“They suspect that she was killed around ten years ago, but they are still doing their examinations.”

“Miriam’s father was in Germany ten years ago, wasn’t he?” Creighton nodded in answer. “Then he couldn’t have been the killer.”

“Ten years ago, the old man left Germany for several days. He claimed he was in Paris to see Miriam, but until she clarifies that, we have nothing more to go on.”

“What about the other bodies? Is there any news on them?”

“Not yet, but forensics told Andrew they all look to have been buried between ten and fifteen years ago.”

“You need to call Miriam,” Sandra said sternly. “We need some answers before we go back to England.”

“This is not how I planned on spending our honeymoon,” he snapped as he stood up and paced the floor to the window.

“Since it’s still raining, we can’t go camping and you said yourself we can’t use the Tornado.” She walked up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and laying her cheek against his strong back. “It’s been a wonderful honeymoon so far, a dream come true and I promise it will continue, but we need to help Andrew. I don’t want this hanging over our heads the rest of our lives.”

“I’m sorry all of this happened,” he told her through a thick tone filled with anger and frustration. “I just wanted to give you the fairytale love story you always dreamt of.”

“And that’s what I’ve gotten,” she insisted when he turned around and wrapped her in his warm embrace. “I have my Prince Charming and a wonderful, lovely fantasy to live out with him. You did promise me a life of adventure, didn’t you? Consider this an installment of that promise.” Creighton kissed her lips gently, hugging her close to his chest.

“I love you so much, Sandra,” he whispered against her ear, causing waves of anticipation and chills of desire to race along her spine.

“And I love you. Now call Miriam. Let’s get this finished and return to our own world of perverted passion.” Creighton laughed full and joyful as he kissed her again, removing the phone from his pocket.

His arm remained around her waist while she laid her head against his chest. He dialed the number Andrew had given him and waited for the connection.

“Miriam,” he said a moment later. “It’s Creighton Ashford…I’m good. I’m sorry to hear about your father…we are in France. Sandra and I are on our honeymoon…it was a huge surprise to us as well. That’s what I’m calling for, among other things. I would like to get together and talk with you…Sandra and I can meet you whenever it’s convenient…I would love to see your clinic if it’s possible…we can definitely make it, just tell me when…tomorrow sounds great. We’ll see you then.” He hung up the phone and slid it back into his pocket, wrapping both arms around his wife.

“Why did you tell her you wanted to see her clinic?”

“Because it was a good excuse to meet with her and maybe take her off guard a bit. If she knows anything more than she wrote about, it may help to have her distracted with other things.”

“We aren’t going to stay there, are we?” Sandra asked with a suspicious gleam in her bright green eyes as she stared up at him, causing him to smile seductively.

“I highly doubt she would be willing to let us take advantage of her facilities just because of old-time sake. You said her patients go through a battery of tests and red tape and we haven’t done any of that. It may give us a few ideas though, something new to spice up our humdrum routine.”

“There has never been anything humdrum about our routine,” she argued with an amused grin. “You are an endless wealth of ideas.”

“I assume that means you’re happy with the way I love you?”

“Yes, to a point.”

“What do you mean, to a point?” He frowned as he pulled away from her slightly.

“I don’t know if I’m just really tired or…maybe I’m getting ready for my cycle,” she blushed as she spoke to him. “I’m just sore. Last night was a little more than I think I can handle.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that?”

“Because I was enjoying it, but today my breasts really hurt and I’m kind of crampy.” Creighton’s jaw set as he pulled her out of his arms to stare into her flushed face.

“Never hide this from me,” he stated. “If I’m doing something you can’t handle, or don’t want to do, tell me and I’ll stop. Our love life is very important to me and I will not have you regretting our time together. Is that understood?”

Sandra nodded, lowering her eyes.

“I’m sorry. I really was enjoying it. It was just today that I regret it. I feel like I’ve been on the back of a horse for a week.”

Creighton relaxed slightly, pulling her back into his embrace and kissing her forehead.

“We’ll take it easier for a while until you’re ready to go a little stronger.”

“Just give it time. I usually have breast pain and abdominal pains when I get ready for my period.”

“In other words, I need to be ready for your monthly mood swings?” Sandra smiled against his strong embrace and nodded. He knew too much about this sort of thing. More than he really should. “I thought you were due for it the weekend of our wedding.”

“I was, but I think the change in climate, or altitude, as well as all the stress, has thrown it off. I don’t think we’ll have much longer to wait though.”

“Let’s go get some lunch,” he told her a few moments later. “We’ll stop at the store and load up on chocolates and tampons.”

“That’s the strangest combination I’ve ever heard of,” she said, wrinkling her nose.

“But it’s what Sabrina does,” he told her, walking with her to the closet where they pulled out their jackets and umbrella. “I swear she gains five pounds every month during her cycle. She has the PMS thing worse than my mum and Irena put together. When she was younger and we saw the bags of sweeties, the rest of us avoided the house as much as we could. We were lucky to have lived on a farm. At least we had a reason to stay out of the house for a week without making it obvious.”

“This has to be one of the oddest conversations I’ve ever had with a man,” Sandra said with an amused smile.

“It could be worse,” he teased her. “You could be married to a perverted stalker.”