by HELEN HARDT
She doesn’t move, even when I take a step toward her.
I don’t ask her to leave again. I simply stand three feet away from her, the sweater dangling from my hand.
Stalemate.
She has two choices. She can take the sweater and leave, or she can stay, effectively giving up control over this situation. Already I know which side will win, and I know what it will cost her.
She opens her mouth, and I finally close the distance between us, dropping the sweater and again gripping her shoulders.
“No more games, Skye,” I whisper darkly. “Give in to me tonight, and I promise you more pleasure than you’ve ever known.”
“No more games,” she whispers.
I kiss her. Hard.
Harder and deeper than ever. Her own ache and hunger pour into me through the kiss. I feel every bit of it, and it mirrors my own. I break the kiss and then scrape my teeth over her jawline and down her bare shoulder. Her nipples are still hard and wanting, and this time I take one between my lips and gently kiss it.
I strengthen my hold on her, remaining gentle with the nipple, even though I want to bite down. Hard.
My cock pulses in time with my heart, and I have to force myself to go slowly. I tease her other nipple with my fingers while I continue to suck at the first, gradually increasing the pull. She gasps and threads her fingers through my hair as I bob against her breast. I finally release the first nipple, glide my lips over to the second, and clamp my mouth around it. No teasing this time. I full-on suck it. Hard. A low moan emerges in her throat, and she pulls at my hair.
I groan without meaning to.
“Is your pussy wet for me?” I say against her flesh.
“God, yes.”
“I can smell how much you want me.”
The fragrant aroma wafts around us, has my cock straining. I’m like a horny kid with her. I release the nipple. Inhale. Exhale. Regain control over my body.
Then I slide my hands down her abdomen, pushing the dress off her to the floor. She stands only in her black panties. I lower my head and inhale. Deeply.
She has the scent of a goddess. But she’s not a goddess. She’s Eve. She’s Delilah. She’s a temptress like no other woman I’ve known. She has no idea how much inner strength I required to hand her that sweater, to tell her to leave.
Because my God, I want her. I want to do everything to her.
I inhale again and then slide her panties over her hips.
They land within the circle of the dress.
She’s naked.
Naked and wet and completely at my mercy.
Perfect.
I trail my tongue over the top of her vulva, which is freshly shaven and smooth this time. I spread her thighs and flick my tongue over her clit, savoring the brief taste of her. She inhales sharply and I tilt my head, meeting her gaze.
“Bedroom,” I rasp. Then I stand and pull her—naked while I’m still fully clothed in my tux—to the bedroom.
I leave her standing by the bed and walk to my highboy. I open a drawer and pull out a black silk blindfold.
Tonight it begins.
The education of Skye Manning.
The submission of Skye Manning.
I return to the bed, place the cool silk over her eyes, and tie it around her head, taking care not to tug on her beautiful hair.
She opens her mouth, and I wait. I wait for her to tell me to stop. I will always stop if she wants me to, but she doesn’t want me to. Already I feel this.
She closes her mouth, and I smile, knowing she can’t see my expression.
“Don’t speak,” I say. “Just enjoy.”
“Enjoy what?”
I hold back the urge to give her a light smack to the breast for her disobedience. “I told you not to speak.”
She presses her lips together.
“Because I’ve taken your sight,” I say, “your other senses will be enhanced. You won’t see what I do to you, but you’ll smell it, taste it, hear it.”
“What if—”
“Skye,” I say, forcing my voice to sound gentler than I actually feel, “if you speak again, I’ll punish you.”
She rips the blindfold off her eyes. “I didn’t sign up to be beaten.”
I expect resistance. Actually want it. Skye’s strength and take-charge attitude are part of what attract me to her, and it will make the end that much sweeter. For both of us.
“Who said anything about being beaten? What kind of man do you think I am?”
“You said you’d punish me. What other kind of punishment is there?”
I meet her gaze. “You’re about to find out.”
Chapter Twenty-One
She shudders, and her nipples and areolas tighten further.
I suck in a breath.
Watching her reaction to my words, my actions, thrills and sends sparks skittering over my flesh.
Her mind is working. I can almost see the cogs turning in her brain. She’s thinking about punishment, and she’s not sure if she’ll like it or hate it.
She’s wrong on both counts.
She’s going to love it.
“Are… Are you going to hurt me?” she asks.
“Only if you want me to.” I slip the blindfold onto her eyes once more. “Keep it on this time.”
“But are you—”
“Punishment doesn’t have to hurt, Skye. At least not physically.”
“So you’re still going to…?”
“Punish you? Oh yes.”
Shivers rack her body. “How—”
“No more talking,” I command. “You’re used to being in control, Skye, so I’m trying to be lenient. But I have my limits.”
She opens her mouth—
“Do you want to be gagged?”
She shakes her head vehemently.
