He wanted her to have her own life. Even so, a part of him liked the image hed painted earlier, a 24/7 sex slave. It appealed to his protective side. Of course, a smart Master knew that a fully Dominant nature had to be reined in, the same way a submissive couldnt allow her own cravings to overwhelm her self-determination. Right now, he had to hold on to that balance for both of them. When she got her feet back under her, she could help him keep his urges in check, with that smart mouth he knew she had.
The thought warmed him, made him smile. Tenderness swamped him as he saw shed fallen asleep. He held her cradled between his knees, moving slow and steady through the waters shed feared earlier. One step at a time, one fear at a time.
Despite her murmured protest that she could walk, when he tied them off at the dock, he carried her up the boardwalk, into the house and to their bedroom, laying her on the covers. Ill go run you a bath while you wake up a bit, sweetheart.
My own personal servant, she said groggily, but there was an impudent quirk to her lips. Isnt it supposed to be the other way around?
When a Master demands it, a slave serves, and serves him well. But a Master takes good care of his slave. Thats the way it works.
Her lips pressed together. While her green gaze was sadly vacant, a yearning expression filled it abruptly. We want you, Master, she said in a throaty voice. Please. Soft and quiet, here on the bed. Let me know youre here, a part of me. That expression reflected a desperate desire to believe in what he was offering, spoken and unspoken. It was also a painful reminder that, as much as he wanted to do so, he couldnt heal everything within her in a couple days. Even the goals hed set, to pull her back from the desolate edge of darkness and help her find the courage to stay with him, might be more than could be accomplished in the time he had.
No. If that was all the time he had, he would make it work.
He could tease her, play with her, drive her to screaming climax, but in the face of that appeal for lovemaking, he was the one at her mercy. Unfastening her jeans, he took them off her legs, along with socks and shoes. He kept the tee on, liking the way her nipples pushed against the fabric, the points sharp in their arousal. If she curled her arms around him, would he lose all control? Bury himself in her, surround her and never let her be a foot away from him?
Im not sure this is the right time for this, he said quietly.
No ones touched me for so long, Peter. Not like this. Like Im real and . . .
Not broken?
Reaching up, she touched his face. Yeah. But I am broken, arent I? She was killing him. He circled her wrist, held it and turned his mouth into her palm, nuzzling. Youre wounded, sweetheart. Thats all. Youll heal, if you give yourself a chance.
Her fingers curled into his shirt, nails biting in. I need you so badly right now. All the way into my heart.
I want to give you that. But . . . I dont want to piss you off, sweetheart, but I really dont think youre ready. I also think itll be better for you tonight, if we hold off, build it up in you. In the face of her whispered plea, the emotions she was tearing loose in his chest, he couldnt hold on to the stern Master he knew he should be. Blowing out a breath, he drew her hand down so she could feel she wasnt alone in her desire. Hell, this is a bitch for me, too.
Dana swallowed at the size of him. Do you have to be so damned honorable?
Believe me, honorable is not the deal here. He molded her fingers over him, held her grip there tight. I dont want to win the battle, Dana. I want to take the field, win the war. When I make love to you in this bed, its going to be because youve accepted youre with the man and the Master you want for the rest of your life.
Peter, theres no way. . . . We barely know each other.
That grounds already been covered, sweetheart. Come on. Lets get that bug spray off of you and start getting you pampered and prepped for later tonight.
You promised . . . that youd give me something to make me not afraid.
I will. After a bath. Now, stop being all puppyish or Ill give you a spanking for turning your Master into a big softy.
He wondered if she realized how close he was to his own edge, particularly as he watched her struggle to rein it back in. Then her chin lifted. I bet you cry at Hallmark movies.
To even suggest I watch Hallmark movies is pushing past the line, little girl. Lifting her and taking a quick nip at her quivering mouth, he took her to the tub. As he ran the water, he removed her T-shirt, grazing his knuckles over the taut peaks.
You do like tits, dont you? she gasped.
