In Expert Hands

by Lily Harlem

  “Whoa…why are you a mess?”

  He sighed and glanced away. “The only other woman who I’ve…had strong feelings for left me. I couldn’t give her my time. She asked for nothing else. Much like you, she just wanted to be with me. I let her go because I was busy and I won’t say I don’t regret that, I do. But it’s ancient history. What I don’t want to do is let it happen again. You’ve got inside.” He paused and patted his chest, the black shirt pressed against his wide pecs. “Here.”

  And he’d certainly got inside her chest. She stared at his wide fingers and neat nails. She was glad his previous relationship hadn’t worked out because it meant he was available for her. And it sounded like the pain had made him determined not to repeat his mistake.

  Right now she didn’t want to make the mistake of not seeing what he’d done. He’d gone to the midpoint and now she needed to meet him there. And it was doable, he’d listened to her and had made it so.

  Oh, she loved him for that. So damn much. Every part of him.

  She placed her hand over his. “I’m glad you’re going to be in London more.”

  “And we can spend time together?”

  She held up the key. “Yes.” Was this really happening? “I’d like that, a lot.”

  “You’ll come to Kensington?”

  “It’s an offer I can’t refuse.” She smiled—a big wide smile that stretched her lips, bunched her cheeks, and went right up to her eyes. “You’ve really done that? You really are going to be based in London?”

  “I need to be where you are, not where the CEOs of every other global conglomerate is.”

  “I…Kane…I’ve missed you so much.”

  “And I you.” He grabbed her and dragged her up against his body. “It was a crazy whirlwind of lust in New York but…” His lips stretched downward, his eyes screwed up. He looked in pain.

  “What?”

  “I need you.” He’d blurted the words out.

  “I need you too.” She wrapped her hands around the nape of his neck and pulled him close, the key fell to the floor. She pressed her lips to his, darted her tongue out and kissed him in a way that she hoped told him she loved him. Even more so now that he’d worked out how they could be together without her having to give up her life.

  She controlled the kiss for all of two seconds then he took over; he tilted his head, deepened his tongue and dragged her closer.

  After a few minutes she broke the kiss. “You said there were four things.”

  His lips were shiny, his eyes flashed. “Yes.” He released her and stepped back.

  For a moment he was still, as though composing himself. He smoothed his shirt then ran a hand over his hair.

  Imogen watched. Her heart was thumping.

  “This,” he said, raising the collar into the air. “Has to be part of us.”

  “I always thought it would be.”

  “And how much of a problem is that?”

  She thought for a moment, memories rushing through her mind. “I enjoyed what we did. You saw that for yourself. How could you not?”

  “And you said that you were willing to build on it.”

  “Yes.” She hesitated. “I’m not ready for Marie’s situation, though. To obey without question all day, every day.”

  “I get that. I won’t push it.” He shook his head and slid the collar through his fingers. “It just makes me feel complete, in touch with myself to have you submit. To know that you trust me so much, that you’re mine, totally, absolutely.” He pressed the buckle to his lips, kissed it, and his eyes fluttered shut. “But it’s just you now. I’m not interested in any other sub. This dark corner of my desires only wants you to enter the shadows.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “How can you even question that?” He opened his eyes wide and stared at her.

  “I don’t know what you’ve been doing while we’ve been apart, Kane. You’re a Master Dom, you could have been doing many different things with many different people.”

  “I could say the same about you.” He released the collar so it hung from his fingers.

  “I haven’t…I’ve missed you too much. I couldn’t even think about…”

  “So we’re on the same page. No one else.”

  “No one else.”

  “And you’ll wear my collar?”

  “When we’re…”

  “In the bedroom or in a scene. You said that already.”

  “Yes.”

  “And one day more?” He looked hopeful, his brow creased as he worried at his bottom lip with his teeth.

  What would happen if she said no?

  She didn’t want to say no.

  “I’m not sure. Perhaps.” She stared at the loop of leather. “You’ll have to guide me to a place where I understand and feel comfortable with that situation.”

  “I can. I will.”

  “Then that particular clause is open and still up for negotiation.”

  He sucked in a breath and blew it out through pursed lips.

  “Can you live with that?” she asked.

  “Yes, I can.”

  She looked at the table. There was one thing left on it—the small black velvet box.

  “What’s that?”

  He picked it up. “If you wear my collar.” He stepped up to her, close, then dropped to his knees. “Then I also want you to wear this. But not just in the bedroom. At all times, as a way to let the world know that there is a man who loves and treasures you more than anything else he owns.”

  “Kane.” A sob grew in her chest and burst upward. Was it really what she thought it might be? She hadn’t dared hope. Wouldn’t let herself believe they were at that point.

  “Imogen.” He opened the lid revealing a stunning diamond ring. The light caught off the glittering edges, sending sparkles around the rim of the case. “Marry me.”

  “I…”

  “Marry me, be mine, be everything you can be and let’s see what else we can achieve together.” He took her hand, kissed her knuckles. “Let’s share our lives and make it work on every level. Allow our bodies, minds and souls to be as one.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Say yes.” He gripped her hand. “Because I’m never going to say goodbye to you. I can’t.”

