He frowned. “You’re too personable to be spending so much time alone, darlin’. Others are missing out, not having you in their lives.”
She grinned, feeling her cheeks warm at his compliment, and eagerly decided to get this conversation off her. “What about you, what do you do?”
“My sister lives in Vegas and we get together often.” He grabbed his wineglass off the end table and took a sip before he continued. “You know about the play parties, and I have quite a few friends within the BDSM community and out of it, whom I spend time with. I like keeping busy going to charity events, friends’ parties, just being social.”
Mary smiled, though her chest tightened. She used to love that, too. “Sounds lovely.”
He returned his wineglass to the table and then he brushed his fingers across her cheek, tucking her hair behind her ear. “But those events are just things to keep me busy. This, a quiet life with one woman, is all I’ve ever wanted. To grow old with someone and start a new journey in life once I’m retired. Traveling and simply enjoying the rest of my life surrounded by the people I love is how I hope to spend my days.”
Her throat thickened at the emotion rushing across his features. God, she saw the longing there. He meant what he said, that was clear cut. Truth was, she had wanted that type of life, too. She had loved being social and attending fancy affairs, but she also relished the knowledge that she had a special man to come home to—one whom she could talk to for hours and just enjoy a quiet life with.
Mary had thought she’d found that in Charles.
She believed they’d grow old together.
With her stomach roiling, she moved away from Elliott’s hand and reached for another spring roll. She took a bite, putting a pause in the conversation, collecting herself. So many hopes and dreams she had when she married Charles. She had wanted to retire at fifty-five and travel the world with him. She wanted to sit around at the lake house and watch her grandchildren play. She had wanted forever with Charles.
Ice coated her veins, as she realized now, in this moment, she hadn’t thought of the future in so long. She couldn’t even imagine retiring; what would she do with all her time? What did she even want to do? Did she really want to spend all day at the lake house alone for the remainder of her years?
“I do like to travel as often as I can,” he said, clearly changing the subject for her benefit.
She took a bite of the spring roll. “I used to love traveling.”
“Used to?” He regarded her intently. “What made you stop loving it?”
She froze under his potent stare. His questions were gentle, but also straight to the point. Somewhat embarrassed to admit it to herself, she knew she couldn’t give him a solid answer for why she didn’t travel anymore or why she stayed in her house and avoided new adventures. She knew all of that, because she didn’t have an answer to give. “I should go somewhere, shouldn’t I?”
Elliott agreed with a nod. “Perhaps you should take Cassie with you. You could make it a girls’ trip.”
Then you also wouldn’t be going alone. The unspoken message was clear in his hard stare.
Mary couldn’t deny the gentle care Elliott gave. His focus seemed intent on showing her the things she loved and ensuring she did them. Sweet. “Cassie would love that. Though I might have my hands full, she is exceptionally fun.”
His smirk was quick, as was his wink. “I wonder who she gets that from.”
—
Elliott watched Mary laugh, and her smile stopped his world from moving. The inner light beaming in the depths of her eyes kicked up his heart rate. This woman was beautiful—so laid back, so happy, so at ease, so much how he hadn’t seen Mary until now. This woman was the one who had been lost. And he was pretty sure he could spend every evening just like this, hearing the soft laughter she gave.
She is yours.
He believed it right down to his bones, and was never so sure of anything in his life.
He glanced at her face and saw her smile fade. He imagined his expression said it all, that his mind was nowhere near thoughts of traveling any longer. In one second, his cock went from soft to hard, and his attention went from watching her mouth for the words that came out to imagining those lips pressed against his in a heated assault.
He lifted his gaze to her eyes, which had darkened. Christ, how his body pulsed to devour this woman for as long as she’d allow. He looked away to move the Thai boxes off the blanket under them, hearing the hitch of her breath, knowing her body had awakened and her mind had freed for him.
Tonight he had planned for her to experience something that he assumed she had forgotten. Just two people being together and enjoying each other’s company. He wanted her to smile, to laugh, to be comfortable, and she had done all those things.
