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  After her breathing eased a little more, she found herself needing to wrap her arms around him, tangle her fingers in his hair, snuggle up against him and lay loving kisses on his neck up to his lips. For a heartbeat, she forgot and reached for him only to pull on her fetters, only they didn't give. Her breath caught at the back of her throat and the desperate need instantly ramped back up as if she hadn't just had the most incredible orgasm.

  "Not yet, baby girl." Briefly he looked up at her, chuckled softly, and then went right back to gorging on her pussy. Within minutes, he'd managed to put her right back on that edge, only it felt like a higher, more precarious perch. "Oh, please…I need to come!" "Hmmm, but you taste so good, and you grip my

  fingers so fiercely." "I promise I'll hold your cock even tighter with my

  pussy." Silence met her statement. She knew she'd spoken it out loud, but there was nothing from him. All she heard was her blood pounding in her eardrums.

  With precise movements, he rose to his knees. Despite the cool façade he'd adopted, she quickly discovered his grey eyes spoke much more clearly of what was happening inside him. They were stormy, wild, hungry when they met hers. Inching forward, he stopped when his rod nudged against her slit. Eyes glued to where they met, he told her what to expect. "I'm going to take you." "Yes!" "Fuck you." "Yes!" She felt him spread her lower lips apart and the crown of his cock easily slid forward. Of its own accord, her body relaxed and readied itself for him to thrust in with one stroke, master her body, but he didn't. Instead, he moved a few inches in then pulled them out, only to return and leave, over and over again.

  "So incredibly beautiful the way your slick juice coats my prick."

  His voice was husky, deep and his erotic words brought a fire to her belly, tightening her muscles and releasing. Unconsciously, her legs tried to move and encircle him, use her feet to push him into her hard, to bring the orgasm once again sitting out her reach. But they didn't move. She was completely at his mercy and loved every bit of it.

  Slowly, he moved his cock inside her, just enough to have her looking for more, only to retreat again. Mentally she reached out to him, tried to tell him with both words and body of her needs, but he continued on his chosen path, speaking of how much he enjoyed the sight she presented. Then, like a butterfly's wings, she felt his hands on her thighs. The thumbs smoothed over her ticklish inner thighs. It gave her hope her climax was coming closer.

  The next stroke in didn't stop but continued, sure and steady, until he knocked against her cervix. Mimi moaned with more pleasure than pain. "Uhhh!" "Take all of me, every bit, show me how much you want me inside you, taking you, fucking you." Without pausing, he kept pushing until his balls finally settled against her ass. "You're so tight, squeezing me like a vice!"

  With her legs bent and splayed she felt stuffed full of him, like there was no room for him to move but he did. Putting the heel of his hand on her mound, he pressed down so he caught a small portion of her nub and slowly moved it in a circle as he almost slipped free of her clasp. "Noo!" Resolutely, he made the return trip through her unrelenting grip, ending with a push for those last millimeters of pleasure, before pulling back out. Purpose was etched on his face and gave her hope for satisfaction. With undivided attention, he slowly pumped in and out of her, all while his palm continued to wrench pleasure from her trapped clit.

  Closing her eyes, she lay there strapped to his bed and happily took every thrust he gave. Loved every stroke forced upon her. Savored each rigid inch of his cock. She thought the fucking he gave her was totally decadent and very personal. It felt like it was all about her. If it had a flavor, she knew it would be delicious on the tongue and instantly addictive.

  The tight hold her pussy had on him didn't stop, or even delay, his motions. He began to speed up, pressing down more firmly on her tender bundle and pounding faster in and out of her. Liquid honey eased the way for his uncompromising cock. The body slaps when they met was their music and sounded erotic to her ears. She added to it her moans of pleasure, and was thrilled to hear his deep masculine grunts. It was them, together.

  Resetting his hand, he pinched her clit, hard, and she was lost.

