Dear Lord, if he’d been attractive before, he was a thousand times more potent now. Her brain could only produce a garbled response to his enquiry about her injury, while her eyes were fully occupied in gorging themselves on the man himself. Devilishly handsome with his dark hair still ruffled from the breeze as they’d exited the limousine, he’d shed his jacket and tie and unfastened the top buttons of his shirt.
In the dimmed lighting, he scored a direct hit on her pussy. Remembering that she was still without underwear, Beth winced, hoping that any evidence of her barely controlled lust for this man would not soak her dress—the glossy fabric would make it impossible to conceal. She took the offered brandy snifter in both hands, swirling the glass to warm the measure of cognac, while Alex took a seat directly opposite her.
With the first careful sip, the fine spirit burned its way down her throat and settled in a puddle of molten fire in her stomach. For a moment or two, she stared into the amber depths of the glass, aware of Alex’s gaze upon her but not yet ready to respond to it. His posture was as relaxed as her own; she would only need to lift her head slightly for her eyes to lock with his. Under the influence of fine food and wine, not to mention her own raging feelings and desires, it wouldn’t take much for her to agree to anything he might suggest.
And it was just as much a mistake to focus on his legs, the fabric of his trousers pulled taut over his muscular thighs—and what looked like a substantial erection.
“Are you blushing, Beth?” His amusement was evident in his voice. “That’s the effect you have on me, but you needn’t worry—tonight is not the night. You need to sleep, and when you have a somewhat clearer head you need to think about what we’ve discussed. We’ll talk more tomorrow.
“Now, I want you to take your drink, and go and get yourself into bed. I’ll be out here; you have nothing to worry about.”
~~*~~
Nothing to worry about, he said. She peered at the clock again; it was 3 a.m., precisely seventeen minutes since she’d last checked the time.
Beth had managed to get some sleep since Alex had ushered her off to the bedroom, but once she’d woken up about an hour earlier—feeling sober even if legally she wasn’t—she hadn’t been able to settle down again, due to thinking about the things Alex had said to her and what it had been like to go out with him.
And most of all, about what it felt like to be his woman.
All of a sudden, Beth knew what was wrong—she needed to take a look at Alex just to reassure herself that this wasn’t all a dream, one of her erotic fantasies come to life. She could sneak out there for a quick peek without waking him.
What she didn’t expect was to see him standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows on the far side of the room, just standing there, looking out over the city. With no lights on, he was in silhouette against the backdrop of the city lights, but she could still just make out the scars on his back in the subdued light. He seemed so alone, so vulnerable. That didn’t make sense, not in the context of Alex Lombard, but the urge to be with him, to wrap her arms around him in a gesture of protection, overwhelmed her. She’d only taken a step or two when he turned towards her. At that moment she realised that he was completely naked. Her mouth went dry.
“Beth.”
His voice was little more than a hoarse whisper. As she drew closer, Beth caught a glimpse of the harrowed expression on his face, an expression she guessed she wasn’t supposed to see, judging by how quickly he turned away from her. Questions tumbled through her mind.
“Alex, what’s wrong?” She laid her hand on his arm. In spite of the ambient warmth, his skin was chilled in a way that made her want to hold him even more.
“It’s nothing. Go back to bed, Beth.” His tone told her that he expected her to do as he said immediately. “I mean it.”
If he expected blind obedience every time he gave her an order, he was in for a big surprise—she wasn’t having any of it, not this time. They weren’t in the office, and they sure as hell weren’t in the bedroom. Novice though she was, Beth was sure that any sub would rebel when it came to her Dom’s health and wellbeing.
“No. You’re going to talk to me, Alex. Tell me what’s going on.”
“Beth. Go. To. Bed. Now.”
She pulled herself up to her full height—no match for him, of course, but it gave her the confidence to face him down, or at least, try to.
“Alex Lombard, you’re getting far too fond of telling me to do things now. Something’s not right, and I am not going to waltz off to bed and leave you like this.”
“Then take me with you.” The voice was husky—the challenge, direct.
Oh God. Her confidence wavered for a moment, and then she faced him head-on. “If that’s what it takes.”
Although still a little nervous, Beth offered him her hand, her eyes locked with his. Whatever would be, would be.
“Beth, no. It’s the alcohol talking, and I am not taking advantage of that.” He looked away from her again.
That was the honourable man she’d always seen at the office. “I may well fail a breath test, Alex, but I’m sober enough to know what I’m doing with you.” Again, she offered her hand, determined that he wouldn’t brush her off. “You’re not sleeping alone tonight.”
The haunted look became slightly less intense. “Beth Harrison, a sub isn’t supposed to be bossy.”
Growing bolder by the second, she raised an eyebrow at him. “So spank me. A Dom should have more sense. I’ve done a lot of reading, and as far as I can see, it’s part of a sub’s role to take care of her Dom. And even if it weren’t, I’d still be making it part of my role in your life.”
Fire flared in his eyes. “You do realise what you’ve just admitted?”
