Ripper (Hunter #1)(124)

They arrived at Desdemona’s Palace a quarter hour later. McCallister climbed from the coach and stared at the elegant house in front of him. A full moon washed over the two-story building and graceful wrought-iron railings. Soft golden light flickered in nearly all the windows. A curtain moved on the upper right and he saw the perfect form of a woman outlined against the light. A taller male figure joined her and they disappeared from sight.

McCallister rubbed his hands together, suddenly eager to find and bed a woman with large breasts and a lusty appetite.

Joseph sprinted up the stairs and pulled the discreet gold chain near the door.

“Ready for the most incredible night of your life, McCallister?”

He grinned at his friend. “Absolutely.”

The door opened and a tall man with shoulders wider than the entry looked down at them. Recognition flickered in his black eyes when he looked at Joseph. He stepped back and waved them inside.

“Madam Desdemona will be with you shortly.”

He disappeared down the hall and McCallister looked around, trying to calm his racing heart.

A flight of stairs to their right led to the upper floor where he assumed the actual bedding took place. The entry in which they stood flared into a long and mostly dark corridor with a closed door at the end.

Sounds from around the house buffeted him. Throaty laughter and deep moans floated from above while from what seemed below, indeed under his feet, he swore someone sobbed.

He frowned. “Do you hear that?”

“Yeah,” Joseph said. He rubbed his hands together. “Sounds just like Claudine when she was riding my cock last week.”

The far door opened and McCallister straightened, all thought of the peculiar sound dispelled.

Desdemona was beautiful. Tall, raven-haired with a voluptuous and lush body revealed by the satin gown she wore.

A sheer robe hung over the gown and trailed down her curvaceous form as she glided toward them. Beneath the robe, her full breasts and wide hips pressed against the white satin. McCallister swallowed hard. Her nipples puckered visibly through her dress.

“Good evening, gentlemen.” Her throaty contralto wrapped around his cock and held fast. He prayed he didn’t disgrace himself.

“Madam Desdemona. You look ravishing as always.” Joseph bent over her hand.

McCallister thought his friend overdid it a bit with the bowed head and near subservient posture but then she was an incredibly beautiful woman. Her eyes were a shade of blue he’d never seen before. They looked as though they were lit from the inside by flashes of lightning. Her mouth was full, lush and ruby red.

“Who have you brought me, Joseph?”

She didn’t take her gaze from McCallister and he forced himself not to squirm.

Joseph made the introductions. “I was hoping you would personally see to his entertainment, Madam Desdemona.”

Her small smile revealed a set of perfect, white teeth. McCallister found himself captivated by them. He wanted to feel them on his body – nipping, tugging, scraping. He licked his lips.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t do that anymore. I’ll be happy to set you up with one of our other girls, though.”

Joseph leaned forward. “But Madam, it’s his eighteenth birthday today.” He tossed a wink over his shoulder at McCallister. “And he’s a virgin.”

“Damn it, Kilkairn,” he snapped, embarrassment engulfing him like a ravenous beast.

The look on the madam’s face changed dramatically. Her brows lifted and the lightning flashed in such quick succession McCallister had to look away. His head spun as the air leeched from his lungs, and his knees shook like the eagerness of a new colt.

The madam stepped closer and curled her long fingers around his forearm while nestling her breast against him. “Is this true, Mr. McCallister?”

He didn’t want to admit to it, wanted to lie and claim he’d bedded dozens of chits. But he couldn’t. Her blue gaze demanded only the truth.

“Yes,” he said with a rasp. “I’m a virgin.”

Her smile was like a gift and she squeezed his arm before letting go. “Joseph, I will send Claudine to you. Mr. McCallister, come with me.”

Joseph hooted and pounded him on the back. “See you soon, you lucky bastard.”

McCallister followed Desdemona down the hallway, his gaze glued to the sway of her ass and hips. His hard cock bounced with each step and anticipation made his balls tighten painfully.

She opened the door, stepped through then beckoned to him. “Shut the door, Mr. McCallister and let me take you.”

McCallister carefully did as commanded, sucked down a deep breath and turned to face the beautiful whore.





The whimpering woke him. Soft, pathetic sounds of despair bounced inside his head. McCallister frowned and struggled to open his eyes. They were gritty and painful.

Cold, damp cement pressed along his back.

He forced himself to keep his eyes open. The room was mostly dark but for a single beam of sunlight streaming from a narrow slit in the wall across from him. It took long seconds for his eyes to adjust to the shadows.

Something cold surrounded his throat. His arms were thrust over his head and manacled to the hard wall. Fear exploded in him.

Where am I?

He yanked at his chains and choked as the collar bit into his throat. The stench of piss and putrid water rose from the ground, gagging him. He continued to pull until sweat poured down his temples. His neck, chest and arms burned from the effort.