  "Ri-ic-k!" Her pussy pulsated around his rod, pulled to bring him deeper inside her. Her last solid thought was the knowledge that she'd never willingly let him leave her climaxing hold. Then, before she fully fell from the high precipice into passion's gentle embrace, she felt him explode like a cannon. Seed shot from his hard cock and was propelled into her deepest crevices, and she was gone.

  Floating outside herself, Mimi looked down and what she saw gave her such rush of joy. In the ethereal aftermath of their loving she accepted that what she'd found with this man was everything she'd been looking for.

  Chapter Two

  "I just don't understand, Armand." Sniffling, Mimi used a tissue to dab at her moist nose. "One minute I'm in the middle of the most intense, eye opening, lovemaking session of my life and the next day the man who put me there was gone. It seems like everything I touch or do is off. Soured. You know what I mean? Even having my morning hot chocolate somehow doesn't put a zip in my step, and you of all people understand how much I enjoy my first cup of sweetness. Honestly, I know we promised to do your fashion show, even had the final fittings, I just can't see myself doing it without him."

  "Shhh, don't worry so much. On my side it's perfectly fine to have you walking down the runway alone. Now for the other, give him time. I'm sure once he returns you two will be able to work through whatever this bump is. It's clear to everyone you two were made for each. I can't imagine that there's anything that can stop you guys from being together."

  She was listening to what he said and tried to believe. Unfortunately, no matter what he said, it wasn't wiping away the ache in her heart. It didn't strike her as odd that the man trying to calm her down was, first and foremost, Rick's friend. Upon their first meeting, she'd quickly determined his quirky exterior might be out there, but inside he was a gentle person who'd instantly endeared himself to her. More than a decade older than her, she looked to this man as if he were an older and wiser brother.

  "Sure there is. It's been almost a week and I've heard not one word from him. This is the man who used to call me every day before lunch, whether we woke up beside each other or not. He'd phone just to see how I'm doing. When I think about how he's handled whatever is going on for him, it really pisses me off. How dare he be so selfish?" She knew her moods were all over the place and needed to get a handle on them before they got her in trouble. "I'm sorry, really. For some reason, I can't push this away. He's everything I've looked for in a man and thought he was my future. Only now I discover he can walk away from me without a problem and the dream doesn't look possible." "Now Mimi, I don't th—" "You know what makes it worse? On our last night together he'd finally used cuffs and restrained me, completely. There was not an inch I could move, and it was delicious—mind blowing. The experience was so much more powerful than I'd expected. It wasn't just an out of this world climax. He'd made me feel so beautiful and special. So how could he walk away from something like that? Didn't he enjoy it as much as I?"

  "I'm sure he hasn't left you. Did he ever say he wasn't coming back?"

  "No, he didn't say anything but he's gone all the same. There were a few words on my machine at home about a business trip and then poof, gone and he's not answering any of the messages I've left. For goodness sakes, he's an architect not a spy or something weird like that. Okay, he's really good and people from all over the world want his work because they're all hip on helping our environment thrive. Despite that, I'm sure no matter how busy and in demand he is, he can still manage to make a phone call."

  "What if it's a really big commission? Maybe it's one with really big connotations to it that would impact more than just him. Would you still be hurt if he's trying to work through all the implications himself before he brings it to you?"

  "Yes, I would. I thought we were lovers, a couple, a te
am. That means we're supposed to share everything because what affects one, affects us both."

  "Well, I'd have to agree with you there. I guess, if you need a viable reason for his actions, then the only thing I can think of is remind you he's a man."

  His quick flippant answer managed to show a little humor in the situation and lift her lips. Armand, in many areas, was more female than she. "So are you Armand." "Yes, I have a cock and balls, but that's about it. My genes have been calibrated to an entirely different plan than most other guys. There's nothing manlike about me, nothing remotely chest-thumping, me-man-you-woman and therefore I take care of you. Now Tomas, his view on all this may very well be similar to Rick's. My man is so, you know,muy macho!"

