Noelle barked with laughter. “That’s how it started for all of us. So what happens now?”
“We haven’t discussed the future. Not in concrete terms.” She played with the stem of her glass. “We’ve talked about vacationing together. We talk about plans in the immediate future. He even made a remark about liking me living in his house and how wonderful it was. But has he asked me to live with him, straight out? Nope.”
“Do you want to live with him? Wear his collar? Commit to him?” Lisa asked, her eyes narrowed.
A great question.
Tori answered it carefully, her words measured. “Sometimes. It’s wonderful having someone in my life I can depend on. Ian’s an old-fashioned man in many ways, and I can really count on him to do what he says he’ll do and to be there for me. On the other hand, I like my independence. I was a wife and a mother for so long. It was nice to only have to think about me.”
Noelle snorted. “Those days are already gone, aren’t they? You’re already thinking about his happiness. I bet you made his favorite thing for dinner last night.”
Tori shook her head. “Actually, Ian made my favorite thing for dinner last night—a thick juicy steak. He’s a good cook. Almost as good as I am.”
Lisa chuckled. “Okay, the night before, then. It’s clear to anyone who sees the two of you, you’re ass over tea kettle for each other. I bet you give him back rubs after a hard day at the police station. You’ll be wearing his collar before you know it.”
Tori ran her finger around the base of her neck. She’d liked the feel of the collar at the play party. Ian’s collar wouldn’t be a burden, she was sure. It would be a symbol of their commitment, and yes, their love. They hadn’t used the L word yet, but she was pretty sure it was where they were headed. Soon.
“I’m going to let things progress at their own pace. I’m not pushing it, and I’m not holding anything back. If we make a lifelong commitment, that’s great. If we don’t, that’s fine, too.”
She suddenly felt bereft at the thought they might not be together. It was an uncomfortable feeling, the fear. She had to acknowledge her feelings were deeper than she had ever planned.
Lisa pushed the box of chocolates toward Tori. “Our Tori is always so calm and logical. Love has little to do with logic, however. You’re in love. So is Ian. Watching you two dance around it is going to be interesting. Give in now and save yourself some time.”
Brianne laughed. “She’s right. Ian looks at you like you’re a goddess. Give in and be happy. Nothing is going to go wrong. This is the right guy.”
* * * *
“He was the wrong guy.” Tim Mills shrugged. “We’ll get the right guy next time.”
Ian knew the truth of the words, but he was still frustrated. After hours of interrogation, the guy was guilty of no more than trying to grab a handbag. He would probably be out of jail before lunch today. Ian was still no closer to finding the man who attacked Tori and no closer to putting The Boyfriend behind bars. He was having a lousy day.
“I know. We just need a break in the case. Something we can go on.”
“We got it. We’ve got your break, Taggert.”
Harris, the chief of detectives was grinning ear to ear. He must have overheard Ian’s remark.
“We have a break? Since when?”
Harris waved a piece of paper. “Since now. One of the patrol officers found your girl. She’s a waitress in a bar near here, some place called O’Shea’s. Some of the cops hang out there after their shifts. Fuck, of all places to find her. She was in our own neighborhood.”
Ian shook his head. He knew of O’Shea’s but hadn’t been there in over six months. He loved his fellow officers, but he didn’t like to spend all his free time with his coworkers. If he grabbed a beer with another cop, it was usually a quick one and at the sports bar about three miles from the station.
“That’s amazing. It’s great, though. Did the officer talk to her?”
Harris threw the piece of paper down on Ian’s desk. “Not yet. That’s for you and Tim to do. There’s authorization to run a twenty-four-hour surveillance on her. We need to catch this guy when he goes after her. Get her to agree, then get the detail together. We’re going to get him this time.”
Tim hopped to his feet with a grin. “Damn right we’re going to get him. Let’s go talk to her, man. I can feel something big is going to happen.”
Ian let himself smile for the first time regarding this case. It did seem things were looking up.
