Dark Desires Read Online Free Page A

you must call me Master.” He
pinched her bottom through her dress, making her jump. “In public, when we’re
with other people, you may call me Mark.”
    “Yes, Master.”
    “Good.” He took her arm in his. “Our
carriage awaits.”
    Their ‘carriage’ was a black stretch
Lincoln limousine with a fully-stocked bar and seats that stretched along the
sides of the limo’s interior rather than facing forward. Katherine wondered if
the driver who held the door open noticed her flushed face or stiffened
nipples—his expression was polite yet unfathomable, so she couldn’t tell
what he thought of her. She was certain she didn’t look like any of the women
he normally took around in this limo. She was too short, and not skinny enough.
    His phone rang almost immediately when
they got into the limo and after glancing at the screen, made his apologies to
her before answering it. She sat across from him, her eyes restlessly drifting
across the interior as well as the view outside, but inevitably coming back to
the tiny bulge in his pants pocket where she knew the remote lay. She could
feel the metal of the vibrator pressed intimately against her still, and try as
she might it was impossible to relax—the knowledge that he could turn it
on kept her in a mixture of dread and anticipation.
    They arrived at their destination—a
Hilton—and took the elevator up to the hall where the soiree was being
hosted. The hall—tastefully decorated with gold and silver ribbons,
flowers and balloons—was packed with people dressed in evening finery and
holding champagne glasses while they sat at round tables draped in white table
cloths set with candle and flower centerpieces. A band was playing soft,
tasteful music up on the stage, and the banners clearly proclaimed the
fundraiser and its message.
    Mark snagged a champagne flute from a
passing waiter’s tray and handed it to her. “Drink some of this, and relax.
You’re so tense you feel like a wooden board pressed up against my side.”
    Katherine flushed as she took the glass
from him and took a breath, trying to release the tension in her muscles. The
task was made more difficult when he placed his hand at the small of her back,
rubbing up and down gently—she knew he was trying to soothe her but his
touch only heated her more. Placing the cool rim of the champagne flute to her
lips, she allowed the bubbly liquid to slide down her throat, filling her with
warmth. The knot of tension in her stomach eased slightly.
    “Thank you,” she murmured, then thought
to add, “Master.”
    Smiling, he kissed the top of her head,
then took her arm again and led her through the crowds of people, stopping by
tables as well as clusters of people standing to talk. She was introduced to
businessmen, politicians, even a few celebrities, and though initially she was
a little flustered she found herself getting into the rhythm of things,
learning to give and receive polite introductions, make small talk, take and
give compliments. She couldn’t quite hold back the blushes on the many
compliments she was given, either directly or indirectly when one of the men or
women spoke to Mark and ask where he’d managed to find her. She wasn’t certain
if they were being polite, or if they really meant it, but with Mark’s arm
around her and the constant smiles he flashed her it didn’t matter.
    Eventually dinner was served, and they
sat at a table with several other patrons. As introductions were passed around
she realized they were board members of the charity, just like he.
    “Who is your friend, Mark?” a woman with
silver hair dressed in a trim navy suit asked. Despite the color of her hair
there was not a wrinkle on her face, and her dark eyes were warm, but
vigorously alert.
    “This is Katherine, my assistant,” Mark
told her, and Katherine had to fight to keep her eyebrows from rising. She
supposed it would be rather awkward for Mark to introduce her as his
receptionist, since he would have