“Great. If you’ll follow me, we’ll get started.”
I glanced around. The entrance was filled with guests in line waiting to buy tickets. But not us. Of course. Cade Alexander would have planned ahead and paid in advance and arranged something more private. Naturally.
The tour was wonderful. Simon was a walking Nashville encyclopedia. He shared so much knowledge about the music industry, I would never begin to remember it all.
When we were done, Cade led me back outside into the bright sun. “Let’s walk. There’s a restaurant nearby. I’m starving.” He led me down the street, his gait slow enough to accommodate my shorter stride like a true gentleman. He also kept a palm on my lower back any time he wasn’t holding my hand.
The way he handled me warmed me inside. He really did have another side that wasn’t bossy and demanding. And I liked this side of Cade Alexander. I liked the other side too. But meeting this Cade was a breath of fresh air.
Lunch was amazing. The temperature outside was perfect, so we chose a table on the patio. Cade told me funny stories about growing up with three older sisters, and I told him how lucky he was not to be the prime focus of his parents’ attention for never-ending years. I loved my parents to pieces, and I joked about our relationship, but deep down I hoped I conveyed how much I appreciated everything they meant to me. Because that was what life was all about, and I wanted my own children to know the same love and respect I’d had growing up.
From Cade’s tales, he’d been doted on by so many women in his life, he knew better than anyone what it meant to be loved.
We took our time strolling around downtown before heading back to the hotel. Arthur materialized out of nowhere and whisked us away.
Chapter Eleven
The moment we stepped back into the hotel suite, Cade’s demeanor changed so fast I wobbled on my feet. As soon as the elevator closed, he advanced on me, pure predator. And there was no doubt who was the prey.
“I want to play,” he stated.
“Okay.” I backed up. I knew exactly what he meant. I was shocked we’d gone half the day without him mentioning the idea. I was equally relieved he made no motion to dominate me in public. I couldn’t have handled that.
I was glad I wore flat sandals as I stepped backward into the living room. I might have tripped if I’d had on heels. My ass hit the back of the couch, leaving me no more room to escape. Not that I wanted to escape Cade Alexander, but instinct caused me to hesitate.
The man oozed masculinity normally. Now, it poured out of him. His gaze pierced me, pinning me to my spot. When he reached me, he framed my body with both hands on the back of the couch.
He didn’t close his eyes as he kissed me sweetly, so I stared into his also. “Baby, you’re amazing.”
“You aren’t so bad yourself.”
He released the couch with one hand and reached under my skirt so fast, I gasped. In less than a second, his hand was at my sex, two fingers stroking through my folds. He moaned. “So wet for me. Always so wet. My sweet girl likes to play.”
I did. The permanent tight ball in my belly grew tighter.
“Step out. Spread your legs for me, baby.”
I managed that task with ease, opening myself up to his touch. He held my gaze while he stroked through my folds and then pushed two fingers inside me.
I moaned as I lifted up on my tiptoes, my legs already threatening to buckle.
Cade smiled. “Always so ready.” And then his hand was gone, and he grabbed the hem of my dress and tugged it over my head.
I never saw where it went. The next thing I knew was his mouth at the upper swell of my breasts, nibbling, licking, sucking gently on my flesh. He chinned the lace of my bra down to expose my nipple and sucked it into his mouth, his hand circling around me at the small of my back. “So sweet,” he muttered against my chest when he released me.
I breathed deeply as he stepped back, a whine escaping my lips. I steadied myself by gripping the couch on both sides of me. My entire body screamed for release.
“Let me make you feel good, baby.”
I watched him through the haze covering my eyes.
“Trust me.”
I nodded and licked my lips. As long as he finally fucked me, I didn’t care.
Cade strolled across the room, tugging his shirt over his head as he went. He set it on the table and kicked off his shoes. He grabbed the second box from the table and turned to saunter back my way, his eyes promising everything.
