Bend, Don't Break

by Skye Callahan

  My plans to go slow and savor each extended moment were lost to the chorus of groans and gasps. I watched her beneath me as the burning tingle started in my back, radiating through my nerves and unlocking a flood of pleasure that spread through my heated body.

  She trembled beneath me, and I captured her mouth at the moment the orgasm claimed her. I slammed into her harder, driving my cock deeper as she shuddered around me until my release took away my control with a long groan.

  The taste of her kiss lingered in my mouth—a taste that I could easily live on.

  We laid there for a few moments, catching our breath and finding our mutual peace.

  Bend, don’t break. Over and over, I had reminded her of that, but it was something we’d both had to learn. Maybe me more so than her. I’d struggled for months trying to figure out how to put the pieces of my life back together—to make sense of everything that I had become after the Retreat. But I’d become so rigid in my expectations and beliefs that I’d tried to throw out pieces that still belonged.

  “I love you, Rose,” I whispered, pressing against her. I expected her to be quiet—at least somewhat sated for the time being, but she smirked.

  “Good, then you can show me in all of the other rooms of the cabin.”

  I intended to, but I wasn’t making it too easy. “You should have told me I’d have to pace myself.”

  “Then, let’s hop in the shower and you can recover. Now that you’re fully warned, you can pace yourself for the rest of the night.”

  The rest of the night—I could do that, but she’d be the one who’d have to pace herself. I smacked her thigh, and she moved her lips to my ear and whispered, “I love you too.”

  I took her hand and led her to the bathroom, stopping along the way to grab the suitcase from near the door. Since she hadn’t known we were staying over for a few days, she’d have to deal with the clothes she brought down in her overnight bag, and what I’d packed her—which wasn’t much since I didn’t plan on leaving the cabin too often.

  That wasn’t going to be her only surprise. I pulled a black bag out of the suitcase—it looked like a large toiletry bag, but I’d filled it with a few amenities of my own choosing.

  I opened the side pocket and handed her the bath set.

  She shook the plastic case that held the small collection of bottles and soap. “I’m assuming that whole bag wasn’t just to hold this.”

  “Get the shower started, Sugar.”

  She huffed and shook her head, hanging the bath soaps on a hook inside the shower. Then, she leaned over to turn on the water. “I feel you staring at me,” she said, glaring at me over her shoulder.

  I wiggled my eyebrows and turned back to the toiletry bag, I began pulling out my new assortment, placing the lubes in a collection along the back of the sink. Then, I then cleaned all the vibrators and butt plugs and sat them to the side on a towel to dry.

  While my hands worked, I observed Rose through the mirror. She eyed me suspiciously but stayed near the shower where she couldn’t see my new collection until I turned and leaned against the wall.

  I licked my dry lips as I watched her eyes move from object to object.

  “I guess my razzing you about pacing yourself was utterly useless.” Her voice had gone from light and peppy to low and rough, seeded with passion and yearning.

  I closed the distance between us, tangling my fingers through her hair, and pulling her face up to meet mine. “Still trust me?”

  “Yes.” Her answer didn’t rise above a whisper, but the conviction in her eyes told me all I needed to know.

  We climbed under the hot water of the shower, our hot bodies pressed together, searching, exploring, finding new points of pleasure to exploit. The tingling pressure in my groin indicated that my cock was already fighting to come back to life, but it was going to have plenty of time to wait, and I intended to indulge in every bittersweet moment.

  I washed her body from neck to feet, then traded off the soap so she could do the same. Every movement sent tingles running through my skin, all demanding one thing.

  She dunked her hair under the water, and doused it with shampoo to get rid of the remaining hair spray, while I stood in front of her, tracing the suds down her front and fondling her breasts so I could watch her squirm.

  Once all the soap was washed away, I stepped out first, grabbing a towel to wrap her in before she climbed over the edge of the tub. She squeezed the excess water from her hair and twisted it up to finish drying off. Turning away from me, she reached to hang up the towel, and I grabbed a fistful of her wet hair, pulling her back against me.

