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The understatedness of the club is what Kate liked best about it. 

The lighting is dim, setting the perfect mood. The booths are plush and crushed velvet of the deepest royal blue, giving one the impression of stepping back in time to a more refined age. There is faint music piping through a hidden system, a rather sultry playlist that alternated between jazz and classical works. The wall sconces were American Art Deco, simultaneously out of place but completely in tune with the rest of the atmosphere. There is a bar situated in the far right corner of the main room, a place where anyone could go and have a refreshing drink to numb the stress of the work day. The waitresses and bartenders wore crisp white shirts and black trousers, as though they belonged in a Michelin star restaurant rather than a nightclub. 

Kate adored this place. It feels like home, and upon first glance no one would guess just what kind of club it actually was. 

A den of iniquity. A palace of sin. The place Kate found solace in to relinquish control, the tight control she held daily.

“Ah, Ms. Sharma, so glad you’re here,” greeted Jason, her favorite bartender. He knew how to pour. Indeed, without even asking, he slid across a short tumbler of whiskey on the rocks. With a wink, he moved down the length of the strong oaken counter, seeing to another customer’s needs. 

Kate sipped, sighing at the smooth burn of it. She turned from the bar and made her way across the large room to a cluster of tables and booths. A small stage was wedged in the corner. 

It was here, hidden from the entrance of the club by a half wall, hidden from the gaze of the passersby outside, that the club hosted demonstrations. 

The shibari tutorials had become her favorite of late. 

Sliding into a small, intimate booth meant for two, Kate crossed her legs at the knee primly. The hem of her silver sequined dress, already rather short, rode higher up her thigh. It was rare that Kate wore such things, but when she did she felt undeniably sexy. 

Kate sipped from her glass once more, thumbing through some personal emails on her phone. She had made it a rule early in her career to not connect her work email to her mobile. Her father, rest him, had always taught her that the work/life balance was an important one to maintain. A life living for work was not a fulfilling life at all. 

By day, Kate was a solicitor for an environmental advocacy firm. It made her good money, affording her a very comfortable living. She could make trips when she wanted, indulge in a fancier pair of shoes every so often, and it gave her the opportunity to live in a nice neighborhood in London. 

Life, as some would say, was good. 

The little hairs on her neck prickled, almost standing on end. She felt, rather than saw, the intense gaze on her. Only one person’s stare elicited such a reaction. 

Kate turned slightly, her cascade of dark curly hair falling over her shoulder as she scanned the room. 

Ah.

And there he was, back resting against the hard edge of the bar, sipping a glass of his own amber liquid. 

Anthony Bridgerton.  

The bane of her existence.

Christ, it figured he would be here on this night. A night where she wanted to forget about work and be taken out of her head and sent flying.

God, how the man’s very presence sent her blood boiling. 

By day, Anthony, too, was a lawyer. A corporate lawyer, in fact. Not to mention, the CEO of the very same corporation he represented. And to top it all off, like a nice juicy cherry, the ass was nobility. A viscount. 

She abhorred everything he stood for. 

Yet every time they were in the same room, the air became charged with something. Crackling and nipping along her skin until she became down right agitated. His presence had her body warming, flush, and not from the whiskey. His eyes, those dark, scrutinizing eyes… 

He must have come from work himself, as he was still dressed in a well tailored three piece suit of a similar royal blue to the booths. The only giveaway that he was off the clock was the subtly loosened tie. 

Anthony Bridgerton always maintained appearances. But even he couldn’t be as serious while patronizing this club. 

Tipping his head, he saluted her with his glass in acknowledgement. 

Kate gritted her teeth and sucked in a breath. 

And then he was coming toward her. 

Stalking toward her more like, as though he were a sleek jungle cat hunting his prey. 

God, it was unfair for someone so insufferable to look that good.

Broad shoulders, lean muscle, dark hair, and a swagger envied by many. The only hint of a flaw, if one could even call it such, were the way in which his ears stuck out slightly. But even that was charming. So fucking charming. 

“Ms. Sharma,” he said as he neared her, his voice as smooth as the whiskey in her glass. 

“Lord Bridgerton,” she greeted in return, the honorific hardly spoken respectfully. 

“I wondered when I would see you here again,” he continued, not even the least bit insulted by her tone. His lips quirk upward into a borderline smirk. And Kate knew it would reach that territory in full before the end of this conversation. 

“It seems I can’t get away from you no matter how hard I try,” Kate replied with a sigh. Their last encounter here had been a bit of whispered verbal sparring as they watched an impact play display. 

“You know that you miss me when I’m not around,” he replied, idly swirling the liquid of his drink. 

Kate snorted. “Yes, I do so miss not taking you to task during a negotiation.” 

That was how they had first met. Kate representing her environmental firm and Anthony his own company. She still remembered her shock, to be speaking to the CEO himself, an accomplished solicitor and mediator. The moment their hands met in a professional shake, Kate knew she would never be rid of him. The moment their palms had touched, it was as though something had clicked between them, binding them together. The oddest feeling…

The talks had lasted for days. Towards the end, Kate suspected Anthony kept making the smallest demands to delay the conclusion to their dealings, stalling for time. 

What shouldn’t have taken more than, at most, two days of negotiations over the environmental impact of a new building his company wished to begin construction on, and the finer details of making the building run as green as it could, took a week and a half. Every day had brought a new problem. Something completely random and often innocuous. But Kate was nothing if not a professional, despite the fact they had constantly picked at each other for that entire week and a half. 

