by Leah Brooke
A possession.
Leaning over her, he pressed his lips against her ear. “This is mine. I can take it whenever I want, and there’s nothing you can do about it. You’ll bend over and give this hot ass to me because it’s mine.”
His groan sent a shiver of delight through her, the knowledge that his pleasure came from her choking her throat with tears.
“Nothing feels as good as taking my submissive. Knowing she’s all mine. Knowing that her only desire is to give all of herself to me.”
One hand came around her to toy with her nipple. “How the hell am I supposed to be able to resist that? How am I supposed to keep from falling deeper in love with a woman who gives so much of herself to me and trusts me to take care of her?”
“Oh, Master!” Hope sobbed, never loving him more.
“Are you a good girl?” He slowed his strokes, his cock feeling like hot steel inside her.
“Yes, Master!”
“Then you can come when I do. Not before. Tighten that ass on my cock, and I’ll fuck you harder. Would you like that?”
“Yes please, Master.” Scared of coming before he did, Hope vowed to herself to tighten on him so hard that he would go over fast.
She couldn’t wait, each slow thrust making her shake even harder with the effort of holding back.
“You have to pay attention. I don’t want you to focus on anything except my cock. Understood?”
Hope whimpered when he thrust deep again, wondering how she could possibly think about anything else. “Yes, Master.”
Hope clenched hard on his cock, stunned at the too-full feeling. Her inner walls burned at the sensation, and with the intention of focusing on Ace, she held back her cries.
Loving the groans that poured from him, Hope clenched as hard as she could, sobbing as she fought not to come.
Ace tightened his hands on her hips, fucking her with a speed that left her breathless. “There’s nothing as exciting as fucking you, baby. Nothing. Jesus, you’re killing me.”
His groan was like music to her ears, and when he thrust deep and stilled and she felt his cock pulse inside her, she came hard, sobbing uncontrollably in relief.
Her entire body stiffened and began to shake, her back arching more as she threw her head back and let out a cry of sublime pleasure.
Ace flattened her to the mattress and, still inside her, covered her body with his. “You’re gonna kill me.”
Hope giggled, turning her head to smile up at him. “I can just imagine Rafe and Linc finding our bodies—naked and with smiles on our faces.”
Chuckling, Ace rose and, with an arm around her waist, dragged her from the bed. “I wouldn’t be at all surprised. Come on. We need to get showered and dressed, and I want to give you your collar.”
* * * *
Eager for her gift, Hope rushed through her shower, enjoying Ace’s carefree laughter as she left him in the shower and hurried to blow-dry her hair.
He opened the door and stepped out just as she’d finished, shaking his head when she reached for her moisturizer. “I’ll do that.”
By the time he finished smoothing cream over every inch of her, Hope trembled with awareness.
He recapped the jar and met her gaze in the mirror. “Stay here.”
She watched him move naked through the bedroom and into the playroom, clenching her hands together in front of her as she waited for his return.
He appeared seconds later with a box in his hand and, watching her steadily, made his way back to stand behind her again. He opened the box and took out a shiny choker, silver in color.
“Lift your hair out of the way.”
Tears stung her eyes as she obeyed him.
Fastening the choker, he glanced at her in the mirror. “It can only be put on or taken off when you’re naked.” He finished fastening it and wrapped his arms around her from behind, lightly stroking her nipples. “It’s platinum, so it’s strong and durable.”
She lifted her hand to run her fingers over the smooth surface. “It’s beautiful.”
It was about an inch thick and completely unadorned, the type of design her no-nonsense husband would have chosen. “You designed this yourself, didn’t you?”
“Yes.” His lips twitched. “It was originally designed as a wedding gift, but I knew you weren’t ready for it then and would never have understood what it truly meant. Now, I think, you do.”
Lifting her arms, she slid her hands around to the back of his neck, thrusting her breasts out in invitation. “I think I do.”
Ace smiled and cupped her breasts, rolling her nipples between his thumbs and forefingers. “I think you do, too. I just have to make sure you never forget it.”
Turning in his arms, she lifted her face for his kiss, delighted when he readily obliged her, taking her mouth in a kiss filled with love and possessiveness.
Lifting his head, he raised a brow. “Oh, I’ll make damned sure you don’t forget it. I’ve got a refrigerator drawer full of ginger for just that purpose.”
Sliding his hands to her bottom, he picked her up, urging her to put her legs around him as he carried her back to the bedroom. “Along with several other things at my disposal, including the palm of my hand.”
Nuzzling his jaw, Hope realized that she’d never felt so close to him. “I want my other collar.”
Chuckling, Ace set her on her feet in front of the bed where he’d already laid out her clothes for the day. He reached for her cotton panties and bent to hold them out for her to step into. “You’re getting greedy.”
Holding on to his shoulders, she lifted one foot and then the other, stepping into her panties. “I want my other collar. I want you to know that I’m willing to belong to you completely.”
He helped her into her bra, fastening it before turning her toward him again. “The other is made of leather and is only to be worn in the playroom. It’s a little more…intense…than this one.”