  “In that case…yes.”

  He gritted his teeth and shut his eyes. He leaned forward, wrapping his arms around her hips and burying his face against her stomach.

  She clutched his head, holding him close.

  Her big strong man was on his knees at her feet. He’d never been more adorable or perfect than in that moment.

  “Yes,” she said again, dragging her hands through his hair. “I will marry you.”

  He stared up at her, his features tight with emotion. “I’ll make you so happy,” he said. “I promise.”

  “I know. I know you will.” She pulled at his shirt, urging him to stand. “You don’t have to do anything except be here and I’ll be happy.”

  “I will be. What I’ve been doing all these years has been a means to an end. It took me a while to understand what it was all for, what that end is, but now I know.”

  “What?” She stroked his cheek.

  “I want you to be happy, I want…” He glanced away.

  “Tell me, please.”

  He didn’t look at her. Instead, he took her left hand and slipped the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly. “I’ve purchased a plot of land in Kent.”

  She knew that already but had no idea why he’d bought it.

  “I intend to build us a country retreat. A place to get away from it all at weekends…a place for children to have ponies, ride bikes, build treehouses, do you know what I mean?”

  She smiled. She did know what he meant and it was real. All of it. They were going to be together, not just for a few wild nights in New York but long term. She studied the ring—it was predictably huge and beautiful. But at the moment it could have been cheap plastic from a Christmas cra
cker and she would have been the happiest woman on Earth.

  “What do you think of that plan?” Kane asked, lifting his gaze from her hand. “Kent?”

  “I think it sounds wonderful. A perfect plan for the future.”

  He didn’t smile but his eyes told her he was as happy as she was. He tugged her near and kissed her, hard.

  She clung to him, pressed close but couldn’t get close enough. His tongue tangled with hers, their noses touched, and his breaths were hard on her cheek.

  “Where the hell is your bedroom?” he asked.

  “Through there.” She nodded to her left.

  “Will you?” He held up the collar.

  “I…”

  “Nothing kinky. I’ve told you before, sometimes vanilla is the best flavor but…”

  “But you like me to wear it.”

  He nodded, once.

  She scooped her hair up, exposing her neck, and allowed her fiancé to carefully secure the collar.

  “Perfect,” he said as she released her hair. “You’re so beautiful.”

  “So take me to bed and show me how beautiful I am.” Her stomach was in knots, her body aching for his touch.

  “I’m the one who gives instructions, remember.” A brief smile crossed his lips before he swept her up and kissed her.

  He moved quickly to the bedroom, pushed open the door to the darkness and somehow found the bed. He rested her on it, pressing himself over her and spreading kisses over her cheek, to her ear then down her throat.

  She yanked at his shirt, freeing it from the waistband of his trousers.

  He slipped his hands beneath her cotton sweater and cupped her breasts. “I was so scared I’d never touch you again,” he murmured onto her cheek.

  “I felt the same. I’ve been so miserable.”

  He paused and lifted her top off, released her bra. “Me too, though being busy helped.” He squashed her breasts together and licked through her cleavage before swirling his tongue around her nipples. “But I could still taste you, when I remembered that night on the cross. Your taste was in my memory.”

  She yanked harder at his shirt and he allowed her to remove it.

  Skin on skin, that’s what she needed; she wriggled beneath him, ensuring maximum contact.

  He slipped lower, hooked his fingers beneath her sweats and tugged them off, dragging her knickers with them. He tossed the bundle of material aside then sat between her spread legs.

  Imogen stared up at him through the shadows. Any vulnerability in him had gone—now he reminded her of a hunter who’d caught his prey. She was breathing fast, her breasts shifting with each lungful of air.

  He placed his hands on her inner thighs, parted her legs until her hips had a sweet stretch in the joints then pressed his face to her pussy.

  “Oh…oh…” Imogen gasped, reaching behind her head for the slatted headboard and gripping it. He wasn’t teasing or taking it slowly. He’d taken her clit into his mouth and pushed two, maybe three fingers into her entrance.

  She shoved her heels into the mattress and arched her spine. He was building her up so fast—weeks of half-hearted masturbation had left her wanting and needy. He didn’t let up. If anything, his determination to make her come increased.

  “Oh…Kane…I’m going to…” Fuck, if he didn’t want her to orgasm on his face he should stop now.

  He lifted up, grabbed her left leg and twisted her lower body so her left buttock was exposed. “Come.”

  A sudden sharp pain rang over her flesh, heating it instantly and blooming to her swollen, sensitive clit.

  “Ow…ow…ah…” she cried, squeezing the wood with more force as the smack itself threatened to tip her into climax.

  He gripped her buttocks and lifted her pussy to his face. He shoved his tongue into her and his nose bashed her clit. In and out his firm tongue went, fucking her.

  She ground onto him and allowed her orgasm to spill over. She cried out as release ravaged her body. Wetness burst from her and he lapped it up, taking all of her.

  Her pussy spasmed against his tongue and her skin tingled all over.

  “So fucking beautiful,” he said, raising his head and slipping his fingers into her. “That’s it, hold onto this.”

