Sheltering Reagan

by Avery Gale

  Reagan appeared to crave structure and a sense of belonging. Things, according to her file, she’d never had as a kid. Those who’d packed up her small apartment reported a small stash of erotic romance novels. They’d sent him a list of the well-worn paperbacks, and he’d noticed a recurring theme when he’d researched the titles.

  None of the books were hardcore, but all contained bondage and spanking scenes. Her interest in the lifestyle proved how good her instincts were. She would likely find the sense of security she sought—if she could surrender herself into the care of an experienced Dominant who understood what a treasured gift her submission was.

  The nurse told him she’d gotten a quick look at her back, and that she hadn’t understood what she’d seen. His patients were always surprised when they saw how quickly they healed. The body could do remarkable things when its wounds were closed properly.

  Rafe completed the paperwork in record time and was pleased to see Reagan dressed and ready to leave when he returned to her room. Her uniform had been shredded and discarded the night she was admitted. He’d been more than happy to choose something for her to wear home. The only indication she wasn’t pleased with the clothing he’d left for her was the frown lines between her brows. Smart girl that she was, Reagan would wait until she was out the door to voice her complaints.

  Chapter Nine

  No panties or bra. The man had given her a dress that buttoned down the front and a pair of slip on shoes. Okay, so she was grateful the shoes didn’t require her to bend over and the dress was easy to put on without moving her arms a lot…but still. She wasn’t about to say anything until they were in the car. It would be her luck he would leave her there if she protested too loudly. She didn’t want to see the inside of another hospital as a patient for a very long time.

  Rafe helped her from the wheelchair, and she stared at the plush towel covering the passenger seat. When she looked at him, the sly smile on his face sent a rush of moisture to her sex. His focus on her was so intense she could almost feel the heat of his stare. “You said you wanted to learn more about the lifestyle, Peach. I will begin as I intend to go.” He helped her into the seat and pulled the safety belt over her. “As soon as the door is closed, spread your knees as far apart as you can. Pull the dress up so your pussy is open and available to my touch. I’ll usually ask you to pull your dress out from under your pretty ass, but I know that would be too difficult today.”

  “Holy hat racks.” He almost missed her whispered words, and he had to fight to hold back his smile.

  “No, Peach. The proper response is ‘Yes, Sir.’” She nodded her head, but he didn’t move. When understanding flashed in her eyes, he appreciated the small bit of progress.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Good girl. I’m going to enjoy the ride home, immensely. And I intend to make sure you enjoy it, also. Now, remember what you’ve been instructed to do when the door closes. No need to rack up any punishment points when there are so many more pleasurable ways for us to spend our time together.” Damn, he loved watching her eyes widen in surprise a split second before they flamed with yearning. She was going to be a joy to train. No pretension, just raw desire. Smart, beautiful, and—unless he missed his guess—her contained exterior hid a deep well of sensuality.

  Closing the door, Rafe watched in his peripheral vision as she shifted in the seat. As her surgeon, he’d already seen every inch of her, but this was something altogether different. This was a Dom getting his first intimate look at his submissive. Settling into the driver’s seat, Rafe glanced over at Reagan and smiled. “That’s a beautiful blush, sweetheart. I can’t remember that last time I saw a woman blush such a lovely shade.” She turned positively crimson, and Rafe chuckled.

  “What if someone on the second floor looks down? Won’t you be embarrassed?”

  What? She’s worried about my reputation and not her own?

  Taking a deep breath, Rafe shook his head. “First of all, I’d never risk embarrassing you in public—well, more specifically, a public venue that wasn’t related to the lifestyle. There are often parties for people who are like-minded, and those are considered public. But that’s not what we’re talking about here.” Reaching up, he smoothed the pads of his fingers over her heated cheek. “A Dom’s number one priority is seeing to the safety of the submissive in his care. Exposing you to scrutiny would not be in your best interest. I’d never knowingly risk your safety or happiness, Reagan.”

