Chapter Eight
Chapter Eight
Contemplating her, Michael watched Sydney hurry away.
Gregorio and Damien had both been right—the lovely Sydney Wallace was a challenge. But when he’d called the Den to get her contact information, Damien had reacted favorably, suggesting she might be worth the effort.
Both men interacted with all the club’s members, and the house’s atmosphere lent itself to intimate discussions.
Damien had said he suspected she had a tough outer shell to protect herself. Gregorio believed she acted like a brat so that she could collect more spankings without ever opening herself up emotionally. Not that he blamed her. After all, he had been the one to find her a jeweler to cut off her collar. Gregorio had confirmed Damien’s hunch. Sydney’s reputation was a carefully constructed protective veneer.
Since she’d left, Michael had spent a lot of time thinking about her and considering the best way to approach and ensnare her. He’d ordered the flogger and new shoes for her. That may not have been his best idea. The very thought of seeing her in them constantly diverted blood from his brain.
He’d contacted her while she was traveling, but only a few times. Though he’d intended to pique her interest, he hadn’t wanted her to feel cornered and skitter away.
He’d made plenty of mistakes in his marriage regarding his expectations. His work since, with horses, had taught him a few things about patience. Even when he wanted to rush things—especially then—he forced himself to take a mental step back.
The day his divorce had become final, he’d grabbed a pricy bottle of Bonds whiskey from the liquor cabinet. As he’d downed his third shot, he’d vowed never again to fall deeply in love without taking his time, getting to know someone on every level.
And yet that would have been so easy with the delectable and determined Sydney.
He’d never connected sexually with a woman the way he did her. She wanted him to cover her skin with leather kisses and devour her in bed.
The trouble was, she didn’t want anything more.
Michael was a man of the land, entrusted by his ancestors to protect and care for it. And she was a woman of the world, living for adventure.
And eventually, she’d move on to a new Dom, or someone better for her—a Top.
Unfortunately, she was already starting to matter to him, and he’d enjoyed all the time they’d spent together—at the river, drinking lemonade, showering, cooking.
He’d caught glimpses of the vulnerable woman beneath her pain, and he wanted her heart and soul laid bare to him, to earn the trust that she’d vowed never again to give.
A loud squeal rent the air.
He grinned. Evidently she’d found the shoes. Her unbridled joy made him smile. Truthfully, he’d do a lot to keep her happy.
While she was still occupied, he grabbed the flogger and a ball gag from a box he’d put together. He laid both on top of the table.
Last night, he’d spent the better part of an hour cutting rope to the length perfect to secure her to the wooden fence. Now he took all four pieces and placed them side by side.
When she rejoined him, shoulders pulled back, chin angled, blonde hair spilling over her shoulders, his mouth fell open.
He prided himself on the fact that he had a hell of an imagination, but with Sydney it hadn’t been nearly wild enough. “That’s a hell of a getup, Sydney.” My girl. My sub. The tall red shoes with spiky metal studs on the heels made her calves appear extraordinarily shapely. The full-frontal sight of her nearly did him in.
She’d put a touch of scandalous gloss on her lips, making them appear fuller and more kissable. Her small pink nipples were pebbling beautifully under his scrutiny, and her bare pussy drew his gaze toward the juncture of her thighs. The whole package, including her compact, athletic body, made him glad to be male.
“Do you like the shoes, Sir?”
“Fuck me,” he said.
She grinned saucily. “I think that can be arranged.”
Now who is in control? “I’m going to give Chewie an extra carrot tonight,” he said. “I’m glad she absconded with your sandal.”
“I’m definitely not complaining, Sir.”
He severed the connection of their gazes so he could focus on something other than his physical response to her nakedness. “We need to check off the last box on your ‘all of the above’ answer from the last time you were here. It’s time you were tied to the fence, Sydney.”
Her lips parted and she swallowed a breath. “Yes, Sir.”
That was the tone he needed from her—aroused and compliant.
“Now?” she asked.
“No. Since you’ll be totally tied to the fence, unable to get away, we have a few things to discuss first.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll be using rawhide as rope, instead of easy-release handcuffs. It will take longer to bind you and longer to get you out, especially if you panic.”
“I won’t panic, Sir. I’ve been tied before.” Then her gaze landed on the flogger. “Is that the one you sent me a picture of?”