I lower my head and nip at her soft earlobe. “The first thing I noticed about you was your sexy mouth. The second thing was your amazing rack. But the third thing, Skye, was what truly drew me to you. Do you know what it is?”
She shakes her head.
“When you dropped your purse, you wouldn’t accept my help. You had to maintain a semblance of control in the situation. Then there was the condom.”
She bites her lip. And damn, I want to bite it for her. Hard. Leave my mark on that sexy mouth.
“Yes, I saw it,” I continue. “Another way you keep your life in control.”
“Because I don’t want to get pregnant?”
I resist the urge to berate her for speaking again. “It’s more than that, and you know it. If a situation arises where you want to have sex, you’re ready. You don’t have to rush to the pharmacy for protection.”
“A lot of women carry condoms around.”
“Less than you might think. Some depend on other methods, or they run to the pharmacy as needed. Some are concerned only about pregnancy and not diseases.”
“And you know this because…”
“I’ve been with a lot of women.”
Well, she asked. I’ve always been amazed how many women expect the man to provide protection. It’s never a problem, as I’m always fully stocked with condoms, but so many women think only about unplanned pregnancies and not diseases, which can be far worse.
“I had a feeling about you.” I resist the urge to caress her soft cheek, trail a finger over her gorgeous neck. “About your need for control. Then, after our first dinner and my attempt to seduce you, I knew for sure.”
Her mouth twitches, but she doesn’t respond.
“I recognized it in you. I recognize it in people because it’s part of who I am as well.”
She nods.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today,” I whisper darkly, nipping her earlobe once more, “without knowing how to exercise c
ontrol in every situation.”
She nods again and attempts to suppress a quiver unsuccessfully.
“That includes controlling you, Skye. Right now, I control your pleasure. I have leverage over you. Do you understand?”
She doesn’t respond.
“I asked if you understand.”
This time, she nods once more.
I gently push her onto the bed. “Lie down.”
She obeys.
I kneel, spread her legs, and draw in a breath, relishing the whiff of her sweet sent. She jars slightly. Already I see her sense of hearing is heightened. She’s aware of my intake of breath.
“Your scent intoxicates me, Skye,” I whisper. “I can sit here between your legs forever and never get tired of it.” I inhale again, this time holding my breath longer until I exhale.
A soft sigh emerges from her throat. She goes rigid.
“Relax, baby. No need to tighten up right now.” I inhale once more. “As much as I adore your smell, you taste even better.”
I begin at her perineum and slide my tongue upward until I get to her clit. She gasps sharply. I glide over her clit, swirling around, and then I close my lips around it and suck ever so slightly.
She sighs, and a moan follows. I give as much pleasure as I take, all while staying in control in the bedroom. Eating Skye’s pussy is as pleasing to me as it is to her. She’s that delicious, that responsive.
I don’t berate her for releasing the sounds. I commanded only that she not speak. Her sexy gasps spur me on, and I increase the speed of my tongue. She grips the comforter in both her hands and arches her back, undulating her hips. I’m deliberately ignoring her clit now. I’ve lit the fuse. Now it’s time for the long tease. I shove my tongue into her pussy and then lick and pull on her labia.
Her moans fuel my desire, and I move up and flick my tongue over her clit. Once. Just once.
She writhes beneath me. I know what she wants, but she’s going to have to wait.
I go back to eating her pussy. “You’re so wet,” I say against her flesh. “God, you drive me wild, Skye. You’re so responsive to everything I do.”
Yes. Yes, I am. Please. Please. Please let me come.
I hear the words in my mind. In her voice.
She’s done well, but I’m not ready to reward her yet. No. I’m ready to keep her on the edge.
I slide my tongue up her pussy and grab hold of her clit once more, this time nipping harder. Once. Twice. Then three times.
I thrust two fingers into her heat, and— I release her clit.
Is it an asshole move? Not really. The penetration from my fingers inside her along with clitoral stimulation would equal instant orgasm.
But it’s the climb that’s the real pleasure. I want to drive her just as wild as she drives me.
I push her thighs forward and lower my tongue, sliding it over her asshole. She tenses.
“Oh!”
Not surprising. Ms. Manning has never had a rim job. I’ll remedy that with pleasure.
I jab my tongue into her ass gently. Then I bring my palm down on the cheek of her ass with a loud—
Smack!
She jerks against the slap as her ass turns a lovely shade of pink.
“That’s for talking.” Then I slide my tongue back over her asshole and up her pussy again.
Her hand wanders to her vulva. She’s so ripe. I know what she’s feeling. If she can just touch herself, just once, she’ll shatter.
Not on my watch. Time for another lesson in who’s in control in this bedroom.
I grab her wrist. “No, you don’t. That clit is mine tonight. No one touches it but me.”
“But I have to come.”
I move forward and slide the blindfold off her eyes, chuckling. I can’t help it. I know what’s coming, and so does she. “I told you I’d punish you for talking.”
