“D really loves you, honey.” He looked at her reflectively for a moment. “He’d kill me for saying this, but for once, I’m going to butt in. You know that Dimitri is experienced in the lifestyle.”
“Of course; that’s no secret.”
“Then you know he’s had many women and with his good looks—or so I’m told by the ladies—and with his wealth, he could have any one of them.”
“I know that too, Vance.” Even if it was in the past, the thought of Dimitri with other women made her heart hurt. She couldn’t help it. “What are you trying to tell me?”
“All that ended with you, Riah. The minute you set foot on his island, no other woman existed for him.”
Her brow creased as she pondered that. “You mean he hasn’t—”
“Nope.”
“But it’s been two years.”
“What does that tell you, honey?”
The pilot’s voice on the intercom alerting them of their imminent landing ended their conversation. The plane set down smoothly in the water and the next moment the attendant was opening the door. Vance stood, offering his hand in assistance.
She exited the plane and the warm tropical breeze that wrapped around her was a balm to her soul. She was home. Her hair blew across her face, and while she struggled to brush the flyaway strands aside, her eyes searched the dock. Fisting the mass in a ponytail behind her head, she looked up toward the mansion and saw him.
Dimitri, as always, made an imposing figure. Dressed in black, he stood motionless except for the wind that fluttered the dark waves of his hair. Her heart filled near to bursting as a cry of relief and happiness escaped. She took a few steps in his direction, stumbling in her haste.
Vance caught her at the same time Dimitri moved, descending the steps at a rapid clip. Once righted, she stood on one foot and pulled off her shoe. She tossed it aside, vaguely registering a splash as it landed in the water. She didn’t care. Hopping on her bare foot, she pulled off her other shoe. The hem of her gauzy sundress bunched in her hands, she broke into a run meeting him as he cleared the last step. Sobbing, Mariah launched herself into his arms, burying her face in his neck as her legs wrapped around his waist.
Without a word, he turned and climbed the steps, one arm at her waist the other securely supporting her backside. At the top, he paused and lowered her to her feet. His fingers speared into the hair at her nape and he pulled her face up to his. The kiss that followed was mind-blowing and left her breathless. When he finally pulled his mouth away, her heart overflowed with love for him as she stared up into his gorgeous face.
“Dimitri, I’m—”
“Save it.”
“But I was a fool for thinking I could live my life without you. I want to try—”
“Sweet, sweet words, baby. But right now, I don’t want to talk. Instead, I’m taking you to my bed where I am going to hold you tight. I’ll be able to see you, hear you breathe, and feel your body warm and soft against me. I’ll be able to touch you when I want and convince myself that you are home.” Bending, he pressed his face into her hair as he inhaled. “And, I’ll be able to bask in the aroma of cookies.”
“Shalimar… and I can’t think of anything that would make me happier.”
He kissed her hard and then with an arm around her waist, guided her toward the main house.
Her foot meeting the concrete walkway had her turning back to the plane. She saw Vance staring up at her with a broad grin. He held something in his raised hand. Recognizing it, she groaned aloud.
“What is it?” Dimitri also turned to look. “Did you forget something?”
“No, but I think I made a big mistake.”
“In coming back?” he growled. “Fuck that!”
Surprised by his language, she couldn’t help stare, but only briefly as she saw his angry face. Her hand on his cheek, she reassured, “No, Dimitri, never that, but those were five hundred dollar Manolo Blahniks.”
Apparently having heard every word as it carried down to him in the night air, Vance dangled the one remaining pink stiletto from his fingertip, laughing loudly the whole while.
“Like I said baby, fuck that. I’ll buy you a boatload of diamond studded shoes, just as long as I have you to go in them.”
How had she ever thought she could leave this man? Standing on tiptoe, she burrowed her face beneath his chin. Dimitri bent and caught her behind her knees as he lifted her in his strong arms. Sighing, she clung to him, her arms twined around his neck.
“I love you, Dimitri.”
