by Anya Summers
He hadn’t expected to care. But he’d never meant to cause her harm. And damn, but he didn’t want her with him if her job was riding on it. That was something he could resolve right away.
Pulling out his cell phone, he dialed Jared’s number.
“Carter, is something amiss?” Jared asked.
“No. Nothing’s wrong. I just wanted to let you know that as far as I’m concerned, Jenna has met the terms of her punishment with me.”
“Did she do something wrong? Or is she—”
“Jared she’s fine.” For the most part. “Moving forward, I don’t want her to be required to be with me. Her employment with you remains intact whether she stays with me the rest of this week or not—her job on the island does not hinge on that fact. Understood?” he said.
“Ah, I see,” Jared said, sounding bemused. The fucker. “Anything else I can do for you this evening, Carter?”
“Nope. We’re good.”
“That’s fine then. And I will consider Jenna’s punishment at an end. Enjoy the rest of your night,” Jared said, a laugh in his Scottish voice.
“Yep,” he said and hung up before he did something stupid, like drive over to the hotel just to pummel the man to make himself feel better.
When he headed back inside, Jenna was making up the couch for herself wearing a tank top that said ‘Bite Me’ across the chest, and pajama bottoms with the word ‘juicy’ across her fine ass. He bit back a grin. She was such a fascinating mix of righteous determination and independence. Then, tossed in for good measure, was an inherent desire to please. Not to mention that all he had to do was smell her scent—jasmine and vanilla—and he grew rock hard. Their chemistry was off the charts combustible.
“Enjoy your bath?” he asked.
“I did, thank you. Good night, Sir,” she said, not looking at him as she settled onto the couch and snuggled underneath the blankets.
“Good night, Jenna.” He grabbed a beer from the fridge, and then he sat in the armchair and watched her sleep.
Normally she was a dynamo of energy that infiltrated and surrounded the space she occupied. Seeing her all curled up, he thought she looked so small and delicate. Breakable. An emotion he’d long ago thought himself incapable of feeling again surged inside his chest: the need to protect. More often than not, he enjoyed a sub at the club, but never allowed them into his personal space or got bent out of shape when they chose another Dom after being with him. One who didn’t hold his emotions back.
But Christ, she made him want more, not to just tame her and have a good time. Carter wanted to possess her, wanted her to belong to him, wanted to erase the exhaustion he’d seen in her eyes tonight and care for her. If he wasn’t careful, he’d end up wanting a whole lot more with her, and he didn’t know if that was wise.
Man, but she kept him on his toes. She was submissive, absolutely, because when she was beneath him, she was his every fantasy brought to life. Although, she wasn’t coy or shy in the slightest, and did not take crap from anyone, most especially him. He’d never had a woman challenge him the way she did. Which was a stark change. Usually, at his club, the submissives rarely spoke above a whisper, never looked him in the eye, and assumed whatever position he requested without question or hesitation.
Jenna was a breath of fresh air he hadn’t known he needed.
When her soft snores reached his ears, he set his empty bottle on the coffee table and stood. Bending down, he hoisted her slight form into his arms. No way in hell was his sub sleeping on the couch.
And then she snuggled against his chest as he carried her, and pleasure speared him at the innocent unconscious gesture.
Carter laid her on the bed and drew the covers up over her. He stroked her head, his fingers tangling in her hair. She truly was enchanting.
He left her in the bed and went throughout the lodge, turning off lights before he stripped out of his jeans and boxer briefs, then slid into bed alongside her. Carter gathered her close.
At her innocuous sigh, his chest loosened. Her head was now pillowed on his chest and he looked down at her stunning face. She fit him. Perhaps she didn’t see it yet and, well, he wasn’t comfortable with it, but she did.
And wasn’t that the most surprising event so far—her advent into his world? Now he just had to figure out how to keep her there.
