Mastered 2: Ten Tales of Sensual Surrender

by Opal Carew

  With lightning speed, Nate reversed their positions. Bracing himself above her, the muscles in his thick neck strained and bulged. His eyes went as dark as she’d ever seen them. But despite his own obviously raging desire, he probed her entrance carefully, softly prodding her, testing her readiness.

  She was ready. More than ready.

  Because Nate had made sure she would be. He was breaking down her barriers one by one.

  Gently, he penetrated her. Corinne’s body jolted. She clamped around him.

  “You’re so tight.” His body tightened with tension. He hissed out a breath. “Sweet mercy, baby. You’re so incredibly tight.”

  He rocked in and out of her slowly rather than ramming into her. But she wanted all of him inside her and arched up to meet him.

  Nate went still for an instant that elicited a whimper from her then thrust hard and deep sending Corinne up the mattress to the headboard. He changed the angle of his thrust so his rock hard erection brushed her clit with each stroke.

  Nate thrust hard again, the length and the tip of him sparking every nerve ending. His back and forth movement sent her soaring to another dizzying height.

  “Come, Corinne. I want you to come.”

  Nate crushed his mouth to hers. He squeezed her nipple and twisted. A light, like a sunburst, flared behind her eyes and she screamed out her completion. Nate’s own hoarse shout followed.

  Chapter Nine

  Corinne’s eyes were heavy-lidded. Her cheeks flushed. She looked like a woman who’d been pleasured and pleasured well. Nate smiled, feeling completely happy and yes, smug that he was the man who’d brought her to pleasure.

  He ran a knuckle down her cheek. “I promised you dinner. You ready to eat?”

  She turned that beautiful passion-dazed gaze on him and it hit him in both his heart and his cock.

  “I’m not sure I can move,” she said.

  He was still deep inside her. He wasn’t sure he had the strength to move either. He was sure he didn’t want to, but he’d force himself. She needed to eat. With a groan he withdrew from the tight clasp of her body. Their mutual trapped fluids spilled out.

  “Oh. That’s messy.” Corinne lowered her gaze and red filled her cheeks.

  Nate tipped up her chin. “Making love is messy if it’s done right.”

  He eased off her and returned with a wet, soapy washcloth to cleanse her. Once he had, he left her to return to the adjoining bathroom and attend to himself.

  By the time he had washed and dressed, Corinne was no longer in his bedroom. He found her in the kitchen. She was at the counter also fully dressed and turned at his entrance.

  “I think these steaks I found marinating in the fridge are for us?” At his nod, she went on. “I have potatoes ready to go in the oven if that’s all right and I can use the lettuce and other veggies I found to make a salad, if you’d like?”

  She was so tentative, so unsure. It made him want to pound Steven into dust. Nate went to her, couldn’t help himself from tipping up her chin and kissing her. He brought her close. She was so small in his arms, barely reaching his shoulder. His need to possess her, to own her fully, and God, yes, his need to protect her surged.

  He ran his thumb across her lips. “You bet I like. I like anything at all when it comes to you.”

  Again, her cheeks went pink as if any kind of praise or compliment was something new to her. Nate’s rage sparked thinking of how Steven had caused her to doubt herself. Of all the things Steven had done to her, and Nate knew he didn’t have the full list and likely never would, undermining her self-confidence was the worst.

  He wanted her to regain the self-assurance and the spirit she’d had before Steven’s abuse had made her fearful and uncertain. He wanted her submissive, yes, but not cowed and God, not afraid of him, never afraid of him. He loved that she had spirit, had admired that in her and envied Steven.

  Nate wanted her strong, with her own thoughts, opinions and her own desires. Desires he intended to explore, to nurture. He wanted her to thrive under his dominance.

  He’d thought they’d taken a step in that direction today, but she bit her lower lip and now again, uncertainty filled her eyes. She wanted to say something to him, but was holding herself back.

  “Corinne, whatever’s on your mind, you can tell me. Ask me.” He hated that because of Steven Nate had to add, “You don’t ever have to be worried you’ll piss me off and I’ll take that anger out on you when we play.”

