by Lea Griffith
“It will take too long and my body misses yours. Here. Now.” She pulled at the buttons of his shirt, delighting when they popped and allowed her to push it off his shoulders.
He set her down and just watched her.
“Take off your clothes,” he said in a hard voice.
His dominance settled over her like a silken cloak. Her knees weakened at his command. She undid her shirt and shrugged it off. She untied her skirt and dropped it to the floor. Daly was wearing garters for her stockings but no underwear, and his gaze riveted on her bare flesh.
“The bra.” His voice was infinitely deep with need.
She obeyed and then pressed her palms against her engorged nipples.
“Drop your hands. I didn’t say you could ease their pain. That’s for me alone.”
She did as he asked but tweaked her nipples before she dropped them completely. His eyes blazed.
“That’s one,” he said with a tight smile. “And you know I keep count very well. Lower your gaze, little sub.”
She did as he’d commanded.
“Take off my clothes,” he directed.
Her breath stilled in her chest. She raised her hands slowly, not really knowing where to start. His body was a feast for her senses. Since his shirt was already halfway off, she began there. Sliding the fabric down his arms, she made sure not to touch him any more than necessary.
“Now the undershirt,” he ordered.
She lifted the soft cotton and inhaled deeply as his stomach and chest were revealed. His nipple rings were prominent against the undershirt and she wanted to take one in her mouth and suckle it, to tug at the titanium circle until his breath hissed and his hips arched against her.
“Do not,” he said in a gravelly voice as he lifted the undershirt over his head.
She smiled. His hands fisted.
“Now the pants.”
She started at his buckle, slowly undoing the leather belt and then unsnapping his dress pants. Once she’d lowered the zipper, she pushed them down his hips and waited for him to step out. This put her on her knees directly in front of his boxer-brief-covered penis.
She licked her lips and he buried one of his hands in her hair, removing the ponytail holder and sifting through the strands.
“You want to taste me again? Did you not get enough the other night, little sub?”
He’d not given her permission to speak. The roles were so clearly defined, so definitively remembered, that she fell into their play easily. He had to grant her permission for all things. He knew what she wanted, what she needed, and when she needed it. Her mind, body, and soul reveled in his control.
He tapped her lips with his finger. “Tell me.”
“I could never have enough, Sir.”
“Even here in the middle of your foyer, with the lights on and knowing anyone could walk up, you’d take my cock in your mouth and bring me to release?”
“And I’d love every minute of it, Sir.”
He stroked along her jaw. “So would I. But tonight, I think it’s my turn to feast.”
She must have made a sound of denial because he said, “That’s two. The count is rising. I wonder if you do it on purpose because you want the feel of my paddle on your ass.”
Several moments of silence descended, heavy with things unsaid. Her mouth watered for him even as her ass flexed in anticipation of his pleasure.
“The flush on your cheeks and across your breasts tells me how much you want to suck me. Give me your hand and look at me, little sub.”
Surprise flickered through Daly. This was new. But she did as he’d ordered.
He lowered his briefs over his cock and placed her hand on the hard ridge of flesh. He tapped her chin and she remembered to look up. She lost herself in his gaze. Simply forgot to breathe and think.
He took her will so easily.
“This is all for you. No other woman has ever made me want with the ferocity you do—want the things you make me want. I don’t know the why of it, but you came back to me and I’ll not let you leave this time.”
She saw the truth of what he was saying in his eyes.
“Stand up and go sit on the couch,” he said with a sigh as he pulled his briefs back up.
Daly released him and did as he’d instructed. He’d built a fire in her tiny fireplace. It threw shadows in her living room.
“Lie back against the couch and spread your legs. Put your hands at your side,” Jeremiah ordered as he walked to stand behind the couch.
She did everything he told her to. Though the fire wasn’t meant to warm the house, she felt its heat on her exposed pussy. Her legs, still encased in her stockings, moved easily on the leather couch but her butt didn’t, the flesh warm and moist. She knew she was dripping onto the pretty black leather but just couldn’t seem to care.
“Good little sub,” he murmured as he stroked her hair. “I’m going to blindfold you. I can’t watch your eyes as you come because I’ll fuck you too soon, and tonight, Daly? Tonight I want this to last a long time.”
She inhaled slowly, deeply, and tried to let the breath calm her fraying nerves. He was intense tonight. There was no hint of playfulness in his demeanor and his words resounded with purpose. He was going to master her and she didn’t know if she could handle it.
“I don’t want you to speak. You will nod or shake your head unless you safe word or I give you permission.”
She nodded.
He stroked down her shoulder, grabbing her hand and lifting it to his lips. He kissed her knuckles then, setting it down gently on her thigh.
She felt the silk unfurl along her breasts and then he lifted it, placing it over her eyes. It was probably red. He loved her in red. He pulled her hair behind her and let it flow over the back of the couch.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, Daly. I’ve missed you,” he said, and his voice was harsh.
She wanted to sob, but held it in.
“I don’t know if you missed me too, but I know your body did,” he said at her ear. She shivered and he chuckled, the sound moving through her with wicked heat.
Her hips arched, and he pinched a nipple between his thumb and forefinger.
