by Cher Carson
Taylor’s mouth went dry as he began to reveal more and more of his bare chest. Chase was a beast in the gym and it showed in all of the rippling muscles she used to enjoy caressing. “Uh, what are you doing?”
The wicked glint in his eye told her he knew exactly what he was doing. “I’m just getting comfortable. You don’t mind, do you?” He slipped his cufflinks in his pocket before letting his shirt fall to the floor.
He started to work on his belt when she grabbed his hand to stop him. “Don’t, please.”
He took a step toward her, then another, stopping only when he had her body flattened against the wall. “I thought we were getting somewhere downstairs,” he whispered, dipping his head to suck her earlobe into his mouth. He chuckled, low and deep, when she shivered. “What’ve you got on under this sexy dress, baby?” he whispered. “Hmm, is it black, strapless?” He fisted his hands in her hair and pulled her head back so he had access to her neck. “Are you wearing a matching thong?” He ground his hard cock into her as he nipped her bottom lip. “Come on, talk to me.”
She couldn’t resist the urge to touch him. She grabbed his huge biceps and remembered what it felt like to have those strong arms wrapped around her, making her feel safe, while she slept. He slipped his tongue in her mouth and, for a nanosecond, she thought about pushing him away, but when he parted the thigh high slit in her dress, she felt her resistance slipping away.
“God, you’re wearing garters,” he said in a hoarse voice. “You know what that does to me.” He un-zipped her dress slowly, peeling if off and letting it pool around her stilettos. He raised one leg, then the other, so he could kick the dress out of the way.
She felt vulnerable, exposing herself to him for the first time in almost a year. She had spent a lot of time in the gym during the past year, to ease stress and build confidence. She had been out of the dating scene for a long time, and the thought of another man seeing her naked motivated her to sculpt a body she would be proud to show off in the bright light of day. Judging by Chase’s reaction, her pricey personal trainer had been worth every penny.
“Are you kidding me?” he groaned, letting his head fall forward. “You’ve got a goddamn six pack, Taylor.”
She felt the urge to cover up again. Maybe he preferred the softer, rounder, curvier look he was used to. She knew she shouldn’t care what he thought, but she did. She still wanted him to think she was sexy, irresistible. “Is that a bad thing?” she asked quietly.
“No, but why?”
She swallowed nervously, deciding honesty was the only way she might escape this uncomfortable scene with a modicum of pride. She raised her chin defiantly. “I wanted to look my best.”
He pinned her arms over her head. “Why?”
She refused to look away, denying him the upper hand. “I was dating again. I didn’t want to be ashamed of my body.”
He snarled. “You did this for some other guy?”
She knew triggering his temper was like setting off a volcano. Yet the thought of pissing him off, driving him crazy with jealousy, made her hot and wet. “Yeah, does that bother you?”
He ground his hard cock into her, her hands still pinned above her head. “Yeah, it bothers me.”
She licked her lips slowly, seductively. “Really? Why’s that?”
He held both of her wrists together in one hand as he tore her panties off with the other. “You’re mine. My wife, my lover, you’re gonna have my babies. You got that?” he said, through clenched teeth.
She shivered in anticipation of what was to come. Hot, angry sex with Chase was the best kind of sex. When they were together, she would often flirt with his single teammates just to drive him crazy. By the time they got home, he’d be tearing her clothes off at the door and marking her with his hot, sticky come.
She shuddered in his arms, desperate to feel his hard cock filling her again. It had been too long and her various vibrators didn’t even come close to the real thing. “I haven’t been yours for a long time,” she whispered, getting off on challenging him.
“Oh yeah?” He snapped her bra open and tore it off. He bent his head to suck her nipples into his mouth, holding her captive with his tongue as he sank to his knees.
She watched him knead her tits with his big, strong hands as he swirled his tongue around her nipples, sucking the hardened peak into his mouth. She closed her eyes and moaned, letting her head fall from side to side.