A thrill went through her. Flattening her hands on his chest, she slid them lower to close them around his cock. “I can’t wait.”
Lifting her hand away, he chuckled again and kissed her palm. “You’re gonna have to wait. If you’re a good girl today, I’ll put it on you tonight.”
Chapter Sixteen
Hope rushed through setting up the displays, anxious to call Ace to pick her up.
Charity frowned at her when Hope accidentally knocked over another stack of jars. “What’s with you today? Did you have too much coffee this morning or something?”
Hope grinned and touched her choker again. “Nope. Just in a hurry to get back to my husband.”
Laughing, Charity helped Hope gather the scattered jars. “He gave you that choker and now you want to thank him for it, huh?”
“Something like that.”
“Why don’t you go ahead and leave? We’re almost done, and you’re just making a mess of things.”
Hope automatically shook her head but then abruptly changed her mind. “You don’t mind?”
Charity laughed and shooed her away. “Not at all. Nat’s coming over to help, and Logan will be here soon to set up his own display. Rachel will be here in about an hour to set up one for the lingerie shop. Beau will be here soon, too. We’re going out tonight, and he’s already promised me a foot rub.”
Hope grinned. “I plan to be rubbed somewhere else. I’ll call Ace.”
She hit the button that automatically dialed his number, her stomach in knots as she waited for him to answer.
“Jesus, Hope. I haven’t seen you this excited since you made plans to ambush Ace before you started dating.”
Grinning at her sister, Hope tapped her foot, unable to contain her excitement. “Yeah, well my husband and I are enjoying some time alone together. You and Beau should take a vacation.”
Charity looked at her as if she’d lost her mind. “Some vacation. Ace got run over and was recuperating at home.”
“Yeah, well, he recuperates fast.” Hope jolted when Ace answere
d.
“Tyler.”
“Hi, Ace.”
“Hello, baby. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just wanted to see if you’re ready to come get me.”
“You’re done? Nat, Rachel, and Logan haven’t even gotten there yet to set up their displays.”
Hope blinked. “How the hell do you know—never mind. Charity volunteered to stay so I can go home. I’m more of a hindrance than a help. I keep knocking stuff over.”
“Oh? Why’s that?”
Narrowing her eyes at the amusement in his tone, Hope moved to the window to look out. “I’m a little excited, I guess.”
“About what?”
“You know what I’m excited about.”
“I asked you a question. I wouldn’t have asked if I hadn’t wanted to hear your answer.”
Hope closed her eyes on a moan, her pussy clenching. “God, when you talk to me like that—”
“That’s one.”
Hope blinked. “One what?”
“One time the crop’s gonna connect with that well-rounded ass. Answer my question.”
Hope bent slightly, holding on to the windowsill for support, her clit throbbing. “I forgot the question.”
“That’s two. What are you excited about?”
Looking over her shoulder to make sure her sister couldn’t hear her, Hope moaned. “Well, now I’m excited about my spanking.”
“Three. That’s not what you were excited about when I asked you the question. I expect an answer.”
Hope’s free hand tightened into a fist, the surge of desire overwhelming. “I’m excited about seeing you again and going to the playroom to get my new collar.”
“It’s not just a collar. It’s a little more than that.”
Lust slammed into her with the force of a freight train. “Ace, I’m gonna come.”
“Don’t you dare! I’ll be there in five minutes. I’ve got some paperwork to do, and I can do it from there as well as I can do it from here.”
Four minutes later, Ace walked into the club, briefcase in hand.
She felt him as soon as he came in, the air shimmering with his power.
Not taking his gaze from Hope’s, he walked up to greet Charity, kissing her hair. “Beau had a late delivery, but he said to tell you he’d be here soon. He wants to get set up here so you can relax while you’re at dinner.”
Beau owned the adult toy store in town, and business was thriving.
Hope’s face burned when she remembered Ace’s playroom full of toys and the knowledge that he’d probably bought every single one of them from his brother-in-law.
Charity smiled up at him. “I can’t believe how busy the store’s been. I’ve been helping him with some of the online orders, and he’s looking to hire two or three more people to take over that part of it.”
“I know.”
Charity grinned. “Of course you do. Why don’t you take my sister out of here so I can get something done? She’s wrecking more than she’s accomplishing.”
Ace held Hope’s gaze, a dark brow going up. “No. I’m here to do some paperwork while she helps you finish. I need to talk to her in her office for a minute, okay?”
“Sure. Just don’t let her have any coffee. She’s wound up enough.”
Ace smiled, his affection for Charity as obvious as his impatience with Hope. “I won’t. Hope, come with me.”
Taking her hand, he led her to her office and closed the door behind him. Setting the briefcase aside, he lifted her by the waist, setting her on her desk. “You’re so excitable, aren’t you, sub?”
Another thrill went through her, and Hope automatically reached for him. “Master, I—”
“Quiet.” Straightening, he folded his arms across his chest. “Lift your shirt and bra out of the way. I want to see those breasts.”
Aware that he hadn’t locked the door, Hope glanced at it nervously but rushed to obey him.
“Hands behind your back.”
Hope hurriedly stuck her hands behind her back, clasping them together and shaking with need. “Yes, Sir.”
