by Shayla Black
“Take the price tags off and say you got a great deal.” He shrugged. “Of course, you could always tell him the gift is from his daughter and son-in-law.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. The first thing they’ll want to know is if you love their little girl. If you can’t say yes and mean it, they won’t be welcoming.”
If they had a drop of practical blood in their veins, they’d realize he could provide for her and any children they had in great style. They might not be thrilled that he’d joined the family, but he’d bet they’d be smart enough not to object.
“Leave that to me. I can be very convincing.” He took her by the elbow.
Gia tensed, and Jason had no doubt she was flustered. Time to take his pretty wife in hand and start persuading her that love was just another four-letter word. She mattered to him. They could enjoy one another and build a solid foundation on which to raise children. And he’d spend every moment they had left together proving it.
“Come with me.” Jason led her toward a section filled with clothing that looked well-made and stylish with a hint of sexy.
“Where are we going?”
“Indulge me for…” He glanced at his watch. “An hour or two. You don’t have to be at the pediatrician’s office for a while.”
She frowned, still agitated about her dad’s gift. “All right.”
He grinned and led her to a rack of sexy black skirts that would hug her ass in the best possible way.
“Can I help you?” a very manicured fifty-something saleswoman asked them.
“No. We’re just browsing,” Gia answered.
“Yes,” he contradicted. “My wife wants to try this skirt on.” He spotted a shimmery blouse in a champagne shade that would look fabulous against her skin. “And that. I’d like to see some casual clothes, too. Classic, but not stuffy. Something age appropriate.”
“Of course.”
“She also needs lingerie and shoes.” He rattled off her sizes.
Gia gaped at him. “Jason!”
He patted her hand. “Don’t worry. We have time.”
Because he wasn’t going to hear a damn word about money. His subtle warning glare should tell her that.
“Will your wife need a purse or two? Any jewelry or cosmetics?” the woman asked.
“Yes. If you’ll bring the purses with the outfits to the dressing room so she can see how everything looks together, I’d appreciate that. Also, we’re going to need this block of dressing rooms to ourselves. My wife is very private, and I respect her modesty.”
“Of course.” The woman bowed her pale head deferentially. “I’ll call some other associates and we’ll be happy to bring you everything you requested.”
“Excellent.” He grabbed Gia’s hand. “We’ll wait for you inside.”
The moment the woman hustled away, no doubt adding up her potential commission, Jason led his shocked bride to the fitting rooms against the far wall.
As soon as they walked into the partitioned area and saw that they were alone, she stopped and gaped at him. “Are you crazy? I don’t need all that. I certainly can’t affor—”
“Stop. Right. There.” He glowered. “I asked you to indulge me and you agreed.”
“I thought you wanted me to look at something interesting.”
He shrugged. “Consider me spoiling you the most fascinating subject ever.”
With a roll of her eyes, she sighed. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but you don’t need to buy me anything.”
Jason studied her with a frown. She would spend every day and night until their anniversary with him for a healthy divorce settlement, but wouldn’t accept his gifts during their marriage? “I didn’t need a new Porsche last month, but it made me happy. Not everything is about necessity.”
“Have you ever heard the words ‘frugal’ or ‘economical?’”
“I have. They only apply when I wish them to. Don’t worry about money, Gia. I have nine zeroes in my bank total. I can handle a day of shopping.”
“I won’t wear any of this when I go back to work.”
Her argument was somewhere between tiring and insulting. “So I should not wish to buy things for my wife for the express purpose of seeing her look good or smiling?”
“That’s not what I’m saying.”
“Then explain. If I had to guess, you think that if I spend money on your clothing, I’ll demand something from you in return.”
“It feels a lot like you’re trying to buy me, the way your father did your mother.”
So she wanted his money without strings? That made sense to the cynic in him, but every other part of him protested that Gia wasn’t mercenary.
Jason snorted. Either he was getting soft or his wife had played him well.
“Not at all. Let me put it to you this way: Would your mother ever object to your father if he wanted to do something nice for her?”
Gia paused, obviously trying to think of some way—any way—she could say yes to that and mean it. Finally, she gave a little huff. “No.”
“Because if your father told your mother they could afford something, she would just accept that as fact.”
Her long sigh told Jason he’d hit a bull’s-eye. “Yes.”
“Can you give me the same courtesy?”
“My father would never buy her all the things you’re suggesting,” she argued.
“He likes to make her happy, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then if he had the means, I guarantee he would buy her everything in the store she wanted. Hell, you make it sound like he’d give her the world.”
“He loves her.”
“He values her above all others.” And now they were playing a game of semantics. “Just like I value you. I fail to see the difference.”
The sales associate saved him whatever argument Gia had on the tip of her tongue by coming in with an armful of bright but warm clothes for the coming winter. She set them in the first dressing room then disappeared and returned moments later with two fellow employees, who each carried in shoes and bags and a stack of lacy panties, sheer bras, and even a pair of stockings or two.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes to check on you. If you need me sooner, there’s a call button on the wall.”
