“Are you really here, Sweetness?” Reign asked quietly, studying her across the semi-darkened space. “I mean, are you really here?”
“I—I…” she said softly, biting her lip, and confusion marred her features. “…don’t understand what you mean.”
“It’s rather fairly simple believe or not.” His sexy tone was akin to satiny silk. Slowly, he advanced towards her, and with every step, stole a single breath from her. “It means that you’re willing to take risks and not be afraid of who you are and what you want. When you’re here with me, you will hold nothing back. Are you prepared to do that?”
“Y-yes,” she said in a soft whisper. Then, to her shame, the tears filled her eyes, and she blinked them back fast. “I am.”
“Then, tell me again, are you really here---all of you--- every sinful part of you that the world forces you to hide behind that flimsy façade of virtue?”
“Yes, I’m here.”
“Good. Because you will not, absolutely not, conceal yourself. In my world, behind these walls, there’s no room for shame, rules, regrets, or pretense. I won’t let you hide from me.”
At his dangerous assertion, the air constricted tight in her lungs.
While he drew near, she nearly stopped breathing altogether.
His every step brought him into visibility, and immediately, she was stricken by his blatant sensuality. When he fell into view, she was held both speechless and captivated at the same time.
Transfixed, she could only stare at him wide-eyed.
Sweet goodness, on this earth, had there ever been such a seductive creature?
Undoubtedly, pray tell, that answer was a definite not.
Her eyes slid over him.
Oh my…
Six feet of exquisite male perfection.
According to the description on the website, he was 31 years of age. Too, he’d been labeled as a loner, and it was a characteristic that she’d liked. As foretold, a brooding, mysterious, and rebellious quality exuded from him.
Certainly, the picture on the web had done him little justice.
Even now, just looking at him, she fought to catch a breath.
He was that hot.
While her skin was smooth, light, and creamy, his was richly tanned.
His hazel green eyes were bedazzling, and as she looked into them, she was instantly lost. His gaze was intense and thorough, and without a doubt, he was deeply introspective. Black hair curled naturally on his head, and it was fashioned in a modern edgy cut. Along his taut jaw line, the dark scruff was perfectly aligned, and a thin mustache lined his upper lip. His handsome face was rich with character. But, still, he could mask his thoughts and feelings well, which he certainly did now. The hazel green eyes were offset by a slim nose, and now, a knowing dangerous smile curved his lips.
From the chest down, he was bare.
Only white trousers swathed his well-built form.
No doubt, that was due to a considerable amount of gym time.
The muscled chest, well-ripped pecs, and six-pack abs proved that.
Not a single mark or blemish marred his flesh.
Suddenly, she resisted the urge to throw herself at his mercy.
A sexual male creature like him was the epitome of her wet dreams.
As he sauntered towards her, she stayed transfixed.
Oh goodness, he had a dangerous, sexy, and serious swagger…
Once more, she fought for air as he stopped before her.
But, she failed to find solace from her plight as he closed a large hand around hers.
The open devilment gleamed in his eyes as he brought it to his lips. “Sweetness, huh?” he probed quietly, and his warm breath bathed her flesh. With a sensual gentleness, he kissed the back of her hand and let his lips linger. “I think that you were rather erroneous when you chose your alias, don’t you think? Behind those beautiful brown eyes of yours, I can see or rather sense your deepest secrets.” His gaze didn’t waver from hers as he released her hand slowly, and it seemed that he was reluctant to. “But, while that’s so, there has to be a reason why you chose it. I’ve learned that there are valid reasons for the labels that we apply to ourselves. I must say that your title is intriguing. Here I am, sin itself, about to become involved with the purest of things.”
Still, she said nothing.
Instead, she continued staring at his chest.
The heat crept along her near-nude body.
How could she speak?
She was too flustered and nervous!
“Look at me.” Grasping her chin, he drew her troubled gaze to his. Again, his eyes were so intense that it caused her to tremble. “If you’re not ready for any of this, I certainly understand. These walls aren’t a prison, and I don’t believe in forcing women into things that they don’t want.” Releasing her, he took a step backwards. “If you want to leave, you’re free to go.”
“N-no, I don’t want to go,” she whispered, staring at the floor. Somehow, by some act of mercy, she managed to look at him. Again, she felt like she was staring into a stormy sea of green as their eyes locked. “I want to be here with you.”
A light flickered in his eyes.
It was one that was indecipherable.
But, as he reached out to touch her, she had no time to mull the thought further. While he trailed a finger along her cheek, she emitted a soft gasp. “Stay,” he murmured seriously, regarding her closely. “Only if you want to, and only if you’re really sure. Because if you stay, there’ll be no turning back.”
Her eyelashes fluttered nervously. “I want to stay.”
“Good. Let’s have a seat, then.” Grabbing her hand, he gave it a gentle tug. “Come with me.”
Nodding, she followed behind him meekly.
They ventured further into the apartment-styled quarters.
The space was still semi-dark.
But, she was able to make out the furnishings and other things.
