Embers of Desire [Sequel to Lighting a Flame] (Siren Publishing Allure)

by Serenity Snow

“I did, but since I’m already accustomed to designing that way that wasn’t a problem,” she told him.

  “Sid did mention that,” he said. “I think my boss will like these.” Tyler lifted his gaze to capture her honey stare. His stomach twisted in a way it always did when he saw her. She was a warm spot in his chest that he had no idea how he was going to exorcise if they couldn’t work things out. “Why were you hiding from me yesterday?” He knew the word was a little more inflammatory, but he wasn’t going to pull any punches with her today. He wasn’t in the mood.

  “What?” She frowned.

  He looked at the T-shirt design. “Don’t try to play me,” he said quietly.

  “I wasn’t avoiding you,” she answered tightly. “I was finalizing the designs.”

  “And you couldn’t take a few minutes to answer a call or text me that information?” He checked out more designs. They were all perfect telling him she’d began working on the designs weeks ago when he first approached her.

  “My phone was off, and I was working at home rather than in the office,” she said stiffly.

  He set the designs aside and allowed his arms to fall so his hands gripped the edge of his desk. “I’m not going to waste time with subterfuge,” Tyler said evenly. “I didn’t like seeing you with Kaela.”

  “You should have knocked,” she answered coldly. “And you shouldn’t have eavesdropped on my conversation and came running over there to spy on me. You had no right. I’m not your lover.”

  “I beg to differ,” he said as he studied her. “We both know what’s going on between us isn’t simple or disposable.”

  “Disposable?” She frowned.

  “I don’t let just any woman flog me, Danica,” he admitted. “I do enjoy a little pain, but the woman who gets to dish it out is always a woman I’m serious about. I don’t get that bare or that vulnerable for a casual fuck.” He saw her flinch at the word, but he also saw the shock in her face.

  She got to her feet and so did he. Tyler moved quickly to block the door and lifted his brows in a cool shrug as she glared at him.

  “I can still get past you,” she muttered.

  “Not without getting put on your ass and pinned to the floor,” he told her firmly.

  She drew in a breath and slowly let it out. “What do you want? I told you I wasn’t interested.”

  “No, you told me you were afraid of letting me touch your heart,” he said softly. Her eyes flared in surprise telling him he’d read her right. “I bet you knew I was outside your door and might even hear you making plans with Kaela. I bet you even hoped I’d find you with her, so you wouldn’t have to deal with me again.”

  “I didn’t—”

  “No, you didn’t lock the door,” he said cutting in quickly. “Mission accomplished. I came, I saw, and I got pissed off. But I’m not running.”

  “What do you want from me?” she snapped.

  “Everything.”

  She paled and her fear magnified and twisted into anger. Her honey eyes darkened. “Too bad,” she said breathlessly. “I’m not going to allow you to subjugate me.”

  “I don’t want to subjugate you, baby,” he murmured. “I want to pleasure you, to care for you, to love you.”

  “Damn it!” She gritted the words out as she brought her fingers up to massage her temples. “Let me out of here. I don’t have time for games.”

  “Come here, Danica.”

  “You come to me,” she snapped.

  He pushed away from the door and went to her. Looking down at her he brushed his fingers through her hair. “See how easy it was to ask for what you wanted?” he asked. “Now, ask me for what we both want.”

  “Tyler. Stop it.” She averted her gaze and his hand went to her waist.

  “Look at me, Dani,” he ordered softly. “Look right up here.” He indicated his eyes with his free hand. When her stare met his Tyler said, “Ask for it or take it. It’s yours. I dare you.”

  Danica swayed toward him and for a second he thought she’d attempt to take her knee to his groin just to get out of here. Instead she reached up and hooked her hand behind his head and caressed his low cut hair.

  Her touch felt so good, he wanted to purr. Her body was warm against his, burning him through their layers of clothing. Then, she urged his head down to hers and her lips brushed his. He didn’t rush, he waited, lips parted, eyes on hers, and hunger a beast waiting to pounce inside him.

