“I honestly have no idea, Dom. I wish I did.”
We talk for a while longer about everything and nothing, just catching up and spending time together as long as we can. After we disconnect, I lie in the bed and stare at the ceiling. I’m usually pretty good at puzzles, being a software engineer by trade, but this one has me completely stumped. I can’t see the connection between her parents and me, or why they would want to kill me. That is if they are even the guilty party behind it.
The next thing I know, my eyes fly open with the shrill ring of my six o’clock wake-up call. I’m no closer to unraveling this mystery than I was last night and I have another long day ahead of me. Pulling my thoughts together, I put on my game face as Shadow and I head back to the facility to complete the contract negotiations and move on to the next phase of this project.
Then I can get back to my life before someone makes another move.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Friday evening, I’m finally on my way home on my private jet. Darren Hardy, my CFO, and I are going through the financial data from the government contract. He’s more excited and animated than I’ve ever seen him. The contract has to be approved by the governance committee, but the director at the facility was confident there would be no problems. Especially since my proprietary software was ingeniously compatible with their current operating systems but made their security protocols infinitely more secure.
I was in such a hurry to get out of that place and on the plane back home, I didn’t take time to stop and call Sophia. Deciding it will be best to surprise her when I get home, Shadow calls Tucker to ask if Sophia is at my house or her condo tonight. Knowing I’m due back at any time, she had Tucker take her to my house where she’s currently impatiently waiting for me to arrive.
I have so many plans for her this weekend and not a single one of them involves leaving the house. Her Sunday rule will have to take a backseat this time. I’ve had to go without touching, feeling, smelling, tasting, and seeing her all week. We have a lot of missed time to make up for and I’m not letting her out of my arms for more than a few minutes at a time.
If that long.
Thirty minutes after we land, Shadow has thoroughly checked every square inch of the car and we’re finally on our way back to my house. It’s a forty-five minute drive from the private airstrip and I curse myself again for not having one made on my other property. The thought occurs to me that I haven’t taken Sophia there or even told her about it yet.
It’s a lake house about an hour south of Dallas. It’s not as isolated as my main house, but it’s still secure and it’s beautiful there this time of year. Maybe next week I will take her there so we can just get away from all this for a while. Just not this weekend since I’m not leaving the house for any reason at all. We pull into my driveway and I feel a rush of excitement and relief hit me. I’m home.
As we reach the front door, Tucker steps outside and Sophia rushes around him and flies into my arms. I lift her off the ground and carry her into the house. In between urgent kisses, I call over my shoulder, “Tucker, you can just leave the bags in the car until morning. I won’t need them tonight.”
Tucker and Shadow both chuckle. “You got it, boss,” Tucker replies.
With Sophia plastered to my body, and her hands working feverishly to unbutton my shirt, we finally make it upstairs to my bedroom. No playroom antics tonight; I just need to immerse all of my senses in everything that is Sophia. She pushes my shirt off my shoulder and then grips my hair in between her fingers. Walking her backward until we reach the bed, I unzip her skirt and let it drop to the floor. Breaking our kiss only long enough to quickly remove her shirt, I deftly remove her bra before gently guiding her to sit on the bed.
“Leave the shoes on, My Angel,” I take a moment to admire how sexy her legs look in those heels.
After quickly shedding the rest of my clothes, Sophia moves backward on the bed and I crawl up her body. Leaving wet kisses in my wake, I stop and peer into her eyes. “I love you, Sophia,” I fervently tell her.
Reaching between us, I glide my finger across her entrance, spreading the wetness and preparing her for my intrusion. I can’t hold back my groan of satisfaction as my finger slides deep inside her. Her resulting moan intensifies and her fingernails grip my back as I add a second finger. “Fuck, baby, you feel so good,” I growl out.
She lifts her hips, taking everything I offer and asking for more. Sliding down her body, I stop when I reach the sweet spot. “You know, I haven’t had desert all week. A whole week with no cupcake or icing makes Dom a very grumpy man, so I’d better fix that first,” I utter with my lips against her, causing my voice to reverberate through her core.
In a slow, controlled approach, my tongue delves into her most sensitive area and she cries out. Her fingernails dig into my scalp as I become more and more vigorous with my performance. Looking up at her, but not moving away, I command her, “Be still, Sophia. No squirming allowed.”
She breathes heavily, her chest rising and falling in rapid succession as she tries to calm her overheated body. Positioning her legs so that her knees are bent, I slide my hands under her hips and lift them in the air. She knows what’s next and she grips the sheet with her fists to try to keep from moving again.
“Don’t make me have to stop what I’m doing, Sophia. My cupcake needs icing. I’ve been deprived of it all week,” I warn her with my domineering tone. “Don’t deprive me again tonight.”
With that, I dive back in full force and Sophia’s fingers are the only part of her that dares to move. They dig into the sheet and mattress, fisting the material and pulling as hard as she is able. When I add fingers to the mix, she completely comes undone in my hands and I lap up her essence like a starved man.
“That’s more like it,” I praise her. “Are you ready for me?”
“Yes, Dom,” she simultaneously pants and pleads.