More than God and country, he said gravely. And yours are gorgeous. He guided her in, helped her sit and adjusted the temperature. Open your legs. Surprise crossed her face, but she complied. Removing the small waterproof dual-headed vibrator from a drawer, he caressed her inner thighs with it, letting her get a sense of what he was doing before easing it into her pussy and her anus. She had gorgeous legs, and though they were out of shape now, the skin was still silky, giving. He couldnt help thinking of how theyd feel wrapped around his back. He teased dark curls before he positioned the device and she bit her lip, her nipples hardening further.
It had no more than an inch of penetration, slim straps anchoring it in place and allowing him to position the clit teaser. She did that little breath-caught-in-the-throat thing while he made the adjustment, but when he turned it on a low level, her response was gratifying. She arched up, water sloshing against the sides, her nipples jutting further, challenging him to prove the truth of his convictions. Sliding his hand beneath her back, he brought his mouth to the closest one, taking it in like a small, swollen grape, suckling it so that she pushed her feet against the end of the tub, moving rhythmically against the vibrator. He laid his hands on her hips, stilling her.
Enough of that. You stay still, move only as I need you to move. Your pretty pussy is going to weep and ache for my cock and the release Ill grant it later tonight. This is all about preparing you to serve me tonight, any way I demand. I know you havent forgotten how to serve a Master.
Her pulse elevated in her throat, her fingers curling under the water against her trembling thighs. God, she was going to kill him. She responded to his every order. Whether with sass and fire or soft entreaties, or tentative trust, she responded. And whether or not she realized it, by responding as a submissive, she was responding as the unwounded spirit he knew still lay within her.
It was a cynical world, one that had long ago abandoned love-at-first-sight to the very young and foolish. But his gut didnt lie to him, and her response to him told him he was right. It connected to things down deep in both their souls; he was sure of it. If shed come back whole, he would have pursued her surrender as fiercely as he was doing now.
Could he convince her of that, in less than forty-eight hours?
By the time he let Dana out of the tub, she was very clean and completely mindless.
Since she had to clutch his shirt for balance as he walked her backward into the bedroom, she eagerly traced the way his waist muscles shifted with the movement, his abdomen tensing with self-restraint. When he left her standing in the middle of the room, he squeezed her hands, held on to them to the full reach of their arms before regretfully letting her go. It might be how aroused she was, but as she listened to him rustle in the closet, Dana actually felt as if he might be seeing a beautiful submissive standing in the center of his bedroom, her ass cocked in a provocative manner, the slim line of spine and nape so tempting, particularly with his collar still on her throat. He hadnt yet taken it off, and she didnt want him to do so.
She still wore his toy, though hed added a harness to hold it in place. The dual vibrator changed speeds and sensations frequently, keeping her at a high peak. If his intent was to prepare her for tonight, she was ready. Hell, at this point, she might do a whole football team, if it meant Peters cock would slide into her at the end, bringing her home inside herself.
The unexpected thought brought a lurch of emotion.
Come stand over here, by the bed. When he got her there, he sat down on it, trapping her between his knees, settling his hands on her hips. That mere touch made her moan, thrust toward him shamelessly. He kneaded her buttocks, soothing and stirring at once.
Thats it, baby. Youre so hot for me now, arent you? Spreading his fingers, he tapped on the anal plug, making her grab hold of him for balance. Tonight there are a couple things I want you to do for me. One, accept that youre beautiful. No hunching over, hiding yourself. Second, remember that you can trust me completely. I promise Ill keep you safe. There will be nothing for you to fear. All right? Though she jerked her head in a nod, she couldnt help the frisson of worry that shivered across her skin. His hands tightened on her. I know its going to be difficult. Which is why I think an additional training aid is necessary to focus your mind where it should be focused.
His hands left her as he picked something up. We talked about this, that first night. Im going to wrap you in a physical reminder of your Masters protection, my demand for your obedience to my will.
The stiff satin caressed her flesh, laces feathering across her skin.
A corset.
. . . keeping her straight and proud, knowing shes got nothing to worry about. Because shes mine.
You liked that idea, wanted it bad. I could tell, enough that I wished Id had one around that night. I even started a letter that would give you a play-by-play of how Id lace you into one, but two paragraphs in, I was so hard I knew I couldnt finish it without embarrassing myself. This one isnt as custom fitted as I like, but well get you one that is soon. Lift your arms over your head.