Chapter 9
Jenna’s legs felt like they were made out of rubber as she carefully made her way down the stairs. She had declined Colt’s help, she really needed to put some distance between them. If she wasn’t careful she was going to fall for him, and that was a sure way to get her heart broken.Remember what happened the last time you thought you were in love? Remember how much it hurt? Remember how devastated you felt, how betrayed? That was one of your brother’s friends, too. And if Ted could hurt your brothers, Colt sure as hell would be able to also.She just had to remember to not let Colt get into her heart. She had kept quiet about what had happened before because the bastard her brothers had trusted to stay in their home had promised her they wouldn’t make it home from their next mission if she told anyone what he’d done. So she’d hidden the bruises from everyone, including Kat, and worked for years to bury the memories of the night everything she thought she knew about love was shredded by a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
“You’re very quiet, princess. Care to share those thoughts that are making you so melancholy?” Colt had noted that Jenna had been so lost in some abyss of thought that she hadn’t even realized they’d stopped near the truck and he’d been intently watching her worry her bottom lip. Seemed she was a bit like Katarina Lamont in that she also mumbled aloud, but he’d only caught bits and pieces, “betrayal,” “hurt,” “brothers,” and “bruises” were the only words he’d been able to make out. Everything he was seeing was pushing him toward a conclusion he’d tentatively drawn earlier. “Jenna? I’d like to know what you were just thinking. I could make it a demand, but I’d rather you would trust me enough to share.” Colt just waited for her response.
“Um…rain check? Let’s get this stuff moved up top. I know how hungry you said you were.” She gave him one of her patently brilliant smiles. God she was radiant when she smiled.Well at least she didn’t shut you completely out. Give her time, she’ll come around.
* * * *
They’d made quick work of unloading the truck and were putting the supplies away when Jenna realized she hadn’t even been thinking about the fact that she was naked and he was still fully dressed. “Can I ask you a question, Colt?” She didn’t know exactly how all this Ds stuff worked and figured a polite question couldn’t be considered too unreasonable.
“Sure. And I appreciate your efforts at protocol, but I want you to understand that I will be very, very strict if we are in a scene or in the bedroom, but the rest of the time, basic courtesy and respect will be fine. Also, remember, I told you that for the rest of today, questions were fine.” Smiling at the relieved look on her face, he asked, “So, princess, what’s your question?”
“Why do I have to be naked and you get to have on all your clothes? Doesn’t quite seem fair to me.” She was confused about how it made her feel, like she belonged to him or something, and those feelings would be disastrous. She was really wishing they could level the playing field.
He stopped working and leaned against the black marble countertop. He’d crossed his arms over his massive chest and crossed his ankles above his bare feet. God, the worn, faded jeans and the tight white T-shirt stretched across pecs that looked as if they were rope-covered steel had her dying to see what they looked like without anything hiding them. His hair appeared wind tousled, and his lips were quirked up just enough to show amusement. Oh, he was certainly eye candy of the finest quality.
Colt found himself watching her as her eyes moved up and down him in a slow perusal that had his cock standing up begging for her notice.Talk about feeling like a piece of meat. Holy fuck, woman, give me a break, or I’m going to be taking you on the kitchen floor and we’ll worry about dinner in a few hours!“Like what you see, sweetness?” Even though his voice held a note of humor, it was also thick with arousal.
Jerking her eyes up to his, Jenna knew her face had just flushed crimson with embarrassment at being caught lusting after the gorgeous man standing before her. “Um, well, of course. You’re a good-looking man, but you already know that. Oh damn, this is so embarrassing…” Jenna couldn’t believe the mess she’d gotten herself into, and her damned body was giving her away even when she’d stopped the words. She knew without even looking down that her nipples were drawn up into tight buds and her pussy was already wetting the insides of her thighs.
“Well, for obvious reasons, I like to look at what’s mine. You are stunning, Jenna, and I want to have both visual and physical access to you without having to worry about clothing barring my way. And your body tells me even more than your words most of the time. Doms like to think of it as Mother Nature’s lie detector. Let’s hope you don’t ever lie to me so I am able to show you how effectively it works and how serious of an offense I consider lying. And that includes lying by omission, princess, just so we’re clear.” He paused briefly, and just watched her expressions as she processed everything he’d said before continuing. “Your body will tell me more about what it wants than your words can ever hope to convey or hide. I’ll measure your breathing and pulse as easily as I’ll tune in to the soft sighs and breathy moans you make. There won’t be a thing about your body I won’t know, I promise you.” Satisfied when he heard her soft intake of breath, he pushed off from the counter. “Let’s go out on the deck and begin. I’m anxious to start your training.” When she opened her mouth to protest, he silenced her with his finger to her lips. “Think before you speak, pet. Is what you were about to say worth the consequence you are likely to suffer?” When she kept silent and slowly shook her head, he said, “I didn’t think so. Now shall we?” Placing his hand at the small of her back, he led her out the front door.
Thinking to himself about all the little things that he’d be doing to make her feel special and cherished, he had to admit that a gentle hand laid along the low point of a woman’s back, that erogenous zone just above her ass, was one of his favorites. He’d known subs who would begin to cream from that gesture alone, and he’d met very few who didn’t deliberately move at a pace that kept his hand firmly against them. Stroking the side of the face, light touches to the very tender spot just behind the ear, soft caresses on the back of the neck, all of were calculated moves, not to manipulate the woman, but to ensure she knew how special she was to her partner and how valuable her trust was, what a gift her submission was considered by her Dom. He was looking forward to spending the next five or six decades enjoying each and every facet of his chosen lifestyle with Jenna.