by Sam Crescent
She tried to pull away. He kept a firm grip on her hand, refusing to let her go.
“Eat your food,” he said.
“Stop being bossy.”
He raised a brow.
“Oh, right, you’re a Dominant and I’m not allowed to speak back to you.”
“Baby, you can speak back to me but you’ve got to be prepared to take the consequences for your actions. I’ll spank your ass or deny you release until you beg for my forgiveness.” Jake shuffled in his seat in an attempt to ease the ache in his cock.
“You’ve got no chance.”
Her nipples said far differently than her lips.
“Really, tell me, Bella, how do you know about Dominants and spankings?” he asked, leaning over the table. The scents of the food would be nothing compared to the sweetness of her cream.
“None of your business.”
Jake wouldn’t have believed it if he didn’t see it but her cheeks got redder.
“Don’t lie to me.”
She returned her gaze to his. For several minutes neither of them spoke. He waited patiently for her to cave. Bella was a submissive woman through and through. She would thrive under his teachings.
“I read a lot.”
“Do you read sex books?”
“I don’t just read erotic fiction. I also…watch a lot.”
He got harder. The length of his shaft pressed against the zipper of his jeans. He stifled a curse, knowing he’d have to wait to relieve that kind of pressure.
“Wow, I’d never expect it from you.”
Gazing at the way she was dressed, he shouldn’t have been surprised. Their time together in Mixers made him aware of her hidden sensuality.
“Can we just forget about this? We both made a mistake. I’m sorry for leading you on. We can both get on with our lives and I don’t mind what happened. I’m pleased it did.”
He held her hand tighter, stopping her from talking. “Do me a favor and shut the fuck up.”
She let out a growl. “Do you always talk to women that way?” The fork she held clattered down on the plate.
“Only to really stubborn women who need a good fucking spanking,” he said, growing angry. He thought he was finally getting through to her.
“Is there a problem?” the waiter asked, approaching the table.
Jake dealt with him and groaned as Bella used the interruption to make her escape.
Pulling out two twenties, he left a large tip and charged out of the restaurant in the hope to catch her before she got away.
Let her go.
No, I can’t let her go.
Bella called to something within him and he didn’t want to let that go. It wasn’t just her submissive side or her stubbornness, there was something else about her.
You took her virginity and now she’s yours.
In all of his life he’d never been with a virgin. She’d knocked him out of the water and now all he wanted to do was take care of her, protect her, and show her how good it could be between them.
He found her walking fast back toward the library a few minutes later. Not even bothering trying to walk to keep up, he ran the short distance. He reached out for her arm, holding her gently and pressed a palm across her mouth to stop her calling out. He didn’t want any interruptions while he spoke to her. Jake hid them away around the side of a building. No one stopped them as he held her against the brick wall.
“Don’t ever do that again,” he said.
“Do what? I’ve got to get back to work. Why can’t you just leave me alone?”
“Because I don’t want to. Agree to go to dinner with me tonight and I’ll let you get back to work.” He’d never begged any woman for a date.
“No. I don’t want to date you.”
“Give me a goddamn chance to prove I’m better than what you got last night.”
She started to laugh. “Is this your biggest problem? You don’t like the fact I hated our time together.”
Jake winced. “No.”
“Liar, it is the only reason.” She shook her head, pulling out of his arms. “Leave me alone or I will tell the police you’re stalking me.”
He let her go, knowing he wouldn’t be able to convince her otherwise. The moment she entered the library his cell phone vibrated.
“What?” Jake asked, snapping at whoever was on the other side.
“Excuse me, don’t you fucking speak to me like that after you ran Maya out of here,” Chris said, snapping right back.
“Shit, sorry. This morning has not gone as planned.”
“That bad?”
“No, it’s been downright worse than you can imagine. I thought I knew all bloody women. Bella is fucking stubborn.” Jake cursed, wishing he knew the key to this one woman.
“I imagine she’s nothing like the other women you’ve been with. She stayed a virgin for this long. You’ve got no chance of getting it easy with her,” Chris said.
“I know. It still sucks.”
“What are you doing to do now?”
Jake stared in the window, seeing Bella serve another man who kept her talking. Walking away wasn’t an option for him. He had every intention to make her his woman.
“I’m not letting this one get away, Chris. She’s the one, I feel it.”
“Okay, I’m a little shocked.” As was he and he suddenly understood what Ryan felt with Jesse.
If Bella didn’t give him the time of day, he truly was fucked.
* * * *
By six o’clock all Bella wanted to do was go home, bathe, and put her feet up. Saturdays were always a nightmare. People were rediscovering their love of reading, which she didn’t mind whereas her feet did.
Leaving the library, she made her way down the street. She needed to catch the bus first. Driving in the city was another nightmare she couldn’t face. Releasing her hair from the confines of the band keeping the length at bay, she ran her fingers through. Letting out a sigh, she glanced around the streets, pleased to see Jake wasn’t anywhere in sight.