When he reached my side, he held out the box. I released the edge of the couch with both hands and took it. This one made me more nervous than the first. It had come from the fetish shop. It wasn’t very heavy, but still…
“Open it, baby.”
I tugged one tail of the ribbon until it fell away. And then I lifted the lid off with shaking fingers. I didn’t know what I was looking at. A pile of pink nylon circles of some sort.
Cade chuckled and took the box from my hands. He walked toward my bedroom. “Come, baby.”
I followed.
“Take off your sandals and the bra,” he said as I entered the room.
He already stood at the bed, the box on top.
I popped the bra easily and let it fall to the floor where I stood. I leaned down next to slip off my shoes. And then I stood naked before him, too far away for him to touch.
“Amelia, come here.”
Uh oh. I padded to his side with some unease as Cade removed the contents of the box.
“Relax, baby. They’re just cuffs.”
I could see that now. And I flinched when he ripped the Velcro of one circle, opening the cuff in front of me. He took my wrist and wrapped the pink nylon around it, sealing it with the Velcro. I didn’t quite get the point, or perhaps I was kidding myself, but I let him repeat the process on my other wrist and then my ankles.
He lifted my chin as he stood. “Do you trust me, baby? I need you to trust me.”
I nodded.
“I would never hurt you.”
I nodded again. I believed that. He’d assured me often.
“And you have a safe word if I ever do anything that causes pain or anguish. What is it?”
“Red, Sir.”
“Good girl.” He swept away the comforter on the bed. I hadn’t made it myself, but the cleaning staff had been through at some point while we were gone. He patted the bed. “Climb up. Lie on your back in the center. Spread your arms and legs.”
I glanced down at my wrists and realization dawned. Cuffs. Like the kind one would use to secure someone.
I did as he demanded, crawling to the center and spreading my limbs.
Cade stroked a hand up one arm until I shivered. “Good girl.” He grabbed my wrist and pulled it to the corner of the bed. Something else from the box was in his hand. I didn’t watch as he attached the new item to me and the headboard.
I tugged. It was secure. I wasn’t escaping.
Cade circled the bed and repeated the action with my other wrist.
My heart beat faster at the restraint. “Did I do something wrong, Sir?”
He met my gaze and frowned. “No, baby. Why?”
I said nothing.
He glanced at my wrists and then smiled. “Oh, baby. No.” He leaned forward and trailed his fingers across my breasts, carefully stroking over both nipples.
I arched into his touch.
“How wet are you now?”
I let out a breath and licked my lips. “Very.”
“Then I wouldn’t call this a punishment, right?”
I wasn’t so sure about that. I had also gotten very wet when he spanked me. And besides, depending on what he intended to do, things could get really frustrating really fast.
He chuckled again.
There was no footboard. I watched as Cade removed a long rope from the box. He tied it to the loop on one ankle cuff and then bent down. I didn’t know what he did, but when he stood again, he rounded the bed and stooped out of view once more.
I knew exactly what he’d done when he tugged my ankle and tied the rope to its matching loop. He’d tossed the other end under the bed and now I was completely immobile with my legs spread wider than I would care to consider.
Cade climbed onto the bed and settled between my thighs.
I was suddenly far more naked than I’d ever been. I struggled against each cuff just enough to make my heart race.
“Stop squirming, baby. Relax.” He stroked my inner thighs. “I know it’s weird at first, but let yourself go. You’ll enjoy it.”
That may be, but at what cost? My self-esteem?
I tried to relax into the mattress, but it was difficult with his gaze roaming my body and his fingers following. Every nerve ending came alive as he danced the tips of his fingers over me, starting with zones that weren’t even erogenous before today and moving in circles toward my nipples.
He watched my face as he pinched the tips. “Look at me, baby.”
I did.
“You okay? Nothing’s too tight?”
“I’m good, Sir.”
“Scale of one to ten, how aroused are you?”
“Fifty.” I wasn’t kidding.