“Give us half an hour, please.” He smiled politely, but it wasn’t a request.
The woman didn’t hesitate. “Of course.”
As she left, Jason looked around in satisfaction. He’d been inside dressing rooms equipped with what his father used to refer to as the “man chair,” but he’d never seen one outfitted with something between a chaise and a bed. It looked ready for sex. Draped in fuchsia, emerald, bright blue, and gold, he lounged back on the soft surface and watched his wife stomp toward the first dressing room.
“Problem?” he asked.
“You just take over everything. You bossed that woman around. You always tell me what to do. You even buy me things when I’ve asked you not to.”
“The sales clerk is here to assist us. She doesn’t seem unhappy with the tasks I’ve given her. And I fully expect that, by the time we’ve left, I’ll have made any extra effort worth her while.”
“Not everything is about money.”
His pretty wife sounded naïve. “Most everything is. It’s ugly but true. As for you…” He rose from the bed and prowled toward her. “It’s a husband’s right to provide for his wife, and maybe indulge her every now and then. If it will make you feel better, I won’t ask you for a blow job in exchange for anything I buy. All I want is your company. Why are you angry?”
When he cupped her shoulder, she shrugged it off and turned away with a sigh. “I’m not angry. I just feel everything spinning out of control. No matter how I try to stop it—”
“That’s the problem. You’re trying to control not only this situation, but everything in your life. Baby, no one can.” He turned her back to face him, something inside him hurting when he saw the tears gathering ther
e. “When we met at Dominion, you agreed to my Dominance because you said you were ready to give me control. It took you months to truly let go, but every time you relinquished a bit of your tight grip and began to trust me, I was so thrilled and proud of you. During our separation this past year, you seem to have forgotten everything we once worked on.”
“Because there was no one else to take on all this responsibility. I had to be strong.”
That stung. “No one?”
She flushed and looked away. “After all these months, submitting still feels kind of foreign and irresponsible. Maybe I’m not wired for that any more.”
Gia still believed she couldn’t let loose and see to her own needs because she’d been so busy caring for everyone else’s for months. She was mistaken. And he’d still love to paddle her for refusing to let him shoulder any of her burden. Arguing certainly wouldn’t get him anywhere. He simply had to show her.
Jason pressed a kiss to her forehead, her lips, then stepped back. “Strip.”
“What?” She looked at him as if he’d lost his mind.
“Did you have difficulty hearing my command?”
“No, I’m just—”
“Overthinking everything. I’ve given you a simple command.” She wouldn’t remember how much surrender fulfilled her until he gave her the experience again. Once she did, it would bring them closer. “I expect you to obey. Deep down, you want to.”
Gia hesitated, her dark eyes searching his face as if looking for answers. “What if someone walks in?”
“Leave that to me.” He smiled as he shut the door to the dressing room, enclosing them alone together.
After another hesitation, she nodded and dropped her hands to her blouse, her trembling fingers working the buttons.
Jason knew that Gia she was still a police officer who, if caught, would face censure for breaking the law. It had worried her in their past. After playing the role of parent to her niece and nephew, it would worry her even more. But she still trusted him enough to peel off the gauzy shirt covering her pretty breasts and slide it to the floor.
He began loosening his own shirt buttons, watching as she fiddled with the waistband of her skirt and hesitated. Gia had to work through this in her head. She’d always had an exhibitionist streak, but struggled with letting go away from the privacy of the bedroom.
“Off with the skirt. You didn’t disobey me and wear panties, did you?”
“No.” Gia sounded breathy and aroused, just the way he liked her.
“Good.” He waited until she pushed the skirt down her hips and stepped out, holding it in front of her like a shield. “Hand it to me.”
She swallowed nervously and paused, then finally held the skirt out to him. Perhaps he’d ease up and take pity on her if her nipples weren’t peaking through her thin bra and she didn’t already look wet.
Damn it, he couldn’t wait to get his hands on her. It might sound trite, but every time he explored Gia’s body, he found something new to appreciate, another way to savor her.
For now, he merely pushed her comfort zone by hanging the skirt over the top of the door behind him, far out of her reach. “Now your bra.”
Her fingers curled up as she formed fists. She pressed her lips together. Jason could see the pulse beating furiously at her neck. His wife was going to give into him, and the thought drove him mad with anticipation. Fire seared his veins, engorged his cock. He fought the urge to grab her and tear the undergarment away, then shove her down on his stiff length until she took every inch. Instead, he snapped his fingers, letting her know that his thin patience had given way to expectation.
She let out a shuddering breath. “Jason…”
“Your safe word is still divorce. It’s your only out. Unless you want to use it, give me your bra now. If you make me wait any longer, I’ll spank you here and now. I won’t care at all who hears.”
Her eyes went round. Gia believed him. Good, because every word was the truth.
He held out his hand again. “You’ve got three seconds.”
“You’re pushing me.”
And she was stalling.
“It’s what a Dom does.” He wriggled his fingers.
