Bared Page 22

  His smile was gentle. “I’m pleased.” Then a firm and unyielding look crossed his face. His Dom look, one that spiraled a burn alongside her swelling heart. He reached for her hand with the wedding ring. “Up you come now.”

  Once she stood, her taut nipples were so close to brushing against his chest, and she fought against the desire to rub herself all over him. Things needed to be discussed—even she knew that.

  Everything had changed.

  Their relationship was different—she wasn’t only his submissive, she was now his fiancée. Her heart tripped, and she could hardly wait to tell Presley and Kenzie. She could hardly wait to become Cora Knight.

  She’d never doubted his love. She felt that emotion through every touch and every moment with him. She’d also never been a fool; what Aidan had gone through had been devastating. The show that he’d willingly enter into love again and be entirely vulnerable all for her said more than words could.

  They’d never played together in a bedroom, and this was all new to her. Yes, they’d had sex when they went camping, but he had seemed relaxed that night. He didn’t act like the Dom she knew in the dungeon. She had no clue if his easygoing manner would extend to the bedroom. The idea of learning with him all over again fluttered her belly, and she didn’t anticipate the burn between her thighs that brought.

  She needed him close. She needed his touch. She craved for him to be inside her.

  He commanded her with one look. His shadowy eyes scanned over her from head to toe, and when he lifted his head to stare intently at her, a swell of desire stormed straight to her core. God almighty, he’d never looked at her like this. Not with this intensity—with this heat—or with this affection. An expression had never held so much weight, but Cora felt the power of that look ease her longing.

  At whatever crossed her expression, he smiled, and then he tugged on her hair. “It looks good like this.”

  “I wanted a change,” she said, totally mesmerized by him.

  Hell, she had wanted this side of him and had dreamed of it once so long ago. Now with the reality upon her, the remainder of the broken shards of her heart washed away. It didn’t matter what’d they had gone through—he accepted his love for her.

  Cora needed nothing else.

  She witnessed it there in his chiseled face and the arch to his mouth. He no longer looked at her out of duty. This was different. He looked to her as if he finally saw her. As if he finally realized how important she was to him. As if he accepted their connection instead of hiding from it. As if the pain and fear he had carried had vanished.

  Aidan had forgiven himself.

  Cora had no idea what he went through to experience the peace she saw in the depths of his eyes, but she didn’t care. Aidan admitted his weakness to her tonight, something she never thought a Dom would do. That message spoke of trust far beyond anything she had experienced.

  She didn’t need to know the why.

  He loved her.

  She loved him.

  She would be his wife.

  His gaze shifted ever so slightly, becoming a bit darker and demanding. Cora shivered, and her skin tingled for his touch. When he tangled his fingers into her hair, her lips parted with a sigh, as he added, “Your strength, Cora, it amazes me. Your beauty … it takes my breath away.”

  Heat zinged up her legs before descending like liquid fire to pool low in her sex. Even his hold seemed different. He wasn’t careful in the way he gripped her, or demanding telling her not to move.

  His firm fingers claimed her.

  A statement she read that no other fingers would dare touch her hair. No other man would feel her skin. The tightness of his grip told her he didn’t intend to let go. One single sensation Cora had craved.

  With his hard gaze on her, he ran his fingers up her arm, not soft as usual, but testing. She had flinched the last time he touched her, and now his harsh hold and the deep pressing of his fingers indicated clearly enough that that wasn’t an option anymore.

  She was to stay put and accept what he offered.

  Cora didn’t intent to move away.

  Under his touch, she melted and ached for him. Her soul opened to the warmth in his gaze as he finally asked more of her. He wasn’t being gentle and careful, as he would with a sub who didn’t belong to him. He used more force, indicating she belonged right there. His eyes blazed, and she didn’t doubt if she flinched, he’d strap her to the bed until she didn’t hesitate.

  Under his mastery and his love, Cora found salvation.

  He yanked her against him, and the space between them got very small. “Now, then, I think it’s important to discuss expectations, since the dynamics of our relationship are changing.”

