"No, I'm fine, Dale, I'm quite warm," she replied, smiling seductively. Oh, my, the wine is really having an effect on me… or maybe it was the unexpected kiss.
He didn't reply as he started the car and drove to a secluded gated condo community in the suburbs.
As she looked around, she remarked, "This is beautiful, Dale. I can't believe you're giving this up to move back home."
"It's only a condo, Cora. I'm not attached to it, although it is very nice. I already have a buyer for it. I just need to find a place in Fredericksburg now."
"Good luck with that," she replied.
"Actually, I already have a place in mind."
"Yes, I guess it makes sense that you've been looking."
He helped her out of the car, and between the two of them, they carried their luggage into the condo.
"Here, let me take your things to your room. Then I'll give you the grand tour." He took her bags and disappeared down the hallway. When he reappeared, he smiled as he took her hand. "Ready?"
"Lead the way," she told him again.
He led her into a room on the right of the foyer. A large stone fireplace greeted her on the far wall of the room. "I'll light a fire in there while you're here. It's very nice when lit."
"This is your living room, I take it. You have excellent taste in furniture. Did you decorate it yourself?"
"Most of it, yes. I picked out the furniture myself. I liked the leather-and-chrome look. I had a designer do the rest."
She admired the oversized brown leather couch and matching chair. There was a cream-colored recliner in the room as well, along with a large flat-screen television set and a complete entertainment center. The tables were chrome and glass, and beautiful paintings adorned the walls. A bookcase stood on one wall, and it was, surprisingly, full of books.
"Let's move on. If we walk through this doorway, we'll be in my dining room. This room almost never gets used."
She looked at the large oak table and six chairs with matching hutch and thought that it was a shame it never got used. He led her into the kitchen, and she gasped as she looked around. The room was ultra-modern, with the latest in stainless steel appliances. Stark white cabinetry was topped by granite counters, and there was a bar with three barstools.
"I usually eat at the bar or in the living room when I eat at home," he explained.
"This kitchen is wonderful. I can imagine whipping up all sorts of gourmet meals in here."
"Do you cook, Cora?" he asked in surprise.
"I do when I have the time, which isn't often, unfortunately."
"Maybe we'll stay in and cook together tomorrow night. I like to mess around a little in the kitchen too."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, I like to cook. But, like you, I rarely have the time."
"Then we must do that. We'll go to the market and buy all sorts of goodies, and we'll prepare a meal fit for a king."
"You're on, my queen," he agreed, shaking his head in wonder and chuckling.
Continuing with the tour of his luxurious condo, he led her to a small room in the hallway. He flipped on the light switch. "This is the half bath."
It was a small room and very chicly decorated as well. Next, he showed her the laundry and utility area. Moving on down the hallway, he led her into a bedroom, decorated in blues and grays. A queen-sized bed was in the center of the room. The furniture was modern, and there was a large window with a window seat. The fabric on the window seat matched the thick comforter on the bed and the curtains. A small connecting bathroom was decorated to match the bedroom.
"This is the guest room. I've put your bags in that corner, but feel free to hang things in the closet if you'd like."
"Thank you. It's very nice."
"One more room on the tour and that would be the master bedroom," he told her as he led her to a large room across the hall from the guest room.
As she walked into the room, she held her breath at the beauty of the large room. The room was decorated in a brown, cream, and sage color scheme. A king-sized bed stood in the center, and a smaller replica of the stone fireplace in his living room graced the corner of the bedroom. The furniture again was a modern style, and a loveseat was positioned in front of the fireplace. As she walked over to the bed, she noticed a set of handcuffs on the bedpost. Her eyes wide, she turned to him and said, "Handcuffs, really, Dale? Are you—"
He couldn't help but burst out laughing at the look on her face. "Oh, sweet Cora, they were a gag gift last year at a Christmas party from a cop friend of mine. That's not to say they haven't been used, though." He chuckled as he walked over to her and pulled her to him. Speaking in a low voice, he added, "We can always try them out if you like."
