by Marie Tuhart
“He’s a sweet puppy.” She yawned. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long day.”
“Close your eyes and rest.”
“But...”
Gabriel touched her lips. “Rest, Lexi, I’ll take care of you.” And he would. He would keep her safe and slay her demons, if she’d let him.
She nodded, lifted her feet, and curled them up behind her on the sofa with her body relaxing against him. Tonight might not go the way he planned, but their relationship was building.
Chapter Three
Lexi jerked awake. She glanced around the room. Cream-colored walls, beige carpet, and she was lying in a big king bed. Where was she? A bark caught her attention.
Gabriel’s. She must have fallen asleep on him last night. Oh. Dear. God. She lifted the sheet and breathed a sigh of relief. She still had on her bra and panties. Because when she finally made love to Gabriel, she wanted to remember it. Heat flooded her body. She was beginning to trust him with the details of her life.
She’d told him last night about her parents. She never talked about them. She swung her legs off the mattress, stood, and headed for what she hoped was the bathroom. It was, so she stepped inside.
The bathroom was huge—double sinks, a shower that took up almost one entire wall. There was the toilet and another door. She peeked in and found a big, walk-in closet.
She turned to look at herself in the mirror. Marring her reflection was a sticky note.
Take a shower, I’ve left you a pair of boxer shorts and a T-shirt to put on. New toothbrush on the counter. I can wash your clothes while we have breakfast.
Lexi smiled. He’d thought of everything. Gabriel was very serious about taking care of her. After stripping, she stepped into the enormous shower. Hell, you could fit three or more people in it. She flipped on the water and squealed when cold water came out, but it only took a few seconds for it to warm up.
She ducked her head under the spray.
“Do you want me to throw your bra in the washer?”
Lexi let out a scream. She choked on water before spinning to the door, almost falling in the shower at the sound of Gabriel’s voice. “You scared the crap out of me.” The frosted shower doors showed his outline.
Gabriel chuckled. “Sorry.”
He didn’t sound sorry, but she was grinning. “No, it should be okay.”
“All right. Do you have everything you need?”
She glanced around the shower. Shampoo and soap sat on the built-in ledge. “Fine.”
“Are you sure? I can—”
“Gabriel,” she shrieked as he reached for the door. While they’d played at the club, he’d let her leave her skirt and panties on.
“Kidding.” He chuckled again. “Breakfast in fifteen minutes.” He sauntered out of the bathroom and Lexi breathed a sigh of relief. Although she did wonder what would have happened if Gabriel had joined her in the shower. Yet, she was the one who stopped him. Why had she done that? Control? She shook her head. Was she ready to have sex with Gabriel? Her breath caught in her throat and she shook her head. She couldn’t think about this now, not after she spent the night in his bed. Her libido was already in high gear.
She quickly finished up, dried off, and dressed. The t-shirt was big on her, but not too big. At least it covered her butt, though even in the boxers, she felt a little undressed. She pulled her wet hair into a pony tail and padded out to the kitchen.
Gabriel stood at the stove. The smell of bacon wafted over to her, and she let out a moan. “Bacon, the food of gods.”
“Good morning, Lexi.” He motioned her to come closer with his free hand. When she got near, he curled his arm around her waist and drew her in for a kiss.
His lips were soft against hers, his tongue sweeping over her mouth, and she opened to him. He tasted of coffee and mint. Her arms curled around his neck as their tongues tangled and danced. A bark caused her to pull back. Zeus sat like a well-trained puppy in the corner, his tail wagging and his tongue hanging out.
“Good morning, Zeus.” She slipped from Gabriel’s hold and went over to the dog. Squatting down, she lifted him into her arms. “Did he go potty this morning?”
“Yep.”
“Eat and drink?”
“Yes, my little veterinarian.” There was laugher in his voice.
Lexi ducked her head, looking a Zeus. “Good boy,” she whispered.
“Hey, what about this good boy?” Gabriel placed the now-cooked bacon on a platter and pulled a tray from the oven.
“And why were you good?” She sat the puppy down with a pat on his head.