With a little wince, she reached behind her and pulled off her bra, then handed it to him. Jason barely looked. He was far too focused on her breasts, their natural weight plump and pretty as they rested gently on her chest. Her nipples stood straight and so beautifully engorged. He’d started this to remind her how satisfied she felt when she put her submission into his hands. But no way could he ignore how stunning she looked.
Without once taking his gaze from her, he slung her bra on top of her skirt. “Come closer. Cradle your breasts in your hands and present me your nipples.”
At his words, she whimpered, but she did as he’d commanded, settling her palms underneath the weight of her orbs and lifting them up just enough to thrust their hard tips higher.
Jason watched her image reflected in the trifold mirror. They showed him her body from every angle, and he decided then to install one near his bathtub just so he could watch her emerge from the warm water, skin steaming and dripping, for his viewing pleasure.
Easing into the simple black and chrome chair behind him, he stared at Gia as she edged nearer. Hungry, ready, he itched to fasten his hands on her hips and drag her close enough to taste. Instead, he waited. She had to dredge up her courage and dig a little deeper into her submission with every step forward she took.
Finally, their knees bumped, and he cast his gaze from her nipples to her face. Nervously, she licked her lips. Smiling, he scanned the rest of her. Gia’s flat belly twitched. She looked far wetter than the last time he’d peeked.
Excellent.
“Spread your legs.”
She stepped out a few inches with her right foot, still supporting her breasts in her hands. God, what a gorgeous sight. Aroused, offering herself, so lush and wanton…
“Wider. Straddle my legs,” he said, slouching in the chair and enjoying the view.
Gia frowned, her dark brows forming a frown. She glanced down toward his lap and stepped forward, the inside of her knee brushing his thigh. Awkwardly, she stumbled closer, spreading her legs wider until she straddled his own.
Every delectable part of her was on display for him. She might look hesitant, but he knew her desire and the need to submit had overcome her caution. Breathless, she stood, waiting, looking down at him with need glowing in her eyes.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” he demanded softly.
“That you make me ache and want you when I shouldn’t.”
He petted her thigh, curled his fingers around to the back of her leg, and prowled up until he cupped her ass. “Why shouldn’t you desire your husband? We won’t get caught.”
“You don’t love me.”
Jason pulled her into his lap, her thighs gripping his hips before he grabbed her chin. “I will place your needs above my own and take care of you until the end of time. I will never let you hunger or suffer or worry. I will bear your burdens, father your children, and hold your hand. No man will ever give you more.”
And he refused to let this topic fester any more between them now. He’d rather drown out her thoughts with pleasure.
Cradling her head in his hands, he yanked her toward him. Her lips crashed into his. Gia gasped, conveniently opening to him. Jason took advantage, sliding inside to claim her with a ravaging kiss.
Intent on stealing her breath, he stroked ever deeper into the silky heaven of her mouth. He tasted the little butterscotch candy she’d sucked on just before they arrived. The musky dew of her cream wafted in the air between them. In his head, the two blended for a sensory buzz that had him reeling.
Jason urged her closer. Fuck, he had to get inside her soon.
But he had to fulfill her first. Gia needed to surrender, to pull that submissive part out of her and give everything over to him so he could make her feel safe. So she’d be whole. So they’d hav
e a stronger bond.
As he broke away from the kiss, he nudged her back and helped her to her feet. He leaned to retrieve a skirt the sales associate had brought Gia to try on and ripped the belt from its delicate loops. “Turn around.”
She closed her eyes as if she had to steel herself or find courage, but she did exactly as he asked.
“Keep your legs spread and give me your hands.”
Gia looked at the two of them in the mirror, her gaze bouncing from her completely exposed body to his face, trying to read him. He remained purposely blank. When she’d submitted and pleased them both, he would make sure she felt his approval.
Finally, she stepped wide again and wound her hands around to the small of her back. He grabbed them with greedy glee and looped the wide cloth belt around her wrists, loose enough to allow blood to flow, but tight enough to keep her under his control.
Taking her hips in his hands again, he turned Gia to face him. “Pretty. I always like you bound and merciless. Now be a good girl and suck my cock.”
Her breath caught, and she cut her gaze to the dressing room door. They had at least fifteen minutes before anyone interrupted them.
“Focus on me,” he snapped as he unbuckled his belt and slid the button free. The zipper went down with a little hiss.
Gia’s breathing picked up speed. She bit her lip as if nerves dive-bombed her, but her skin flushed and her nipples looked harder than ever. The fear of being caught was part of the game for her. It scared her, but not enough to stop playing.
“Yes, Master.”
The words fell from her lips, an automatic response she’d given to him a thousand times when they’d played at Dominion. He’d always loved hearing her shaky little voice acquiescing to his every dirty demand. But now it meant so much more. Whether Gia intended it or not, she was letting him past her walls, allowing him back into her psyche, trusting him.
The thrill of that raced through him as she lowered herself to one knee, clearly intending to kneel to her task.
“No,” he corrected. “Stand with your legs spread and bend at the waist. I want to see your pussy in the mirror.”
She blinked at him. Somehow, he still managed to shock his little wife every now and then, and that gave him a supreme thrill.