“I want to hear it,” he said, licking and sucking savagely until he made her whimper, cry, and beg for him not to stop. “Tell me you’re mine.”
“No,” she said, refusing to give in to his outrageous demands. His tongue may be the world’s most potent aphrodisiac, but she refused to sacrifice her hard won independence for the sake of a few mind-numbing orgasms.
He stood up and swung her into his arms effortlessly. “You’re not gonna make this easy for me, are you? That’s okay; you know I never back down from a challenge. Especially not when it’s something I want as much as I want you.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck, knowing she should protest, but unable to find the strength to resist the pleasure she knew he was about to impart. The man could do things with his tongue that would give a frigid virgin multiple orgasms.
He carried her into the bedroom and deposited her on the huge, four poster bed. “What are you doing?” she demanded, sitting up.
He opened a dresser drawer and removed multiple pairs of fur-lined cuffs.
Handcuffs she’d never seen before. Suddenly, she felt him turn the tables on her. Now she was the one experiencing the sharp sting of jealousy. “I thought you said you hadn’t been with any other women.”
She came up off the bed, ready to do battle. When he got closer, she pushed against his rock hard chest, making him laugh instead of stumble as she’d intended. “You lying bastard. You have been fucking other women, haven’t you? How many? Tell me, damn it,” she screamed, not caring that his neighbours were probably getting an earful. “I’m still your wife. That means I have a right to know how many sluts you’ve been...”
He laughed, gripping her waist with both hands. “God, you’re sexy when you’re jealous.”
“I am not jealous. I just don’t appreciate being lied to.”
His eyes darkened as his fingertips bit into her flesh. “I’ve never lied to you.”
She knew him well enough to know he was telling the truth. “Then where the hell did these come from?” she asked, grabbing a pair of the handcuffs he’d tossed on the bed.
“The guys took me out to a bar after you kicked me out. They were trying to make me feeling better, telling me how many chicks I’d be able to get now that I was a single guy again. The handcuffs were a gag gift.” He kissed her lips. “You’ve gotta believe me when I tell you I’ve never used them, baby.”
She wanted to believe him, but a niggling of doubt remained. “What’re you gonna do with them?” she asked, dangling one set from her fingertip.
“Lie back and I’ll show you.”
She didn’t even consider denying him. She needed this, needed him. She laid back on the bed and waited for him to walk around the headboard.
He fastened one wrist to the handcuff, then to the bedpost. He grinned at her when he leaned over to affix the other, treating her to an eyeful of his rock hard abs.
She had to resist the urge to sigh. The man had a body women would pay good money to ogle. Fortunately, he wasn’t for sale and, for the moment, she could pretend he was still hers.
He moved to the foot of the bed and fastened the cuffs to her ankles so she was spread eagle, completely vulnerable and exposed. “God, you’re beautiful,” he groaned.
She smiled, feeling sexy and powerful. She loved that she still had the ability to bring this big, strong, sexy man to his knees, both literally and figuratively. “Are you saying you like the new and improved me?” she asked, thrusting her tits up as much as the handcuffs would allow.
He snarled as he strippe
d his pants off to reveal black cotton boxer briefs. “I love it, but I hate that you did it for some other guy.”
“I did it for me, because I wanted to feel better about myself.”
He shook his head, looking confused. “You are the sexiest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. You’re hotter than hell in the bedroom. How could you possibly be insecure?”
She closed her eyes. She was literally lying here, in his bed, at his mercy, and he was trying to strip her down emotionally too. Trying to coerce her into revealing all of the deep, dark insecurities she’d kept hidden throughout their relationship.
He climbed on top of her, bracing his hands on either side of her head. “Open your eyes,” he said quietly. “I want you to look at me.”
She squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head from side to side. She knew she was being a coward, but she couldn’t help it. The thought of admitting her fear and uncertainty to him was too humiliating to contemplate.