Since then, they’d worked on two other negotiations and crossed paths several times at the club.

“I always thought we worked quite well together.”

About as well as a leopard and a lion fighting for dominance.

Kate didn’t respond. She sipped from her whiskey again.

When she didn’t say anything in return, he came around the table to slide himself into the booth beside her. Kate resisted the urge to roll her eyes. 

“Did I say you could join me?” 

“No, but I know how much it would vex you to sit here. I could not help myself.” 

Anthony leans back against the cushion of the booth, making it look effortless and absolutely sexy to be so loose and devil-may-care. 

God, she loathed him. 

“So, what brought the inestimable Kathani Sharma to White’s tonight?” Anthony asked after a few moments of silence in which they both stole glances at each other while polishing off the rest of their glasses. “Are you waiting for the shibari demonstration? Couldn’t help but notice how that piqued your interest the other day.” 

Kate sets her glass on the table. One of the waitresses swooped in to offer her a refill, but she refused. She had a single drink limit on a play night. 

“If you must know why I’m here tonight, I am hoping to partake in a scene myself.” 

Anthony’s eyebrows rose, looking somewhere between surprised and impressed. 

“You’ve come to bust someone’s balls tonight?” 

Kate shook her head, smiling coyly. “Actually, no.” 

He looked even more aghast, turning his body to give her his full attention. “I would have never taken you for the type to give up control, Ms. Sharma.” 

“Well, we’re all full of surprises, aren’t we?” She grinned. 

“I’ll say,” Anthony replied softly. “And your scene partner… are they here?” He made a show of looking around the room. It’s a Wednesday, not to mention early in the evening. There weren’t many patrons present. 

“No… I don’t have a scene partner. I thought I might pick from the willing that are here.” 

Something flashed across Anthony’s face, and if Kate didn’t know any better she would say it was hope… perhaps mixed with a touch of jealousy. 

“I see no free partners here at the moment. Were you going to wait long until you made a choice?” 

Anthony was clearly fishing, and while Kate had thought about it before, especially after finding out he frequented this establishment as well, she had never allowed herself to imagine what it might be like. 

To find her release with Anthony Bridgerton. To give him control over her after so long playing the control game.

There was something about this man. Something about his earnestness or perhaps his charisma. She was like a moth to his flame, and a while ago she would have been so angry about it. But now? 

Now… What the hell? What did she have to lose?

Feeling emboldened, fortified by the warmth and slight buzz of the whiskey, Kate leaned toward him, but not too close. The woodsy scent of him always sent her into a tailspin, alcohol or not. 

“I think there may be one free partner here that I might have an interest in…” 

Anthony’s dark eyes shine with glee, like he had been absolutely waiting for her to suggest such a thing. 

“Why, Ms. Sharma, are you trying to seduce me?”

“And if I am?” 

Anthony’s gaze bored into her, darkening with want, and if there had ever been a sign that this feeling, this thing between them, was returned… that was it. 

“Then I would have to say that I would be absolutely honored.” 

Kate can’t help the little smile that pulled at her lips, completely genuine. 

“If it is agreeable, then, you should take me to a room.” 

Anthony barely hesitated. “Give me one moment.” He gracefully leveraged himself up from the booth and disappeared, no doubt to secure one of the exclusive rooms that White’s offered, of which there were quite a few. The club was bigger than it appeared to the casual observer. While there was the public playroom here, behind a set of polished wooden doors was a whole other world. Room after room of opulent beds, any toy or tool a person could want, and not to mention custom-built furniture crafted just for such occasions as this. 

As she waited, Kate smoothed down the skirt of her dress and teased up her hair, suddenly feeling a touch nervous. 

Any aspect of this lifestyle required a modicum of trust. As outlandish as it may seem, despite the fact that she found the man to be a cad, he was at least an honest cad, and one she felt she could trust. 

“Ms. Sharma. Shall we?” 

That silky deep voice addressed her from behind her. Kate turned slightly to find Anthony beside the booth, holding a hand out to her with his other arm tucked behind his back. Kate looked from his hand to his face, looking so serious all of a sudden. Like he was on a mission. She slid her hand into his and watched as his fingers curled around hers. He helped her from the booth and did not let go as he led her through the double wooden doors and into the maze of hallways hidden from view. 

Her heart thumped faster and faster, following beside Anthony. There were a few turns he made, and then he was opening a door and ushering her inside. 

With a click, Anthony activated a light switch, and then Kate was all out grinning. 

The room looked straight from a scene in Pride and Prejudice. Like they had just stepped foot into Mr. Darcy and Lizzie’s bedroom at Pemberley. The walls were papered with a decadent pattern of pale blue and silver. A four poster bed sat against the opposite wall from where she stood, with end tables flanking either side. The lamps that were illuminated were the only things that would certainly not have been in Mr. Darcy’s bedroom, but it added an otherworldly ambiance all the same. The only other features of the room was a door that no doubt led to a small, private bathroom, a wingback chair, and two antique chest of drawers occupying the other walls. 

“I had not thought you a man of such tastes, Lord Bridgerton,” Kate teased turning back to him after she had surveyed the room. 

