by Lexi Blake
“Just know that someone is always watching, or listening.” He gently touched the brooch she was wearing. It had a small camera and listening device imbedded in amongst the jewels. He’d hooked it into her sweater himself and made sure it was functioning before he would drive her to work this morning. Grace knew that Ian and Eve were listening in from somewhere in the building. “All you have to do is say the word, and the cavalry comes riding to the rescue.”
“And I will.” Though only as a last resort. She wanted to keep Sean safe. She didn’t want him using his body as a shield. “Now, let’s go and check out the event site.”
He nodded, though he didn’t seem to like it. He was thoughtful all the way to the hotel.
* * * *
Two nights later, Grace knew she had to make a decision. She sat at her table, watching him as he worked in the kitchen. Some heavenly aroma filled the house. The last couple of days with Sean had been strangely peaceful. The odd normality of their daily routine had set Grace on edge. She should be worried about the party coming up tomorrow. She should be planning and practicing, but all she could think about was the fact that it would all be over and she would have no real hold on Sean. She had been friendly with him, but she’d held him at arm’s length, unwillingly to open her heart to him again. At night he slept beside her, but they kept to their own sides of the bed. He seemed to be waiting for her to come to a conclusion.
What was she really afraid of?
For Sean’s part, he had been nothing but sweet. He’d backed off, but spent as much time with her as she would allow. He’d cooked breakfast and dinner and showed up to escort her to lunch. At night, they watched TV or read in companionable silence. Grace had received a phone call from Liam and was able to talk to her sons. The night before, David had asked to speak with Sean. She’d handed the phone over, and he’d promptly left the room. She wasn’t sure what David had to say to Sean that took thirty minutes, but Sean was quiet the rest of the evening.
Now he concentrated on his work. His easy smile had been replaced with a tenseness that didn’t go away no matter what they were doing. She wondered if he was thinking about the same thing she was. After tomorrow, there would be no reason for him to stay here with her. The job would be over. She would be safe. He could go home.
And Grace could look for a new job. She could try to find her way back to normal. She could take her friends’ advice and try dating again, maybe fill out one of those online matchmaking surveys. They might be able to find the perfect man for her. Or she could acknowledge that the perfect man for her was currently frying tortillas not ten feet away.
But that was a dangerous thing to accept. Her heart raced at the thought. She could offer herself to him only to find out that he really was just staying close to her because he had a job to do. He could be interested in her only as a submissive partner. The sex would wear off eventually. He could decide he wanted a fresh young thing to marry. He could never want to get married at all, despite what he had said. He’d been feeling guilty at the time. Or, worst of all, he could be perfectly serious. He could love her. He could marry her. And he could die.
Grace sipped the wine Sean had placed in front of her not twenty minutes before. She had loved Peter Hawthorne with all of her heart, and he had died on her. He had been killed in a car accident. There was nothing in the universe that promised her this time around would be different. Sean had a dangerous job, but even if he was the IT guy he’d said he was, accidents happened. It all came down to one question. Tears filled Grace’s eyes as she asked herself the question she’d been dreading.
If she loved Sean Taggart, didn’t she owe it to herself and him to be brave enough to risk her heart?
Sean was putting the finishing touches on his enchiladas when Grace stood and walked to the bedroom. She heard the oven door open and close as she shed her slacks and sweater. When she was naked, she fell to her knees and assumed the proper position on the floor. Head down, palms up, she waited.
It was only a moment or two before she heard the door open. “Grace? Sweetheart, dinner should be ready…” His voice fell silent, but after a moment his shoes came into view, and she felt his palm on her head. “Grace, if this is your version of goodbye, I do not accept it. You seem to believe that I’ll disappear after tomorrow and your life will go back to normal, but I’m telling you, it won’t. I’m not going anywhere. I love you. I’m going to say it until you believe it. If you toss me out, I’ll sleep in your doorway again.”