“Let’s go catch a bad guy. I’m tired of this asshole always being one step ahead of us. This time, we’re a step ahead of him.”
With renewed determination, Ian grabbed his car keys and headed to O’Shea’s. They needed to talk to this girl and start surveillance before anything happened to her.
Tim was right behind him as they entered the elevator. A thought occurred to Ian.
“O’Shea’s is a cop’s bar, right? Do you think this guy could be in law enforcement?”
Chapter Nine
Tori stretched her arms over her head and yawned, hearing a few pops in her back. She’d been sitting at her laptop for the last three hours straight, working on her a new series of chapter books for slightly older children. It was fun, but she was exhausted. She’d been writing on and off since six this morning when Ian went to work.
She heard the front door and whirled around in her chair, her heart beating faster as she caught a glimpse of his gorgeous face and body. He was an incredibly handsome man, and he was all hers.
At least for now. She wouldn’t think about it today and wonder whether his feelings were as strong as hers. According to her friends, he was as mushy about her as she was about him.
His sexy grin sent shivers through her body and her pussy and nipples responded quickly. They remembered what his hands and mouth could do, and they wanted more. Much more.
He pulled her out of the chair and laid a hot kiss on her lips, which she returned with heartfelt fervor.
“How’s my girl? It looks like you were hard at work.”
She giggled, snuggling close, loving the scent of his body. “I did work hard today. Writing is a dirty business.”
Ian waggled his eyebrows. “Especially the books you read. Maybe you should try writing an erotic romance sometime. It would certainly be a change from your usual day’s work.”
Tori felt her cheeks grow hot. She’d thought about it a time or two but hadn’t worked up the courage. “I don’t know whether I have enough imagination.”
“I think you do, little slave.”
His voice dropped an octave and the timbre made her catch her breath. He’d used his Dom voice, and her cunt immediately started to cream. He’d trained her well.
She ran her hands up his chest, feeling the muscles bunch under her fingers. “You’re in a good mood, Master.”
He grinned. “Ask me about my day.”
She would indulge this momentary whimsy. He’d drop back into Dom mode soon.
“Okay. How was your day?”
“It was fantastic. We found the girl in the latest photo and put a detail on her twenty-four-seven. We’re going to catch this guy. Soon.”
He looked like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He looked more carefree than she’d seen him in months. She hugged him, feeling his heartbeat under her cheek.
“That’s wonderful. I knew you’d get him.”
“We don’t have him yet. But we will. I know just how we should celebrate.”
She looked in the kitchen, guilt making her wince. “I hope you’re talking about going out to eat. I was so busy writing I didn’t start dinner yet. I know it was my turn. I’m sorry.”
He leaned down and began to lick and nip at the curve of her neck, making her giggle and sending arousal flying through her veins.
“I wasn’t even thinking about food. We can order a pizza. Later. I have plans for my slave.”
She moaned as his tongue traced a path to her ear, biting th
e lobe. “Right now?” She was breathless with desire.
“Now.” He was firmly back in Dom mode, his voice commanding and dark. “In the bedroom, strip, kneel in position, and wait for me, my slave. Go.”
Tori fled to the bedroom, stripping off her shorts and T-shirt on the way, her body already trembling with anticipation. She truly belonged to him, body and soul.
Her clothes landed in the hamper, and she sunk to her knees on the soft rug next to the bed, her nude body reflected in the floor-to-ceiling mirror on the closet door. It was no accident he had selected this spot for her submission. He was determined she would overcome her modesty. She had come a long way. It no longer bothered her to be nude with him.
She rested her bottom on her heels, spread her knees wide, and placed her hands behind her head, thrusting her breasts out. This was his favorite position for her. Her mind was already going to a submissive place inside her. She felt calmer and more serene, knowing she was going to be able to hand over control to him. She had no worries in this room. He shouldered them all.
