Chapter Nine

Rick finished the prep on dinner and wondered if he should go jerk off before Tara arrived.

Cursing under his breath, he pushed back the need and swore he could handle it. Discipline and abstinence was good for a Dom, reminding him every move was done for her pleasure. He was playing for keeps, and he needed his gaze kept on the goal.

Still, chastity was a bitch.

His cock throbbed and wept to bury himself in Tara’s sweet body. For the past three weeks, they’d fallen into a comforting routine that relationships were built on. They’d usually dine together; taking turns cooking depending on his shifts and her homework schedule. Sometimes, she visited him at the casino and tempted him with sly glances and tight skirts, walking past his table on fuck-me heels, until the draw of the cards was nothing compared to the draw of her lush breasts and swinging ass. Of course, her punishment had been worth it. On his break, he’d slipped her a bullet vibrator and commanded her to put it inside of her pussy and walk past him a minimum of ten times.

By the final turn, her face was flushed, her legs trembled, and Rick gauged she’d had two orgasms so far.

After work, he’d given her two more.

Her trust in him was implicit every time she obeyed his commands. The bond grew stronger each day, and Rick swore he wouldn’t take her to bed until she was ready to give him everything.

The doorbell rang.

He padded on bare feet and opened it. “Hey.” Her upturned face was wreathed in her usual open smile, and she kissed him with an honest passion that shook him to the core. He’d never met a woman like her. Face scrubbed of make-up, hair twisted in a high ponytail; she wrinkled her pert nose and stepped inside dressed in yoga pants and a tight t-shirt that strained across her chest.

Best. Outfit. Ever.

“I’m sorry I look like this,” she said hurriedly. “I had to work late, and tomorrow is my midterm and I’m kind of freaking out. I don’t know if I’ll pass.”

He grinned and tugged at her ponytail, shutting the door. “You always say that. Then you get an A.”

“I mean it this time.” She dropped a stack of folders on the coffee table and groaned. “I’m gonna fail.”

Rick handed her a glass of Chardonnay. “Then you’ll study until you feel like you’ll get an A.”

“This isn’t fair to you. Your head’s going to explode with statistical reasoning and audit principles.”

“Piece of cake. I deal cards, remember? I’m a math whiz. First, let’s eat for strength, and then get to it.”

They feasted on chicken, green beans, and roasted potatoes. Rick watched her chattering away about her courses, her new client she’d inherited at Mercier, and the latest episode of Homeland. God, she’d changed. Her natural vibrancy and joy for life shone in the burn of her blue eyes, so very different from when he’d first met her. How had his entire life changed in a matter of a few months? It was as if all this time he’d been missing a piece of himself he never knew about until he walked into that club.

“Uh, oh. You’re staring at me funny. I’m babbling again, aren’t I?”

He laughed. “You babble beautifully.”

“Then what’s that look on your face?”

He lowered his voice to that commanding tone he knew got her hot and ready. “Just thinking of the ways I’m going to make you come tonight.”

Her breath hissed from her teeth. “Oh.”

Rick winked. “Yes. Oh is probably a good response. Now finish your chicken.”

She did, but he could tell she was distracted from his last statement. Good. He liked her on edge, anticipating what was next. He now owned her orgasms. Her body already responded just to the deepening of his voice, or an implacable stare. Tara had natural submissive tendencies, a desire to please, and sweet freedom in obeying his commands. She was a strong woman who finally owned her sexuality and needs without that asshole haunting her.

They cleaned up together and she stood by the couch, awaiting his command.

His lips twitched in a wicked grin. “Time to hit the books. Where are we starting?”

Disappointment flickered on her face. Rick bet if he slipped his fingers under her stretchy pants, she’d be drenched. “We can study later,” she suggested hopefully.

He shook his head and took a seat on the oatmeal colored sectional. “Nope. Work first. We want to make sure you get that A.”

“I’m feeling more confident now.”

“Tara.” His voice held a clear warning. “Do you want to go home without an orgasm tonight?”

She let out a long sigh. “No. Okay. Work first.” Her grumble was charming, and he hid another smile as he settled down.

“Why don’t we go over the practice tests first?”

She sifted through papers and pulled out a green sheet with endless numbers on them. “I suck at these theory questions.”

“We’ll start there.”

Rick settled in for a long night of studying.

***

Tara laid her head back on the soft couch and groaned. “No more. I can’t. My eyes hurt.”

“Are you getting an A?”

A shiver spread through her body at the growly command. God, when she spoke to her like that she melted into a gob of Jell-O. So. Hot. “Yes. I’m getting an A.”

“Good girl.”

Rick shut the folder and stretched out his long legs. She studied his body with pure appreciation. Even his bare feet were sexy. He wore casual sweat pants and a faded tank that showed off his bulging biceps and rock hard physique. His gorgeous caramel hair brushed his shoulders, framing his face, accenting sculpted lips with dark golden stubble hugging his jaw. He was a man who held an innate grace and leashed power that made people automatically step out of his way, and women to flock. Somehow, someway, he only wanted her. And he wanted her bad enough to wait for her to be sure, refusing to claim her until she made her decision.

