Morgan made a cute little murmuring sound in her throat. Her lips parted and she took him inside, sucking on him with a ruthless desire to reach one goal, to make him come.
Inexperienced though she’d been until now, she quickly made up for it with enthusiasm and intuitively knowing to draw back some to lick the crown, swallow his pre-cum, circle the helmet and hone in on the underside before bobbing her head naughtily. With only one hand, she grasped his shaft, squeezing and pumping him in time with her sucking.
Feeling his eyes roll back, Ethan blinked to refocus on her. He had to watch her get him off. More so, he had to watch her get herself off. Already, her free hand slid up her knee to her inner thigh, seeking the warmth of her cunt.
Seeing everything she was doing wasn’t possible, but he could see her hand moving and quickly learned to read her tells, those subtle movements and hums she made whenever she stroked her clit.
From what he could surmise, she touched only her clit, stroking slowly and certainly. Her mouth parted again, drawing Ethan’s cock farther inside. The heat of her was indescribable. The suction was amazing.
Without a doubt, this was the best head he’d ever been given. Morgan’s gaze locked with his, trust and love reflecting deep within her eyes. That was the difference. She did it with the genuine desire to please him.
Guiding her head with utmost gentleness, he began to thrust slowly in and out of her mouth, timing it so that she was able to keep rubbing her clit without faltering. Instinctively, she took in as much of him as she could take without choking.
Adding in her tightened fist around his shaft, she kept pumping and sucking, alternately licking his cock head. She was utterly amazing, beautiful and all Ethan’s.
Giving himself over to her, he fucked her mouth in earnest. Her mouth was hot, wet and gloriously inventive. Already she’d figured out how to adjust her position to take more cock without gagging.
Morgan drew off. Her breathing was so harsh and sporadic that he almost hefted her off the floor. Fortunately, he remained still as she fell forward, crying out, “I’m coming.”
As soon as she steadied herself, she resumed sucking him off. She was so good at it that she only had to ring his cock and suck strongly to get him trembling. Ethan thrust into her mouth until he touched the back of her throat once, drew back a little and came.
Shaking all over, he kept hold of her to steady himself. Still looking up at him, she leaned back, showing him ropes of cum on her tongue before closing her mouth and swallowing.
Damn! He damn near collapsed. That was sexy as fuck.
“Morgan, you are amazing. You know that?” he praised, still shaking.
He might be the Dominant. She had all the power right then.
“I came. I didn’t think about it and I came.”
“Twice, honey. You did it twice. Your reward is the right to pleasure yourself anytime you want over the next few days. No matter the time or place, if you get horny, touch yourself. The only catch is you need to think about me.”
“That’s easy. You’re always on my mind, Detective. Can I ask questions now?”
“Yes you may, sweetie.”
Grinning, Ethan freed her hair to grab her shoulders and help her to her feet. Gathering her close, he walked her over to the stairs and sat, setting her across his lap. Her perfect ass was warm and soft.
“Everything okay? You’re not scared of anything we’ve done so far?” he asked.
“Everything’s good. I want it this way, Ethan. I’d mistakenly thought submission would mean losing who I am to you. That’s not true. I’m more me with you than I could ever be without you.”
“That’s quite a compliment. I’ll take it.” Hugging her close, he was glad she wasn’t afraid.
Tonight was only the beginning of her journey into the lifestyle. While he’d never hurt her, she might get scared when she saw his dungeon in the Boston townhouse or took her to Alex and Ryan’s place on the members-only BDSM weekends.
“Morgan, things I’ll ask of you as we get further along in our relationship might scare you. Always remember your safe word and that you’ve the right to negotiate what you will and won’t do.”
“I will. Can I start now?”
“Of course,” he granted.
“I’ve never been overly fond of small spaces. That’s one reason I chose the downstairs restroom. It’s huge! Closets scare me. I think it’s because when I was a child some spirits who showed themselves to me came out of them.”
“I can only imagine how scary it was for you.”
“Once I understood more of my abilities, the fears lessened. But I still make sure my closet door is closed at night. And I go inside long enough to grab something to wear and get out.”
“The closet in my master bedroom in Boston is huge. Will that be of help?”
“Some, yes, just as long as the door’s not shut when I’m in there and is closed when I come out.”
“I won’t forget to close it.”
“Following up with the closets, I’d prefer not to be trapped in a box or a cage.”
“I got it. Bondage is okay, though, if it’s on a bed or a table? A Katherine wheel can be good, exciting and scary, but it’s open.”
“Yes, I’d be willing to try it. Also, as much as I am addicted to vampire erotica and wouldn’t mind playacting, I don’t want actual bloodletting.”
“Oh Morgan, I promise to live up to that fantasy and you’ll love it. No blood will be shed. I vow it. Now I’ve a question.”
“Okay.”
“Would you be willing to let me pierce your bellybutton or nipples if it won’t disturb you or trigger problems due to the psychometry?”
“If it’s something that you’ve made, it should be safe. I’d like to think about it first. Is that okay?”
“Yes.”
“No tats for me?”
“That’s up to you. I’d love to give you some ink, but only if you request it. Anything else you’d like to ask me about?”