She closed her eyes and let the silence wash over her. He left her waiting for several reasons, but one was to get her head in the right place. He didn’t want it cluttered with unpaid bills, errands, and long to-do lists. He wanted her centered and focused on herself and her own needs and desires.
She heard him walk in the room but kept her eyes down, enjoying the game of wondering what he would do. He moved around the room, turning off lights and lighting candles, before pulling his naughty leather bag of torture tricks from the closet. She concentrated on her breathing as her arousal heightened. She couldn’t wait for what he had planned.
His shoes came into her line of sight and placed his hand on her head.
“Tori, do you wish to submit your body and mind to me? Do you wish me to take you under my command and control?”
She licked her lips. “Yes, Master. Please allow me to serve you.”
“Very well, slave. Show me your submission.”
She leaned forward, keeping her knees spread and her hands behind her head, and pressed a kiss to each of his well-shined shoes before resting her forehead on the floor, awaiting his first command.
“Your submission is a gift, slave. I will protect and care for you. Lift your head and open your mouth.”
She heard his zipper, and when she rose his cock was placed perfectly so she could easily take him in her mouth. She opened her lips wide, her body quivering with delight. She loved the feel of his big cock stretching her jaws wide and filling her mouth. She loved his salty, musky flavor and the feel of his steely strength under the velvet skin, painted with a map of blue veins. Even his sac called to her lips, wanting to lave the crinkles and hear his groans of pleasure.
He didn’t say a word, simply guided his hard length into her waiting mouth.
“Keep your hands behind your head and pleasure me, slave. I’ll control the movement. You suck and lick.”
There was no teasing or build up. He thrust his cock in and out of her mouth while she sucked and licked, her lips tightened around his wide girth. He grabbed her long hair and tugged her head so his cock would go in farther, his strokes speeding up as he neared orgasm. He bumped the back of her throat and she relaxed her jaw so she could take more of him. She wanted every inch, wanted him to feel pleasure as he had never known it before. His dick was shiny with her saliva and slid in and out effortlessly, rubbing against her already sensitive lips.
His fingers tightened painfully in her hair, adding to her arousal. His cock seemed to swell in her mouth and then he was coming, his hot seed spurting into her welcoming throat.
“Fuck, fuck. Every fucking drop, slave. Fuck.”
She swallowed frantically, knowing missing even one drop was grounds for punishment. He tasted of Ian, of coffee, and something earthy she couldn’t define. She sucked and licked until he was done, and then licked him clean, running her tongue up and down his cock and around the head and slit. He untangled his fingers from her hair and put himself back into his pants, zipping up. She let her eyes roam over his impressive figure. There was something about a man in a suit. Something commanding and masterful, and oh so very sexy.
“Good slave. Stand up, please.”
She pushed herself up, getting more graceful each time she rose from her knees. She no longer looked like a tight-rope walker trying not to fall to the ground and break their neck.
“Place your hands behind your back and spread your legs a little wider.”
She gratefully put her tired arms behind her back and spread her legs, a drop of her honey running down her thigh, tickling the sensitive flesh. He moved behind her and rubbed her fatigued shoulders, trailing his fingers in her hair so it hung down her back.
“Beautiful. You are so very beautiful, slave. Look in the mirror and tell me what you see. Tell me all the ways you are beautiful.”
This was still hard for her. Her mother had always lectured her not to be vain. Looks were fine, but she shouldn’t dwell on them. She’d been average size until after the twins were born. After that, it seemed both her mother and husband were constantly on her to lose weight. It had played havoc with her self-esteem. She had lost the weight, but inside she still felt like the woman who was never good enough. Now she was facing a huge mirror, butt naked, with a man who wanted her to tell him how she looked good.
She took a deep breath, uncomfortable with this activity. “My breasts are firm and round. Not too large and not too small.”
Ian nodded. “Very true. They overflow my hand nicely. I love touching them and making the nipples hard. Continue.”