“I did not tell you to move,” he reminded her as he released her flesh and then softly stroked the offended area. “That’s three infractions.”
She could feel the heat from his body behind her. The couch had a low back and he was standing close. Daly forced herself to relax and wondered what was next. She pushed every single misgiving she had to the back of her mind, concentrating instead on how right this felt, being with Jeremiah … being controlled by him.
Her stomach growled and she almost cursed.
She heard the sounds of him moving around her kitchen, and then he was back. She felt the air he stirred and let his scent soothe her.
“I’m going to feed you, since you probably haven’t eaten all day. Am I right?”
She nodded.
He ran a hand up her thigh, flipped the release on the garter belt around her waist, and said, “You’ve got to take care of yourself. Open up, little sub.”
She did, and he put the fork in her mouth. Flavors exploded over her tongue, red sauce seasoned to perfection, noodles absolutely al dente, and a succulent portion of meatballs. He’d gone to Valenza’s. Cheater, she wanted to yell, seducing her with food. Instead she smiled and swallowed.
He was in front of her and she heard the sound of liquid pouring into a glass. A long moment passed and she heard him sip, then hum before he said, “Drink.”
She did, and the delicious tang of red wine poured down her throat. She licked the edge of the glass before he removed it.
“What do you taste, little sub?” She remained silent and he chuckled. “You have my permission to answer me.”
Daly sighed. “Sweet, with just a hint of tart,” she said.
“And what else?”
“I taste you.”
“Ah, and does that make the wine better?”
“Hmm,” he said. Then, “Open up.”
He fed her bite after bite until she could take no more. Valenza’s made the best spaghetti in the city. They’d gone there weekly the entire time they’d been together three years ago. The memories cascaded one on top of the other until she felt she’d spin out of control.
She’d had what amounted to a full glass of wine, but the buzz never came. She had to wonder if anything could top what Jeremiah did to her body.
She heard the sounds of the plate being moved away and wondered what was next. It was silent for a while and sleepiness began to creep in. Her muscles relaxed and her head lolled. How long since she’d been this comfortable?
It had everything to do with him.
“I’m thirsty,” Jeremiah said, and since she hadn’t felt him move, his voice at her ear was surprising. “Lie back and spread your legs farther apart. I want to see my pussy.”
Excitement rolled through her, chasing away the lethargy. She did as she’d been told, felt the air caress her nether lips, and smiled. It was at once disturbing and comforting how easily she slipped back into this role of submissive. She was a shy woman by nature, her body a thing to be hidden behind layers of clothing. But with Jeremiah, there was never any hesitation. She’d strip on command for him. Sit naked at his side all day if he requested it, and there was never any shame.
Daly wanted to rail against that. He alone gave her the safety to be what she wanted to be—his submissive.
The drops of liquid on her neck had her gasping, but she felt it pool at the base of her throat and dared not move. The contrast of the cold liquid on her heated skin was a foreplay she hadn’t anticipated. The sensation had her biting her bottom lip.
When he sipped from her skin she almost came. Her body shook and her internal muscles clamped down.
“You were right, it is sweet. But there’s something else there, some other flavor I just can’t place.” Jeremiah pulled her hips toward him and placed two of her throw pillows under her ass. This raised her body to him while also reclining her almost flat, head braced on the back of the couch, ass propped on the pillows. Her arms remained at her side and her legs were splayed wide, Jeremiah between them.
He was so close to her, she could feel the hair on his legs rubbing against the inside of her thighs, and his breath brushed her abdomen.
Cool wine flowed over her stomach, settling in her belly button. It tickled, but her anticipation chased away the giddiness.
“I think I should keep sipping to find out exactly what it is that’s tickling my taste buds.”
His tongue circled her navel and then he drank from her. She sighed and twisted, trying to get closer until a sharp bite at her hip had her gasping.
“I didn’t say you could move, little sub.”
Properly chastised, she stilled. More wine flowed, this time sprinkling her pubis. He tilted her hip, bringing her ass higher in the air as he poured so the liquid once again ran into her belly button. So close, she thought. Please drink from me.
“Maybe this time I’ll be able to tell exactly what that flavor is.” His voice was gruff and she had to strain to hear it. He put his mouth at her belly button, sipped the liquid up, and then licked a path all the way to the hood of her clitoris. He licked lightly over the nubbin and withdrew with a sexy laugh.
“I figured out what it is, Daly, that special taste that makes this wine so fucking delicious.” She heard the wine bottle clink against the wooden coffee table and then he was back at her flesh, his warm breath teasing her opening. “It’s you. And goddamn but you were right, baby. It does make the wine better,” he said softly before he open-mouth kissed her flesh.
His tongue delved inside her, curling upward and then licking over her clit until his lips cupped the center of her heat and tugged. She’d been on the edge since she’d seen his car in her driveway. It took a single hum over her flesh to make her explode into tiny pieces.
And he didn’t stop, taking her higher with his lips and tongue until she came again.
“So good, little sub. You taste so damn good,” he said, warm breath feathering over her and making her thighs clench.
