“Would you like to go out for a drink tonight?” one asked.
“Thanks, but I’m meeting my husband.” Amazed shock froze her smile in place. Those words had emerged so naturally. She hadn’t realized her thoughts had headed in that direction. Surely she didn’t love him? Maggie drew a sharp breath. She did.
She loved Connor.
Shaken by the realization, she took a few seconds to notice the elevator had stopped on her floor. On trembling legs, she exited, checked the directional signs and turned to the right.
Connor had made it clear permanent wasn’t for him. She nibbled her bottom lip. A sharp nip should have jolted her back to reality but now that she’d acknowledged her love, her mind wouldn’t release the thought. Heck, if she were honest, she’d been halfway in love with him before they started on their friends with benefits road.
Maggie halted in front of room 832. She fidgeted, shifting her weight from foot to foot. Maybe she should leave and ignore Connor’s note. Even as the thought formed, she trashed it. Her right hand fisted until the leather strap of her overnight bag cut into her palm.
Not gonna happen.
The truth would be good. Tell Connor she’d fallen for him and didn’t like the terms of their agreement any longer. Maybe he’d change them for her? A half laugh, half sob emerged. She knew Connor. As much as she liked him, when a woman showed possessiveness or wanted more, he cut her loose.
A film of tears shrouded her vision, and she blinked to dispel them. The way she saw it, she had two options. Walk away and pine for impossibilities or pull off the best acting of her life.
Aware of her prevarication, she slid her card key into the lock, waited for the small green light to blink and opened the door.
Showtime.
“You’re late.” Connor turned away from the window and, drink in hand, stalked to the bed. He set down his drink, the glass making a faint clink when it hit the wooden bedside cabinet. “Come here.”
Maggie blinked at the stern note in his voice. “I’m sorry.” To her dismay, her voice broke.
“No excuses.” Connor sat on the end of the bed. “Come here.”
Definitely stern. His dark expression sent a haze of emotions and desires swimming through her, and she struggled with apprehension and arousal. Slowly, she stepped toward him, her mind swirling with doubts.
When she stopped in front of him, he stared at her. For an instant, she thought his face softened, then he spoke coldly. “You have been a naughty girl.”
One moment she stood in front of him, and the next, she lay over his lap, facing the oatmeal-colored carpet. She let out a surprised shriek so startled by this turn of events, words failed her.
“Do you know what I do with disobedient girls, Maggie?”
“N-no.”
“I spank them,” he said, his tone no longer dark or quite as stern but conversational. Matter-of-fact. “I spank their bottoms to give them something to consider the next time they think about misbehaving.”
“Oh, God,” Maggie said.
“He won’t help you.” Connor stroked her bottom, the heat of his hand radiating right through her coat, corset and panties.
Her stomach muscles tensed, and a jolt of pleasure arced right to her pussy. She held herself tense with excitement while curiosity filled her. What would he do next?
“Nothing to say for yourself?”
“No, except I’m sorry. I’ll try not to let it happen again.” Liar. If this indicated what happened when she was a few minutes late, she intended to misbehave a lot more.
“You’ll try? Oh, babe. You need to do better than that. Hmm, let me see. Six minutes late. One smack for each minute. Does that sound fair?”
He caressed her bottom in a confident manner, and she had no doubt he meant it. She tightened her buttocks and, unable to help herself, lifted into his caress, loving the shimmer of heat that came with each tormenting touch. Her vagina gave a hungry twitch, clenching on emptiness and she wet her lips. A whimper slipped free.
“Maggie?” An order to respond. “Have you been a naughty girl?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, I’ve been a naughty girl.”
“That’s right.” His hand slipped beneath the hem of her coat. He stroked his fingers along the crease where her buttock met one thigh. A shiver slipped through her, and when his fingers stilled, she knew he’d felt her reaction. He skimmed his fingers down the back of one thigh, pausing when he encountered silky stocking. “Babe, you’re wicked coming across town, wearing nothing but sexy underwear beneath your coat.”