  She studied him then slowly licked her lower lip. She hadn’t done it to entice him, he knew, but out of nerves. Still, seeing that sweet tongue brought back when it was sweeping across his cock a few minutes earlier, and he got rock hard again. “What is it baby?”

  “You knew exactly what I needed to orgasm.”

  Nate lifted a brow. “You mean the bite of pain with the pleasure.” He said it as a statement not a question. Yes, he did know. As her Dom he was supposed to know. But he kept his response light. He winked at her. “Happy to oblige.” She looked stricken. His response hadn’t eased her. This was gnawing at her. “As your Dom I’m supposed to know what triggers will give you the sweetest pleasure. I’m supposed to know what to do to elicit the response from you that I want and make no mistake, your pleasure is the response I want. Never doubt that.”

  She hugged herself. “It scares me, Nate.” The words sounded ripped from her. “This need inside me scares me. I’ve been asking myself if I say one thing while my body says another. If I . . . brought what Steven did to me on myself.” Her voice cracked. “Steven was my first Dom, my only Dom. He was the one who taught me about the lifestyle. He recognized that I was submissive, that I craved dominance.

  “But the way he was with me . . . he said he had subs before but he wasn’t like that with them. He said that there was something in me that brought out that side of him. Something in me that needed, craved what he did to me. I keep asking myself if he was right. If I brought what he did to me on myself.”

  She closed her eyes tightly for an instant and when she opened them they shone with tears. “And I’m afraid that the longer you and I are together, whatever part of me that made Steven do what he did, will make you want to hurt me too.”

  Seeing her in such pain, Nate felt as if his heart were being ripped from his chest. Steven had fucked with her head in ways Nate had never imagined. It was a wonder he hadn’t broken her completely. If Corinne had been less than she was, Steven surely would have.

  Nate had to fight to control the rage he was feeling. This wasn’t about him and his fury. This was about her.

  As hard as it was for Nate to hear, it was progress that she felt comfortable opening up to him about her time with Steven and just how deep her fears ran. This was the first time she ever had. It was a sign of trust.

  Nate banded his arms around her and brought her flush against him. He could feel her trembling in his arms. “Steven used your need against you as an excuse to hurt you. Put any blame off yourself and squarely on him. You didn’t do anything wrong in your submission. This is his epic fail as a Dom and as a man.” Nate looked down at her, willing her to see the truth of his words in his eyes. “There is nothing in you that would compel a man, a Dom, to hurt you. There is nothing in you that will ever make me hurt you.”

  Her eyes overflowed with tears. Nate pulled her tight against him again, wrapping his arms around her, standing between her and anything that would hurt her. God help the man who would try to harm her.

  Her tears soaked into his T-shirt. Nate closed his eyes. Her pain cut him as nothing else could and he felt as if his insides were bleeding. He could only hope that her tears were cathartic and another step away from the nightmare of her past.

  Eventually, she drew back from him. She swiped at her damp eyes and cheeks. “I’ll start on the salad.”

  “Leave it for now. Let’s get a pair of my sweats on you and a jacket. Your dress isn’t warm. Once you’ve changed, come out on the back deck with me and stay
with me while I grill the steaks. I want you in my arms.”

  She looked at him as if he’d just handed her the stars, then she pressed tight against him. It was the first time she’d initiated any contact between them. The significance that she’d reached out to him wasn’t lost on Nate and his heart did a slow roll. He wound his arms around her, holding her as tightly as he could without hurting her. Nothing felt more right than having her in his arms.

  She was quiet while he grilled the steaks then during dinner, lost in her own thoughts. Nate damned Steven to hell.

  Corinne was starting the cleanup, rinsing plates then stacking them in the dishwasher.

  Nate took a plate from her, leaving it on the counter. “I’ll get to those later.” He took her hand loosely in his. “How about taking in a movie? We can go out or rent one. Your choice about that and the movie.”

  “I’d love to just stay in and watch something here.”

