by Marie Harte
“No,” she said firmly. She wouldn’t go into the details but she could reveal this much. “Honestly, Emmett and I didn’t have a very good sex life. We weren’t…compatible in that way.”
“I don’t know whether to be happy or sad. I guess if I were any kind of man I’d be sorry that things weren’t good for you. That you didn’t get what you needed. When I left you it was because I wanted you to be happy.”
If it had crossed her mind to tell him the truth about her marriage, his last statement stopped the idea cold. There would be another day for the story. She didn’t want to ruin their new beginning.
“Make me happy tonight.” Amanda marveled at her boldness, but then this was Seb. He hadn’t allowed her to be shy around him for very long.
His grin warmed her heart and he stood and took a few steps back. “Do you remember how we start, Mandy?”
She nodded, her entire body starting to tremble with arousal. How many nights had she lain awake reliving making love with Seb? Too many to count. The dreams had been vivid, high-def images. She’d been able to hear their moans and whispers, smell the scent of sex, all of it designed to torture her and keep her from moving on.
On shaky knees, she stood and walked back to the bedroom. She stripped her clothes off and then turned the bed down so the covers were folded at the end of the mattress. After lighting some candles, she turned the lights off, enjoying the flickering shadows on the wall. A hint of vanilla began to permeate the air and she knelt down beside the bed on the area rug, exhaling slowly and trying to control her racing heart.
A cool breeze from the vent tightened her nipples even as heat was building inside. She waited in position, closing her eyes and listening to the thump of her heart and nothing else. A sense of calm spread through her as she visualized her and Seb together. Happy—the past no longer a factor. She wanted it. She didn’t know if it was possible but she wasn’t too proud to admit that she needed to be loved.
“Good girl.” Seb was standing next to her, his hand on her head, his fingers stroking her hair. “Let’s go over the rules, just in case. Rule one. I am in charge. The only decision you need to make is whether to use your safeword. I realize you didn’t have one before, but I think it’s a good idea to have one now.”
Instantly alert, she lifted her head to look up at him. Was he planning to hurt her tonight? Seb shook his head, apparently reading her expression of alarm.
“Relax, sweetheart. I’m not a sadist. But we haven’t been together like this in a long time. I think it’s a good idea to have a stop mechanism in case I go somewhere you’re not comfortable with.”
She nodded in agreement. “You’re right. Can I pick anything I want?”
“It’s your safeword.” Seb gave her a playful smile.
“Hmmm…how about ‘champagne’?” Amanda giggled at the thought of yelling the word at the top of her lungs.
“Champagne it is,” Seb agreed. “Now, rule number two. You do not come without my permission. And finally, rule number three. Do you remember that rule?”
She did remember it. It had been the hardest one to follow. “No feeling ashamed or guilty about what we do together and enjoy.”
“That’s right. Now let’s get started. Open my pants and take out my cock.”
She loved it when he had that deep, commanding tone to his voice. Her body responded instantly to it, a deep flush covering her bare skin and a bar of arousal building in her abdomen. She reached up and slid the button free and pulled the tab of the zipper down exposing his ridged stomach, a silky trail of blond hair disappearing under the waistband of his boxers. Sliding the elastic out of the way, her fingers wrapped around his thick cock pulling it free from the fabric. Her first instinct was to lick the mushroom head and trace the blue and purple veins with her tongue, but then she remembered that she wasn’t in charge at the moment.
Seb was in control.
She had no decisions to make. Nothing to worry about. Her mind wouldn’t be busy wondering whether he liked what she was doing because whatever she was doing would be what he’d ordered her to do. If he didn’t like what she was doing he would simply command her to do something else. No muss, no fuss. All she had to do was obey and feel. It was such a luxury and one she had honestly missed.
Her hands brushed his bare thighs, and her fingers felt the ridged outline of the scar where he’d been shot. In London, she hadn’t known about it when it happened but had heard about it later. She’d had to quell the urge to run to him and nurse him better despite everything that had passed between them. His very real mortality had terrified her bringing the danger he was in every day to the forefront of her mind. In truth, she hadn’t breathed easily until he’d left the Army almost a year ago.
Now he was here in one piece, alive and well.
Peeking up at him from under her lashes, she sat back on her heels and waited for his direction. He didn’t make her wait long. Sinking his fingers into her hair, he guided her head until her lips were directly in front of his cock.
“Suck me.”
Not needing to be told twice, Amanda wet her lips hungrily before starting at the base and licking in long swipes all the way to the head. She fluttered her tongue around the slit, knowing how sensitive Seb was there and was rewarded with his fingers tightening in her hair and the sound of his breath coming out in a hiss. She might be the one on her knees but at this moment she felt very powerful indeed.
Opening her jaws wide, she engulfed the head with her mouth, letting her tongue flicker even as she sealed her lips tightly and began to bob her head up and down.
“Son of a fucking bitch.”
She would have smiled at his hoarse expletive but her mouth was already busy. She gave him no quarter, relentless with her lips and tongue until she felt him swell inside her mouth, the hand buried in her hair twisting painfully. His hot seed jetted to the back of her throat and she had to swallow quickly not to miss a drop. She used her tongue to clean him when he was done before sitting back on her heels, a feeling of triumph percolating inside.
