by Mari Carr
He was a bastard of the highest order. She left him scrambling to recover his wits, to regain the ground he’d lost. He’d hoped his harsh, hateful words would drive her away. He’d been incorrect. Everything he’d done since her arrival had been wrong.
Now he was left to ponder. Did he want to salvage what was left of his game plan? Or did he want to surrender?
He released her hair and gave her an apologetic smile.
Despite his abhorrent behavior, Shea laughed. “Are you finished trying to scare me away?”
Travis narrowed his eyes. “You knew?”
“I’ve known you forever, knew you’d never give in quickly or easily.” Her face sobered and she held out her hands. Her utter lack of timidity astonished him. “Is it me? Do you find me repulsive?”
How could she think he wasn’t attracted to her? “Jesus, Shea. I’m standing in front of you with a cock as hard as steel. If you learn anything from me, understand that only occurs when a man finds a woman beautiful, enticing, irresistible.”
She smiled at his compliment. “So you agree to teach me?”
Travis closed his eyes and cursed himself for a fool. “Yes. I’ll teach you. But I refuse to take your maidenhead. If you can’t agree to that, the deal is off. And when I say off, I mean completely. If you start to look for other gentleman instructors, I will tell your parents what you’re plotting. Agreed?” He’d never tell her family, but she didn’t need to know that.
She looked like she wanted to protest but Travis refused to bend on this point. Finally, she sighed and nodded. “Fine, but you must agree to teach me everything I wish to learn, short of consummation, of course.”
He considered her condition and the trouble he was in. Then he nodded. “Deal.”
Chapter 5
Travis looked like a man about to face his executioner. Something was terribly wrong but Shea didn’t have a clue what it could be. He was the one to suggest dinner and God knew she hadn’t asked for much more.
Emma’s warning from earlier in the evening returned. What were Travis’ secrets? What had he buried so deeply even his best friend didn’t know about it? She wished she had a two-way mirror of her own, something that would let her see what resided inside him. Though they were still strangers, she felt a definite pull and she wouldn’t be able to rest until she’d uncovered every secret spot inside Travis.
She sighed. Perhaps for now it would be best to travel toward safer territory. “You really want to spank me?”
He nodded, his face far too serious. “More than words can say.”
She looked down at the actress on stage as she came. Her orgasm didn’t look fake. It looked… beautiful.
“Fine.” She couldn’t believe what she was agreeing to, but whether it was the wine, the show or the sadness in Travis’ eyes, she knew at that moment there was very little she would refuse him. She’d get this over with and then spend tomorrow night making him uphold his end of the bargain. She was looking forward to spending more time with him and she wanted lots more of those drugging kisses of his.
“What should I do?”
He threw a pillow from the couch onto the floor and gestured to the coffee table. “Kneel there and bend over the table.”
She grinned as she moved into position.
“Is something funny?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I can’t believe I’m doing this. Technically this is our first date. I’m not usually this easy.”
“I am.”
Shea tried to remember when she’d had more fun with a man. Even with her ex-boyfriend, she’d never laughed in bed. Hell, she didn’t laugh out of bed with Scott—they were always fighting over bills and dirty dishes and lost jobs.
Shea’s laughter died when she felt Travis’ hand on her ass. He hadn’t lifted her skirt, merely placed his palm on top of the material.
“Last chance to change your mind.”
She shook her head. “I’m not going to do that.”
The show had ended, though most of the audience remained, drinking and talking about the performance. Shea shivered as she considered her position. Though the people below couldn’t see her, couldn’t see what they were about to do, she felt as though she were on display.
“You’re beautiful, Shea. I have no doubt all those people would pay a fortune to see you this way.”
Her heart raced at his words but her mind rejected the thought. Her mother had performed for money, used her body to entice a crowd full of horny men. Shea had vowed she’d never sell herself. She had every intention of keeping that promise. It was one of the main reasons she’d run away from Vegas. In his drunken stupor, Scott had yelled at her for keeping her lame waitressing job, telling her she could make a shitload more money as a stripper. Her blood had run cold at the thought.