On the right side of the room, a low rising bar accommodated scores of differing liquors. To its left, there was a tiny kitchenette that held a black fridge, stove, and microwave.
They moved towards the center of the area.
A sofa was staggered at an odd angle.
Alongside it, there was a wingback chair---the exact one he’d sat in earlier.
They met the sofa.
“Please, have a seat. Would you like a drink?”
“No, thank you,” she said shyly, sinking down onto the black leather sofa. She watched as he trailed towards the wall bar. “I don’t want anything.”
“Why am I not surprised by that?” he muttered, giving a lopsided grin while looking at her. Then, turning his attention away from her, he began pouring white liquor into the short glass. Cradling the glass in his hand loosely, he trailed towards her again. “You certainly don’t strike me as the drinking type.”
To both her chagrin and delight, he sat down beside her. But, he was careful to put some space between them while he did so. He threw an arm along the back of the sofa before leaning back casually. “Tell me about the name thing again.” He brought the glass to his lips before taking a gulp. Then, drawing it back, he studied her closely. “Why the name Sweetness?”
“It just suits me.” She shrugged in discomfort, and once more, a warm flush crept along her face. “That’s all.”
“Are you a virgin?” he asked point blank. “Are you untouched?”
“Yes,” she admitted, and deep down, it hurt to even say the single word. It caused nothing but pure shame. “I almost had sex once when I was sixteen. It was a big mistake. I shouldn’t have met Paul in his car.” Suddenly, her face felt very hot. “He wanted to put his thing inside of me. Once he showed his thing to me, I didn’t want him to put it in. I was completely grossed out.”
“You mean his dick?” he asked with a quick laugh and didn’t bother to hide his amusement. “The poor boy obviously wasn’t endowed enough in that area. Fortunately, you didn’t lose your virgini
ty to this wet-nosed sap that didn’t have the faintest inkling about sex or pleasing a woman. He sounded just as inexperienced as you were and still are.” He took another sip from the glass before studying her over its rim. “Do you masturbate?”
“What?” she gasped in shock and another guilty flush stole her. “Why would you ask such a private and personal thing?”
“Well, your prudish reaction says that it’s a red hot yes,” he said with interest. “You’re human. Everybody has needs. You have to get it in some kind of way. But, of course, I don’t want to make assumptions. Again, do you?”
“Sometimes, a little bit.” The guilty flush spread further along her already heated face. “But, I’m ashamed of myself when I do. It’s a sin.”
“Maybe.” Shrugging, he eyed her with an intense look. “But, it sure in the hell feels good, doesn’t it?”
“Yes. But, that doesn’t make it right.”
“When it comes to real pleasure, ‘right’ doesn’t mean a damned thing.” He drained the glass before placing it on the floor by his bare feet. Then, he turned his full attention on her. “What do you want from me?”
“W-what?” she asked shakily, and helplessly, her eyes were drawn to his. Again, she was mesmerized by the intensity of his probing gaze. “You know what I want.”
“Saying it out loud only makes it more real. It forces you to take ownership of the pleasure that you seek. Again, what do you want from me?”
Their gazes held as she uttered her scandalous confession. “I want you to do things to me---my body.”
She stilled as he moved closer to her, and again, she pondered if there was such thing as living breath. Against her naked thigh, his trouser-clad one touched hers. She trembled at the feel of his manly flesh against hers even though that part of him was fully clothed.
“Are you afraid of me?” Reign rasped sexily, grasping her hand, and then rested their joined hands against her right thigh. The heat seared from his hot flesh straight to hers, and he wielded power in his touch. “You’re trembling all over.”
“I’m afraid of what I’m feeling inside of me. You’re making me feel things,” she whispered, staring into his eyes. Again, it felt as if she were plunging further into a dreamlike reality. “Bad things that I shouldn’t feel towards another human being.”
All too carefully, he released her hand.
Then, intent upon destroying her further, he began stroking a finger along her cheek. “What kind of things are you feeling?”
“I want you to touch me,” she whispered shamefully amidst the different shades of guilt. But, still, this hazel-eyed stranger made her want to confess the forbidden secrets that haunted her lonely heart. “I want you fuck me.”
Watching her intensely, he slid dangerously closer, so much so that her breath hitched. “Anything and everything that you want, I’ll give it you. I’ll fuck you as many times as you want and in any way that you want---hard, fast, slow.” His sexy growl was laden with a sexual promise. “I’m a fucking beast, and that damn insecurity that’s holding you back, it doesn’t stand a ghost of a chance against me.”
***
All his life, he’d been a cynic.
He never believed in good things happening or things occurring by chance. But, tonight, he’d been proven wrong.
Was there such a thing as obsession by first sight? It was true, he realized, staring into her light brown eyes. She had him intrigued, for some peculiar reason or another.
Hell, she had him shook.
For the first time, he really wanted a woman.
Down to his gut, he knew that she was special.
The moment that he’d studied her profile picture weeks ago, he’d been drawn to her like a magnet. He’d spent more than a considerable amount of time studying her features on the escort website. Even then, he’d sensed the kind of woman that she was.
