Joe emitted a garbled protest and kicked. His breathing picked up speed, then turned to shallow pants. Was he having a panic attack? Did people have panic attacks in their sleep?
“Shh, easy,” she murmured, caressing his scarred shoulder. She kissed the solid muscle, and he quieted.
She smiled. Excellent, kisses worked in dreams too. Turning onto her side, she examined his profile, the angles of his cheekbones and the sharp jawline his short beard enhanced. His nose had a tiny bump midway. A break from years ago? She arrived at the site of the debacle. She’d not seen him without the eye patch before. Tonight, he’d removed it to sleep. The damage broke her heart. Angry lines crisscrossed his eyelid, revealing a gash that altered the natural arch of his eyebrow. If he was attractive with the eye patch, he must have been stunning before Afghanistan. Didn’t matter to her. The scars made him beautiful.
The ravages of war and the cruelty men inflicted upon each other…
She flipped onto her back. Her thoughts returned to something pretty: her new set of clamps. Sweet man… That had taken some planning, as he’d used her birthstone.
Wow, her first jewelry gift. She shivered in delight.
Removing the clamps had been tricky, especially the clit clamp. If anyone asked her what she liked best, that had been the top experience of the night… Well, that and the awkward bent-over inspection thing. She had hovered between pleasure and embarrassment.
She’d come a long way from the unfeeling wax woman to this person who trembled with feverish desire. In this journey, Joe lifted her layers one by one, exposing the hidden Hunter, forcing her to see what excited and stimulated her.
The stinging pussy slaps, blew her mind. By the time he stopped, she’d been a volcano of desire. Hell, she was getting some more soon. She giggled quietly, thinking of ways to earn those.
Pain and sexual arousal were tied together for her. But it wasn’t that simple. Pain had a subtext she needed to explore, and yet she feared it. At the height of her spanking, a strange sensation had taken her, and she’d felt linked to Joe, centered around him as if he was part of her, knew how to handle her, and she’d floated in calm waters… Weird.
“No!” Joe exclaimed, and her thoughts dispersed. “Get away. Stop.” He thrashed and flailed.
Hunter ducked, avoiding his swinging arm. He rolled onto his side, waved, and pushed an object that existed only in his mind. “Move! No. Billy. Cover him!” he screamed and sobbed in the same breath.
Hunter had had enough.
Disregarding all caution and safety, she covered his body with hers to stop the thrashing. He could easily knock her out. Hooking her arms around his neck, she straddled his waist, murmuring like she would to Kevin, “Easy. Hush, baby, hush. You’re home. Safe.” She rubbed her cheek on his face and was horrified when she realized he’d been crying.
Fucking Afghanistan. So much pain, so much loss…
“You’re home. No one will harm you. I’ll keep you safe.” She continued speaking. The message must have reached him, because his kicking and jerking slowed. Sighing, she relaxed on his chest. The worst was over. She hoped.
Joe’s arm wrapped suddenly around her waist. “Thanks, kitten,” he murmured, tightening the hold. “My brave protector. God, did I hit you?”
Grinning, she raised her head. “Nope. Not a scratch or a black eye.”
“Small mercies.” He wrapped his other arm around her. His expression was dreamy, sleepy, yet his member had grown stiff, large again. He nudged her bottom.
“Ooh. A little slumber sex keeps the ghosts away. Let me?” she teased.
“I’m all yours.”
She wiggled down, to just above his penis. She threw the covers off and settled her weight on her knees. Holding his large shaft erect, she descended, impaling her sheath with his warm cock.
The pleasure of full penetration was exquisite. He belonged within her. This was real perfection, union, healing. She exhaled with pleasure, and he echoed her. He steadied her by the waist as she lifted and lowered in an easy cadence that sparked a simmering arousal. She took one of his hands from her waist and placed it on her breast.
Smiling at her, he pinched and rolled her nipple as she slowly pumped up and down. A sweet climax rolled over them, sending nightmares and remembered violence into the void of forgetfulness.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“LET’S GO FOR a walk and get some food.”