  “Thank you, but…”

  “No, Peach. There is no but. You’ve agreed to try, and I’ve agreed to teach you. That agreement comes with several implied covenants, the first being that I’ll take care of you in all ways possible.” He hated the uncertainty he saw in her eyes. Damn, he’d love to kick the ass of whoever made her feel unworthy.

  “If you have staff privileges…well, I know how easy it is to have your reputation damaged beyond redemption.”

  Rafe reached over and pulled her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her palm before laying her hand over his heart. Her worry for him was one of the sweetest things anyone had done for him in a very long time. “I’m touched beyond words by your concern, Peach. But I assure you it’s not necessary. Now, all this being said…I’ll point out that the windows of this SUV don’t allow casual observance. That was done intentionally. I hoped to find a submissive of my own someday.”

  Damn, the woman had the most expressive face he’d ever seen. He hoped she never lost that spark of innocence. “You are the first woman to sit in that seat, Peach. So wipe that insecurity right out of your mind—it has no place between us.” If Rafe had his way, there would be nothing between them. He wanted to know everything about her, and the realization surprised him. He’d heard Doms droll on about the importance of complete transparency, but he’d never understood the significance until now.

  Vulnerability wouldn’t be easy for Reagan. Anyone who’d experienced betrayal to the degree she had would find it difficult to fully lower the shields around their heart. But the more time he spent with her, the more interested Rafe was in helping her move past the pain.

  Leaning over the console, Rafe brushed a quick kiss over her lips. He’d deliberately kept the contact brief because anything more substantial would snap his control and he’d end up making out with her in the damned hospital parking lot like a randy teenager. “We need to go, or I’m going to risk both our reputations and strip that dress from you and feast on your beasts until you come screaming my name.”

  Rafe didn’t wait for her response. Turning his attention to driving, he maneuvered the SUV out through the streets at the edge of town, taking in the landscape. It was remarkable how much the area around the medical center was changing. Ryan Morgan was working hard to make the hospital into one of the most progressive in the region, but it was his wife who’d put the small city’s facility on the map. Joelle Phillips Morgan’s Nobel Prize winning cancer research and her connections in the world of pharmaceuticals made it possible for her to build a state of the art research center adjacent to the hospital. The Morgan Health Care Foundation operated both facilities and was creating serious buzz in the medical and research communities around the world.

  When he saw her inching her legs closer together, Rafe decided it was time to up the stakes. “Leave your legs open, Peach. All the way open and unbutton all but the top button on your dress.” He frowned at her when she hesitated and was pleased to see her scramble to do as she’d been told. “Very good. I want to see you, Peach. Tell me, is your pussy wet for me?”

  Reagan sucked in a breath before quietly whispering, “Yes, Sir.”

  “Perfect. Lean your seat back, Peach. I want to play with you. I’ve wanted to slide my fingers through the slick folds between your thighs since the first time I saw you. The snug, well-worn denim jeans you wore molded to your ass so perfectly they could have been painted on. The only flaw in the picture was the line from your panties. That won’t be a problem for you while we’re together. Re
member, this lovely body is mine to enjoy.”

  She gave him a questioning look, and he grinned. “Ask the other subs at the club if their Masters allow them to wear panties.” He’d intentionally used the term Masters rather than Doms to see if she would object to his subtle claim and was pleased when she didn’t protest. “I assure you they are rarely allowed to wear the offensive undergarments. I doubt they put up much of a fuss since most are tired of having their expensive lingerie shredded when their Master or Mistresses rips them off.”

  “Well, I don’t really have any pretty things left, so that won’t really be an issue for me.” He didn’t bother to tell her the ladies who’d helped unpack her clothes had thrown out more than they’d kept. They’d insisted her wardrobe was in such poor condition they’d known he would want to replace it. Sneaky subs.

  “I can smell your sweet cream, Peach. It’s making me hard as a fucking hammer. Use your left hand to slide your fingers through the petals. Get your fingers nice and wet.”