  She looked pale and fragile and though she looked adorable in his oversized clothing, it struck him just how small and delicate she was. He smoothed her hair back from her brow and kissed her lightly. “Then that’s what we’ll do.”

  In his living room, Nate picked up the remote and scrolled the rental movies on offer.

  “You said it was my choice?” Corinne asked.

  “Yup. Any movie you want.”

  She gave him a small, shy smile and chose a romantic comedy, a definite chick flick. Nate was watching her closely and saw the glimmer of light that filled her eyes for an instant. She was teasing him with that choice. It was so unlike her, or more accurately, unlike the Corinne she’d become because of Steven. Nate felt s smile split his face and he felt lighter than he had in the two years since Corinne had run to him. In Nate’s mind, he shouted a “Fuck You” to Steven. Despite all Steven had done to her, Corinne was making her way back.

  Once the choice had been made, Nate popped corn. He put the big bowl of popcorn on the table then settled on the couch and opened his arms and Corinne went into them. He started the movie.

  The couple on the screen was just getting to their first romantic entanglement when Corinne closed her eyes . . .

  * * *

  Corinne woke to kisses on her cheeks and brow. She opened her eyes. For an instant, she panicked. Where was she? Then Nate’s face came into focus above hers.

  “You’re okay.” Nate stroked her cheek with the tip of his finger. “You’re with me at my place.”

  Of course. The wonderful evening they’d shared came back to her. Steven and all she’d shared with Nate about her submission came back to her as well. A coldness swept through her. She fought back thoughts of Steven. He had no place in the here and now with Nate. Steven had no place with her and Nate. She had to keep telling herself that over and over until she wouldn’t need to anymore because Steven would be gone from her mind. But even as she told herself that now, another chill came over her.

  Nate’s gaze was on her as sharp as a laser, his concern evident. “Baby, you cold?”

  She didn’t want him to worry and shook her head. “I’m fine. I’m just sorry I fell asleep.”

  Nate pushed hair gently back from her forehead. “No need to be.” He lowered his brows in a mock-stern expression. “Though you did leave me with that awful movie.”

  Corinne’s lips twitched. “How did it turn out?”

  He narrowed his eyes and bared his teeth in an evil smile that had her laughing. “I think I’ll let you watch it to find out.”

  Nate brushed his fingertips across her lips then kissed her, lightly at first then deepening the kiss when she kissed him back. His breath had become faster, as had hers, when he drew back.

  “Time to take you home,” he said

  The stab of regret and sorrow that the evening was at an end blindsided her. Her face must have revealed her thoughts.

  Nate brushed his thumb gently across her lips. “You know you can spend the night.”

  The idea of staying with Nate no longer sounded like an impossible dream. She wanted to stay. Really wanted to. She wasn’t ready for that yet. But one day soon she believed she would be. That belief had the hope inside her that she would be able to conquer her fears and put the past behind burning a little brighter. “Not tonight.” Holding his gaze she added, “Not yet.”

  Nate eyes warmed on her. “The offer stands. Anytime.” He pressed a kiss to her palm. “I’ll drive you home. Leave your car here. I’ll pick you up in the morning. Take you out for breakfast and we’ll spend the day together.”

  She would love nothing more but . . . “I’m working the day shift and then I need to study. I have an exam coming up.” Recalling Steven’s anger at her talk of school and his dictate that she quit, she felt nervous telling Nate about her exam and her stomach clutched.

  Nate’s eyes narrowed. “Whatever you’re thinking, I can see it isn’t good.”

  “It’s just that I didn’t know how you’d feel about me taking time away from you to study.”

  Nate’s eyes narrowed further. “Now you’re just pissing me off.”

  Corinne’s cheeks heated with shame. “I’m sorry. I should have known you wouldn’t object. You’ve never been anything but supportive.”

  “In time you will know.” He gave her another of his mock-stern looks. “Don’t let it happen again.”

  Tears filled her eyes at his easy acceptance.

  “Hey, baby, what’s this?” He framed her face between his palms and kissed the damp spots on her cheeks.