Anthony leaned against the door, his fingers moving to the lock to flip it. And then he just stood there. Looking at her. Taking his fill. From the tips of her red-bottomed Louboutins to the crown of her head. He looked ravenous. Like he could eat her in one gulp much like the jungle cat she had imagined him to be earlier. 

“Your limits, if you please, Ms. Sharma.” 

He did not mince words. Or time for that matter. 

Kate turned fully toward him, rattling off her short list of hard limits and the slightly longer list of soft limits. Anthony, to his credit, was incredibly attentive. She could see him mentally cataloging everything she said. And when he returned the favor, she gave him the same courtesy. 

“Do you have a safe word you like to use?” 

“Newton.” 

Anthony huffed a laugh. “That blasted dog…”

Kate bit back a chuckle. 

“And protection?” 

She hesitated, nibbling on her bottom lip. “I have an IUD.” 

Anthony’s eyes heat, widening ever so slightly. “And you know I’m clean.” 

Kate nodded. It was part of the club’s membership requirements to provide test results at least every other month. 

Anthony pushed himself off of the door, his hands going into the pockets of his incredibly well fitting suit pants. He slowly stalked toward her, yet again, as though giving her the opportunity to run. Giving her an out. 

Like hell.

“What would you ask of me tonight, Kate?” 

The low dulcet tones and the way he said her name had Kate shivering. 

Too bad the night was not long enough. She would ask of him everything. 

Kate swallowed, her breath stuttering, finding herself uncharacteristically nervous again. Her heart threatened to burst from her rib cage, but Kate had been learning recently to go for what she wanted. 

“You and I… we despised each other from the start, yes?” She asked him. 

Anthony stopped, cocking his head to the side in thought. “I don’t know if I would say despised…”  

“There was a level of dislike, how about that?” 

Anthony nodded in agreement. “Yes, I would say there was. You were obstinate. Completely inflexible and not open to new ideas. It was a wonder we were able to reach the resolution we did.” 

Kate resisted the urge to point out the fact that it had been mostly his doing, delaying the conclusion of the negotiations. 

“As I was saying…” Kate spoke firmly, pushing away his response. “... there was a dislike between us. The way that you could match me barb for barb… I hate to admit, but it is the sexiest thing I have ever found in a man.” 

Anthony’s lips widened into a sly smile. “I cannot tell you how many times I had to go into the bathroom after hours of talking to you, jerking my dick raw because of how hot you made me.” 

A surprised breath expelled itself from Kate’s lips. She cleared her throat. “Right… Well… I… I want you to… to…” 

His veneer of swagger flickered a little, revealing something else underneath. Something akin to concern. “Tell me, Kate. What is it you want? No judgments.” 

Kate sucked in a fortifying breath, then let it out on an exhale. “I want you to be mean. I want you to demean, humiliate, degrade… I want you to be cruel to me.” 

Anthony’s body jerked, as if having a hard time processing her request. 

“Are you sure?” He asked on a whisper. 

Kate held his stare, and nodded. “Yes. Call me names. Spank me as hard as you can. Spit on me. Whatever you’ve got in you, Bridgerton. I want it.” 

His throat bobbed on a deep swallow. “Expect me to use colors often.” 

Kate nodded, knowing that he meant red, yellow, green, a common check-in system during a scene. 

“And expect me to be the softest and gentlest purveyor of aftercare.” 

Her smile was wide, brightening her face. “I would want nothing less.” 

This was a tall ask. Despite the ways in which they could vex and annoy each other, it hadn’t taken long for Kate to learn just how gentle Anthony was beneath the facade he projected to the world. She had seen him Facetime with his youngest sister to help her with maths homework. She had witnessed all of the fond ways in which he cared for each of his siblings and the utmost respect he gave to his mother. 

Anthony Bridgerton may seem aloof, cold, calculating… but the real Anthony she had glimpsed beneath was so much more. 

“Alright… well… are you ready?” 

Kate nodded. 

“Then let’s begin.” 

A shaky, anticipatory breath left her lungs, departing through slightly pursed lips. She expected Anthony to pounce, or to say something, but instead he slowly approached her and then circled her. Kate swallowed, feeling his penetrating stare all over as he moved. She stood stock still, hands slightly shaking at her sides. 

Anthony came to a stop behind her, and then pressed himself against her back. She felt him dip his head, tracing the elegant line of her neck with the tip of his nose while inhaling her scent.

“Do you know how many times I’ve thought about this? How I knew it was only a matter of when, not if, that I would have you at my mercy?” 

If voices were capable of such things, Kate’s lacy, barely there panties would have dropped right down her legs. So deep, so smooth, so sure of the inevitability of them clashing together in this manner.

Kate’s lips parted, ready to respond, but whatever she might have said died in her throat.

“Don’t. Fucking. Answer that,” Anthony hissed in her ear, his breath tickling the sensitive shell and causing her to shiver. “When I want your opinion, I’ll ask for it. When I want you to speak, I will tell you.” 

It is a strange feeling. 

To be this calm. 

Outside the walls of this room she would have cut this man’s (or any man’s really) balls off for speaking to her in such a manner. But in this opulent room, with this man, his deep tone gravely, her body’s response was only to warm and prepare itself to take him. 

Kate’s eyes had slid shut, but fluttered open when she felt the gentle touch of his fingers tracing the straight line of her jaw. She resisted the urge to lean back against him, and to lean forward further into the hand. 