  “Now? Here?” And there was the resistance he’d been expecting.

  Rafe didn’t bother to answer. He just pulled over to the edge of the highway and put the transmission in park. “That will cost you five swats when you’re healed enough to take them. Would you like to add to that tally or are you going to follow the order you were given?”

  Reagan’s eyes went wide, and her eyes darted left and right before her hand slowly slipped to the juncture of her thighs. “Had you followed the instruction immediately, you’d have saved yourself a spanking. Also, you could have done this same thing without my complete attention. But then I’d have missed the spectacular way your folds are flowering open as more blood flows to your pussy. And I wouldn’t have been able to watch your fingers slide deep or hear the sound of your wet pussy as it sucks the slender digits deeper.”

  He’d only planned to have her play with her wet labia enough to get her fingers wet before pulling them to his mouth. But now, he was going to use this as a teachable moment. He watched her fingers moving slowly from the opening of her vagina to just above her clit in unpracticed moves, and he wondered how much experience she had with self-pleasure. Most women her age had enough previous experience to zero in on a particular spot using practiced movements that gave them the most pleasure. Reagan wasn’t doing, either; her movements were haphazard at best.

  “How often do you masturbate, Reagan?” She gasped and started shaking her head. “Let me rephrase the question. When is the last time you had an orgasm?” This time, she dropped her chin to her chest, but not before he saw her eyes fill with tears. Using one hand to still her frantic movements chafing her now dry sex, he gently pushed her hand aside and replaced it with his own. Then he used the other hand to tilt her face to his. “I’m going to make you come, Peach. We aren’t going to waste any time because we’re on the side of the road, but you need this, and I’m going to make sure you get it. Keep your eyes on my face, Peach. No matter what happens, you keep your eyes on my face. Do you understand?”

  Her voice was shaky, but the words were quick. “Yes, Sir.”

  “Perfect. You are so responsive. You’re already wet for me. Feel how easily my fingers slide along the slick folds? That’s it, sweetheart. Suck in those deep breaths. Send all that oxygen flowing into your body. It’ll fuel your orgasm and make you fly higher. Come as soon as you’re ready.” With the last words, he pushed two fingers deep into her hot channel and began fucking her with fast strokes that skimmed her G-spot on each thrust.

  “You’re so close, baby. I can feel your vaginal walls trembling around my fingers. I can hardly wait to slide my cock into your tight pussy.” Her body vibrated with the need for release, but something was holding her back. Taking a chance, he moved his hand from her chin to the tightly peaked nipple nearest him and gave it a sharp pinch. The bite of pain was all it took to send her flying. “Fuck yeah. Your cream just soaked my fingers. Come all over my hand, baby. Juicy as a sweet peach. I knew you would be.”

  She’d gasped out his name before biting down so hard on her lip to keep from screaming it was a wonder she hadn’t broken the skin. When her body stopped convulsing around his fingers, he reluctantly pulled them free, sucking them into his mouth and moaning in pleasure. He loved watching her eyes go wide with surprise. Hasn’t any man ever savored her release? Her flavor burst over his tongue, making him wish he could bury his face between her thighs and see how many times he could make her come before she begged for mercy.

  Pulling a soft throw from the backseat, he covered her sweat-sheened body. “Close your eyes and rest, Peach. We’ll be home before you know it.” He’d barely gotten back up to speed on the highway before he heard her respiration settle into the slow, even pattern of sleep. His cock was throbbing with an aching desire to find his own release, but he still found himself oddly satisfied. Reagan might not realize it, but they’d just had their first scene as a D/s couple. And, rather than planning his exit strategy, he was anxious to getting her back home and wrap himself around her naked body. Holding her while she slept would help them build trust and he looked forward to the intimacy of feeling her naked skin pressed against his own.

