Black Light: Saved

 

Chapter 1

Kacy

“So, Kentucky?” Jafari asked.

“Yeah.”

Valentine Roulette seemed like a faded fantasy in the brassy light of early morning, yet her body reminded her of every moment, every scene. Tiny pulses of pain warmed her, both from the needle play on her abdomen and breasts, and the branded design on her thigh. The cane marks on her butt throbbed and would keep their scenes firmly in mind for miles.

Runway West disappeared in the side mirror of the Mercedes SUV she’d been unceremoniously dumped in, tied, and gagged like a prisoner. Kacy had expected to be taken straight to jail, and she’d more than earned a stint in a cell for trying to steal money from him. Instead, he was coming with her.

“And what shall we do when we get there?”

“Drink bourbon and kick some asses,” she muttered, only half-kidding. The bottles wouldn’t be stamped with a tax seal, but there was plenty of bourbon and rye to be had.

Jafari had a point about refusing to let her drive her own car. The ancient Ford probably wouldn’t make it to Arizona, much less Kentucky. Aside from being loaded with all her worldly possessions, it leaked oil and she had to dump a bottle of transmission fluid into it at least twice a month. Worse, she still owed money on it.

Then again, it would fit perfectly in the sprawling metropolis of Boone Ridge, population eighty-one. The plush vehicle he was driving was worth easily three times the value of the singlewide trailer she’d grown up in. Probably closer to four. She closed her eyes, unwilling to think about it. How the hell was she supposed to introduce a man like Jafari to a place like that?

The thought of Jafari seeing her hometown made her want to be sick, but she was too worried about Gran to protest. The only way Uncle Gerald could have gotten his filthy hands on Kacy’s cousin Macie was if something had happened to her, but Kacy didn’t dare call the lawyer back where Jafari could hear. She’d have to tell him everything eventually though.

“Bourbon?” He arched a brow, keeping his attention on the road. “I confess, I’m not much for spirits. Is there no wine?”

“Mad Dog 20/20 if you’re feeling fancy.” She straightened and laid a hand on his knee. “Look, I appreciate you wanting to help, but I’m just not sure it’s going to work.”

“I don’t know what that is.”

“What?”

“The Mad Dog you mentioned. What is it?”

“It’s wine. Kind of.”

“Kind of? It is or it isn’t.”

“It comes in a screw top bottle and people usually drink it from a brown paper bag.” Knowing they were getting off topic, she said, “Look, if you’re willing to loan me a few hundred dollars, I can take a Greyhound. You don’t have to drive me all that way.”

“There are some surprisingly decent wines that come in boxes. Perhaps I’ll try it.” He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and winked. “Are you hungry? We have pastries in the back seat.”

“Didn’t you hear me? I asked—”

“I heard you. You needn’t worry about money, but you are not taking a bus at all, much less for a trip of two thousand miles. You can either stop arguing, or you can enjoy this lovely road trip with a very sore bottom.”

“Jafari, I…” Kacy shut her mouth, then looked out the window again. She had no doubt he’d pull over and spank her butt until she obeyed, and she didn’t want to do it during Monday morning rush hour on a Los Angeles expressway. Thankfully, he probably didn’t have another e-stim plug. Then again… She pushed away the thought. Now was not the time to think about how amazing those electrical shocks on her most sensitive tissues had felt.

He took her hand, rubbing her knuckles gently. “What worries you so, little rabbit?”

“I… yellow.”

“Very well.” He drove in silence for several seconds, then said, “Kacy, I’m a patient man, but won’t allow you to shut me out again. I’m willing to wait until we know each other better and you’re more comfortable with me, but please do not use a safe word to avoid a conversation.”

Shoulders hunching, she looked down at her hands, feeling like a heel. His disappointment hurt more than anything physical he might have done to her. “You’re right, and I’m sorry, sir. I won’t do it again.”

Safe words weren’t meant to be used so frivolously, but she didn’t know how to tell him they were going to the literal armpit of Kentucky, so deep in the hills that daylight had to be imported. Worse, Kacy had no idea what she’d do about Macie when she could barely take care of herself.

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” he replied, chuckling softly. “But I will give you until we stop for the night before I ask again.”

“Yes, sir.” She clenched her hands in her lap, trying not to think about it.

“Neither of us got breakfast, so let’s find out what Jaxson organized for us.”

“Is this his car?” she asked, stretching to reach the back seat. Her fingers brushed the box and she pulled it closer before managing to get her hand under it.

“Yes. I traded him a case of wine for it.”

Setting the box in her lap, she opened it, revealing an assortment of fresh pastries. She gave them a doubtful look, then said, “Maybe we should stop somewhere to eat. I don’t want to make a mess in his car. What if he—”

“I’ll have it cleaned before I return it.” He reached into the box and grabbed a pastry without looking, somehow managing to eat it without scattering crumbs everywhere, then touched his lips with the napkin she gave him.