He chuckled and released my nipples to trail down to my pussy. “I love this bare skin.” He teased the areas I had shaved. “I love knowing you’re totally naked for me.”
I flinched as he grazed my clit, a tiny noise escaping my mouth. I tugged my hands, forgetting they weren’t going to budge.
Cade pressed two fingers inside me and scissored them until I couldn’t stand it anymore. “Cade, please…”
“What do you need, baby?”
“I need you to take off your pants, Cade. Please.”
“Why would I do that?” He chuckled.
I moaned. “Please, Cade. Stop teasing. I need you inside me.”
“I know, baby. But not yet. I want you to experience restraint without sex this time.”
Was he crazy? I gulped for oxygen at the prospect. I almost cried. I did whimper. And I hated he brought me to that level.
Cade leaned over my body until his face hovered over mine, inches separating us. “Eyes on me, baby. I want to watch your face when you come.” He thrust his fingers harder, in and out, each time flattening his palm to my clit.
My breath hitched in my throat as I concentrated on the feelings. The need. The cravings.
I wanted his cock. Not his fingers. It was indeed as frustrating as I’d expected. I didn’t even know what it would feel like to have his length inside me. I just knew I wanted it more than anything.
Cade knew that too. His smile told me everything.
He set his thumb on my clit and pressed it down while he fucked me with his fingers, adding a third. “Come for me, baby.”
I shattered at his command. Every muscle in my body convulsed. I struggled against the restraints to no avail.
Cade didn’t let up. As the orgasm subsided, he kept moving until I climbed back to the top so fast, it shocked me. In no time, I was right there again. I couldn’t see him anymore. My eyes clouded over, and I gave up, closed them, and tipped my head back.
“Again, baby. Come for me.”
I went right over the edge again. Cade did this to me. My pussy gripped his fingers as hard as possible. My clit pulsed in rapid succession. I felt like I was falling. Free-falling from a very high location. It took forever for me to hit the ground, and when I did, it was into a soft bed of warmth. Not jarring as I’d expected.
I opened my eyes as Cade removed his fingers. He licked them clean while he watched me. And then he leaned over me, braced on his elbows on both sides of my head, and kissed me hard.
I could taste myself on his lips, and I liked it. He’d done it before. It was sexy for some reason. I wondered what he would taste like. I suddenly wanted to know more than anything.
When he finally broke the kiss, I found the courage to ask for what I wanted. “Let me suck you.”
He flinched, one corner of his mouth raising up. “Hell no. I would never survive that. You’d ruin my reputation before you even wrapped those sweet lips around my cock.”
I was shocked. Also pleased at the same time. He wanted me bad enough that he knew he wouldn’t have the restraint. I shrugged. “Who cares? I’ll never tell. Please, Cade. It’s only fair.”
He chuckled deep and long that time. As he sat back, he pinched my nipples again, making me arch into his hands. “Fair? Did you read your assignment the other day?”
I flinched. Right. Of course.
He continued. “There’s no ‘fair’ in D/s, baby. There’s just me dominating you and you obeying my commands.”
“Okay, Sir.”
“Good.” He lifted off me.
Immediately I felt the cool air hitting my skin. My pussy was soaked, and the air made me hyper aware of what it lacked.
Cade kissed my temple. “Gonna take a long shower, baby. You rest.”
“Cade.” I lifted my head as he walked away. “No you don’t. Let me go.”
He chuckled and turned to face me at the door. “I like knowing exactly where you are while I shower.” And he left.
I wanted to throw something at him. And I still might. Later. When he let me go.
Chapter Twelve
Cade held my hand as he helped me from the back of the Mercedes. “I don’t know how long we’ll stay,” he said over my head. “Do you mind waiting, Arthur?”
“Of course not, sir.” Arthur rounded the Mercedes and shut the door as I stepped free. “Take your time. I’ll park in the garage below the hotel.”
“Thank you. You know how these things are. Sometimes I can stomach them. Sometimes not.”
