The Devil's Dream: A Dark Romance (Dark Romance Novel Book 1) (8 page)

Chapter Sixteen—Stavros

Stavros’s sharp intake of breath was the only audible sound in the room. His eyes darkened, lust and perverse carnal desire evident in his molten gaze. Suddenly, he didn’t care whether she was begging him to take her because of brainwashing. When a woman he hungered for stood before him in a tight black dress and gave him permission to carry out his fantasies, he simply couldn’t refuse. Wrapping fingers around the nape of her neck, he pulled her to him roughly. “You have no idea how much I have longed to hear those words.” His lips hovered inches above hers.

Kiana’s breathing quickened. Desire pooled in her core. She could feel her panties getting moist with each passing second. “Take me now, Stavros.” Her eyes were cloudy with passion. This wasn’t her normal behavior. Her subconscious told her something was wrong. She should be running away from him. But for some reason, she just couldn't let go of him. She wanted him to possess her completely.

“My bedroom, now,” he ordered.

She turned and headed for his bedroom. As she entered, she stopped. How did she know where to find his bedroom? There was no time to think about it any further. Stavros stalked in, his eyes pinning hers. “I want you naked.”

Her heart skipped a beat, but she immediately began to slide her dress off. He simply stood and watched, taking in every inch. Kiana began to feel uncomfortable.  As if sensing her discomfort, he murmured, “You’re beautiful. The most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on.”

Her eyes widened. She found his comment hard to believe. But by the hungry way he was looking at her, she could not help but believe his words. Licking her dry lips, she inquired nervously, “What now?”

He smiled slightly. “Is fear starting to kick in?”

“A little.”

“You don’t have to do this.”

“No, but I want to.”

He took slow steps toward her, loosening his tie. “You might hate me afterward.”

She swallowed hard as he circled her. “I don’t think that’s possible.”

Standing behind her, his fingers caressed her face and trailed down past her abdomen to brush over her mound. Fingers parted her outer folds, making her gasp. “Your pussy is already wet,” he whispered in her ear, satisfied. Leading her to the bed, he stopped at the foot. “Hold on to the posts.” Her fingers wrapped around the wooden poles. She turned around in confusion when he disappeared from behind her. He returned with thick cords and busied himself securing her wrists. “Spread your legs.”

Standing apart she looked down and watched him wrap the ropes around her ankles. She stood facing the bed with her back turned to him, rendered completely immobile and vulnerable. Her arms and legs were splayed wide. “Do you do this kind of thing often?” she asked nervously.

“I do. I like to inflict pain. But don’t worry, my sweet, there will also be pleasure.”

“You do this with all of your women?”

He chuckled, “You ask too many questions.”

“Sorry, I’ve never done anything like this before.”

“I’ll go easy on you.”

She gulped. “Isn’t there supposed to be some kind of safe word?” That was what she read in the books.

Stavros stood up. “There is no safe word with me.”

Oh, shit
. She started to realize that she was way in over her head. But, she was desperate to please him, sure that if she did things his way, he would stop ignoring her. She scowled, annoyed with herself. Since when did she do things she was uncomfortable with to please a man?

He pushed her hair aside to feather kisses down her neck. “I love having you like this, Kiana, at my mercy.”

She whimpered when he slipped something inside of her. He pressed a button and it began to vibrate against her inner walls.
“Ohhhh.”

“Do you like that?”

“
Y-yes
.” Her eyes fluttered closed as she enjoyed the sensation.  Her eyes flew open when something stung her backside. “Ouch!”
Did he just spank me
?

“Has he fucked you recently, Kiana?”

“What? Who are you talking about?” She shuddered as the device inside of her massaged her g-spot.

The leather strap held in his hand connected with her again. “
Marcus,”
he growled.

A moan, the mix of pleasure and pain, escaped her lips. “What does that have to do with anything?”

He whipped her again. “Ouch! No, he was never my boyfriend. We only went on a few dates.”

“You lied to me.”

