by Ann Grech
The first thing Timmy noticed when he pulled in the drive at his house was that Chloe’s Jeep wasn’t there. She had Mo with her, so she couldn’t have caught a cab home. Surely she hadn’t walked home from the studio. It was a good forty minutes by foot. He opened the door and padded quietly through the darkened rooms to the bedroom. Zane had contacted him earlier to say he was out with Cleo and Claire told him she’d be there late, but he was surprised she hadn’t arrived yet.
Entering his bedroom, the first thing Timmy noted was the comforter. It was still pulled up over the bed and completely smooth. The bed clearly hadn’t been slept in. His heart lurched into his throat. Where is she? “Chloe,” he yelled. “Pretty girl, please tell me you’re here.” When there was no answer, he knew. She was gone. He didn’t think, tossing the package on his bed and running out the front door for his bike. He pulled up Chloe’s number on his cell and dialed it as he gunned the throttle.
“Hello,” Chloe answered softly. The desolation in her voice broke Timmy’s heart and made a shaft of fear plunge through it.
Struggling to keep his voice even and calm, he asked, “Pretty girl, where are you?”
“Home.”
“I’m coming. Stay there.”
“I don’t have anywhere else to go.” She sniffed.
“I’ll be there in a few minutes. Hold tight until I get there.”
Timmy talked to Chloe the whole way over to her house. Bluetooth made him a dick, but it was fucking awesome when he was riding. He flew into her drive and started running for the front door when he it registered that the boards were still firmly in place. Why weren’t the locks fixed yet? Peterson said he was organizing it with the landlord. Timmy changed the direction of his strides to go around back and saw Chloe sitting on the step.
“Pretty girl, what are you doing out here? Shit, you’re freezing,” he said as he grasped her hands and knelt before her. He shrugged out of his jacket and wrapped it around her, pulling Chloe in against his chest. He couldn’t even be angry at her for sitting out there in the open when her suffering was all his fault. At least she answered her cell. At least she told him where she was. Thank fuck she’s safe. “Come on, pretty girl. Let me take you home.”
“I am home, Timmy. I can’t be with you. I can’t be what you need. There’s no hope. We’re too different. I can’t be a doormat, as much as I’d try to be that for you, I can’t do it.”
“Chloe, please. Let me show you how wrong I was. Come with me, no pressure. Please. If you don’t like what you hear, you can stay the night in the spare room and I’ll back off.”
“Okay.” Chloe nodded. Timmy’s shoulders sagged in relief. She’s safe. Now I can show her what she means to me.
Timmy carried Chloe to her car and placed her gently onto the passenger seat. Buckling her belt, he kissed her temple and wiped away a tear that trickled down her cheek. “I’m so sorry for hurting you. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.” Breathing in the smell of her shampoo, Timmy stepped back and closed the door.
* * * *
Chloe closed her eyes and sighed when Timmy’s hand found hers, squeezing gently. His reassurance that all would be okay wound its way through her heart.
She must have drifted off to sleep because the next thing she felt was Timmy lifting her out of her seat. He was inordinately gentle with her, murmuring sweet nothings to her when she tried to push away from him so she could stand. She felt him lay her down, then she was gloriously warm with every inch of his body pressed against her as he pulled the thick comforter over them. Chloe drifted off to Timmy’s murmured, “Sleep now, pretty girl.” Her heart ached, but at that moment, she felt complete.
Chloe dreamed throughout the night. Of being chased, of running, of flying, of pain and freedom. Chloe often remembered fragments of her dreams, but when she opened her eyes, she recalled every moment of this one. What does it all mean? “Morning,” she whispered hoarsely as she awoke to Timmy sensually massaging her shoulders.
“Mornin’,” he murmured, kissing her neck and back. “I made you some coffee, pretty girl.”
“Coffee? I think I love you,” Chloe murmured then stiffened as her words sunk in. Holy shit. I cannot believe those words came out of my mouth.
“Coffee has that effect on quite a few people, me included.” Timmy chuckled. Thank God. He didn’t misunderstand me. But as she laid there enjoying Timmy’s touch, she wondered if she was the one who was mistaken. What she felt for Timmy was undeniably powerful. She wanted him with a fierceness that scared her, and the utter desolation she’d felt last night proved to her that her feelings ran deep.
