RequiredSurrender

by Riley Murphy

  “You’re sure this is all you want to tell me?”

  She nodded and before he could question her further she threw her arms around his neck and squashed in tight. Wanting things to be different. Wanting Anjay to disappear so she had an unblemished soul to bare to the man who was fast coming to mean the world to her.

  He pulled back with her in his arms. Water sloshed all over the place when he shifted. She didn’t pay any attention to the splashes that hit the floor and neither did he. He just kept hold of her until he was seated on the far side of the tub with her on his lap. When he spoke she opened her eyes and stared at the flickering candlelight that reflected off the glossy tiles.

  “I have another surprise. But if my surprises make you cry I’d rather not give it to you.”

  Leaning back, she sniffed. “I’m sorry. This is all so new to me that I…I find it’s hard to comprehend sometimes.”

  The way he looked at her. From the top of her head, to her eyes, nose, stopping with a lingering gaze at her mouth, got the adrenaline coursing through her veins. He was weighing her words. Thinking about them. Deciding whether or not he should believe them.

  Don’t believe me. Make me tell you the truth.

  The tension-filled moment was there between them. An expectation that never came when he let out a breath and said, “We’re going to be a couple of prunes if we stay in here much longer. Let’s get you dried off.”

  By the time he’d wrapped a beach towel around his hips and sat on the edge of the tub, positioning her between his legs so he could dry her off, she asked, “Do I still get my surprise?”

  Between the flicks and swipes of the towel he used to dry her she saw him grin. “You sound like a robot.”

  She did too. The aggressive friction he used made her whole body including her voice rattle. “Do I?”

  He made a sling of the terry and scooped her into him with it. They were nose to nose as he eyed her. “Yes. You may have the surprise once I’m sure you’re all dried.” He pulled the towel from right to left across her back and butt in a sawing motion. “I was going to give it to you just before Cam took you home tonight, but since you’re going to stay over—”

  “I am?”

  “Over,” he repeated. He dropped the towel and leaned back. “You can have it as soon as we’re done in here.”

  When he held out that silk kimono for her to put on, she didn’t hesitate. The thought of staying with him overnight. Sleeping in his bed. Being near him for hours on end was too exciting. The surprise was just going to be the icing on the cake.

  A few minutes later she made a beeline for the stairs going up to the third floor and his room. With heart hammering and her pulse—

  “Whoa, there, princess, where do you think you’re going?”

  Hearing this, she immediately halted. His firm tone caused her bare toes to scrunch into the carpet pile. Weren’t they going to be sleeping in his room? “I was, ah,” she swiveled around so fast she had to catch the side of her robe before it flapped all the way open, “going to your room.”

  “No.” He shook his head and she tilted hers.

  “No?”

  “You’re going to sleep in the white room.” He pointed to the door on his left.

  “Are you sleeping in the white room too?”

  He shrugged. “Maybe.”

  Hm. Maybe. Maybe he needed to be convinced to stay with her. The second her hand went to her belt he scowled.

  “Don’t undo that.”

  “Why not?” she asked.

  He stared at her. Clearly she was going to have to charm him to get an answer. “Tell me why. Please,” she added and did her best supermodel strut to him.

  “Because I have a few things I want to do with you and I don’t want to be distracted.”

  She smiled and he frowned. “I’m being really, really lenient with you tonight, Jo. Don’t make me regret it.”

  That landed like a spank to her bottom. He was serious. “All right.”

  “And don’t take that tone with me.”

  She almost flung out, “what tone?” but she knew what tone it was. It was the tone that said, “you’re a big, fat dickwad”. Once the desire to do that lessened, she straightened her shoulders and repeated, “All right.”

  “That’s better.” He took her hand and laced his fingers through hers. “Now, before we get started,” he pulled her through the door, “the surprise. It’s only a small one, but when I saw it I thought of you.”