“I-I—” He struck her again. “Stavros, I don’t like this.”

“You asked for it.”

“I know, but—oh fuck.” Her muscles spasmed as an orgasm rippled through her. She shivered, her knees weakening. If not for the ropes biding her to the bed post, she would have collapsed.

“Beautiful,” he whispered.

“Don’t hit me again, please.” Her skin still stung from the powerful strikes.

Stavros dropped the whip, deciding to oblige since it was her first time. “Okay baby, no more for now.” She let out a relieved sigh.

He reached around to pull the bead out of her, and she shuddered in response. “Bend over.”

“I can’t, you fucking tied me up.”

“No back-talk,” he hissed. His hands applied pressure to upper back, forcing her forward. Her muscles and restrained limbs protested. She groaned, but anticipation of what he would do next overrode her discomfort. She peeped over her shoulder to see him tearing open a condom wrapper. Turning back around, she waited, her heart pounding in fear and excitement. The thought of being immobile and having no control elicited fear, but she wanted him inside of her more than anything.

Without warning, he plunged into her forcefully, forcing out a cry. Gripping her hips tightly, he moved with violent strokes. She moaned, pulling against the ropes around her wrists that dug into her skin. He filled her completely, his rough movements inducing pain mixed with pleasure. She wanted him to stop, but wanted more at the same time. “Stavros, it’s too much,” she gasped. Her plea fell upon deaf ears. He reached around to wrap long fingers around her neck and squeezed lightly.

“I own you, Kiana. Say the words.”

“You own me,” she whimpered. “I’m yours Stavros, only yours.”

She winced as he went deeper with each powerful thrust. She opened her mouth to protest but he squeezed her neck again, effectively cutting her off. “Stavros, please,” she breathed.

“Please what? Stop or give you more?”

“Oh, god, I don’t know,” she sobbed.

Just when she thought she could tolerate no more, another orgasm budded in her core. It soon spread through her with violent intensity. She screamed his name over and over. He grunted, giving one more thrust and erupted with a loud shout. Shockwaves rippled through her as his cock pulsed in her softness. Gasping for breath, Kiana’s body went limp. She felt like she was having an out-of-body experience. Images of his hands stroking her body in the same room played through her mind.

She shook her head, wondering why she was reliving her dreams. Was it a dream or an actual memory?
It can’t be a memory. This is my first time in this room
. The ropes around her ankles were released, followed by her wrists. Collapsing onto the bed, she rubbed them gingerly, noting the red welts. She kept her head down, refusing to look at him.

“Why aren’t you looking at me?” he demanded. She flushed and lifted her shoulders without speaking. He tilted her chin upward to search her face. “I hurt you.”

“Yes.”

“But you liked it.”

Her eyes clashed with his. “Yes,” she whispered, her blush deepening.

His lips lifted into a satisfied smirk, “Good. Next time we can go further.”

Her eyes widened. “Are you serious? There’s more?”

He chuckled, “That was just a taste, baby.” Noting her fearful expression, he added, “Of course, we’ll take things slow.”

She pulled her chin from his grasp and lowered her gaze. “I should go.”

“Stay.” His own word took him by surprise. She was the first woman he had brought into his private domain. He was allowing her to get closer. “You can stay,” he repeated.

Staring up at him, she softly voiced, “Okay.”

Hours later, Stavros stood on his balcony, peering over Miami with a lit cigar. Kiana lay just a few feet away in his bed.
What the hell am I doing?
Having a woman spend the night was foreign to him. He was getting more attached. He took a puff of his cigar and rubbed his chin. What if it all ended badly? He didn’t do relationships, but he had seen plenty of them go wrong.

With a sigh, he put out his cigar and stepped inside. Staring at the figure in his bed, he wondered whether he should join her or go out to take care of some business. The outline of her sumptuous curves called to him.
I suppose I can take a night off
, he thought. Sliding into bed, he laid awkwardly next to Kiana. He couldn’t get over how strange it was to have her there. She suddenly rolled over and placed her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her experimentally. It felt right, so he relaxed and closed his eyes.