“I said open your eyes, damn it.”
She recognized the warning tone in his voice. She knew he was on the verge of erupting. Though she knew he would never hurt her, he wouldn’t hesitate to hurt himself. She’d had enough shattered mirrors, patched drywall, and broken glass in her house to prove it. His anger management issues were well-known and, rather than being berated for it, professional hockey fans seemed to celebrate it.
Instead of provoking him further, she decided to open her eyes and face his wrath.
But he didn’t look angry; he looked sad and confused. He stroked her cheek. “Baby, what is it? Did I do something to make you feel this way? Did I make you doubt yourself?” he whispered.
She cursed the tears trickling down her cheeks. He had no way of knowing that, growing up, she had been the overweight bookworm while he’d been the popular jock. She had lost the weight the year before they met, and being thrust into his world of gorgeous wives and centrefold girlfriends made her feel even more inadequate. Even though the mirror told a different story, in her mind, she was still the same overweight, ostracized teen who missed out on her own senior prom.
Her rich, gorgeous, successful husband would never have been able to understand her plight, so she chose to keep that part of her past buried. But she knew, deep down, it was her insecurity, not his reluctance to have a baby, that had destroyed her marriage. She had finally come to terms with the fact that she would never be able to find happiness married to a man like Chase. Women were throwing themselves at him every day. It was only a matter of time before he gave in to that temptation, and she knew that when he did, it would destroy what little self-confidence she had built. It was better to let him go now, while she still had some self-respect.
“It’s not you,” she whispered.
He stroked her cheeks with his big, rough hands. “Sweetheart, talk to me. Why are you crying?”
“We were never right for each other, Chase.”
The sting of torment contorted his handsome face. “What the hell are you talking about? We were perfect for each other. You made me happier than I’ve ever been in my life. I’m sorry I didn’t realize how important it was for us to have a baby. I was a stupid, insensitive asshole. You deserved better.” He brushed his lips across hers. “Let me make it up to you.”
She shook her head as the tears continued to slide down her cheeks. “No, it’s too late. I don’t want to go back to that. I’m finally starting to feel good about myself...” She knew by the curious look in his eye she had revealed too much. Her ex was like a dog with a bone, relentless.
“What do you mean you’re finally starting to feel good about yourself?”
She decided she had no way out. Her only option was to tell him the truth. “You think being married to you was easy? I loved you so much, but I was so afraid of losing you.” She sobbed, remembering what it had been like, checking his cell phone for unfamiliar numbers, his pockets for hotel receipts. He had never given her reason to believe he would cheat on her, but the scared, insecure girl living inside her wouldn’t allow her to believe a man like him could be happy with a girl like her forever. That insidious voice in her head would tease and taunt her, making her believe it was only a matter of time before he moved on with a woman who was worthy of him.
“Baby, I love you.” He leaned down to nuzzle her neck and whispered in her ear, “I’m never gonna stop loving you.”
She took a deep breath, trying to re-gain her composure. She’d never planned to let him see the scared, broken girl behind her carefully constructed mask. She knew if he did, he would be appalled that he had wasted ten years of his life with a woman who’d pretended to be someone she wasn’t. “I don’t want to talk about this. If we’re not going to have sex, kindly let me up.”
“Like hell I will.”
Her cell phone rang and she strained to sit up. “Damn it, Chase, I have to answer that. I left the wedding without a word to anyone. My parents and my sister are going to be worried sick about me.”
He chuckled. “Your parents love me. They know as long as you’re with me, you’ll be safe.”
He was right; her parents adored him. As far as they were concerned, Chase could do no wrong. If their marriage had fallen apart, it must have been her fault. Unfortunately, they were right.
She struggled against the handcuffs, cursing at him while chafing her wrists and ankles.
“Relax, I’ll get the phone.” He walked out to the living room where she’d dropped her purse.
