by Anna Lewis
“I never said I was perfect,” she chided.
“You’re perfect for me,” he corrected.
He took her hand and they made their way back to the car, and Eric headed toward his house.
“Where are we going?”
“Our place first,” he said, and his words sent her heart to fluttering wildly.
“Why?”
“Shouldn’t we figure out where you’re going to put your stuff before we move it?”
“I guess,” she said, a little disappointed that that was his only plan.
“We can celebrate later, after you move your stuff in.”
His voice held the promise of something spectacular, and she perked up.
“What do you have in mind?”
“I’m thinking a trip to Vegas is in order.”
Her skin tingled at the thought, and she couldn’t wipe the huge smile off her face. They hadn’t been to Vegas since that first weekend, and she was dying to go again. She shook her head inwardly. Why hadn’t she just asked him to go to Vegas? He said it all the time; if you want something, ask for it. But somehow, Shawna was always hesitant to ask for the things that she really wanted. It was a habit she had to break, and something she committed right then and there to work on.
“That smile,” he said. “It’s like a window into your thoughts. I wish I knew what you were thinking right now so I could make you smile like that all the time.”
“I was thinking that I have been wanting to go to Vegas for a long time, and I should have spoken up sooner. I decided to be more vocal about what I want.”
“I like that,” he said.
“Can we leave tomorrow? I know it’s only Wednesday, but I think we both deserve a long weekend.”
“We can leave tonight if you want.”
“What about moving the contents of my apartment?”
“There are some perks to being rich,” he said. “We’ll go take care of paying off your lease and signing any paperwork your landlord wants you to sign, but the actual moving will be done by movers. You don’t have to lift a finger and I’ll have someone at the house to make sure that they put it all in the right place.”
“That sounds amazing,” she said. “I never even thought of doing that. As for the lease, there’s no need to pay it off. My lease is up at the end of next month and I didn’t renew my lease.”
This earned a surprised look from Eric.
“You didn’t renew your lease?”
“No. I have until the end of this month to decide, and I wasn’t sure how to broach the subject.”
Eric pulled into the driveway in front of the house, putting the car in park, then turning to look at her.
“Wait a minute. You made me go through all of that, and you were already planning on letting the apartment go?” He laughed, shaking his head then kissing her impulsively. “You’re something else.”
She smiled.
“I didn’t know whether I was going to keep the apartment or not. I have three weeks left to decide, and I was trying to figure out how to bring it up without seeming clingy.” She shrugged. “But, really, why shouldn’t you be the one to bring it up. I know you’re always saying that if I want something, I should speak up. But this time, what I wanted was for you to tell me what you wanted. I get that the sub is the one with all the power, but sometimes, all this sub wants is a man that takes control and goes after what he wants.”
He reached out and grabbed her then, pulling her onto his lap and wrapping his arms around her for a long, passionate kiss.
“I’m more than happy to be that man for you,” he said, kissing her until he took her breath away, then opening the door and standing up with her still in his arms.
“What are you doing?” she asked, her arms going around his neck.
“Well, you said you weren’t ready for marriage for a while, so I’m taking control of the situation and I’m starting a new tradition. Today is your official move-in day, and I’m carrying you across the threshold.”
“You’re such a romantic,” she said, her voice dreamy. “How in the world did I get so lucky?”
“I’ve asked myself the same thing a dozen times today.”
“You ask yourself how I got so lucky?” she teased.
He laughed, shaking his head and setting her down in the entryway.
“No Ma’am,” he said, letting his Texas drawl come out full force and tugging at her heart strings. “I ask myself every morning when I wake up next to you and at night when I go to sleep with you in my arms what I did to deserve a woman like you. You’re one of a kind, Shawna Jones. And I am one lucky man.”
***
Shawna was a bundle of nervous energy when she stepped out of the hired car in front of the hotel, taking in the bright lights of the sign and the beautiful architecture that made the hotel stand out in its place at the end of the strip. Off the main road and just a little out of the way, it was still super busy, and Shawna felt her excitement growing. Reading the sign, she realized that she had never even asked the name of the hotel.
“What does Sur le Bord mean?” she asked Eric quietly.
“It means, ‘on the edge’.”
“And that’s how people know what kind of hotel this is?”
“No,” he laughed. “I list it quietly on BDSM websites, and that’s why I have the main lobby set up like a regular hotel so we can quietly redirect those that find their way here on accident.”
“I’m glad no one redirected me,” she said, laughing.
“I wouldn’t have let them if they tried. You look beautiful tonight,” he said, kissing her cheek as they paused to let the doorman open the door for them.
“Thank you,” she said, smoothing the flowing dress down with shaking hands.
She wasn’t scared, but she could barely contain her excitement at the night ahead, and she was hoping that Eric enjoyed the surprise that she had for him. So much had been leading up to this night, and she was so ready to take this next step and let herself just be who she was.
