He shook his head in amazement. “Hardcore. Why can’t I imagine you just going along with their plan?”

“They were my parents. I assumed I needed to do what I was told. Most of the time I enjoyed my life, but not when they focused on Andrew, the local pastor. It was the first time I disagreed with them.”

“What happened?”

“Let’s just say they weren’t thrilled when I informed them their precious Andrew couldn’t get it up in the bedroom.”

He winced. “Ouch.”

“Yep. They threw me out of the house and called me a whore.” She shrugged. “I crashed at a friend’s house and built my own life. A life I wanted, including sex.”

“Do you ever talk to your parents?”

Sadness leaked through her. She refused to hide behind the wall, and allowed him to see it all. “I call them on a regular basis. Sometimes they talk to me. Once I even visited, but they only wanted to show off Andrew’s new wife and baby boy. I didn’t stay too long. Somehow, they’re the only ones in my life who can make me feel dirty.”

“I’m sorry.” Rafe’s words reached out in warm comfort, his husky voice washing over her in a healing massage.

“Thanks. So, back to the original question, I did some experimenting with different types of men but always left unsatisfied. Each time I tried to dominate a scene, they’d freak out. My last ex called me a head case and told me I needed therapy.”

“He was an asshole. Probably afraid to listen to what you needed. Did you ever try out any BDSM clubs?”

“I went once for an orientation and learned some basics. I practiced safety with my sub and learned simple equipment. But I made no connections there, and the public scene was too much for me. At least for now. I wanted to explore in a private setting, with someone I can trust. I found out about Madame Eve and grabbed the opportunity. I could get matched with someone and have a night of experimentation on my own terms.”

“And here we are.”

She grinned at his bad boy wink. “Yes, here we are.” Her fingers clenched. “What about you? What are you looking for?”

She gave him credit. He only looked uncomfortable for a moment, then pushed past and told her the truth. “I’ve always felt different. I grew up with two older brothers who were pretty dominant, so I never questioned that was the route for me. But I felt strangled. They already had my future mapped out—finish college, go to dealer school, and join them in Atlantic City with my pop. Poker’s in the blood. But I was sick of being in their shadow and craved to make my own way. So, when I turned eighteen I joined the military. I went overseas pretty quickly because of the war. Really pissed off my family.”

“Did they end up supporting your decision?”

“Yes. Once they understood I’d made up my mind, they backed me all the way. I’ve never regretted joining. Hell, basic training alone kicked my ass. I challenged myself, and I made friends I’ll never forget.” Pain ravaged his face. “Other than Ben, everyone else got out alive, but the transition is freaking crazy. Nightmares. Wondering why I’m spending time deciding on lunch when people were dying. A tire blew out on the highway once and I almost flew off the road to dive for cover. Messes with your head. I never spoke about it, and my family never asked. Eventually, I did go to dealer school and began my career. On my terms.”

“When did you realize you have sub tendencies?”

He gave a short laugh. “When the best sex I had came from a woman I dated who got pissed. She started getting physical, ordering me around, and I became hard as a rock. I wanted more. Unfortunately, it never went much further after that.”

“You never tried to experiment? Talk to anyone?”

He snorted. “Honey, my brothers would eat me up alive if they even guessed. Most women fall at my feet, ready to roll over when I ask, all because I received a fucking medal for leadership I didn’t deserve. If it got out I showed up at a club as a sub, I’d be done. I consider tonight a present to myself. Get it out of my system.”

She arched a brow at his terminology of his sexual preferences as an it. Yes, she knew what he meant. But she craved a mate who could satisfy her in the bedroom. Who cared anymore about her reputation or what society considered abnormal or normal? She wanted a man to take care of—to command and give everything she was—for his complete trust. No more hiding. When dawn rose, he’d go back to his life with its rigid rules, and maybe someday strangle under its chokehold. Not her. First her parents, then society chose her path. Now, she’d choose on her own, but in the light of day, on her own terms.

He’d forced her to admit what she really needed, and she’d never deny herself again. If she needed to find the proper club, she would. If she needed to reach out for contacts and people involved in this lifestyle, she’d find them.

She looked at the man on the bed and a strange sadness and longing rose in her throat. Already, a strong bond had been formed, emotionally and physically. She ached to learn more, to strip him bare and give him the most immense pleasure of his life. But he wasn’t ready.

She only had him until dawn.

“Must be nice to have everything under control.” He shuddered and she caught the gleam of arousal in his eyes. “Let’s see how well you do with some boundaries.” She licked her lips as she noted his instant hard on. “But first, a kiss. Show me how much you want me. You’re only allowed to touch my lips. Keep your hands to your sides.”

Eagerness leapt in his gaze. He leaned forward and twisted his hands in the tangled sheets in an effort to keep still, but he did as told and carefully fit his mouth over hers.

A sluggish heat pierced her with sweet longing as his taste swamped her—stinging liquor and hot male need. As if treasuring every moment, he sipped from her lips, nibbling on the lower one in a strong measure of control, teasing the seam with his tongue. Slowly, she opened to him, and he pushed through.

Mine.

The word pounded in her head like a mantra. She fought her need to possess and allowed him full access, as his tongue explored every dark hidden cave, and plunged in over and over, fucking her mouth in perfect rhythm. The earthy scent of him filled her head, and her control slipped under her lust for more. She shuddered for his touch. Pulling away, she stared into his eyes. In a ragged, husky voice, she said, “Very good. You may touch my breasts. But not with your mouth.”