She had, hadn’t she? The words had come out without conscious thought—if ever there was a case of fools rush in, this was it. She’d accepted him as her Master.
Still he resisted. “And you want to share a bed with a naked Dom?”
“You don’t have to be naked, although I don’t have any objections.” She made the statement with every bit of brazen intent she could muster, almost drooling at the thought of being close to that magnificent body. She pushed that thought to one side—right now, whatever was bothering Alex so much had to take priority. “It’s a large bed—I’m sure we can avoid one another completely, if that’s what you want?”
His bark of laughter was totally devoid of humour. “You really think I’d get you into my bed and then avoid you? You’re mine now, Beth, now more than ever, and there’s no way I wouldn’t touch you. After all, what would be the point in taking me to bed with you, if we’re not going to touch?”
Beth took a deep breath. The thought of being touched in all sorts of ways by Alex was playing havoc with her equilibrium. “The point is that you wouldn’t be alone.”
For the third time, she offered her hand. This time he took it, and together they went to the bedroom.
It was obvious that Beth had been sleeping to one side of the bed. She headed for that side, while Alex went to the other. At the movement of the mattress as he lay down beside her, she felt a little of her bravery evaporate—maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.
No. She dismissed the thought almost as soon as it formed. This wasn’t about her, it was about Alex and what he needed—not her precious sensibilities.
Lying on her side with her back to him, she waited for Alex to close the distance between them, to touch her as he had declared he would—and why not? She was his girlfriend, his woman, his sub—it was only natural that they’d make love, or whatever a Dom did with his sub when she was totally inexperienced. He might even just want to talk.
“Would you like to tell me what’s bothering you?” she offered.
“Not especially.”
“Then is there anything else that would help?” Beth asked the question in spite of knowing what she could be letting herself in for. Or was that because o
f, rather than in spite of?
“I already told you.”
He shifted position, and all of a sudden the heat of his body was at her back as he fitted himself to her, his arm coming over to anchor her to him. She should have been scared, or at the very least a little nervous. Instead, she felt as if she were where she belonged. And judging by the erection pressing against her bottom, where she was wanted.
“We’re just going to sleep together, Beth,” he told her softly, his voice a warm caress. “We’ve both had too much alcohol to play safely tonight, but make no mistake—in here, whether we play or not, I’m in control.”
~~*~~
The warmth and the closeness of a very male human body combined to wake Beth a few hours later. That shared body heat was something she hadn’t experienced for too long.
If it hadn’t been for the very real arm draped across her waist, she’d almost have been tempted to think that last night had been a dream. She also remembered that the very real hand at the end of the very real arm had started off resting on her stomach, over the T-shirt. At some point during the night, it had found its way under the garment, and right now it was splayed possessively across her belly. It wouldn’t have to travel far south to find its way between her legs and discover that she’d woken up in a state of arousal and need.
A sexual Dominant, he’d said. Now that she was faced with the fact—in what would soon be the cold light of day—all sorts of worries made themselves known. Yes, she’d admitted she wanted to be his submissive, but what if she discovered that that sort of relationship wasn’t for her? What would happen then? Was it an irreconcilable difference? Was there any feasible compromise?
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, Beth, but stop it. It’s making you frown, and I don’t want you frowning.”
He was behind her. How in the name of heaven could he possibly know what her expression was?
“I can feel it,” Alex said in response to her question. “Why don’t you turn around, and we’ll see what we can do to make you smile again.”
This was it—now or never. Beth inhaled slowly, and then turned within his embrace so that they were facing each other. The sight that met her scored a bull’s-eye on her libido again. He looked every bit as roguishly attractive as he had when she’d woken up next to him yesterday. Those eyes, that chest…that chest again—the whole package was a lethal weapon doing crazy things to her common sense. The hand that had been resting on her stomach was now curved possessively over her hip, drawing her inexorably towards him.
“Now, Beth, you know we have to talk. Don’t be afraid. There’s nothing you can say that will shock me.”
Beth laid a tentative hand on his chest, enjoying the crisp hair beneath her fingertips, as real as the rest of Alex, as real as his being a Dom. She focused on the sensation, trying not to want him so much because she was afraid that she might not be what he wanted.
“Shall I start?” Alex asked, his voice low and gentle. “You’re wondering if this really is right for you. I know you’ve fantasised about submission, Beth. You know that I’m a Dom, but now that you have the opportunity, now that you’ve admitted it to yourself and to me, you’re scared. There’s no need to be scared, love—I’m right here, with you.”
He was. She could see it in his eyes, the promise that she’d be safe with him, no matter what. And along with that promise of protection was a desire that took her breath away.
“You know I want you,” he continued, “and it’s fairly obvious, given our current situation and the fact that you’re in no hurry to move away from me, that you are attracted to me. We all have our comfort zones—I don’t want yours to become your prison. It’s time to explore who you really are, and you can do that with me. We’ll take it in baby steps, just one at a time. I’ll keep you safe, I promise.”
And that included providing an environment where she could be honest, without fear of recrimination or ridicule.