“Timmy.” Chloe sighed, not really knowing what she wanted.
“I know, pretty girl. Drink your coffee and we can talk.”
Timmy handed her the steaming mug and Chloe took a tentative sip as he shuffled around on the bed, facing her. Chloe shuddered with desire as she looked her fill. Timmy’s perfect pecs flowed down to ripped abs, which she had the most intense need to lick, and only low slung boxers. The loose shorts didn’t leave much to the imagination and Chloe nearly swallowed her tongue when her eyes followed the bulge and the thick ridge of his semi lying underneath the thin material. Her cheeks heated with embarrassment when she saw Timmy’s self-satisfied smirk. Chloe had been busted ogling him. Big time. Biting down on her lip, she tried unsuccessfully to hide her grin. When Timmy leaned in and kissed her, tucking a wayward lock of her hair behind her ear, she couldn’t help but lean into his touch. She craved the connection with him and was having trouble fighting her desire. But she needed to do that. She couldn’t back down on her principles; couldn’t sacrifice that much of herself.
“I need to apologize for last night, pretty girl. I’m a possessive bastard and I got carried away. The truth is, I’m scared. Absolutely fucking terrified. The thought of someone hurting you makes me wanna kill the bastard, while at the same time, I wrap you up in cotton wool. I know I can’t do that. I know we’d never work if I tried, and I want us to work. More than anything. From the moment I saw you, I knew you were the one for me. You drew me to you without even trying and I’ve been along for the ride ever since. God knows I’ve tried to fight it, but I’m completely powerless to resist you—”
“Timmy,” Chloe interrupted, “there is something real between us. I feel it too, but you need to understand where I’m coming from.”
Timmy placed his fingers gently on Chloe’s lips. “Let me finish, pretty girl.” He smiled at her dirty look and kissed the corner of her mouth. “I’m not used to feeling so out of control. I don’t just wanna fuck you though. I want to get to know you and do all the things that a good man would do for his lady and what a Dom does for his sub. But this is a completely new feeling for me. I’ve had plenty of partners, even some that were long-term, but nothing compares to the way I feel about you. I’m bound to fuck up because of that. It hit me last night when I was tattooing Dale that above everything else, I want you happy. It doesn’t matter how safe you are if you’re miserable. And Rake was right. Mo and I can protect you better together than Mo can on his own. You should be doing what you love. You should be training as a tattooist. I wanted you there with me last night, watching over me and giving me hell because of my terrible interpersonal skills. I wanted you to be there to learn and enjoy yourself.”
“You say that now, but how do I know that next time we disagree, you won’t make me submit to you again? You used sex as a weapon against me last night. You embarrassed me in front of everyone in the studio. Rake and Dakota knew exactly what went down in there between us. God, people halfway down the street probably heard us. And you didn’t use protection again.”
“I’m sorry, pretty girl. I lose it when I’m with you. I keep forgetting protection. I never do that. Is there a chance you could have fallen pregnant? Is it the right time of the month for it to happen?”
“Not the right time of month. I won’t get pregnant, but the point is that you didn’t ask. You just took me again. I k
now I asked you to control me last time we were together, but last night was going too far. You didn’t have any right to do what you did.”
“I never meant to hurt you like that. I’m trying to change. Fuck, the first time we were together, you thought I was gonna hit you. And this time… Jesus. I know I said I don’t do rules, but I think we need another one. I need you to kick my ass when I’m outta line with what I’m demanding. Red light me, tell me what I’m doing wrong, whatever.”
“Would you? Have hit me?”
“Never, Chlo. I may say stupid shit, I may do stupid shit, but I’ll never strike you in anger or with the intention of hurting you beyond what you enjoy. I’ll never abuse your trust like that. I’ll never abuse you.”
“I believe you,” she whispered, closing her eyes and enjoying the feel of his warm skin against hers.
“Please don’t run,” Timmy murmured, his tone almost begging.