The fragile wall protecting the last of her defenses shuddered and began to crumble. He spent his hours doing homework, making sure she would ace her tests. He cooked dinner, always escorted her to the door, held her hand, and told her she was beautiful every time he saw her. He gave her countless orgasms and never asked for himself. He was a man she could trust, believe in, and build a life with side by side, because he’d never try to make her into something or someone she wasn’t.

And Tara was madly, irrevocably, completely in love with him.

As if he sensed her change in mood, he swung his head around and pinned her with his gaze. The air shifted, sizzled, and Tara knew nothing would ever be the same, and it was good. So very good.

“Do you want to tell me something, Tara?”

His voice was a whisper of seduction. A velvety, dark command. Green-gold eyes glittered with raw lust, possession, and pure love.

“I love you, Rick Steele. I have since the night we met, but I wasn’t ready. But I am now. I want to give you the pleasure you give me. I want to give you my body, and my heart. You helped me see I’m beautiful, and worthy of love. You helped me see...everything.”

“About damn time.”

In one swift motion, he lifted her up from the couch and into his arms. His mouth claimed what was already his, tongue thrusting between her lips and gathering up her taste, while she clung to him, desperate to feel his body naked over hers.

“I love you, too. I wanted to give you time to realize you're strong enough to handle me, or any man. I want to know your favorite color and food, the shampoo you use, and what side of the bed you prefer to sleep on at night. I want to fuck you for hours and lose myself in your sweet body. I want to support you in every way, watch you graduate, and stand beside you while you fly. Then I'll be right there to welcome you back. Do you get it now?”

Oh, yeah, she got it. Rick Steele had given her a gift more priceless than diamonds. Time. She choked on a sob and he lifted her higher, carrying her into his bedroom. He lowered her back to the ground inch by inch, so his hard cock dragged over her sensitive pussy, her tummy, her nipples, until her toes touched the thick carpet.

“Strip,” he commanded.

She took off her clothes with shaking hands, until she stood naked before him. With a needy moan, she lifted her hands to him, palms up, in a gesture of submission.

“Let me please you.”

He stroked his cock, making her mouth water for the taste of him. “Ask for what you want, Tara.”

“Please let me suck your cock.”

“Good girl.”

She dropped to her knees and lowered his pants. She hissed out a breath when she found him with no underwear, and his thick, hard cock sprung free, waiting for her. Tara lowered her head, opened her mouth wide, and took him in.

His fingers tangled in her head and he held her firmly as she sucked hard, her tongue swirling over the head while she massaged his balls, scraping her nails lightly against the sensitive flesh. Rick let out a litany of curse words, and she sucked harder, opening wider, until he hit the back of her throat and his hips jerked with the start of his release. Then his hot semen spilled down her throat, and her name ripped through the air like a prayer. She took it all, relishing her power and his need for her, slowly easing him out of her mouth when the last of his orgasm had dissipated.

“Thank you my beautiful girl. I love you. And if I don’t get inside your sweet pussy right now, I’m going to die. Now, climb on the bed and get on all fours.”

She did, spreading her legs wide so he could see how much she needed him. She heard the tear of a wrapper, and the bed dipped. His hands cupped her breasts, rubbing the tips, playing, and teasing until her nipples were hard, long, and so sensitive they bordered on pain. He rained kisses down her spine; licking her scars with loving attention, and eased his cock inside her dripping heat, inch by slow inch. She rocked back, moaning in need, wanting him to take her hard and fast, but he ignored her, swiping his dick over her labia, brushing her clit, then easing into her entryway again before stopping and repeating the whole movement again.

“Please. Oh, please.”

“I intend to, sweetheart. Oh, I love your hot pussy. How bad do you want me to fuck you?”

“So bad! I’ll do anything, please.”

He pushed in another few inches. His thumb rotated a nice steady pressure on her clit. Everything inside Tara froze in anticipation of an explosive climax, hovering on the sharp edge. She shook with the excruciating agony of wanting him to push her over. He massaged her clit from the sides, his cock halfway there, her nipples begging for more pressure, and then—

“Come for me, Tara.”

He surged inside with one hard thrust and pinched her clit.

Tara screamed, falling over the edge, her body convulsing in a release so exquisite she felt shattered and then put back together again. The orgasm went on and on, and he threw her into a second one by never slowing the pace, keeping pressure on her clit, and pinching her nipples. Finally, Tara collapsed on the bed, shaking, and crawled into his arms.

Tears leaked from her eyes and he held her, kissing her head, his hard hands stroking her body and letting her find the release. Her tears cleansed. Healed. And he never let her go, saying over and over she was precious and he loved her.

“Thank you for not giving up on me,” she whispered.

“Thank you for letting me catch you.”

He kissed her slow and gentle, and Tara knew her future was bright, and beautiful, and full of possibilities.