“Tonight, Ms. Sharma, you are mine,” Anthony spoke again, curling his other arm around her waist to finally pull her flush against his chest, palm and fingers splayed. Kate suppressed a moan at the hard line of his body, so warm, and his scent so intoxicating. “While you are mine, you will only speak when I prompt you. And when you do, you will refer to me as ‘my lord.’ That is all I require of you. The rest of the time, you will take what I give you. Is that understood? You can talk.” 

Kate nodded. “Yes, my lord.” She almost didn’t recognize her own voice. It’s softer, dare she say… meeker? 

“Good,” he breathed, and that small word of praise set her blood pumping faster. “I expect nothing less from the simpering little girl that likes to play at being a lawyer.” 

Kate nearly moaned as Anthony nuzzled his nose and mouth against the crook of her neck, nipping at the skin. He took several deep inhales, and let his palms roam across her torso. 

“I have been remiss in taking care of what’s mine.” His tone is so indifferent, like he was bored. “I need you to take this hideous excuse for clothing off. If I had known you would lack any sort of taste, I would have dressed you myself. Now go to the bed, take off every scrap, and lay down.” 

“Yes, my lord,” she replied on a shaky breath.

Anthony loosened his hold for her to be able to move, and as she stepped away from him, he gingerly grabbed her wrist. 

“Hey,” he said. In that one word, his tone had completely changed. “Color?”

Kate looked back at him over her shoulder, and with a borderline wicked smile she said, “Green, my lord.”  

Anthony snorted wryly, before dropping her wrist and shuddering his face into that cool mask once more. He perfected the impatient stance, falling into it now as Kate moved to the side of the giant bed. She made quick work of her heels, setting them off to the side. Then, the “hideous” dress, which she draped on top of the nearest chest of drawers. 

Across the room, Kate heard a strangled intake of breath as she revealed her body, the lavender lacy panties the only undergarments she had opted for. But he had said every scrap. Hooking her thumbs into the waistband, Kate slowly dragged the material down over her hips and bent ever slower as she guided the panties to her feet. She stepped out of them and set the cloth on top of her dress. 

Kate didn’t think she could bring herself to look at Anthony in that moment. Knowing she may be undone by the shear lust that she could feel radiating off of him. One look, the glimpse of proof that he felt the attraction between them too… well…

The bed was tall, and even at her height it took extra effort to get on top, but get on she did, and laid herself back against the numerous pillows, waiting for her next instructions. Orders.

“It heartens me to see that you are capable of listening and following directions,” Anthony’s voice floated across the space to her. Kate forced her eyes open, to look at him, and resisted the urge to reach her hand between her legs, both to tease him and to relieve the throbbing. He reached up to begin loosing the buttons of his suit jacket, taking his time to hang it on the clothing rack situated in a corner of the room. Then he began working at the buttons of his suit vest, putting that on a separate hanger.

“The first time I saw you, Ms. Sharma… the first time I ever laid eyes on you, I knew. I thought to myself ‘This…. This is the woman that was made just for me.” 

As he spoke, Anthony had loosened the buttons of his dress shirt, and shrugged it from his shoulders. Kate bit down hard on her tongue to keep from groaning at the sight of him. Such smooth, creamy skin with dark hair scattered across his chest and down his toned stomach, disappearing into the waistband of his trousers. Anthony Bridgerton was by no means a musclehead, but he was beautifully lean, with the right amount of definition that had Kate practically drooling. 

“Every last inch of you… from the wild dark curls to the tips of your delightfully painted toes… is all for me.” 

Kate’s eyes watch him, watch his every move. He had hung up his shirt and now casually ambled toward the bed. His trousers fit him perfectly, hugging those thighs and tight ass. Why had she not done this sooner? 

After Anthony had toed off his Oxfords and socks, he climbed on the foot of the bed and prowled up the mattress toward her, caging her body beneath his. His knees came to rest, straddling her legs. He sat up, hooded eyes taking in every bare inch of her. He rested back on his heels, just looking at her. Taking his fill. 

“God, you are fucking beautiful,” he murmured. Reaching forward, Anthony traced the bumps of her collarbones, following the line from shoulder to sternum. “I mean it… you were made to be mine. Mine to look at. Mine to command. Mine to dress. Mine to fuck.”  

His fingertips had sunk down between the valley of her breasts, and began swirling patterns across her stomach. Kate was almost shaking with the effort to keep from arching into his touch. 

“D’you know what that makes you sound like, Ms. Sharma?” 

Kate shook her head. His eyebrow rose, expectant. 

“N-No, my lord. What does it make me?” She asked, shaky. 

Anthony’s full, pouty lips spread into a devilish grin. If Kate hadn’t been wet before, just that devious look would have her soaked. 

“My very own fuck toy.” 

She couldn’t hold it back, a whimpering breath punched from her lungs, and her hips squirmed. 

“Ohhh,” Anthony crooned. “My little toy likes the sound of that, hm? How depraved of you, Ms. Sharma.”

He swirled the backs of his fingers up, up, teasing at the underside of her breasts before sweeping up to the curve of her shoulders. 

“Do you know how hard I’d be able to fuck a toy? Hard. Raw. You wouldn’t be able to walk out of this room. And that’s the beauty of a toy. It can handle everything that I can give, and not make one single fucking complaint. Which you’re good at, as I recall.” 

His fingers now circle the tips of her breasts, teasing around the nipple but not touching it. Kate arches into him, chasing that sensation. 

