"That you will have." He slowly lowered his head, dragging the tip of his tongue across the seam of my mouth. The action was so sensual, unlike the man who was used to taking everything he wanted without question.
I shivered as he eased a hand over my shoulder, brushing his fingers down the middle of my back, squeezing my buttocks as he pulled me onto my tiptoes. I was the one who pressed my lips against his, forcing his apart until I could taste the depth of his mouth. The kiss was soft, inviting, and full of passion.
Michael held me in the same position, allowing my tongue to dart across his. The power of our connection was even stronger, my entire body tingling from the touch alone. He tugged me tighter against his body, the intimate moment more powerful than I could imagine.
Lightheaded, I wrapped my fingers in his long strands, imagining the rest of our lives, my breasts crushed against his carved chest. He was all male, the most exciting, infuriating, and dangerous man, but I would never want another.
Breaking the kiss, he nipped my lower lip, tilting his head then gathering a deep whiff of the salt air. "This will always be our special place."
"I like it."
Chuckling in the most provocative way, he eased back, roaming his hands up and down my arms. "The things I'm going to do to you."
"Show me."
"Mmm... Are you certain you can handle what I have to offer?"
"Have I failed you so far?" I adored the way his eyes twinkled, a slight hint of his mischievous side floating to the surface.
"Not. Yet." As he'd always done, he stripped away my dress, tossing the unwanted material away as if he would simply purchase another. He took a step back, growling in a husky manner before flexing his fingers open and sliding them down from my neck, using his index fingers to swirl around my already hardened nipples. His gaze followed his hands, moving down beseechingly slowly until he pushed a single finger under the elastic of my thong. "We don't need these any longer. Do we?"
"Perhaps not." The snap of his wrist brought a moan to my lips as the lace was ripped away. Only this time, he dropped my panties over the iron railing, exhaling as they floated away. "You're so bad."
"I'm not the disobedient one in our relationship," he muttered before fisting my hair, yanking my back into a deep arch. He issued a series of guttural sounds before he engulfed my nipple, taking the tender flesh into his mouth.
I squeezed his forearms, marveling in his rippling muscles, my eyes wide open and staring at the colorful streaks crisscrossing the sky. God had given us a show of nature, a beautiful attempt at repainting the sky. I fell into a moment of sheer glory as he sucked and nipped on my hardened bud, my legs quivering from the mere thought of his dark prowess. He was breathtaking in every manner, far too dangerous to be my husband.
That was the beauty of everything we'd experience.
He shifted his open mouth to my other nipple, shaking his head as he bit down. The pain was exquisite, floating through me in the most glorious manner, spiking the electricity that I prayed would never leave.
When he seemed to have his fill, he skated his lips up the side of my neck, licking my earlobe before whispering all the dark and delicious things he was going to do to me.
"I'm going to spank that tight bottom of yours, reminding you that you belong to me. That you are required to obey my every command. Then I'm going to fuck that wet pussy, driving my cock so deep inside that you scream out my name. After that, I'm going to tie you to the bed, ravaging your body for hours, just as a reminder that you have no control. My beautiful, dirty little vixen."
I was floating, freefalling into a powerful twist of lust and need, barely aware when he moved me toward the railing. I remained in position, just as he commanded when he began to tie my wrists to the thick posts, taking his time as if showing me off to the world.
"Can you imagine what others would think seeing you tied and open, naked and ready for a hard fucking?" he breathed, blowing a series of hot breaths across my neck and shoulders.
"No, sir."
"Hmmm... What do you think their reaction will be when I whip that reddened ass of yours?"
I bit back a whimper as I stared down at the busy street below, darting glances to my right and left. Anyone on the adjacent balconies could see us, would be able to witness the carnal act. I was mortified, ashamed even as the excitement continued to build. "No. No, sir."
"Do you want me to punish you, sweet Francesca, to absolve you of your sins?"
I hesitated, taking several deep breaths.
The hard smack against my naked ass was a reminder not to displease him. "Yes. Please, sir."
Michael wound his hand around my hair, tugging lightly until my neck was exposed. "Then so be it."
I knew he'd taken a step back into the shadows, watching me, studying me. I shifted from foot to foot as the wind whipped across my naked body, so alive, every muscle in my body tingling. I'd never been this excited or humiliated. The combination left my pussy quivering, juice trickling down both inner thighs. How could any man have this kind of effect over me?
He advanced again, tilting my head until he pressed his lips against mine. The second he forced my lips apart, a sip of bubbly slipped down my throat. Then he slipped his tongue inside, absolutely dominating mine. My moment of control was over.
The sound of his buckle, the way he took his time releasing his belt from the crisp linen loops pushed me further over a mental edge. My vision was hazy, my mind reeling from the thought of marriage and life with a dominating man. Even the way he dragged the leather strap down my back, merely tapping first one then the other ass cheek was stimulating, stealing what was left of my breath.
"With pleasure there must be pain, but I think you enjoy pushing your limits," he stated in a knowing fashion.
I couldn't deny his words or the understanding around them. "Yes, sir."
"Then we begin."
The sound of the first hard crack as the leather sliced across my bottom floated into the air, bigger than life. I could swear the entire street stopped moving, looking up to see what was happening. I held my breath as a mere hint of pain began to bloom, heating up my bottom in an oddly comforting manner. I wiggled in my bindings, enjoying the light breeze blowing across my aching nipples.
He kicked my feet apart before striking me again. And again. The snap of his wrist jetted into my ears, mirroring the sounds of traffic. The moment was strangely alluring, pulling me into the beginnings of nirvana.
"I love the way you wear my marks," he said almost casually, his fingers swiping across my bottom. "You need more." He delivered four more brutal smacks, one coming after the other.
"Oh!" I rose onto my tiptoes, swaying back and forth, clenching my fists.
There was no rest for the wicked, the belt slicing against my bottom and upper thighs, the pain exploding into anguish. I felt the pressure of his hand between my legs, his fingers dancing over my clit. "Oh, Jesus. Yes." Slumping forward, my breaths became shallow as he fingered me, my clit swelling almost immediately.
"Keep those legs apart, my little princess." He raked his wet finger up and along the crack of my ass, his fingers smacking my flesh.
The cracking sound continued, even more pronounced and I couldn't hold back the ragged moans. I no longer cared who was watching. In fact, I longed for someone to be standing in the shadows, drinking in the round of discipline. The thought brought me a smile as the next few strikes were even more painful. "Oh, God. Oh..." Goosebumps covered my arms and legs, forcing me to shiver.