Throughout the day she’d spotted him lurking outside of the library. Every time she saw him, it was like a kick to the gut. His persistence unnerved her but his Dominance excited her.
No, Bella, no Dominance and no letting this man get to you.
She had to learn restraint. The sex they shared was nothing exciting and she really didn’t want to experience it again anytime soon.
Blowing out a breath, she sped up her movements to get home.
“Get in the car, Bella.”
Jerking, she tripped over her feet, landing on her ass with a yelp.
The sound of a car braking, a door opening filled her senses. Opening her eyes, she saw a vehicle parked right beside her. Other people on the road were going around him, honking their horns.
He grabbed her arm, tugging her to her feet.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I’m taking you home.”
“No, you’re not. You don’t know where I live and I’m not telling you.”
“Stop being so fucking stubborn. When are you going to learn I’m not going anywhere? You’re my woman.”
“You’re wrong. I’m no one’s woman.” She cursed as he simply picked her up and carried her toward the open passenger door. He helped her inside then walked around to the driver’s side.
Ignoring him, she folded her arms and stared out of the window.
“Tell me where you live,” he said, starting up the engine.
Staying silent, she continued to look forward.
“Fine.”
They pulled away from the curb and she started to panic.
“Wait, what? Where are we going?”
The locks flicked into place and he navigated the roads.
“You wanted to be difficult and now you’re coming home with me.”
“But I don’t want to go home with you,” she said.
He glanced over toward her, smiling. “I bet you’re wishing you answered correctly.�
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“Stop being infuriating and take me home.” She gave him her address.
Jake didn’t turn the car around. They were going into the center of the city, away from the library yet closer to the more expensive part. When she moved out of the family home, she looked at the prices for the apartments in the center. None of them were in her price range or the price range of a librarian.
“Seriously, Jake, this isn’t funny.”
“Funny? I didn’t think fucking a virgin against a brick wall was funny, and yet I had to deal with it.”
“You’re clearly not dealing with it. Take me home.”
“No. You’re going to give me a chance to prove to you we can be more. I know you felt the chemistry between us last night. I fucked up and I believed you when you told me to take you against the wall. I didn’t want to, remember?” He looked at her.
Mortified, Bella couldn’t argue.
She’d been too scared to move from the wall in case she caved and didn’t end up going with him. Her virginity, to her, became a thing of hatred as well as something to keep her back from all men.
“I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, well, if you’d followed me you wouldn’t be fucking terrified of sex and thinking it was awful.”
Bella stayed silent. What was there for her to say?
He drove for another twenty minutes, pulling into an underground parking lot.
“Be warned. Don’t think to start any shit with me. The guard knows I’m a Dom and train stubborn, drama filled subs for a living. He sees you being a pain in the ass he’s going to assume you’re acting out, understood?”
Glancing toward the guard, she saw all hope of leaving him cease. Great! “Understood.”
The doors unlocked and she climbed out, going around to Jake’s side. He took hold of her hand. She refused to acknowledge the electricity his touch created.
When they were alone in the elevator, she tried to pull away.
“This will go much better for you if you stop fighting me.”
Sticking her tongue out at him was childish but necessary.
“If you were my little sub you’d be going over my knee the moment we entered my apartment.”
“It’s a good job we’re nothing to each other.”
Jake chuckled. “Keep thinking that, baby. We’re far more to each other than you even realize.”
Ignoring him, she waited for the torture to end. His scent filled the space and her body betrayed her by growing aroused.
All too soon they were out of the elevator and within the confines of his apartment.
“You live in the penthouse apartment?” she asked. He released her hand, throwing his keys on the counter by the door.
“Yeah.”
“It’s expensive.”
“I’m a wealthy man. A lot of women would consider me a catch.”
She shrugged. “I’m not a lot of women.”
“Doesn’t my wealth impress you?”
“It didn’t make you any better in bed.”
“We didn’t use a bed. I fucked you against a wall.”
Gritting her teeth, she wouldn’t say anything more to goad him. Jake, clearly, was used to getting the last word. Moving toward the array of windows overlooking the city, she kept her gaze on them.
He didn’t give her chance to build up her defenses as he stood right behind her.
“You’re not going to hide from me.”
Closing her eyes, she concentrated on her breathing. “I don’t know you.”
“We can get to know each other.”
His hands went to her arms, pulling her back against his body. “Stop!”
“No, I’m not going to stop. Your body wants me and I know if you let yourself, you’ll want me in here.” He touched her head.
Opening her eyes, she saw his reflection in the window.
Bella allowed him to tug her back into the sitting room and onto the sofa.
“I’ll get you a drink. Tea, coffee, water?” he asked.
“Tea will be fine or water.”
Locking her fingers together, she stared at her lap. She listened to him working in the kitchen. Her cell phone went off and she answered when Maya’s name flashed across the screen.