  She shook her head. “I’m a weepy mess today. Ignore me.”

  “Not while I’m still breathing will I ever ignore you or downplay your feelings. I won’t let anyone else do that either, including you.” He kissed her brow, his lips lingering. “Come on. Let’s get you home so you can get a good night’s sleep and be ready to crack those books tomorrow.”

  Chapter Ten

  School was out. Christmas was just one week away. Corinne loved Christmas. Despite her family’s efforts, Christmas had not been a time of joy and celebration for her in the last two years. Not so this year and she’d gone all out. Her apartment looked wonderfully festive with ornaments and decorations she’d collected over the years.

  She wasn’t working today. In fact, she was off work for the whole Christmas week. She’d planned on going home for Christmas, but lately, Blake County had begun to feel like home.

  Because of Nate. He was the reason she no longer felt displaced and lost.

  She hadn’t seen him all week while she’d studied hard then took her exams. They’d limited contact to brief phone calls. She’d missed him more than she would have believed possible.

  She planned to host a small Christmas dinner, just the few friends she’d made at school and at the diner, like Mr. Heaton who was widowed and living on his own. It would be her and her friends, if they were available, and Nate.

  She was going to invite him today. She’d already told Nate that school would be over today and that she wasn’t working and he was going to pick her up at her place at the end of his work day. It was just nine a.m. now. She’d just found out that she got an “A” on an exam and couldn’t wait to show him. More and more she found herself wanting to share things with him. She hadn’t initiated their relationship so far. But today, she was feeling on top of the world. Like she could conquer it.

  Her exam would also give her an excuse to see him now rather than wait until tonight. She could stop by his office. It was a bold move, to just drop in and surprise him. But she was going to go for it. It felt wonderful. Grinning wide, she turned her car around and headed there.

  Nate’s offices were on the fifteenth floor of the corporate office building. The reception area was decorated in an attractive mix of blues and grays.

  There was a desk where Corinne presumed an administrative assistant sat and a few chairs for clients or visitors. At the moment, however, Corinne was the only one here.

  The phone was ringing non-stop. Above that noise, Nate’s ang
ry voice reached her from one of the back offices.

  “I don’t care that it’s one week before Christmas. I need someone now. Do your job and find me someone!”

  Corinne found Nate in his office, talking on his cell phone. He was standing behind his desk. His tie hung loose around his neck as if he’d started to tie it but hadn’t finished.

  “Fuck,” he muttered.

  He looked up, saw her and his gaze sharpened. “Hey.” He came around the desk. “What are you doing here, sweetheart? Everything okay?”

  “Ah.” She felt silly now rushing over to see him when it looked like he had a lot more important things to deal with. “Yes. Everything’s fine.”

  Nate hauled her into his arms. “I’ve missed you.” He nuzzled her neck. “You feel so good.”

  She savored the feeling of being close to him. She could feel the steady beat of his heart against her cheek. “You, too.”

  He framed her face between his large hands then kissed her hard, as if he were starved for her. She was starved for him as well. She rose on tiptoe and wound her arms around his neck, curving her body to his. Without breaking the kiss, Nate lifted her off the floor and held her in his arms.

  The phone rang again. Nate went on kissing her. He seemed content to let the phone continue to ring.

  She glanced at him. “Your phone keeps ringing. Don’t you have someone to answer it?”

  “Just me.” He brought her mouth back to his and said in between kisses, “My partners are all out on assignment and our admin went home this morning. Flu. I’ve been trying to get a temp to fill in but apparently the flu and the holiday has the agency short staffed as well. I’ve been letting the calls go to voicemail until I could get to them.”

  “I could help out this week. Answer phones. Whatever you need.”

  Nate drew back and looked at her as if she’d just offered him a kidney. “Really?”

  She nodded, thrilled to be able to do this for him.

  Nate frowned. “Wait? Aren’t you flying to California before Christmas?”

  She shook her head. “Not before Christmas and . . .” She hesitated feeling uncertain. She twisted her fingers together. “I’ve been thinking I might stay in Blake over the holiday after all.”