“Alex, I’m afraid,” she admitted, her voice a moment away from disappearing into the pit of her stomach. “This has all happened so fast. I know I’ve said yes, but I’m still scared about what would happen if it all went wrong.”
“Come here.” He gathered her to him. “I won’t let it go wrong. I know you’re worried about that, but I will not let it go wrong.”
“It’s not just that, Alex. You’re a Dom. Even though I think I want to be your sub now, what would happen if I eventually found I’d made a huge mistake and I’m not submissive after all? What would happen then?”
“Don’t worry about something that isn’t going to happen. Trust me, Beth,” he said, stroking her hair from her face. The look in his eyes, one of calm confidence, would have inspired her to do just that if she hadn’t already been prepared to trust him with her life. “If you could see what I see…Don’t be afraid of what you want. Put yourself in my hands. I won’t let you fall.”
The heat of his palm on her cheek warmed her through; it was so easy—too easy—to imagine giving herself up to this man, being his in a way that most people probably wouldn’t understand, handing him the responsibility for her safety…for her life. She thought about the previous evening, and how it felt to be close to him right now, about the fantasies she’d written about, wanting the reality but being too scared to go looking for it.
Instead, that reality had found her—in the most perfect way she could ever have wanted.
Alex watched his gorgeous new sub close her eyes as a variety of emotions chased one another across her adorable face. He was going to have to work on teaching her not to conceal her eyes from him. They were a means of communication—and far too beautiful to be hidden away from him.
He pondered the idea of taking her to the club, as he’d thought of doing a little over a week ago—never imagining for one moment that it might actually become a possibility. When fully trained, Beth would be a sub any Dom would be proud of, and he wanted to show her off—but only when she was ready, and that was a long way off yet. There was still no way he’d share her, not in the way that some Doms chose to share their subs—although if Cam happened to be around…Alex allowed himself a small smile. Maybe together, he and Beth could persuade his old friend of the beauty to be found in commitment to one special person.
“There’s something bothering you, sweetheart,” he observed. “What is it?”
“I know I said yes, and I mean it, but…what will you expect from me?”
He lifted her chin so that he could kiss her, a kiss meant to convey care, reassurance, safety. “I will expect you to be Beth—outside this room.” He gestured around the bedroom. “In here, in any bedroom we share, in addition to when we’re scening, I will expect you to obey me at all times. I will expect you to give up control, so that I can show you all the pleasure your body can give you.”
He kissed her again. “In here, your body is mine. You’ll keep nothing from me, including your thoughts. You’ll have your safe word, Beth, but I promise you’ll never need to use it.”
He brushed the back of his fingers over her cheek. “I’ve made that sound very one-sided, I know, but in return, you will have my protection at all times; the gift of your submission will be an honour, and it will be treasured and cherished, as you will be treasured and cherished. And pleasured.”
Alex couldn’t resist the lure of her mouth; he had to claim it for a third time. This time, her response was electric. She pressed herself against him, grinding her hips against him. If she’d been his sub for longer, he’d have spanked her for that—he’d have put her over his knee and paddled her bottom until it was glowing pink. Beth was passionate all right—it would be a delectable challenge to teach her, and an infinite reward to see her develop.
“My beautiful lady, you have a lot to get used to.” He looked at her face; his stubble had burned her cheek a little, branding her temporarily with his mark in a way that appealed to the primitive, uncivilised male that dwelt within him. “Go and have a sh
ower, and see how you feel about it when you’re not in my bed.”
A few minutes later Beth was under the shower, letting the water flow over her like a tropical storm while she cleared her mind and her senses of everything, save Alex’s kisses and how it had felt to lie beside him. Put simply, it had been the quintessence of almost every secret fantasy she’d had since she met the man.
All cleaned up, she wrapped herself in one of Alex’s huge fluffy towels, leaving the robe for him. Now for the hard part—hard, because she had no first-hand experience of a relationship such as this. She’d read so much, but the fact of the matter was she had to learn everything from the bottom up.
Alex was sitting on the edge of the bed by the time she emerged from the bathroom, his back towards her. All she saw was the man, not the scars…and the man was everything. Beth took a deep breath. When she’d last gone to sleep in the loneliness of her own bed, she’d had no idea that she was in love with Alex Lombard.
Understanding didn’t come with a bolt of lightning; it came with the warmth of an embrace, enfolding her slowly in a comforting blanket of promise for the future—however limited that future might be. There could be no fireworks for something that had been growing slowly but surely over time. He was what she wanted. For now. For ever. For however long he wanted her.
And whatever price he came with, he would be worth it, down to the last penny.
She dropped the towel, slightly anxious about her nudity, even though he’d seen everything just yesterday and seemed to like it. What if he changed his mind on a second viewing? Too late now…
Her stomach rose to her chest as she took up a position in front of him and his eyes met hers. Following her instincts she knelt in front of him, feeling self-conscious and clumsy, and all the while a part of her mind was almost screaming at her, asking her what she was playing at, telling her she was making an almighty fool of herself. Her heart was racing.
Please let me have the courage and the trust to do this. Please don’t let him laugh at me.
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