  I still expected some ounce of trepidation in her eyes every time I seized her, but I had yet to see it. Instead, her eyes locked onto mine, waiting for me to do as I pleased or order her to do it.

  “Lean on the counter.”

  It was strikingly familiar to our early encounters at the Retreat—intentionally so, but not because I longed for that—I wanted to prove how far we’d come. To prove how different it was when the actions were built on trust and desire.

  She did as I asked, giving me full control of her slender form—mine for the taking.

  I shoved her legs apart, my fingers exploring her exposed pussy—already hot and wet for me. I grabbed the first bottle of lube and clicked it open, and letting tiny drips fall between her ass cheeks and roll down. The next drip landed on her puckered hole and she jumped slightly.

  I let another drop fall, then dragged my finger through the liquid, slipping it gently inside her. She moaned, and readjusted her footing as her head dropped to her hands.

  “Eyes in the mirror,” I said, pulling her hair back with my free hand. “Watch.”

  She kept her head up, silently obeying as I returned my concentration to exploring her. I reached around to her front, capturing her clit between two fingers and pinching and stroking in equal measure until Rose gasped for air.

  I picked up the smaller of the plugs and added a few extra drops of lube before pressing it to her hole and gently working it back and forth until it fell into place. Rose groaned and grasped at the counter, her eyes were wide and her mouth hung open.

  I pulled her upright, holding her against me as I washed my hands and packed up the rest of the toys and lube to move to the living room.

  “I think I’d like to see you crawl,” I growled, biting her ear.

  Her eyes hardened, her lips puckering. “Would you?”

  I patted the base of the plug and she grabbed the counter to balance herself. Her neck muscles tensed as she clenched her jaw and stared at me through the mirror.

  “What was that?” I asked.

  “Bedroom?” She raised her eyebrows and licked her lips.

  “Living room. Go get the blanket from the porch and lay it over the couch.”

  She dropped to her knees, taking my breath with her as she crawled out of the room. I followed close behind, watching her ass sway from side to side with the black base peeking out from between her cheeks.

  Leaving the bag on the side table, I waited until she had the comforter spread across the couch. I took a seat and pulled her up to straddle my lap with her warmth pressing against my cock. I twisted her hands behind her back and fastened a soft piece of cloth around them. In that position, her chest jutted forward—perfect for my mouth to explore her already erect nipples.

  With every moan, she pressed harder against me, arching her back and increasing my access.

  I stopped and her head fell forward. Her chest heaved as she raced futilely to catch her breath.

  “How long do you think I can keep you going?” I whispered.

  “Please,” her mouth moved in the shape of the word, but barely more than hissed air escaped.

  I patted the couch next to me then lifted her so that she stood on her knees in the center of the couch, facing the wall. I pushed her down to lean against the back of the couch, and fished through the bag for my next implement.

  Switching on
the vibrator, I pushed it to her clit and she shrieked and wriggled.

  “Still,” I said, smacking her ass. She groaned and squeezed her eyes closed as the impact jarred the plug nestled in her ass.

  I could see the concentration in her pinched expression as she tried not to move, but the involuntary spasms won out.

  She clenched her fists as her breathing continued to increase and her toes curled against my knees. Her moans and mews filled the small room, louder with every second she closed in on her next orgasm.

  Her back bucked and she lifted away from the back of the couch, her body jerking as the orgasm tore through her muscles. Dropping her head to the back of the couch, her body relaxed again—except for the small trembles that ran under her skin every few seconds.

  “Don’t tell me you’re done already,” I teased, untying her arms and pulling her hips back to meet mine.

  Rose straightened and then leaned back against me, reclining her head against my shoulder. Her fingers caressed my neck and gently moved along my jawline. “That all you got?”

  I chuckled and shoved her forward. “Lay down on your back.”