Elliott still ached to be deep inside her. He craved to feel the way she submitted so beautifully to him. He yearned to see that connection between them, the one so perfect that it had haunted him. He wanted that all for himself.
Holding her gaze, he moved toward her and she lay back, resting her head on the pillow. He slid a hand down her thigh, feeling her soft, delicate skin before he slid between her thighs, closing his body against hers.
He cursed the corset that was still damp from their bath, yet as she slid her feet along the backs of his thighs, the touch of skin against skin captured his mind. When his cock met her folds, he discovered her wet and ready for him. He smiled, unable to hide the fact that he enjoyed that she became so aroused, so quickly, for him, all because his look had told her he wanted her now.
Without pause, he dragged a hand down her silky thigh and cupped her bottom, dropping his mouth to hers. He kissed her with passion, with tongues tangling in a sensual embrace, and she stayed right in rhythm with him. When her breath along his face quickened, he grunted and entered her with a fluid stroke.
All wet. All warm. All tight.
His eyes naturally shut with the sheer force of the pleasure tingling through his veins. He lowered his head into her neck, sliding his cock inside her all the way to the hilt, and groaning with each perfect glide. Only when her loud gasp drifted across him in a blistering heat wave did he open his eyes.
When he rose up on his hands, he found her eyelids hooded and mouth parted. He squeezed her bottom, angling her up to him, enjoying how vulnerable she felt under him. How perfect she seemed right there.
He shifted his hips in and out, relishing the way her tight heat squeezed him. He tangled his free hand into her hair, cupping her nape and holding her to him, resting his mouth right by her ear. Her sensual moans poured out around him, brushing across his desires. He drew in her flowery scent, mixed with musky arousal, and thrust harder…deeper.
“I’m right here, Mary.” His cock slid so easily in and out of her soaked sex. “Right here to hold you. To make love to what is mine tonight. To take what I want from you.”
“Yes. Sir.” Her voice hitched on every word.
Closing his fist in her hair, he glanced into her eyes. She stared back at him with heated features, entirely fixated on him. On only him. “To take you hard.” He increased his force, and skin smacked against skin. Her cunt squeezed his shaft, forcing a growl deep from his chest. “Or to take you soft.” He slowed his thrusts, moving gently to carry out his words.
Her eyes were so dark, so lost in pleasure, as she angled up, meeting him thrust for thrust. “Yes, sir.”
Darlin’, be mine.
He thrust with gentle, quick movements, feeling her increasing moisture around his cock. “In my command. Under my touch.” Her sex squeezed at him, begging to milk his cum from him and demanding to deliver a hard thrust that would send her flying, too. “Mine to please in whatever manner that suits me.”
He couldn’t look away from her, trapped by what he so wanted to be his. “This is for you, too—because you deserve a man to want you like I do.” He groaned as her inner muscles convulsed, nearly making him cross-eyed. He had to force his voice ou
t. “To be cherished. To be made to feel as good as you do now.”
“Elliott,” she whispered.
He faltered in his speed as he saw that look. A peace formed in her features that only showed itself for a split second, but that lasted forever in Elliott’s mind. A sweet expression so special it froze time, and the same balmy sensation swelled in Elliott’s chest.
He’d longed for this, the feeling that his dominance meant something. That it made a woman happier. That she fully accepted his Dominance, not just a Dominant’s touch. There was a fine line that declared a difference, but it was a powerful fine line.
Mary continued to show him the difference, even if for only a second.
Overtaken by the heady emotion, he sealed his mouth over hers, breathing in her soft moan. Christ, this woman kissed like she belonged to him. She handed him her soul in her kiss. Every last bit she could offer she gave, and he wanted to absorb it all.
Breaking the kiss, he kept his mouth close to hers and pumped his hips in and out, hard and fast, leaving her no other choice than to request her orgasm. Mary’s eyes slowly widened, as if in shock by the power of the sensations. Then she whispered, so soft and tender, “Sir, may I come for you?”