“Would you like to hold it?”
“Do you mind, Sir?”
“I ordered it for you. It’s yours.” He picked it up and offered it to her. “Like the shoes, you’re welcome to take it with you.”
“It’s beautiful. I love the color!”
“I thought it might suit you.”
She took the hilt and shook it, scattering the falls. “The strands are thicker than I’m accustomed to seeing.”
“It’s made from deer hide,” he explained. “The pain is meant to be thuddy rather than stingy. I think you’ll like it. I’ll be able to use it on you longer than I could with any other flogger I have.”
“But I’ll still get marks, right?”
“Do you want them?”
“Yes,” she said. She met his gaze with her open, readable blue eyes. When she looked at him like that, she had no artifice.
The raw hunger inflamed him.
“Please,” she added.
“I live to serve,” he told her with a quick grin.
“Thank you, Sir.”
The sincerity in her voice and the simmer of desire in her eyes were all the reward he’d ever need.
She offered him back the implement, then she looked at his makeshift toy box. “Uh, is that a gag?” she asked.
“It is.”
“For me?”
“Is that a problem?” He watched her reaction. The fact that she’d taken one step away telegraphed her nervousness, but she hadn’t refused outright, or used a safe word, meaning she wasn’t distraught. “We’re outside. I want you to be able to completely let go without worrying. Though no one will rescue you, regardless. I thought you might be more comfortable if your voice is muffled. But I’ll still be able to hear your sobs.”
Without speaking, eyebrows knitted together, she regarded him.
“I don’t think it’s going to look very flattering, Sir.”
Wryly, he said, “Other than the aesthetics, do you have any issues with being gagged?”
“No, Sir.”
“Good. Because I think it’s hot when a submissive drools all over the place.”
She crinkled her nose.
“If you don’t want to wear it, you have a safe word that will always be honored.”
“I…” She didn’t finish.
“Tell me your slow word?”
“Turtle.”
It was the first time she hadn’t broken it into two mocking syllables. Progress. Welcome progress at that. “And your safe word?”
“Everest.”
“Would you like to use either?”
“No.” Determined finality rang in her words.
“Nothing matters more to me than your well-being.”
“Right now, I’m fine. Just…”
Waiting, he arched an eyebrow.
“I’ll do anything if it gets me an orgasm.”
“You’ll earn it.”
She exhaled, expressing her emotions.
“Are you being a brat?”
“No, Sir. That was me agreeing with you.” She smiled brilliantly. “I understand your confusion.”
Turning away so she didn’t see his smile, he picked up a scrap of fabric that was nestled at the bottom of the box. He extended the remnants of the red cotton bandanna toward her. “I want you to hold on to this. Since you’ll be gagged, it will take the place of your safe word. Drop it and the scene will immediately stop, and I’ll remove the gag. If you need to be released from the bondage, I’ll see to it right away. I’ll have safety scissors in my back pocket.”
She nodded. “I understand.”
“Any questions?”
“Only one, Sir.”
He waited.
“Can we freaking get on with it?” Once again, she delivered a bright, sunshiny smile to take the heat out of her words.
“You do understand that impatience won’t get things to move faster?” He waited for effect. “And it will make me go easier on you.”
“You, Sir, are a terrible spoilsport.”
He captured her chin in his hand. “Would you like to be tied up and flogged, or would you prefer to suck my dick all afternoon?”
Although she couldn’t move her head, she managed to look down at his waistband purposefully. “As always, all of the above, Sir.”
Christ. So much for being the rule-maker. Or issuing a pseudo-threat. It seemed he was the one at a constant disadvantage. “Let’s get on with it.” He released his grip on her. “Your back to the fence.”
“Yes, Sir.” Despite the ridiculous height of the shoes, she executed a beautiful, flawless pivot, then headed down the concrete path.
He wouldn’t tell her, but it had been recently poured, just for her.
Captivated, he watched the sway of Sydney’s hips as she purposefully moved to the fence. Hot damn.
If she were his, he’d constantly keep her in those shoes, hire out all the chores, pay a business manager, and spend all day playing with her as his sex toy.
The thought was impossible. In winter, she’d need different shoes.