***
 

The light piercing through the curtains forced him awake. Reaching out for the woman who had slept beside him all night, he felt empty space. Bolting upward, he searched the room. When he saw her dress still draped over a chair, he felt relief. Where was she? Then the smell of coffee gave away her location.

Padding into the kitchen, he spotted her over the sink. She wore one of his shirts, which hung almost to her knees. A smile tugged at his lips, but he didn’t allow it to blossom. “Morning.”

She jumped and wheeled around. “Good morning.” Worrying her lower lips she said, “Um, I made breakfast.” He took in the various plates of bacon, eggs, sausages, and biscuits. “I wasn’t sure what you like, so I kind of went overboard. I hope you’re not upset that I raided your kitchen. I woke up early and couldn’t go back to sleep.”

“Why would I be upset?”

“Well, you look rather serious right now.”

“This is how I always look.”

She grunted, “Good point.”

He took a seat around the huge island in the center of the kitchen. “I’m not accustomed to this,” he expressed.

Her brows shot up, “What, breakfast?”

“Having a woman in my home, in my bed, in my kitchen. I usually have my fun in hotel rooms. This is very new to me.”

Kiana gawked, caught off-guard by his shocking admission. “O-oh, um, I’m sorry if I’m making you uncomfortable.”

“Don’t apologize. I would like it to happen again.”

This time, she was struck speechless. Sitting on the stool beside him, she continued to stare at him as if he had just grown an extra head. “Well, aren’t you going to say something?”

She shook her head, not sure how to respond. “Stavros…”

“Take some time to think about it. Thank you for breakfast.” He turned to commence eating, leaving her in a stupor.

Chapter Seventeen—Kiana

Kiana woke up with a start. She instinctively stretched a hand out, but he was gone. Stavros had disappeared from bed, and he was nowhere in the room. Nausea washed over her, and the room began to spin. What’s wrong with me? Cold sweat washed her entire body, and her pulse seemed to be racing out of control. Panic mounted before long. Easing out of bed, she went in search of Stavros. Reaching the door, she froze. His voice came from the living room, and he sounded irate. “I don’t give a fuck, Jeremy. Kill the son of a bitch if you have to. You know what? Just stay put, I’ll take care of him myself.”

Kiana’s pulse picked up even more. Was he being serious about taking a life?

“How much have we made in the past two weeks?” He paused. “Of course sales are up. I told you my method would work. All of the women go on about their daily lives; they have no idea that they’re peddling drugs. The idea was sheer fucking brilliance.”

Kiana covered her mouth, smothering a gasp.

The pieces finally clicked.

That’s why he had been drugging and hypnotizing women and under the pretense of a sleep study. As her dread mounted, she realized she was just another pawn in his twisted game. Was that why she had spent the last three days practically glued to his apartment and his bed? She thought they were on their way to having some sort of a normal relationship. She had to get away from him, fast. He was pure evil.

Her soft cry caught his attention. His gaze swung to the doorway. “I have to go,” he said, immediately throwing down his cell. He stepped toward her, “Kiana—”

“Stay away from me,” she stumbled backward.

“I thought you were asleep.” Drawing closer, he frowned. “You don’t look so good.” He reached for her but she batted his hands away.

“Don’t you dare touch me you evil, murderous bastard.”

He froze. “Baby, what are you talking about? Just calm down,” he soothed.

“Don’t you baby me! I just heard you on the phone.”
Crap
. She realized that she should have kept her mouth shut. Now he would probably feel the need to end
her
as well.

Stavros sighed in resignation, giving up the pretense. “We’ll discuss what you just heard later. You look ill. Let me help you.”

Kiana didn't stop her retreat. “I don’t want your help. You did this to me. You drugged me and brainwashed me like the others, didn’t you?” She couldn’t hide the hurt in her tone. Unable to stay on her feet, she dropped to the bed. “I think I’m dying,” she groaned.

