by Cathryn Fox
A sudden thought had her spinning on her heel and heading out into the gallery. There, on the far wall behind the reception desk, was the photo that had started her on this path.
The whole gallery was painted a very light cream shade. A classy, yet neutral color that blended well with the natural wood shelves and display podiums Zach had built for her. Everything was set up to show all the pieces equally.
Except the wall behind the reception desk.
It was painted a rich deep burgundy that drew the eye.
Teal stepped closer and thought back to what had enthralled her so about that photograph. It was subtle, but it was there. Even when she’d used the word masterful in her mind before, it hadn’t clicked. But the position of the woman, bent over and exposed…and the way the hands were both gentle and commanding…
The photo had aroused her, but it wasn’t the explicit nature of it, or even the naughty details that had done it. It was the sense of complete openness.
The sense of complete trust.
Zach parked his truck in front of the gallery and sat there for a minute. It was almost six. He’d meant to be there long before then, but it had been one of those days. The good thing about the day being so busy was that he hadn’t really had a chance to think about Teal and what he was going to do. Should he bring everything up and out into the open with conversation? Should he tell her that he thought he was falling for her? Or, should he just pretend that nothing had happened? That she hadn’t knocked his world off its axis and then snuck off without a word.
With a sigh, he got out of the truck just as Brina Jo was exiting the gallery. She saw him coming and waited.
“A bit late to start work isn’t it?” The smile she gave him was friendly, but a bit reserved.
“Busy day lining up the next couple of jobs. This one is almost done.”
She nodded. “Does that mean you’re almost done here?”
Zach wasn’t sure how to answer that. What was his next step? May as well be honest. “Done with the work? Yeah, I’ve only got a couple more hours and everything should be good to go. But I’d like to think that there’s more for me here than the job.”
Brina Jo’s smile brightened. “A word of advice?”
He nodded.
“Don’t give up, and don’t give in. She’s not as strong as she pretends to be.” She patted him on the shoulder and walked away.
Figuring that for good advice, he pulled open the gallery door and went looking for trouble.
Chapter Ten
He found her in the back room, surrounded by unpacked crates and a variety of shimmering glass pieces. The one in her hands looked like glass dildo. A very large glass dildo. “Teal?”
She jumped and spun at him, dildo raised above her head like a weapon. When she saw him, her arm dropped and her other hand went to her chest. “Jesus, Zach! You startled me.”
“Sorry.” He gestured to the oversized phallic toy in her hand and chuckled. “I, uhmm, hope you don’t plan on using that on me? In any way.”
“What? No.” She laughed and held it up for him to see. “With a price tag of almost a thousand dollars, it’s a little out of my price range for a sex toy. Not that I’d want to use it on you. Or myself for that matter.” By the time she was done talking color had flooded her cheeks and her eyes darted about the room. She was looking anywhere but at him.
“You don’t use sex toys?” Her almost shy behavior made it impossible for him to not tease her.
Her color deepened, but she rallied fast. “I admit to having a toy chest of my own at home, but its nothing compared to yours.”
His heart thumped at her sassy smile and quick recovery. Never mind that she’d just given him the perfect opening. “Did you like my collection?”
She put down the glass and leaned against the nearest crate, folding her arms across her chest. Everything about her body language said she was backing away, putting up walls between them. But when she lifted her head, she met his gaze head on. “It was impressive, and pretty surprising.”
“Impressive is good,” he said as he walked closer to her. He didn’t stop until he was close enough to see the dark flecks in her amber eyes. “Why so surprising?”
“I didn’t peg you as the real kinky sort. Lusty for sure, just not kinky.”
“I’m not kinky a hundred percent of the time. As you learned, I’m quite capable without all the toys, too.” One more step and he placed his hands on the crate behind her, bracketing her hips.
He knew he was crowding her, but he didn’t care. He’d gotten a good glimpse of something real and deep in her gaze, and he was going for it.
“Last night was a good time,” she agreed.
Although her stance hadn’t changed, Teal’s eyes had darkened and her voice had taken on a breathy quality that made his cock throb. “Just a good time?”
“Okay. A very good time.”
He watched as the tip of her little pink tongue darted out and dashed across her bottom lip. He leaned in until his lips were almost touching hers and spoke softly. “I want more.”
He heard the hitch in her breath, felt it against his lips. Unable to hold back, he gave her a soft kiss. When he felt her leaning into it, he pulled back slightly and pressed his advantage. “Do you want more from me, Teal?”
Her eyes widened and her hands pushed against his chest. “More what exactly, Zach? I get the feeling you’re not talking about just another night of naked wrestling.”
He took his hands off the crate and backed off a little. “That’s because I’m not.”
“You want what? A relationship?”
His raised his eyebrows. “Is that so surprising?”
“Well, yes, it is. We barely know each other.”
“That’s what a relationship is. Getting to know each other better, in every way.”
She shook her head slowly. “I don’t think so, Zach. You’re super sexy and I like you, but I just don’t think I could ever be what you need.”