  Cora couldn’t restrain her smile at the lack of distance in his gaze—he was bared, and she drowned in it, as he continued. “In the dungeon, we’ve already established that when we scene I demand you to be in the submissive role.” He moved in behind her and Cora’s loins burned in desire.

  Under his intense study of her, she tumbled into his command. With slow, small steps, he walked around her, trailing a finger over her lower back. “In the bedroom, I allow a little leeway. When I give an order, as I did tonight for you to come into the bedroom, that marks the beginning of our play. I only expect a sir at a direct question, not at all times, as we do in the dungeon. When we play, I expect you to fall into the submissive role. And I will tell you when play has ended. Until I do, you will stay in the submissive role. Understand?”

  Cora’s eyes fluttered closed, but she forced them open when she sensed him in front of her. “Yes, sir.”

  Clasping his hands at his back, he gave her an once-over. “However, the leeway I’ll give in our home is that you don’t have to ask permission to touch me. I want to see that you want me and can’t control yourself.” His voice lowered so deep that it vibrated right through her. “There are times when I want to fuck, Cora—roughly and passionately.” His grin belonged to the devil himself. “I like spontaneity.”

  At the images of Aidan taking her at any time without regret, she shifted her feet. She clenched her thighs at the thoughts of going to her knees and sucking his cock because she wanted to please, not from an order given.

  This was all new.

  This was exciting.

  Moisture spread out between her legs. Her slit ached for this conversation to be over. She studied him, and he’d never looked so hot. He owned the space and carried a level of passion in the way he moved and talked. The room wasn’t dark like the dungeon, and every look he gave her, every move of his mouth, all his dominant features turned her into a puddle of goo.

  He strode behind her and his breath tickled her neck, raising goose bumps across her overheated flesh. “I want to find you in the shower and fuck you without orders.” He kissed her neck, causing a shiver of fire to descend through her. “I want to wake up and slide between those thighs and spend the day deep inside you.” He dropped another kiss on the sweet spot of her nape. “I don’t hate vanilla sex. In fact, I’ll enjoy making love to you, Cora.” His low chuckle was a full-out attack on her loins. “And I’ll love fucking you into exhaustion.”

  After a lick up her neck, he dragged his finger around her back as he returned to her front. “In the dungeon is where I play with toys. Flogging, bondage, wax play, and all those wonderful things are for the dungeon. I don’t bring that type of play into my house. Yes, I still enjoy a power exchange and expect you to be submissive when we play, but toys and such do not come home with me.” He stared at her intently, watching her closely. “Is this going to be a problem for you?”

  Some Doms wanted the lifestyle all the time, and needed it, but she also understood Aidan’s point. Unless she was in the dungeon, she lived a typical vanilla life, and she preferred it that way.

  The dungeon excited her because of what it stood for, and because of what she did there. If she had BDSM play all the time, it would lose that exciting edge. It was like her dirty little se
cret, a place of dark desires where she was pushed to extremes.

  Besides, Cora also knew one truth within herself, and Aidan had confirmed it. Yes, she loved being flogged and enjoyed wax play, but it was the Dom that solidified her desire. The power exchange would never go away, exactly as it didn’t now.

  If she had Aidan in her bed and under his dominance, it didn’t matter what he used on her. His touch and big, beautiful cock were more than enough. Plus, the idea of spontaneity excited her, too.

  She figured as he’d told her actions spoke louder than words. Her nipples puckered as she reached between them and rubbed the hard bulge in his pants. “I like this agreement. It means I can do this.”

  He grunted. “Yes, I see that you understand.”

  She stroked harder, enjoying the right to touch him in the way she wanted. Though Cora also knew the game he played. He allowed her this right, but a Dom was a Dom after all. He might loosen the rules outside of the dungeon, but it was still his rules and on his terms. If she could touch this hot-as-hell man in the way she wanted, she didn’t care.

  She moved faster, and his skin flushed. When his breath grew rough, he grabbed her hand. “Keep doing that and we won’t get through this talk.”