Chapter 6
Jenna stretched as the loveliest aromas assailed her senses. Coffee and some delicious meat. She blinked her eyes open only to realize she was in bed. Carter’s bed. His spicy woodsy scent on the sheets beside her. She’d fallen asleep on the couch. Which meant Carter had moved her over there sometime last night. And she slept like the freaking dead, typically, because she was always exhausted. So the fact that he didn’t wake her up as he moved her from the couch to the bed wasn’t a huge surprise.
What did astonish her, though, was that he had cared enough to see to her comfort by transferring her from one place to the other. And that her heart trembled and sighed at his actions. When was the last time anyone had cared about her comfort? She was the one who took care of everyone else.
It had been such a long stretch of time since, that Jenna couldn’t actually remember when someone else had taken care of her last.
“Good morning,” Carter said, his back still turned to her while he was at the stove. What, did that man have eyes in the back of his head?
“Morning,” she replied, her voice dry and raspy.
“There’s coffee if you’d like. Eggs will be ready in a minute,” he murmured, still with his back to her. She approached the kitchen. For such a large man, he moved with ease and grace. And seeing he was wearing nothing but a pair of black boxers made her want to take a bite out of him. Sweet heavens, but even from behind the man packed a powerful punch. He was made of one hundred percent pure muscle. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on him.
She shuffled over to the coffee pot, weary and wondering just what he was up to.
At the first sip of coffee, her eyes widened. And she’d thought she liked her coffee dark and strong. Carter’s version would put the balls back on a bull. There were plates arranged on the kitchen island and she slid onto one of the stools.
Then he turned with the frying pan in hand and added eggs to her plate before doing the same with the plate beside hers. Not saying anything, he moved a plate full of crispy bacon and toast over near their plates. Then he strode around the island and sat on the stool beside her.
“Eat, before it gets cold,” he said, a hint of command in his voice.
She just stared at him. What was he up to? And then he slid bacon and a piece of toast onto her plate. He’d cooked her breakfast. Was this his way of making amends, or buttering her up?
“What? Why aren’t you eating?” he asked with a raised brow.
“What are you playing at?” she asked, unable to keep the wariness out as it colored her voice.
“At feeding you, Jenna. Eat,” he commanded.
Still not fully trusting the situation, she did as he asked and discovered she was starving. It had been so long since she hadn’t been the one who had to forage for food. Normally her breakfasts consisted of opening the cereal box and pouring it into a bowl. So this, having him cook breakfast—and a really good one at that—made her blink back tears.
His hand caressed her back. “Relax, Jenna, it’s just breakfast.”
Oh but it wasn’t. It was far more than that. It was sneaky and underhanded, and she hated to admit it, but just about the nicest thing anyone had done for her in a long time. She nodded, blinking back the moisture in her eyes. Then she ate every damn crumb on her plate.
When she’d finished she sighed at her full belly and glanced over to find him studying her.
“Thank you, Sir,” she said, giving him a small smile.
“Hasn’t anyone ever made breakfast for you?” he asked, observing her intently.
She shook her head. “No, not since I was a little girl and my mom was alive. Why?”
“Just curious is all,” he replied.
She took a sip of coffee, feeling the jolt of caffeine in the potent brew hit her bloodstream.
Carter stated, very matter-of-factly, his visage serious, “About our arrangement: you’re free to choose.”
She choked on her coffee. Her eyes watered and she cleared her throat. Then she said, “I’m sorry. I’m not sure I understand.”
“I’ve already talked to Jared. Your punishment is finished. You don’t have to stay with me unless you choose to do so,” he said, his face unreadable.
“Why? Why would you do that?” she asked. She was in completely unfamiliar terrain. Carter had ended her punishment early? She didn’t understand why he would do such a thing. He wanted her to stay with him.
He gave her a hard stare before responding. “Because you were right, it wasn’t fair to you that your employment hinged on being with me this week. That’s not how I want you. If you’re going to be with me, I want it to be of your own free will. All you have to do is say yes.”
