by Sara Brookes
“If you felt that way why did you return the cuffs?”
He met her gaze straight on, emotions churning in his gut. He could finally finish saying what he’d started in the hospital room. “I didn’t deserve them. Or you. You gave them to me because I forced you to. Hell, I probably should have just started depositing money in your bank account for services rendered. Not exactly the right attitude to have going into something like this.”
“It’s rare for me to be forced to do anything, Alex. I wanted you to have them.”
Snagging her hand, he held on tightly as he shifted in the booth to sit beside her. “But my requests nearly cost you your life. I was responsible for you just as much as you were responsible for me. And I failed.” He reached up, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear, exposing a patch of raw skin that hadn’t finished healing because of numerous surgeries.
“We both did. I’m not too proud to admit I fucked up. That I made more than a few bad decisions when it came to you. To us.”
He realized then she hadn’t moved away from him. Hadn’t withdrawn both physically and emotionally. In fact her head tilted when he’d touched her. He blinked, truly looking at her for the first time since he’d found her standing at the golf course.
Holy shit.
Something had changed.
Finally. Something. Some piece of emotion he could work with.
A piece that gave him hope.
A slight smile turned up the corner of her lips. “Have I stunned you into silence because I can admit I was wrong? That I misread the situation? Misread you? And most of all, misread us?”
He hadn’t realized how much he needed to hear her apology. Hadn’t realized how pained he’d truly been by her actions. Still, she wasn’t entirely to blame. “I did enough misreading of my own. I thought I didn’t deserve you because I caused you this pain.” He ran his thumb over the ridge of one of her scars, bile rising in his throat at the rough texture. “If I hadn’t asked, Vivian never would have taken such violent steps. I was ashamed because someone else got hurt because of what I wanted.”
“It didn’t help when I made assumptions I shouldn’t have about what you needed. I wanted to help you get to the root of why you felt you needed the answers. Instead I let my frustration get the best of me. And drove you away because of it.”
“After I gave you the cuffs back and left it took me a little bit to realize I’d just bent to Vivian’s will again. She was still allowed to have a hand in my life even though she was no longer a part of it. I thought I was weak-minded because of the fact I kept allowing her to manipulate me.”
“You weren’t weak, Alex. Even on your knees in front of me I could never think of you as weak. In fact I usually think that is when a submissive is at his strongest.”
“I know. Now. Because of you. Because of the way I feel for you.” Giving in to the storm swirling inside him, he slid his hand around to cup her nape, leaned forward and pressed his mouth against hers. Her fingers wrapped around his wrists, drawing him closer as she tilted her head.
His tongue slipped into her mouth, her soft moan vibrating through him as her nails bit into his skin. Growing bolder, he nipped at her bottom lip, pleased when a soft mewl of pleasure danced over his skin. He angled his head, taking more of her as he deepened the kiss.
She was so soft and warm and…so fucking perfect.
It was his turn to moan as his cock started the throb. It was as though no time had passed between them. As though the warehouse hadn’t exploded. As though he’d never surrendered his cuffs.
And overwhelming feeling of contentment washed over him.
He’d been a fool to ignore the fact he could simply walk away. His body burned too brightly for her, and for her alone.
The sharp noise of the waiter clearing his throat separated them. He hastily tossed a few bills onto the table and pulled her out of the diner behind him. “I thought you were hungry.”
“I am, but not for food.” He tugged on her hips, molding her body to his as he leaned against her car. “I want to taste you instead.” He took her lips again, her body going limp against his. “All of you.”
“Yes. But not here.”
“No. Definitely not here.”
Her tongue darted out of her mouth, swiping over her kiss-swollen lips. “I have to warn you first before this goes any further. Seems I lost my taste for the kinky when my submissive returned these.” She pushed away from him, reached into the trunk and held up a glossy box, opening the lid so he could see the cuffs he’d once worn.
“I don’t—”
The sway of her hips mesmerized him as she walked forward. “You’ll earn them this time. They won’t be given freely or easily. When you have earned them they will only be worn when we’ve decided there is a power exchange in play.”
Her hand tightened on the front of his shirt, ruining the careful work he’d gone through earlier in the morning to prepare for the game. His body shivered as the delicious stroke of her voice shuddered through him. It was good to feel wanted again. Loved. And damn did he love how this woman could unhinge him with so little.
“I also need to warn you I can be demanding. I hate having sex in the missionary position. And blowjobs? Phew. They’re one of my favorite things so you’ll probably get pretty bored with those fairly quickly. I’m afraid you’ll just have to endure them in order to please me.”
His cock hardened so rapidly at the husky quality of her words he actually winced. The pain didn’t matter. This was all so right and so good. It was nearly too much to wrap his head around. He wanted nothing more than to go to his knees and serve her right here and right now.
“Sounds as though you really want me to suffer.”
“You have no idea.” She winked, her fingers working the zipper on his khakis. He inhaled sharply when her demanding fingers closed around the base of his cock. “Oh and I should probably confess I have a fetish for cock rings, so you’ll have to get used to wearing one quite a bit.”
“I’m sure I’ll find a way to manage.”