“Can you handle what I want to give you, Ms. Sharma? Without complaint?” Anthony asked. 

“ Yes,” she gasped out. “Yes, my lord.” 

One side of Anthony’s mouth tracks up into a skeptical grimace. “I don’t know if you truly can. You don’t know how to lay down and take it, Ms. Sharma. You always, always, have to say something to ruin it.”

Almost as though he was baiting her, but Kate didn’t rise to the challenge. The twitch of his mouth said that he was pleased. 

“Now… what to do with you… hmm… should I spank your ass and thighs red? Or perhaps take a flogger to these beautiful tits?” Anthony’s fingers curled inward to her nipple and pinched the flesh between his thumb and forefinger harshly. Kate cried out, that sweet mixture of pleasure and pain zipping through her body. “You know… I generally prefer a woman that’s a little more endowed. But we can’t all be perfect, can we?” 

Oh, that fucker.  

Anthony sat for a moment in silence, his hot gaze penetrating, holding hers as the wheels turn. What would he decide to do to her? Her limits weren’t many… would he skip all pretense and fuck her ass? Would he choke her with his dick until her face was drenched in her tears from gagging?

“Mm…” Anthony hummed, having reached a decision. It was the same damn sound he made when he finally decided to sign contracts. Contracts that had been painstakingly negotiated over long weeks. 

Kate watched as Anthony climbed off the bed, and stepped over to the other chest of drawers. He pulled open the top drawer, perusing the contents. From her vantage point, she couldn’t quite see what he grabbed, but it was small enough to fit in the palm of his hand. He closed the drawer, looking rather pleased with himself. 

“I’ve decided, Ms. Sharma, that I’m going minimalist tonight. I rather prefer the idea of making you come with my cock, fingers, and mouth better than with something so artificial. That being said, this little fellow is going to help me out a bit.” Anthony then brandished a sleek bullet vibe, no longer or wider than her thumb. “But it’ll help me later.” He dropped the vibe in his pocket, then strode over to the wingback chair, and sat gracefully, with all the regality he had in his blood, so casually, but with no less authority than a king on his throne. He crooked a finger at her, beckoning her to him. 

“Get over here.” 

Kate scrambled off the bed. 

Anthony welcomed her further, patting his thigh. Kate stepped forward, turning to set her naked ass on his fine, light wool trousers, but Anthony shook his head and tsked. 

“No, no, Ms. Sharma. Astride.” 

Kate turned her hips, straddling Anthony’s thigh. She sat gingerly, only for him to grip the backs of her thighs roughly, yanking her forward until her hips were almost cradled with his. Kate hissed, the scrape of the trouser material a jolt against her sensitive folds. 

“Now… I’m going to sit here and send an email I completely forgot to draft before I left the office today. And while I do that, you are going to put those lovely hips to work.” Anthony produced his phone from his pocket and held up the device. “Now, rub your pussy on my leg, Ms. Sharma.” 

Sucking in a breath, Kate moved, not needing to be told twice. She pushed her hips forward, and then back, angling to catch her throbbing clit on the slightly scratchy material of his pants. All the while, Anthony sat back against the plush fabric, his eyes never once leaving the screen of his phone as his thumbs moved across, typing out whatever infernal email he claimed he’d forgotten to send. 

“Oh come on, pet. You can move faster than that.” 

Kate’s palms fell on the arms of the chair, gripping tightly for balance as she moved faster. The sensation is good, really good, but it’s not enough. It won’t be until he does something . Meanwhile, she’s positively burning from within. Kate had been wet since the moment she felt his gaze on her earlier, and only became more so with every look and minute touch and gruff order. She cannot imagine what she’s doing to his pants right now.

Pressing down, Kate ground herself on the hard muscle of his thigh, desperately chasing a release that won’t come in this manner. She grunted in frustration, jerking her hips faster. 

“What’s the matter?” Anthony asked, finally looking up from his phone. Kate stuttered and came to a stop, which earned her a swift smack of his palm to her thigh. She yelped, the action unexpected. “I didn’t tell you to stop. Keep. Going.”  

Kate bit back a whine, and acquiesced, beginning again with all the grace and movement of a baby foal. 

Anthony heaved a giant sigh, shaking his head as he placed his phone on the little table next to the chair. “Christ above, woman.” His hands halt her movements by holding firmly to her hips. “As much of a ball buster you are, I thought you’d be good at this. With how needy that little pussy must be, I figured you would ride my leg with feeling.”  

Kate felt her face heat. From fucking embarrassment. Fucker.  

“Get up. Clearly this is not going to work.” Anthony waved his hand imperiously, and Kate stood, backing away a couple of steps. She didn’t show it on her face, but she was damn satisfied to see the darkened material where her wetness had seeped in. Served him right for criticizing her. “Oh no, this will not do. You have made a mess of my trousers, Ms. Sharma. Do you know how expensive these are?” 

Kate had some idea, but she wasn’t going to answer. 

“You don’t care do you?” 

Again, Kate kept quiet. 

Anthony let out a disappointed sigh. “Get on your knees.” 

Kate’s knees gave, resting on the soft Berber rug on the floor. Her legs are folded under her, and she is sitting back on her heels, hands resting on her thighs. A perfect submissive pose. 

“You’ve dirtied my trousers, Ms. Sharma. Clean it up.” 

