Third Time Lucky

“Naked would be the best way to have this conversation.” Okay, so it was definitely the sex. That was cool. She could handle that. He took her hand and pulled her from the door, then reached for the zipper on the side of her dress. Her anger faded at his touch, and the heat came rushing back. He stripped her and stepped back to look. She swore she could feel that gaze, could feel his hands stroking over her breasts. Her hips. Move to spread the lips of her sex.

“What are you doing?” she gasped.

“Exploring,” he murmured. “Be quiet and leave me to it.” His tone was so hard, so dominant. It should have made her spitting mad, but instead her toes curled and arousal raged through her. Then she felt those invisible fingers on her clit, pushing into her pussy. He watched with heavy-lidded eyes, almost brooding, while she panted.

“Why didn’t you ever do this before?”

“You wouldn’t let me.”

But things have changed. He didn’t say them, but the words seemed to hang in the air. She was the one who’d opened the door when she’d let Ethan stay earlier. Now Ethan moved closer, quiet and intense, no sign of the easygoing soldier she knew. His eyes glowed an eerie yellow, and she knew his wolf was close to the surface. She shivered when he stroked her cheek with his fingertips, saw the intent radiate from his eyes. This time he would mark her. Her wolf protested, but she was so caught up in sensual pleasure, it was barely a whimper. It wouldn’t do at all to give in so easily.

“The conditions?” she reminded, though her voice was weak and breathy and hardly commanding.

Harris laughed. “She’s thinking too clearly.”

“Definitely,” Ethan agreed.

Ethan grabbed her around the waist and lifted her over his shoulder. She was so shocked it didn’t occur to her to protest when he dropped her on the bed.

“I want her restrained,” Harris murmured.

Now that she would protest, but when she tried to sit up, she couldn’t move. “A few tricks?” she snarled at Harris. “I don’t like this.”

Oh, but that was the biggest lie she’d ever told herself, and he knew it. He put one knee on the edge of the bed, leaned over, and thrust his fingers into her pussy.

“Is that right?” he asked moving them back and forth in short, hard strokes. Her body welcomed him. Clamped around him. “No protest here.”

She wanted to beg and cry for more when he pulled his hand away and lifted his fingers to his lips. He hummed when he sucked her taste into his mouth. “Next condition. I get to tie you down.”

She tugged on one wrist, but it didn’t budge an inch from where he had it mentally pinned.

“You don’t need ties or restraints.”

“It’s a matter of consent.”

“Is this another deal breaker?” Why was she so intrigued? It scared her. She’d fantasized.

Who hadn’t? But she’d never seriously considered bondage before. What had he done to her?

What had really been in that potion?

He cocked his head to one side and studied her, finally sighed. “No. But it’s important. To me. It’s a trust thing, Gabby.”

She opened her mouth to say “no way,” and judging by his expression, he knew it was coming. He looked so disappointed she snapped her teeth shut. Her response confused her. Why was she considering this? If she let him restrain her, tie her down, she’d be acknowledging his dominance. It had to be the potion, the heat, combining to ambush her good senses.

She heard her mother’s no-nonsense, take-no-prisoners voice in her head. Protesting a bit too much aren’t you, Gabby girl? She’d never seriously considered it before, but she couldn’t deny her curiosity. She was tempted. There was a kind of appeal to it, a craving she’d repressed for years. What would it be like to let go? To let someone take care of her every need. Hell, to just not be in charge for once? She was intrigued and pissed at the direction of her thoughts at the same time. Damn Harris and his potion, because this was so out of character that’s what it had to be. But she knew she was lying to herself. She may never have submitted before, but she wanted to try it now. She wanted to experience the loss of control, wanted to know if it would be freeing or make her feel tethered. It was about trust, he’d said, and she was surprised to find that she trusted him enough to explore this desire she’d always fought.

“One time. That’s it.”

Ethan’s fingers slid up the inside of her thigh. The teasing touch made her shiver.

Harris smiled. “Unless you decide you like it?” he asked.

She shook her head. “Not gonna happen.”

“Why try it if you’re so convinced you won’t like it?” Harris asked.

Oh, there was no way she was admitting it was because she didn’t want to disappoint him.

That was too close to acknowledging that this was more than just sex. That there was a repressed, lonely voice buried deep in her mind that wanted more than a couple of days every three months. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, trying to steady her heart, her mind, her emotions. But her inhalation drew their scents into her lungs and only made her more aware of them. They were completely focused on her. On bringing her pleasure, on claiming her heart and soul. She resisted the urge to give in to the inexplicable instinct to accede to their wishes then and there. She’d be weeping if she were a crier, she was so knotted in confusion and want.

Opening her eyes, she shrugged. “It makes no difference to me. I just need someone inside me. Now would be good.”

She craved so badly her skin hurt. Her pussy throbbed. She needed release with a desperation she hadn’t felt before and glanced over to look at Ethan. It was because he was there.