  * * * *

  Danica claimed his lips and her tongue slipped into the warmth of his mouth. His hand went to her waist and Tyler drew her tighter against him. He tasted like cream and coffee as her tongue massaged his. She sighed softly as her need for him had her kissing him greedily.

  Fire collided with the ice in her and burned through it as he took over the kiss and tilted her chin up. Danica moaned as she tried to get closer.

  Tyler lifted her and her arms closed around his neck as he held her suspended off the ground. “Tyler.”

  He sat her on his desk and moved to stand between her legs. He cupped her jaw and traced her bottom lip with his thumb. “I’ve been waiting for a woman like you for a long time, Dani.”

  “What kind of woman is that?” she asked warily.

  “Sexy, smart, strong, yet willing to submit just the way I need,” he said. “A woman who knows how to use a whip on me. I’m going to introduce you to something else I like tonight.”

  “Tyler—”

  “Dinner at my place,” he broke in quickly. “Six. I want to spend the entire evening with you.” He kissed her top lip. “I have a lot of work to finish before five.” He lifted her from his desk. “We’ll invite Kaela next time if you like or we’ll find a woman who’s more available.” He dropped another kiss on her lips. “Don’t be late or you’ll get five lashes right off the bat.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Danica got back to her office not sure what had happened with Tyler. Things had gone from professional to personal in a breath. One minute she was trying to maintain coolness and the next she was melting into his arms wanting to beg him to take her on his desk.

  Getting sexually involved with him was inescapable, but she didn’t have to get emotionally involved too. She could have a fling to work him out of her system. That’s all she really needed, she assured herself as she started across the parking lot to their two-story brick store.

  “Hey, Danica.”

  She turned to see Kaela striding toward her. Her shoulder length black hair gleamed in the sun and the light breeze tossed it around. She smiled thinking how much she missed Kaela, but she’d resigned herself to letting her go even before Kaela had told her she would be spending two months in London.

  The traveling had been hell on their relationship, but she’d never doubted Kaela was being faithful to her. She’d just been unavailable when Danica needed her.

  “What are you doing here?” Danica asked when Kaela was a few steps from her in the parking lot.

  “I came to pick up a few things and see how you were,” she said as she tucked strands of hair behind her ear.

  “Well, come on in,” Danica urged. “What are you looking for?”

  “Lingerie.” Kaela smiled.

  “Is that the real reason you’re here?” Danica faced the younger woman. She wasn’t interested in restarting a relationship with Kaela. That ship had sailed the day they broke up.

  “I admit seeing you again is part of it,” Kaela said. “You didn’t answer your phone yesterday, and I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I didn’t mean to cause a problem for you.”

  “There really isn’t anything to worry about, Kaela,” she said.

  “Tyler seemed a little cold when I saw him at his work yesterday. I had to talk to Sid about a few things.”

  “Oh.” He hadn’t mentioned it even though he’d said they could have a ménage with Kaela.

  “He mentioned you,” she said. “That’s why I wanted to stop by.”

  Danica frowned. “What do you mean
? What did he say?” she asked carefully.

  “He said you belonged to him and if I had any ideas about hooking up with you for more than casual sex forget it.”

  Danica fought to keep her jaw hinged as shock seeped into every pore of her body. “Oh no he didn’t,” she said outrage seeping into her words.

  Kaela shrugged. “I don’t blame him. I would have, too. You’re a terrific person.”

  “I can’t believe he did that,” she said softly. “He—we aren’t involved.”

  “Well, I guess he wants to be,” Kaela said. “He’s smart making his intentions known to the competition.”

  “You aren’t competition,” she murmured and reached out to touch Kaela’s arm. “I mean, I need someone who lives in the same city all the time.”

  “I know, Danica,” she said with a faint smile. “We could have been good together in another time.” She shrugged. “I don’t think he realized that, but I did tell him he didn’t have to worry about me getting in between.”

  Danica sighed. “He’s insane,” she said feeling a twinge of something she couldn’t name. “So, why don’t you come in and check out the new stuff.”