Blushing, she replied as she met his eyes, "I remember experiencing a few firsts with you in the past. We'll see."
"Ah, Cora Beth, I can still make you blush, after all these years. I love that about you." He leaned down and lightly kissed her forehead before releasing her.
She smiled up at him and said softly, "I thought you were going to light a fire."
In a low, husky voice, he replied as he looked into her amethyst gray eyes, "I would love to light a fire with you." Leaning down, he kissed her again, but this time it wasn't light or friendly like the others they'd shared in the past week. This kiss spoke volumes as it deepened, igniting a heat deep within her soul, bringing to life the embers that had been smoldering for the past twelve years.
Releasing her, he whispered, "Stay there." Walking to the corner fireplace, he quickly lit the fire. Returning to her, he reached for her and pulled her close again.
"Now, where were we?" he asked as he gazed into her beautiful eyes, now deep amethyst pools of desire.
"I believe you were building a fire," she replied as she put her arms around his neck.
"Cora, my sweet, sweet Cora, do you know how many times I've dreamed of you being in my arms?"
"No, Dale, tell me. How many?" she asked breathlessly.
He picked her up and turned to the bed, where he placed her gently on top of the sage and brown comforter. "Too many to count," he replied as he joined her.
He pulled her into a tender embrace and kissed her again. Wordlessly, he got up and pulled the comforter down, lifting her legs and bottom as he did so then gently easing her back down on the mattress. He proceeded to remove his shirt, never taking his eyes from her beautiful, desire-glazed eyes.
She watched as he finished undressing until all that remained were his silk boxers. He rejoined her on the bed and kissed her again, beginning a trail of light, feathery kisses, starting with her neck and inching down to her heaving chest. Unbuttoning her blouse slowly, he slipped a hand inside her lace bra, and as he touched her breast, she cried out.
"It's been so long since I've held you like this, Cora Beth," he whispered just before his tongue flicked over one protruding bud. He continued to undress her until she wore nothing but the lacy bra and matching panties. He gazed at her, taking in the luscious curves of her perfect body. She ran her fingers though his dark, thick hair as he claimed her mouth in another passionate kiss. Moving down her body again, his tongue danced in circles until it had claimed every inch of her. He couldn't get enough of the taste of her sweet skin. Catching her panties in his teeth, he began to pull them down until they were at her ankles. She lifted one foot and then the other as he removed the scanty lace material. Moving back up her body, he reached for the clasp of the bra and expertly unhooked it, removed it, and threw it on the floor beside the huge bed.
"You've gotten better at that. I seem to recall you having trouble with the bra in the backseat of your car," she teased as she looked into his dark eyes and smiled.
He grinned devilishly before replying, "I think you'll find I've gotten better at a lot of things, dear Cora. At least, I hope so. That was a long time ago." To prove his point, he kissed her again, probing her soft, warm mouth with his tongue while caressing her body with his masterful hands. In one swif
t movement, he flipped, pulling her with him so that she was on top of him, gazing down at his gorgeous face.
"Oh, Dale," she whispered as she leaned down to kiss him again. She began exploring his once-familiar body and discovered that he was more muscular than she remembered. Her hands scorched his skin as he groaned in ecstasy at her touch.
He quickly flipped her over again, and looking into her eyes, he asked, "Cora, are you sure?"
She nodded silently, and he reached into the top drawer of the nightstand for a condom. Quickly removing his boxers, he put it on and kissed her again. When they came together, it was as if they'd both come home. He sighed deeply, and a tear rolled down Cora's cheek.
They moved together in sweet unison as if the past twelve years had disappeared in a dense, forgotten fog. As the fire crackled in the fireplace nearby, a much stronger, hotter fire burned within their souls. As she teetered on the edge of oblivion, she cried out. He clasped her hand in his, and they soared high above the earth, into the heavens, together again.