Stavros kneeled in front of her. “You’re not dying. You’re going through withdrawal.” She shot him a glare, and he had the decency to look guilty. “I haven’t given you anything in three days.”

“You knew this was going to happen.”

“I didn’t expect it to be so severe. You weren’t on the drug for that long.”

“I need to get to the bathroom,” she said weakly. She had no choice but to accept his assistance. “Get out,” she ordered, once she reached her destination.

“I’m not leaving.”

“Get the fuck out!”

Stavros gritted his teeth. “I’ll wait outside if you leave the door open.”

Kiana muttered a curse, wishing she could throw something at him.

After what felt like hours, which she knew in reality were only minutes, her throat burned from vomiting. Slumping against the bathtub, she let out a moan as her body was wracked with convulsions. Stavros appeared, holding a needle. Her eyes widened as he drew nearer. “No, please don’t.” She didn’t want to be pumped up with drugs again.

“It’s just something for the nausea, I promise.”

She was unsure of whether she could trust him. “You don’t expect me to believe anything you say now, do you?”

He produced a vial and showed it to her, “See? Diphenhydrinate will help to stop the vomiting.”

She eyed the bottle suspiciously but nodded. She would take anything to stop the waves of nausea. Closing her eyes she held out her hand. “Turn around,” he asked.

Her eyes flew open. “You’re going to inject me in the ass?” He nodded solemnly. With a groan, she reluctantly positioned herself. “I fucking hate you, Stavros Kane,” she murmured.

He smiled slightly. “I can’t say that I blame you.”

***
 

Kiana’s eyes fluttered open. Pain pierced her skull when they came fully open. She swallowed, trying to moisten her dry throat. She was still in Stavros’s bedroom. He sat in a chair across from the bed, studying her. “Did you drug me again?”

“No, you fell asleep, and I brought you back to bed.”

“Are you going to kill me because I know too much?”

His brows elevated. “What is that you think you know?”

Sitting up gingerly, she said, “I know you’re not a good man. You use psychiatry as a cover to victimize women. You drug them and brainwash them.”

“Where is all this brainwash talk coming from, Kiana?” Apprehension flitted across her features as she eyed the door. “I’m not going to hurt you,” he stated softly.

“During your bogus sleep study, I hid in one of the women’s rooms. That’s how I discovered you were using hypnosis. I know about the drugging from firsthand experience. But I didn’t know why you were doing it. I assumed you were taking advantage of them—of all of us, sexually. Then I heard you on the phone last night, and it all came together. You’re in some kind of illegal drug business.”

Stavros rubbed his chin thoughtfully. She had it all figured out. He grunted. “I’m impressed, Kiana. I knew you were conducting your little investigation, but I didn’t realize you knew so much.”

She gasped, “You knew all along?”

Letting out a low laugh, he nodded. “I wanted you to find out.”

Clutching the sheet in front of her, she frowned, utterly confused. “Why would you want me to find out any of it? I can easily turn you in to the police.”

“Are you going to do that?”

“I-if you let me go, I won’t say anything to anyone.”

“I’m not holding you prisoner.”

“You’ll let me leave then?”

“You shouldn’t be alone. You’re going to experience more withdrawal symptoms.”

She shook her head. “Who are you?”

He regarded her carefully, showing no emotion. “I’m Stavros Kane, psychiatrist and infamous drug lord. You hear about me on the news almost every day, but very few know my true identity.”

Her breath hitched in her chest. “Oh my God.” It was worse than she thought. Now, she knew his secret. Would she be safe from him? She wished she hadn’t asked. “Why are you telling me all of this?”

“You asked.”

“I know, but you should have lied. I can’t handle this, it’s too much.” She lifted her gaze to his. “Have I been your brainwashed puppet all along?”

For the first time, his cold exterior cracked. “I didn’t want it to be that way, not with you. But, you were so resistant. I started to drug you and use the same encoding technique I used on the others.”