“I didn’t ravish you last night.” He slid eggs onto the platter and put a pile of toast on another plate.
“There was no rule that said you couldn’t.” The words slipped out and she peeked from beneath her lashes, but Gabriel was grinning. This was different for her. Teasing and flirting. She wasn’t used to it, not with any man. Maybe that had been the problem; the men in her life were too serious. Gabriel could be serious, but he did have a playful side as well.
“I’ll take that into consideration next time you fall asleep on my sofa.” He gestured to a chair. Lexi took a seat as he placed the food on the table. “Coffee?”
“Yes, please.” He poured her a cup then put creamer and sugar on the table before sitting down next to her. It was then she saw the box of candy hearts sitting where her plate should be. She glanced up at him.
“Those are for after breakfast.” He angled his chair close to his. “Valentine’s Day is a couple of weeks away, but I saw those and thought we might have fun with them.”
Lexi picked up the box and her eyes widened. Erotic candy hearts. “Erotic?”
“Yes. We’ll try several of them out, but not today. Today we’re going to have fun starting with breakfast.”
“Oh? And how is that?” She set the box back down. Wasn’t it enough she was actually eating breakfast with him in his home after spending the night in his bed? Her blood heated at the thought of giving him more control over her. How would it feel, having Gabriel take charge of her for an entire day? No decisions for her to make. She hadn’t considered the possibility before.
“I could spread you out on the table, and then eat the food off your delectable body.”
His husky, sexy voice caused heat to spread over her face, and she bit her lower lip. “Hmm, that might be good for you, but I’m starving.” She reached for the eggs and then realized she didn’t have a plate in front of her. Her gaze met Gabriel’s.
He smiled. “It’s going to be my pleasure to serve you today.”
“What?” She glanced from his face to the plate in front of him and then back at his face. He couldn’t mean...
Apparently, he did. Her heart stuttered and her breath caught in her throat. He piled the food onto a single plate, picked up a piece of bacon, and held it up to her lips. Her stomach growled.
Lexi opened her mouth and took a bite. Crunchy, salty heaven. With each bite, her need for control waned until there was only a tiny piece left. Her gaze met his. With a slight hesitation, she took his fingers into her mouth and licked them clean.
His hazel eyes darkened with desire. She let his fingers go with a pop then chewed the remaining bacon and swallowed.
He speared the scrambled eggs on the fork and brought it to her lips.
She opened, took the morsel and chewed. All the time, their gazes connected. Lord, she never knew being submissive could be so romantic, so fulfilling. She licked her lips, and he groaned.
“You’re trying to kill me.” His voice was strained.
Excitement hit her veins. He was just as affected as she was. “Maybe you should eat.” She picked up a piece of bacon and held it to his lips. They played the game of feeding each other.
At first she was a little shy, but as Gabriel nipped at her fingers and praised her it became easier. Every swipe of his tongue against her skin made her clit pulse with need. A need to please him, to make him smile at her, swept t
hrough her veins along with desire. Where has this desire come from?
Lexi held her hand up. “No more, I can’t eat another bite.” She squirmed in her seat. She’d never had such a sensual meal in her life. Being fed and feeding Gabriel was beyond sensual.
She sipped her coffee while watching him eat more food. The desire was always there, just simmering beneath the surface, but Gabriel brought it out.
There was more than her need to submit to him. She wanted to please him, to make him happy, and he wanted to do the same for her. The analytical side of her brain was fascinated by this turn of events, but her playful side wanted to jump his bones and have wild monkey sex.
“Lexi, if you keep looking at me like that, we’re going to end up in bed for most of the day.”
“And why would that be an issue?” Lexi let her lips turn up in a smile. She was so relaxed, so happy. And now ready to take this step with him.
A growl came from Gabriel’s mouth. She looked up in surprise as he stood up and cleared the table. Lexi watched him. What had changed in her? Was it because he hadn’t pushed for more from her last night? That could be part of it. She put her elbows on the table and cradled her chin in her palm.