  Rafe was grateful for the few minutes of quiet. He used the time to re-center himself and regain control of his libido. Damn, no woman has ever tested me like this. What the fuck? Everything about Reagan flipped his switches, and seeing her come around his fingers made his balls feel like they were filled with molten lava. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d almost come in his damned jeans. Shaking his head, Rafe turned off the highway. Taking a sanded backroad, he pulled into his garage a few minutes later. After killing the engine and closing the outside door, he turned to the sleeping angel in the passenger seat. Watching the rhythmic rise and fall of Reagan’s chest as she slept filled him with an unfamiliar sense of peace.

  The dark circles under eyes had faded a small degree, but he wanted to see them disappear altogether before he returned to the coast. He’d briefly considered taking her with him, but he’d been sure Reagan would be anxious to start working again. Her work ethic impressed him as much as it frustrated him. Just let me take care of you for a couple of days, sweetheart. Put yourself in my care, and I promise I won’t let you down.

  Chapter Ten

  Kelsey hung up the phone and shuddered. It had taken a couple of days of phone tag before she’d been able to talk to the man Reagan called Major Asshole. But it had only taken her a few seconds to figure out the jerk certainly deserved the nickname. Arrogant didn’t even begin to cover it. He’d been both egotistical and condescending; clearly, the man was used to barking orders and having them followed without question. She’d played at Mountain Mastery enough to know the difference between a sexual Dominant and an abusive prick, and Dick Merrett was the latter.

  He’d been steadfast in his refusal to pay her for information. “Why would I pay you to find out the location of a disgraced employee? If Reagan is involved in something illegal, you should probably contact your local authorities. I’d be happy to do that for you if you’ll just tell me where she is.” The bastard wanted the information for free. When she’d asked him why he wasn’t willing to pay her, he’d laughed. “You didn’t do your homework very well, did you? I have two kids in college and an ex-wife from hell. I don’t have ten grand lying around. Just because I’m the third in command of this facility doesn’t mean they pay me what I’m worth.” He’d then proceeded to badger her about Reagan’s location for so long she’d finally disconnected the call.

  Leaning back against her new leather sofa, Kelsey skimmed her hand back and forth over the supple surface and let the call replay in her mind. She’d given him a fictitious name, but he’d called her Kelsey just before she’d disconnected the call…the realization sent chills up her spine. He’d kept her on the phone long enough to trace the call. No wonder he’d stalled so long on the phone. The bastard had probably recorded their conversation as well. That would explain why everything he’d
said sounded so…cautious.

  Kelsey should warn Reagan, but how would she explain how she’d learned the other woman was in danger? Reagan might be a sucker when it came to doing someone else’s work, but she certainly wasn’t stupid. There was no way Kelsey would emerge from that conversation unscathed. It’s not like Rafe is going to let me near her anyway. Kelsey had heard Reagan was injured at Mountain Mastery, but she didn’t know if the other woman was back in her tiny apartment. If not, getting through Ryan Morgan or Rafe standing guard at the hospital would be virtually impossible.

  She couldn’t call Master Nate or Master Taz at the club. Either one of them would recognize her voice. And the rumors she’d heard about them reading minds made her more than a little nervous. There wasn’t any reason to find out whether or not those stories were true. Her only option was to notify the local authorities. She could block the caller I.D. on her phone and tell Sheriff Brandt Morgan. She’d seen him a few times, but had never talked to him, so there wasn’t any chance he’d recognize her voice.

  Taking a deep breath, Kelsey scribbled out what she wanted to say on a piece of scrap paper. After revising is several times, she’d finally worked up the courage to make the call.

  Shaking his head, Brandt Morgan stared at his laptop screen and wondered why Kelsey Jones was trying to conceal her identity. When the dispatcher sent the call through to his office, she’d noted the caller I.D. was blocked and the young woman on the other end wouldn’t give her name. Unfortunately for Kelsey, Brandt’s younger brother was one of the most talented computer security programmers in the country. Phoenix had made certain Brandt’s office was equipped with enough technology to ensure he was always certain who he was talking to and exactly where the caller was located.