“The smack?” she says.
“No, that was for pleasure.”
She liked the smack. I could tell from her reaction. She doesn’t deny it.
I suck on her clit once more while ramming my fingers in and out of her pussy. She shudders on the bed, her hips moving frantically against my lips and tongue.
She tastes so sweet, and she grinds against my face, rubbing her juices into my skin. Fuck. My cock is on fire, so ready to slide right into her, but I know control better than anyone, and I can wait.
And so will she. I pull away from her clit and remove my fingers from her pussy.
I move forward, letting the fabric of my shirt slide over her nipples.
I press my lips to one nipple and then the other before I kiss her lips chastely, letting her taste her own sweetness.
“Do you understand now, Skye?”
“Understand what?”
“That punishment doesn’t have to physically hurt.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Skye is slick with perspiration, her body pink and taut, so ready.
“I was right,” she says. “You knew what you were doing the whole time.”
Smart woman. “Of course I did.”
“You freak.”
“What’s freakish about denying you a climax?”
“Most men love it when their partner comes,” she says.
“I’ve never in my life been ‘most men.’ That’s not to say I don’t enjoy it when you come. I do, actually. I enjoy it a lot.”
“Then why—”
“You know why.”
She wants to deny my words, play innocent. She even opens her mouth to say something but then closes it. Tension is still coiled inside her—tension I will relieve.
But not yet.
“You’re still resisting, Skye,” I say. “If you weren’t so determined to be in control, you could have come three times by now.”
“Why?” she asks.
“I’ve already answered that. You know why.”
She shakes her head. “No. I mean, why do you need me to give you control?”
“I don’t need it.”
Her eyes widen. “You don’t?”
“That’s what you asked. You asked why I need it, and the truth is, I don’t.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t understand.”
“I don’t need it. I want it.”
“Why, then? Why do you want it?”
Why? I’ve never thought about why. It’s what I like in the bedroom. It’s what I’ve always liked in the bedroom, and I see no reason not to have what I want, as long as my partner is willing.
“Does there have to be a reason?” I finally say.
“Yeah, there does,” she says. “How am I supposed to understand if there isn’t a reason?”
“Still trying to stay in control, aren’t you?”
She sits up. “Just because I want answers—”
“Means you’re not giving up control.”
“You said if I gave up control, you’d show me pleasure like I’ve never known. Then you deny me a climax. That’s not showing me pleasure, Braden.”
“True, but there’s still an element missing to that agreement.”
“What’s that?”
I trail a finger over her cheek, a gesture so pure that it’s almost loving. I find it freeing. And disorienting. “You haven’t given up control.”
“But you want me in your bed, Braden. You’ve said that from the beginning.”
“I don’t deny it.”
“Why not take me as I am?”
“Because you and I will both like it better my way.”
“What makes you so certain?” she asks.
I slide my finger over her lower lip, my cock about ready to burst. “I see it in your eyes. You’re a beautiful woman, Skye, but you’re the most beautiful when you let go and surrender to your body.�
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My own words ignite the embers burning deep within me. She zeroes in on my still-clothed crotch. My erection is more than apparent.
“You want me,” she says.
“Of course I do. I’m not made of clay. I’m a man, baby, and any man who lays eyes on you wants you.”
I burn her with my gaze. She’s so young—and so innocent in so many ways—but damn, I’ve never wanted a woman more than I want Skye.
She clears her throat. “Is my punishment over?”
“That’s up to you.”
“Meaning…?”
“Meaning…are you ready to give up control?” I gesture for her not to respond yet. “Before you answer, know this. I want to fuck you. I want you more than I’ve wanted anyone in a long time. I think I’ve made that abundantly clear.”
She nods.
“I will fuck you tonight,” I say. “The only question is whether you get a climax.”
“But if you fuck me—”
I quiet her with a touch of my fingers to her lips. “Trust me. I can still fuck you and keep you from coming.”
I’m a master at bringing a woman to the edge and then denying her an orgasm. It’s a punishment much more effective than any flogging or binding. I love when a woman comes for me, but I will withhold it to exert my power.
And Skye is determined to resist my power.
“Do you want to come tonight, baby?”
She nods.
“Tell me. Tell me you want to come.”
“I want to come tonight, Braden.”
I narrow my eyes but only slightly. “Then don’t disobey me again.”
She’s assessing me, trying to figure me out. She won’t. I haven’t even figured myself out. In the end, though, she won’t resist. She’ll come to my bed, and she’ll give me what I desire.
Her control.
She clears her throat. “Tell me what you want, Braden.”
“I want to fuck you into next week.”
She curves those delectable lips into a teasing smile. “You’re in luck. I’ve got all next week open.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
I grab the silk blindfold and tie it over her eyes again. “No talking, Skye. Understand?”
“I have a question first.”