“But you told me to wear the corset.”
He chuckled. “Good try, babe. You’re right. I did tell you to wear the corset. I presumed you’d wear other clothes too.”
“I wore my coat,” she shot back, emboldened by his playfulness.
Connor removed his hand, and she tingled at the lack of contact. His thighs flexed beneath her body, and she felt him tense.
Whack!
A startled cry escaped Maggie. The smack hurt, even through the layers of material. Rapidly, she catalogued the sensations. Not too bad. Each of her nerve endings fired to life and astonishment gave way to real excitement. Decadent heat.
“That’s for wearing your underwear and not much else to come to meet me,” Connor said.
The second blow took her by surprise, the smack coming from a different angle. Seconds later, Connor lifted her coat, baring the bottom half of her body to him. Her breath caught and she waited, tensing slightly.
His soft touch surprised her yet again.
“I like your ass, Maggie,” he whispered. “I like your soft curves and the rounded shape. It’s very sexy.”
“Um, thank you.” It was the first time anyone had complimented her butt. Off-balance, she wasn’t sure what he would do next.
Smack!
Her eyes widened at the increased sensation. With only the thin panties between his hand and her flesh, the smack stung more than the first two. Fiery heat ran to the point of contact before seeping down to her pussy. She felt the moisture growing between her legs and swallowed.
Another two smacks in quick succession made her groan. Aimed at different places on her butt, the heat danced through her, swirling and bringing a rush of conflicting emotions. Something like this shouldn’t feel so good, yet it did. Her breasts pulled to hard peaks beneath the boning of the corset, the nerve endings in her buttocks firing messages to all extremities of her body. She squirmed on his lap and lifted her hips, silently seeking another blow.
It didn’t take long to arrive, the placement perfect, across both buttocks but low. Her pussy clenched, and she bit on her bottom lip to stem the groan of matching hunger.
“Good girl,” Connor said in a thick voice. “You took your punishment well.” His hand lingered on her bottom for an instant before he rose and lifted her to her feet in one smooth motion. He scrutinized her before he kissed her, a mere caress of lips, as tender and light as that of a child’s. But the heat in his eyes when he unfastened the belt at her waist and slid the coat down her arms was pure male adult. Her coat dropped to the floor forgotten as they stared at each other.
The stroke of his fingers across her jaw was gentle, barely there. “You look beautiful, babe. My imagination didn’t do you justice. Turn around so I can see you.”
Bemused, she turned at his bidding, the faint tremor in her legs a reminder of the emotions pulsing in her body, the residual sting and heat.
Connor had spanked her.
How had he known she wanted a spanking?
He drew her against his body and she felt the hard ridge of his erection pulsing against her buttocks. She sighed and pushed back against him, savoring the tender moment with his arms wrapped around her waist. Her eyes fluttered closed and her other senses kicked in working overtime to compensate for her blindness.
Connor wore aftershave, not his usual citrus one, but something spicier remindin
g her of the Far East with its hint of sandalwood. His hands rose to cup her breasts, the warmth of his fingers permeating the fabric.
“That feels good,” she said without opening her eyes.
“What feels good? Tell me.”
“Your hands on me.” She responded to his order without hesitation. “The way you stroke my breasts. My nipples feel tender yet needy. I’d like it even more if you used more pressure.” Color filled her cheeks—she knew because of the heat glowing in her face—but she didn’t regret her suggestion when Connor tugged on one nipple.
“Like this? Does that feel good?”
“Oh, yes. I like that.” What she really wanted was for him to drag off the corset and panties and pound into her with his hard cock, but she didn’t think she’d verbalized her wish. Maybe slow was better. They should let the urgency build between them. Instinct told Maggie if they took their time, the lovemaking would be spectacular.
He stroked and squeezed, tugging on her sensitive nipples until sensations raced through her body. But it wasn’t enough with the stiff boning of the corset between his fingers and her flesh.