Travis slowly lifted her skirt to her waist. “I wouldn’t let them see you. You’re my secret treasure, Shea. I feel a very strong need to keep you all to myself.”
She didn’t respond—couldn’t—as his hand lightly brushed over her panties. He was moving slowly, too slowly, and it was driving her out of her mind. Her arousal was soaking the panties Travis needed to hurry up and take off her.
She wanted to protest but every gentle touch, every brush of his fingertips against her sensitive skin drove her needs higher. Maybe it wasn’t the sex that had been lacking in her past, but the foreplay.
Finally, Travis grasped the elastic waistband of her panties and pulled them down. She lifted a bit so he could work them off completely. She expected more of the same soft touches, so she was surprised when he grasped both cheeks of her ass in his hands and squeezed firmly.
She squirmed against the coffee table, the cool surface more apparent as her nipples tightened.
“What part of the spanking idea turns you off?” he asked.
She tried to process the question. Had she said this turned her off?
When she didn’t answer, he provided multiple-choice answers with a chuckle. Cocky bastard knew the effect he was having on her. “Is it the pain?”
She shook her head. She didn’t think so. Actually, the only sex she’d mildly enjoyed in the past had been of the rough variety. Being taken against a wall or bent over a table like she was now.
“Is it the loss of control?”
Again she shook her head. In her darkest, most secret fantasies—the ones she never told anyone about—she often dreamed of being captured, tied up, taken against her will. She’d felt guilty about those desires, never sharing them with anyone.
Travis slapped her ass. His hand landed roughly against her left cheek and she gasped. It had come unexpectedly. “Is it your pride getting in the way?”
She didn’t think it was pride so much as trust. She wasn’t wired to take orders from a man in the bedroom. She blamed it on her upbringing. Trust wasn’t something she gave easily and she’d never met a guy she was comfortable enough with to give him carte blanche with her body.
So why was she letting Travis—a virtual stranger—spank her? Rather than voice the truth about her reluctance, she played the feminist card. “Maybe. I don’t think men are superior to women just because they have cocks.”
Travis struck her again, this time on the right cheek. “Is that what you think this is? A power play?”
“Isn’t it?” Her question came out with a harsh breath as Travis began to pepper her ass with quick slaps. He varied his intensity, some light taps, others harder blows. She closed her eyes, sucking in a deep breath.
It hurt more than she’d anticipated but she didn’t want him to stop. The pain morphed into something unexpected, something hot and pleasurable.
Finally his slaps ceased, his hands caressing the burning flesh with soft touches once again. “Maybe. Sometimes it’s a power play. There are a lot of people who are into BDSM, sadomasochism. That isn’t what this is.”
She gripped the edge of the coffee table and pressed her forehead against the chilly surface. She was on the verge of a
n orgasm. Somehow Travis had taken her exactly where she’d sworn he couldn’t. She was hot, achy and definitely in the mood to do a little screaming. “What is this?”
“Exploring fantasies, needs. Giving someone what they want.”
“I didn’t think I wanted this.”
He pressed a light kiss against her shoulder, his hot breath tickling her face. “This isn’t all you want, is it?”
She shook her head and started to rise. He held her down with a firm hand at the top of her back. It triggered a fresh round of arousal. How could he tell she liked when he took control?
“Tell me what else you’ve dreamed about.”
She looked over her shoulder at him, feeling herself flush. She turned away quickly, but not before he’d noticed.
Travis chuckled. “Must be pretty hot.”
“Or pretty twisted.”
“I just spanked your ass because it turns me on. How much more twisted can your fantasy be?”
She sucked in a deep breath. Then before she could think about it, she told him. “I dream about being held captive, taken against my will.”