Jenna gazed at him, trying to figure him out. He wanted her. No strings, no conditions, just her saying yes and admitting that she wanted to be with him this week. Her pulse thumped. She didn’t know what to say. Truth be told, a part of her wanted to respond with an unequivocal yes, while the more cautious and her admittedly wary nature wanted her to hold back.
“Why, Carter? Why do you want me this week?” she asked, her voice raw with emotion.
He swiveled her body on the stool then so she was facing him. Put his hands on either side of the stool beneath her rump and boxed her in. His hazel gaze bored into hers as he said, “Because I think there’s something here between us—whether it’s just an itch that needs scratching, or more, I’d like to find out. When I say I want you in particular, I mean it.”
“But you can have any sub on the island.”
He shrugged, his massive shoulders rippling enticingly with the subtle movement. “I don’t want the other subs on the island. I want you. Period. Now, the question is, why is this such a hard decision? Either you want me or you don’t.”
“And if I say yes, what then? What happens at the end of the week?” she pressed him.
“We go our separate ways, or we work something else out. By then, you could be sick of me and ready to be rid of me.”
But that was her fear. That she would say yes and have to let him go. Just like she’d had to do with everything else in her life. Jenna didn’t know if she could stand losing one more thing. Except… if it was her choice, couldn’t she make the decision here and now that if she chose to be with him for the rest of this week, she would make it be enough?
Wanting to test her theory, since she wasn’t on a subspace high, she cupped his face in her hands. His stubble prickled and scraped against her palms. She leaned forward, her eyes on him. And he watched her, waiting for her to make her decision. Closing the remaining distance between them, she placed her mouth over his and kissed him. Brushing her lips against his, she learned their shape. She sucked his bottom lip, enjoying his taste, flavored like the dark coffee he’d brewed. Then she flicked her tongue and sought entrance into his mouth.
He granted her that, but still he didn’t touch her except with his mouth and tongue. She caressed the inside of his mouth with hers, sliding her tongue inside, and she knew, right then and there, what her answer was. Her hands slid around to the back of his neck and she took the kiss deeper. With that he finally put his hands on her and lifted her off the stool so that she was straddling him. Her body rejoiced at the contact.
She moaned into his mouth as he took over control of their kiss. It was a claiming as he slanted his mouth over hers. A possession, telling her with his caress that she belonged to him. And she reveled in it. Jenna plastered herself around his big, hard body.
He was her choice.
Carter finally broke their torrid kiss, his gaze blazing with lust, and said, “I’m assuming that’s a yes.”
“Yes.” She nodded, panting.
“Thank Christ. You have five minutes. Then I want you naked and in my bed,” he said, the command inherent in his voice while his hands palmed her butt.
Her stomach fluttered, and she nodded. “I have to be at work at five tonight.”
“Then that should be just enough time.” He winked as he set her down on her feet. His playful demeanor, combined with this morning’s events, had shoved her world on its axis, so much so that her knees wobbled.
She took the time allotted to run to the bathroom to use the facilities and strip before walking back into the room in the buff. As she climbed into bed, Carter was at the armoire withdrawing a few items.
Jenna lay back on the bed, and spread her legs wide. When Carter turned and spied her, a hungry, predatory smirk appeared on his face.
“Now that’s about the loveliest sight I’ve seen all week,” he murmured, moving around the bed. He fastened the cuffs on her wrists to black nylon rope with silver loops at the ends and then attached Velcro straps around her ankles. Now she was spread-eagle as Carter joined her. He positioned himself between her thighs. His mighty erection jutted from his hips as he leaned over her, holding himself up by his elbows. This position lined their bodies up from shoulders to hips. She melted at the heady contact, the feel of his firmness pressed up against her.
Carter’s hands framed her face, lifting her gaze to his and he said, “Now, I want you to come as many times as you need to. This is about me learning your sweet body, starting with your gorgeous tits. Understood?”
“Yes, Sir,” she replied, unable to keep the soft moan from her voice.