  There were three gas hurricane lanterns lit. One was on the nightstand, one on the dresser and the last was on an end table that flanked a large ladder-backed arm chair by the fireplace. Inside the hearth, a small fire burned and combined with the lamplight, cast the room in a hazy, dream-like, golden glow.

  “Sit.”

  She sat on the side of the king-size bed and watched as he disappeared into the walk-in closet. When he came out the first thing she noticed was the towel was gone. Instead of the terry, he had on a pair of tight, black leather pants that left absolutely nothing to the imagination, as the rest of him was bare. His totally ripped torso gleamed as his muscles shifted and bunched as he moved. She stared at his washboard stomach and licked her lips.

  “Jo.” Shooting a look up from where her eyes had wandered, she saw that his hands were behind his back and he sported a lopsided grin. “Close your eyes.”

  “What is it?” She was smiling herself. Shuffling her feet back and forth on the wooded-planked floor.

  “Open.”

  She only opened one eye and when she saw what was staring back at her both her eyes shot open wide. “I don’t believe it! He’s…he’s beautiful.” And exactly as she described. A rainbow-striped, green-eyed, stuffed dragon. “Where did you find him?”

  Ted handed him over. “At one of the shops up at Silver Lake. I was there this morning. He’s a pillow-mate.”

  She had no idea what that was supposed to be, but it didn’t matter. This little guy would be going on her bed at home for sure if she was allowed to bring— “Is he mine to bring home?”

  “Sure. He’ll be there for you when I can’t be.”

  There was that look again. The one he gave her that said “you’re special and all mine”. She blinked and blinked again. Her immediate focus shimmered. Then the nose burn. Oh… Not more tears?

  Ted plucked the dragon out of her arms and put it on the bed beside her. He came down over her. Forcing her back until her spine met the mattress. “It’s okay to cry this time, princess, because your living, breathing dragon is going to kiss all your happy tears away.”

  She wasn’t sure whether she laughed or cried. She only knew she held onto him something fierce until he whispered, “The only tears I won’t obliterate are the healing ones I purposely cause to happen. When you shed those for me, I promise to treasure them always.”

  She didn’t have a chance to ask what he meant before he tipped up her chin and looked into her eyes. “I hope you left your modesty at the door tonight because if you didn’t, it will only get in the way of what I have planned. Do you see that?”

  He pushed her chin so her head turned to the right.

  “Can you guess what those are for?”

  She saw the thick ropes hanging off the numerous huge eye hooks embedded in the wall, and closed her eyes. She knew the ropes were restraints, but the various lengths of them combined with the empty hooks that dotted a good portion of the wall had her worried. So worried she didn’t have the strength to answer him.

  “Don’t be nervous,” he spoke in her ear. “I intend to go real slow. And tonight if you need it, use your safe word. You remember it, don’t you?”

  Was this why he’d bought her the dragon? “Yes.”

  “Say it.” He shifted her. “Look at me.”

  “I-I don’t want to be flogged.” She figured it was a good time to remind him.

  He ignored her. “What’s your safe word?”

  “D-dragon.”

  “Perfect. No
w let’s get you tied.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Ted grabbed one of the ropes overhead. He worked to separate it from the other three that were wrapped around the same O-ring, and looked down. Jo was trembling and he hadn’t even taken the robe off her yet.

  “Hey,” he let the rope go and put his hands on her shoulders. “Look at me.”

  When she looked up he was reminded of the night in the rodeo suite at the resort. She’d been trembling then too, but there wasn’t a drop of fear in her eyes. It was almost unnerving. As if her mind remained fixed and in control of her emotions, but her body was a different story. It gave up the secrets she wanted to keep.

  “Don’t be scared.” He cupped her chin, which silenced the protest she was going to make, and added, “I know you are. I see it. Maybe not in your eyes or expression, but there are other ways I can tell.”

  “I won’t be a wimp if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  He frowned. “No heroics, Jo. This is all about finding your threshold. I want you to pay attention and be safe.”

