He smiled as he rounded the island and came to her. He spun her stool around so they were face to face, and then he cupped her cheeks in his palms and lowered his mouth. The moment their lips touched, she melted. He was a damn good kisser. Assertive without being pushy. Confident in a way he had earned. She let him guide her, responding to every lick and suck with her own exploration.
She flattened her palms on his rock-hard chest, melting against him. No one had ever kissed her like this before. Even that one simple thing was different with him. She was on fire, wishing he wouldn’t bother with the bedroom and strip her right here in the kitchen.
When he broke the kiss, she was breathless and aroused.
He slid his hands down to her shoulders and then lower to span her waist. His palms were so large that his thumbs grazed the undersides of her breasts as he spoke again. “I know you work weird hours and days, but I want to see you in between.”
“I’d like that.” She really would. As stressful as this night had been so far, she wanted to see him every chance possible.
“Send me your schedule.”
“Okay.”
He stepped closer, nudging her knees apart. “When you’re here in my home, you’re mine.”
And that did it. Her pussy wept, her arousal soaking the inside of her jeans. Her breasts ached. She had a sudden urge to squeeze them. The intense look on his face alone pushed her over the edge.
“Yes, Sir.” Holy. Shit. Those words slipped out without her consideration. They just happened.
Jason looked beyond pleased. “That’s my girl. Now, while I finish cleaning up the kitchen, you go find my room. Take everything off. I want you on your hands and knees on the edge of my bed, sideways, your sweet bottom offered up for my palm.”
“Yes, Sir.” The words were far breathier that second time but spoken with confidence all the same. She slid off the stool and made her way toward the opening to the hallway she’d seen on the other side of the living room.
She was filled with a combination of fear and longing. She was really going to do this. Submit to this powerful man. A man she was falling for. She needed to keep her head on straight and guard her heart. Surely this couldn’t be more than a fling. A way to get him out of her system. She wasn’t sure how long that might take, but she needed to remind herself often. Nothing else was believable. She’d heard of people meeting and instantly falling hard enough for each other to bang every chance they got. She was also realistic enough to know it wasn’t sustainable. She wouldn’t dare hope for something like that.
For now, all that mattered was finding his room and letting go of her control. She didn’t need to question the sex. It would be phenomenal. She shivered when she remembered he intended to spank her. But she’d suspected that from his text. She’d been curious ever since. Her nipples were swollen and needy, abrading against the lace of her bra.
With a deep breath, she entered his room and soaked in his surroundings. The kitchen and living room had told her nothing about him. This room, however, was finished. It had a strong masculine feel. The huge bed was the focal point, high off the ground with four posts. She shuddered, imagining what kinds of things he might do with those posts.
After a quick perusal of his mahogany furniture, his navy bedding, and the gorgeous hardwood floors, she quickly removed all her clothes and hoisted herself up onto his bed, getting into the position he’d requested.
She was really doing this. Decisively. This wasn’t like their “one-night stand.” She was now consciously and intentionally submitting to the only man who’d ever made her heart beat as fast as it was right now.
Chapter 8
Jason took his time cleaning the kitchen. There wasn’t really anything else to do. He was stalling to give Libby a few moments alone. He knew she was rattled. She would need to gather her thoughts and have some time to undress.
He also knew she would follow his orders.
This evening had not gone quite as he’d expected. Not even close. He had fully intended to spend time getting to know her on a more personal level because he did honestly like her, but he hadn’t expected to demand exclusivity. That had snuck up on him. It was crazy enough that he wanted Libby to spend the night in his bed. He had no idea where his possessive instinct came from. He was heading into dangerous territory. The last woman he trusted with his heart stomped on it and made a fool out of him. He swore he would never let something like that happen to him again. He would not.
Were there red flags flying? Yes. But he wasn’t as naïve as he’d been three years ago. He was also smarter and more hardened. He just needed to be careful. Keep his eyes open.
Libby is not Veronica, he reminded himself, shaking the unwelcome thoughts from his mind.
He was still reeling at the idea that Libby’s parents, her mom in particular, seemed to have as much control over her as they did. She was twenty-eight years old. A grown woman. Educated. Intelligent. Outspoken. Strong. The whole package. How was she still under her mother’s thumb?
Part of him was taken aback by the fact that she hadn’t seen him as more than a hot fuck. How ironic. I finally meet a woman who makes me look twice, and she pulls a one-eighty on me and wants nothing but sex?
He smiled as he wiped off the counter. Serves me right. How many times have I been in the opposite situation?
Truth be told, although he hadn’t contacted her for the last six months since their