“I love you too, piccola mia.”
* * *
Mariah’s soft curves molded against him and her warm breath brushing his neck filled him with a sense of ease, the first in days, as he carried her up the walkway toward the mansion. Taking the stairs effortlessly, her body weight negligible, they arrived at the second floor in moments and entered the east wing, which housed his private suite. Lengthening his stride, he quickly arrived at the door and swept inside. Kicking the door shut with his heel, he traversed the large living room and passed through the short hall before arriving at his master suite. Setting her down beside the bed, he stepped to the French doors and threw them open, allowing the warm salt-air and moonlight to fill the room.
Taking a deep breath to calm his raging libido, he urged himself to calm. Go slowly, he warned. This first night with her was too important to them both to rush. Counting to ten, he inhaled deeply one last time, then turned and froze. There before him stood Mariah, her pale hair and fair skin glowing luminous in a beam of shimmering moonlight. “Belissima,” he whispered as he approached.
His hands rose to cup her beautiful face as he angled it up for his kiss. Striving for patience, his good intentions and self-control went out the window as soon as their lips met. One hand tested the silken texture of her hair as his fingers laced into the soft waves at her nape. The other swept down her back, his arm coiling around her waist, drawing her against him. His tongue plunged deep, tasting her sweetness, and he reveled in her sexy, soft whimpers as she responded eagerly, matching his passion.
He savored the feel of her body against him, the press of her full breasts against his chest, her soft belly cradling the ache of his erection. Damn. What happened to going slow? Lifting his head, he looked down into her gorgeous face, the becoming flush across her cheeks and the plump pinkness of her lips, swollen from his kisses. He dropped his forehead to hers and groaned in frustration.
“We need to talk first, piccola, and tonight I want to hold you.”
“No talking, more kisses,” she urged, searching and finding his lips.
“Mariah,” he groaned, his lips brushing hers as he spoke, “we don’t need to rush.”
Her hands slid from his shoulders to his collar and began pulling open his shirt, a button pinged across the floor in her haste. “It’s been two years, Dimitri. We passed rushing twenty-three months ago.”
Gripping her searching hands, he stilled them against his chest. “Cara, you restrained me to a bed and ran from me not even a week ago. I think slow and deliberate is the way to go here.”
“You’re still angry,” she uttered quietly, her lips turned down in a pretty pout, the trembling of the bottom curve telling him her disappointment was all too real. With another woman he would have suspected dissembling, but not with Mariah.
“I’m not angry. That ended the minute Vance uncuffed me and told me you were gone. What followed was fear that you were alone and unprotected, dread that we wouldn’t find you, and five interminable days and sleepless nights.”
The glimmering blue of her eyes turned to liquid pools of sadness as a tear escaped, tracking down her cheek, followed by another, and another. “I’m so sorry, Dimitri. I never meant to worry you or cause such a fuss.”
“What did you expect, Mariah? Everyone here cares for you deeply, particularly me. Why did you run?”
“I was afraid.”
“Afraid of me?”
“No… I mea
n, yes.” She looked away, shaking her head as if confused. After a moment she met his eyes again. “I was afraid of how you made me feel. I thought I had that all bottled up until Friday when you kissed me, and then at the cabana.”
“I scared you.”
“No, you spanked me and… I liked it. You kissed and touched me, and I loved it. You made me feel again, D, after being numb for so long.” Her hand rose to his face, and she stroked her fingers along his jaw. “I had five sleepless nights, too. That was plenty of time to think about what you said on the stairs that night, and what you have been telling me for the past two years. You were right. I haven’t been living my life; I’ve been stuck, watching from the sidelines. I don’t want that anymore. I want to live and love again… with you, Dimitri.”
“And?”
“What?”
“There’s something else, cara. Something crucial that was missing and brought you here specifically.”
She dropped her eyes. He didn’t let up, however, as he guided her in the right direction; it was up to her to follow his lead, which was something they both wanted, and needed.
“Trust me, Mariah. Coming back to me was a start. Take the next step.”