Travis never missed a beat, though she feared her words would disgust him. “Christ, you’re not vanilla at all.”
“Twisted,” she said ruefully.
“Nope. Hot and sexy. But it occurs to me. You lied. Your issue isn’t pride. Isn’t capture about a man having complete control over you?”
Damn. He had her on that. “Yeah. It is.”
“So what is it, Shea?”
“Trust. I’ve never trusted anyone enough to let them do this to me.”
He paused and she sensed he was shocked by her response. “But you’re letting me.”
She squirmed beneath him. “I am. But please don’t ask me why because I don’t have a fucking clue.”
He chuckled softly then mercifully let the subject lie.
Tonight had been too much, too perfect. Travis Knight was shaping up to be her ideal man and she was falling way too fast. This wasn’t good. She had goals, plans for the future. Finding a relationship wasn’t even on her list. She didn’t have a freaking home at the moment. Finding an apartment needed to take precedence over everything, including her sex life—dammit.
Travis ran his hand over the sensitive skin of her ass and she decided, fuck it. The future would still be there tomorrow. For tonight, she had a new goal.
“I want you to fuck me. I need you to.”
“No, not tonight. For now, you’ll simply have to make do with this.” He separated her legs, nudging them with his knees. She parted them, her gasp turning to a moan of pleasure when he drove two fingers inside her wet pussy.
“God,” she cried. He didn’t talk anymore—a fact she was grateful for. She wasn’t sure she could speak her name at this point, let alone have an intelligent conversation.
Travis plunged his fingers inside her, each pass growing in speed, depth and intensity. She began to anticipate his motions, thrusting her hips to meet him.
“Please,” she whispered, uncertain what she was asking for. Something. Anything. She was so close to coming, to losing her fucking mind.
Travis reached around her waist with his free hand and rubbed her clit firmly. The extra sensation, the added pressure, set her off like a bottle rocket.
She came—loudly—as Travis continued to work her flesh, dragging every drop of pleasure out of her until she felt her eyes close in bliss and exhaustion. Christ, if she wasn’t careful, she would pass out. She definitely felt like she could sleep for a few hours or days in an attempt to recover from that incredible climax.
“Oh!” she said breathlessly. “God. Wow.”
Travis pressed another kiss to her shoulder and she was touched by the sweet gesture. “I assume that was okay?”
She laughed as he threw her words back at her. She shrugged. “Yeah. It was all right.”
He stood, his strong hands reaching down to help her rise. Her skirt fell back in place though her panties remained somewhere on the floor at their feet. He led her back to the couch, encouraging her to lie down. She winced slightly when her ass hit the cushions.
“You okay?” he asked.
She nodded. He’d given her so much and she’d yet to touch him.
Touch him…
Tomorrow was her turn. Her turn to get exactly what she wanted.
* * * *
Bright and early the next morning, Shea arrived at Travis’ manor home. After his pitiful attempts to dissuade her yesterday, they’d decided it best to get a fresh start today. Travis answered her knock and she was struck once again by the absence of servants. He was certainly doing his best to protect her reputation and she appreciated his efforts.
She followed him to his bedroom, butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She’d tossed and turned all night as she considered what she wanted for her first lesson. She prayed Travis wouldn’t become disgusted.
He locked the door behind them and lifted his hand. “I’m here for your tutelage. What is your pleasure, madam?”
She flushed, wondering how to phrase her request. “I would like to put your,” she paused, recalling the word he’d used yesterday, “cock into my mouth.”
Travis stood spellbound for several moments and Shea fought the urge to retreat. She’d gone too far. Her first day of lessons in pleasure and she’d pushed him away.
“As you wish.” He began unfastening his breeches and Shea remained motionless as she watched. She’d seen his member the day before, equal parts amazed and horrified by the size of it. In her readings, she had learned about the mechanics of coupling, the words on the page arousing her enough to encourage her to place one of her fingers inside herself simply to see how it felt. Her finger was but a fraction of the size of Travis’ member. She was hard-pressed to imagine it fitting inside her. Then she remembered Travis’ vow. He wouldn’t breach her maidenhead, wouldn’t steal her innocence. She’d wanted to argue the point but knew Travis wouldn’t bend. Instead, she hoped to change his mind later.