  She moved gingerly to disturb the plug as little as possible. I laid my hand against her side taking in the smooth feeling of her sweat-dampened skin.

  I grabbed a pair of nipple clamps, and as soon as she caught sight of the silver trinkets in my hand her mouth twisted into a pout. “I don’t like those.”

  “I do.” I twisted one nipple into a sharp peak again, and she bit her bottom lip but didn’t move to stop me—even when I tightened the cold metal clamp over the sensitive nub.

  Her breath shook jiggling her breasts as I repeated the same process on her other nipple.

  I slipped my hand between her legs, and she jerked as I found her clit again. “Can you tolerate the clamps?”

  “Mhh hmm,” she moaned as I continued stroking her clit with my thumb and inched two fingers inside of her. Slowly, her muscles relaxed again as she gave up the struggle and pleasure overwhelmed her discomfort.

  Leaning over her, I kissed and sucked at her neck until she bucked against me. Her nails dug into my shoulders, pulling me closer, and she nuzzled my neck. The gentle sensation turned into soft nips and one final bite.

  I stiffened and pulled away, a twisted smile played at her lips, balanced by the mischief in her eyes.

  “Oh, Sugar.” I twisted one of the clamps and she screamed, lifting her hips off the couch.

  Her scream turned into a guttural moan. “Still worth it.”

  My breath rumbled in my throat. My neck still burned, but the sensation sent blood streaming to my cock. Apparently part of me didn’t mind taking it as well as dishing it out—mainly because I enjoyed the twisted clash of our wills.

  And in the end, I knew mine would win out. I grabbed the bag and moved it to the side of the couch so I could reach its contents more easily. Then, I drew a single finger down her throat, over her sternum and down to her belly button, plotting what I’d do to get rid of that smug expression she still wore.

  “Pull your knees up to your chest.”

  Her eyebrow twitched as she obeyed, revealing the nub of the black butt plug. I picked up the lube and a larger plug, laying them on the comforter next to her. She gasped as I pulled the plug free, but instead of removing it, I slowly slid it back in.

  I watched as she strained to hold her knees in place while I moved the butt plug in and out a few times. Then, I dropped the used plug into a bag to be washed later and prepared the larger pink plug.

  This time, she whimpered as I pressed it against her entrance.

  “Relax, Sugar,” I stroked the inside of her thigh and her stomach as I worked the plug inside her. She cried out and bit her bottom lip when it popped into place.

  “Oooh,” she held the sound out. “I don’t like this one.”

  “You will,” I said, entirely confident of it. I crouched over her, pressing my cock to her entrance and sliding in slowly.

  Even with the plug creating extra pressure, she thrust up to take me in. She grabbed the comforter near her head, squeezing it until her knuckles whitened.

  “Don’t come,” I growled, pumping inside of her gently.

  She nodded, keeping her eyes on me.

  “Enjoying the view?”

  “Yes,” she breathed, then licked her lips. “Very much.”

  I sped up my motions, feeling the build start again. The pulsing ache built spreading out from my balls and heating my cock.

  Pressing her head into the couch, she lifted her hips, her body shaking under me as she grunted under the strain of holding back. I sat back and grabbed her hips pulling her up and tightly against me until my cock was buried inside of her.

  She gasped and pressed her hands upward into the arm of the couch.

  Rose gave me back myself—everything I’d lost during the year I spent at the Retreat. Every ounce of strength and willpower that had been slowly wrung out of me over the months. She was mine as much as I was hers. I took control and took her body, but only because she gifted it to me. It was that balance that made every moment delicious and breathtaking.

  Her jerks became more violent and she tightened around me.

  “Oh, please,” she said, on the verge of a sob.

  One more slow thrust and I leaned over her again, pressing my hand around her neck.

  Her eyes were glassy but focused. She knew exactly what was happening, but she’d given into the physical sensation.