Nodding, she licked her dry lips, her pink tongue slipping out to wet the full bottom curve before capturing it nervously between her teeth. Mesmerized, he watched, waiting with the utmost patience.
“At first, I was hiding… from my past, and myself. I found a home here, with you. I also missed… I knew I shouldn’t… not after… what he did. But here in this fantasy world you created, I felt safe. I could watch and be a small part of it—living vicariously through others—as you said. But that’s not enough anymore, not since you breathed life into me again.”
She paused, her eyes lifting and blazing into his with determination and raw emotion. “I don’t want that bastard to win anymore, D. Even though he’s dead, he’s still controlling me with fear. It’s enough. More than anything I want to move forward and have a future, and I want that future to be with you. You are such a wonderful man, full of love and laughter, so giving of yourself, of your strength and protection. You make me feel safe and cherished. I trust you, so much that I’m willing to give of myself again, freely.”
“My brave girl, you’ve talked all around it, now say it. I need to hear it clearly, Mariah.”
“I never thought I’d say this again after…” Taking a deep, steadying breath, she continued, never taking her eyes from his. “I want to give you my submission, which is—well, you already know that it’s my true nature. I tried to suppress it, but I can’t anymore and want to surrender it—to you—because I know I can entrust you with it. I need and want to be with you more than anything. I love you, Dimitri.”
“Grazie a dio! Two years I’ve waited to hear those sweet, sweet words, cara mia.” He gathered her close and crushed her trembling lips with his own. His tongue swept in and took possession of her mouth, savoring the taste of her response. Finally, after robbing her of both her breath and her wits, he lifted his mouth from her and fervently spoke from the heart. “I gratefully accept your submission, Mariah, because I want and need that from you too. Adesso tu sei mia. You belong to me now, piccola, and I’ll cherish you and this gift, forever.”
“Yes! Please, D, make love to me. I need you,” she cried, her hands clinging to his shoulders, her nails digging into him through his shirt as he relished the slight pain.
“You’re sure? I don’t want to push before you’re ready.”
“Please, don’t make me wait any longer,” she groaned, pressing against him.
His eyes searched hers and saw only passion. Not a hint of fear or reticence. Relief swept through him, followed quickly by a searing need. Summoning what was left of his control, he lifted her in his arms.
***
Settling her in the middle of his big bed, Dimitri pulled her loose summer dress over her head. The light gauzy fabric grazed along her thighs and belly, skimming along her taut nipples. Left in a skimpy pair of white panties, she looked up at him anxiously. His eyes swept her near naked body like a caress. Feeling confident in his hungry appraisal, Mariah brushed back her long hair, enjoying his eyes on her bare skin. Her reward was his low growl as he practically ripped off his shirt.
Bare chested, his hands moved to his waist, working his belt and the button on his trousers as she gobbled up the sight of him. She’d seen him before, by the pool and on the beach, or when working around the island. A hands-on owner, even though he could afford to have it done, he often enjoyed manual labor and it showed. He was lean, muscular, and very well defined. All hard, distinctive angles compared to her soft curves.
His pants slid down his legs, his belt buckle clunking against the floor, and then he was beside her. Moonlight from the open doors suffused the bed softly as he moved atop her and claimed her mouth again. The man could kiss. With lips and tongue he muddled her senses. She could drown in the sensations. His hand swept over her shoulder and down her side, pausing to cup a full breast. As his thumb swept over the peak, she arched as the breath left her chest. Sliding lower, his hand continued its exploration. Across her hip and the tops of her thighs, he trailed his fingers slowly between them and found her center. Two fingers dipped into her folds as he found her clit, stroking it once, slowly. She spread her legs, arching her hips against him, silently seeking more. The sensual touch was replaced with his thumb as his fingers moved lower and circled her opening, before one broad finger dipped inside.
“Yes, please,” she whispered.
