29. Salt
TWENTY-NINE
SALT
It’d been a long time since I cooked for someone else, and I didn’t hold back. Even with the grilled cheese and ice cream last night, my stomach felt like an empty pit. “I can Venmo you,” I said as I piled pancakes, eggs, bacon, and potatoes on the bar where Pepper sat sipping on fresh orange juice with rosy cheeks and dreamy eyes.
“Don’t be silly,” she chided. “I’m starving. I think that was the most cardio I’ve gotten in a long time.”
I poured another cup of coffee and joined her at the bar. I leaned over, sliding my hand behind her neck and pulling her in for a kiss. She softened against me, lingering until I drew back to admire her.
The silver sections that framed her face were striking against the silky black robe that hugged her body. Like the self-professed slut I was, I was all too aware of the fact that she was naked underneath.
Once we were fed, I wanted to find out what kind of sex toys she’d bought.
“What do you like to do outside of work?” I asked.
Her brows arched as she put a couple of pancakes on her plate. She poured the syrup along the side. “Are we on a date?”
I wished. I wanted to take her on every date I could. “I’m not sure this counts. But I’d like to take you on a date soon. And if we don’t have to hide things, we can go wherever we want.”
“Very true.” Her voice tightened. “It’s going to be a lot. I don’t know if you want that type of pressure. I think I’ve gotten used to it for the most part, but I’m used to people thinking I’m a bitch. And it still bothers me, but not as much as it did when I was younger.”
“They don’t know the real you, just like they don’t know the real me,” I said with a shrug. “The internet thinks I’m a guitar-playing harlot.”
“I don’t know if they’re wrong about that.”
A laugh bubbled up. “Okay, fair enough. But my point is, they’ll think what they want.”
Pepper smiled as she sipped her coffee.
Everything felt right in this moment. The way the sunlight filled her apartment with warmth. It was open concept and minimal, but there were small things here and there that told the story of Pepper. Like the awards hanging on the walls, or the framed photos that sat on side tables or hung on the fridge. Pepper posing with famous musicians, songwriters, and even actors.
I noticed Jeff wasn’t in a single one of them.
I heard a text and we both reached for our phones, but it was from mine. Nancy’s text nearly made me choke.
Who’s the girlfriend? Saw you two last night.
I couldn’t just say Pepper was no one, because that wasn’t true at all. Over the years, I’d never introduced Nancy and Beth to someone I was dating, even if it was long term.
But maybe it was time for that to change.
Do you want to meet her?
Of course. We’re making dinner Friday night if you want to bring her over. Beth will be thrilled
I snorted. Nancy used Beth a lot to express her own emotions, so by saying Beth was thrilled, I knew Nancy was too.
Pepper gave me an easy smile. “What?”
“How do you feel about a little trip on Friday?” I asked hesitantly.
“A trip to where?”
My heart raced. This was a first. “Nancy and Beth are making dinner Friday night and invited us to join,” I said. “They’re my... they’re family. You can say no.”
“I think a trip would be a good way to end the work week.”
“Perfect,” I said. “We have the rest of the day alone…”
“What about band practice?”
“I cancelled,” I said. “I’m all yours today, baby.”
“Oh no. Whatever will we do?”
I narrowed my eyes on her.“Finish your breakfast, and then you’ll find out.”
A bratty little smirk. That was the dynamic I wanted to test out.
After breakfast, I cleaned up the kitchen against Pepper’s protests that she could help. I didn’t want her lifting a finger. Caffeinated, fueled, and hydrated—I was ready to play with her.
Pepper’s spine straightened as I stepped up behind her, my hand gathering her dark waves and gripping them. I gave her a gentle tug and pressed her against the counter, grazing my lips against the curve of her neck.
Her breath hitched. “What are you going to do to me?” she whispered.
“I have so many ideas,” I murmured. “Tell me about all the toys you bought.”
A soft moan escaped her as I slid my other hand around to gently cup her throat. “I got… I got a lot of vibrators. I’d never used one before so I wanted to try them out. I’ve tried two so far…”
“Did you like them?” I asked.
“Yes.” I felt her swallow hard. “I also got a few other things that sounded interesting.”