Joe’s unexpected appearance startled Hunter right out of her daydream. Scantily clad in his shirt and her panties, she’d been lounging on the balcony enjoying the remarkable view and the soft afternoon breeze.
“What?” She flipped her sunglasses up.
“Get dressed. I’m starved. I don’t feel like cooking, and you’re not going anywhere near my kitchen. That’s my job. Come on, lazy ass. It’s a beautiful afternoon.” He disappeared inside.
She rushed after him. “But you said—”
“Change of plans.” He stopped midstep and kissed her nose. “The stroll will do us both some good. You’ll like the Celtic Rainbow, and they serve decent fare. ’Sides, I’m craving a tall cold draft.”
He grinned, reminding her of Kevin. Her young man knew how to turn on the sweet charm whenever he wanted something from her.
“The pub’s been there for a few years.” Joe continued. “And it’s become a local favorite. It’s on Magnolia. We’ll go slowly, talking and smooching like vanilla high school sweethearts, bordering the lake and taking our time. How does that sound?”
“Wonderful.” Wrapping her arms around his waist, she smiled up at him. “Absolutely wonderful. I’ll change in a sec.” She flew to his bedroom.
“Wear comfortable shoes,” he called out after her.
“Brought sandals,” she responded as she changed out of his shirt.
“Oh, and a skirt. You did bring a skirt, right?”
“Yep. Got that covered too.”
She pulled out the sundress from her tote and shook it, hoping it didn’t look too wrinkled. What a strange request.
The stroll to Magnolia Avenue took a little longer than she’d anticipated. Distances in this part of downtown were deceiving. Nevertheless, it turned out to be beneficial to her muscles and enlightening to her brain.
Keeping his promise, they circled the park hand in hand, while Joe pointed out the different species of birds inhabiting the lake—excluding the human tourists pedaling on huge swan boats. Plus the courthouse, located a few blocks to the north. Once she passed her exams, this would be her regular stomping ground. She’d never visited this area before, and she liked the urban feel and liveliness, even for a slow Monday afternoon. Maybe she could find a modest apartment and bring Kevin here. He could attend the parochial school…and Joe was nearby…
She reined in that last thought. Her future with Joe Reid was a blurry, formless cloud. Not a good place to look into at the moment. Why spoil the rest of her weekend?
The Celtic Rainbow on Magnolia Avenue was impossible to miss. A nice-size crowd had taken up all the outdoor tables. Their laughter and loud conversation could be heard a block away. Joe was definitely a regular. Folks called out his name as he led her inside. Smiling, he waved back, but didn’t stop to chat with anyone. Thank goodness, as she was ready to sit.
The place looked like every other pub she’d ever visited in Brooklyn or anywhere else in New York—a familiarity she found comforting. Lighting was muted as usual. For some reason, pubs favored low illumination. She often wondered if this was the owners’ effort to evoke the intimate atmosphere candlelight provided long ago. Decoration was the standard mix of earth tones and polished hardwood floors. Comfortable leather booths lined the left side of the room. To complete the old continent feel, milk glass panes etched with large rainbows and Celtic motifs topped the wooden headrests between seats. The bar was to the right. A mind-boggling selection of taps offered customers every conceivable draft on the planet.
This was the place to come if one had a beer c
raving.
“Take your pick.” Joe pointed at the rows of empty seats.
Hunter made a face and shrugged. She didn’t have a preference, and everyone was outside.
“A booth?”
He laughed with her.
Hunter slid in, and Joe slipped next to her instead of across.
She eyed him.
“So I can play with you,” he answered before she could ask.
“Devious rascal.”
“You’ve no idea what you’re in for.” He winked. “And no loud sounds or moans are allowed. You can only whisper. That’s an order.”
“Hmmm…and why here?” She patted the seat. “And not there?”
“Kitten, I always face the entrance. It’s a military thing. And here’s a bit of trivia for you.” He tapped her nose. “The famous Wild Bill Hickok was shot dead in a Deadwood saloon because he broke his cardinal rule and sat, for the first time and his last, with his back to the door.”