“Thank you, Summer.”

His words pleased her, and his big hands cupped her breasts, massaging in rough circles. Her flesh swelled to meet him and her nipples tightened. She loved the contrast between her fair skin and his olive tones. He used his thumbs to roughly tweak her nipples, scraping a nail over one tight bud. Heat lanced straight down her belly and pulsed between her thighs. God help her, she wasn’t as in control as she hoped. She craved release just from his hands on her naked skin. At that rate, he’d own all the control.

An idea nibbled on the fringe of her mind. He needed another lesson in discipline. Perhaps her orgasm could introduce him to a whole new pleasure? “You’ve been very good,” she said. “I’d like you to kneel in the middle of the bedroom for me now.”

“What?”

His obvious confusion cleared her head and she drew her brows together in warning. “Not another word. Don’t question me or I won’t let you come. Do you understand?”

Pure mutiny carved lines on his face. A beat passed and she waited. “Yes, I understand.” He rose from the bed and knelt on the mocha-colored carpet.

She squirmed at the sight of the rippling muscles in his upper thighs and ass. God, she wanted him. “Very nice. Spread your legs wider. Now lock your hands behind your back. Beautiful. You may watch as I undress.”

Heat sizzled in his gaze. She peeled off her thigh high boots, unzipped the leather pants, and wriggled them down over her hips to stand naked in front of him. Her bare pussy leaked with her arousal. She heard the quick intake of his breath, and gloried in the fact that she pleased him. Carefully, she slipped her boots back on. The soft leather caressed the sensitive flesh of her inner thighs. A few drops of pre-cum glistened on the tip of his cock, and he leaned forward to rub it against the carpet, moaning under the friction.

She lifted one spiked heel and dug it into his upper thigh. He hissed at the sharp pain, but when his gaze flicked to her open folds in full view, his muscles locked down. “Straighten up and link your hands behind your back,” she said. “You will sit there while I pleasure myself. You are not to move.”

“Please, let me do it. I promise to make you feel so good.”

She gave a low laugh. “Yes, I’m sure you will. But I want you to understand I control your orgasms. I control how I climax. If you are very good, and if you don’t move, I may let you pleasure me.”

His jaw clenched. He seemed to battle his lust for fulfillment against his usual routine of being in charge. His true nature won, and she caught all the signs of excitement shudder through his body at the thought of letting her lead. “Yes, Summer.”

“Very nice.”

She eased over the carved wooden footboard, a perfect prop for her thighs. Slowly, she spread her legs, her shaved pussy open to his gaze. “You’ve made me very wet, Rafe.” Resting her fingers on the swollen lips, she coated her juices over her hardened clit. “I can only imagine how your hot, wet tongue would feel rubbing over my clit, thrusting inside.” She pushed a finger in her slit and moaned. Her other hand worked her breast, rolling and pinching a tight nipple in rhythm with her finger. “Do you want to know how I feel?”

“Yes.” His voice was ragged.

“Slick and hot and juicy. Oh, that feels so good, hmm, I need more.” She added another finger and built up her speed, her knuckle rubbing over the nub pounding for release. She threw her head back on the bed and brought her knees up, spreading wider.

“Summer, please! Let me come to you.”

“Not yet. I’m hot and tight, just begging for your cock and your fingers and your mouth to take me. Oh, I’m so close, I feel it, so good, ahh!” She came in a rush, her pussy clamping down on emptiness as shudders shook her. Knowing he watched every movement and saw all of her secrets intensified the pleasure. Spasms wracked her. She moaned in satisfaction then rose from the bed.

He knelt in perfect submission on the carpet. Sweat dripped from his brow and his skin gleamed to a high sheen He fought for control as his rock hard thighs trembled with exertion, and every muscle shuddered. Her heart soared at his ravaged features. Satisfaction pounded through her and lit her heart. My God, he is perfect. The masculine beauty of a man holding himself back, of submitting to such a deep need to release on her terms, was the most incredible gift. As if he were unable to speak coherently, a groan escaped.

She purred and stroked his damp hair, pushing the curls away from his brow. “Poor baby, you’ve been so good. I think you need a present. Tell me what you would like.”

He struggled for words, to put his fantasy into reality. Asking for what he wanted was a big step in the path of submission. “I want to lick your pussy.”

“Yes, baby, I think you deserve that. I’d like to come again. Stay exactly where you are. You are not to rub your cock against anything while you pleasure me. You are not allowed to come, do you understand?”

“Yes, Summer.” She positioned herself on the floor in front of him, propping one spiked heel on each of his shoulders. She opened her legs wide and spread out before him like a present.

“Oh, God, you’re so beautiful.”

“Show me how much you want me.”

He bent his head. Her hips arched at the first lick over her wet slit. His hot mouth opened slow and easy, stroking her swollen folds, teasing her clit, giving her just a tiny taste of what she really needed. She rolled her head back and forth and pushed her pussy higher. “More, give me more.” He obediently plunged his tongue into her dripping heat. Over and over he thrust, using his finger to rotate and massage her clit. The edge hovered in front of her, blurry and beckoning. She neared the peak and cried out, “Now, make me come now!”

He sucked on her clit and sank his fingers deep inside. She screamed as the orgasm ripped through her, shredding her with sheer pleasure. He gave a hoarse shout and milked her climax to the last shudder, then lapped up her juices and pressed kisses to her trembling thighs.