Her fingers tightened, drawing a sharp stab of breath through his chest. Fire danced in her gaze, a sign of her obvious determination. He’d thought he wanted her before, but damn—now she was even more sexy, more desirable and oh so fucking gorgeous standing in the parking lot literally holding him by the balls.
“I want to make one thing perfectly clear right now. These cuffs are not for everyday wear. With your current career path it’d be impossible. You’ll just have to wear something else instead. And there’s one more thing.”
“Yes?”
“For any special occasion I deem necessary you will be worshipped.” Elena leaned in, her succulent mouth just inches from his as her grip tightened. “I will take my time showing you just how much I love you.”
His heart skipped a beat.
He’d waited so long to hear those words from someone, to know a person truly meant what they’d said. Those three little words weren’t just a hollow phrase spoken out of habit and little else.
There was real emotion there.
And from someone he loved right back.
Her grip eased, her hand releasing his dick to slowly draw the zipper of his trousers up. “I’m sorry for my approach with your introduction. I know it was a mistake from the very beginning, yet I allowed it continue because you wanted so much to have answers. I love you, Alex. I always have as far back as I can remember. I thought I could keep my feelings separate but I couldn’t. I tried to be this cool, emotionless Domme and I failed miserably.”
He swallowed, struggling to keep the arousal biting at him in check. “No, you didn’t.”
“Did you get knocked upside the head with a ball out there?”
He banded his arms around her, drawing her closer. The astonished expression on her face caused him to smile. “You did exactly what I asked you to do. You made me face things I didn’t know I needed to face. Didn’t want to face. I left because I wasn’t done find
ing myself. You showed me I could be more, that I could be the man I thought I should be. Not someone else’s image of they wanted me to be.”
“And now?”
“I’m exactly who I should be and I’m standing with exactly with who I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
Her mouth twisted. “A soccer mom Domme.”
“If you want to be one—yes. Be anything you want to be, but damn it, Elena, just be mine.” He pulled her mouth to his for a searing kiss, long and deep. Intense, indescribable emotion passed between them, fueling his desire for her.
She set her hand gently against his chest as they broke away. “Ah god, I’m going to turn into one of those lovestruck saps I scowl and curse at, aren’t I?”
“I hope to hell so.”
* * * * *
A breeze flitted through the curtains, rustling the gauzy fabric. The warm desert air brushed over Elena’s skin, teasing her exposed flesh. She felt decadent, indulging in something she didn’t do often by lounging in bed.
Sunlight streamed through those sheer curtains, adding a hazy quality to everything in the room. As though she had been transported to another world, to a fantastic dream realm where time ceased to exist. She arched against the sheets, sighing as the soft fabric brushed against her naked skin.
“Don’t you look gorgeous, Mrs. Conners.” A thrill zinged through her at the sound of the title. The one so new the ink was still drying on the certificate. She’d once thought she wasn’t the marrying kind. Had been so thoroughly convinced, she hadn’t allowed herself to open up to the possibility of love.
But Alex had done his best to convince her otherwise—simply by loving her.
The same man who’d believed when she hadn’t stood in the doorway. Clad in only a pair of jeans he held a tray full of food between his hands. Her gaze raced to take in all of him. Drink in all the beauty of his broad shoulders, his muscled chest and his flat abdomen.
The thick leather cuffs around his wrists.
Her gaze dipped lower, noting the way his jeans gapped at the waist where he hadn’t buttoned all the fastenings. It allowed her to see the red flush of his arousal. See the telling ridge of metal he wore wrapped around the base of his cock and testicles. The same one she’d put in place before they’d walked down the aisle at the Las Vegas wedding chapel and exchanged vows.
Her desire for him kicked into overdrive, her need flourishing as she continued to stare at him. She wondered if he had any idea how much she truly loved him. How much she needed him as much as he needed her.
His fingers tightened on the edge of the wood, his flesh turning white from tension. Maybe he did know.
“That look never gets old.” He placed the tray on the chaise at the foot of the bed, allowing her to see he’d selected a full complement of her favorite breakfast foods. French toast, sausage links, scrambled eggs. And bacon. No meal was complete without bacon.
“And such impeccable service never gets old either. I think I could get used to this marriage thing.”
“So can I.” Instead of joining her on the bed, Alex knelt, his head bowing low as he pressed his lips to her knee. “Mistress.” The quiet murmur sank into her, warming her soul as she reached down, took his hand and guided him to sit beside her on the bed.
She worried the ring on his finger, the silver one she’d placed there a few hours ago. The same one she’d had engraved at the jeweler with words that summed up their relationship perfectly.
Yippee ki-yay.
“We really did it, didn’t we?”
His head snapped up. Concern shadowing his face. He reached behind him, grabbed a mug and handed it to her. “Breathe. Coffee. Drink. Relax.”
She laughed as she took the mug. “It’s fine. I’m fine. I just wanted to make sure this wasn’t a dream. It felt like one.”
His mouth pressed against hers, his tongue brushing gently against hers. “Not a dream.”
“No, it’s not.” She nipped at his lips, loving the taste of him there. “But you are mine. That’s not a dream.”