When they returned to reality, he whispered in her ear softly, "My Cora Beth, my sweet, sweet Cora." He looked at her and gently wiped the tears from her cheek. They lay wrapped in the warm glow of the fire and soon fell asleep in each other's arms.
When he woke later, he kissed her on the cheek. "Cora, baby, wake up. We need to get ready to go out."
"Do we have to?" she purred as she opened her eyes and gazed at him.
"No, we don't have to, but I'd really like to take you to the club and out for a nice dinner. The rest of the weekend, we can stay right here if that's what you want."
"I'll race you to the shower," she teased as she sat up.
"I'll join you in the shower," he replied as he got up off the bed.
They both ran to the bathroom, laughing. He turned the water on and helped her into the massive shower stall before stepping in beside her. Lathering her body, he ignited yet another fire, one that begged to be extinguished. Lifting her up, he kissed her as she wrapped her legs around his body, and as he looked into her eyes, he gently took her again.
When they'd finally finished their shower and had gotten dressed, he looked at her and said, "Cora, we're still amazing together after all this time. Somehow, I knew if we ever got the chance to get together again, it would be like this."
"I knew it too, Dale," she said as she leaned up to kiss him. Then she added, "You know, I've never taken a shower with anyone before."
He grinned and replied, "I haven't either, Cora. It seems that you and I share a lot of firsts."
She asked in surprise, "Are you just telling me that, or have you really never?"
"Never ever," he replied solemnly as he looked into her beautiful eyes.
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him again.
"If we are going to get out of here, you need to stop kissing me like that, baby," he teased as he gently pulled away.
"Okay, I'll behave," she answered. "For now."
He picked up his keys and led her outside to the car, holding her hand on the way to the club. After ordering dinner, they sat back to relax and enjoy the show. He leaned across the table, smiling, as he said in a low voice, "I can't wait to get you back home."
She smiled shyly at him across the table as she made a silent wish for their dinner to arrive. The sooner the evening was over, the sooner she could be back in his arms.
Finally, the food arrived, and they enjoyed a friendly, cozy conversation as they ate and watched the entertainment, each counting the minutes until they could leave the club and return to his exquisite condo and the king-sized bed.
When they had finished dinner, he looked over at her and asked a silent question. She immediately nodded, and after he had paid for the meal, he walked around the table and pulled her chair out for her. Possessively placing his hand on her back, he guided her out of the club and to his car. Silently, he drove to the condo, and after unlocking the door, he surprised her by scooping her into his arms and carrying her inside. He kicked the door shut with his foot and turned around to lock it. Carrying her down the hall and into the bedroom, he deposited her on the massive bed and walked over to the fireplace, once again lighting a fire. As he turned around, he said, "You look damn good in my bed."
"Why don't you come over here and join me? I'll bet we could look damn good in it together."
"I thought you'd never ask," he teased as he loosened his tie and walked toward her.
Chapter 6
Later that night, they were lying in bed talking after another round of bedroom antics. Each time they had come together had been stronger and more intense than the last.
"You are one beautiful lady; do you know that?" he asked as he lazily twirled a strand of her golden hair with his finger. She blushed, and he laughed. "I love it when you blush. It reminds me of the old days, when we were young lovers."
"Do you remember much about those days, Dale?"
He looked at her with a shocked expression and replied, "Of course I do. Do you remember, Cora?"
"I do remember our ballgames and dances and movie dates. I remember our first time, that summer after graduation."
He dropped his head and began to speak but stopped, as if afraid to say aloud the words he wanted to say.
He looked up, and his eye caught the set of handcuffs attached to the bedpost. Grinning wickedly, he reached up and grabbed her wrist, and before she knew what was happening, he had clasped the cuff onto her wrist and locked it, the other one still attached to the bed.
Her eyes widened as she looked at him. He burst into laughter. "I thought that would get a reaction out of you."
"I hope you have a key," she replied, giggling.