It had been so long since she’d felt good with a man in a sexual situation. Amanda had almost come to expect the feeling of awkwardness and inadequacy that had dogged her relationships since Seb. But not today. Seb made her feel sexy and wanted.
“I’d forgotten how lethal that mouth of yours was,” Seb chuckled, pulling his pants up but leaving them unzipped. He lifted her chin with his fingers so she could see the satisfied smile on his face. “I can’t go all night like I could in my early twenties but I think I’m still good for another go this evening. Maybe more. I’m not that old.”
His rough fingers caressed her cheek and she leaned her head against his palm. “Thank you, Sir.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart. Are you ready to have some fun?”
“Yes, Sir,” she responded, wanting to show him her submission and that she accepted his leadership.
“Time for your spanking then.”
His lips were curved into a grin and his brown eyes sparkled with mischief. Sparks lit inside at the thought of being draped over his knee, his large hand warming up her ass cheeks. Her nipples tightened and even more honey dripped from her pussy. But…what had she done to deserve punishment?
“I don’t understand, Sir. What am I being punished for? What did I do?”
“Nothing. This wouldn’t be a punishment.”
Amanda frowned. “Then what would the spanking be for?”
“For fun,” he said firmly. “For no other reason than I know you enjoy it.”
She couldn’t argue the fact nor did she want to.
What she wanted was a spanking. Seb was the only man in the world she would ever allow to do this.
“Yes, Sir.” She kept her eyes down and placed her hands behind her back as she had read in several smutty books on her e-reader. When she couldn’t submit in reality, she’d moved over to fantasy.
“What a good girl you are,” Seb praised as he sat down on the b
ed and patted his lap. “Come here then and get what you need.”
Rising swiftly, she draped herself over his knees, her palms and toes on the floor and her bottom up in the air. Or at least it felt like it. His hands rubbed circles on the sensitive skin, warming up the flesh and making her quiver in anticipation.
“When was the last time you had a spanking, sweetheart?”
His fingers had slipped down into her slit and she moaned as he brushed her clit. It sent a rush of cream onto his hand and her thighs.
“Um, with you, Sir.”
She hated admitting it but she couldn’t lie to him about something like this. His hand paused as if he was surprised by her answer, but then he gave her bottom a light smack.
“Then you are far overdue. We’ll start light and work our way up. No set count since this is just for our mutual pleasure. Don’t hesitate to use your safeword, especially as it’s been so long since your last discipline.”
Her heart galloping in her chest and her breathing shallow, she waited for what seemed like an eternity for the first impact of his palm on her ass. When it finally came, it was lighter than she expected, barely stinging the skin but still upping the temperature on her bottom. The blows continued growing progressively harder until she was wriggling on his knees. Her butt cheeks had to be glowing red and her hand flew behind her to ward him off but he simply chuckled and anchored her wrist at the small of her back with his left hand.
“Do you need to use your safeword, Mandy?” Seb paused, waiting for her answer. The last thing she wanted was for him to stop. She’d been needing this for so long and hadn’t even realized it.
“No, Sir.”
Her voice was rusty but she must have said the words clearly enough as he began peppering her ass with measured smacks designed to heat the skin and send her pleasure-pain receptors into overdrive. Her mind, always busy with all the things she needed to think about and do, became clear and uncluttered allowing her to sink into the moment and just feel. Nothing else existed but the two of them.
She was so lost to him that it took her a minute to realize the spanking was over and he was trailing his fingers through her drenched pussy. Skillful fingers circled her clit and her whole body shook as she tried to hold back her orgasm.
“Come.”
The command was simple and direct but her body didn’t need any second bidding. She exploded from the inside out, the room spinning and the lights dancing. She was still in its throes when he laid her stomach down on the edge of the bed and thrust hard inside of her from behind.
The feeling of being impaled on his cock was too much and her climax started all over again even as he began to piston in and out, hard and fast. No mercy, no quarter. Not that she wanted any. Amanda reveled in the way he used her for his pleasure as it never ceased to give her pleasure as well.
Seb’s cock slammed into her over and over, never letting her down from the pinnacle. When he reached around and gave her already swollen clit a pinch, she screamed as another orgasm roared mercilessly through her. It left her weak and shaking even as she heard his own groan and felt the heat of his seed in her pussy.
Amanda’s eyes swam with tears and they rolled down her cheeks, washing away so much of the baggage she’d been carrying with her all these years. With a muttered oath, Seb gathered her into his arms, rocking her until she was sniffling, her fingers swiping at the wet skin.
“Aw baby, tell me what’s wrong. What can I fix for you? Was I too rough?” Her cheek was pressed against his chest and she could hear the words rumble under her ear.
“I’m not sad. I’m happy.” She hiccupped and accepted a fresh tissue from Seb.
“If I live to be a hundred and one years old I don’t think I’ll ever understand women. Are you sure you’re okay?” She could hear the exasperation in his voice tinged with amusement.