After snatching up the temporary toy box, he walked toward her. That wasn’t easy when all he wanted to do was take her inside and throw her beneath him.
She’d already spread her arms wide and legs apart, and she was facing him, watching him, waiting for him.
He had to remind himself he was the big, bad Dom.
Michael kept his gaze focused on her, and she never glanced away. “We’ll do the gag last,” he informed her.
“Anything you say, Sir.”
“You may or may not get to orgasm.”
“I…” She opened her mouth for a moment. Resolutely she closed it again. “Yes, Sir.”
He raised a brow and waited.
“Whatever pleases you, Sir.”
“That time it sounded as if you meant it.”
“I do.”
His chest constricted. In this moment, he’d have done anything he could to satisfy her.
After removing his hat, he hung it from a vertical post.
“You make the littlest things seem so sexy, Sir.”
He knelt in front of her and looped the rawhide strips around her right thigh several times before securing her to the wood behind her. “How’s that?”
“Unyielding, Sir.”
“Too uncomfortable?”
“Isn’t it supposed to be?”
He shook his head and looked up. “Absolutely not. I don’t want you focused on the bondage, I want you surrendered to the moment.”
“Honestly, Sir, it feels fine. I would tell you if it didn’t. I promise.”
“Good. I want to be able to land a strike or two on your pussy.”
“Oh?” She pursed her lips before breathing in and exhaling a jagged breath.
“Now your wrists.”
Afterward, he rechecked all the bonds to ensure she was properly affixed. Though he didn’t want her to pull away and get injured, he also needed to be sure her circulation would not be compromised.
Satisfied, he took a step back. “Beautiful.” And she was. She seemed serene, more so than she generally did. Being tied up suited her.
On some level, he understood that. Her struggle might provide her with a physical release. And that gave her tacit permission to let go emotionally. For someone like Sydney, that was probably true freedom. He was glad to take her on the journey.
Holding up the gag, he returned to her. “Is there anything you need me to know?”
“No, Sir.”
“Every part of you is available to me?”
“It is, Sir.”
“I will not go near your face or your neck,” he said.
“Thank you, Sir. That’s thoughtful.”
“Now open your mouth.” He inserted the ball between her teeth. Since there was only a small part inside, he commanded, “Wider.”
She waited a moment, stalling, but he outlasted her.
When she relaxed slightly, he forced it in a bit farther, then told her, “Tip your head forward slightly.” Getting her hair out of the way of the buckle was a challenge. “Sorry,” he said when he accidentally pulled a few strands.
“It’s all right,” she mumbled, or at least that’s what he thought she’d said.
He adjusted the fit so the straps wouldn’t slip. Now it was perfect. She wouldn’t be able to properly form any words, and her cries would be stifled. “Damn, you are a sexy woman, Sydney.”
Normally he’d like her mouth to be free, but it really was a turn-on seeing that big device forcing her jaw apart. “Do I need to adjust anything?”
She shook her head.
After placing the scissors nearby, he picked up the flogger and shook it out, much like she had done earlier, only he did it with more of a snap to his wrist so the strands jumped. “Your entire body is mine.”
In quick succession, she blinked several times.
He trailed the leather strands across her shoulders, then between her breasts, making her shudder.
“I’m going to give you some time to get used to it. I will warm up your body with a number of strokes before increasing the pressure. I know you want some welts. I’ll try to make sure you get them, but I also don’t want you bruised or too sore for me to use you in other ways.”
Her breathing increased.
And when he ran his hand over her pussy, he found she was already damp. “Nice,” he said.
Intentionally, he masturbated her with his fingers for a few moments then dragged the hilt of the flogger over her clit.
Jerking, she strained against his bindings.
He kept his gaze on her, tuning into her breathing and her expressions. It was as if the rest of the world fell away.
Michael placed the end of the dampened flogger against her pussy. “Be a good girl and fuck it for me.” He held it still and reached around her to give her rear end some support while she tried to work it inside her.
By wriggling, she took a small amount of the handle.
He eased it out. then slid it in again, a little farther. “Shall I use it on you as if it were a dildo?”
The words she attempted were garbled.
“This is a very pretty pussy, Sydney,” he told her while he crouched in front of her.
She moaned.
“Right now, this moment, whose is it?”
Silently she thrust her pelvis toward him.