“So hot and wet,” he groaned against her lips, “and ready for me.” He moved between her thighs, his hips aligning with hers as his hard length found her. With just the head of his cock dipping inside, he paused, settling against her.
“Bella mia, you said I made you feel again. I want you to do so now. I want you to experience every sensation as we come together for the first time. Look into my eyes, Mariah, be present in the moment with me, here and now. Can you do that for me?”
Looking up into his dark eyes, brimming with love and passion for her, she nodded, wondering how she had ever resisted him for so long. She knew it had been due in part to Dimitri… he had been waiting patiently for her—truly, his restraint had been amazing—until she was ready. Finally, he had pushed her, enough to snap her out of her comfort zone. Even though she had gone off the rails for a few days, she came home to him where she belonged.
As if reading her thoughts, he thrust home, filling her to near bursting. The hard length of him felt so good inside her, stretching her and kindling every nerve ending. The pleasure grew as he began to move, so exquisitely pleasurable that she almost forgot as her eyes blinked slowly.
“Eyes on me. I want to see what you’re feeling.”
Her eyes flicked open just as he drew back and returned hard, the friction along every nerve ending eliciting a groan from deep in her chest. “Who is loving you, Mariah?”
“You are, Dimitri.”
“That’s right. And who do you belong to?”
“You, always you, D. Since the moment I saw you, it’s been you.”
His head lowered and took her mouth in a soul-stirring kiss. Soon he was moving fast and hard within her while he gazed intensely into her eyes. What she thought would have been uncomfortable—wasn’t. What could have intimidated—didn’t. She found herself lost in the midnight blue depths, reveling in his warmth, his weight, and the way he possessed her. She wanted to stay this way forever. He moved against her, catching her hands that had been clasped tightly to his shoulders since the first plunge of his cock. Raising them over her head, he entwined their fingers, holding them there as he moved faster, widening his knees and along with them her thighs for deeper penetration. She was pinned beneath him now, hands held in his, legs bound by his strength, the weight of his body holding her in place as he took control of every movement and sensation. It didn’t frighten her; instead, beyond all reason, it made her feel free.
&n
bsp; “I belong to you, Dimitri.”
“Yes, baby.”
“And in turn, you belong to me, don’t you?”
“Heart, body and soul, piccola mia.”
She beamed up at him. “Forever?”
“For always!”
Basking in the warmth of his love, she gave up her control and surrendered to his body’s possession. As she watched him surge toward release, she rode the wave of pleasure with him, knowing the precise moment when his body took over, growling his release and spurring her own as they spiraled out of control into the throes of ecstasy together.
***
Eyes flicking open, she surveyed the image before her of sunlight filtering softly through the open French doors. There was a cool morning breeze lightly blowing, fluttering the sheer curtains and making her want to snuggle into the warm body behind her. Dimitri. A gentle smile pulled at her lips as she remembered the evening before, recalling both his tenderness and his intensity. Never had anyone possessed her quite so thoroughly before, or made her feel so cherished. Her heart filled with joy as she realized his love had made the difference.
Responding to her body’s demands, she tried to slip from the bed without disturbing him, but his arm dragged her back.
“Where are you going?” he asked sleepily.
Turning in the circle of his arms, she grinned at his heavy-lidded expression, the tousle of his silky black hair, and the dark scruff of beard on his chin. He looked so sexy when rumpled, she was reluctant to leave. But she couldn’t put it off any longer. “Um… you know, but I’ll be right back.”
“Okay, but hurry, baby. I’m needing a proper good morning.”
Releasing her, she climbed out of bed as he stretched. His big body arched as he groaned contentedly and she about swallowed her tongue. Muscles rippled and bulged as the sheet slid along his smooth olive skin. As it slipped dangerously low, it drew her eyes to his ripped abs and down the thin trail of dark hair that ran along his midline to where it disappeared beneath the stark white linen. The sheet moved and tented as she gaped. Her eyes flicked to his, the dark blue flashing with passion even as his lips turned up in a wicked grin.
Pleasure Bay Page 28