  “Oh…God…yes…” She curled to the side as he stroked over her G-spot. The sensations were so dense and she was still throbbing through her climax. A long, low moan rumbled up from her chest; she hardly noticed it was her making the noise.

  He massaged and rubbed, expertly easing her through the final stages.

  Eventually, she dragged in breath and opened her eyes. “Kane.” Seeing him between her legs, studying her pussy, fingers lodged high, was nearly enough to spark the climb to another orgasm.

  “So responsive,” he murmured.

  “I am when you do that.”

  He looked up. He smiled as if seeing her spread out, wanton, sweaty and sated pleased him very much.

  “How about when I do this.” He stood, quickly removed the rest of his clothing then climbed over her.

  His body weight was delicious, and when the tip of his cock nudged her mound she spread her legs, reached down and guided him to her entrance.

  “I’ve missed your hands on me,” he said.

  “I don’t think I’ve had my hands on you that much. Every other part of me, but not hands.”

  He pushed in an inch. “We’ll have to rectify that.”

  She released him and gripped his buttocks. “Yes.”

  “But later,” he said, his voice tense, “that will have to be later, because right now…I just need…” He forged in, full depth.

  Imogen grunted as his chest pushed against hers and he filled her completely.

  “That’s where…I wanted to be…” he said, propping onto one elbow and smoothing her hair from her forehead with his free hand.

  She squeezed his ass. “Yes…”

  “I want all of you.”

  “You have all of me.”

  “Have you been using the plug?”

  She shook her head. “No…I didn’t see—”

  “The point. That’s okay.” He slipped halfway out then rocked back in, catching her clit on his wiry pubic hair and hard body. “We’ll start again with that. We have all the time in the world now…for everything.” He caught her mouth in a slow, deep kiss.

  Imogen raised her pelvis to meet his gentle thrusts. She knew she’d come again, it was hovering right there. For several minutes she let it tease her, play with her. She was enjoying being close to Kane, as close as two people could be.

  “I can’t hold off,” he said. “I’m going to come, in you…now.” He slipped his hand over her neck, not tight, just resting over the collar.

  She dug her nails into his flesh, wrapped her legs around his thighs, and as he gave several more forceful thrusts she allowed another climax to ravish her.

  His gasps of ecstasy blasted into her ear as she came. Her pussy clenched his steely cock, and her breasts butted his chest, his body hair scratching her nipples.

  “Fuck, fuck…” he moaned, curling his hips under a final time.

  A tremor traveled down his spine and she held him closer as though keeping him together.

  “So damn good to feel you come on my dick,” he said, raising his head and staring down at her, his hand still at her throat. “And I’m not leaving it so long before I fuck you again.”

  She smiled. “Glad to hear it, Sir.”

  He groaned as if the word itself were physical stimulation. “You’re going to be the most satisfied, desired, contented woman to ever walk on this planet, you do know that, don’t you?”

  “I can live with that.” She gave a breathless giggle, and he removed his fingers from the collar.

  He kissed her, then slipped out and flopped onto the bed. He scooped her close.

  Imogen clung to his upper arms as they wrapped around her. Her new ring caught a shard of light and sparkled. “What about the clubs?” she said, kissing h
is nipple.

  “What do you mean?” He wound his legs with hers.

  “Are you still going ahead with them?” She had wondered if it had all been an elaborate plan to get her to visit one.

  “Of course. The one in London is being assessed by architects as we speak. Soon conversion and building work will take place and then the final interior details.”

  “And the others? In Berlin and Rome?”

  “I’ve purchased the properties, just working out contracts with local authorities.” He ran a finger down her spine then rested his hand over her buttock—the one that still held heat from her one spank.

  “And do you really need my help with designing or was that all a ploy?”

  “Of course I still want your help.” He sounded surprised that she’d think otherwise. “After all, the one in London is going to be somewhere we can play too.” He hesitated. “If you’d like that.”

  She looked up at him. Their own club to play in? Somewhere lust, love, pleasure, pain and kink would have room to breathe, be expressed—be indulged in. She couldn’t think of anything more fun, not when she had her very own Master of the game to show her the way and teach her the rules.

  “I’d like that very much,” she said.

  “Imogen…” He shook his head, frowned. “Have you any idea how much I love you?”

  His words settled in her chest. Her eyes pricked. “I love you too, Kane Ward.” She kissed him.

  He ran his fingers into her hair and held her head. “I love you so much, more than you can ever imagine.”

  “Then show me…again.”

  Suddenly she was on her back and he was over her. “You should get a spank for giving me orders,” he said, his cock thickening against her thigh.

  “Okay…” she said, a smile twisting her lips.

  “Oh, you’re going to be so much fun.”

  He slid into her and Imogen gripped his shoulders. She’d started her day sad, alone and broken-hearted, but now all of her dreams had come true. The man she loved was in her bed, her arms, in her, and they had so much to look forward to. The future offered dark delights and sweet treats, and it was all going to be delicious.

  Two weeks later…

  LONDON DAILY NEWS

  The London Daily News is delighted to exclusively announce the engagement of British Tycoon Kane Ward to Coutts’ Bank Manager Imogen White.