One of his hands splayed across her ribs, feeling like a brand. His. She was all his. Maggie wished she had the guts to admit it to him, to tell him he fit every one of her dreams and fantasies. The ache in her pussy intensified, hot, sensual flames licking from the juncture of her thighs up to her breasts.
“As much as I love this corset on you, babe, I want to touch skin. And because you’re sorry about being late, I want to lick away the redness on your beautiful bottom.”
Maggie smiled. She knew her ass would hurt later and didn’t care.
At his direction, she stood still while he unfastened the laces tying the corset in the front. It had taken her ages to tie them but he made short work of the task. With competent hands, he peeled the material from her body, helped her remove her shoes and panties.
“Leave the stockings,” he said when she went to roll them down her legs. “They’re very sexy.”
“Aren’t you feeling overdressed?” she asked when the desire in his eyes started to make her feel vulnerable. Self-conscious.
“Are you feeling underdressed?” he countered.
“Just a tad.”
“I can fix that.” He peeled off his clothes and seconds later stood naked in front of her. He prowled toward her and, laughing, she backed away until the bed halted her retreat. When Connor kept coming, she toppled backward and he caged her in place on the bed. “Turn over.”
When she hesitated, he repeated the order.
“Turn over for me, babe.”
Their gazes met and held. His dark brows rose and his smile turned quizzical. She let her breath ease out and turned over to lie with her head resting on her arms. The silence lengthened, and she glanced over her shoulder to look at him. He was staring at her butt.
“You have a sexy ass, babe.” He smoothed his hand over one cheek, the coolness of his palm a startling contrast to the heated blush of her bottom. She shuddered at his touch. “Up on your hands and knees. Spread your legs as wide as you can. I want to see your pussy bloom, all the private places you hide. Do I need to use a condom tonight? You’ve seen my test results. I haven’t been with anyone except you.”
“No more condoms.” The frank discussion brought another flash of arousal, and his husky voice held truth. She trusted him implicitly when it came to her health. “I want that too. I want you.” If he could speak candidly, so could she.
His hand stroked across her cheek before lifting and returning in a quick smack.
“Ooh.” Maggie swallowed and pushed up to her hands and knees.
The mattress depressed as he moved behind her. He slipped a hand between her legs and stroked her swollen flesh. With hot, easy glides he fingered her clit, sending jolts of pleasure skittering through her body. His touch felt so good, and she wanted more. She wanted to experience the stretch when he entered her body, hear his grunts when he thrust into her body.
As if he read her mind, he moved behind her, and she felt the glide of his cock over her flesh. He pushed inside, curving his body over hers and treating her like a treasure. He brushed a kiss over her shoulder blade and pushed her hair aside to kiss her neck. His muscles flexed as he pumped into her, increasing the friction with rapid strokes. Maggie pushed back, savoring each invading thrust.
“Faster, Connor. Please,” she begged.
He seemed to agree because he increased his pace, sending ripples of pleasure surging from each stroke of his cock. He bit lightly at her neck, the jolt of pain shoving her over the edge. Her sheath pulsed, clutching his cock. Connor groaned, his rapid drives forcing her up the bed. Another raw and guttural shout signaled his climax, and he stilled, his cock pulsing in rhythmic contractions.
Her limbs gave way, and she collapsed onto the bed. Connor curled around her, making her feel loved.
Their lovemaking… Fantastic. Spectacular. Amazing.
The spanking. Wow!
She’d expected pain and hoped it would enhance lovemaking, but hadn’t realized she’d feel so close to Connor, so energized. Despite her extensive reading, the intimacy came as a surprise.
Connor moved a fraction, making her realize they were still joined and the man was interested in another session.
“Again?” she asked.
“I’ve missed you,” he said, his voice gruff.
In answer, she pushed back against him, silently telling him she wanted more.
“I want to watch your face this time.”
Connor pulled out of her and as she flopped over to her back, Maggie mourned the loss of his cock. His smile cured her straight away. Devilish and full of promises, he looked like a bad boy intent on mischief.
