Chapter 13 #2
“But you are.” He takes my overnight bag and tosses it in the trunk before opening my door. I watch as he moves around to his side, the firm set of his jaw radiating anger. When he pulls into traffic, I breathe a sigh of relief.
“Thank you for defending my honor. Another first to add to the list of us.”
“There’s a list?”
“You didn’t hear that. I said nothing,” I say with a saccharin smile.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” He takes my hand in his, resting it on my knee. “I can call Pierce.”
“Isn’t he a neurosurgeon?”
“Yeah. The best there is.”
“Are you maybe overreacting a little? He just grabbed my wrist. The mark will be gone by the time we get to your place, and maybe you can replace it with some rope burns.”
“I just saw fucking red. I’ve never felt so angry in my life.”
“You’re protective. I love that about you, even though I could have handled it myself.”
“Fuck, I don’t even want you living in the same building as him. What a fucking scumbag. What’s his issue with you?”
“Well, I’m not moving. I doubt he’ll talk to me again after meeting you. He has asked me out a few times since I moved into the building, but I was nice about it. Then, the last time I saw him, he grabbed me. Talking about ‘girls like me.’ I don’t know why he’s so fixated.”
“I’m not kidding, Aspen. If he ever touches you again, I will put him in the fucking ground.”
I turn my attention to his hand in mine. His knuckles are bruised from breaking John’s nose.
“We should go to the emergency room. You might have broken your hand.”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me, baby girl. I just want to get you home.”
“We should at least ice it at your place.”
“I’m the one who takes care of you, remember,” he says with a warm smile, but I can still see the tension in the furrow of his brow.
“And who takes care of you?” He doesn’t speak the rest of the drive, and when we get to his building, he slips his hand into mine and tugs me close as we take the elevator up to his penthouse.
We step out into the lobby on his floor, but he doesn’t relinquish his hold on me as he swipes his keycard.
“Make yourself at home. I’m going to run you a bath.”
“Stop fussing. I’m okay. A little shaken up, but I’m fine.”
He sets down my bag and pulls me into his arms, the scent of his cologne soothing me as I breathe him in.
“You want to know more about the lifestyle?”
“Yes.”
“This is part of it, baby girl.” He leans down, capturing my lips with such tenderness. “I look after what’s mine. I’m going to fuss, and I will defend you to the ends of the earth. No one is going to hurt you. So, let me look after you.”
“I’m…”
“I know you are a capable, independent woman. I have no desire to take that from you, but there’s not a switch I can flip to stop being a Dominant.”
I nestle my head against his chest. “A bath sounds good.” I can give him this. In truth, my nerves are a little frayed. I just didn’t want to come across as weak. If this is a first step toward discussing the lifestyle, then I’m here for it.
Ryder grabs a bottle of wine from the refrigerator and two glasses before leading me down the hallway to his bedroom. I love it here. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame Manhattan with a stunning view over Central Park.
He pours us a drink before turning on the faucet.
I set mine down and slowly peel off my clothes, Ryder’s gaze fixed on my body.
He’s making me more confident. The way he reacts to my curves has me wanting to undress for him.
It’s something I’ve always struggled with in previous relationships, but I feel safe with Ryder.
“Jesus Christ, you’re gorgeous.”
I lean down as he finishes filling the tub. “Bathe with me.”
“If that’s what you want, then you can undress me, baby girl.”
“With pleasure.”
He turns off the faucet, standing to tower over me. “What did I do to deserve you?”
I push up onto my tiptoes, my lips finding his. “Something really good.”
He smiles against my lips. “Take off my shirt.”
I do as he asks, tugging his T-shirt over his head, messing his dirty blond hair before discarding it on the floor. “What next, Sir?”
“Fuck me, you have no idea what you do to me when you say that. Take off my jeans.” I kneel. “You look so fucking beautiful on your knees.”
My eyes never leave his as I unzip his fly and pull his jeans and boxers down, unleashing his hard cock. With him naked before me, my pulse is racing, whooshing in my ears as he looks down on me with such reverence, his hand tangling in my hair.
“Tell me what you want, baby girl.”
“May I taste you?”
“You’re such a good girl, asking so nicely. How could I refuse?”
“You can’t.” I lean forward, bracing my hands on his ass as I kiss the crest of his cock. I do it again and again, teasing him before running my tongue down the length of him, taking as much of him as I can before he hits the back of my throat.
“Fucking hell. You have the mouth of a siren. You’re so fucking pretty with my cock shoved down your throat.” Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as he guides my head, making me take more until I’m gagging on his cock.
He sets a punishing rhythm, his fist in my hair painful as he uses my mouth to chase release, and it’s such a rush. Watching him fall apart as he chases release makes me feel powerful. To see how I affect him.
“Tilt your head up, baby girl. You can take all of me.” Relaxing my throat, I give myself over to him completely, his harsh thrusts making me wet for him.
He slides farther down my throat as tears fall freely down my cheeks.
“Good girl. You’re going to swallow every last drop of my cum and thank me for it. ”
As he finds release, I feel the hot shot of cum filling my mouth. I choke it down, eager to please him. I never thought I would enjoy swallowing, but the way he’s looking at me as he rides out the aftershocks is thrilling. I want to please him.
I sit back on my heels, staring up at him in anticipation. “You did so well, baby girl. I’m so proud of how you took my cock.” He wipes the tears from my cheeks before pulling me up. “In the tub.”
I step into the bubbles, waiting for him to follow suit. He slowly guides me down, pulling my back to his chest, his legs on either side of me. I rest my head back, breathing him in.
“Why do I love it when you praise me?”
“Are you asking or just pondering?” He grabs a sponge and some shower gel, washing my shoulders before moving down each arm.
“I don’t know. It just felt really good. It seems like a crime against feminists everywhere.”
“Does it matter what anyone else thinks?”
“No. I’m just… you’re not like anyone I’ve ever dated before.”
“Is that a bad thing?” He washes my front, but there’s nothing sexual about it. His touch is gentle, soothing.
“No.”
“Then relax. What happens in our bedroom is between you and me. No one else matters. Can you do that?”
“I can try. Technically, that blow job happened in the bathroom. Does that still count?” I jest.
“Whenever we’re alone.” He runs his hands through my hair.
“What if we’re not alone?”
“What are you asking, Aspen?” He stiffens at my back.
“Do you enjoy threesomes? Or having sex in front of people at the club?”
“We’re back on this again. Nothing that came before us matters.”
“I’m not asking for you. I’m asking for me.”
“I enjoy watching. I’ve watched other men fuck my submissives. I’ve also fucked in front of others. Entire rooms. Does that scare you?”
“I’m not scared of you, Ry. I’m scared of what I might want with you.”
“I would never let anything happen that you didn’t want, baby girl. You have to know that.”
“I do.” I lean back against his chest, safe in the knowledge that I can explore my sexuality with Ryder. It’s not something I’ve ever contemplated, but with him, I think I want to.