3. Chapter Three
Chapter Three
I n Jared’s office later, Angie pushed her food around on her plate. She couldn’t eat. Hell, she couldn’t think. No, that wasn’t quite right. She’d been thinking too much. For the last hour and a half in her bedroom, she’d fought with herself. Stay or leave.
But she hadn’t been able to get off the mattress and start packing. She wasn’t one to walk away from a challenge, but wasn’t it better to walk now before Jared could abandon her like other men had? Hadn’t she had enough rejection in her life?
“Not hungry?” he asked.
“Not really.” She pushed her plate away and noticed Jared’s plate was clean. Her thoughts chased themselves around in her mind, making her more confused and unsure. She hated feeling unsure of herself.
“If you’re finished,” he said as he rose to his feet. “We’ll drop these dishes in the kitchen and then go outside.”
Decision time .
She picked up her plate and frowned when it shook in her hand. She wasn’t scared— apprehensive maybe—so why was she shaking? How would Jared take her fantasies? Would he condemn her for them?
They dropped their plates in the kitchen, then were on the back porch. Jared led her over to a pair of lounging chairs and faced her. “What is bothering you?”
She stared at him. “I’m fine.” She crossed her arms over her chest, not willing to give anything away. Hell, she still hadn’t decided or had she? After all, she’d unpacked all her things and put them away.
“You didn’t eat breakfast or lunch. You’re stiff as a board and, while I like your spunk, something is not right.” He grasped her shoulders. “If you’re worried about me walking away before I fuck you, teach you, dominate you, don’t be. I’m looking forward to this.”
How did he read my mind? Damn if her pussy didn’t pulse at his words.
I should tell him I’m leaving. But I really don’t want to.
There was nothing that said she had to tell him everything.
She pushed away her doubts and made her decision.
I’m staying. If she didn’t explore what Jared offered her, she’d always wonder what might have been.
“Play time.” He rubbed his hands together. The words caused her to close her eyes, but her body reacted to the word. Her gut tightened, and her nipples grew hard.
“Did you put your panties back on?”
“No.” A quiver worked its way up her spine. It hadn’t made sense to put them back on when she knew he’d have her take them off again.
“Good. Remove your skirt, lie down on the lounger, and let your legs dangle over the sides.”
Biting her lower lip, Angie slipped off her skirt. A cool breeze brushed over her sensitive skin as she walked to the lounger and arranged herself. God, she felt so exposed with her legs spread like this, but so ready for Jared.
He circled around her and flashed a grin. Angie’s insides melted at his pleasure in her obedience. He leaned over and brushed a light kiss across her lips.
“You are stunning,” he said.
She opened her mouth to thank him, but her words dried up as he whipped off his T-shirt.
Holy shit . This man had muscles over muscles. Well-defined pecs begged for her touch…
And talk about a six-pack…
Jared didn’t strike her as a gym rat. No, this man earned his physique from working the ranch.
He pushed the other lounger toward her and frowned. “Put your right leg back on your lounger.” Once she did that, he pushed his lounger next to hers and reclined. Jared reached over, lifted her leg and placed it over his. “That’s better.”
Angie bit her lip. In this position, she was wide open to whatever he wanted to do. And it made her feel sexy.
“Before we start, are you having any second thoughts about staying?” He ran his fingers over her upper thigh.
Tingles swept over her skin as she shook her head.
He arched an eyebrow. “Words.”
“No second thoughts.” Maybe third, fourth, and fifth, but no second. She wouldn’t allow herself to have any more doubts about what she was doing. Her reaction to Jared might cause her some apprehension, but her body wanted this.
“Good. Tell me your first fantasy.”
“What makes you think I have more than one?”
“Because you do.” His brown eyes twinkled. “Lots of women like to fantasize, and so do men.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
“Will you tell me one of yours first?” What were his fantasies like?
He shifted position and stayed silent. Disappointment shot through her. If she had to share, it would only be fair if he did, right? Maybe she was expecting too much, as always.
“After being out here this morning with you…” he started, his voice low, “…seeing you aroused and needy, you haven’t left my thoughts.
The entire time I was with the construction crew, I thought about you.
How beautiful you are. This afternoon, I had the vision of you on the lounger, your arms tied over your head, your legs restrained and… You’re shaking.”
“Yes.” Tremors swept through her body. “I…” She wasn’t used to talking to her lover like this, let alone having a man talk to her in such a sensuous way. That was a sad commentary on her love life.