I wondered what he meant by that. These were his friends. Right?
Cade settled his hand on the small of my back as he led me to the front door. He leaned down and kissed my shoulder. “Have I mentioned how fucking sexy you are tonight?”
I giggled. He’d mentioned that a few hundred times. Yes.
In fact, the moment I stepped from the bedroom wearing this dress was a moment I would never forget as long as I lived.
Cade had presented it to me after his shower, hanging it on a hook on the bathroom door and setting dainty silver heels beneath it before releasing me from the bed.
Whatever anger I’d built up toward him while he’d showered dissipated immediately when he hooked that shimmering silver dress to the door. My eyes were glued to the luxury. “God, Cade. That’s amazing.” I hardly paid attention as he ripped the Velcro from my limbs and rubbed my wrists and ankles.
“Glad you like it. You’re going to look like a million bucks in it.” He hauled me to sitting and then squared off with me, breaking my view. “Shower. Hair. Makeup—not too much. Then the dress. Meet me in the living room. Half an hour.”
“Got it.” I saluted him.
“Are you sassing me, Amelia?” He narrowed his gaze, but laughter played with the corners of his eyes.
“No, Sir.” I swallowed and pursed my lips. Things were going so well. The last thing I wanted was another spanking or a stint in the corner he’d threatened. “Sorry, Sir.”
“Okay then. Just checking.”
I stood and padded to the bathroom.
Precisely half an hour later, I’d stepped into the living room and met the most wonderful gaze of my life. I thought he might drop his tumbler the way he shook when he saw me. His eyes went wide and his mouth fell open. He didn’t speak for long seconds. I had finally managed to leave Cade Alexander speechless.
He’d shocked me again when he presented me with gorgeous dangling silver earrings and a matching bracelet. I felt like a princess.
Now, as he led me into the hotel lobby where the party was being held, he stroked his palm up my bare back, skimming the sides of my breast with his thumb.
I squirmed. My nipples hardened.
Cade drew me closer to his side and set his lips on my ear. “Stop wiggling, baby.”
I lifted my face. �
�Stop touching me so intimately, Sir.” I smiled at him, but my sass was back out.
He stopped walking and narrowed his eyes. “That’s twice, Amelia.”
“We aren’t currently ‘playing’, Sir.” I emphasized the word playing and then stressed my exaggerated Sir.
“We’re always playing to some extent, Amelia.” He winked. “And you won’t tempt me again, imp. I won’t hesitate to find a secluded corner in which to punish you. Are we clear?”
I swallowed. I didn’t think he was kidding that time. “Yes, Sir.”
“Good girl.” He splayed his hand wide again, intentionally brushing my breasts as we continued. My nipples rubbed against the soft material of the dress. I glanced down to see if it was obvious to anyone else how erect they were. The gown was amazing. I was still in awe. The halter-style front dipped just low enough to be decent. It shimmered when I walked, the silver glistening in every kind of light. It also hugged my body to perfection, the sides of my bare breasts skimming the edges of the luxurious fabric. The back was completely bare down to my ass, arguably a bit too low, though Cade insisted it was perfect and no one could see anything they had no business seeing.
The elegant material also lay fitted against my hips, a slit up the side reaching high on my thigh, making it possible for me to walk. The whole ensemble was made more fantastic by the dainty silver heels covered with Swarovski crystals. It had to have cost a fortune. I didn’t even want to know.
We rode to the third floor in the elevator, my man as attentive as ever behind me, his arm wrapped around my waist, holding my back against his front. His palm lay flat on my belly. Another couple stepped in with us to ride from the second floor to the third, smiling as they took in our stance.
I felt like I’d won the lottery. I had, in a way.
When we reached the ballroom, I was shocked. I’d known it would be over the top based on the way we were dressed, but this was beyond anything I’d ever been to. Wall-to-wall, people covered the dimly lit room. If this was the engagement party, I couldn’t imagine what the wedding reception would be like.
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