“Mmm,” I reply, sleepily. Then, as my body starts to become reinvigorated, I lift my head. “I was scared Jon; I didn’t know what to expect..”
He gives me an intense look. “I’m so proud of you, Mia. I wanted to take away your fear, to show you how strong you are. And how I’ll never abuse the control you give over to me.”
“I never stopped trusting you,” I tell him, surprised he would doubt it.
Rolling over onto his back, he puts his arm across his face. “I thought I’d let you down so much; I didn’t think I deserved you. That you’d never be able to put your faith in me again.”
Sitting up, I move his arm away, so I gaze straight into his troubled eyes. “How the hell did you let me down?
“You got hurt on my watch; you got kidnapped when we should have been taking better care of you.”
“He was waiting for his chance. Jon, you’re a man, not a machine. I’ve nothing to forgive you for.”
Reaching up his hand, he strokes my cheek, “I see that now. I wasn’t thinking clearly before. I’d convinced myself I couldn’t be who you needed.
“What changed your mind, Jon? Was it seeing me preparing to play with another man?”
“Would you have gone through with it?” he asks sharply.
“No,” I say quickly, wanting to put his mind at rest. “And Ryan was well aware of that.”
He’s quiet for a moment, as though thinking what to tell me. “Ben talked to me and made me realise I can only be in control of me, not everything around me. And he told me you need me, as I need you.” His hand comes up and holds my chin then he draws down my head, our lips meeting for a kiss full of domination.
When at last, he lets me go, I say emphatically, “You’ve made mistakes; I made mistakes. We’re human.” I take a deep breath and leap. “I love you, Jon. I always will. Whether things go right, or things go wrong, I’ll always love you. And I’ll always trust you. Even when you’re wielding a violet wand.” I smile at my last comment.
His eyes capture mine. “I love you too, Mia. I’ve never felt this way before, ever. And I’ll always try to keep you safe. I hate that Hatcher was able to take you again…”
“Shush!” I instruct, putting my fingers to his lips. “I’m here, Jon. You saved me. And Hatcher’s gone. For good.”
He seems to consider that for a moment.
“I didn’t realise how incredible sensation play could be; you were so gentle.” I change the subject. “Will you show me the toys you used…?”
He puts his hand over my mouth, “You can research for your next book another day.”
I giggle; he’s sussed me out quickly.
Sitting up, propped on one elbow, he places his lips over one of my nipples, gently biting and sucking, and his fingers twist and pull the other one. It’s as if there’s a string of nerves connecting my breasts with my clit as, unbelievably, my arousal grows all over again.
“I want to clamp these; it’s a shame I haven’t got any with me right now.” He pinches each peak, and at the small burst of pain, I feel another rush of wetness. Leaving my breasts with a final caress, he moves his hand down, slowly across my stomach, until he reaches my clit and his talented fingers start winding me up again. It’s only moments before I’m taut as a bow and ready to come all over again.
“I need you inside me,” I tell him, hoarsely.
As though he was waiting for the words, he leaves me bereft as he stands up. My body suddenly goes cold, but the sight of him throwing off his vest exposing his chest, his abs, his pecs and that delightful V leading down to the waistband of his leathers makes me glow inside. He notices my attention, and oh, oh so slowly, undoes the button on the waistband, and, as if he is in no hurry at all, unzips. He’s gone commando, and his throbbing cock springs free, the head angry and red, pre-cum already glistening as it leaks from the slit.
I lick my lips, and he grins. Then, with more urgency he pushes the trousers down and he’s naked before me. Just the sight of him stimulates me even further. I watch as he reaches across to a bedside table and opens a drawer. He pulls out a condom.
Reaching out my hand, I place it on his arm. When he looks at me questioningly, I enlighten him, “No need for that, Jon. The pill should be working by now. And I got my test results – I’m clean.”
His loud intake of breath, the jubilant expression on his face shows just how much that means to him, “Fuck, Mia. And I thought this night couldn’t get any better.” Brushing his hand over my cheek and leaning in for a brief kiss, he double-checks, “You’ll take me bare?”
When I nod, he pauses, just for a moment as though soaking in the sight of me. “Mia, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
I very much doubt that, but don’t bother to contradict him as in one quick move he comes over me, pushes my legs apart and drawing me towards him. He’s on his knees, and he raises my hips, pulling me against him. He swirls his hand around my entrance and then wipes his now well-lubricated hand up and down his unsheathed cock. Watching his slow masturbation turns me on even more. His eyes meet mine, and I know I’m unable to hide anything from him as he smirks, and, in a single motion, positions himself and slides deep inside.
At first, his movements are slow; tantalising enough to keep my arousal high, but not enough to send me over the top. I moan, no longer able to form coherent words. Then, just as I think I’m reaching the end of my endurance, he starts thrusting hard, his strong hips pumping aggressively. He’s hitting my cervix, and with every stroke he takes me higher and higher. His hands are holding my hips so hard, I expect to have bruises, but this animalistic coupling is so right for us; he’s fucking all my bad memories away. It’s a new beginning us both, he’s staking his claim. Quickly the stimulation on my G-spot takes me to the edge, and intuitively he knows it, stopping, almost pulling out.