Zeus brushed against her leg, and she reached down and rubbed his head. Zeus? That was it. Gabriel let her take charge yesterday with Zeus. He never questioned her and got the supplies when she asked.
Even last night at the pet store, he had taken her advice on all the items he picked up for Zeus. From the harness leash, to a collar, to his bed, to the dog food. Why was this so surprising to her? Maybe because her other Dom had always put down her job, telling her what she was doing as a submissive was wrong.
But it really was more than that. Gabriel genuinely cared about Zeus. He showed his caring by rescuing the helpless puppy and then again by wanting to take the dog home to keep.
Strong hands cupped her shoulders. Gabriel leaned down. “I want you in my bed,” he whispered.
Tingles of excitement shot over her skin. Zeus whined, and Lexi tilted her head and looked at Gabriel. “I think we need to tire Zeus out first.”
He let out a groan, scooped the puppy up into his arms, and strode to the back door before turning and looking at her. “You said we. Get your ass in gear.”
Lexi couldn’t help it. She let out a laugh and stood. Finding the toys he’d bought last night, she carried them out to the backyard.
For the next thirty minutes, they threw a ball for Zeus to go after and then played a game of chase in which Zeus ran from them or ran after them. Of course, it didn’t stop Gabriel from swatting her on the butt or stealing a kiss whenever he was near her.
Lexi couldn’t stop laughing as she fell on the grass. Gabriel sprawled on the ground nearby, trying to wrestle one of the dog toys away from Zeus, and the puppy wasn’t about to let go. She hadn’t been this happy in a long time. Zeus was starting to tire, his poor little legs finally giving out. “I think he’s done in.”
“About time.” Gabriel scooped the little guy up and they went into the house. Lexi’s heart softened as Gabriel gently lay Zeus in his bed. The dog let out a sigh, closed his eyes, and was out.
“Time for us to play.” His tone was husky and all Dom. Gabriel stalked to her. His gaze intense with passion, his jaw set. Lexi’s eye went wide. “Bedroom. Now.”
“Yes, boss.” She turned and danced down the hallway to his bedroom. Anticipation made her blood sing. No fear, which surprised her. But it wasn’t fear making her skin tingle—it was Gabriel. His passion, his desire, and her need to explore with him. Once she reached his bedroom, she stood, waiting for him. Within a minute he strode in and over to her.
“I’ve waited months to have you in my bed,” he said before his arms encircled her waist, bringing her into his embrace.
“Why?” She tilted her head.
“Because you weren’t ready.” His lips brushed across her cheek, down her jaw line.
Her head fell back, exposing her neck to him. “You’re right, I wasn’t.”
He was right. She didn’t like to admit it, but it was true. She hadn’t been ready for him to bed her, Dom or vanilla. All thoughts fled as his fingers tunneled beneath the fabric of the t-shirt she wore and began inching it up. Her hands gripped his shoulders.
Rough palms skimmed up her stomach, pushing the fabric higher. “Raise your arms.” She did, and he whisked the t-shirt off, leaving her standing in a pair of boxer shorts.
Her nipples hardened, and his eyes darkened with desire. “Beautiful,” he whispered, kissing his way between the valley of her breasts, to the top of her stomach. His fingers slid beneath the elastic of the shorts.
Her hands tangled in his hair as he lowered the shorts, letting them fall to the floor. Kneeling down, he dropped a kiss at the top of her mound.
“Gabriel,” she whispered.
“Right here.” He rose, his mouth taking hers.
She opened to him without hesitation, his tongue teasing hers. His masculine scent of sandalwood and pine tickled her nose. His hands curved down her back to her bare ass, cupping the globes in his palms, squeezing.
She moaned into his mouth and began plucking at the hem of his T-shirt. Gabriel broke the kiss and stared down at her. “On the bed, now.” He released her ass, and she turned and started for the bed.
“What the...” Rough palms captured her hips. “You have a tattoo.”
Lexi’s face flamed. She’d forgotten about that. She gazed up at him, trying to read his features. Did he hate her puppy paw tat? “Umm, yeah. I got it when I graduated from college as a vet.”