She was well aware that tears were flowing down her cheeks as she looked up at him. His face was red with emotion, his jaw tense. “I think I prefer having you in bed with me, Sir, rather than tripping over you as I leave in the morning. Besides, I’ve gotten used to having someone cook for me.”
He shook his head and got to his knees, face to face with her. “No. No more Sir.” His hand disappeared into the right pocket of his slacks. He pulled out the small gold chain with the heart he had given her and she had thrown in his face. “I sloshed through a lot of mud to find this, little one. I want it around your neck, and I won’t be called Sir anymore.”
She nodded and held up her hair. She knew what he wanted. He clasped the necklace around her throat. “Thank you, Master.”
He cupped her face, framing it with his big hands. “My Grace.”
He leaned in and took her mouth. Grace softened under his onslaught. Sean was fierce. His tongue plunged, demanding her response. His hands were suddenly everywhere. He cupped her breasts and ran them along her curves. He traced the curve of her back and curled his fingers around the cheeks of her ass, pulling her against his rock-hard erection.
He finally pulled her gently back, his hands twisted in her hair. His blue eyes were dark with passion, and his face a mask of barely leashed desire. “You will marry me, Grace.”
She almost laughed. It was the best she would get from a Dom like Sean. In essence, it was a question. She would accept or not, and that would be her answer. There was no reason to make him wait. “Yes, I will.”
“We’re getting married, and I’m quitting the company. I’m going to culinary school, and then I’m going to open a restaurant when the time is right.”
Tears pooled in her eyes again. “You’re quitting?” She clutched his arms to stay upright, her relief was so great.
He frowned, obviously misunderstanding. “Yes, and it’s not negotiable. I have plenty of money saved up. I’ll sell my condo and move in here with you. I have enough to take care of you. You won’t have to find another job.”
“I like to work, Sean. I don’t mind. I’m just happy you won’t be risking your life.”
His eyebrows drew up, and he chuckled. “You were worried about me?”
“Every day since I found out what you do,” she admitted. “I’m glad you’re quitting. I know you’re good at what you do, but it isn’t your passion.”
“You’re my passion, and you like to eat. I’m only doing it to please you, little one.” He grinned down at her and sighed as he pulled her close and nibbled on her earlobe. “When I’m ready to open the restaurant, you can help me run it.”
A little shiver of anticipation went through her. “I would love that, Sean, but until then…”
He slapped her ass, the little pain causing her pussy to gush with arousal. “You will do as I say.”
Aroused or not, they were going to settle this here and now. “I thought you didn’t want to be twenty-four/seven.”
He had the good sense to look a little sheepish. “Maybe I’ve come to the conclusion that Ian’s right. I think I didn’t care enough before, but now I want to be responsible for you. Grace, I don’t want to fight. I want to spend the night inside you. If you insist on working, then we’ll find something suitable, but I won’t let you work for a man like Matt again. We’ll compromise. All right?”
She had the feeling that all the concessions would be heavily in his favor on this subject. And that she could push him if she really wanted to. H
er relationship with Sean was laid out for her. They would struggle and fight for control, and it would be challenging. Every moment would be worthwhile. “Yes, Master.”
She would compromise. They would find a way that worked for both of them. It was the way their marriage would work. He would set down the law, and she would work to find a way around it. Ian had been right. She had a little brat in her.
Sean’s eyes narrowed. “I know when I’m in trouble, little one. At least give me some obedience tonight. On the bed. Hands and knees.”
Grace scrambled up, eager to obey. In this, she would never question him.
She heard him opening the bag he’d placed by the bed the first night they had returned from Ian’s. It was a small leather bag, and Grace had no doubt it was the kit he’d specially prepared for her. It contained the toys he’d bought for her. Her eyes closed in sweet anticipation.
He parted the cheeks of her ass, and she shivered as he squirted lube onto her anus. She bit back a groan when she felt the plug breach her hole. “Push back.” Grace gently pushed her backside onto the little piece of plastic. “That’s beautiful, little one,” Sean said as he seated it firmly.