  She loved how Armand had finally found someone to care for him as much as he did them. Over the relatively short period of time she'd known him, there'd been men in his life who were more into his fame and fortune than his heart. Not this one. Tomas clearly cared for her friend's well-being, just as a lover should. "Ha! He's a doll, and you know it." "Yes he is and he's mine, so keep your hands on your own man. Now, I'll hear no other excuses. Fashion Week is huge and I've planned on my show being the hot ticket. That means you will walk down that runway as my grand finale."

  "I don't know, Armand. It was so exciting and daring when it wasthe two of us, but just me…I'm not sure."

  "I'm the designer, my name is on the label inside the clothes. You must trust me, because I'm sure and that's all that matters. Besides, I've been talking this up for ages. Everyone is expecting me to outdo previous years with a line culminating in a piece that can't be beat. Mimi, you're my muse. The woman I thought about each time I sat down and worked on this collection. You were there when I put pen to paper and designed specific items that could be worn for any occasion. Do you understand that your lovely lush body and the positive attitude you have about it, is inspiring? And then there's how you look when you're happy with life. These and many other things about you were all in my heart and brain when I designed all of these things. Without you they're just clothes. And if none of that convinces you then you must realize by now that only you can be my leather bride. Shoot, I didn't know anyone could enjoy the material as much as me, but you do and I won't have you walking away from sharing one of the most electrifying moments of my career. Especially since you were the woman behind it all."

  "Oh boy, are you throwing in the guilt card?" The office suddenly grew quiet. She hadn't meant to be so serious, but in the back of her mind she had secretly hoped he'd take pity and give her an easy out.

  "Is it necessary?" Holding her gaze, he spoke softly but with a large dose of reality lacing his words.

  To her, this meant, muse or not, he'd give her no easy out.

  Mimi stood up and wandered over to the window and looked out at the view. Leaning her forehead against the cool glass, she found it easier to think about the man sitting behind her rather than the one who had a relentless grip on her heart.

  Armand de Cuir had been a young Frenchman bored with where fashion was headed in Paris. On a whim he'd picked up and moved to America. Before he'd even found a place to live, he'd been inspired by the outrageous and adventurous residents of Greenwich Village and started designing. The gay and alternative lifestyle groups inspired his work. This had been the first people to find and buy from him, and they'd remained loyal ever since. From those auspicious beginnings he'd found some help in promoting his work and had started to design leather pieces for other, more mainstream, designers until one suggested he set down some roots so more people could find his work.

  Apparently the time had been right for him to establish an exclusive leather line for men and women. Without looking anywhere else, he'd placed his store, offices and studio where he'd been most welcome from the start, in the Village. Luckily he'd found an all in one building to suit his needs perfectly and has been there ever since.

  As a master designer and connoisseur of leather, he was unequaled in the fashion world He'd earned his success through hard work. The way he styled the natural material along with his passion for the adventurous and independent spirit found here in this city had helped make him one of the top designers each season. The often cool, if not downright frigid weather helped as well. Today was a crisp winter's day, with the sky a bright clear blue. It couldn't be any more beautiful than yesterday, and both have been perfect for wearing leather.

  Shaking her head, she forced herself to search inside her heart for answers. One matter took no time what so ever to figure out. Of course there was no way she could walk out on a friend. It simply wasn't in her nature to do something so selfish and the man sitting behind her was definitely her friend. Despite the frantic pace his own life must be following this week, he's been here with support and kindness. Besides, if she was honest with herself, there wasn't anything her friend could say to soothe her wounded soul. Only Rick could do that and he wasn't around.

  That's it. She's had enough of all this turmoil. Since she'd heard his message she's been in a funk and it was time to shake off her self-pity, and do something for someone else.

  Turning around to face him, she gave the only answer she had for her friend. "No, it's definitely not necessary. I'll be there tomorrow before four o'clock ready to be primped and primed to walk down your special runway." "Will it be so hard to do?" "No way! I'll love every moment of this wild, history

  making fashion show." "Are you sure?" "Absolutely. It'll hurt not to have him there with me, but I want to make that walk. Besides, this isn't me. I can't sit around and mope forever. What I can do is look at tomorrow as the beginning of a new phase in my life." For a few moments she was quiet, looking at her friend but not really seeing the flamboyant man. She was focused on the fire in her belly. "You can be sure when he does return, I'll give him hell for turning my life upside down like this before I decide whether or not he still has a place in it."