“Appropriate.” His hand slipped from her hip, to the curve of her ass, tracking the puppy paw print tattoo. Pleasure flooded her core as he touched the ink. The previous men in her life thought she was crazy to mark herself. “I can’t wait to show that off at the club,” he said.
“You don’t mind?”
“Hell, no.” He palmed her ass and then swatted her. “Bed, now, my little subbie. I want to play.”
Lexi let out a giggle and shuffled to the bed. “How do you want me, Sir?”
“We’re going to start face down, please.”
Lexi smiled at the please. She arranged herself, turning to watch Gabriel stalk to the wardrobe. When he opened it, she gasped. It didn’t hold clothes but instead stored floggers, whips and assorted toys from what she could see.
She closed her eyes, not wanting to know what he picked out. He touched her shoulder and she jumped. He brushed her hair off to the side.
“Easy,” he whispered. “What is your safeword?”
“Purple.” They’d discussed this in the beginning.
“Now, I’m going to start off slow.” His touch disappeared, and she waited. Something soft and furry slid over the back of her right thigh, moving to her left, then up over the curve of her ass. She shivered with the erotic feel of the flogger against her skin.
The small smack made her jump out of surprise not pain. In a soft, easy rhythm, Gabriel brought the flogger down over her ass, her thighs, and her shoulders. The fur on the flogger created a soft little sting. Her blood heated, muscles relaxing as she sank onto the mattress.
When he pulled away, she opened her mouth to protest but then closed it. She wanted to see what he came up with next.
“Your skin is barely pink, but yet so beautiful.” His husky voice sent little waves of pleasure over her skin. “Let’s see if we can make it a bit rosier.”
The next flogger was more thuddy. Her fingers curled into her palms as the tails fell upon her ass, thighs and shoulders. Heat expanded from her back to front. She hadn’t expected this...contentment, this sense of peace. Her pussy grew wet, and her stomach clenched.
“Pretty rose color.” Gabriel’s rough palm danced along her spine and over her ass, making her wiggle in anticipation. “Let’s see how you’re doing.”
Her core clenched as he ran a finger through her slit. She started to rise up on her knees, but he swatted her
ass with his hand.
“Did I say move?”
“No, Sir.” She flopped onto the mattress.
He plunged a finger into her wetness, and Lexi sucked in a deep breath. Oh, dear God. His touch was heavenly. It had been so long since anyone had taken time with her, to really get her engines going. Being with the right man certainly made a difference.
Gabriel pulled his finger from her and she let out a groan. “Roll onto your back.”
Lexi did as he bid then opened her eyes to look at Gabriel. His hair was mussed, his chest muscles covered with a light sheen of sweat, and...his cock was clearly outlined in his pants. She licked her lips. His dick twitched within its confines.
“Arms over your head.”
She followed his instructions. He stalked over to the cabinet, pulled out what looked like several scarves. He sauntered to her and soft silk encircled her wrist before being pulled taut as he tied off the other end to the slatted headboard. Gabriel ran his fingers under the fabric and against her wrist, making sure the bonds weren’t too tight.
“Okay?” he asked.
“Yes, Sir.”
He proceeded to do the same to her other wrist. Lexi squirmed on the mattress, anticipation coursing through her veins.
“Who is in control here, Lexi?”
She swallowed. “You are, Sir.” She waited for the need to tell him what to do to surface. But it never came. Her breath stuttered. Was this really working? Her need for control seemed to be missing, right now.
“Correct.” He picked up a new flogger. This was one she hadn’t seen before. It had a very long handle like a crop. He ran it over her breasts. She shivered as her nipples ached, and her breasts swelled.
He raised his arm, the flogger rose, and then came down. Her mouth dropped open as the tails swept over her right breast. Thuddy not stingy, but so different. Gabriel did the same to her left breast. Her ass pressed into the mattress as she tried to stop herself from squirming in pleasure. He wasn’t hurting her. The tail lashed her nipple, and an electric current surged from the taut peak all the way to her clit.
“Oh, God,” she whispered. Her body was on fire. It was almost if her blood had turned to lava in her veins.