“Wow. I had no idea.”
“Most people don’t.”
“Hey, Joe.” The young man behind the bar waved. “Be right there.”
“No hurry, Brad,” Joe answered.
Folding his arms on the table, Joe glanced up and down at her. She fidgeted under his close scrutiny.
“Remove your panties.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
He tightened his forehead. “Am I?”
Oh shit, he was dead serious.
“But, but…” she stammered, searching the empty room.
“I’m waiting.” He arched his good eyebrow.
“Joe,” she hissed. “I can’t put my bare bum on this seat. It has to be filthy.”
Excellent excuse, she mentally congratulated herself. That was a perfectly reasonable argument to ignore the request.
“Hey, Brad. Do me a favor?” Speaking to Brad, Joe didn’t look away from her. “Hand me some extra cloth napkins, will you?”
That was it. He’d shot her down.
Brad came around the bar holding two large cloth squares. “Do you need flatware too?”
“Not yet. This is great.” Joe took them. “You’re a good man. Hunter, what would you like to drink?”
Damn him, she hadn’t recovered from the panty issue and was still pondering the logistics of the situation. How could he ask…?
“Um, you go first.”
Joe smiled at Brad. “What do you have on tap?”
Brad bobbed his head, thinking. “If you like IPAs, I have Dunedin and Tampa Bay, then I have Sam Adams, Killian’s, Stella…”
“Stella,” Joe said. “Pint, please. Hunter? Have you decided?”
Her dilemma called for a stiff one.
“Scotch whisky.”
Joe straightened. Obviously he hadn’t expected that.
Screw him.
Hunter directed her attention at Brad. “Single malt, please. Neat. Side of water.”
Brad smiled. “The lady’s a connoisseur. Any region in particular?”
It didn’t hurt to ask. “Do you have Talisker?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Brad beamed. “It’s my favorite too. Be right back.”
Joe still gaped at her.
“What? Women are allowed to like Scotch, you know.” She threw a touch of sass. Maybe she’d get a nice punishment out of this.
“Right you are.” He held up his palms. “It’s just… All right, my bad. I didn’t link your Latin background with Scotch whisky.”
She sighed. “My dad’s a true whisky lover. Years ago, after I turned twenty-one, he took me on a map tour of Scotland. He explained where the original six malts came from, the difference between the harsh blends exported to the US versus the smoothness of the single malts. Things like that.”
“Interesting. Your dad knows more than my own father, whose ancestors came from Scotland.”
Brad returned with their drink orders. “All set for now?”
Joe held up his thumb, and Brad returned to the bar.
Hunter picked up the Glencairn glass, closed her eyes, and sniffed, filling her senses with the perfumed peaty scent she’d grown to love. She took a small sip, enjoying the delicious relaxation the golden liquid imbued.
“Hmmm, do that again, and I’ll fuck you right on the table.” Joe’s voice was a low rumble.
Blinking at his unexpected comment, she placed the glass on the table. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Upset?” He leaned close to her. “No, kitten. I’m hard as a rock.”
He grabbed her free hand and pressed it to his crotch. He didn’t exaggerate. His cock strained against his pants.
A wicked smile curved his lips. “You’ve had your taste. Now I want mine. Take those damned panties off. I’ll rip ’em to pieces if you don’t obey.”
Well, she’d played at delay, teased him some. As a result, the dominant had come out full force. It was exciting, scary, and illuminating. Did she wield that much power?
“Hunter?” He held a napkin in front of her face.
Time to move, despite her reluctance. She wiggled in the seat, trying to keep her skirt down while she tugged her panties down her legs. Not an easy task.
“Allow me. Lift up your hips and hold.” He extended the two unfolded napkins under her bottom to make a long clean barrier for her. “Is that better?”
She nodded.
“Excellent.” He held out his hand, and she placed the wadded-up panties in his palm. He shoved his bundled treasure into the front pocket of his shirt and gave it a light pat.
“Angle your thigh on the seat and face me.”