  “Talking is overrated.” She smirked, giving a halfhearted shrug. “Didn’t you say words mean jack shit if someone doesn’t follow through? I do believe you told me that action speaks for itself.”

  His eyes creased at the corners. “Smart-ass.” Pinning her hand to her stomach, he arched a deliberate eyebrow. “Would you rather not understand what is expected of you and learn through punishment?”

  She nibbled her lip and then giggled. “Okay, talking it is.”

  “Good choice.” He grinned.

  In a blink, the playfulness vanished from his features, and a look she was becoming increasingly fond of rose to his face. A look that said I love you, but also You belong to me. Don’t forget it.

  His gazed turned dark and stormy, liquefying her insides as he said, “Outside of the dungeon, unless I give you an order, you’re free to touch me as you like. You don’t need my permission. Clear?”

  “Touch you how I like. No permission necessary. Oh, I’m so on board with this plan.” She rubbed her chest against him, grinning up into that sexy face that she wished was buried between her thighs. “Yes, sir.”

  He watched her grind against him. A low growl rumbled from his chest before he pressed a hand against her lower back. “One warning: If you demand anything from me it will result in a punishment.” His hand traveled down to her bottom, where he squeezed her cheek, thrusting her harder against his erection. “I know when you need to be fucked. I see it in the way your eyes darken.” He brushed her cheek with a light touch. “I see it in the way your face flushes.” He slid his finger down her neck, moving it over the top of her breast. “I see it in your hard nipples.” He licked up her neck and her eyes fluttered closed as he added, “I taste your need.” He drew his nose up her neck, inhaling. “I smell your desire.”

  Leaning away, he gave a slow, building smile. “Never tell me what you need. I’ll know. Always.” Then he sealed his mouth over hers, and Cora became lost in her Dominant’s kiss.

  He angled her head and deepened the kiss, and he stole her soft moans. The stroke of his tongue clashed with hers. The power behind his embrace brought forth a blaze so hot it made her acutely aware of him.

  When he finally broke the kiss, she was breathless. Her nerve endings stirred and tingled, and her heart hammered. He slid his thumbs to her chin, tilting her head. His voice held a slight tremble as he murmured, “I know when you want me. Christ, I can feel it in my soul.” He caressed her parted lips and his heated stare followed his touch. “Just as I know you’re aching for me now …” He lowered his hand, sliding his fingers between her soaked folds and grunted, “Ah, see how wet and ready your cunt is?”

  “Yes, sir.” Her knees buckled under each swipe of his finger against her swollen flesh. “God, yes.”

  Aidan chuckled against her lips, sliding his fingers deep inside her. “Now, that you can call me anytime you like.”

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Cora’s touch … her kiss … her spicy scent … Aidan didn’t need to memorize it. He already knew this woman inside and out. She was his, made entirely for him. He experienced the rightness in his intense craving for her. The intensity toward her was nothing he could’ve anticipated or prepared for, nor was it anything he planned to run from. Not anymore. Now she belonged only to him. Always to him. And Aidan wouldn’t spend another night without her wrapped in his arms.

  Cora had loved him flawed.

  Aidan would love her forever.

  Now she wore his ring.

  She’d be his wife.

  He hoped when they grew old, she’d look back on this time not with regret but as the moment when Aidan realized the beauty between them. He’d never forget that she saved him. He’d never forget what she’d done for him. He’d never let a day go by that she didn’t know why he loved her.

  With her kisses making him rock hard, he gave a final nibble of her bottom lip then backed away. Then he gestured to his shirt. “Unbutton that for me.”

  “Yeah,” she whispered.

  As he ran his hands over her bottom and squeezed those sexy cheeks, she undid the buttons of his shirt and then pushed it off his shoulders. She pressed herself against him, her taut nipples sliding across his chest. He groaned, tangled his fingers into her hair, and with a tug, he angled her head and assaulted her neck with his tongue. “Feel that hard cock, Cora?”

  She squirmed against him, breathless. “Yes, sir.”