  Kaela smiled. “Okay.”

  * * * *

  Danica left work at five and headed home. She assumed Tyler had dinner covered, but she stopped to pick up dessert. When she got home, Danica took a relaxing bath after opening her mail. After some indecision, Danica dressed and headed out the door. He’d texted her his address and she had no problems finding his condo complex.

  A neighbor walking his dog waved to her and Danica waved back before knocking on Tyler’s door. She nervously shifted the pastry box from one hand to the other as she waited.

  “Hi.” Tyler pulled open the door. He flashed her a smile as his gaze slid over her in the pants and blouse she’d worn. “I see you brought dessert.” He took the box and ushered her inside.

  “I didn’t know if you had it covered or not.”

  “You were it,” he told her, his voice a low sexy throb.

  “Well, I guess we’ll have that later then,” she said huskily.

  He smiled. “You look gorgeous.”

  “Thanks.” She drew in a breath and let it slowly out. If she didn’t resist him, if she just let herself enjoy him, then she’d be able to end this fascination her heart had with him.

  He was nothing special, she said to herself as he turned to face. The smoldering look in his eyes made her catch her breath.

  “There isn’t a thing about you that doesn’t turn me on or make my heart beat faster,” Tyler murmured. “When I think I about you, I can’t help but smile.”

  “You’re being a little sentimental,” she said dryly. “Does that dribble always work?”

  He studied her. “He hurt you so bad you can’t see how special you are, can you?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, Tyler,” she said dismissively. “I’ve been hurt, so what? We all have, but it’s nothing to dwell on.”

  He cupped her cheek. “You loved him?”

  She couldn’t discuss the past, wasn’t going to. “Yes, but he was a long time ago.”

  “Was he the only man you loved? Besides your father.”

  “Tyler—” She broke off, her chest tightening. Dizziness assailed her. “It’s none of your business so let it go.” Anger blazed in his eyes and she looked away. “Why are you angry? You can’t have every part of me.” She met his gaze again with defiance simmering through her.

  “You’ve already me a small piece,” he said. “That slice is beautiful, hot, sexy, and I’m looking forward to seeing more.”

  He released her cheek and caught her hand. A smile played on his lips that perplexed her.

  “Tonight is about building a little more trust between us,” he said and brought her hand to his lips. He kissed her knuckles as his gaze held hers. “Trust me to take care of you.”

  She nodded slowly, her stomach clenched and her skin slowly heated. “Okay.” She already had no doubt he wouldn’t hurt her. So, he was right. He did have a part of her. Her trust. That made him dangerous to her heart.

  Tyler led her to his spacious bedroom. The masculine shades surrounded them and the carpet underfoot muffled their footsteps. The big king-size bed was neatly made and a dresser stood sentential across from the bed. A chair was parked near one of the two windows in the room with a tie tossed over the arm.

  The smell of his woodsy aftershave lingered in the room reminding her of how he’d smelled two nights ago when they’d had dinner in his office. He pulled open a door she thought was the bathroom and motioned her inside.

  Light quickly bathed the room. One wall was cast in black with stainless-steel eye hooks protruding from it and a built-in cabinet languished next to it, the doors closed. The spanking bench was on the white wall with a cabinet next to it. She slid her hand along the padding and marveled at the sleek curve of it. It was almost like a woman’s body.

  “Undress, beautiful,” Tyler ordered.

  She quickly undressed, casting her clothing to the floor, and she stood next to the bench to await his instruction. She lowered her gaze from his face deciding to give him his fantasy of completely dominating her. After all, she was certain if she just gave in to him, submitted, he’d grow tired of her pretty fast. Then, she wouldn’t have to be afraid of him subjugating. She wouldn’t have time to fall too hard for him, so it wouldn’t hurt when he walked away.

  “Good girl,” Tyler murmured. “I’m going to use a paddle on you.”

  “Thank you, Sir.”

  “Safe word?”

  “Whipped.”

  “Slowdown?”

  “Yellow,” she answered.

  “Over the bench.”