It was his turn to fold his arms across his chest. That way he could be sure his pounding heart wouldn’t jump straight through his ribs. This was it. He knew that if he didn’t handle this right, he’d never get another shot with her. In thirty-six years he’d never wanted to have a serious, lasting relationship, but by damned if she hadn’t suddenly become the most important thing to him.
“Just what is it you think I need?”
“Someone who’s a lot more submissive than I’ll ever be.”
“You don’t think you’d enjoy being submissive for me? You were willing to get on the cross last night.”
She shivered and her nipples became twin points pressing against her thin blouse. It wasn’t cold in there so he knew the thought of her being on the cross was as appealing to her as it was to him.
“I’ve never been tied up,” she shrugged. “I figured why not give it a try? But the urge has passed.”
“Really?”
“Um, hmmm.”
A grin tried to escape but he held it back. He couldn’t get too cocky. “You don’t strike me as someone that would let her fear rule her.”
“What fear? Just because I enjoy my independence and don’t want to call some man Master, you think I’m scared?”
“No. I think you’re scared because you do enjoy your independence so much. Then last night, you got a taste of what it would be like to relax and let someone else be in charge once in a while and you liked it.”
“It was just good chemistry and good sex, Zach. Don’t make it out to be more that it was.” Her words were firm, but she knew, she knew deep inside, he was right. He had cooked for her, talked to her about everything and anything, and then teased and pleased her more than any man had ever before.
“You’re wrong and I can prove it to you. If you’re brave enough to let me.”
Damn it. He made it sound like a dare!
“How’s that?” Teal leaned back against the crate and used crossing her legs as an excuse to press her
thighs together. Everything inside her was heating to the melting point at the prospect of being with him again, even while her brain screamed at her that the submission thing was a slippery slope.
“Tonight, my basement, when you’re done here.”
He was backing away from her as he spoke and something like panic tightened her muscles. “I’ve got a lot to do, I might not be done until late.”
“I’ll still be there.” His expression got intent for a minute. “It’s your choice, Teal.”
Then he was gone. And Teal was alone and wound up.
Chapter Eleven
It took just over an hour for Teal to admit to herself that Zach had been right.
The way she’d felt when just sitting in his kitchen watching him cook for her, and the way he’d teased her and made her plead for her orgasms… she’d loved every minute of it. She knew she wasn’t, and never would be, a submissive person, but she couldn’t deny she’d felt a certain intoxicating freedom with him. The thought of never experiencing it again wasn’t something she wanted to contemplate.
So before she could think any more, she grabbed her purse and headed for his place. She wasn’t going because he’d dared her, either.
The drive to north side of the river went by surprisingly fast and it was still light out when she pulled into Zach’s driveway. Without slowing down, she marched up the walk and rang the bell. When the door swung open and she caught sight of him, any ability to think rationally fled.
Wearing nothing but soft leather pants, he looked deliciously decadent and completely masterful. Her breasts got heavy and her pussy throbbed while she drank in the sight of him. Light tufts of hair dusted his chest and trailed down a belly with visible ridges and valleys. Her mouth watered and she fought the urge to drop to her knees right then and there and start licking. As she looked on, the package behind the zipper swelled and she knew he was hard everywhere.
She lifted her gaze and took in the blond hair, dark from a recent shower, which flopped over his forehead and curled around his ears giving him the exact right amount of softness.
Oh man, she was in trouble.
“So,” she said. “Show me what you’re offering.”
His eyebrows jumped at her abruptness, but he just smiled and opened the door wider for her. Feeling a bit like a fly about to be caught in a spider web, she stepped inside.
Without hesitating she headed for the door to his basement and down the steps. She felt his silent presence behind her every step of the way and chastised herself. She was acting as if she was indeed scared and that would not do.
Deliberately injecting a lightness she didn’t feel into her voice, she spun to face him at the bottom of the steps. “Where would you like me, Sir?”
His lips twitched and he stepped toward her. Before she knew what he was up to, his head dipped and he planted a fast and hard kiss on her lips and then stepped back with a gleam in his eye.
“That’s a loaded question if I ever heard one,” he chuckled. “For right now, I want you on the cross.”
His wicked humor was reassuring. This wasn’t going to be such a big deal, she thought as she made her way to the corner where the big cross was. It’s not like he was going to pull out a paddle or cat o’ nine tails.
Her natural confidence surged forward again and she strolled behind the cross. “I assume you want me naked?” Peeking at him from between the thick wooden slats, she started to peel her clothes off slowly, swaying to the Celtic music floating throughout the room.
“That does work best, but only if you’re comfortable with it.”
Teal’s confidence surged as he stood there and watched her tease him with a little peek-a-boo show. His eyes fairly glowed with desire and he stood with his hands at his sides, making no effort to hide his own arousal. When she stepped out in front of the cross again, the air was thick with tension and her insides trembled with anticipation. She wanted his hands on her again so badly.