She sighed as she watched his muscles contract with each step he took. The man was perfect, too perfect. That’s why she chose a man like James this time. He was average. Average height, average build, average house, average car. Just average, and that was a welcome relief after being with a man like Chase, where everything was big and bold and in your face.
Chase gripped the cell phone in his hand, flashing the screen at her. “It’s your boyfriend.”
She could tell by the firm set of his jaw that he was pissed. “Give me that phone, now.”
“Like hell.” He pushed the answer button to connect the call. “What do you want?” he growled.
“My wife is in my bed, where she belongs.” He waited for a response. “No, you can’t talk to her. She’s busy, very, very busy.” He chuckled. “We have a lot of catching up to do.” He winked at Taylor as he lowered the phone. “Don’t we, baby?”
She glared at him. Had she been free, she would have kicked him hard enough to bring him to his knees. “Give me the goddamn phone, now.”
He grinned as his thumb slid over the disconnect button. “Oops, looks like we lost the connection.” He checked the screen, his fingers poised over the keypad.
“What are you doing?” she demanded.
“Calling your mom.” He pressed the button to connect the call. “I wouldn’t want her to worry.”
“What are talking about? Are you insane? You can’t call my mother. What are you going to say to her?” She knew she was rambling, but she couldn’t help herself. The man knew how to push her buttons.
“Hi, Mom, it’s Chase. No, everything’s fine. Taylor and I just needed a little alone time to work some things out.” He laughed. “You’re right, it is long overdue. But you know your daughter, she can be stubborn.”
“Excuse me, I’m right here.”
“I just didn’t want you to worry.” He grinned. “You know I’m gonna take good care of her. Will you give our love to John and Lisa? Thanks, you’re the best. Love you too. I’ll tell her.” He laughed. “Thanks, we intend to.”
Taylor gaped at him. “How the hell do you do that?”
He set the phone down on the night table. “Do what?”
“Have my parents eating out of your hand like that. James has bent over backwards trying to get them to like him and they won’t even give him a chance.”
Chase shrugged. “They love me because they know how much I love you.” He walked to the foot of the bed. “They know your happiness is the most important thing in the world
to me.” His hot gaze travelled the length of her body. “And now I intend to make you deliriously happy, sweetheart.”
Chapter Three
Chase felt his heart pounding in his chest. He knew he was on the verge of losing her. She was giving him her body because she needed the physical release, but she was keeping her broken heart closely guarded. He had to find a way to make her understand how much she meant to him, that he would do anything to make her happy. Right now, the only tool at his disposal was sex, and he intended to use it to his full advantage.
“God, you’re gorgeous,” he whispered. The moonlight was splitting through the shades, casting a glow over her body. “So perfect.”
She closed her eyes and shook her head. “I’m not perfect, Chase.”
He hated that she doubted herself, hated even more that he had ever given her reason to doubt him. He stripped his boxers off and tossed them aside. He gripped his engorged cock in his hand. “Look at me, look at what you do to me.”
She ran her tongue over her lips, her eyes drifting closed. “I need to feel you inside me again.”
“You will, baby, soon. But first I’m gonna lick and kiss and suck every luscious inch of your body. I’m gonna make you come on my tongue, my fingers, around my cock...”
She moaned, grinding her hips into the mattress. “Yesss.”
“Then I’m gonna come in your mouth.” He reached up to pluck her nipples. “All over these gorgeous tits.” He slipped a finger inside of her and groaned when his finger came away coated in her pussy juice. “In this hot, tight, wet pussy.”
“Now, please, Chase. I can’t wait any longer.”
He loved making her beg for it, loved knowing that she needed him as much as he needed her. “Relax, baby, we’ve got all night.” He eased down on his knees, gently parting her pussy lips with his fingers. He loved that she waxed, giving him free and clear access. The scent of her arousal drifted to his nose and he could feel a drop of pre-come on the head of his cock. He had waited so long to do this, he was afraid he might explode before she did.