Gripping her lithe body in my hands, I flip her body over, face down on the bed. Knowing exactly what I want, she keeps her head down and raises her hips into the air. The ultimate submissive pose in my opinion, she’s offering her body to me freely. Gripping her hips from behind, I position my cock at her entrance and slam into her. Her body lurches forward and I pull her back with my hands while surging my hips forward into her over and over again. Her face is buried in the pillow to muffle her repeated screams.
“Move that pillow and let me hear you, My Angel,” I demand and she complies. The sweet pitch of her voice climbs higher and higher as she reaches her peak yet again. Leaning over her, I grasp a handful of her hair and twist it around my hand. With the next forward thrust, I pull her hair and her upper body rises to meet me. The additional sensation is exactly what she needed to bolster her orgasm and her inner muscles clench around my cock, milking me until it’s impossible for me to withhold any longer.
We both collapse exhausted on the bed and I pull her into my arms, facing me. Kissing her eyes, her nose, her cheeks, and finally her lips, I shower her with love and attention. “You are so beautiful, love. I could stay awake all night and just stare at you.”
She strokes my face, my manicured scruff, and my hair as she looks at me adoringly. “I’ve missed you so much this week. I’m so glad you’re finally home. I was starting to think they were going to keep you another week.”
“Not a chance,” I smile.
“Will you have to go back again?”
“Yes, in a few weeks. We passed the test with flying colors, so I will go back with the first set of our engineers to start implementing the system upgrades. The good news is I won’t have to stay the whole time, but I do have to be there to kick it off.”
“Then, I hope you plan to make up for lost time before you leave me again,” she purrs.
“Absofuckinglutely,” I reply before covering her body with mine again. The morning light begins to dawn before we’re both finally sated and totally dehydrated. I fall asleep with Sophia tucked safely in my arms and sleep
better than I have in the past week since I’ve been away.
We start to stir around noon and somehow shuffle into the shower. The warm water seems to revitalize us both, along with our appetites. “I’m starving, love. Are you?”
“You shouldn’t be. All the cupcakes you had last night should have filled you up,” she flirts.
“You’re just asking for more, aren’t you?” I say as I reach for her.
She laughs and jumps back from me, “No, Dom! Please—can we wait?”
Smiling warmly at her, I respond, “Are you sore?” She nods her head eagerly and I stifle my laugh behind my smile. “Then, of course, My Angel. But know that you will be punished for telling me no. You agreed to the ‘no withholding your body from me’ rule.”
Sophia nods slowly, “Alright then, I’ll take my licks from the paddle like a woman because I’m too sore for anything else right now.”
Laughing richly, I pull her under the hot water spray with me and wash her from head to toe. She’s relishing the attention, and for once, isn’t insisting that she doesn’t deserve it. My young sub is learning to let her Dom take care of her, do things for her, and cherish her in every way possible. She just doesn’t fully realize the value of what she gives me in return.
After we’ve showered, dressed, and had a big lunch, I take her out for a walk around my property. After being cooped up in the hospital, then the hotel room and the top-secret compound, I’ve stared at enough walls and need some time outdoors. Telling Tucker and Shadow to hang back at the house, Sophia and I venture out on our own. The warm afternoon temperatures make for perfect weather to swim in the small spring-fed lake on the distant part of my acreage.
After convincing her no one will see us, we jump in for a little skinny-dipping fun. The temperature of the spring water is still very cool, even in the hottest part of the summer, and takes some adjusting to stay in for very long. After our swim, we allow the late afternoon sun dry our wet skin while we stretch out on a blanket. Out here I feel like I don’t have a care in the world.
“Today has been wonderful, Dom. I’m so glad we came out here,” Sophia gushes.
“I’ll have to take you to my lake house, then. You would really love it out there.”
“You own a lake house?” she asks, surprise lacing her tone.
“Yes, it’s about an hour south of Dallas. I don’t get down there nearly enough. Maybe we should change that,” I say as I roll over to my side and prop up on my arm to look at her.
“Let’s do that,” she says excitedly. Her face falls as she notices the sun dropping in the sky. “I just got you back. I hate that I have to leave you so soon,” she says distractedly.
“What do you mean—leave me so soon? You’re not going anywhere.”
“Tomorrow is Sunday. I only have tonight with you.”
“No, I’ve been gone all week. You don’t have to leave on Sundays. You’re staying with me,” I insist.
Panic controls her features for a few seconds as she stares at me, wide-eyed and slack-jawed, until she realizes I’ve sat up and my arms are folded across my chest. I’m waiting for an acceptable explanation of why she can’t be with me all weekend. She twists her lips up as if she’s deep in thought and replies, “Fine. Have it your way. I’ll give up my night of watching soap operas on my DVR.”
“Soap operas?” I ask disbelievingly.
“Okay, fine. It’s The Walking Dead! I’m addicted to that show and it comes on every Sunday night. Happy now?”
“That’s better than soap operas. But you just broke another term of our agreement, so that means more punishment for you, I’m afraid.”
“What term?” she asks, alarmed.
“The one when you agreed there would be no deception at all. You just lied to me and said you were watching soap operas.”
“It’s a nighttime soap opera!” she defends.