“I’m good. I’d like to thank you for letting me suck you off. It was an honor.”
“Babe, the honor was mine. You’re incredibly gifted.”
“But I need to remember the rules even with the tats, right?”
“Goes without saying,” he answered. “Thank you for gifting me with your orgasms. They are as precious to me as jewels. I will treasure them always.”
Kissing her tenderly on her bruised forehead, he offered a prayer of continued healing and thanked her again for the gift of her submission.
* * * * *
A week after Morgan’s fateful encounter with Jenna Bailey’s ghost and being struck by an unknown assailant, Ethan agreed to a walk around Salem. Since she’d woken up in bed after her migraine, they’d spent most of their time making love.
While she loved every moment, she needed to stop by her apartment, start her car and go to Enchanted Treasures to check on Remy and her clerk. Her two clerks, Mary and Penny, rotated on a two- or three-day-a-week schedule.
Morgan closed the store on Saturdays and Sundays. She was looking forward to seeing the place. It was where she felt closest to Grandma because she knew her father’s mother was still there. They talked regularly when the customers were gone.
While she’d been financially secure enough to maintain her modest rent, the small business and two employees, she wouldn’t have been able to expand or go to college herself until she started working for Remy. Now that she was with Ethan, maybe she could earn an advanced degree.
“Ethan?” she asked as they strolled along Salem Common. She wore a black coat over an emerald green jersey dress and black ankle boots. “I’ve something to talk to you about.”
“I’m listening,” he said, hugging her close with his arm around her waist. He wore a pair of jeans, combat boots, a black sweater and a suede brown jacket.
It wasn’t terribly cold out, but there was a chill in the air that came with autumn and Salem’s proximity to the water. Trees a
round the Common were already turning golden brown, orange and deep red.
“You and your brothers own profitable businesses and have figured out how to be financially secure. In addition, you each have successful careers beyond tattooing. Would you teach me how to do that? I love my shop and what I do, but there’s more for me.”
Ethan drew her off the well-worn path and leaned back against a big maple tree. “You don’t have to ask. We’re together now, and if you’re agreeable, we can combine your business with ours.”
“Wouldn’t Taran and Phalen have a say in that?”
“I’m sure they wouldn’t mind. We can talk it over with them when Phalen and Cassie return from Hawaii. Tell me something, Morgan. What career would you like to get into?”
“I’d like to be an archaeologist like my dad was. It sounds silly, I’m sure. I mean, I’m twenty-eight and I have an associate’s degree in history. Maybe it’s too late or grandiose to even think it. But if I take one course at a time, it shouldn’t be too terribly expensive to try.”
He took hold of her hands and held her fingers tight. “If you want to be an archaeologist, be one. It’s not silly. What does it matter how long it takes? I don’t know jack about what kind of courses you’d need, but I’ll help you succeed.”
“You will?” she asked, extremely thrilled with his answer.
“I will. Is that why you want to work with Remy?”
“Yes. I plan to use the money to pay for online courses. I didn’t know any other way, since I can’t afford more than two part-time employees.”
“Considering your ability with psychometry, I think you’d make a great archaeologist, especially if you concentrate on objects gathered at a dig.”
“That’s what my father did. He’d dig for plates, weapons, clothing, furniture or various things a society or culture used on a day-to-day basis. He’d then date them and gather data based on the historical time period and write about it all in journals. He was very good and a wonderful professor too.”
“You mentioned your father supported you,” Ethan said. “I’m glad you had that when you were young.”
“So do I. I miss him terribly. Every once in a while he’d bring home something he was working on, an arrowhead or shard of broken pottery, and he’d let me touch it briefly. I could tell him so much about the person who used it. He’d listen and back it up with research.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that. I miss my parents every day. The best we can do is live life to the fullest.”
Morgan smiled. “I’m certainly doing that with you.”
“We’ve only begun exploring what we’ll do together, Morgan. The only thing is, let’s see if you can arrange to take courses in person. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with online. But you should have the experience of a classroom.”
“I’d have to ask my clerks to work longer hours.”
“Don’t forget you have me, Taran, Phalen and Cassie to help you out. If you decide to join forces with Maddox businesses, we’ll help you keep your store open for however many hours and days you want. I’d also recommend talking it over with Alex Grant. The man’s a genius with money.”
“Okay. I’m not expecting you to pay for the courses. My work with Remy will help.”
Ethan bent his head a little. A lock of hair fell across his eyes. He didn’t have long hair due to a preference for looking professional on the job. But he definitely had some waves that could make it a bit unruly after a night of sex.
He was adorable when he woke up in the morning with locks of hair sticking up here and there. Not that she’d awaken the bear if she were to point it out or tease him. He was at his most cuddly first thing in the morning and making love was slow, patient and extremely loving.
“Now don’t be worrying about that, sweetie. If that’s how you want to use the income you make from the show, go for it. Bear in mind that ghost hunter reality shows are the rage. What if they fade?”
“I didn’t think of that. Remy wants to take the show beyond New England.”