As a reward, he gave her more of the handle as he looked up at her.
Her breasts were lovely, and her nipples were extraordinarily hard. Her legs quivered, and the pleading in her eyes made the blue luminous.
He leaned in and licked her clit. To her credit, she didn’t try to sneak in an orgasm, though she probably was figuring she could get away with it because she couldn’t ask permission.
Michael was careful, making certain she didn’t come from his tongue and ensuring she was lubricated enough for him to fuck her with the makeshift toy.
Once he had it all the way inside her, he licked her faster and faster as he filled her.
Her body shook from silent sobs.
He’d be willing to bet she’d never wanted an orgasm like she wanted one now. He planned to make it worth her wait. “That’s my girl,” he told her. “Hold off. Do it for me.”
She went rigid and she sucked in her stomach. Obviously she was struggling fiercely because he wanted her to.
He pulled out the flogger and moved his head away.
When he stood, her eyes were closed, and he smoothed a fingertip over her cheekbone.
Only then did she look at him.
“Oh, yes. You please me very much, Sydney. Thank you.”
The gag couldn’t completely muffle her cry as she relaxed her body. Unlike earlier, her body was pliant.
Was she trusting him, putting his demands ahead of her adrenaline-fueled desires? “Are you ready to continue?”
She nodded.
Gently, he began to use the flogger, the strands caressing her skin. He wielded the implement with precision, whipping her breasts then moving back so he could catch her nipples with the tips, making her jerk.
He watched for signs of distress, but she still clasped the piece of fabric. Pleased, he adjusted his stance and continued, using both back and forehand motions across her body.
As he worked, she relaxed into her bondage.
Michael stepped back a little to get a fuller swing.
When it landed, Sydney made a little sound, like a whimper, but when he studied her face, there was no pain there. Rather, her forehead was relaxed.
For long minutes, he continued the flogging, adding more force at times, occasionally hitting her with the broad side of the lashes, then varying the pace so she would never know where the strands would land, or how hard the impact would be.
On a soft sigh, she closed her eyes once again.
He moved up and down her body, landing the leather on her breasts, wrapping the lashes around her waist, flicking between her legs to sear her.
Though she pulled against her thigh bonds, she held on to the fabric.
Realizing she was releasing her resistance, he increased the velocity slightly, leaving crisscrossed lines on her flesh.
Her head lolled to the side.
Michael considered asking if she was okay, but she appeared serene, deep inside herself. If so, he wanted to let her linger there for a while longer.
Captivated by the moment, and her, he went on, marveling at the way she responded, her body swaying as she absorbed his punishing kisses.
You’re so damn beautiful.
For several more minutes, he continued. Then, when he believed she couldn’t attain any greater heights of pleasure, he stopped. “You’ve done well, Sydney,” he said, keeping his voice barely above a whisper.
If his guess was right, she wasn’t yet starting to come back to him. “I’m going to start releasing you, and it will take a few minutes. Just continue to relax.” He placed the flogger on top of a post before bending to untie her thighs.
Her skin was a beautiful shade of pink.
In admiration, he traced a couple of his marks. She was made for this.
His cock, which had been semi-aroused since they’d come out here, now hardened completely.
Slowly, he reached behind her to unbuckle the gag, and she didn’t react at all. “Open your mouth a bit for me, if you can.” He took hold of the ball and eased it out, then placed it with the flogger.
Though she flexed her jaw, her eyes remained closed.
He removed the restraint from her right wrist and massaged her skin and her shoulder as he lowered her arm to her side.
Since she’d yet to speak or interact other than to physically respond, he used a normal tone of voice as he asked, “How are you doing? Can you move?”
She made soft sounds and the barest of motions.
As she worked her way back to him, he continued to free her and work the circulation back into her body.
“Almost done.” He dropped the last strip of bondage into the box, and she slowly brought her right hand to her face to push back strands of hair.
“Hey,” he said softly when she fully opened her eyes.
A tiny smile played at the corners of her lips. She blinked, looking as if she were waking up from a drugged sleep.
“I’m going to carry you to the patio,” he said sweeping her off her feet.
With a gentle exhalation, she turned her head into his shoulder, and he savored the silky feel of her long hair on his cheek and her feminine curves against his body.