Passion slammed into Elliott’s chest that was both unexpected and wonderful. His muscles tightened in pure possession. Sir, may I come for you… Such simple words, yet the meaning was anything but simple.
He heard the longing in her voice. The sadness that her submission had been forgotten, and the peace she found muttering those words. He saw how much she needed him, how connected they were, and in his hold, he wanted her to stay there forever.
“Darlin’,” he drawled, as his cock swelled, growing harder with his rising climax. “Come anytime and I’ll come with you.”
He pumped his hips, thrusting savagely into her, and his balls immediately drew up close to his body. Heat soared up his spine, almost seemingly pooling into his heart. When she screamed out her climax, her inner walls squeezed him. With each wicked pulse against his shaft, tears rushed down her cheeks as she jerked ever so slightly with her orgasm.
His cum shot from his cock, yet he couldn’t look away from her. All focus on himself vanished as she stole his mind. Those tears became his only thought. Before his orgasm ended and her trembling stopped, he flipped over onto his back and held her to him.
She sobbed.
He did exactly what he had been aching to do: He held her, showing her he never would let go if she’d only allow him the right.
Chapter Thirteen
Elliott awoke to the sun shining through the window with unusual warmth at his side. The white duvet was tangled between his legs as he glanced next to him, finding Mary snuggled in to him. He gently turned on his side, not wanting to wake her.
She looked so peaceful with her eyes shut as she slept. So damn pretty. He found himself a little surprised that she had stayed over. Yet he thought that hadn’t been a conscience choice, either. They had one helluva night, and even he noted the exhaustion in his body after all of their lovemaking.
Mary made him feel young again. His body reminded him that he wasn’t that young.
Unleashing all his adrenaline and emotions had left him dropped into that hazy state that he used to enjoy so much in his younger years. Now he preferred an easier life, without so many complications.
Though Mary was a complication he wanted to keep. He sought to spend many more mornings like this with her. Unable to stop his desire to be closer to her, he traced his finger down her face, moving off the soft strands of dark hair.
She moaned softly and the sweet sound cut straight to his heart. This he had wanted for more years than he dared to count. A woman he could wake up to in the morning and live a life with, yet a woman he could also sexually dominate at night.
Mary, in all her perfection, could give him that life.
She breathed deep with sleep, and his nasty divorce filled his mind. He’d married Kate when he was young and not fully understanding what he wanted from a life partner. More important, what he wanted from a submissive.
This woman, though, she was different.
Special.
When she looked at him, she broke his world apart, opening it to unknown possibilities. He brushed his finger through the strands of hair by her face, and her eyes opened.
“Hi,” she whispered.
“Good morning.” He continued to stroke her face. “Did you sleep well?”
“Incredibly well.” She snuggled her head against her pillow and shut her eyes, falling in to his touch.
Yes, darlin’, just be here with me.
Elliott allowed himself the moment to appreciate the tenderness between them. Though when Mary tensed, he frowned, anticipating her next move. Her eyes snapped open, the dark distance clouding in their depths. She shifted on the bed, putting space between them.
Coldness swept into his bones. He had hoped they’d moved past this. Now he realized whatever the reasons were that brought her to his hotel room last night no longer remained on her mind. He couldn’t hide the curtness in his voice. “Why do you do that?”
“Do what?” she asked, avoiding his gaze.
“Put distance between us.”
She sat up, pulling the sheets with her. “You know why this is hard for me.”
All he knew was the fury that filled his chest. Perhaps he allowed himself to think that her coming to him last night was a step in the right direction. His mind spun as he pushed off the duvet and rose. “No, I don’t know why.” The warm air brushed across his naked flesh as he narrowed his eyes on her. “I hear what you keep saying, yet your body tells me something else.”
She hesitated, her gaze raking over him, landing on his cock in a hot blaze of arousal. Then she lifted her head and only a blank stare greeted him. “Why can’t we just keep this casual and fun? Why can’t you be okay with what happened last night?”