Kate swallowed, then leaned in, pressing her parted lips to the damp spot. The wool smells of the dry cleaners and her arousal, the slightly salty taste of herself catching on her tongue. She sucked, laving her tongue across the fabric, doing her best to do as he had bid.

“Good girl,” Anthony said softly, and Kate nearly purred. But the sound was cut off when he fisted his hand into her dark locks and jerked her head back. “But I think you’ve done enough damage to my trousers for now. Let’s put that mouth to better use. Get my dick out and suck me off.”

Kate’s fingers stumbled a little over the belt buckle and then the zipper, hands shaking in her efforts to hurry. Anthony’s grip on her hair held firm and unforgiving, keeping her head immobile. Once Kate got the zipper down, she reached into his boxer-briefs to free his cock. She moaned at the sight of it, long and thick and ruddy with need. So hard yet soft beneath her touch.

“You like what you see, Ms. Sharma?” The smug tone was not missed on her. Even she had to admit that he could be allowed to be smug in this one thing.

Shuffling around, she positioned herself between his spread thighs. Normally, she would have made a scathing comment about manspreading, but the cock in front of her needed to be in her mouth yesterday. Kate sealed her lips around the crown, swirling her tongue around the tip and into the little crevice where a bead of pre-come waited. Kate moaned at the salty taste of him, taking him further into her mouth, one hand wrapped tightly around the base. 

“Shit, you’re good at that,” Anthony said, breathless. Kate smiled, pleased, her mouth full of cock. She willed herself to take more and more, relaxing her jaw and gagging when he brushed the back of her throat. He let out a low hiss, the sound absolutely delicious. Kate pulled off of his length, gasping for a breath while she pumped her hand up and down the hard shaft. His pinkened flesh was slick with her saliva, and she couldn’t help herself. She dove back in, taking him fully into her mouth with one swallow. Anthony’s grip on her hair returned with a vengeance, grasping like a vice. 

“ Fuck, Ms. Sharma,” he huffed, and God Kate wished she could see his face right then. “That’s it… oh God, take it all. Fuck, take it all.” Kate sucked and sucked, taking him in and out again and again, teasing her tongue along the underside of his length. The hand in her hair acted more as a guide, but it soon became apparent that her pace was not to his satisfaction, as he began pushing her down onto his dick, choking her until tears welled in the corners of her eyes.

“Come on, Ms. Sharma. You can do better than this.” 

Kate whined softly in protest, which was the wrong thing to do. 

“Good fuck toys take the cock given to them. Now fucking open up.” 

Anthony guided her down roughly onto his cock, causing her to gag yet again. And then he began to buck his hips up while guiding her down, fucking her throat until she couldn’t see through the tears. With one final thrust, Anthony held her down, the tip of him once more sliding down her throat. He then yanked her off again and Kate gasped for breath. Her spit dripped down her chin, a strand stretching obscenely from his dick to her lips. 

“That’s more like it,” Anthony crooned, finally relinquishing his hold on her hair to almost lovingly cup her jaw in his palm. “I should’ve known you’d suck dick like a pro, fuck.” He huffed with a little laugh. 

Then, as before, his demeanor changed for a brief moment, long enough for him to ask: “Color?”

“Green,” Kate croaked, voice slightly raspy from the thorough throat fucking. 

Anthony nodded, then got quickly to his feet, hauling her up with him. His lips crashed onto hers, not bothering to ease her into the kiss. Instead, he plundered her mouth almost as much as his dick had just done. Their tongues danced, gliding against one another, the taste of whiskey still there along with the taste of Kate. Anthony devoured. Kate was damn glad he had a tight hold on her because her knees buckled a little beneath her. His arms locked tightly around her waist, palms flat and skimming across her back and down to the round curve of her ass. 

“Get on the bed,” Anthony ordered, wrenching away from her. “Get the fuck on the bed.” 

Something had broken in him, become harried, even more wild. Kate turned and scrambled onto the bed. She had barely had a chance to turn before Anthony was on her. He’d removed his trousers and boxer-briefs, finally putting them on completely even playing field, naked and warm and, God, that perfect slide of skin on skin that made Kate’s breath catch.

Anthony’s front pressed against her back, his hard cock wedged against her ass. The tip of his nose traced the width of her shoulder blades and then up the nape of her neck. Kate had already turned her head, anticipating him, accepting his kiss when he took her mouth once more.

With a loud crack, Anthony smacked his palm against Kate’s ass, garnering him a surprised yelp. “Turn over. On your back, fuck toy.” 

Kate rolled in one smooth motion, looking up into Anthony’s pleased face. His eyes burned into her, the need for her so clear in his expression. That, in itself, was powerful. 

He grabbed both her wrists and placed her arms above her head. “Don’t fucking move them.” 

Kate nodded and watched as he slid down her body to settle between her thighs. Anthony didn’t waste time, just as he didn’t waste time during a negotiation. He licked one, slow stripe from her entrance to her clit. Kate keened, hips bucking off the bed. Fuck, how could his tongue feel like molten fire, stoking the heat within her. It was unnatural. 

A low buzzing sound then filled the room. Kate had nearly forgotten about that damn bullet vibe, had forgotten what he had been intending to use it for. His plans soon became apparent as he set the tip of the device just above her clit, close enough to send vibrations into the little bundle of nerves, but not close enough to be substantial vibrations. 

Kate almost broke his rule, almost started to beg him. But she bit her lip, hard, not wanting to give him the satisfaction. 