“Have I been here before? I mean, before three nights ago.”

“Yes.”

She drew in a breath. So that wasn’t a dream. “What else have I done?”

He held her gaze. “You have helped to sort my product, but nothing more.”

She was starting to feel ill again. “So what I thought were weird candid dreams was all true?”

He nodded, “Everything happened.”

“That means you did violate me at the clinic,” she whispered. “The physical signs were all there, and you still managed to make me think it was all in my head. You are seriously one fucked up individual.”

“I know.”

His barely audible admission caught her by surprise. “Why me? Out of the many other women that you could have chosen to screw around with psychologically, emotionally, and sexually, why me?”

“Because I wanted you from the first minute I set eyes on you. I desired to have you completely. But your defiance pushed me to take unconventional lengths to make it happen.”

Kiana scoffed and hopped out of bed. Anger was swirling in her. “So this is
my
fault? Do you hear yourself?”

He stood up, her fury fueling his. “Maybe it
is
your fault. You somehow made me start to care,” he said with disdain.  “I haven’t felt such emotions in years until you came along. I didn’t want to drug you, Kiana. I wanted you to come to me of your own free will. Attaining you through brainwashing and drugs has given me no satisfaction.”

“Am I supposed to feel sorry for you now? You’ve ruined my life. I don’t even know if I’ve had
any
independent thoughts or feelings in the last few weeks. I can’t even trust my own judgment anymore. I have no idea who I am.” She clutched her head as the ever-present dull ache took form.

“I’m sorry.” The faint utterance brought her eyes swinging to his. “I was lonely in my dark world. I foolishly thought I could make you join me.” Wiping a hand across his face, he sighed, suddenly looking tired and defeated. “If you want to walk out the door, you are free to. But I’m not sure I can let you go. I’ll come back for you.”

Kiana stared at the man in front of her. The man she had suspected had a dark side. It was now confirmed that he was the devil incarnate. She should be running for her life, but for some sick reason, she didn’t want to leave him. “Did you really stop drugging me days ago?”

“Yes.”

“What about the brainwashing? Are my thoughts and feelings my own?”

He sighed, “I certainly hope so. It would mean that you are still here because you feel something for me.”

She averted her gaze. She did feel something—way too much. She was afraid she had fallen in love with the wicked man gazing at her with something like sadness in his eyes. His lost look tugged at her heart. She wanted to comfort him, knowing that her reaction was anything but healthy. After every atrocity he had inflicted on her, she still desired Stavros Kane. 
Dear god, I have lost my mind. I love him
. But could she trust her feelings? “I don’t want to leave,” she affirmed softly.

Hope flickered in his eyes. “Then say you will step into my world and stay by my side.”

Her feet began to move before her mind realized what was happening. Winding her arms around his neck, she stretched up to graze her lips across his. It was a silent acceptance of his invitation. She pulled back to gaze up at him. Their gazes remained locked for several seconds, the embers of passion flaring into a full blaze. Stavros grasped her hips and lifted her to him. Kiana draped her legs around his waist, feather kisses on his lips and his neck.

Laying her on the bed, he loomed over her, reaching down to free himself from the pants he had thrown on. He tore open the front of the shirt she wore, sending buttons flying in all directions. Her underwear was next. He ripped the scrap of silk, leaving her open to him.
“Now, please,”
she panted. Lifting her hands above her head, he pinned her wrists, always needing to assert his dominance.  He entered her with one swift motion, burying himself to the hilt. “Oh,
fuck
,” she cried.

With a roar, he plunged into her with wild abandon. Arching into him, she made mewling sounds of pleasure. “Now you’re completely mine,” he declared, gazing down at her with feral intensity.

“Yes, Stavros, I’m yours in every way.” She let go, giving over every part of herself to him, including her soul. Sobbing his name, she reached the pinnacle of ecstasy the moment he did. He laced his fingers through hers as they exploded together in earth-shattering orgasms.