“My skin is a nice color, and soft.”
His hand glided down her arm, sending sparks to all her nooks and crannies. “Hmmmm, very soft, and the golden color is lovely. I love it when we are pressed close together, skin to skin. Continue.”
She chewed her lip, rapidly running out of ideas. He silently waited, his hand stroking her back and hair. He wasn’t going to let her off the hook.
“I have nice hair. It’s wavy and thick, and it’s a nice color.”
His fingers combed through her hair, and he took some strands and tickled her nose. “Your hair is gorgeous, shiny and silky. I love to grab it when I’m fucking you from behind and tangle my fingers in it when you’re sucking my cock. Continue, slave.”
She couldn’t think of another fucking thing. This entire exercise was starting to get on her nerves. She wasn’t stupid. She knew what he was trying to do, but it was fucking annoying. She wasn’t going to overcome a lifetime of insecurity with one session in front of a mirror. She pressed her lips together in frustration. He immediately recognized her mood and stepped back.
“Where are we, slave?”
“Yellow,” she snapped. “Damn near red.”
He nodded. “Then let’s take a break and talk. Do you know why we’re doing this, Tori?”
She gave him a look that would have singed the eyebrows off a lesser man.
“I’m not an imbecile. I have a genius IQ.”
Why didn’t he just pull her over his knee and spank her? She’d rather be whipped with a flogger than stand in front of this mirror and look at herself all damn day. He really was the devil.
“Yes, you’re clearly a brilliant woman. I am trying to get you to see how beautiful you are and be less self-conscious. But I’m trying to show you something else, too.”
She raised an eyebrow, in no mood for her Devil Dom’s games.
He rested his hands on her shoulders, their weight and warmth beginning to drain her frustration. The things he could do with a simple touch amazed her.
“I’m trying to show you what I see when I look at you. I want you to see what makes me hard, what turns me on, what humbles me on a daily basis. I’m trying to get you to see you through my eyes. Maybe I should go about this another way.”
She was trembling at his words, glad of his hands and arms touching and holding her. The look in his blue eyes was inte
nse and passionate, and she wanted to lose herself in their depths. He ran his hands down her arms.
“Your body is worthy of worship. Your face is beautiful, the cheekbones high, and your mouth begs to be kissed. Your eyes are a deep shade of green with thick lashes. Your chin is stubborn. Very stubborn. You get a certain look on your face when you are digging your heels in. You had it when you told me we were at yellow.”
His hands traveled to the top of her head. “This head houses a brilliant mind. I’ve never met a woman as smart or as funny. You have a quick sense of humor, and you get my stupid jokes.”
His hands caressed her hair before brushing her ears. “You listen, really listen to me. You’re not always staring at your phone or mesmerized with television. What I say is important to you, and you show me in so many ways.”
His hands glided to her neck and shoulders.
“Your neck has a long line that beckons to my tongue. As I said before, your breasts are gorgeous. I could lick and play with them all night. Your nipples are a pretty pink and sensitive to my touch.”
He brushed the already taut peaks with his callused fingers and she gasped with the contact. A zing of pleasure shot straight to her pussy. He pressed his hands over her heart.
“Your heart may be the best thing about you. It’s soft and seems to have a limitless capacity for love and empathy. I’ve seen how you care about others. I’ve experienced how you care about me.”
His fingers tickled her rib cage before settling on her hips.
“Your shape is womanly. Your hips made to fit the curve of my hand. Your stomach has faint silver lines from when you carried your sons. I know they were twins, and it amazes me how your body can go through something so miraculous. You made two human beings with hardly a sign left behind. How strong you must have had to be to go through it.”
She blushed as he knelt next to her and traced the barely there stretch marks. She’d been only eighteen when she’d had her sons, and her skin had bounced back fairly well. Still, she’d always wished them away. Now, with him looking at her like she had done something no one else had ever done, she was proud of them. She’d earned those marks.
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