  “Only for you.” He bit her shoulder, embracing her shudder as he slid his hand over skin so soft and beautiful. “You do this. You always have.” Inhaling deeply, her scent spiraled in the air around him. When his shirt tumbled to the ground, he lifted his head. “I want you to go right down here for me.”

  Cora grinned, lowering to her knees. She reached for his belt buckle and in seconds his pants and boxer briefs pooled at his feet. He stepped out of his clothes and peered down at his cock, which stood straight up, hard as a rock. Scanning over her puckered nipples, he swallowed deeply.

  Oh, yes, his submissive was aroused indeed.

  With his gaze fixated on her, he slid his thumb across her bottom lip as her fingers wrapped around his dick. “Open that mouth for me.”

  She did as told and he slipped his cock in between her lips, pushing himself deep into her throat. Her lips stretched, sealing around him. He thrust his fingers into her hair, shifted his hips, and she relaxed her jaw, allowing him to move deeper between her lips. As she licked and sucked his cock, it drove him crazy. He threw his head back and grunted—her mouth was warm, tight, and oh, so wet.

  Within minutes, his entire body tensed and his muscles vibrated with each low groan he gave. Heat raced through his body and soared up his spine. Her blow jobs always brought him to inches of his climax. Now this was more. The heady emotion behind her moves burned through him. She didn’t please him in search of her pleasure. She rocked his world because she loved him, he saw that now.

  This pleasure belonged only to him, always to him.

  With her hand underneath her mouth, while her lips created intense suction, his eyes rolled back into his head. Fucking perfect. The combination stealing his coherent thoughts nearly sent him crashing over the edge. With a growl from his throat, he leaned away and her lips popped off his cock head.

  On her knees, peering up at him, her eyes were hooded. Aidan chuckled at the beauty stirring in the highest form of pleasure. He licked his lips as he leaned down and cupped her face. Holding her face tight, he sealed his mouth over hers. He moaned when she kissed him with hot passion, scorching fire into his veins. Their tongues clashed in a wicked heat before he broke the kiss. “Get on the bed. I want to taste you.”

  She stood on shaky legs, not at all like herself. He’d never seen her move so jerkily and be
en so unstable on her feet; she’d always been so graceful. When she settled into the middle of the mattress, she spread her legs wide. She slid her hand between her thighs and her arousal shined off the light. Her gaze stayed transfixed on him as she caressed her clit with one hand, while the other tweaked a taut nipple.

  He lifted a brow. “Enjoying yourself?”

  She raised her hips off the bed and her voice hitched between her sexy moans. “Yes, sir.”

  “Good. Stop.” She narrowed her eyes before she placed her hands on her stomach. He approached her, sliding his face between her warm thighs. Running his arms against the quilt, he grasped her hips. He blew gently against her heated flesh, and Cora hissed through her teeth.

  He chuckled and then licked along her damp folds, working his way up to her clit. She lifted her hips off the bed and he pinned her to the mattress. “You taste good. Sweet. Ready,” he murmured as he swept his tongue over her clit. Her groans and gasps had him flicking her bundle of nerves faster and sliding in gentle sweeps over her soft folds.

  When she quivered against his tongue, his greedy dick throbbed to be deep inside her. He lifted above her and gazed over her from her long neck to her perky breasts. “Spread your legs. Let me love you.”

  Her features were tense, wild, and out of control, as she hooked her arms under her legs. He grunted at the sight of her wet pink folds. In urgent demand, he pressed his hands against the bed and rose above her. “Yeah, luv, like that—nice and wide.” Cora’s rosy nipples begged for his mouth and he sucked one deep against the roof of his mouth. When he bit the taut bud, she gasped and he added, “You belong here. Beneath me.”

  Cora’s eyes darkened, deliciously aroused. Her breath sounded ragged and equaled the urgency he experienced. “I do …” He treated her other nipple to a firm bite before he laved the sting away with his tongue. Moving above her, he shifted his hips, until the tip of his cock rested at her slit. Her eyes went huge with her gasp: “Sir!”