There was nothing tentative about his kiss.
He consumed her, taking and demanding her participation. He plundered until she responded and gripped his shoulders like an anchor in the emotional storm. Tongues slid together and his taste exploded through her. Urgency thrummed through her body, each touch from him igniting a reaction in her. Passion. Love.
She wished she could separate the emotions, hurt lay in her future.
Inevitable.
A leggy blonde would enter the picture, displacing her. A blonde like the one she’d seen in the pub. She knew it, and her heart refused to deal with reality. And no way was she going to ask shrewish questions right now and spoil her first spanking.
Enjoy the moment.
Maggie forced her mind from the future to concentrate on the present. A sexy man who wanted to fuck her. Yep, candid language. Blunt truths. No one could ever say her feet didn’t touch the ground.
Connor swept her dark hair off her shoulder and kissed her neck. His heart bucked when he saw the faint bruises he’d made earlier. He couldn’t find the energy for sorry, not when he liked the marks. A badge of ownership. Caveman stuff. He kissed a trail across her collarbone before moving back to her neck and sucking in the same place. He wanted everyone to know what they’d done together.
“Connor,” she whispered, straining and rubbing against his body.
Spanking. Damn, once he’d managed to get past his aversion, Maggie’s response had made him hot. His cock had never grown so hard, his balls throbbed so much for release. Something to think about later.
“Let’s go for traditional this time,” he said, parting her legs with his knee. Her musky scent rose and he smiled, liking the fact he’d made her feel good. Her lips were red and swollen from his kisses, her eyes dark and heavy with passion. She was his carnal fantasies come to life, responsive and submissive in bed, following his orders without hesitation. Yet, she held her own out of bed, doing whatever she believed was right. Brave and courageous. “Watch my eyes the entire time.”
“Okay.” Her husky whisper of obedience sent a jolt to his groin.
Connor moved between her legs and lined up his cock. He slipped inside her, savoring the tight squeeze of her pussy. So damned good. One hand
dropped to cup her buttocks and tilt up her hips. He surged forward, pausing when balls deep, without taking his gaze off her.
Her snug channel pulsed around his shaft, her emotions shining in her eyes. She wanted this. Him. It was a heady thought.
The last couple of weeks had worried him, but it seemed they were on the same page now. He cupped a breast and rolled her nipple, withdrew and glided back inside her. He didn’t feel the same urgency this time and kept the pace slow. Enough to keep her on edge. Enough to make him work at keeping his strokes easy without giving into the instincts roaring through him.
A pinch of her nipple made her gasp. He grinned at the narrowing of her eyes. She never looked away, accepting the soothing stroke of his fingers when they followed the pinch. A surge of wetness let him know she was enjoying their loving.
“I like fucking you. I intend to do this to you throughout the night until we’re both tired and sore. Sated.” He pushed deep and scored the tender skin along her throat. “And when we’re done, we’ll shower together, and I will shave your pussy.”
“Why?”
“We talked about it before. Don’t you like the idea of smooth skin, increased sensation?”
Maggie ducked her head in a quick nod.
“Good girl.”
“On one condition. I will if you will.”
Connor barked a laugh of surprise, giving her a series of open mouthed kisses on her neck and upper chest. “You have a deal.”
Her chest rose and fell when she sucked in a deep breath. She released it as a sexy moan. The quick punch of heat clamping around his cock told him he wouldn’t last much longer. His balls ached and drew high. Chills raced across his skin when he surged into her tight, wet heat again. Her eyes contained pleasure and her fingernails dug into his shoulders, a silent entreaty to hurry.
“Tighten your inner muscles on me. Yeah. Like that.” It was an effort not to close his eyes to concentrate on the feel-good sensations, the fire whipping through his groin. Hell. Connor bit down on his tongue, words of love fighting to spill free.
Secret Lovers (Friendship Chronicles Book 1) Page 17