“Yes, I am yours.” His head dipped as he took hold of her breast, suckling gently as she threaded her fingers through his thick hair. His mouth teased and tasted her, squeezing and sucking as thought to remind her just how much she loved to feel it everywhere on her body. “Yours to love. Always.”
He moved lower, laving every inch of her skin. She held his gaze as he pressed a devoted kiss to her bare mound. The dazzling shade of his eyes, rich with strength and desire, nearly made her dizzy, pulling her into his snare.
Seeing him accept his power took her breath away.
“Let me make you scream, Mistress,” he murmured against her skin. Her breath drew in as he stroked his tongue against her hipbone. “Please, it’s been so long since I last heard you. Since I last had you.”
She glanced at the clock on the wall, burst out a laugh. “It’s barely been an hour.”
His fathomless gaze met hers as his tongue flicked against her skin. “Like I said, too long. I made a vow remember? To love, honor and obey.” He punctuated each word with a soft kiss to her abdomen.
“Yes, you did. We both did. Spread my legs and sink into me, Alexander.” Her fingers brushed over his wedding band again. “Mark me as yours as I have marked you.”
Though she’d given him permission he didn’t move right away. He took his time leveraging his shoulders between her legs, parting her thighs slowly and methodically. His wide hand covered her throbbing pussy. Those attentive fingers spread her, dragging through soft, heated flesh in an erotic caress that sent her head lolling backward.
Two fingers circled her hard clit.
Moved down.
Pushed inside her.
She watched, trapped by the intoxicating fire that had ignited in his eyes as he continued to press deeper. He moved with exacting slowness, drawing those fingers out of her, circling her opening then pressing into her again. As his fingers reached the apex, his thumb pushed against her clit.
Hard.
Her breath hissed between her teeth as she pulled it in.
His head dipped, his tongue licking up and over her cunt before curling against her pulsing clit. He teased her further, working to heighten her pleasure until it layered richly against her skin. “You are so ready for me, aren’t you, Mistress?”
“Always.”
“But you wanted me to mark you as mine.”
The roughness of his voice scraped over her skin. “I did. Do. Alexander, don’t disobey me.”
One thick finger dragged through her folds, pressing inside her. Her pussy contracted around the intrusion as he pumped her hard and slow. Her hips started to rock with the movement, pleasure coalescing across her lower body.
“I’m not.” Her breathing turned erratic as he continued to stroke her. As his head bent again, his lips fastened over her clit. The firm ridge of his teeth abraded her heated flesh as his fingers continued to plunge inside her.
Everything tightened.
Then tightened some more.
“Come for me, Mistress.”
She hauled in a trembling breath as a brilliant ball of light exploded inside her. She shattered, falling hard and fast as ecstasy tore through her entire body. Her fingers clenched the bedsheets, fighting for something to hold on to as she fell. Alex grabbed her hand, weaving his fingers with hers. She held tight, gasping for air as indescribable pleasure raced through her system.
He pulled her up and into his arms, her body still trembling with strong aftershocks. His arms banded around her waist, lifting her, positioning her so her thighs straddled his.
“How did I get so lucky?” His cock brushed her entrance, a waterfall of sparks glowing bright and hot. He was wrong. She was the one who was lucky. He pressed inside her, his thick cock rubbing against her still-spasming walls. The shock of his rough entrance sent a fresh wave of pleasure through her.
“More.”
“As you wish, Mistress.” He leaned forward slightly, b
racing one hand on the mattress as his arm tightened around her waist. The next thrust was deeper, greedy lips capturing hers as they moved together.
She met him demand for demand, offering orders without words now. He hammered into her, plunging as she continued to squirm. Sensations started coming fast and furious, shoving her up and up until everything constricted into a tight fist.
When she didn’t think she could take any more, her back arched, every muscle contracting. His mouth closed over her offered nipple, sucking it in as he bit hard into her soft flesh. She wailed, high and loud as the pressure released without warning. Waves of brutal pleasure swept her up and away, pulling her out of her body to experience the feelings on a whole new plane. She was ripped from the world, lofting somewhere else as she came in a long, rolling wave. Currents of excitement continued to pulse though her burning her body with scalding pleasure.
“Ah Mistress, you feel so fucking fantastic when you come around me. I can die happy now.”
“You will do no such thing.” She pulled his face to hers, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “Come for me, Alexander.”
He leaned his forehead against hers, his eyes screwed up tight as his body stiffened. She loved to watch him succumb to pleasure, loved seeing him surrender to ultimate satisfaction. So stunningly beautiful, her submissive. Her husband. His low voice, low as any wolf staking claim, rumbled through her as he thickened and came.
His body collapsed against hers and they fell, a tangled, sweaty mass of arms and legs, onto the bed. As she wrapped her arms around his form, cuddling the man she called hers, she allowed herself to bask in the glory he had to offer her.
She hadn’t thought happiness could ever be this simple. This clean. This easy. This…freeing. But joined with Alex, he held her heart. Their journey had been long and twisted, a tortuous path that had broken them both.
But here they were, cock-to-cunt, both reborn by a forgiveness that gave them the strength to cling to each other. Both believing in a redemption neither of them thought they deserved.