Chapter Twenty-Four #3
did, and we could have so much more, Meggie mine. You’re my wife, my bondmate.
It won’t work with anyone else.”
I look up at him and finally realize he isn’t his brother.
Technically, he’s half his brother, but they are so very different. How can I
ever find happiness if I never ask for what I want? If I keep telling myself
no, I never give anyone a chance to say yes.
“I’m scared,” I tell Cian quietly.
“I know,” he replies with soft eyes. He leans down and
presses a kiss on my forehead, as tender as the pleasure before was rough. “How
about we do this? Let’s take it slow. No more overwhelming you with my dirty
self-pleasure. I want you, Meggie. I want you to come to me because you want
me, not because I’m the only one available. Though I am, you understand. I know
you are stubbornly telling yourself we’re not truly married, but I wouldn’t
push that if I were you. I’m willing to be reasonable. I’m willing to be
patient. I am not willing to watch you flirt with another man.”
“I can’t handle the two I have.” It feels so good to sink
into his strength. It helps me find my own. “I want things, Ci. I have certain
needs that Beckett found distasteful. I’m worried you will, too.”
His laugh rumbles through his chest as he pulls me close. He
tangles our legs together. “I don’t find much distasteful sexually. Why don’t
you explain what you want? I saw flashes of it, but I don’t completely
understand. I liked how you looked tied up and spread out for me.”
I take a deep breath and proceed to explain Dominance and
submission to Cian. He’s patient and asks questions.
“You want me to make decisions for you?”
“No.” I’m sure of that. “That’s the way it works for some
couples, but I would rather we had a partnership in our daily lives.”
“And at night, when we’re alone, I’m your Master,” Cian
says, his voice hoarse. His hands tighten around me, and I can feel his cock
starting to revive. “Your body is mine, and I do what I want with it.”
I sit up and look down at my husband who is, once again,
sporting a huge erection. At least he seems willing to hear me out. “I haven’t
tried this with anyone. I don’t know what I’ll like and what I won’t. Hell, at
this point I’m not even sure it was what I liked or if I was just overwhelmed
by the bond. I have to admit I’m curious and a little scared by all of it.”
“You liked what Beck did to you,” he points out. He seems to
be carefully thinking through the problem. “Whether it was the bond or your own
needs, you enjoyed yourself.”
I nod. “I loved it. It was the best sex I’ve ever had. I
should warn you, though. I hadn’t had great sex before that. It was mediocre at
best. Beck was upset afterward. He doesn’t think I should like it. It can’t
work if the Dom hates himself for dominating his submissive. It kind of defeats
the point.”
Cian props himself up on one elbow and brushes the hair back
from my face. “He’s fighting himself. He’s trying to be something we’re not.
Give him time. Meanwhile, I’m more than willing to explore this with you. I’ll
admit I’m not the dominant half. I’m very carnal, but I tend to be softer than
Beck.”
“If you don’t…”
His finger comes up to my lips. “Hush. I’m still male. I
think I can handle it just fine. How about we make a vow? I’ll fulfill your
fantasies to the best of my ability, and you’ll do the same for me?”
I grin. “Deal.”
He reaches over and takes my left hand in his. He brushes
his thumb over the golden band that rests there. “This was my mother’s. I told
you about it last night, but I don’t think you remember.”
Should I offer it back to him until we’re sure it can work?
“I don’t. It’s beautiful, though. Maybe you should take it back for now.”
He gently squeezes my hand. “Please wear it. It would
confuse our people if you didn’t. But you should know that it’s important. It’s
the queen’s ring. My sister…”
Tears pierce my eyes because I remember this part. “She
died, and the last thing she gave you was this ring. She wanted to save it
because she watched your mother die. Ci, I’m so sorry about what happened.”
I feel him sigh, his body cuddling mine.
“Is it odd that it doesn’t feel as bad now that I’ve shared
it with you? Now when I think of that terrible time, I’ll remember that you
were there with me.”
Oh, how will I ever keep myself apart from this man? “I’ll
wear the ring, but if you ever want it back, I’ll understand.”
He sits up and kisses me firmly. “I won’t. I promise you
that. But, for now, we work on being friends. I want you to take this time I’m
giving you. I’ll back off, but the minute you say yes, everything changes. Do
you understand?”
I nod, seeing the trap he’s laid. I’ll have to be careful
with my words for a few days.
He laughs. “Smart girl. Now go get dressed. You’re entirely
too tempting like that. We have work to do.”
“Thank you,” I say softly. I lean over and press my lips to
his.
Cian’s smile is rueful. “I’m glad I have your gratitude,
wife, because my dick is cursing me.”
I laugh with him, and then we get up, dress, and get ready
to face the day.