  He read the determination in her eyes. Took note of the defiant tilt of her chin and it hit him. This was the draw for him. This was the same iron will that Selena had shown and that had captivated him from the start. Why hadn’t he’d seen the similarities before? Because you didn’t want to be reminded. There was no getting away from that fact now, because Jo had the determination. The will to do for him and him alone no matter the cost. It was an exhilarating and dangerous discovery and one that needed to be tested.

  “Really. I’m going to do whatever you want. I promise.”

  His lips quirked, because she looked really pissed off about it. Amazing. Maybe the draw was the same for her only different. As in she couldn’t help but do what he wanted. Was that it?

  “What I want from you tonight are honest reactions. If you’re uncomfortable, if it’s painful or if something bothers you I want you to tell me. I can’t guarantee that I’ll make the change to suit you, but at least I’ll be one step closer to figuring you out.”

  “Do I get to figure you out?”

  He smiled. “You’re welcome to try, but you may not like what you find. I will tell you this.” He brushed his thumb over her lips and whispered, “You know far more about me than some of my closest friends. Now…”

  He undid her belt and slipped the robe off her shoulders. In a whisper it landed on the floor. He didn’t even bother kicking it aside. She was too much of a temptation. “Relax.”

  She gasped when he pushed her back the few inches into the wall.

  “Cold?”

  “Yes.”

  “Let me see if I can warm you up some.”

  He wedged his knee between her legs and forced them to spread. When she complied, he pushed up until his thigh was a snug fit against her softness. “Relax,” he said again and waited for the tension in her body to ease. “That’s better. Give me your mouth.”

  Apples. She tasted of apples with just the tiniest hint of vanilla and he dove in to get more. Swirling his tongue over hers. Going in deep and then easing all the while pressing his leg up into her more firmly until she was lifted off the ground. Suspended over his limb and dangling while he waited for the inevitable to happen. And when it did, he groaned. The feel of her creaming his leather. The sexy way she slipped sideways before he caught her sent hot blood pounding to his cock head.

  “I want you to stay loose, just as you are.”

  He angled his neck and let her kiss him there. Going slow, he reached up over her head for the four ropes that were coiled on the largest eyehook and whispered, “Very good, princess. I’m going to,” he unwound them as he dragged the wooden step stool with his foot, that looked more like a workhorse underneath them and gently brought her feet down onto it, “have you stand on this while I drop these ropes behind you. Just like this.”

  The silk cords swung down, and although now that she was standing on the stool on level with him, and could look him right in the eyes, he gauged she wasn’t paying him much attention. Not that it mattered though. Her distraction didn’t sway him. He started with the four ropes, pulling them to one side, mentally measuring where to start before he executed a large basket weave pattern with them.

  “Have you ever macraméd? This type of knot is like the square knot you’d find doing that craft. Only,” he cinched it, making sure it was snug, “there are two small variations I like to include that leaves room between the netting for me to gain access.”

  Once he’d finished the long length he held it up, knowing he had her attention now.

  “It looks like a hammock.”

  “It is in a way.”

  “Oh!”

  “Easy.” He steadied her. “It goes between your legs like this and then I secure these two ends to this eyehook like so.” He checked to make sure they were securely fastened. “And these two ends…”

  He pulled to tighten them and once he was satisfied he went after her again with his mouth. For no other reason than to make her hot. He loved when her eyes closed and she made soft little sounds low in her throat. She purred better than any other woman he’d had the pleasure of petting this way.

  “Give me your hand,” he whispered against her cheek before he shifted and took her earlobe between his teeth for a small bite. “Good, now the other one. Come on. Be a good girl. That’s right. I’m just going to secure them right like this.” He nuzzled her chin up to lick her neck. “It’s almost like your hands are behind your head, isn’t it? Only they’re strapped to those four ropes behind you. The position thrusts your breasts forward. I love that. You don’t mind, do you?”