  I held her throat tightly but still allowed her enough breath to keep from doing damage.

  “Please,” she croaked again as a shudder wracked her body.

  “Now, Sugar,” I whispered in her ear, the word tangling in my throat and coming out as worn and ragged as I felt.

  Her hips slammed up against me and her insides shuddered against my cock. Her eyes fluttered closed, but her mouth widened, gasping for air.

  I thrust harder, riding her waves of pleasure until I hit my own release and came inside of her. My own body shook, and my arms nearly refused to support me as I released each of the nipple clamps and dropped them into the bag. I laid on top of her, resting my head on her chest while her fingers wound through my hair.

  After I removed the second plug, we both stumbled toward the bedroom, curled up together under the remaining blankets, and fell asleep before another word could be spoken.

  Epilogue

  There were times I tried my damnedest to imagine a happy ending after the Retreat. It was forced and generic—some fairy tale happily ever after that I knew was a mockery of life. I lost people I cared about, worked with, and respected. There were days I never thought anything would get better.

  And yet six months after the raid, I found myself leaving work to visit the woman I loved.

  Not only that, but I also had a surprise—and I hoped to the heavens that she liked it.

  Rose was in the kitchen putting away groceries when I walked in.

  “I talked to Fiona today.” Her voice was high and perky. Between Katie and Fiona she was always gossiping with someone lately.

  “Ah, yeah?” I picked up an apple from the fruit bowl on the table and took a bite. I had a feeling I already knew what her news was going to be since I had crossed paths with Ryan earlier in the day.

  “She had a date last night.” When Rose turned around, she was smiling ear to ear, but after studying me for a minute, it faded slightly. “Ryan already told you, didn’t he?”

  “He may have alluded to it,” I admitted, pulling her closer and brushing her hair back. “But I’ll assume from your smile she enjoyed it.”

  “She did. It was dinner and a movie, but it was the world to her. It’s nice to see her happy.”

  I chuckled. I wasn’t intent on letting her go yet, but she wriggled out of my grasp and started putting away a new bag of groceries.

  “That the last one?” I asked.

  She nodded and chucked a box of cereal at me. “You could be a gentleman a
nd help.”

  “I may have to do something about that bossiness.”

  Making a sound in her throat that twisted my core, she turned on her heels. “You do that. After dinner.”

  I flipped her around and pressed her forward into the refrigerator, twisting her hands behind her back and securing them in one hand. “See what I mean about the bossiness.”

  The more I threatened, the more her smile grew—it was useless, really.

  But damn fun.

  And it’d have to wait. “I have something I want to show you. Then, we’ll discuss dinner and pleasure.”

  “Well, that’s no fun,” she stretched her head back against my shoulder and I nipped at her shoulder. Holding the pinch of skin until she squirmed.

  Definitely damn fun. I was too tempted to follow through with my threat immediately, but I reminded myself that the anticipation would be just as much fun—especially when I got to watch her writhe.

  Plus, I was just as anxious to show her my surprise, and if I had to put that off much longer, I’d be the one fidgeting through dinner.

  I released her, and she packed away the last of the groceries and shoved the bags into a bin under the counter.

  “What are you so intent on showing me, then?”

  I shrugged and backed out of the kitchen. She caught up with me by the time I’d reached the door, grabbing her purse and keys along the way.

  My surprise was about a fifteen miles out on the highway road that wound through the state forest.

  Rose watched every sign and landmark we’d passed. I figured she must have been out this way at least once, since the lakes, picnic areas, and hiking trails were fairly popular during the summer, but she reminded me quite astutely that she was not a country girl.

  I didn’t want to change much about her, but that was something I was keen on working on.

  “Seriously, James, if I hear banjo music, I’m bailing.”

  “We’re on a main highway.” I squeezed her thigh just above the knee until she twisted to get away. “We’ll be there in about five minutes.”

  “Does this place have food?”

  “No. Just enjoy the ride, Sugar.”