“This is such a pretty pussy, Ms. Sharma,” Anthony said from between her legs. He slid one finger into her entrance, the digit sliding in easily enough. His one finger already felt more fulfilling than her own fingers. She gripped tightly at the many pillows above her head, trying so very hard not to touch him. 

The finger slid further inside of her, and then retreated, setting a slow but steady pace while the vibrations against her clit drove her crazy from the added stimulation. Kate was so turned on, so far gone for this man and what he did to her, that it wasn’t going to take much to shove her over the edge. The closer she got, the more she squirmed, feeling that building tension pulling, pulling, until she was sure it would snap but then–

Anthony stopped. 

He moved the bullet from her clit and slid his finger from her, then promptly sucked the digit into his mouth, humming at the taste. His eyes burned a hole through her heart, just looking, setting her further aflame with desperation for him. 

“You know, Ms. Sharma, I shouldn’t be so fucking impatient to take you. I’ve always suspected you’d be a mediocre lay, and I’m in no rush for my suspicions to be confirmed. But here we are. You have me bewitched. I have to have you.” Anthony shook his head, a slow movement back and forth. “You’re just a hole to fuck,” he continued, as though confused over his own feelings. “Well, really, you’re just three holes to fuck. You should have no power over me.”

Ah, but Kate loved that she did. Just by being her.

“Ah well, there’s nothing for it. I will simply just have to fuck you and be done with it.”

The pressure of the tip of Anthony’s cock was almost too much to bear, so sensitized and wound tight was Kate. But she doesn’t get a moment to dwell, to prepare herself for what was to come, as with one smooth motion, Anthony shoves inside of her. He met no resistance, because she’s wet enough to be dripping onto the bed at this point. As soon as he’s fully seated inside of her, they groan simultaneously. 

“ Fuck, that’s the best pussy I’ve ever felt,” Anthony choked out, his chin dipping down to his chest, to take in where they were connected. His mussed hair fell onto his forehead, and it was all Kate could do to keep her hands where they were and not touch the dark locks. Curling an arm under Kate’s leg, Anthony pushed her knee towards her chest, opening her wider, and suddenly, Kate can feel him impossibly deeper inside of her. 

“Ohhh, fuck.” Anthony has to take steadying breaths, and it might be the hottest fucking thing that’s happened this entire evening. Watching his control unraveling, and his base need for her taking over. 

Anthony doesn’t ease her into it. He didn’t do half measures. He simply reared his hips back and plunged into her, and then again, setting a fast pace. All thoughts fled Kate’s mind, and she simply is. She’s a giant ball of raw, pleasured nerves, and Anthony was plucking every single one. She keened, she moaned, her back arched as her hips automatically tried to meet him thrust for thrust. Kate can’t stop, can’t stop every gasp and moan and whimper. Anthony’s focus is centered, like he had given in to the primal being inside of him whose sole purpose was to fuck. 

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he groaned over and over, having lost his ability to form coherent thoughts and sentences for a moment. But only for a moment. “You… are the best… fucking thing…” It looked as though he had to force those words past his lips, grunting and thrusting between almost each. Sweat beads across his brow and in the hollow of his throat, a beautiful sheen as evidence of his efforts.

“Jesus– Ms. Sh-Sharma– you take cock like a fucking champ.” 

Kate’s fingernails dig into the material of the pillows she clung to, surprised she hadn’t ripped the pillowcases yet or the pillow itself. 

“You like it, huh? You like my dick fucking you this good?” 

“Auh!” Kate wailed, eyes rolling back into her head as Anthony found the perfect angle, hitting just the right spot inside of her. “M-My lord, r-right there, yes, yes!”  

“Mmmm… my precious little toy. God, look at you. You’re such a fucking slut for it. You’re a shameless whore for my cock, aren’t you?” 

This was it. This was how Kate Sharma was going to die. Of all the ways she could go, she supposed this was the most enjoyable. “Yesss,” she whined, “m’lord, your cock… your cock…” 

“Yeah, baby, I know. I know, sweetheart. Just take it. M’gonna make you feel so good. My perfect little fuck toy.” Anthony began to move impossibly faster, his pace so brutal and jarring that the headboard was banging rhythmically against the wall. “I’m not touching your clit. You’re gonna come just like this. On my cock, and nothing else.”

Normally, Kate would need a little bit of help to find release, but she can feel that that wouldn’t be necessary. Not when Anthony practically drilled the tip of his dick right against that delicious fucking spot inside of her. It’s building so fast, that blessed pleasure, that it startled her. Kate’s eyes widened. 

“My– My lord– I…” 

“You have my permission, toy. Come.” 

And as if the authority in that one word was enough, Kate positively exploded. Her body pulled taut, back arched off the bed, her plush mouth open in a silent scream. The pleasure was so immense, so unlike anything she had ever felt before, the next minute or two became foggy, a blur. It’s as if she’s floating, with quiet and calm all around her. And then, reality came rushing back and she’s screaming his name, her body shaking from the force of her orgasm. It feels like it won’t ever stop, the fluttering of her walls around his cock. Like one big orgasm, but also countless littler ones happening at the same time. After what felt like an eternity, the strung tight muscles of her body finally relaxed, collapsing boneless to the bed. 