“Like what?”
“Handcuffs… spreader bars.”
Fuck. There were a thousand things we could do with those. “How are you feeling this morning?”
She turned around and leaned up on her tiptoes, sliding her arms around me. “I want you to use me again. Maybe no spanking, because I’m sore.”
“I like when you communicate like that,” I praised. “It helps me know what to do to you.”
She smiled. “I like it when you praise me for communicating, it makes me wet.”
The corner of my mouth tugged. “I like it when you’re a little bit bratty. And let yourself be open.”
“I like it when you choke me.”
“Pepper,” I chuckled, brushing my mouth against hers. She tasted sweet and sassy and like someone who was about to be screaming my name.
“I also got some rope…”
I growled and my hands slid down to her waist, hoisting her over my shoulder like I had last night. She squeaked as I carried her to her bedroom, slapping her asscheek to make her stop squirming.
“Oh god,” she laughed as I tossed her down to the center of the bed.
The sash around her robe unravelled, unwrapping her like a perfect present. Her legs parted, revealing her pussy, her breasts soft and begging for a bite.
A couple weeks ago, she would have immediately snapped her legs shut. But now, she just went still under my gaze, her chest rising and falling. A blush crept across her skin and she let out a soft whimper.
“Stay there.” My voice was thick with lust. “Where are the toys?”
“In my dresser drawer,” she said.
Perfect.
I went to her dresser and pulled the top drawer open.
The amount of sex toys that Pepper bought made me grin. She had an entire arsenal now.
“How familiar are you with the concept of malicious compliance?” I asked as I perused the toys. Vibrating wands, toys that would suck her clit, variations of both together...
“I’m very familiar,” she said. “I think I excel at it.”
“I bet.”
“Why?” she asked.
I picked out a toy that would suck her clit while thrusting in and out of her.
The rope she’d picked out was rough hemp. I glanced back at her and decided against Shibari for now. We’d play with the spreader bars, but I didn’t want her to be sore from yanking against more restraints.
I’d just pin her down myself.
We’d need some ground rules, though.
I picked up the spreader bars and inspected them. I gathered the toy, a bottle of lube, and the bars and returned to the bed. Pepper raised up slightly, tilting her head curiously.
Seeing her legs spread, her pussy gleaming, I realized I liked fucking her during the day more than at night. I liked getting a view of everything.
“So what about malicious compliance?” she asked.
“Have you read any about bratting?”
“A little bit. I think I understand the idea.” Something sparked in her gaze. “Do you want me to be a brat?”
“I think it could be fun for both of us,” I said. “But there are certain things about it I don’t like. Sometimes bratting is borderline disrespectful, and that doesn’t turn me on. So we’d need some guidelines and understanding. Sit up.”
She huffed and sat up, readjusting herself in front of me. “Tell me.”
“I like it when you’re sarcastic or snarky in your responses. It makes me want to spank the sass out of you. I like it when you argue. Or maybe if you want to try to overpower me.”
“I could do that,” she said brazenly.
Yeah, she was going to catch onto this fast.
“And maybe if I drive you a little crazy, you’ll want to teach me a lesson.” She rose up on her knees, sliding her robe down to her mid back. My brain short circuited as she cupped her breasts. “Right? Am I getting it right?”
“Yeah,” I said. “I think you’re getting it right.”
“I can tell.” She winked and then her gaze dropped to my lap.
My cock throbbed in response, hardening.
“I like it when you force me into submission,” she said. “CNC. I’d like to try more of that. I know my safe words. And I’m sore, but I don’t think you gave me everything you could have.”
“Oh, I see,” I said carefully, my expression stilling with a dangerous smile. “You can’t handle everything I could do to you.”
“How would you know?”
A soft growl left me and I tossed the toys I’d brought to the side. I lunged for her, but she was fast. I snatched the edge of her robe, but it slid off her as she rolled off the bed.
“See,” she said, backing away with a taunting grin. “You can’t catch me.”
“Kneel,” I said, standing up.
She backed all the way up to the door. “Make me.”
The tension between us overflowed, and I moved fast. Pepper squealed as I reached for her, and she took off running down the hall.
Oh, it’s on.