“Where are you?” Maya asked.
“Jake kidnapped me.”
“Seriously? Wow, Chris told me it was serious.”
“I can’t believe you let him know where I worked. How could you do that?”
“Look, he wanted to make it up to you. He didn’t have a clue it was your first time—”
“It’s private, Maya. Not every man has the right to know if they’re getting a virgin or not.” She pressed a palm to her face, wondering how she’d be able to look her friends in the face again.
“Stop, Bella. Give him a chance.”
“I can’t believe this. Why should I?” She glanced back behind her. Jake leaned against the wall, watching her. Turning back, she dropped her head into her hand.
“Chris is a lot of things but I trust him. I’ve got no reason to not believe him. You’ll be well taken care of in Jake’s arms.” Maya went on and on to list all of his good points.
“I don’t need to hear this.”
“Honey, you’ll never hear anything if you keep going on with your life the way you are.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Maya sighed. “You hide from everything.”
Jake put a cup on a coaster on the table in front of her. He took a seat beside her.
“I’m happy.”
“No, you’re not. You’re not even living. You work, read, visit your family, and the whole routine starts again. There’s nothing exciting or thrilling. Trust me, Bella. Give Jake a chance. He may surprise you.”
“I’m hanging up now. I thought you were my friend,” Bella said.
“I’d be a pretty bad friend if I didn’t tell you what I think—”
Bella switched the phone off before she finished her comment. Looking toward the man in question she saw his eyes were on her. “Are you going to agree with her?”
“I don’t know you, Bella. She’s your friend and knows you better than anyone.”
Pocketing her phone, she sat back on the sofa. The seat so comfortable she didn’t want to move. Resting her head against the back, she stared up at the ceiling. “I’m a bookworm,” she said, biting her lip to stop the words from pouring out of her mouth.
He didn’t say anything and the words kept on coming even though she tried to keep them back.
“I don’t go out partying. I’ve never been a big fan of alcohol or spirits.” She closed her eyes so she didn’t have to watch him. “Dating was never something I liked to do. During high school I preferred to study and read rather than try to lure boys. When Maya and the others were learning how to seduce, I learned how to catalogue and stack books in the school library.”
His arm went around the back of her neck and his fingers caressed her skin.
“College was the same. I studied hard and worked my ass off to get the job. I’m happy. Men have never been in my life.”
“How do you deal with your urges?” he asked.
“I watch porn and do what other single people do.”
She slapped her hands down on her thighs. “I’m not repressed. I just can’t let go.”
“You blossomed under my touch last night,” he said.
“Please, stop mentioning last night. I can’t handle you constantly talking about it.”
“There’s no denying it happened,” he argued.
“I’m not trying to deny it happened.” She turned to look at him. “I just don’t want it to happen again.”
Chapter Three
The words coming from Bella’s lips hit Jake hard. The one woman he truly cared about didn’t want to experience sex again. Touching her neck, her pulse beat rapidly against his fingers. He’d not been in his element last night. Taking a woman standing up with the brick wall for support required mor
e technique for an experienced woman. Any virgin wouldn’t get anything out of the moment other than being uncomfortable.
“Why don’t you want to try it again?” he asked.
“It was awful.”
He winced at the pain in her voice.
“I can make it better.” He turned her to look at him¸ breaking the distance between them. Her breath fanned across his face.
“No.”
Placing his hand on her thigh, Jake was determined to show her how good sex could be.
“Last night I drank one too many drinks and had to get a friend to drive me home. You were a virgin and I didn’t take the time to bring you pleasure.” Pressing his lips to hers, he stole a kiss, making sure to retreat before she pushed him away.
“Why are you making this so difficult?” she asked.
“Give me tonight?”
“What?” She looked into his eyes.
“If I can have you screaming in orgasm by the end of the night you’ll give me a chance and date me. We won’t have sex, not unless you really want it,” he said, practically begging for a chance to prove to her they could be explosive.
“This is nonsense, Jake. There are plenty of women in line for your attention.”
“Then tell me why I’m only interested in you?”
“You’re blind.”
He chuckled. “I’m not blind. I know what I want.” Caressing his fingers up the inside of her thigh, he waited for her to give him an answer. “Come on, Bella. Give me one chance, I’ll prove to you that I’m better than last time. I didn’t get a chance to prove it to you that night.”
She continued to stare at him. Her blue eyes unwavering as she watched him.
“I’m not going to hurt you.”
“This is more than I’ve let any other man have.”
“I heard what Maya said. It’s time to start living, Bella. I’ll never ridicule you. I promise you I’ll give you everything your heart desires. Every fantasy is yours to take.”
She kept her answer to herself. He cursed at the wait.
“If you can’t give me pleasure then you’ll take me home and leave me alone.”
Not a chance.
“Yes.” Jake knew once he got her naked, he’d have her begging for his fingers, tongue, or cock. She’d know what true sex and passion is all about.