“I guess I’ll see for myself tomorrow night. Won’t I, Sophia?”
“Yes, Dom, you will,” she replies confidently.
“Fine. I’ll give you that one. No punishment for watching The Walking Dead, but you can watch it here, too. You don’t have to go back to the condo every Sunday night,” I try to compromise with her.
“It’s also for a little time alone for myself, too, Dom,” she says. “It doesn’t mean I don’t want to be with you.”
“We’ll just have to work out a compromise that better suits both of us,” I counter.
“I’m open to suggestions,” Sophia smiles.
“You just like Daryl,” I accuse.
“Who doesn’t?” she exclaims and I answer with a sigh and a shake of my head.
During the commercial, I decide to make some popcorn and grab some drinks for us. As I enter the den, Sophia’s phone rings and she quickly grabs it to look at the screen. Hitting decline, the call is sent to voicemail and she quickly turns it off. I watch with suspicion that I’ve never felt toward her before.
What is going on?
“Who was that?” I ask as I sit down and share the popcorn bowl.
“My mother, again,” she says flatly. “I can’t deal with that tonight.”
“Maybe we should just go talk to them,” I offer.
She shakes her head and vehemently responds with, “No, Dom. I’m serious—I don’t trust them. She wants something—probably your money. That’s the only reason she ever calls me.”
“You don’t have to face this alone anymore, Sophia. I’m here with you and I will take the heavy burdens off your shoulders,” I assure her.
Sophia moves the popcorn bowl to the other side of her and swiftly swings her body around until she’s in my lap, straddling me. She caresses my face with her delicate hands before kissing me softly on the lips. When she pulls back to speak, her voice is soft and low, but full of so much emotion.
“I never really believed there were men like you. I always thought they only existed fairy tales and romance novels that have happily ever after endings. I’ve done nothing to deserve how well you treat me. There’s not much you wouldn’t do for me, is there?”
“No,” I answer plainly. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her. There’s nothing I would deny her. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to see her happy. “This is how it works, My Angel. Taking care of you is not only my responsibility. It is my honor. I’m proud to do it, but I am also humbled by it.”
She nods her head and I know that she is seriously contemplating my words this time. They finally click with her and she understands this is not about control. It’s not about having the final word or being in charge of everything. “It’s a deep-rooted need in you that needs to be fulfilled for you to be truly happy, isn’t it?” she asks to clarify.
“Yes, but it’s also more than that. Letting me care for you and do only what’s good for you is a sign that you trust me. Your submission with your body is one thing, but submission with your mind and your free will is another. When you depend on me, it gives me another purpose in life. When your heart, your mind, and your body all belong to me, no one can ever break that bond,” I explain.
Sliding off the couch and onto her knees on the floor between my legs, she leans into me and lays her head on my chest. Her arms are wrapped around me and she squeezes me as hard as her arms will allow. I stroke her face and head, pushing her hair behind her ear and watching her lovingly.
“I give you all of me, Dom. My mind, my heart, and my body are yours. You’re in my thoughts nonstop, my heart is overflowing with love for you, and my body craves your touch. If anything had happened to you in that wreck, no other man would ever have me. No one else could ever take your place,” her words are steeped with emotion.
“If you say we should go talk to my family, I will do as you say. It would be wrong for me to not warn you, though. I can’t just let you walk into that viper’s nest without knowing how they are. Just consider that when I push back on anything regarding them,” her voice pleads.
“Sophia, part of taking care of you
is listening to your needs and your fears. If being around your family bothers you so much, I won’t force it. Just know that when you do go around them, you won’t be alone,” I promise her. “Now, my love, it’s been a long week and I’m ready for bed.”
Once we’re settled in bed for the night, I can’t contain my desire to have her just one more time. Rolling over on top of her, I use my knee to part her legs and make room for me to ease in between them. What starts out as a slow sensual kiss quickly turns heated and animalistic. Our tongues dance and caress, fueling our desires past the boiling point.
Reaching down and placing my hands behind her knees, I pull her legs up and slowly push into her. She moans in pleasure into my mouth and then tries to increase my pace. “Easy, baby,” I murmur against her lips, “Just relax and let me do all the work. I don’t want to hurt you.”
When she relaxes her body, I feel all of her muscles become lax at once and I slowly push fully into her. Withdrawing, I repeat my slow, sensual movements over and over again until our bodies are covered with beads of sweat. She wraps her arms under mine and curls her hands around to grip my shoulders. With each thrust, her fingernails dig deeper into my skin.
When she seductively whispers, “I’m ready for you, Dom,” I take my cue and put all of my might into the finale. She screams out my name and I growl into her ear, “You have me.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
I’m startled awake at 2:03 in the morning. Having no idea what roused me from my sleep, I listen for a moment, but hear nothing moving in the house. It’s pitch black outside with the clouds covering the moon. The weatherman said we can expect bad storms to move through the area today and it seems they’re coming in early. Sophia is still sound asleep, but for some reason I’m wide-awake. Easing out of bed, being careful not to wake her, I slip on my lounging pants and head to my study.
Her Dom (Dominic Powers #1) Page 21