Now, seeing her, face to face, his assumptions had been proven true.
For she just wasn’t any woman---
It wasn’t that he wasn’t accustomed to beautiful women. During his tenure, he’d encountered many types: overeager, aggressive, submissive, etc.
But, never one like her…
She was natural, pure, innocent, and sweet.
Everything about her was real.
It breathed from her very nature.
Her sweet innocence called out to his darkened soul, and he wanted to embrace it until fully cleansed.
Truth told, with his clients, it was always just an act.
Over the years, he’d learned how to play the game, say the right words, or do the exact things needed to please them.
But, this…
Tonight…
Her…
It was about appeasing his selfish needs.
He swept a subtle glance over her.
Sweet fuck….she was a beautiful liar.
She concealed her true nature well.
She was a sexual prowess carefully hidden within the falseness of virtue. There was a sensual potency intertwined eloquently with the image that she presented to the world. Because of her blinding innocence, his brown-eyed beauty was oblivious to her power. But, it was inevitable that her warring sides would eventually collide.
When they were together, that collision would come in that very moment.
His eyes strayed to her pulse point.
Against her nape, it thumped wild and fast.
But, his own heartbeat was beating a fast tattoo, he realized as her skittish gaze met his before moving away. This woman creature fascinated him in more ways than one. Somehow, his entire chaotic universe was about to shift because of her.
He’d never considered himself a voyeur.
But, she’d made him one as soon as she’d crossed the threshold. Maybe it’d been wrong of him to subject her to such an intimate act at the initial beginning of their encounter. Yet, he’d been filled with an unexplainable need to see her disrobe.
As she’d undressed, he’d been riveted and held spellbound by his blatant attraction. Carefully, she’d cast her dangerous feminine magic on him with a perfect subtleness, and every second had been rife with heady anticipation.
She had an hourglass figure with every feminine curve etched in the perfect place. With his hands, he’d contour a path along her waistline on down her sides. He’d trace a finger along the fine lines of the thin stretch marks that marred her skin. Her plump breasts nearly spilled from the white brassiere, and through the soft fabric, her nipples were already tight puckered buds. And dear fuck, he would take the liberty of peeling the white panties from her curvy hips. No doubt the cotton fabric was hiding her wet fiery heat.
Even more, she made him want to forego his cardinal rule. He never ever kissed his clients on the mouth for that would signify some sort of emotional intimacy. Sure, he fucked them hard. But, he never touched his lips to theirs.
Yet, with her…
His gaze darkened further.
Savoring her very taste was his desire.
Inside her sweet mouth, he’d thrust his tongue so deep, suck the living air from her lungs, and then steal her very next gasp…
Yet, from where did his fascination wrangle?
Was it because he was a jaded creature and she was so innocent?
Perhaps, that was the lure.
Still, there was something more…
At the moment, he couldn’t tap into exactly what that more entailed.
But, tonight was about her and her alone.
On the remaining nights of their sexual trysts, he’d stake his own personal pleasure.
“Why don’t we move where it’s more comfortable? Let’s move to the bedroom,” he suggested and rose to his feet. Then, grasping her hand, he tugged her up. As he stared down at her, he fought to ignore the tingling feelings in his chest. Again, somehow, this strange, meek, and beautiful woman was upsetting his carefully chaotic world further. “You sure that you don’t want anything to drink?”
She smiled at him s
hyly. “Yes, I’m sure.”
“Very well, then,” he murmured quietly and worked against his stirring emotions. “Come with me.”
Together, they headed for the bedroom.
Chapter 3
The Atlanta skyline greeted them as they entered the large bedroom. A pale full moon lit the vastness, and stars sprinkled the night sky. Across the way, an office building faced them, and darkness draped every floor. Against its glass window panes, the rich moonlight bounced off and reflected against it.
They hovered near the door in silence. Still, he was giving her an out if that’s what she wanted, she realized, looking around the lavish sleeping area.
The moonlight spilled in and bathed the darkened bedroom with a soft glow. At the center wall, there was a huge four-posted bed etched in rich mahogany. The sheer black canopy curtain was drawn back, and undoubtedly, it’d enclose the entire bed when in use. Ivory colored satin sheets adorned it and were carefully tucked in. A pair of complementary shag pillows lay flat against the headboard. Unsurprisingly, a bar table was built into the wall.
“Please make yourself comfortable,” he said casually, closing the door, and then strode towards the bar. This time, he grabbed a liquor bottle from the top shelf rather than getting a glass. His intense gaze locked with hers as he crossed the room to her. “Are you going to stand by the door the rest of the night like a timid kitten, or are you going to trust me?”
“I-I’ve never done anything like this before,” she confessed, crossing both arms in front of her, and suddenly, she wasn’t so sure of things. “Maybe this isn’t a good idea.”
“The fact of the matter is that you are here,” Reign acknowledged with a serious look. “You want to be here. You’re just too afraid to admit that truth to yourself.” He sighed. “Again, there’s no pressure. We’ll proceed at a pace that you’re comfortable with.”
Reign on Me Page 3