He lowered his face and claimed her mouth, taking his time seducing her with merely his lips. Light kisses that made her insides melt into a fluffy marshmallow. Soft, lingering ones that sent her head spinning and yearning for more. And then ravenous, hungry kisses that shattered her composure and left her begging for more. Then he held himself aloft, close enough that she could feel his body heat and yet far enough away that she couldn’t feel him.
Carter lifted his head. When she lifted hers off the pillow and tried to recapture his lips, he cast her a wicked grin, like he knew exactly how much she enjoyed his kisses and precisely how much they made her ache for more.
He trailed open-mouthed kisses over her collarbone and the sensitive hollow at the base of her throat. Tendrils of heat slid through her veins. Carter continued his sensual exploration down the slope of her chest to her breasts. He curled his tongue around one distended bud and tugged. She moaned as he fastened his lips over the bud, laving her nipple. His hands massaged the plump mounds, learning their shape and size, testing the weight of the globes. His mouth traveled over the mounds, biting and sucking on her flesh until her nipples spiked into hard beaded points. Whirls of delicious, illicit pleasure spiked her blood and made her pussy throb in sheer agonized anticipation.
She wanted him. Now. Except, she never wanted the spine-tingling pleasure to end. And then he moved yet again, placing kisses over her belly, nipping at her hip bones, until his head was between her spread thighs.
“Christ, you’re so fucking wet.” He moaned and lowered his mouth to her pussy. At the first swipe of his tongue through her folds, Jenna’s head fell back. Carter ate her pussy without preamble, sucking at her hole, flicking his tongue against her clit with a fervent ardor that drove her body right up and over the edge, eliciting toe-curling pleasure.
“Oh, Sir!” She screamed as she came. Her body trembled and quaked. Yet Carter didn’t stop. If anything, he amped up his campaign. His tongue thrust in and out. Her moans filled the villa as he pressed two lube-coated fingers against her anus.
As he penetrated her rear, he vigorously ate her pussy. She could smell the musky scent of their love play. Carter began thrusting his arm in a sawing motion. Jenna’s moans grew louder, echoing in the room. Her sex gripped at his tongue plunging in time to his fingers thrusting in her back channel. Her clit swelled from his fervent ministra
tions.
He lifted his face from her pussy and turned his head, her cream coating his black stubble beard, and growled over his shoulder, “Either join us or leave now.”
Then he moved until he was kneeling before her and turned back to her as he poured more lubricant into his hand. He shoved his boxers down and she almost came at the sight. Circling his cock and balls was a cock ring with a beaded protrusion that he slicked lube over. Then he positioned his cock at the entrance to her pussy and the beaded dildo at her back channel so that just the tips were inserted. His fierce gaze held hers and then he thrust forward with a roll of his pelvis. Jenna moaned as he filled her.
Oh, my god! He was so big, and the added element of double penetration took her out of this world. She knew there was someone in the villa with them but she didn’t care. She was too far gone in the sea of pleasure that was Carter.
When he was fully embedded, he glanced over his shoulder again. His hips rocked and rolled, pounding away inside her channels, and snarled, “Either get that pussy of yours over here with your thighs spread and ready for my cock, or get the fuck out.”
Then his attention swiveled back to her. Whoever had been in the villa must have left.
“What other pussy do you want besides mine?” she gasped, needing to know. She clutched at the rope restraints as waves of pleasure swamped her, her body engulfed in tidal waves of flames.
“Hush now, darlin’, I only said that to shock the little maid. Seems she was enjoying watching me fuck you. And the only pussy I want is currently enveloping my cock like heated fucking silk.” He grunted and slammed his hips down.
“Oh,” she whimpered as pleasure cascaded through her with his thrusts.
He crowded her with his body, holding himself up on his elbows as he thrust hard and so deep she practically saw stars. Her gaze was heavy-lidded as she stared at him, her mouth agape, unable to hold back her moans.