Kacy wasn’t very hungry, but maybe the small cherry Danish would settle her stomach. Trying her best to keep the mess contained, she finished it and wiped her hands.

“Do you want another?” she asked.

“No, thank you.” He took a sip of his coffee, one hand lazily on the bottom of the steering wheel. “Tell me about yourself, little rabbit. I want to know everything you’re willing to share with me.”

Closing the box, she put it in the back seat, then drank her coffee. “Well, you already know I’m homeless. I’m not sure—”

“We’ll discuss that later.” He reached over the console and squeezed her hand. “That is a topic for when I have time to spank you for not asking for help.”

“Hey! I was doing fine.”

He turned his head to peer at her, his lips set in a frown. “Really?”

Even irritated, Jafari Laurent was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. The short, grizzled stubble on his face was a bit thicker and longer than it had been last night, and he was impeccably dressed in a casual sweater and a pair of jeans. The only imperfection she could find was a single twisted loc that insisted on falling over his forehead, but it just made him sexier.

She looked like she was still doing the walk of shame in her consignment store dress and shoes. Her hair was a tangled halo around her head, sticking out in all directions because she hadn’t taken the time to deal with it. Her makeup was gone and she wasn’t even wearing panties or a bra under her short dress.

“Yes, I really was doing fine .” She returned his glare with interest. “I had a car. I had friends who helped as much as they could, and I usually had enough to eat. Maybe I wasn’t living in some palatial estate in Napa, but it could have been a lot worse.”

“Very well. I will concede the point to you. However, you will allow me to help you find somewhere more suitable when we get home. Understood?”

For a moment, she considered unloading on him, but the dumbass idea went away before she could act on it. He was a dominant and could no more change his authoritative character than she could erase her tattoos.

* * *

Jafari

Frowning, she glanced out the window. “Where are we going? You just missed the onramp.”

“What’s the closest airport to where you must go?”

“Lexington. Why do you ask?”

“I’ve decided,” he said firmly. “Flying is much faster and easier. You are in a hurry, yes?”

“I…” She shook her head, pale blonde curls bouncing in her face. “No, I’m definitely not letting you pay for airfare.”

“Let?” he repeated softly. “Perhaps you should consider rephrasing that, little rabbit.”

“Yes, Master Jafari, but—”

“Enough.” He drove toward the airport, thinking about what he wanted to say to alleviate her concerns. Although he didn’t plan on changing his mind about flying instead of driving, he also didn’t believe in making unilateral decisions without explaining his reasoning. “Are you agreed that we shall fly?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good girl. Here is why. By my calculations, it will cost something on the order of three hundred dollars in gasoline one way, correct?”

“It’s still cheaper than airfare.”

“It also doesn’t include food or hotels, or fuel for the return trip. However, if you still insist on driving, then we will continue. I’m sure I can think of all manner of ways to remind a naughty pain slut of her poor decision.”

She blinked and flushed pink. “No, sir. You’re right, and I apologize.”

“Don’t. You’re under a great deal of stress, I think. I suspect you’d have thought of it yourself otherwise.”

“Maybe.” She hugged herself and looked out the window, falling silent.

His little rabbit was an intelligent woman, yet she didn’t seem happy about making the more economical choice. Her attitude, while not especially bratty, was that of a woman doing something she had to do but wanted to put off for as long as possible.

She might have stolen from him to get to her destination, but he was convinced she hadn’t wanted to steal. Something very compelling was driving her, but he couldn’t think of what it might be, and it wasn’t quite time to ask her those questions yet. Judging by how she’d tried to safe word when he’d asked what troubled her, it wouldn’t gain him what he wanted.

They had plenty of time to get to know each other. He decided to steer the conversation in a more neutral direction. Perhaps she’d open up as they made their way to Kentucky. “Will you tell me about yourself? What do you do?”

“I’m a graphic artist,” she replied. “I used to work for an advertising agency, but I got downsized about a year ago, so I just do contract work now for gas and food.”

“Really? What things have you worked on?”

“I can show you,” she said, pulling out her phone. “This is one of my campaigns.”

Jafari took his eyes off the road for a moment to see look at the image. She was quite talented, and the campaign wasn’t a small one. He’d seen it himself on the internet and in magazines.

“Impressive.” He parked in one of the long-term lots, then sent Jaxson a text letting him know where his vehicle was. “You should schedule a meeting with the Cartwright-Davidsons to show your portfolio.”

Giving him a sheepish smile, she said, “I was hoping to meet them last night, actually, but it probably wasn’t a good time to talk about business. I didn’t know there would be so many people.”

“And then I kept you busy well past the end,” he murmured. “Stay seated. I’ll help you out, and we’ll figure out what we’re going to take with us.”