If Eric noticed her excitement, he must have chalked it up to being in the hotel again, and nothing more than that. He bypassed the lobby, his key the same one that he always used for the full floor suite that was solely for his use. The clerk at the desk smiled at him, but otherwise didn’t acknowledge his presence.
They went straight to his suite and ordered room service while they sat on the sofa and sipped wine from the chilled bottles that had greeted them when they arrived.
Their meal arrived quickly, and they sat together at the formal dining room table, enjoying the decadent meal and talking about their hopes and dreams together. The memories they had made here filled Shawna with a pleasant familiarity and she found that she was enjoying getting to know Eric on a deeper level just as they had when their love was first new. She made a mental note to make a trip to the hotel in Vegas at least once every few months, and knew that the ritual would keep their love fresh and new for years to come.
“I’ve been thinking about that room off your bedroom,” she said when the last of the meal had been consumed and the room service tray had been taken away. “I think it’s time you showed me what was hiding behind that door.”
He looked across his wine glass at her, his expression one of pleasant surprise.
“I had forgotten that you didn’t get to see what was in there,” he said. “It wasn’t that I was hiding it so much as I was afraid that you would be overwhelmed by it.”
“And now?”
“And now, I guess I don’t know if I’ll be able to get you out of the room once you go in.”
“Sounds wonderful,” she said, standing and setting her half-finished glass of wine down. “How about now?”
“Now is as good a time as any,” he said, the slow smile spreading across his face.
He reached out and took her hand, leading her down the hallway to the bedroom and taking a key out to unlock the door.
“You’re serious about keeping this a pri
vate room,” she said, even more intrigued.
“I’m serious about my expensive toys not walking off,” he corrected with a wink.
He opened the door and Shawna stepped in, looking around the room and taking it all in.
“I don’t even know what half of these things are for,” she said quietly.
“I’ll show you,” he said.
“Can we try one now?” she said, looking at one piece of furniture that looked especially interesting.
“Sure,” he said. “You want to pick, or do you want me to?”
“I want to try that one,” she said, pointing to a narrow bench of sorts that had a lot of padding and just as many straps.
“The spanking bench it is,” Eric said.
They walked by a display of leather paddles and straps, and Eric selected one without breaking stride. Shawna’s heart was racing and she already felt the excitement welling inside her.
She stood in front of the bench and lifted her arms as Eric took off her dress, then removed her bra and panties. He helped her get on the bench, giving her instructions and moving her arms and legs around until she was laying over the padded section angled downward so that her ass was in the air, knees held wide. When he started loosely strapping her in, she felt her body respond with a flood of heat and she knew that she was going to enjoy this.
“I’ll be gentle,” he said. “We have lots of time to play this weekend, and I don’t want to wear your ass out before the weekend even gets underway.”
She was about to respond when the first slap of the leather against her skin connected, and her thought was cut off as the sting gave way to heat and a second swat caught her on the other butt cheek. She struggled against the straps, trying to move her backside out of the way of the strap, but she was held fast. Her excitement grew with each swat of the thin leather, and before she knew it, she could feel an orgasm building.
When she saw him set the strap down out of the corner of her eye, she felt a wave of disappointment wash through her. She wasn’t even close to done, and she was hoping that he would spank her through the orgasm. She was about to voice her needs when she heard the unmistakable sound of Eric pulling the belt from his belt loops and her mouth went dry.
Yes! Shawna thought as the wide leather belt connected with her skin, covering both ass cheeks and curling around her hip. She arched her back as much as she could, restrained the way she was, and she moaned with each blow, her excitement growing. The heat rose in her, and when her climax loomed she yelled out to Eric, begging him to spank her faster.
He complied, and with a cry of sheer ecstasy, she gave herself over to her release, trembling and writhing against the restraints, the rhythmic sound of the leather against her skin fueling her passion.
When her orgasm quieted, Eric’s hands were on her flesh, rubbing her to take the sting out and checking out his handiwork. Shawna heard his zipper open and she felt his rigid shaft push against her. She moaned, begging him to take her, and sighing when he slid inside her, burying himself to the hilt and thrusting into her fast and hard.
When he found his own release, Shawna’s body was already gearing up for another orgasm, and she climaxed an instant after he cried out her name and pounded her mercilessly until he’d drained every last bit of himself.
He left her there like that, on display and catching her breath while he enjoyed the sight of her.
“I love it when you’re naked like this,” he said. “If I had my way, you would be naked everywhere we go.”
Shawna’s body tightened in response and she thought of all the places that they could make that very thing a reality. Maybe it’s time for a hotel like this one a little closer to home, she mused.
He unstrapped her, and led her to the bathroom, filling up the jet tub but not making a move to undress himself. He bathed her then, his hands cleaning and exploring every inch of her body leisurely as if he had nothing more important to do. Shawna’s body responded to his every touch, and she found herself longing to feel him inside her again.
Cleaned and rinsed, he helped her out of the tub and laid her out on the low bench, a plush towel beneath her. He dried every inch of her, from head to toe, once again exploring every crevice and curve, drawing shy blushes from her when his touch became personal and the reality of being the only naked person in the room washed over her. She felt exposed and euphoric all at once, and she knew that this was something that she enjoyed on a deep level.