“Oh, God,” Grace moaned as she felt the soft vibrations begin. Sharp prickles of sensation swamped her.
“That’s just the beginning,” Sean promised. “And, Grace, you are not allowed to come.”
She closed her eyes. That was going to be near impossible. Already every nerve ending was begging for release, and he wasn’t finished playing with her. His hands circled her waist and she felt a small object being placed right over her clitoris. A butterfly. She would never last. He connected the little straps around her waist and then pushed the button that started the vibrations.
“Damn it, Sean.” Her pelvis was awash with humming pleasure.
He smacked her ass. “No cursing, and you use my title when I’m fucking you, love.”
A perverse thrill went through her. She could play with this man to her heart’s content. “Fine, damn it, Master.”
He smacked her other cheek. “I can do this all night.” He shoved two fingers up her pussy. “You come without permission and I swear I won’t fuck you for a week. Is that understood?”
“Sean!” She practically cried because he was setting a near impossible task.
She heard the rustle of him undressing. “I didn’t say how long I would make you last, little one. But if you disobey, there will be hell to pay. You’ll wake me with a blow job, and you’ll suck me again before we sleep. You’ll get nothing in return.” He walked around the bed, and she could see him. His proud cock jutted from the V of his thighs. He stroked himself leisurely, his hand running from the thick base to the bulbous head. “It’s nothing more than you deserve. You’ve been topping from the bottom since I met you. It stops tonight. I get even a hint of manipulation, and I’ll have you tied to a St. Andrew’s Cross taking the lash. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Master.” It wouldn’t work to argue with him. He was in charge in the bedroom. Anywhere else was a power play, but here he was king.
“Good.” Pre-come was dripping off his cock. “Lick the head.”
She leaned forward and dragged her tongue across the weeping slit. She was rewarded with a groan from her man. She was able to concentrate on licking and sucking the big cock in her mouth. Her pussy and ass were humming, but it was sweet background music. She whirled her tongue around the head of Sean’s dick, lavishing affection on it.
“That’s right, little one. Suck me in now.” He pressed into her mouth, filling it with his flesh. One hand tangled in her hair as he fed her his length.
Grace reveled in his taste and feel. He filled her mouth. She relaxed her jaw to take him further. He was pressing the remote on her vibes and making it hard for her to concentrate. The vibrations were driving her toward orgasm, and she was determined that wouldn’t happen. This was a battle. She teased the sensitive V on the underside of his cock. She used the tip of her tongue on it and then sucked him deep, taking him to the back of her throat.
“Oh, fuck yeah.” Sean’s head was thrown back, the remote in his hand seemingly forgotten as he lost himself in the pleasure of her mouth. “Swallow me. I’m going to come. You take every drop.”
He dropped the remote and concentrated on fucking her mouth. Grace softened her throat as he forced his way in. His hips pumped, and his heavy balls hit her chin. Grace whirled her tongue on the underside of his cock. He was too big. She couldn’t circle him, but when she pointedly swallowed around him, he roared as he started to fill her mouth with salty come. Grace drank him down. She licked him clean with long, loving strokes of her tongue.
His hand softened in her hair, stroking her gently as he continued to thrust against her. After a long moment, he pulled out. “Very nice, little one. Spread those legs now. I want to fuck my pussy.”
She felt a fresh rush of cream coat her pussy. He was going to fuck her, pack her full of cock and toys. Patience, Grace told herself. She had to be patient. He walked around and she felt the bed shift as he got in between her spread legs. His fingers stretched her pussy.
“Do you want to come?”
How could he ask her that? It was all she wanted. “Yes, Master. Please.”
She held herself back. It was hard to be still when all she wanted was to buck against his fingers, to shove her pussy back against him until she exploded. All she could do was beg. He had the power, and it made her so hot she couldn’t stand it.