Chloe looked at Timmy, really looked at him. What she saw made her gasp. The sincerity and vulnerability in his eyes astounded her. She knew he meant every word he’d said and her heart cracked at the hurt they’d caused each other, swelling and overflowing with lust and something a lot stronger for this man. Sitting before her, begging her not to destroy their chance at happiness together, Chloe knew he would do anything to keep her not only safe, but happy. “Timmy,” Chloe whispered, at a loss to express to him how she felt. Then it hit her. Those feelings that she’d had for him since she met him, the pain whenever they parted and she didn’t know if she’d be with him again, the burn and the desire. Sure, she lusted after him, but it was more than that. It was love. I love him. Wow, I really do.
“I know. How do you know I’m serious? Here.” He gave her a small smile that showed how nervous he was as he handed her a package. She loosened the bow tied in the black ribbon, noticing the white skulls as she did. Chloe couldn’t help but grin. Most people would have chosen little flowers or hearts for her, but she really wasn’t that good little girl like everyone thought she was. The skulls were perfect.
Timmy’s nerves were making Chloe jittery. Her hands shaking, she lifted the lid off. In front of her, she saw an old but top-of-the-line tattoo machine with her initials engraved into it in the most exquisite lettering she’d ever seen. She knew the lettering was Timmy’s design; he’d probably done the engraving himself. The feeling and weight of it in her hand, felt…right. Chloe knew, without a doubt, that was what she was supposed to do in life. Grinning, she went to move the box out of the way when she noticed there was more in it. She took a closer look and saw charcoal and colored pencils first and a sketchpad of the finest quality paper next. Tears shining in her eyes, she looked up at Timmy, speechless.
Timmy explained. “That was my first tattoo machine. I want you to learn on it, so you can put a tattoo on me. Something that’s uniquely you. I want to be your first. In everything.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes.”
“Yes. Yes to everything. I want the machine. I want to tattoo you but most of all I want you.”
“I love you, Chloe. I don’t know when it happened, but it’s real and it’s permanent.”
She sucked in a breath at his words. He loves me. Chloe almost wanted to scream it from the rooftops, dance naked in the rain, laugh and kiss him until they were both breathless. “I love you, too, Timmy. I either want to hit you and curse you or jump your bones. But no matter what, I love you. You’ve gone and inked yourself onto my heart.”
“Commit to me, Chloe. Say you’ll be mine.”
“I already am. There’s no one else for me, Timmy. You’re it. You’re the one.”
“Do you know what a collar is, pretty girl?”
“I’m guessing you aren’t talking about Mo’s collar.” Chloe shook her head.
“No.” He smiled. “In my world, a collar signifies a permanent connection. It means we’re committed to each other; Dominant and submissive, together for life, like a marriage. I know you aren’t ready to marry me and your sisters would kill me if I suggested it, but I want everyone in my world to know you’re mine. When you’re ready, I want you to wear my collar.”
“Yes.” Chloe nodded, her eyes filling with tears. This beautiful, humble man had given all of himself to her. She knew how much he was fighting his natural instinct to control everything and he was doing it to make her happy. His love shone through the rubble of her decimated heart and mended it with love and hope. She knew she’d always be able to rely on his strength to support her and she’d be able to give him what he needed in return. “But I don’t want to wait. I want it now.”
Timmy picked up the ribbon that had been wrapped around the gift box and stood up. “Stand up, pretty girl.” Chloe scrambled to oblige him, lacing her fingers behind her back as she looked up at him.
“May I kneel before you, Timmy?”
“Do you understand what getting on your knees before me means?”
“Yes, I do. My submission to you as my master.” With a look of wonder on his face, Timmy held out his hand to Chloe and helped her onto her knees. After a moment of gazing at her, he started talking.
“Chloe, in the space of a moment in time, you changed the trajectory of my life and I will love you forever for that. I give you my promise to love you and cherish you and your gift of submission to me. I will lead you safely and will give my own life if it means protecting yours. I will honor you until the day I die. I will put your best interests first in my dominance of you. You are a part of me, a part of my soul I didn’t even know was missing. I claim you as mine. Will you take this symbol of my ownership and love for you?”
“I will. I love you more than I ever knew I could love. I may not do it well, but I will always try to fulfill your commands. You’ve given me a gift too, Timmy, and I will cherish your domination for the rest of our life together. I’ll follow you. I know that you’ll care for me and I’ll do everything I can to fulfill your needs.”