  "I'm sure you will sweetheart. Personally, I can't wait to see you read the big hunk the riot act." * * * * The second the door to his office closed behind Mimi, Armand reached out for the phone and dialed a number he knew without having to look it up. There were three rings, longer than usual, but he had no doubt the man would pick up his call. "Hey there." "Rick, my handsome friend, you are so far up shit creek I'm not sure you can make it back to where the air is clean and full of the sweet scent of flowers. The love of your life has just left my offices, and to say she's very angry with you would be putting it mildly. In fact, if I were you I'd be shocked if she ever spoke to me again!" No greetings or salutations, Armand went straight to the point.

  "Oh, she will. She loves me, trusts me implicitly. Now, you didn't say anything about me coming back in time for the show did you?" There was no worry, he was sure Mimi would come straight to his arms as soon as he returned.

  "No, I didn't, even though I wanted to just to ease her mind in some way. All I'm doing is getting her dressed up and walking down the runway, everything else is up to you. However, I feel you need to be warned. She's fuming and feeling very vulnerable. Not a good combination in our lovely Mimi. She thinks you've put a slice of heaven in her grasp then took it away and left her without a word. By the end of our chat, she'd decided the finale was going to be her chance to start fresh. I believe her words were something to the effect of the fashion show was going to be the first day in the rest of her life without you."

  "The hell she will! Her life is perfect with me in it. Mimi ismine!"

  "Yes, I believe she is and will remain yours, but you have to see this from her point of view. You've gone off the reservation, as they say, and let your Neanderthal side to come forward and take over her life. We're friends, so I'm going to be honest with you. I think you should've talked to her about what's happening, included her, instead of handing it to her as a fait accompli."

  "Hmmm, okay so it looks like I made a few mistakes and have some making up to do." His friend calling him a modern caveman didn't bother Rick, although this was
a turn he hadn't really expected. All he'd wanted to do was make sure the unbelievable opportunity he'd been offered would not be detrimental to her before he even put it on the table. Together they'd make the final decision, and despite all this drama, there was still not a doubt in his mind she'd be at his side during the entire process. "Big time. So, tell me how has it been going? They

  offer you the moon for your work?" "Ha! Armand, you just finished giving me a lesson in how to treat the woman in my life with respect, and this feels like you want the details before I've given them her." This was too funny, the man had no shame in his search to be the first to know everything. He'd had no qualms in calling him to the carpet in one breath, and with the next he's looking for a scoop. Typical Armand, and he wouldn't want him to change one bit.

  "No, no, not at all. What I'm doing is vetting the details to make sure you actually have been thinking of her during all this me-me-me stuff."

  "You dog, you know she comes first. Okay, I made a slight miscalculation when this boulder started to tumble. But, in my defense, all my concerns have been about her from the minute this endeavor changed." "Not going to tell me are you?" "No way, I've been listening to you and won't make

  any more mistakes. She hears about it first." "Shit man, couldn't you stay in that cave for a few

  more minutes?" "Ha! Just focus on your show, I'll take care of my love

  life." "Fine, fine. Be that way." "You know you love me, so quit the hurt act, otherwise I'll have a chat with Tomas about how he's neglected spanking your ass. Maybe I'll suggest he make it a fine shade of red and so you can't sit on your big day." Rick loved to tease his friend about his enjoyment in being spanked. "You're right, I'm just anxious to get this show going." "So am I." "Yeah, I bet you are…Mister Grand Finale!" After confirming a few of the loose strings for his surprise appearance, he hung up and let his head fall against the seat back. He really hadn't thought about the possibility of Mimi having any doubts about them, especially not after their big night. When he'd received the call to make this trip, it hadn't been a big deal, so he'd left a quick message for her and headed for the airport. Everything changed once he'd arrived at the first meeting, and all he'd ever wanted from his career was suddenly laid out on the table before him.