  He sucked on her neck and then bit a path down the sensitive cord to the base. “Tell me.”

  “No. I don’t mind.”

  “Good, princess, very good. Now,” he stepped back and grabbed hold of her hips through the ropes, “I’m going to take this—”

  “Ted!”

  “Away. I’m here. It’s okay. See?”

  He took the stool out from underneath her tiptoed feet, and this time he let go of her completely. She was literally pinned against the wall. Suspended by the intricate pattern of knots he’d created. His only regret was the basket weave that worked like a seat holding her up left him limited access to her pussy. He’d have to make do and concentrate on her other delectable parts. Her breasts were accessible as the only other ties holding her were one silken cord across her collarbone and another at the bottom of her rib cage.

  “I want you to relax.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath and when she did her breasts rose and fell with the sweetest little quiver. Those delicate beauties with stunning designs were the perfect place to start.

  “Ted?”

  “I’ll be right back.” He went to the table beside his chair and grabbed the bag that had all the items he’d chosen to use tonight. As he searched through them, he shook his head. He needed to get his shit together with her. She should be calling him Sir. She should be zipping that lip of hers until he told her she could speak, but for some reason he didn’t want to do that. It was wrong he knew. It was sending all the wrong messages to her, but he couldn’t help it. Maybe he’d get her to bend on the one thing.

  “These are Japanese Clover nipple clamps. They have solid little pinchers. Real strong. Once I attach them to you I’ll take this,” he showed her the chain with the clip on the end, “and I’ll attach this to one of the ropes down here. If you move even slightly it will tighten the pinch on these, do you understand?”

  He ran his fingers over the hardened peak of one breast and said, “Once I get these on you I want you to thank me.”

  She nodded and that was good enough for him. Recalling the night at the resort, he knew she liked being tied. So the only question that remained was, would she like everything else he planned to do to her?

  “Easy.” Her intake of breath made him go slow. Very slow as he got one clamp on her and then the other. “Breathe through the sting
. Imagine yourself pulling it into your body, distributing it evenly through your entire system. That’s right, close your—”

  “Fu—”

  “Jo.”

  “Darn it.”

  He clamped one on the rope and paused before he did the other. “There will be no talking unless I say you can. Definitely no swearing and yes, darn it, to me is a cuss phrase so don’t use it again.” He almost laughed because she was glaring. She had moxie he’d give her that. “Don’t blame me. You’re the one who moved. The clamps tighten, remember?”

  He waited for her to close her eyes before he clipped on the second chain. “There, now you can thank me.”

  Her eyes snapped open and she frowned, remaining mute.

  “I want you to say, thank you, Sir.”

  She hesitated but after a quiet moment said, “Thank you…” He raised a brow and stared her down until she added, “Sir.”

  “Barely passable.” He reached out and gently tugged on one of the chains, which made her gasp. “Say it like you mean it.”

  “Yes Sir.”

  “Better, much better.” He stroked her cheek. “Now, you stay put while I see what else I have for us to play with, but while I’m gone I want you to close your eyes.” He leaned up against her. Pressing her into the wall. “I want you to feel the silky rope on your skin and between your legs as it cradles you. As it holds your arms and hands in position. Imagine how you look to me. Pinned and naked under the sturdy knots. Think about how I want to touch every part of you with my mouth.”

  She looked like she was waiting for a bus. “Jo.”

  “I’m trying.”

  “Shush.” He was careful around the chains. Touching every other part of her he could without disturbing the clamps. “That’s right, let the tension go. Don’t think. Feel. Feel how your body responds to my attention. How much it craves it.”

  To highlight his point, he sucked at her neck before he bent and flicked the tip of his tongue over one nipple then the other. Loving how she shivered and hissed, because the small shakes tightened those metal clovers.

  He leaned back and took in the view. “You’re stunning. Are you wet? Should I check?”