Jared began tracing circles around her knee. “Tell me.”
“I’m excited, but…” She took a deep breath. “I’m also scared.”
“Yellow.” His hand disappeared.
Angie glanced at him, and his expression was stone cold sober. “I didn’t realize safe words went both ways.”
“They do.” He inhaled. “Are you scared of me?”
Her heart jumped. “No!” Without thinking she reached over and grabbed his hand from where it rested on his abs.
“I’m not scared of you.” How could she explain it?
Jared turned his hand over and entwined his fingers with hers.
His gesture gave her strength. “I’ve never felt this way before, and it frightens me. ”
“I want you to tell me how you feel. Don’t hide it from me.”
“You sound like a psychologist.”
He winced. “I’m a licensed sexual psychologist.”
“A sex therapist?” Why did that surprise her? This man oozed sex and sensuality, plus he questioned her like a shrink.
“I don’t counsel couples on their sex life, unless they specifically ask for it as part of their time on the ranch.” He squeezed her hand. “The ranch exists for couples to discover their sexual selves in a place where no one is going to think them odd, unusual, or depraved.”
A sliver of hope slipped under her skin. “You won’t think I’m depraved, no matter what I say?”
“Nothing you say or do will make me think of you in any way other than as a woman I’m attracted to, a woman with sensual needs, and I will fulfill those needs, if I can. I do have my limits.”
Angie tilted her head. She never thought about Dominants having limits before. This was so intriguing and so different than what she thought it would be.
She gave Jared a sly smile. “I’m waiting.”
“For what?” His tilted his head in puzzlement.
“The right word.”
He grinned. “Green.”
“One of my favorite fantasies is pretty complicated.”
“I want every last detail.”
She took a breath. “I’ve come home from work. It’s been a long day. I undress and head for the shower. My lover follows me and pushes me up against the wall and pins my hands behind my back with his body.
“‘Be a good girl,’ he tells me.”
She shifted. “He guides me to the bed. My body is shaking. What is he planning?”
“ ‘Do I have your consent, my darling?’ he asks me, and I tell him yes.” Angie told him how her lover tied her up and used toys on her, then fucked her several times. Then he flipped her onto her stomach and spanked her. When he was done, they cuddled for a while.
“That’s some fantasy.” His gaze swept over her body. “Are you wet from telling me?”
“Yes.” She closed her eyes.
“Let’s see how wet.” Before she could even form a word, he reached over, and his fingers delved into her pussy.
She moaned at his touch.
“Wet and needy.” His words were soft. “But not just yet.” He withdrew his hand.
She opened her eyes. “Not fair.” How could he touch her like that, then leave her wanting more?
“Who said I played fair? Next fantasy, please.”
Angie wanted to slap him. Instead, she took a deep breath. I’ll get even with him , she vowed before she launched into her next fantasy.
***
Jared was having a hard time keeping his control. Every one of her fantasies revolved around her being submissive in sexual situations. Not surprising, since he had her pegged as a submissive the first time he met her.
The detail of her fantasies was amazing.
She’d really thought about this, maybe even yearned for them to come true.
He was going to enjoy fulfilling them for her.
Whatever men she’d had in her life were total asses for not realizing what a gem they had.
It had been a long time since he’d been this excited to be with a woman.
He had a feeling that Angie would tax him to the limit of his control, but oh , what fun they would have.
His stomach growled. Oh damn. He glanced at his watch.
He’d been so wrapped up in her fantasy and then his, he’d lost track of time.
Hers had been extremely detailed, whereas he’d kept his shorter.
Angie was squirming, and he was sure she was so aroused that one touch to her clit and she’d shoot off like a Fourth of July rocket. This was what he wanted. To show her who was in control. She finished talking.
“Very good.”
“What?” She blinked at him. “That’s it?”
“For now. It’s almost dinner time. After we eat, I’ll show you the room we’ll be spending most of our time in.” A breeze brushed over his skin, reminding him they were outside.
“You’re thinking about food?” Disbelief was written all over her face.
“My stomach is.” It was a good thing he could keep his features neutral. His cock was raging, but he would maintain control. “Besides, we both need to keep our strength up.” He ran his finger over her red cheek. “And you need to cool down.”
“I don’t want to cool down.” She nipped at his finger, and he almost laughed.
“Too bad.” He stood and then held a hand out to her. He’d have to remember to hose down the lounger.