She dabbed at her eyes and looked up at him, giving him what she hoped was a dazzling smile. “I feel great. Truly.”
His brown eyes were soft with love and she basked in their adoration. It felt good to be loved so deeply. “Then how about we rest for a little while and see about another go-round?”
“Yes, Sir,” she replied, her voice strong and sure. Seb was back and she still had his love. Inside she was beginning to feel hope fluttering in her heart and she welcomed the feeling. The only fly in the ointment was that she hadn’t been completely truthful. She’d have to be eventually, of course. It wasn’t something she could keep a secret forever. But tonight was only for the two of them. She would find another – better – time for that discussion.
Chapter Ten
‡
AMANDA’S BOTTOM LOOKED too firm and perky as she leaned over the counter working on her list of things to do today. Dressed in a pink tracksuit, she was planning to go out for a run when he left for work. Seb couldn’t stop himself from snuggling up behind her, his hands on her hips, and pressing his hardening cock against the seam of her ass.
How he’d managed to even get it up again was a mystery. They’d made love twice last night and then again this morning, each time better than the last. But whenever he was near her he was as hot and horny as a teenager. He nuzzled the back of her neck so he could kiss and nip at the soft skin and smell the fresh fragrance of her just washed hair. He needed to get to the office, but one more kiss wouldn’t hurt. She giggled and twisted around so his arms slid around her waist.
“You’re insatiable,” she scolded, but he knew she wasn’t really mad—if anything she glowed with happiness. “I thought you had to go home and change so you could head to the office.”
“I do,” he conceded. “But I wish I could stay here and make love to you all day long. We could lounge around naked and I would feed you chocolate and champagne.”
Tapping her chin, she pretended to consider his offer. He loved it when she was playful like this.
“Chocolate and champagne does sound tempting, but I have work to do today. Specifically work on your opening party. It’s just around the corner, you know.”
Seb didn’t give a damn about that party when he had a warm bundle of woman in his arms but she did have a point. They both had responsibilities they couldn’t ignore. He had decided a long time ago that he wouldn’t be one of those rich and idle trust fund babies that spent all their time partying, gambling, and traveling from one hot spot to another trying to get their picture in the gossip rags. It was one of the things that had brought him together with Amanda as she felt the same.
“I’m cooperating with that for one reason only. Mother. She’s bound and determined to throw this party whether we want it or not.”
“Your mother is understandably proud of you. She’s so excited about this.”
Seb sighed in resignation. He was embarrassed as shit whenever his mother introduced him to her friends as “My son, the decorated war hero.” Now he’d have an entire evening of it. The only saving grace was that Amanda would be there by his side.
“And whatever Mother wants, Mother gets.” A thought occurred to Seb and it made him smile. “She’s going to take credit for getting us back together, you know. She loves you like her own daughter.”
“I love her too.” Amanda placed her head on his chest and he kissed the top of her hair, luxuriating in the feel of her soft curves in his arms. “I think she did have a plan. When she offered me the job she insisted I talk to you personally.”
“Crafty old woman,” he laughed affectionately. “I’ll have to thank her though. I don’t remember the last time I was this happy, Mandy.”
His feelings were reflected in her own expression. “I feel the same way but terrified too. I don’t want us to screw this up again.”
“We won’t,” he assured her. “We’re older and wiser now. We know what’s important.”
It took all of his self-discipline not to mention the future. It was too soon to start pressuring her, but he was already thinking about marriage and a family. He’d put off being a father too long, never ha
ving felt that way about anyone else. He could even picture a little girl with Amanda’s blonde hair and big blue eyes asking him to read her a story or have a tea party.
Glancing at his watch, he winced at the time. He had a nine-thirty meeting which didn’t leave him much time to go home and change. “I need to go. How about dinner tonight?”
“Okay, but I’ll cook since you brought food last night.” They linked arms and she walked with him through the house and out of the front door.
“You don’t need to go to any trouble. We can go out or order in.” His mind was already starting to go into attorney mode, thinking about the day ahead.
“I’ll cook,” she said firmly. “Maybe even something healthy.”
“Now that I want to see.”
Seb’s car was parked behind Amanda’s in the driveway and he paused as they passed her sedan. Something didn’t look quite right. A closer inspection revealed that both of the tires on the driver’s side were flat. He dropped her arm and strode to the other side, kneeling down to run his hand over the expensive Pirelli.
Slashed. All four of them.
“What the hell?” Amanda was beside him, her fingers tracing the long cut in the rubber. “They were fine last night.”
Seb stood and looked around in frustration. Amanda lived in an upper-middle class neighborhood, but of course that didn’t mean anything these days. Crime was everywhere. Here he was supposed to be protecting the woman he loved, but instead he’d been too busy fucking her brains out while some kids trashed her tires.
Son of a bitch.
“Seb?”
Her tentative tone snagged his attention. She was frowning but not in an angry way, more questioning than anything. He took a deep breath and mustered all the control he had. Being pissed off wasn’t going to solve anything.
“Sorry, I was just mad that someone did this right out here in front of your neighbors. Why don’t you use your garage?”