  She lay over the bench, her feet remaining on the floor. There was a place for her hands to rest on either side which told her the piece was a custom build. She shifted getting more comfortable. He used the restraints to secure her wrists in place.

  “I’m going to start with a few warm-up taps.” He dropped his hand on one cheek. The tap was so gentle she almost scoffed. The second tap was heavier but the third made her skin sting and got her blood pumping hot in her veins.

  Tyler smoothed his hand over her skin sending shivers of pleasures tingling through her. Then, the paddle landed on one cheek. Danica drew in a heavy breath as pleasure skated through her. He let the paddle fall again and she grimaced.

  He smoothed his hand over her ass. “Don’t hold it in, Danica.” Tyler dropped the paddle on her butt again. It landed with a thud, wood kissing flesh.

  She gasped. “Oh.” Damn it felt so good. Heat burned her from the inside out, and her juices flowed easy and free from her.

  “This is what you need isn’t it, Dani?” he whispered. “Someone to take charge of you.”

  She cried out as the paddle landed with a thwack followed by another thwack. Thwack. “Oh God. Yes!” Her words came out ragged and rough.

  “You like to dish out the pain, but you like to take it, too, don’t you?”

  “Yes,” she said breathlessly. She did love the feel of the paddle on her skin. It was heavy and imparted just the right amount of bite.

  Tyler’s hand landed on her ass in a hard sting and she gasped, trembling.

  “Tyler,” she said in a pleading tone.

  He used the paddle to play a staccato beat on her butt cheeks. One tap on each and back again until Danica cried out as she pulled at the restraints. “I don’t think I can take it,” she said huskily. Her ass was an expanse of burning pain that had her nipples hard and tight. They hurt as they pressed into the leather of the bench.

  Tyler hit her again before tracing a finger down the seam of her ass. He slapped one buttock hard and then the other.

  “Yes.” She panted hard. Something smooth was caressed down her back and then a jolt of electricity shot through her. Danica squirmed. The current danced over her back again. Her womb clenched, and her juices ran freely from her pussy.

  “I can te
ll you like that,” Tyler murmured. “I can smell your increased excitement.”

  She trembled. The pleasure was stimulating without causing too much pain. “I like it.”

  “I know you do sweetheart,” he said softly and the current traveled through her buttocks and she clenched the muscle, her clit throbbed.

  “Tyler.” He was bringing her so completely undone.

  He drew the tool down further letting it caress her slit. She screamed as the current coursed through her.

  “Oh God. I’m gonna come if you don’t stop.”

  He dropped his hand on the side of her ass as he held the tool to the crease of her ass. The dual pleasure-pain had her crying out as she yanked at her restraints. Her breathing came in jagged puffs, sweat dampened her skin, and her clit pulsed.

  “Please,” she pleaded for more. Her body was a sensitized receptor begging for the next hurt. Her mind was in a haze, she was an addict on a high.

  Tyler stroked a finger down her slit. “Your pussy’s so fucking wet,” he said tightly. He stuck the tool to her pussy and she cried out.

  “Oh. Fuck!” She closed her eyes, catching her bottom lip between her teeth. The burn was so sweet as it kissed her skin and danced over her nerve endings. She moved, rubbing her clit against the leather.

  Tyler slapped her ass hard with the paddle and she came with a harsh shout.

  “Damn.” She heard movement behind her, but she barely registered it as she soared high above the plane of thought and reason.

  Then, she felt his cock, hard and heavy sliding into her slickness. She closed her eyes. The bite of pain was a pleasure that made her gasp. It was long and thick filling her in quick thrusts. She squeezed around his shaft and his warm breath fanned her neck.

  “Sweet mother of God,” he said roughly. “Dani.” He drew back and forged in again. His rhythm was easy, the pace maddening. Tyler kissed the side of her neck. “I need you.”

  “Oh God. I want you,” she said softly.

  Tyler drew almost all the way out and thrust back in. He gripped one hip and took her hard, his thrusts pushing her against the bench. “So damn good.” He groaned at her ear.