While still holding her, he sat, then leaned forward for a half-finished glass of lemonade. “Can you drink a little of this?” he asked, offering her the beverage.
She accepted and took a few sips.
When he put down the glass, she once more snuggled against him. He smoothed her hair, cradled her, saying nothing as he luxuriated in the feel of her.
“That was…”
He waited.
“Sensational. I had no idea. You can do that to me anytime.”
If she was willing, he had a number of other things in mind.
After a couple of minutes of shared silence, she squirmed a bit and looked up at him. “I’m…” Her unfinished sentence hung between them.
“You’re what?”
“Nothing. Never mind. I don’t want to overstep my bounds, Sir.”
“Say whatever you want, Sydney. Always.”
“I’m so aroused. But I’m content to wait as long as you say, Sir. I think I understand more now, about what you were talking about earlier. At first I didn’t, but…”
“Go on.” Did she realize that waiting, longing, subjecting herself to his dominance could transform her experience?
Had she learned that he could be trusted to nurture and care for her, that all her deepest desires would be met, and that all men were not like the ass who’d collared her?
“It’s not about the orgasm… I’m struggling to express what I feel.” She curled one hand into a fist. “I want you in me. The connection.”
So did he. “There’s no hurry. I don’t think you’ve ever been that far gone before.” But hopefully this time wouldn’t be the last.
“When you’re ready, Sir, so am I.”
After holding her until she began to push away from him and stretch, showing him that she really was back with him, he carried her inside. Shockingly, her shoes had somehow managed to stay on, and they aroused him all over again.
In his bedroom, he managed to pull back the comforter and toss the pillows on the floor, even with her still clinging to him.
Gently, he lowered her onto the bed then grabbed the toy box and placed it on the nightstand.
Sydney stirred, rolling onto her side to watch him undress. “Your cock is hard, Sir.”
As it’s been for days. “You’re not the only one who’s been deprived for more than a week.”
“Have you really?”
“As I’ve said, I don’t expect anything from you that I’m unwilling to do.”
“You haven’t jacked off since we were together last?”
“Not even once.” Which might have been somewhat of a record for him. He was a sexual man, and he generally started his day by masturbating in the shower.
He donned a condom. Even though he’d enjoyed it when he’d had her use her mouth to roll it down him, he didn’t want to wait that long.
“Shall I keep the shoes on, Sir?”
“Only if you want to drive me wild.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
Though the idea appealed, he calculated the damage the spikes might cause his body, especially since he didn’t intend to be gentle with her. “Unfortunately, the shoes will have to go for now, no matter how much I’d rather leave them on you.” He pulled off one and tossed it in the direction of the closet, wincing when it smacked into the hardwood.
“I guess they’re also a weapon, in a pinch,” she mused.
The second shoe, he removed a bit more respectfully then tucked it under the bed. “Roll on your back and put your feet flat on the mattress,” he said. “And let your knees fall to the sides comfortably.” When she did, her body became available to him, as if in invitation. “You’re still red,” he observed, tracing some of the marks with his thumb.
“Thank you for doing that for me, Sir.”
“My pleasure.” In every way, she was perfect. “How are your arms? Shoulders okay?”
“Fine, Sir.”
“Good. Then grab the headboard.”
Eyes wide open, she complied with his instructions. In under a minute, he had her cuffed in place.
Her breath caught.
“I’ll help you into position, but I want you to put your knees over my shoulders.”
He knelt between her legs and lifted her hips since he knew she wouldn’t be able to get a lot of leverage herself.
When she was where he wished, he took his shaft in hand and placed his cockhead at her entrance. Then he captured her gaze as he caressed her clit.
“Sir!”
After her experience outside, he wanted to be sure she really was ready for this. And when she rocked her body in silent demand, he knew she was. He’d never been with a woman this free, this voracious, and she fed his appetite.
He stroked himself as he inserted his cock into her. As he surged forward, his shoulders putting pressure on the backs of her legs, she moaned slightly. “Too much?”
“Stretching my hamstrings and my pussy, Sir. It feels good. Please don’t stop.”
Now that his cock was buried in her, it would take all his resolve to pull out.
“Fuck me, Sir,” she urged. “I want to feel it.”
Hell yes. She was his woman. And after this, she’d know it.
