Chapter 42
The intoxicating and unmistakable scent of aging paper fills my nose as I trail my fingers along the spines of books, their leather bindings smooth beneath my touch.
Jayden’s voice floats back to me as he regales some tale of a prolific romance author, his enthusiasm evident.
I can’t help but smile, enjoying this glimpse into his interests.
“And here we are,” he announces, sweeping his arm towards a cozy nook tucked away in the back. “The romance section. Take your pick of any that catch your eye.”
Feeling like a kid in a candy store, I excitedly scour the shelves. There’s so much to choose from, each book holding an entire universe of plot and characters… entire worlds between the pages.
While I’m looking, Jayden excuses himself and comes back armed with two coffees.
“You spoil me!” I say as he hands me one, and I inhale the heady scent of roasted beans before taking a long, satisfying sip.
“Don’t let me distract you,” he says, gesturing back at the books with his muscular, tattooed arm.
My god. Between the vast collection of books—the sight, the smell, the possibilities, this delicious cup of coffee, and this delicious tattooed rugby player who is spoiling me, I’m just about melting on the floor.
I pick out a couple of books I’ve been hearing good things about, as well as a few from authors I’ve never heard of before. I let the covers and the blurbs on the back guide me. The common theme is strong female characters, and men who would burn the world down for them just because they asked them to. A bit of spice and a happily ever after never go astray, either.
Jayden looks on with amusement, seeming to enjoy my facial expressions when I flick through a book and find the odd bit of smut.
I scan the titles, my gaze landing on one that makes me smirk. “How about this one?” I say, plucking out a book featuring a scantily clad woman gripped in the arms of multiple men. “Mafia Menage,” the title reads.
Jayden raises an eyebrow, a grin playing on his lips. “Well now, looks like someone’s ready to dive into the deep end. Should I be worried...or intrigued?”
I let out a laugh. “Maybe a bit of both. I suppose it depends on how well you handle a little competition.” I flash him a coy look, enjoying our flirtatious banter.
He steps closer, his voice lowered to a husky whisper. “Competition gets my blood pumping. But when it comes to you...” His fingers brush my wrist, sending a shiver through me. “I don’t like to share you with mafia men.”
My breath hitches, heat rising to my cheeks. Oh, the promises in those words. I have a feeling things are about to get very interesting between us. And I can’t wait to see where this adventure leads.
I’m drawn from my thoughts as Jayden gently takes the book from my hands, sliding it back onto the shelf.
“I think that’s enough adventure for now,” he says with a playful grin. “Wouldn’t want to get too carried away before dinner. Speaking of which... let’s pay up and get out of here.”
Jayden leads me to the front of the store, where the bookseller looks surprised and pleased by the tower of books we place on the counter. He wraps them with care, pointing a couple out as new favorites.
Jayden discreetly produces a credit card, and the bookseller hands me two large bags. My Tbr just got a whole lot longer, and I can’t wait to work my way through it.
“To our next destination?” Jayden asks after thanking the bookseller.
“Lead the way!” I say, excited about what the rest of the night will bring.
Hey, even if it totally sucks, which I doubt it will, my reading is sorted for the next few weeks at least.
Jayden takes one of the bags and offers his other arm to me.
I loop mine through it, letting him lead me out of the cozy bookstore and onto the streets. The sun is just starting to set, casting a warm orange glow over the city.
We walk a few blocks before arriving at an art museum. It’s quite famous, and on my list of things I’ve been meaning to do since arriving in the city.
Jayden guides me through the grand arched doorway.
Inside, the space has been transformed into something straight out of a romance novel. Soft lighting and candles create a warm, intimate ambience. A small table for two sits nestled between stunning works of modern art. The soaring ceilings and open floor plan make it feel lavish yet cozy.
“Jayden, this is incredible,” I breathe, taking it all in. “Did you really have this arranged especially for us?”
“Only the best for you,” he says, pulling out my chair.
I sit, marveling at the perfectly set table. Crystal glasses, fresh flowers, fine china—he clearly went all out.
As we eat, Jayden tells me about the ingredients, many of which have been picked for their symbolic meanings in romance. “A love story on a plate,” he says with a smile. The food is delicious, but his company is even more so.
We talk for hours, the conversation flowing easily.
After dessert, he retrieves a guitar and serenades me with a song he wrote just for me. His voice is like honey as he sings of adventure, new beginnings and a heart finally feeling whole. I didn’t even know he could play a musical instrument. Like Killian, too, this man is full of surprises and unexpected depth.
My own heart swells listening to his beautiful words. When the song ends, I take his hand, our eyes meeting. “Jayden...you make me feel seen. And valued. I’ve never had this before, where someone’s seen me for more than my rugby skills or my appearance. It’s obvious that you value my intellect as much as anything else. It’s… it’s just really nice.” Tears threaten to spring forth, but I manage to blink them back.