Reaching out, Ace lightly stroked a nipple. “You want to go home to fuck and leave your sister, who’s also working to help Beau, to set everything up herself?”
Hope gasped when he took her nipple between his thumb and forefinger and twisted. “I’m sorry.”
“That alone has earned you another five strikes of the crop. What are we up to now?”
“Eight. Eight, Master.”
Her bottom clenched in anticipation.
“And you know that you’re going to have that ass filled with the ginger root while I deliver those strikes, don’t you?”
Another rush of juices escaped, the need to come so intense she shook with it. “Please. I’m sorry, Master.”
“Please what?”
Hope whimpered, thrusting her breasts out for more attention. “Please, Master. I need to come.”
Ace’s eyes flashed and then turned ice cold. “Demands again? That’s another five.”
He gripped both nipples and tugged. Hard—sending white-hot need rushing straight to her slit. “You’ll come when and if I allow it.” Releasing her nipples, he straightened. “As far as I can tell, you haven’t done a damned thing to earn an orgasm.”
“Please, Master! Don’t be mad at me. I’ll do whatever you want. What can I do to make it up to you?”
Ace freed his cock, fisting his hand around its thickness. “Suck.”
* * * *
Ace fought to hide just how deeply Hope’s submission affected him.
He wanted her with a passion that made what he’d felt for her in the past seem mild in comparison.
He’d never get enough of her and hated to admit that only the release she’d just given him allowed him to make it through the next several hours.
After she’d licked him clean, he’d tucked his cock away and gripped her chin, bending to kiss her hard. “Every time you drop something or knock something over, I’m adding another lash of the crop. Go finish with Charity so we can go home and you can accept your punishment.”
He’d readjusted her shirt and bra, patting her on her ass as he opened the door and urged her through it. “I’ll be in here, and I can hear everything.”
He’d heard three more crashes while struggling to focus on his paperwork instead of imagining how his wife would look in the leather collar he’d had specially made for her.
She’d occupied his thoughts all day, the dull paperwork giving way to thoughts of what he wanted to do to her.
By the time they finally left the women’s club, he was hard as a rock again.
Driving the short distance home, he glanced over at her. “You earned three more.”
“Yes, Sir.”
With her hands folded in her lap, she looked like the perfect submissive while the lust and anticipation shimmering in her eyes made her even more so.
“You are the most impatient woman I’ve ever met.”
“Yes, Sir, but it’s your fault.”
Surprised at that, he glanced at her again. “Excuse me?”
“You’re so sexy, and you’re the one who arouses me with just your voice. You’ve shown me what can be and spoiled me for it. I want it all the time.”
Delighted with her honesty, Ace reached over to take her hand in his. “What the hell am I going to do with you?”
Hope grinned and lifted his hand to her breast. “Whatever you want to do to me, Master.”
Once they arrived at home, Hope shook with excitement as Ace locked the front door and bent as he turned to her, lifting her over his shoulder.
Striding down the hall toward their bedroom, he slapped her ass several times in rapid succession. “You’ve been bad today.”
“I’m sorry, Master.”
“Are you?”
Inside the bedroom, he set her on her feet, turning to close and lock the door. “Strip.”
Hope hurriedly kicked off her shoes and rushed to
throw off her clothes as if they were on fire. Once naked, she moved to his side.
Turning her to face the mirror above her dresser, Ace unclasped her choker and removed it, tucking it into his pocket. “I thought you deserved that, but apparently, you’re too undisciplined.”
Hope’s eyes went wide at the insult and then flashed with anger. She opened her mouth but closed it abruptly, apparently deciding against saying whatever she’d been about to say.
The anger went out of her eyes, replaced by something that looked more like desperation. “I’m sorry, Master. I’m sorry I disappointed you.”
Ace bit back a smile. “Nothing could be further from the truth. You didn’t disappoint me. I knew how your passions would play out. I just didn’t expect them to overtake you so suddenly.” Smiling, he held her gaze in the mirror while letting his hands run over her softness. “And you think that submitting makes you less of a challenge?”
Lifting her arms to wrap them around his neck, she offered herself to him, something she did more readily now, but he doubted that she realized it.
He did, and it made him feel ten feet tall.
Sucking in a breath when he stroked her nipples, she leaned back against him. “I’d die if you ever got bored with me.”
Smiling to himself, he continued to stroke her nipples, knowing that sensitizing them would make what came next even more intense for her. “I don’t think that could ever happen. You know what comes next, right?”
“My collar.”
“And your punishment. Are you ready for that?”
Lifting her chin, she met his gaze squarely. “I can take my punishment.”
“How many lashes are we up to?”
“Sixteen.”
Smiling, he slid his hand lower to stroke her clit in reward. “Good girl.”
Taking her hands from around his neck, he lowered them to the surface of her dresser. “Stay right here while I go get the ginger.”
He was back within seconds, ginger root in hand. After closing and locking the door behind him, he led her into the playroom and did the same.
Shocked to see a large mirror had been placed on the wall on the far side of the room, Hope glanced at him. “Master?”