Hunter trembled before she moved. Without her panties, her pussy would be on display for Joe and anyone who took an interest in their activities.
“Trust is still in question,” he murmured. “I don’t want anyone intruding on our pleasure. Not by sight or action. This is my body.” He rubbed her thigh. “And I’m not showing it around. Focus on me, your Dom, and what makes me happy. And this sweet pussy does.”
Joe’s seductive voice wrapped around her, casting the usual spell she couldn’t break from. She had to be dripping wet with arousal. Her lips parted as she breathed with short pants. He continued his relentless search, slipping his hand to the juncture of her thigh and crotch. He wiggled his thumb between her nether lips, found her clit, and pressed down. She jerked as the bundle of excited nerves responded to his stimulus.
“Lovely.” He angled his body, sliding closer to her. His back and shoulders blocked her body from anyone who might approach, including the nice bartender.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
“That sigh is very disappointing.” Frowning, he shook his head. “You doubted me. You didn’t think I’d protect you or keep your need for privacy in mind.”
“Joe, no. I—”
He moved his hand from her pussy, tapped her knee down, and her leg joined the other. When her body shifted forward, he turned his as well.
No. No. No. Her brain screamed. This is not good. He broke the connection. Pull him back to you.
“Please, Joe. Try to understand.”
“But I do.” He sipped his beer. “I’m thinking this, us, is a mistake.”
“We’re not a mistake.” She grabbed his hand between hers. “Okay, so I’m not the most experienced and lack talent. You don’t realize how different I am with you. The things I feel. I was dead, Joe. With you I’m alive. Again.” A low sob escaped her lips.
He extricated his hand to cup her cheek. “Easy, kitten. We’re both on a learning curve. I have to remember to be more patient. You get me so hot. I want to do so much to you, with you.”
“You’re not the only one going out on a limb.”
“True.” He nodded, pressing his lips together. “I did say I’d push you, and you agreed.”
“Uh-huh, you did. The public place threw me off.”
“Let’s revisit last night’s list.” With his right eye missing, he had to lean his elbow on the backrest to do a full turn t
o face her. “To enhance our pleasure, we’ll play and have sex in different places and in unique situations. Some will push the envelope, no doubt. I also know your concerns and how far I can go. Nevertheless, I will test you. What’s your answer?”
Nothing like the present to change one’s attitude and grow a pair. She’d fallen for a man unlike any she’d ever met. If she wanted to stand shoulder to shoulder with him, it was high time she wore her big girls panties… Or, in this case, kept them off. Wiggling her butt, Hunter angled her body between the wall and the booth’s backrest. She lifted her knee back onto the bench, adopting her original position. For good measure, in a teasing gesture, she pulled the hem of her skirt up to the edge of her pussy lips.
Joe’s lips parted. “Is that a yes?”
Instead of answering, she pressed her shoulders against the wall, ensuring her breasts stood out. Taking the body language an extra notch, she dropped her head back as she flicked her index finger in the direction of her crotch.
She’d volleyed the ball back into his court.
“You are stunning and so brave.” Joe tugged her lower lip with his thumb, then slid it inside her mouth as he rubbed the edge of her teeth and her tongue. She sucked him in response. A faint salty taste of her sex lingered on his skin.
He turned his wide torso, blocking her from view again, his expression intent. He steadied her face with his large hand and took her mouth in a hungry, searching kiss. His fingers plunged deep into her sheath as his ravenous tongue continued to explore. Everything he gave her she took. This complete penetration, public and private at the same time, excited her beyond measure. She shifted her hips against his hand sending him a silent message. Yes. Yes. I want all of it. Give me more, more.
“Fuck,” he murmured between her lips. “So fucking wet.”
His fingers pumped in and out and flexed forward, pressing her pleasure spot. Wild arousal blurred her thoughts. Restraint left. She whirled in a vortex of pure need and no longer cared if anyone saw them. She relaxed her lips under his attack and thrust her tongue into his mouth in unconditional surrender. Their mouths dueled and fought each other. Lips sucked and pulled.
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