For a moment, just a split second, she almost does feel like the fuck toy Anthony has referred to her as all evening. Because she felt as though she couldn’t move, and he still pounded into her, Kate taking it, chasing his own orgasm which did not take him long to attain. 

“Kate, Kate, Kate, Kate, fuck,” Anthony moaned, the one syllable of his curse drawn out as he shudders above her, emptying himself inside of her body. Kate is riveted, never having seen anything quite like Anthony, his pure masculine rapture, caught in the throes of his passion.

He managed to catch himself before he fell onto her, rolling to the side and bringing her with him. His back hit the sheets, and he hauled her up against his chest. It wasn’t hard, Kate was entirely too limp to put up any resistance. 

Kate doesn’t know how long they lay there, wrapped around each other, catching their breath and trying to calm their racing hearts. She can hear Anthony’s, her ear right over the center of his chest. It’s wild and fast, but it’s comforting. She managed to get an arm around his waist and a leg hiked over one of his, clinging tightly to his warmth. His fingers had begun to card through her hair, while his other hand traced idle designs across her shoulder blade and back. 

“Well…” He breathed, breaking the silence. 

And as one, they erupted into laughter. Pure, gleeful, giddy laughter. 

“From the moment you met me, you knew that I was made for you, huh?” Kate teased, lifting her head just enough to be able to catch his gaze, brown meeting brown. 

Anthony grinned. “I mean, I put a ring on it didn’t I? And you said yes, so…” 

“Whatever was wrong with me?” 

“I think you were too enchanted by my dashing good looks and flawless charm.” 

Kate snorted, settling her head back down on his chest. “Sure, we’ll go with that, love.” 

Another few moments of silence passed between them, their focus now on each other’s steady breaths. 

“Give me another moment to regain feeling in my legs, my love,” Anthony spoke. “I do believe I promised you soft and gentle aftercare.” 

Kate laughed, the sound still slightly hoarse from the throat fucking and the scream to end all orgasm screams. 

“You did, and I know you’ll follow through. You always do.” 

“So… did I do alright? Did I fulfill your desire for the evening?” 

“Mmm,” Kate hummed, grinning widely. “Yes, and then some.” 

“I didn’t…” Anthony hesitated. “... I didn’t say anything completely unacceptable, did I?” 

Kate picked her head up again, only to see the genuinely worried expression on Anthony’s face. She rested her chin on his sternum, and shook her head. “No. You were perfect. You knew exactly how far to go.” 

“If I didn’t, I’d be a terrible husband and Dom.” 

She laughed. “M’not sure it’s just that. You’ve always known me. How far to nag me, how far to push me… You’ve always known with one look what kind of day at work I had, when a romantic gesture is needed the most… You know me, my love. And though it scared me in the beginning, I trust you implicitly. I know you weren’t keen on the idea of being mean to me, but it ended up coming so naturally to you–” 

“–Hey!” 

“–And it was so fucking hot, Anthony, my God. I didn’t think I’d ever be turned on by you like that but it was… something else.” 

“I’ve never been mean to you. In my life,” Anthony replied indignantly.

Kate pressed her face against his chest, her nose slightly tickled by his chest hair, her laughter muffled by his soft skin. “I think we can agree that we were mean to each other in the beginning.” 

Anthony sighed. “You’re right.” 

“You know… in the interest of time and it being a work night… you can skip the after care and we can go home for round two.” Kate suggested. 

Anthony shook his head. “Hell no, wife. After care. It’s happening.” 

Much to Kate’s dismay, Anthony extracted himself from her bodily grasp and rolled from the bed. He rounded the end of the bed, grabbed his boxer-briefs, and slid them back on. Kate propped herself up on her elbow, cradling her head in a hand as she watched Anthony move about the room, sad to see that glorious ass covered again. He opened the door to a closet, revealing a mini-fridge and a stylish wooden cabinet she knew was stocked with snacks. Anthony grabbed a couple of water bottles from the fridge. 

“I do believe Thomas has restocked with your favorites since last we were here,” Anthony said, pointing at the wooden cabinet. 

“No, thank you, just the water and your sweet cuddles will do,” Kate grinned. Anthony smiled in return, and then sashayed rather goofily back across to the bed. Kate just shook her head, a fond smile on her lips as Anthony climbed back on, resting his back against the headboard. He hauled her up against him, popping a cap off of one water bottle to offer her. Kate took it with a hum of thanks, and took a couple of deep guzzles, sighing at the refreshing liquid.

“We should probably vacate this room soon. I am sure Thomas had it booked prior to our decisions for this evening,” Kate said. 

Anthony scoffed. “What is the point of my part ownership of this club if not to have our favorite room available at any time we deem we want to use it?” 

Kate smiled, shaking her head. “Of course…” 

They sit in companionable silence for a time, having long found comfort in just sitting with each other, basking in the other’s presence. Anthony had continued to brush his fingers through her hair that no doubt now resembled a rat’s nest, and Kate had casually been rubbing her thumb back and forth over the soft skin of his side. 

“So you’re sure I didn’t cross a line?” 

Kate chuckled. “I promise you.” She paused. “Though if you ever call me a simpering little girl outside of this room, they will never find your body.” 

Anthony let out a bark of laughter, squeezing his arms tighter around her to hold her closer. 

“Of course, Mrs. Sharma-Bridgerton. But I stand by what I said… about you being made for me.”

“And you were made for me,” Kate smiled coyly.

And he was. 

They were . 

Positively made for each other.