“Fuck!” I yell in frustration.
He just laughs, and then pushes back in, resuming his pace, hammering into me. He doesn’t stop as he takes me to the peak and pushes me over the top. A loud, almost tortured scream escapes from my mouth, and he joins me with a triumphant roar as he empties himself deep inside, his cum pushing up right into my cervix, his pumping extending my orgasm until he collapses on top of me, his arms keeping his weight from my body. He stays still as his cock softens, extending our moment of intimacy.
We stay like that, joined for some time, until eventually he pulls out, and sits back, staring for a moment at our combined juices leaking out of me. Then he stands up, and goes quickly into the small en-suite, and returns with a cloth. Completely at ease with him now, I feel no embarrassment as he cleans me up and then discards the flannel. Coming back to me he lies on his side, pulling me into his body. For a few minutes, we lay still, both satiated, relaxed and recovering.
After our breathing slows and our heartbeats return to something like normal, he puts his weight on one arm, his head resting on his palm, giving me a serious look, staring at me as if deep in thought. He seems to come to a decision as he nods and asks me, “Why did you pull that stunt tonight, Mia?”
I turn my head away, biting my lip. I don’t want to have this conversation now, preferring to start afresh from this moment.
When I stay silent too long, he prompts me, “Hmm?”
I reach for his flaccid cock and stroke it; it comes back to life in my hands, and I smile.
He knows what I’m doing, and stills my actions by putting his hand on mine. “Answer me, sweetheart.”
I haven’t got a choice; he won’t be leaving this alone. So I admit to him in a mumble. “I missed you, Jon. More than I thought I would.” I missed him like a fish would pine for water. “Ben convinced me you were missing me too. I was so miserable without you, and if there was a chance to be with you, I had to try.”
I steal a quick glance at him, but am unable to decipher what he’s thinking, then feel my heart beat faster as he responds, “Fuck, Mia, I missed you too. So badly. More than I imagined I’d mi
ss anyone. I’ve never hurt that badly before. Christ, I wanted you every fucking minute of every fucking day. I never want to feel like that again.”
I shrug, leaning forwards and burying my head in his chest, “So what happens, now?” He’s told me he loves me, but he’s left me before. As insecure as I am, I want a clear answer.
“Look at me.” He puts his hand under his chin and turns my face towards him. “Eyes on me!” I’ve no option but to obey his commanding voice. He waits for my compliance before continuing. “Mia, you hit me like a freight train—from the first glance I had of you I knew you were something unique. So special, that when I let you down, I didn’t think I was worthy of you.”
I go to speak, but he puts his finger to my lips to shush me.
“You know I’m a Dom, Mia, and trust is at the very heart of a D/s relationship. Out of the bedroom, I’ll always be there for you, your protector. In the bedroom, I’ll need control. But tonight proved how that could work between us.” He brushes his lips over mine. “I assure you, I love you more than I thought it would ever be possible to love anyone.”
My eyes mist over at the depth of the emotion pouring from him. It’s not just the words; I feel it in his touch, in his caress.
Moving me with him he pulls us both up until we’re sitting, then he swings my legs off of the bed and gets to his feet. To my astonishment, next he drops to one knee on the floor and takes both my hands in his. “I know this has happened fast, but it feels so right. In my thirty-five years, I’ve known a lot of women, sweetheart; I’m not going to hide that from you. But I’ve never had this connection with another person; never felt that I’d only be living a half-life if I didn’t have you by my side.” He pauses and places a gentle kiss on the palms of each of my hands. “Maybe it’s too soon; I don’t know. I’m way out of my depth here.” He grins, “But I know I don’t want to lose you, I can’t let you go again. If you hadn’t come here tonight, I’m certain I’d have come to find you, once, as Ben so articulately put it, I’d pulled my head out of my arse. I’m not interested in anyone else, and now the caveman in me wants to tie you to me in any way possible.”
Again a pause while he draws in a deep breath. The hands that hold mine are shaking, and I realise this big strong man at my feet is nervous. I let him take his time, knowing better than to interrupt.
Now he lifts his head and looks straight into my eyes. “You’re going to be my permanent sub, Mia. And you’re going to marry me. Mia, you’re going to be my wife.”
I stare, unbelieving. I have no words; I don’t know what to say. A rush of emotion makes my eyes blur with happy tears. He’s surprised me; it’s the last thing I expected him to say. His sub, perhaps. His wife, not in a million years did I expect that. But all of a sudden I know how right that feels.
He looks concerned when I don’t immediately respond, and his fingers rub across my palms. Any touch of his makes me tremble, and especially now that my heart feels like bursting with happiness. “Well?” he prompts softly. “Aren’t you going to answer?”