“I hope he succeeds, for your sake, if nothing else. No matter what, I’d like to help you with your education. If it’s studying, I’ll be there. If it’s paying for courses, I’ll do that. It’ll be up to you.”
“I just don’t want you to think I’m asking for too much too soon where we’re concerned. We’ve known each other for a while, but only got together. College is expensive and being an archaeologist could take a long time.”
“Somewhere in there, I think there’s part of you that’s still wondering if I might walk away. Am I right?”
God, he hit it on the head perfectly. “I know you love me, Ethan. I love you too. It’s just that I’ve been hurt so much that it’s hard to shake off doubt sometimes. I don’t want to lose you…ever.”
“Look at me,” he said with enough emphasis to reflect his sincerity. He waited until she obeyed before continuing. He had beautiful gray eyes. “You’re never going to lose me.”
“What if I misjudge you or mess up again?”
“We all make mistakes, me included. I was the dumbass who hurt your feelings not too long ago. The fact is, I might say or do the wrong thing in the future. We’ll have disagreements.”
“We’re both very strong people, with very different views,” she said.
“We also have a lot of the same interests and likes, everything from movies to favorite flavor of ice cream. I’m not saying things will be smooth sailing forever, but as long as we keep our hearts open to each other, we’ll be okay.”
“You’re a very confident man.”
“With you I am. You’re my woman, Morgan. I’m staying. It’s just a matter of figuring out the logistics.”
“What do you mean?”
“Logistics, such as where we’ll live together. Right now we’re playing house at Phalen and Cassie’s. Next week I have to go back to work. I’m hoping you’ll stay with me in Boston on the weekends. Weeknights, I’ll come to Salem when I get off work and stay with you.”
“That could be difficult, but not impossible. You’d have to get up very early in the morning to get through traffic from North Shore to Boston.”
“If you don’t mind some late night lovemaking when I come home, I don’t mind getting up early to go to work. Eventually, I’m hoping that wherever we live, you feel comfortable enough to call it home.”
“Home?” she said, loving the idea of making a home with Ethan. They really were talking about a future together.
“Yes, a home, you and I living together, maybe we’ll get a dog. After we figure out who attacked you and Sam and I find enough evidence to reopen Jenna’s case, we can start talking about more permanent arrangements.”
“I’ve never been to the brownstone. I’d like to see it. Specifically your bedroom. I’ve overheard Taran complaining because you took over the master suite. Cassie said your bedroom is three times the size of Phalen’s studio apartment above Ink Masters.”
“I am second oldest. It was my right. Don’t let Taran intimidate you for access to our room.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Taran’s room was connected to my old one via a bathroom. He’s already had a contractor come in and remodel the rooms so that his area of the house is his own. There’s even a small kitchen up there. He got it from an RV supply company.”
“And the…ah…dungeon, is it in the basement?” she asked, having to know.
“The basement is set up for our band to practice regularly and a workshop to make dungeon gear.”
If that was the case, where was the dungeon? Her curiosity must have shone on her face because Ethan lifted his brow and grinned in a way that warned he might break into grizzly mode any second.
That was the thing about bears, they were unpredictable.
“Dungeons do not have to be downstairs, sweet sub. When the time comes, I will reveal my dungeon to you. It’s a sure bet you’ll never get a glimpse of Taran’s.”
“I’d l
ike to see yours. Guess next weekend I will, Detective Maddox.”
“Yes, you will, Ms. Everhart. For the record, once you enter the dungeon, it becomes ours. Sometime in the future, I’m hoping you’ll want to change your last name to Maddox.”
Morgan Maddox? Some might not like it. She didn’t give a damn. Being a Maddox was part of what made Ethan sexy as hell. He was proud, confident and a little arrogant. He was also the kind of man a woman could count on to be there through thick or thin.
Being his wife would be an honor. If she had the chance, she’d take his last name and make it hers.
“There’s a good chance I’d accept it,” she said.
Ethan’s smile became warmer, gentler. He was so handsome right then, she swore her tummy did a little victory dance. Somehow, someway, she’d won this great man’s heart. Just as she’d cherish his name, she’d treasure his love.
“Then let’s get on over to your shop and talk to Remy. I called and told him we’d be there about one. We can stop in at the diner for a late lunch, check on things there.”
“Alex might be there,” Morgan commented. “Between the diner, being an agent and running Druid Creek Castle, he’s a busy man.”
“That’s true. Knowing Alex Grant, he’s not shirking his responsibilities to his clients. In fact, starting in November, he’s bringing in each of his athletes for face-to-face contract negotiations, discussing endorsement deals and anything else involved in being their agent.”
“That’s a great idea. The creek and the walking trails around the property are especially nice.”
“You really like it there, regardless of what happened Monday night?”
“Yes I do. Do I want the person who struck me to be caught? Yes, mainly for the safety of others.”
“You’re a good person, Morgan.”
“So are you, Ethan.” He leaned down, kissed her lips softly, then touched his mouth to her forehead.
The bandages were getting smaller, the bruising still visible, but improving. The only problem now was that the healing cut itched. Every time Morgan tried to scratch, Ethan caught her hand and promised to cuff her if she kept it up.
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