He held his hand still inside her pussy. “I could leave you like this, baby. I could bring you to the edge again and again and not quite let you go over. I could do it until you’re willing to give me what I want.”
“What do you want?”
The words came out of his mouth on a tortured groan. “You safe, Grace. You out of this altogether.” His fingers came out, and Grace knew a moment’s fear that he would do just that. Then his hands tightened on her hips, and she felt the head of his rejuvenated cock at her entrance. “But I love you. I don’t want you any other way, baby.”
He sank into her, and Grace almost sobbed at the sensation.
Her hands clutched the quilt under her. “Master, please.”
“Yes, little one,” he growled behind her. He fucked her hard, slamming his length into her. “You can come. Oh, you’re so tight. I can feel that plug vibrating against my cock.” His cockhead slid against her G-spot, and Grace screamed as she came. The orgasm rolled over her like a wave of sensation. It was more than mere pleasure. She felt their connection so keenly. Her head fell forward and everything inside her released.
Sean fucked her ruthlessly. Even as she came down from the first high, he brought his hand over the butterfly, pressing the vibrator tightly against her clit, causing her to come all over again. This one was long and started in her womb, vibrating outward until her skin hummed happily, and her blood pounded.
Grace lost control of her arms and fell forward. Only Sean’s strong hands held her up. His cock jerked inside her as he slammed in and groaned when he let go. Grace felt the hot wash of his semen coating her pussy and womb and sighed in contentment.
He lay skin to skin with her for a moment before peeling away and gently easing the toys from her. He cleaned up and was back in her arms. He cradled her to his chest, and she could hear the pounding of his heart.
“My wife,” he whispered holding her close.
Yes, he was her husband. She pushed away thoughts of tomorrow. For tonight, they were together, and the future seemed perfect.
Chapter Nineteen
Grace looked around at the throng of people milling about the Ashton Hotel’s ballroom. The ballroom was located on the top floor of the hotel with a spectacular view of the city at night. Her eyes went to the large balcony. It was lit with twinkling lights and came with a big bar where attendees could sip wine and enjoy the lights of Fort Worth. The inside was just as nice. The whole space had been turned into an elegant, Monte Carlo-style casin
o. At least four hundred people gathered in the ballroom. It was wretchedly hard to keep up with who was going where. She had to hope Ian Taggart knew what he was doing.
She caught sight of him as he offered a finely dressed couple a selection of pan-fried dumplings. Ian looked elegant in black eveningwear. He proved charming when the occasion called for it. He was a perfect waiter. Even the head of the wait staff had commented on how she would hire him for any event she had. Every female eye watched him as he made his way through the crowd.
Of course, Ian’s little brother had his share of admirers, too. Grace felt her eyes narrow as one of the HR girls tried her hand at flirting with her Viking. He looked up suddenly, as though he knew she was watching. A small smile played on his sensual lips, and her jealousy vanished. Sean was hers. The other women could come on to him as much as they wanted, but he would always come home to her. She looked down at the ring he’d placed on her finger that morning. It was a full-carat princess cut diamond, and the matching wedding bands, both his and hers, were sitting in the jewelry box on her dresser.
“You said yes.” Matt’s tight voice startled her from her thoughts.
She turned to find him standing beside her, his eyes fixed to the ring on her finger. He was dressed in a suit, but it was already rumpled, and he was working on his fourth Jack and Coke. At least Grace thought it was his fourth. She might have lost count.
“I love him.” Her hand went up to play with the other sign of Sean’s possession. Her fingers curled around the gold heart he’d crawled through the mud to retrieve for her.
“You barely know him.”
Grace wasn’t taking Matt’s crap tonight. She had been very careful around him. She’d avoided going into his office as per Sean’s instructions. The one time she’d had to, she’d called Jake Dean before going in. He’d been sitting at her desk when she’d come out. She was sure Jake had been listening at the door the entire time, waiting to pounce if she’d needed him. “I know him enough to love him. And Matt, you should know that I’m turning in my two week notice on Monday.”
