Chapter 12
twelve
Emma
I can’t believe this is real. Or that I said yes. This is so not me. I don’t jump into relationships. I don’t have them at all. Who am I kidding? But with Asher, somehow, this feels right, even if I’m about to get something shoved up my butt. Frack.
He’s everything I ever dreamed of not just sex on a stick, but the complete package. A growly, dominant giant of a man who truly sees me, not just Emma the nerdy scientist, but the Emma who stays hidden from the world—the one who’s touch-starved and lonely.
And, holy shiitake mushrooms, that man doesn’t just kiss, he consumes. Not only did my toes curl, but my skin tingles, too. I’m a puddle of goo, and surprisingly, I’m okay with that. More than okay.
“Raindrop, you still with me?”
Uh oh. The concern in his voice makes me think he was trying to get my attention while I’m lost in my head. “Sorry, Ash. I’m just a little overwhelmed.”
Asher’s smile takes my breath away. Not just his usual half-smirk-smile, no, this one changes his whole face. His eyes even crinkle at the edges, and I think he saves it for only me.
“Aww, baby. I’ve got you—always. While I’d like nothing more than to worship every inch of this delicious treat, lying here just for me, we still have to deal with your punishment.”
“But do we? Even after that kiss?” Fudgsicles. The heat is rising in my cheeks. Why am I such a dork?
“Yes, even after that fucking amazing kiss.”
Now he’s not smiling, though. Grumpy Ash is back.
“There will be plenty of kissing in our future, don’t worry about that.
But you need to understand when I say something, I mean it.
If I set a rule, and you break it, there will be consequences.
A punishment promised is a punishment given.
I need you to submit to me, it’s just how I’m wired.
That doesn’t mean I’m going to order you around all day.
But when it comes to your safety in particular, you need to listen. Tell me you understand, Em.”
“Yes, Sir.” I know he wants me to call him Daddy. Even thinking about it makes my stomach fluttery. But I’m just not ready yet. Heck. It’s hard enough calling him Sir. Although he didn’t tell me I had to call him that, either. Maybe Sir Ashbear.
“Em?”
Dang it. I’m doing it again. “Sorry. I’m listening.”
“We’re going to take care of your punishment now. It kind of feels anticlimactic after all of this, but it has to be done.”
He’s right, of course he is. I’m worried about the butt plug and the edging. I’ve never done either. What if I disappoint him? Sure, I’ve read about all this and masturbated thinking about it, too, but this is not even close to the same thing.
“What’s your safe word, baby?”
“Umm, hemlock?”
“Are you asking me or telling me?” Ash smirks.
Ironically, I feel some of my tension easing. “I’m telling you. My safe word is hemlock.”
“Perfect. If any of this gets to be too much, you use your word. I will never be upset or angry if you do. That’s not how this works. Remember, you’re the one in control because you can stop everything if you need to.”
“I understand.” In theory. We’ll see how real life goes, I guess. “Are you going to leave my hands restrained?”
“Do they hurt? Is the tie too tight around your wrists?” He leans toward the headboard and runs his fingers over my hands, then between the fabric and my skin.
“No, I just…”
“You just what, baby?” His hand cups my jaw, to force me to look at him. His hands are rough—working man’s hands—and I love how the friction feels against my skin.
“I want to touch you, too.”
“There’ll be time for that later. I like you at my mercy.” The corners of his lips turn up in a wicked grin. I swear his eyes even twinkle.
My breath catches in my throat. He’s so handsome. And Oh. My. God. He just made it even worse. He’s still wearing the smirk as he reaches behind his head and pulls his T-shirt off, just like in one of my books. Good gravy.
It’s the first time I’m seeing him without a shirt, and hello, pecs. His muscles have muscles. I guess chopping wood is excellent for upper-body building.
“Like what you see, Raindrop?”
No way can I talk without making a complete fool of myself, so I nod and hope I’m not drooling.
He gifts me yet another smirk. Because, of course, he does.
Then reaches for something on the nightstand.
As he does, his shoulder and upper arm muscles flex, and the veins in his forearms stand out.
Goosebumps pop up along my arms, and my nipples harden.
Thankfully, he didn’t strip me bare; they’re still hidden under my bra and T-shirt.
Asher could be the new Fabio. But wait, then I’d have to share him, and I don’t think I’d like that. As I watch, he gathers his long hair behind his head and turns it into a man bun. By now, I’m so needy for him, I’m sure the bed is wet beneath me.
“Can’t have it getting in the way while I’m feasting on you, now can I?
” He waggles his eyebrows. “Here’s what’s going to happen.
I’m going to put the plug in this beautiful ass, then I’m going to eat you out.
But you’re not allowed to come. If you do, I won’t let you come for two days. Do you understand, baby?”
Even as I’m nodding yes, my brain is yelling no. Not allowed to come when he’s the first person to ever put his tongue on me. How the heck am I supposed to stop that?”
“Good girl. I’m going to push your legs up so I can insert the plug. Tell me if your ankle hurts.”
“I will.” I’m practically panting and he hasn’t even touched me. How the freaking frack will I keep from coming?
Asher pours some lube on his finger and moves my legs up with his other hand, so they’re near my stomach. I clench. I can’t help it. A swat hits the side of my thigh.
“Relax, Raindrop. If you tighten up, it will be worse.”
He’s got to be kidding, right? My panic is growing, but then his finger enters my butthole. Nerve endings fire that I never knew existed, and holy cow.
Asher works his finger into my hole. It’s thick, but I’ve seen the plug he’s going to use, and that’s thicker. He twists his finger, spreading the lube around. It shouldn’t feel this good. Even as I tell myself that, more wetness slips out of me. God. He’s going to know.
He chuckles, then says, “Looks like my baby enjoys anal play. Good to know.” Then he pushes his finger deeper and pumps it a few times.
I’m trying not to make a sound, but a groan escapes.
He pulls his finger out and lubes up the metal plug. “I want you to take a deep breath. As I push the plug in, let it out. Okay? I need to hear your words.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good girl.”
Darn, those words are going to be the death of me. Then my mind empties of everything except for the sensation of the plug entering my most private hole.
“Breathe, Em.”
I didn’t even realize I was holding it. With my mouth open, I exhale, and feel the plug push against my tight ring. Asher twists it, and I try breathing out more as he pushes the widest part inside. It pinches more than hurts, but I don’t like it. It’s too full.
“I’ll be right back. Just going to wash my hands.
I’d tell you to not to move, but my little Raindrop is all trussed up.
You look so beautiful tied to my bed, your butt stuffed with my plug.
One day soon, it will be my cock buried inside your tight little ass.
” Meeting my gaze, he winks, then laughs as he steps into the bathroom.
More heat floods my face. I’m restrained, and stuffed, and at his mercy. If someone had told me two days ago that I’d be in this position, I’d have told them they’d lost their mind. But here I am, waiting for my first punishment and trying not to spontaneously combust.