“I am okay with what happened last night.” He grabbed his underwear and pants. Irritation made his movements jerky as he dressed. A relationship he had dreamed of was right there, nearly waiting for him, but her games continually stopped it. “I’m not okay with what happened this morning.”
“I don’t like to cuddle.”
No, she liked to cuddle when her mind shut off and she needed him to hold her. “Lie,” he all but spat.
Her brows drew together, a frown marring her face. “I’ve made it perfectly clear that I’m not looking for a romantic relationship.”
“Lie,” he growled, doing up the button on his pants.
She huffed, scowling at him. “I don’t know what else to tell you. I agreed that last night was a coincidence that couldn’t be ignored. That something drew us together and I needed to act on it. And you’re right, I do crave the hands of a Dominant man, but my heart belongs to Charles. It always will.”
Her words brushed across his senses, as a situation he hadn’t noticed before suddenly became clear. So much so that all her actions and everything she did made total sense. His chest tightened with the swell of anger inside. He had thought Mary kept putting distance between them out of guilt, because her husband died. Now he knew a truth that made sickness roll through him.
“I am a damn fool,” he bit off, folding his arms. “This whole time I thought you burned for me. But it’s not that, is it? You burn for your husband. When you’re with me you think of him, don’t you?” She paled before his eyes and cast her gaze down. His face heated with his glare. “I’m just a reminder of him. You don’t have the connection with me. You have it with Charles, and it’s that sensation—that feeling of your Dominant’s hands—you are after.”
He paused, waiting for her to refuse it.
She didn’t.
He reached for his shirt on the floor and then dressed. “Here I thought I found a beautiful connection, but it’s not that, is it? I’m simply witnessing the connection you have to your deceased husband.”
Again, he hesitated.
&nb
sp; She said nothing.
He scowled at her dark head of hair bowed to her lap. “I thought that first night you were experiencing an emotional drop from not playing in so long, but it wasn’t about that, was it?” He shook his head, anger boiling through him like a fever. “You imagined yourself with him. And the emotional response was because of how long you’ve craved his touch. You’ve been picturing him in your head every time we have played, haven’t you?”
She finally lifted her head, shame darkening her eyes. “Elliott.”
“Don’t.” He didn’t need further confirmation. “You may not know what you deserve, Mary. Or maybe you think you shouldn’t feel what you feel, so you can’t imagine yourself with anyone else. But I know what I deserve.”
“What do you deserve?” she whispered.
“To touch a woman and have her respond honestly.” His voice rose with the tension consuming him. “I deserve not to be lied to. I deserve to have her wake in my arms and be happy to be there. I deserve not to be used as a way for a woman to remember her dead husband, but that she wants to experience life with me.”
Her lips parted, then shut, and tears welled in her eyes.
He clenched his fists, his fingers biting into his palms. Even now, he despised her beauty. He cursed that he wanted to go to her and wrap his arms around her. He loathed the very fact that she would simply squirm away, not wanting his hold, but wishing it was Charles. Shaking his head in disgust, he growled, “I won’t continue to touch you like this.”
“Like what?”
He approached her side of the bed, staying out of her space. “You’re either with me or you’re not. It’s one thing to keep this casual. It’s another thing for you not to be honest with your feelings for me and pretend that I am someone else. Be real with me.”
“I’m being as real as I can.” Her voice rose, matching the flames of anger in his. She thrust the covers off and grabbed her dress off the floor. “I’m here, aren’t I? I’m giving you all I can give you.”
He crossed his arms, seeing her half-corset and knowing that one symbol told him how much she wasn’t with him. She wouldn’t have worn it for Charles, and keeping it on told him now it was her way of declaring she wasn’t Elliott’s. “No, you’re giving me all you think you can give me. All you think you deserve. What kind of man would that make me to allow it?”
The Club Sin Series 4-Book Bundle Page 82