Chapter 15

Ryker

I'm vaguely aware of the danger I'm in as I remove my belt. Tara stares up at me, seemingly unbothered that I could just as easily choke her, tie her up, or beat her with this leather strap as I could cast it aside and be sweet to her. "What do you want, Butterfly?"

"For you to stop staring at me like that."

I don't have to ask what she means. I know the way I'm looking at her because it's the same way I've looked at every person who's ever made their way into my bed. Settling between her legs, I hover over Tara and kiss down her neck. She tilts up to give me better access to her throat.

Fuck, her trust makes me grip the belt in my hand even harder.

Cupping the back of her head, my lips almost brush hers when I say, "Tell me what you want done to your body."

Since she likes the flogger, I bet she'll enjoy some of the other toys stashed away in here too. I'm determined to make her stay in this suite absolute Hell, yet my actions swing closer to divine pleasures every single time I'm in the room with her.

I crave this woman on a level I can't understand. Since the moment I first saw her in my club, and even now as she's putty in my hands, I want to do things to her I haven't indulged in for a very long time.

Maybe it's because I see something in her eyes that matches the ache I carry in my chest. Like draws to like, isn't that the saying? But even if we have nothing in common, and my instincts are completely off this time, Tara's still a beautiful creature to worship.

And to break.

Christ, I need to get a grip. I feel a thousand times better now that I've had a decent fight and flogging, but rage still burns in my body and needs an outlet.

"Everything happens for a reason, Ry."Dmitri's words seep into my bones, melting my resolve. Tara's not Natalie. She isn't here to betray me or ruin me. She's only here to use me.

As all whores are meant to be used.

And I chose this, whether I want to admit it or not.

"I want you to kiss me," Tara whispers.

That's an easy request. I bend down and press a gently kiss on her collarbone.

"On my mouth, Sir."

Not happening. I cock my eyebrow at her and smile like a devil. "My mouth could be better used in other ways." I run my thumb across her fat bottom lip. "And yours can be stuffed with something to keep it better occupied, Butterfly."

The room flickers. I blink a couple times. Shit, what the fuck is wrong with me?

Tara sits up, startled. Her eyes widen. "What was that?"

Alarms suddenly go off.

"Shit." It's the fire alarm. I rush over to the closet and yank it open. "Put this on and come with me." Tossing her a robe, I barely give her time to get into it before yanking her out of the room.

Vault runs out of the back hall where our offices are and runs into Dmitri. "What the fuck's going on?"

"Don't know," he says, running towards the steps.

"I'll check the server room," Vault dashes down the hall.

Keeping Tara protectively under my arm, I quickly escort her to the stairwell. My mind races with a million situations. How many staff are here right now? Are they all safe? If something in the kitchen's caught fire, is it repairable by this evening? What's the damage going to cost? I don't smell any smoke. Did someone pull the lever for shits and giggles?

My heart pounds along with my footsteps as I descend another flight. Tara's bare feet slap against the concrete as she keeps up. Fuck. She doesn't have on shoes!

I should have never taken her clothing from her. I'm such a dick.

We hit the first-floor landing and I scoop her into my arms.

"Ryker!" She yelps, smacking my shoulders. "Put me down!"

I'll let it slide that she's using my real name right now. She can protest all she wants, but there's no goddamn way I'm going to let her outside in the back alley barefoot.

Dmitri breaks through the back door. "There's nothing in the basement," he says, out of breath. "I'll check the kitchen. Vault took the server room and offices."

Shit, maybe the fire started in the walls or a bedroom? "Is everyone out?"

"It's only me, you, Vault, and Sophie." Dmitri runs a hand over his shaved head. "And Tara."

Sophie should have gone home already, so the fact that she's still here worries me because who else might be here, unaccounted for? My employees always go above and beyond for me. It wouldn't be surprising if some of my staff were already setting up scenes for tonight. Besides, the cleaning staff might still be finishing up somewhere we haven't accounted for yet.

The faster I get Tara to safety, the faster I can help my friends.

At least she's stopped kicking her feet and smacking my shoulders.

"I'll be back," I say to Dmitri. Hurrying out of the alley, I carry Tara to my car and set her down once I'm sure the road is clear of debris. "Sit in my car and wait for me." Digging my key fob out of my pocket, I unlock my Audi s6 and open the door for her. "If you get scared or if you see smoke, drive off, okay?"

"What?"

"Do what I say, Tara." I'm not sure if there's really a fire or not, but worst-case scenarios creep into my mind and I don't want Tara injured from an explosion or something. "Get in."

She obeys—thank fuck—and I slam the door shut to seal her inside before running back to my crew.