He squeezes my hand gently. “You make me feel the same way, Dylan.”
In this moment, with Jayden, I know I’ve found someone special. Someone who truly understands this lesser-known part of me. I can’t stop smiling, to the point my jaw is starting to hurt.
After dinner, Jayden leads me to a more secluded part of the museum exhibit. Candles flicker softly around an ornate rug laid out under the installation’s dazzling centerpiece.
“Shall we create our own work of art?” he asks playfully, pulling me close.
I grin, matching his flirtatious tone. “I’m ready to be your masterpiece.”
He kisses me deeply as we sink down onto the luxurious rug. My skin tingles everywhere his hands explore. Each caress is deliberate, honoring my every curve and contour.
We undress each other slowly, the modern art surrounding us adding to the sensuality.
As the passion builds, Jayden pauses, meeting my eyes. “Tell me what you want, Dylan. I’m here for your pleasure tonight.”
His words make me feel respected, valued. Seen as more than just a body.
“Touch me like this,” I whisper, guiding his hand. I lose myself in the ecstasy of his intimate care, my mind blurring into a haze of lust.
Jayden retrieves a rope from beneath the rug and binds my wrists above my head, securing them to the cold metal pillar with rough rope.
“Keep your eyes open,” he growls into my ear before trailing hot, wet kisses down my neck.
My breath hitches as his lips graze the swell of my breasts. I force my gaze forward, taking in the erotic art display in front of me. Nude bodies intertwine, a tangle of limbs and lust.
Jayden kneels before me, running his hands up my thighs. “So beautiful. All of you.”
He places a kiss on my hip, another lower on my abdomen. I squirm against my restraints, aching for more. Needing his touch.
Finally, his mouth is on me. Worshipping. Devouring.
I cry out, struggling to keep my eyes on the art. To obey.
It’s exquisite torture. The rasp of his tongue and beard on my sensitive flesh. The coil of desire winding tighter and tighter within me.
Through half-lidded eyes, I watch the lovers on the canvas, imagining us in their place. Jayden’s strong body pressed to mine, joined as one.
A moan escapes my lips. I’m so close.
He slides two fingers inside me, crooking them in a beckoning motion.
My orgasm crashes over me in waves, intense and all-consuming. I throw my head back, my wrists straining against the rope.
“Eyes open,” Jayden growls, nipping at my thigh.
I blink, refocusing on the painting. On the lovers and their dance of flesh. Just as Jayden wants.
Always just as Jayden wants. Because he knows exactly what I need.
Jayden stands, trailing his fingers up my body as he rises and loosens the rope slightly.
I meet his gaze, my cheeks flushed and my heart pounding.
“On your knees,” he commands softly.
I sink to my knees, the rope around my wrists slackening. He reties them, binding my hands behind my back.
“Open.” He taps my lower lip with his thumb.
I part my lips, eyes locked on his. On the bulge straining against his jeans.
He frees himself, his thick cock springing free. Precum glistens on the tip.
“Suck.”
I lean in eagerly as he comes closer, flicking my tongue over his sensitive head. Teasing. Tasting.
A growl rumbles in his chest. He fists a hand in my hair, guiding himself between my lips.
I relax my throat, taking him deeper. Choking. Gagging. Spit trailing down my chin.
The sounds grow wet and vulgar. I work him with lips and tongue, hollowing my cheeks. My throat contracting around his length.
“Fuck, just like that,” Jayden groans, his hips bucking.
He’s close. I can feel it. Can taste it on my eager tongue.
I redouble my efforts, moaning around his cock, the vibrations shooting straight to his balls.
With a shout, he spills down my throat. Hot and bitter and perfect.
I swallow greedily, not stopping until he pulls away.
Chest heaving, Jayden stares down at me. His pupils are wide with desire.
“Good girl,” he rasps, tucking himself away.
Pride blooms in my chest at the praise. I remain on my knees, his release clinging to my lips.
Waiting. Wanting. Needing whatever comes next.
He spreads out another fur blanket and lights more candles, then unties me from the pillar and takes me by the hand, leading me to to it and getting me to lie down.
The blanket is soft against my back, the fur tickling my sensitive flesh.
Jayden straddles my hips, candle in hand. “Ready?”
I nod, pulse racing in anticipation.
He tilts the candle, hot wax spilling onto my collarbone. It stings, then cools, solidifying into a shell.
He drips more wax over my breasts and down my body, blowing to accelerate the cooling, and leaving goosebumps across my skin.
My nipples pebble as the wax creeps lower, coating my breasts in a lacework of red.
Each drop is followed by Jayden’s breath, cooling the burns and leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake.
I squirm beneath him, arousal dampening my thighs. The mix of pain and pleasure is addictive.