Eric worked lotion into her skin, paying careful attention to her reddened backside, then sitting with her while she air dried in the peaceful room.
When he brought her dress to her, she didn’t bother putting her underwear on. Her taut nipples strained against the fabric and were clearly visible. He reached out with both hands, playfully pinching her nipples through the fabric, then leaning over and kissing her.
“I think that you liked the bench more than I do,” he said, kissing her neck and her shoulders as he spoke. “You’re naughtier than even I thought you were.”
“It’s my favorite so far,” she admitted.
“Well, I guess we’ll have to play with it a little more this weekend, but I think that’s enough spanking for tonight.”
He nuzzled her ear and she shivered, leaning into his touch and wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Can we go to the meeting area?” she asked. “I’m not ready to call it a night yet.”
“Sure,” he said, his voice husky and his pants already straining against his own excitement. “I was hoping that you would say that, but I wasn’t going to push you.”
“I’m ready to push myself,” she said, standing up and walking down the hallway with Eric right on her heels. “I feel safe with you, and I want to explore the things I’ve been thinking about for weeks. I feel powerful beneath your fingertips.”
“I’m happy to hear that. There’s nothing sexier than a powerful woman giving herself over to pleasure.”
He stopped at the credenza in the sitting room, opening a drawer and pulling out the emerald choker she’d worn when they had last visited the hotel. Eric put it on her, carefully closing the clasp and letting her hair fall onto her shoulders.
He followed her out the door and onto the elevator and was pushing the button for the lower level meeting room when she stopped him.
“I’m feeling a little more adventurous tonight,” she said, pushing the button above and hoping that she wasn’t making a huge mistake.
She hadn’t seen this floor yet, and she was a little afraid of what it would hold.
“Works for me,” he said with a gentle laugh. “I like this side of you.”
“You haven’t seen it all yet,” she teased.
“I’m a patient man,” he said.
The elevator door opened up and they stepped off the elevator car and into the hall. Eric opened the door and Shawna stepped in, looking in awe at the room that was lit much more brightly than the beginner's room. Around the room there were various benches and other kinky furniture aides. Unlike the dark, dungeonesque feel of the other room, this room was white, crisp, and inviting.
“How do you like it?” Eric asked.
“I like it,” she said. “But I was envisioning a dark room when I made my plan, and now I’m not sure I can do this.”
“We can always go back down a floor,” he said gently, no hint of humor in his voice.
“You’re so sweet, but I want to do this,” she said.
“I’m right here,” he said, though his expression said that he had no idea what she had planned.
Before she could talk herself out of it, she slipped the shoulders of her dress off her arms and let it drop to the floor. She stepped out of the puddle of cloth at her feet and hung the dress on one of the jacket hooks that lined the wall beside the door, then she looked at Eric, standing there in the open in nothing but the choker with the emerald heart around her neck.
She turned, looking at her reflection in one of the many mirrors and smiling
at the still rosy glow of her backside. Eric was looking, too, and Shawna felt a rush of excitement at just knowing that everyone would know what they’d been doing shortly before coming downstairs.
Eric sucked in a quick breath and smiled.
“Perfect,” he said.
She slipped her hand into his and she let him lead her around the room, enjoying the feel of the air against her bare skin and holding her head high. She felt bold and beautiful, and it was all thanks to the strength and love of the man by her side. Eric had opened up a new world for her, and she was never going back to that timid, stifled woman she had once been.
She had finally found her power, and it was hers to keep.
THE END
= Bonus Book 3 of 20 =
Dragon’s Revenge
The sound of the patrons in the background was a pleasant hum. It helped Janice settle herself for the upcoming night—she suspected that it was going to be a busy day and an even busier night. Business around the bar had been picking up lately and Janice was not about to turn down business for anyone. She smiled with a sigh as she fastened her apron and tucked in the strings, checking herself in the little mirror that was tucked back behind the door. She looked okay—neat and polished, just like the customers wanted. But she couldn’t deny that she was starting to look a little worse for wear due to exhaustion.
Long, long nights working at the bar were starting to take their toll on her and she could feel the exhaustion creeping in at the edges of her vision and leaving her feeling a little less sparkly than she usually did. That was okay though. Janice had already decided that this was worth it. It was, in fact, more than worth it. There was nowhere that she would rather be than at this bar, serving the patrons fresh alcohol.
It wasn’t where she had seen her life heading, but things had taken an unexpected turn recently. She had received a phone call from her sister several weeks ago. Her younger sister had sounded distraught, and was trying to figure out how the heck she was supposed to keep her bar afloat. She had been running a bar along one of the main highways for a few years, which she had set up with her husband. Everything had been idyllic and beautiful and everything that Charlie, Janice’s sister, had been hoping for. It wasn’t until Charlie discovered her husband with another woman that things had started to go downhill.