He rounded the hood, then opened her door and helped her down from the SUV. “Do you know how long our trip will take?” he asked, escorting her to the back of the vehicle. He had only enough for a long weekend, but he could buy what he needed when they reached Kentucky.

With some disappointment, he left his play bag in the vehicle, transferring only a large box of condoms to his carryon. It was probably wishful thinking, but it was better to be prepared. He wasn’t sure if there would be time for a scene, or if they’d have a suitable location. Besides, he could do a great deal with common household items. Clothespins made excellent clamps. Hardware stores would happily supply rope, and he wore one of his favorite impact implements around his waist.

Then again… He returned to his play bag and retrieved the e-stim butt plug, careful to hide it from Kacy so he didn’t spoil the surprise.

“I was thinking maybe two weeks, but that was if I drove.” She bit her lip and didn’t look at him as she reorganized one of her suitcases for air travel and put on a jacket. “I…um… You don’t have to come with me, sir.”

He took their empty cups and the bakery box to a nearby trash can, unwilling to leave it for Jaxson to clean up. One thing was clear. Kacy very much didn’t want him to go with her. Which meant, of course, she would be disappointed. He wasn’t willing to let her go by herself to do something she so obviously didn’t want to do.

She also didn’t address where she’d planned to stay while she was there. He suspected she was hurrying home to family but didn’t know for sure. If she thought she’d be sleeping on the streets… Loosening his fists, he resisted the urge to bend her over and spank her bottom.

After finishing with her suitcase, she loaded a backpack with a change of clothesa fresh outfit and toiletries, then changed her sandals for white tennis shoes. Although he loved her silky black dress, it was club wear and wouldn’t be comfortable or appropriate for air travel—especially since she wasn’t wearing undergarments.

Blushing, she tossed the backpack over her shoulder and grabbed her suitcase. “I need to change before we board,” she said softly.

“Of course.” Reaching into the suitcase she intended to leave, he retrieved her sandals, then zipped it shut once more. “But keep these. You’ll be wearing that dress again soon.”

Surely, there would be a quiet restaurant where he could take her for supper. Perhaps he’d tease her under the table while no one was looking. His cock thickened, growing hard as he considered the possibilities. He wanted many more play sessions with Kacy. Aside from being one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen, she was sweetly submissive and willing to try everything.

With one notable exception. He took her suitcase from her and set it down, then cupped her cheeks. Lowering his head, he kissed her forehead, then her nose.

“What color are you, ma chérie?”

Her tongue swept out, moistening her lip, and she blushed. “Green, sir,” she whispered, lifting her chin.

“Are you green enough to let me kiss you?”

“Always.”

Biting back a groan of need, he allowed himself one small taste of her and brushed a soft kiss over her mouth, not daring to linger. Kacy Coleman was simply too sweet, and like an addict, he would devour her.

“Delicious,” he murmured, touching her swollen lower lip with his thumb. “Such a little temptress.” He shouldered his bag, then took her suitcase, giving her a steady stare when she opened her mouth to protest. “Shall we?”

Offering his arm, he escorted her into the terminal, then found a restroom where she could change. While he waited, he replied to Jaxson’s text of acknowledgement, asking him to move the remainder of her belongings to her car and store his play bag.

She returned quickly wearing jeans and a pink sweater under her jacket, and had her phone pressed to her ear. Her face was wet with tears, and she was pale as a ghost. Frowning, he put his phone in his pocket, but she was too intent on her conversation to notice him.

“Mr. Pearson, I’m getting on a plane right now. All I’m asking is that you keep Macie today since she won’t be in school. I’ll even pay your standard hourly rate until I can take custody of her. The funeral arrangements can wait, but I need her to be safe.”

Custody? Did Kacy have a child? Had she left her child in Kentucky? And who had passed away?

For a moment, he considered walking out. The woman had too many secrets, and he didn’t know what else was hiding behind those soulful brown eyes. Not only had she lied about her safe word and stolen from him, he wanted nothing to do with anyone who had neglected or abandoned a child.

With some effort, he calmed himself. It wasn’t like him to react without knowing the whole story, and she was obviously grief-stricken. He’d give her a chance to explain before he formed any opinions, but he planned to make it very clear that her reticence to explain herself to him wasn’t going to go unpunished.

Well, assuming she had an acceptable reason for her behavior. If she didn’t, he’d put her on a plane and walk away. Truly, he should do that anyway. He had no business being around children at all. Not after…

He pushed the memory away and tried to focus.

She ended the call and sank to the bench, then looked up when he laid a hand on her shoulder. Tears stained her face, but she smiled wanly. “So, you heard all that.”

“Yes, chérie.” He sat next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders to hold her still. “And now, I must insist you tell me everything.”