He placed his hands next to her head so that he could balance his weight. She was obviously in excellent physical condition, but the angle and the fact that he outweighed her by a good eighty or ninety pounds meant he couldn’t collapse on top of her, despite the temptation.
After starting with a few long, slow strokes to get her ready, he fucked her hard and deep, making her gasp.
He craved release as much as she did. But this angle and the incredible sensations gave him another idea.
Calling on all superhuman restraint, he pulled out.
“Sir?”
To her credit, she looked at him with a frown of puzzlement, rather than frustration. “Give me a moment,” he said. “Keep your legs spread, with your feet flat on the mattress.”
“You’re making me nervous.”
“Good. We both like it when that happens.” He pulled out a small glass butt plug from his toy box.
“Ah…”
“Turtle?” he asked, his back to her as he squirted lube all over the smooth elongated oval shape with a fat base to keep it from getting lost.
When he faced her, her brow was furrowed. “Taking your cock in that position is difficult enough, Sir.”
“You can use a safe word or a slow word any time you need to.” He suspected she wouldn’t, even if it was just because of pride. “We had a discussion that first evening at the Den about your limits. You didn’t mention it. I want to be sure before we go on.”
Her scowl made her look utterly adorable.
Since he valued his hide, he didn’t say so to her. “I’ll make sure you’re prepared as I insert it.” And he would watch for signs of real discomfort, not just uncertainty.
“I don’t suppose it matters that I don’t want that up my ass?”
“Not at all. Lift your legs straight up.”
It took her so long to obey that he was beginning to doubt she intended to.
Behaving as a no-nonsense Dom, he sat on the bed, put his back to her leg then leaned back a bit, forcing her into a stretch and keeping her in place.
Since she was not going to cooperate easily, he intended to use his power to force her compliance. The angle he’d selected exposed her anal whorl. “This will be easier on you if you open up.”
Stubbornly, she kept her muscles contracted.
“It’s going in, my girl. Like it or not.” He teased the glass between her pussy lips, running the smooth surface back and forth until her clit hardened.
She exerted pressure against him as she wordlessly sought more.
“So, so perfect,” he told her. He ran the plug a little lower, teasing her ass.
“I…”
“It’s okay to like it,” he promised her. “This is barely bigger than my finger, and you took that fine.” He placed the end of the oval barely inside her rear, then pulled the toy away. Again and again he repeated the motion, each time pressing the plug in a little deeper. When he reached the thickest part, she mewled.
To distract her, he smacked her pussy then drove the plug the rest of the way in.
“That’s—”
“In. All the way. Would you like to continue to protest?”
She exhaled fully.
He took hold of her legs and placed her feet back on the sheets. “I’ll give you a moment to adjust to the feeling.”
“It’s a little cold, Sir.”
“It will warm up. Now, if you’d like, you’re welcome to come at any time while I fuck you.” His cock was still hard, and he hadn’t removed the condom.
“I’m not sure I’ll be able to with the pressure.”
“Of course, it’s your choice. But if you don’t, it may be some time before I offer you another opportunity. The plug stays.”
She wrinkled her nose.
Once again, he moved between her legs, maneuvering her into position, her legs over his shoulders, and pressed his cockhead against her opening.
“Oh!”
He gave her a moment to use one of her safe words, but when she didn’t, he pulled back before surging forward again.
Fuck. She was correct about the tight fit.
As he finally sank all the way into her, she gulped for air. Her channel was slick, and the pressure from the plug was nearly enough to make him come. “Are you still doing all right?”
“Holy hell’s balls, Sir.”
His thoughts, exactly.
“I’m… Do me.”
Knowing it pleased her, he lowered himself a bit more, and she whimpered.
“I’ve never experienced anything like this.” Though she seemed to struggle to accommodate him, she didn’t protest. “You might have suggested I not skip my yoga practice, though.”
He kissed the top of her head before relentlessly impaling her time and again. There was nothing soft or sensuous about their joining—it was turbulent and dangerous and as hot as fuck.
With every thrust, she cried out, and he had to force himself to think of her pleasure before selfishly taking his own in her hot body.
“I think… I…”
“Come, Sydney. All over me.”
She used her knees against his shoulders to dig in and raise her pelvis to slightly change his angle. “Sir!”
“That’s it.” He rocked in and out at a frantic pace, and she screamed as her body convulsed.