"Well, now, maybe I do, and maybe I don't. That would be one way of keeping you from getting on that plane Sunday afternoon, now wouldn't it?"
"Yes, I guess it would. But since you have me locked to your bed right now, I'm curious to see what you are planning to do next."
"Oh, you are? Well, how about this for starters," he said as he grabbed her other arm and held it above her head.
Seductively licking her lips, she egged him on, "Is that the best you can do?"
"Getting feisty on me, Cora?" He chuckled before claiming her lips again. The kiss began softly, growing in passion, until his tongue parted her moist, warm lips.
She moaned, wanting to put her arms around his neck and run her hands through his hair, but she couldn't because of the cuffs on one wrist and his hand holding the other.
He ended the kiss and grinned devilishly. "Got you right where I want you, don't I?"
"And what are you going to do with me?"
Still grinning, he forced her legs apart with his knee, and finding the spot between her legs that he knew would start the fire again, he began massaging.
"Dale, you are so bad," she whispered.
He laughed, and raising himself up, still holding her arm, he entered her as she sighed. As he began to move, he said, "Am I still bad, Cora?"
"No, Dale, you are very, very good." She closed her eyes, and he released the arm he had been holding. Her hand immediately went to the shock of dark hair she loved so much.
He groaned as she ran her fingers through the strands. "Cora, oh, my sweet Cora Beth."
As she began to shudder in delight, he looked into her eyes and gently caressed her face. Leaning down, he kissed her sweetly on the lips before giving in to his own ecstasy.
"Cora…"
"Dale…"
A few minutes later, he leaned over and opened the nightstand drawer, taking out a small key and dangling it in front of her face. "Well, would you look at what I found. I wonder what this unlocks."
Giggling, she decided to do some teasing of her own. "You know, Dale, there have been a few times today that you forgot to reach into that drawer for something else."
He looked at her with a blank expression, and then a look of terror crossed his face. "Cora, how could I? Oh, God, Cora, I'm so sorry. I've never for
gotten before. It's just been so… hot… with you. I got carried away."
Laughing, she reassured him, "It's okay, Dale. I'm good. I'm protected. And if you've never forgotten with anyone else, then I shouldn't have to worry about other issues."
"Just for that, I should leave you cuffed to my bed, Cora Beth. You almost gave me a heart attack.”
"Just my way of paying you back for the kinky stuff, Dale. Turnabout is fair play, you know," she said as she took her free hand and caressed his cheek.
He leaned down to kiss her again. "Cora, I don't know what you are doing to me." He unlocked the cuff and clasped her hand in his.
"Locking me to your bed post—"
"You loved it, judging from the way your body responded," he teased as he rubbed her wrist. "And that's small potatoes compared to the other delights I could share with you."
She grinned and reached for the TV remote. "Is that so?" she asked. She wondered how much kinky stuff he was really into but was afraid to ask.
"Witch," he said as he lost his hand in her blonde tresses again.
"Another first for me—handcuffs," she teased, smiling at him.
"Yes, Cora, it seems that a lot of your firsts in the romance department have been with me."
"Yes, most of mine have been with you," she agreed.
She settled against him to watch a movie, and he told her, "I would have unlocked you immediately if you hadn't liked it. But, on the other hand, if you did like it, we could explore some other things together."
"I know you would have, but I was curious to see what you'd do next. Dale, I get the feeling the kink isn't new to you. Am I right?"
"Oh, baby, I've missed you over the years. You always were such a spirited little thing." He planted a kiss on the top of her head. "But, in answer to your question, no, it isn't. I've experimented with the lifestyle over the years."
Tears sprang to her eyes as she snuggled closer to him. I've missed you, too, Dale. Aloud, she asked, "The lifestyle? You mean BDSM?" Now, he had her full attention. She wanted to hear more.
He looked at her thoughtfully before he spoke, as if he was deliberating on how much of his life he wanted to reveal to her, how much he thought she could handle.
Her Promised Dom (Dominant Men Book 3) Page 7