Jeremiah ran a finger down her slit and then held her open. He flattened his tongue and once again kissed her flesh so thoroughly, Daly had no idea if he’d be able to find the pieces of her shattered body. Sweat ran down her face and her nails dug into the couch.
So. Much. Heat.
“You want to scream, don’t you, Daly? You want me to stop kissing this pretty pussy, my pretty pussy, and fuck you, don’t you?”
She couldn’t have answered if he’d given her permission. His words pushed her higher and higher. His tone stroked along her skin like a second tongue and his fingers were magic as they worked her flesh.
A flick over her clit, a dip into her center. A gliding touch along her anus and stars coalesced behind her eyelids. Because of the blindfold she couldn’t see his eyes darken from blue to gray, and it was probably best.
“Be still,” he said in a hard voice.
Her mind wanted to fight the command. Her body sagged in relief as he stopped licking.
“Do you know what I would lie awake wondering every single night the last three years?” He paused as if waiting for her answer.
She didn’t respond.
“Oh, that’s good, baby. You’ve picked it back up so well.” He ran a hand down the center of her chest in a straight line to below her belly button. There, his fingers feathered in light caresses, swirling designs she couldn’t make out. “Every single hour of every single night I wondered if you were giving away what I considered mine. I wondered if another man was treating you how you deserved to be treated and I thought it was good I didn’t know, because I would have killed him.”
He sighed and rubbed along her abdomen. He used massaging strokes that were relaxing until he brushed the undersides of her breasts. Then heat began to pool. He’d cooled her off to build her back up again. How long he played with her this way she didn’t know.
She knew his hands and his voice, the heat from the fireplace and the wetness on her thighs. She knew her need and her lust, and in the midst of it all she knew he’d care for her.
“I would kill for you, Daly.”
Her blood went cold and everything in her stiffened.
He tapped a single nipple, flicking the ring there and then tugging. A groan slipped past her lips.
“You don’t like hearing the truth?” he asked mildly. He reached up and gently removed the blindfold.
She was stunned he’d done so. The significance was staggering. His face was a mask of restraint: lips flattened, eyes narrowed, skin flushed red and pulled tight over his cheekbones. His head was bowed and his chest rose and fell with harsh pulls of air. His question was so at odds with his demeanor, Daly felt something inside her unfurl and reach between them. It was hopeful and needy, demanding but promising.
Her hand rose and he glanced at it. He hadn’t given her permission to move or speak. This was where she could easily break. Daly needed to ease the pain she sensed inside Jeremiah. And he wasn’t going to let her.
It seemed an endless emotional bridge between his heart and hers, and yet they belonged to each other.
“You left me because you felt you hadn’t gotten the truth. So I give it to you now and your body turns cold.” His voice was terrible in the silence of her house.
A single tear slipped down her cheek and she did nothing to stop it. Let him see her pain too and know he was the cause.
“Look at me,” he bit out, the leash on his restraint close to snapping. She tasted it in the air, felt it in the way his hands clenched on her hips.
She acquiesced because there was no choice. He commanded and she obeyed. It was at the root of everything between them. A fragile trust her heart had never let her forget. A bond her body had never managed to break.
“That I would kill for you should come as no shock. I�
�ve done much worse. But here right now, I would make you fly, Daly. Hand yourself over to me, every piece, and let me cherish you.”
Her gaze moved over the planes of his face and when she met the winter storm of his eyes, she trembled. This man was offering himself to her and the past melted away. She sighed, breath shuddering through her body, and then she begged without words.
“Tell. Me,” he said, and it was tortured.
“I am yours,” she whispered.
“How much is mine?”
“Everything,” she vowed.
He lowered his head to her then but never relinquished her gaze. His force of will was a palpable grip holding her firm. The first swipe of his tongue had her biting her lip. The next had her closing her eyes as ecstasy cascaded through her. The third had her head tilting back as far the couch would allow and the fourth had her mind splintering.
He inserted two fingers into her channel and pumped in and out slowly. Jeremiah used his tongue to play her clit before he dipped down lower and allowed it to join his fingers.
“So fucking good, Day … delicious,” he ground out.
She glanced down her body and he caught her gaze again. Chills danced along her skin but were dashed away by the intensity in his eyes.
She watched him lick her flesh and the heat built. It was a firestorm of lust and need that had her body bowing, hips thrusting to force him to bring her to release. She hovered on the edge and he pulled away, opening her pussy wide with his fingers before he blew on her. He let her come back down from orgasm, petting her thighs and murmuring praises. Then he started all over again, diving back in, tonguing her, stroking until the need built again, higher and more potent.
“You will come over and over and over. And you’ll scream, Daly. You’ll yell my name every single time,” he promised in a voice full of sensual darkness.
Chapter 12
Daly’s gaze remained on his, though time after time it went unfocused in her pleasure. Those brilliant chocolate orbs would widen and then close into slits as Copeland took her pussy relentlessly with his mouth. Her body writhed under his ministrations. The silky mink-colored skeins of her hair had his hands itching to bury in them, hold her still while he fucked her from behind. Her taste slid down his throat, her cries rang in his ears, and his heart settled, at peace for the first time in three long years.