A slow smile comes to my face as I decide to toy with him. “I wasn’t aware you’d asked a question,” I start to grin as his proposal sinks in. “I thought it was a Dom’s command.”
Barking out a laugh, I’m pulled in close to his body and hugged tightly. “You know, you can be a brat at times.”
“Your brat,” I tell him, shyly, while thinking about what he’s asked me. “It’s so soon, Jon. And,” I pause to get the strength to say, “I might never be able to have children.”
Taking my face between his hands, he looks at me intently, and then reassures me, “Do you think that fucking matters to me? I want you, Mia. You. Only you. There’s never been anyone else that’s made me feel anything even half deep as what I feel for you. I don’t want to lose you, lose the chance to make a life with you. We’ve lived through so much in these last few weeks.” His hands stroke my face, “If we have kids, great. The thought of your belly swelling with my child, well, I can’t fucking find the words to describe how that would make me feel. But if you can’t—or even if I can’t. Well, what the fuck would that matter when we have each other? It doesn’t matter. I just want you.”
No reply comes to me; I’m having difficulty processing how so much love and happiness is mine to take if I want it.
“Mia, I know it seems too fast, but I’ve never been so sure about anything in the whole of my life, these last couple of weeks without you have seen me in a hell I never want to revisit. Mia, sweetheart. Marry me.” His eyes crinkle, a smile stretches across his face as he changes his demand, “Give me a colour.”
“Oh, Jon!” I hug him; hug him as hard as I possibly can. This man, this wonderful man is offering me a life with him. A lifetime of waking up beside him, of sharing everything with him. He’s taking me with all my flaws, as I’ll be taking him with his. This amazing, wonderful man. “Ah, yell…” As I start to speak his smile starts to fade, and I realise it’s cruel to tease him. “Green.” I change my answer quickly. Then I repeat, my voice ending on a shout, “Green! Green! GREEN!!!”
Fuck! I’ll suffocate if he keeps holding me this tight! With a laugh he releases me and takes my lips in a ravishing kiss. Then he pulls back just far enough to whisper into my ear. “You really are a brat, aren’t you?”
Zoe
I’ve become that woman, the woman who lets herself fall under the influence of a man who only gradually reveals the monster that lies beneath his civilised veneer. By the time I know I have to get away it is already too late. Ethan St John-Davies is one of the richest and most powerful men in the UK, virtually impossible to escape. I have to use all my wits when I leave him, my only chance at freedom to take a job far away in the Arabic state of Amahad.
Promising myself I’d never fall under the influence of a dominant man again, I meet Kadar and find it hard to fight my attraction to him. But whatever my feelings, he is already married – to his country, and soon to be wed to a political bride.
Kadar
I’m not ready to be the emir and admit some sympathy with the tribespeople who question my readiness to take on the role. Needing to appease them I agree to a marriage to a woman of their choice. But then I meet Zoe and take her under my protection. Little do I know as I teach her the difference between Dominance and abuse, she will find a place in my heart.
As Amahad plunges into a civil war, I soon find myself fighting not only my own tribespeople but the man who would do harm to the woman under my protection. Can I win all my battles? Can I keep my country united, the woman of my choice alive and have the relationship I desire?
Blood Brothers #3: Second Chances
Acknowledgements
Thanks must go to my beta readers, Beverly Holland, Alex Clark, Kirsten, and Christy who helped me get the plot in shape and gave me the encouragement to continue, and of course to Kate from The Ribbon Marker Services for another in-depth beta-read report.
Cover design and formatting by Freeyourwords. Lia, it was great working with you as always!
Editing by The Ribbon Marker Editorial Services – thanks Kate!
Finally thanks to my husband for letting me have the freedom to write and so much encouragement, and to my wonderful son who didn’t seem to get bored when he listened to my ideas.
And of course, I’m grateful to everyone who’s taken the time to read Close Protection. If you enjoyed it, please leave a review.
About the Author
After commuting for too many years to London working in various senior management roles, Manda Mellett left the rat race and now fulfils her dream and writes full time. She draws on her background in psychology, the experience of working in different disciplines and personal life experiences in her books.
Manda lives in the beautiful countryside of North Essex with her husband and two slightly nutty Irish Setters. Walking her dogs gives her the thinking time to come up with plots for her novels, and she often dictates ideas onto her phone on the move, while
looking over her shoulder hoping no one is around to listen to her. Manda’s other main hobby is reading, and she devours as many books as she can.
Her biggest fan is her gay son (every mother should have one!). Her favourite pastime when he is home is the late night chatting sessions they enjoy, where no topic is taboo, and usually accompanied by a bottle of wine or two.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mandamellett.com
Connect with me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/mandamellett
Sign up for my newsletter to hear about new releases in the series: http://eepurl.com/b1PXO5
Photo by Carmel Jane Photography
Close Protection (Blood Brothers #2) Page 39