Travis pushed his breeches off but made no attempt to remove any other clothing. He took a step toward her and before she could stop herself, she moved away. His eyes narrowed.
“Now you run scared?”
She raised her chin, offended by his accusation. “I’m not afraid.” She wasn’t. Well, maybe a little. But more than that, she was fascinated, curious.
“Get on your knees.”
“What?” she asked.
“That’s typically how this is done.”
“Oh.” She knelt before she could reconsider her actions. Her gaze never left his face as she did so and she could see she’d shocked him. His jaw locked and for a second, she thought she saw him wince.
“Jesus,” he muttered. He stepped forward, not stopping until she had no choice but to look away from his face to see what was hovering right before her eyes.
“Open your mouth, sweet angel.”
The pet name sent a flash of white-hot lightning through her body and she fought to restrain a shiver. There was an uncomfortable wetness between her legs. She’d been embarrassed by that same occurrence yesterday, though Travis seemed to like it.
She parted her lips. Travis gripped his member and put the head in her mouth. She gasped at the sensation. It was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. He was hot and hard and…salty. She hadn’t anticipated flavor.
Travis cupped her cheek in his hand, directing her actions. “I can’t resist this—you—any longer. I wish I were a better man, Shea, but I’m not.”
She knew in that moment she wanted him. Had always wanted him. And not simply as her teacher.
Travis took it slowly, instructing her in what he liked, telling her how good her mouth felt, how perfect she was. She felt wanton, wicked, wonderful. Soon his breathing became labored and his speech difficult. She feared she was hurting him. She started to pull away but Travis tightened his grip on her face, thrusting deeper.
She was confused until he explained. �
�I’m going to spill into your mouth, Shea. If you don’t want that, tell me now.”
She jerked slightly with surprise but refused to pull away. She continued to take him in and when the first hot, tangy drops landed on her tongue, she understood the appeal of this act.
Even after his climax ended, Shea held him in her mouth, caressing softly with her tongue, leery to pull away as she savored this new closeness. Travis stepped away before reaching down to lift her. He cupped her cheek once more, looking at her with wonder. “Go lie on the bed and lift your dress. It’s time you experienced that sensation for yourself.”
Shea walked to the bed on unsteady legs. Her body was on fire and she longed to take off all her clothing. Instead, she did as Travis commanded. She lifted her dress to her waist and turned, shocked to find Travis right behind her. He lowered her drawers and she kicked them off. He gently pushed on her shoulders, encouraging her to sit on the edge of the bed.
“Lie back.”
She shivered with anticipation. Finally she’d understand what it meant to be with a man.
Travis must have read the relief and anxiety written on her face. “I’m not going to take you, Shea. I haven’t given up hope you’ll come to your senses. There’s still a chance for you to reconsider and find a proper husband.”
“But—”
He shushed her. “Until that moment, there are other ways we can enjoy each other.”
Before she could respond, he pushed her legs apart and placed his mouth on her.
She shrieked with surprise—then with delight.
Holy mother. Had she ever felt anything so incredible? His tongue teased her sensitive flesh, exploring her. She was too shocked to be embarrassed when he nipped her mons with his teeth, the quick flash of pain turning to a tingle of pure delight.
“Too good,” she gasped.
Travis lifted his head and smiled at her. “I haven’t gotten to the good part.” He returned to his ministrations, his tongue delving into her depths, and she realized the truth of that statement.
She wiggled on the bed beneath him, completely out of control. “Please,” she gasped when his tongue pressed a button she’d never paid much attention to before. Travis increased the pressure, pushing his finger the slightest bit inside her.