“So beautiful,” he purred as he moved forward in a languid prowl. He stepped around her naked form, trailing heated fingertips up her arm, across her back, over her shoulder and down the slope of her breast. His thumb and forefinger pinched her nipple lightly and she gasped, surprised at the intense jolt of pleasure that shot straight to her core. “It’s not just the way you look that makes you beautiful. There’s a fire in your eyes and an ingrained sensuality in your movements that makes me ache with desire every time I’m around you.”
His words were magical, his voice almost hypnotic as his hands guided her onto the cross. The cold of the hardwood was a shock to her overheated body, but it only lasted a second and then the wood seemed to soften, as if it absorbed her heat.
She kept her eyes on him as he wrapped her wrists in wool-lined cuffs. “Too tight?” he asked, and she shook her head. He moved onto the next, and then knelt at her feet.
He cupped a large hand around the curve of her calf and then ran his hand down to her ankle.
“Such lovely skin you have, too. So pale and soft. It was too dark for us last night. I didn’t get to see your body flush all pretty and pink when your blood started to really pump. But I plan on seeing it all tonight.” He looked up at her from his position between her spread thighs. Fingers walked up her leg and her heart pounded as he got closer to her sex. “Just like I can see that you’re already wet.”
She’d been wet since he’s crowded her against the crate in the gallery. She closed her eyes and prayed that he wasn’t planning on teasing her all night long. She wasn’t sure just how long she could withstand it without caving.
She’d plead with him to fuck her, and then he’d think he could always dominate her. He’d think that he could control her.
Chapter Twelve
Teal kept her eyes closed while she heard Zach move about. She wanted to watch what he was doing, but she knew she needed to stay inside her own head if she wanted to maintain some control.
She expected a light teasing touch from Zach, similar to the way he’d played her body the night before. So when he stepped right up between her thighs, gripped her waist and slanted his mouth over hers, her body reacted as if electrified. Her mouth opened for him, letting him plunder and ravage with full intense passion as her arms flexed against the restraints in an effort to reach for him. He pressed into her, letting her feel the hardness of his erection against her sex. Her heart pounded and mewls of passion escaped at her inability to touch him.
Then he was gone.
Her eyes snapped open to see him less than a foot away from her, his lips wet, his chest rising and falling rapidly and he watched her. “Don’t close your eyes during this. I want you to see me, to never doubt that it’s me who’s touching you and me who’s going to give you what you want. Don’t shut me out by closing your eyes. Understand?”
She nodded and he leaned in and kissed her again. This time his domination was softer, but just as thorough. He tasted like fresh mint and honey, fresh, and sweet, and potent.
“Good girl,” he purred and stepped back again. “Now, let’s find out just how much you enjoy letting someone else be in charge every now and then shall we?”
Their gazes locked, Teal saw the flare in his dark eyes when he touched her. The same flare of heat that was deep in her belly. Like they were connected.
He ran one hand up and over her rib cage, stopping just below the curve of her breast, then the other. Then his thumbs skimmed the tender skin before his hands moved up and completely covered her breasts. And he wasn’t gentle.
Heat shot to her pussy as he fondled her breasts. He tweaked her nipples and she gasped. He squeezed them and she moaned. He pulled at them and she bit her lip to stay a whimper as juices flooded her core. She’d never been handled so gruffly, yet not. He was testing her, staring deep into her eyes and searching out each response to see just what effect it had on her.
He stepped back and reached for something silver and shiny from inside the armoire. A touch of unease seeped through her wh
en he grasped one breast in his hand and slipped a rubber tipped clamp over the nipple. Watching her eyes carefully, he released it.
Immediate pain shot through her like lightening. “No! Ouch, No!” Before the word ouch passed her lips he had the clamp off.
“Shhh, it’s okay,” he crooned. His hand covered her breast, the warmth of it soothing the nipple. “That was little too much for you, eh?”
The twinkle in his eye made her giggle as she nodded, and the pain faded away. Still apprehensive, she watched as he adjusted the little screw on the clamp, and placed it over her nipple again. Their eyes met and he released it.
Pain whipped through her again and she tensed, but it quickly eased to a dull throb. He grinned, and pleasure suffused her. He repeated the process with the other breast, this time without the too tight first try. When both breasts were bound, he tugged lightly on the chain between them and electric heat jumped from her nipples to her clit.
“Oh!”
Zach nodded and stepped forward. He cupped a hand around her jaw and titled her head up, giving him complete access to her throat. His lips brushed against her neck, then his tongue and his teeth. He nibbled and sucked, making shivers dance up and down her spine. Her nipples tightened, the throb in them increasing.
A warm hand slid over her belly and between her thighs and she moaned. So good, his touch was so good. He swiped a finger the length of her slit, parting her folds. The heel of his hand pressed against her aching clit and he thrust a finger inside. Then another. He rocked his hand, his fingers fucking her, his chest pressed against hers, the clamps making her extra sensitive to every brush of skin.
Her panting breath filled the room; the world fell away until there was only her, him, and their connection. He didn’t need to look into her eyes anymore. Everything he did stoked the fire in her belly until her hips were pumping against his hand. She tossed her head, nudging at him and he nipped her on the chin. Then his mouth was on hers again and she was in heaven.