“More,” I breathe.
Obliging, he moves lower, circling my navel with scarlet droplets before wandering south.
The insides of my thighs are slicked with wax and desire. I’m writhing uncontrollably now, chasing release.
Mercifully, Jayden sets the candle aside, his eyes dark with lust as he surveys his handiwork. I’m drizzled with hardened wax from collar to knee, every inch sensitized and wanting.
“Please,” I sob, too far gone for pride.
A wicked grin. “Please what?”
“I need to come.”
“Not yet.” .
Jayden kneels between my legs, his grip bruising my hips, holding me in place.
His mouth descends. Hot and wet and perfect.
I cry out at the first swipe of his tongue through my lips. The wax amplifies each sensation tenfold.
He works me slowly, methodically. His tongue flicks against my clit before spearing into my entrance, fucking me with his mouth.
The coil in my belly winds tighter and tighter. I’m writhing against his grip, my incoherent pleas falling from kiss-swollen lips.
Sucking hard on my clit, Jayden slips two fingers into my cunt, crooking them just so.
Stars explode behind my eyes as I come apart. I shout his name at the top of my lungs, my every muscle locked in ecstasy.
He works me through the aftershocks, only relenting when I go limp, breathless and sated.
“My good girl,” Jayden murmurs again, his gorgeous lips brushing my thigh.
I can only hum in response, floating in a sea of endorphins.
But we’re not done yet. He uses one of the large cushions to prop up my hips and fucks me hard, and I enjoy watching his cock sliding in and out of my pussy as he plows me.
I’m boneless as a rag doll as Jayden manhandles me onto my hands and knees.
The blunt head of his cock teases my entrance, even more wet and ready for him than before.
I rock back, trying to take him in, but he pulls away with a dark chuckle.
“So impatient.” A sharp smack on my ass that makes me gasp. “Ask nicely.”
I swallow my pride again and beg. “Please, Jayden. I need your cock. I need you to fill me up and fuck me again.”
He growls, gripping my hips to hold me in place as he sinks into me. Slow and deep until I can feel the weight of his balls against my clit.
I moan, my eyes rolling back in my head at the delicious stretch and burn. I can still feel where the ropes cut into my wrists, and it only heightens the experience.
“Look at me,” Jayden commands, stilling inside me. Waiting.
I meet his gaze over one shoulder, my pupils blown wide with lust and possession. A gold-framed mirror to the side of us lets me see even more.
“I want you to watch,” he says, withdrawing until just the tip remains inside. “Watch as I fuck you. As I claim what’s mine.”
He slams back in, setting a brutal pace. Skin slapping against skin as he pistons into me. Hard and fast and everything I need.
I can’t look away from the reflection in the mirror. Transfixed by the sight of his cock disappearing inside me again and again. By the ecstasy etched into the lines of his face.
The coil in my belly winds tighter and tighter. Building towards another shattering climax.
“Come for me,” Jayden growls. “Now.”
My vision whites out as I tumble over the edge, my cunt spasming around his cock, milking his own release.
We collapse in a tangle of sated limbs. His weight is a welcome anchor, pinning me in place. I’ve never felt so owned. So cherished.
Jayden kisses the nape of my neck, lips curving into a smile against my skin.
“Mine,” he whispers.
“Yours,” I agree, and mean it with all my heart.
His girl.
Afterwards, Jayden wraps me in a blanket, holding me close as we catch our breath.
“You’re incredible, Dylan. Tonight was about more than the physical for me. It was about truly connecting with you.”
I snuggle into his strong chest. “I’ve never felt more connected to someone in quite this way, either. Thank you for this perfect night.”
Under the shimmering installation, I feel profoundly close to Jayden—in body, mind and spirit.
As we lay together, the flickering candlelight casts dancing shadows across our skin. Jayden’s fingers trace delicate patterns down my arm, raising goosebumps.
“I know it’s only been a short time, but I feel like I’ve known you forever,” he says softly. “Like our souls recognize each other.”
His words resonate deeply within me. “I was just thinking the same thing. With you, I feel at home.”
We share a tender kiss, a promise of more to come. As the night winds down, it’s clear that neither of us wants it to end.
Reluctantly, we gather our clothes and make our way outside, hand-in-hand. The cool night air is refreshing against our warm skin.
My heart is full as we walk to the car. This evening was unexpected in the best possible way.
With Jayden, it’s not just about feeling desired. It’s about feeling truly seen, valued, understood. As if he’s attracted to my mind just as much as my body, perhaps even more.
I can’t stop smiling, possibilities dancing in my mind. This could be the beginning of something life-changing.
“Thank you for tonight,” I say, squeezing Jayden’s hand. “It was perfect. You showed me a part of myself I’ve never shared before.”
He smiles back. “The magic has only just begun.”