Timmy tied the ribbon around Chloe’s throat so that it fit snugly without constricting her airways, and bent down to kiss her. The makeshift collar felt…right, like she was meant to wear one. But not just any man’s collar would do; only Timmy’s was destined to touch her skin, destined to make her feel like she was coming home. “I love you, Chloe. One day you’ll wear my ring on your finger too, but for now, you’ll wear this ribbon around your neck. Now strip and lie face down on the bed. I have so many wicked things I’m gonna do to you that you won’t be getting out of bed for a week.”
“Mmmm.” Her assent sounded like a sexually charged moan even to her own ears as she stripped off the dress she’d worn last night.
Timmy straddled her, his powerful thighs caging her hips as he reached over to his nightstand and withdrew a mask and a bottle. He slipped the mask over her eyes before warming the sweet smelling oil in his hands. As he spread it onto her back, Chloe sighed again and relaxed into the mattress. Her arousal amped higher with every firm stroke of his callused fingertips against her back and the evidence of that arousal was intensified with every unconscious rock of her hips against him. She was desperate to feel his touch in her most intimate of places. When Timmy pressed his torso against hers so the hard rod of his cock was cradled in her ass, Chloe gasped, sensation shooting to her core causing her to moan long and low.
“You’re mine now, pretty girl. My gorgeous breasts, my hot, wet pussy.” Timmy’s rough words nearly sent her over.
“Timmy, please, I need you. In me.”
“In good time, pretty girl. But first, I recall a threat of punishment being given. If I were a good Master, I wouldn’t let you get away with putting yourself in danger by staying outside last night. Am I a good Master?”
“You are.”
“Knees under you, face on the pillow. Present me that ass, Chloe, my ass.” She was simultaneously mortified and aroused beyond measure. Chloe was sure her pussy lips were glistening with the evidence of her arousal and Timmy’s claiming was m
aking her empty sex clench in need with each uttering.
The first slap took Chloe by surprise, the sharp thwack when Timmy’s palm met her ass caused Chloe to flinch and squeak out a shocked protest. “Remember your safe words, Chloe. I’ll respect you if it’s too much or you’re not ready.” The fire from his first slap melted into a tingling sensation that shot needy pulses straight to her clit and she moaned, lifting her ass higher as a silent invitation to Timmy. His tongue snaked out and licked along the back of her thigh moving closer and closer to her core, torturing her with sublime need before he pulled away and landed another slap on her other ass cheek. Slap, tease, slap, caress. Timmy set up the rhythm and kept going until her ass was on fire, her clit strumming with pent-up arousal. Timmy’s quiet murmurings kept her tethered but Chloe felt like she was floating, having an out-of-body experience where the pain morphed into sensation so pleasurable that she wanted to melt into a puddle. The needy whimpers she made as she panted and squirmed no longer sounded like they were coming from her. She didn’t understand what he was saying anymore, but she felt his reassuring words deep in her soul. The slaps lessened in intensity until they were caresses and she slowly returned to her senses. Timmy laid his body over her, gathering her in his arms and sharing his warmth as she came back down.
“Wow,” she murmured when she had her faculties back.
“You went straight to subspace, pretty girl. You let go and flew. How do you feel?”
“Tingly and…” She flushed and turned her head into the pillow. She couldn’t say it. Even though they’d already shared so much. She was too damn shy to tell him.
“Needy?”
Embarrassed, she nodded her response. “Thank fuck,” he murmured, rolling her onto her front as he spread her legs, made quick work of rolling on a condom and thrust deep into her in one smooth glide. She screamed, her internal muscles clasping Timmy’s dick so tightly that she thought she’d hurt him when he released a strangled groan. Chloe’s orgasm washed over her like a wild storm, thrumming through every molecule within her. He withdrew to his cockhead and slammed back into her, triggering more convulsions from her pussy. Timmy growled and gripped her hips tightly as he leaned over her once again. “Your ass is the prettiest pink. I love that it was my hand that warmed it. I love watching my cock disappear into your tight little pussy. Your wetness is sucking me in, hugging me so tightly. You feel so good around my cock, pretty girl.” Chloe wanted to shout out, to praise the God gifting her with the most erotic moment of her life, to beg Timmy to never stop, but she couldn’t manage more than a gasp as another orgasm wracked her body. “That’s it, pretty girl. Ride the wave, come again and again for me. Show me how much you love my cock.”