As she thrashed, he gritted his teeth long enough to reach up and release her cuffs.
Instantly, she grabbed on to the back of his neck as she rocketed through another orgasm. God, he loved pleasing this woman.
Her contractions drove him toward his flash point.
He went still, then a hot pulse shot through him as he climaxed in long, powerful spurts.
“Sir, Sir!”
He moaned, and her body convulsed again. “Give it to me,”he demanded, shuddering with her once again, the final seed surging out of him.
Afterward, struggling to catch his breath, he rolled to his side to pull her tight against him.
She didn’t protest.
For several minutes, until their breathing returned to normal, he held her.
“That was…”
“Yes?” he asked.
“Spectacular, Sir.”
“No worse for wear?”
“Deliciously sore everywhere, Sir.”
That, he liked to hear.
“I think I need to make you some food,” he said. “After a shower. Let me take out that plug for you.”
“No, thanks,” she replied, turning her head so she could face him. “I’ll manage it.”
“Embarrassed? After everything we’ve done?”
“That’s a little personal, Sir. Don’t you think?”
“All the more reason for me to do it. On your stomach.”
“Uhm…”
“Tur-tle?” he asked.
“Damn you. You know I can’t use a slow word now, Sir.” She narrowed her eyes. “You did that on purpose.”
“Then the sooner we get this over with, the better.” Before she could argue any further, he flipped her over. “Lift your hips off the mattress.”
“I’m glad you can’t see me blushing.”
He spanked her right below her buttocks. “Enough stalling.”
Yelping in shock, she offered her ass.
“Better.” He grasped the base of the plug. “Now bear down.” Once she had, he was able to remove the toy. “Not so bad, was it?”
“Says the Top. You try being the sub.”
“I’m clear on our roles,” he told her, lips quirking into a smile. “And you should be, as well.” Climbing from the bed, he went into the bathroom to rinse and sterilize the plug and dispose of his condom.
By the time she joined him, the shower water was warm, and steam filled the room.
“Some of those marks are going to last a few days.”
She looked down at her body. “Good.” Like he had done, she traced a couple of the more prominent ones.
He entered the shower unit and invited her in.
“Most men don’t share their shower.” She looked at him.
Once again, he was unexpectedly struck by her bright blue eyes. The orgasm had drained his testicles, but the sight of her naked, wet body and slightly parted lips was enough to knock him in the solar plexus. “I’m not most men,” he reminded her.
“That’s becoming obvious, Sir.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“Scary.”
Maybe for him, as well.
Earlier, he’d had the unexpected, but not entirely unwelcome thought that she belonged to him.
Odd for a man vowing to protect his heart.
Claiming a woman who spent most of her time away from home, looking for adventure, wasn’t a smart move.
Too bad he was no longer thinking with his brain.
Michael lathered the soap and washed her breasts and stomach before moving his hand between her legs. “Turn around,” he instructed, moving his hands over her back and shoulders.
She braced her palms on the tiles, surrendering to his ministrations.
Continuing, he bent to cleanse her buttocks and legs.
“Thank you, Sir,” she said when he detached the showerhead to rinse her off. “That feels so good. My muscles were a little more cramped than I thought after being tied up. I could stay here all day.”
“I’d let you,” he said.
He reached for one of the towels he’d tossed over the glass door and offered it to her as he helped her out of the enclosure. “I’ll finish up, then I’ll be right behind you.”
A few minutes later, he joined her in the bedroom.
“Uh, I wasn’t sure what to put on,” she said. The bath towel was still wrapped around her, and her bag was on the edge of the bed.
Without her saying anything else, he understood the depth of her question, and more, he recognized it as a pivotal moment.
He could tell her to put on the outfit she’d bought in Miami. Or he could tell her to wear the clothes she’d had on earlier. Either way, she was looking to him to define the moment and asking if he wanted her to stay longer.
That she hadn’t made the decision to immediately run gave him great hope. “I want you to be comfortable,” he said, drying his hair with a towel, aiming for casualness he was suddenly nowhere close to feeling. “You’re welcome to help yourself to one of my shirts or a robe, if you’d like. But make no mistake. It doesn’t matter what you wear. It won’t stop me from fucking you senseless on the kitchen table after dinner.”