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  “Excellent.” What he was about to do to her was so far away from gauzy and slightly surreal. It would be rough and hard. “You can run, if you like.”

  “Fuck you, Stef.” She turned and ran for her bathroom.

  He was on her before she’d gotten three steps. He grabbed her around the waist and eased her to the floor. Using his weight to pin her down, he bound her hands in the silky thong and flipped her over.

  “God, you’re good at that.” There was no mistaking the admiration in her tone. It was another thing he loved about her. Her perversion seemed to match his own. If only he could trust her to know her own heart at such a young age.

  He put a hand on her lips. “No. No talking.”

  “That might be hard for me.”

  “Then let me make it easy.” He got off her and quickly swung her up. He sat on her lumpy couch and had her over his lap in a second. He pulled at the denim of her miniskirt, tugging the hem up toward her waist to reveal her ass. She wore a pair of cotton panties. They were easy to rip off her.

  “Damn it, Stef. I just bought those.”

  He brought his hand down on the fleshy part of her ass. “No cussing.”

  She gasped and went still under him. “You spanked me.”

  He brought his hand down again, loving the way her ass got pink. “Yes, love, what did you expect?” Another slap, right on the pretty crease of her ass. Jen might be slender, but she had a perfectly plump ass. Made to take a spanking. Made to fuck. “And I’ll do this every time you disobey me.”

  “Every time,” she agreed with a husky moan.

  His hand came down again. “That’s one for cussing. And one for questioning me.”

  “I didn’t question you.”

  Smack. “And another for arguing. And ten for giving me hell all night long.”

  He spanked her, sparing her not at all. His hand came down in short arcs, delivering his punishment all over her cheeks. He could feel her crying, but not once did she ask him to stop or scream out her safe word. She simply held on to his legs as though seeking more connection. They were partners in play and pleasure. When he was done he admired his work. Her ass was hot pink, and he could smell her arousal. He slipped a finger between her cheeks and let it slide toward her pussy. She was coated in cream.

  He set her on her feet and unbound her hands. Her face was as red as her cheeks. “Clothes off, Jennifer. Unless you want me to rip them off the way I did those panties. Take them off and then sit in my lap.”

  She was still for a moment. “You hurt me.”

  “No. I tortured you a little. If I had hurt you, you would have said your safe word. You would have fought me.” He held his hand up, showing her the juice glistening on his fingers. He brought them to his mouth and sucked them inside, tasting her for the first time. He sucked every ounce of her tangy cream off his fingers. “That pussy of yours is throbbing, isn’t it? Do you know how delicious you taste? Do you know what a meal I could make of you?”

  “You’ll be the death of me, Stef.”

  Her hands went to the hem of her shirt. She pulled it over her head and tossed it aside. They would go over proper procedure later, but for now he wanted her against him more than he wanted to follow protocol. She wasn’t wearing a bra. He stared at her perfectly formed breasts. They were small, but adorable. They would fit in the palm of his hand. Her nipples were brown and pink and tight with arousal. She shimmied out of her skirt and placed herself on his lap. Her arms went around his neck.

  “You’re beautiful, love.” He pushed her hair back. Why had he waited? It felt so right to have her in his arms. His anxiety had fled, leaving only a sense of joyous anticipation. Jennifer was naked, her breath warm against his neck. This was where he needed to be.

  “I feel beautiful when you look at me like that.” She cuddled close, all of her previous worry seemingly gone.

  “Give me your mouth.”

  She turned her face up obediently. Stef brought his lips down on hers and kissed her the way he’d wanted to from the moment he’d met her. He devoured her. His mouth ate at hers hungrily, tongue invading the moment she opened her lips. He swept in and they tangled together in a lustful dance. He wanted her like he hadn’t wanted anyone before. All the gorgeous submissives he’d claimed before couldn’t hold a candle to the way she moved him.

  Before he knew it he was on top of her, spreading her legs and making a place for himself at her silky pussy. He didn’t hold his weight off her. All he wanted was to sink into her and lose himself.

  He let his hands find her breasts, and his mouth followed close behind. He popped a pink nipple in his mouth and sucked, delighting in the way she groaned and moved beneath him. His hips pumped against hers.

  “Stef.” She moaned his name again and again.

  “Do you want me, love?” He needed to hear her say it.

  “So much.” Her eyes pleaded with him.

  His hands went to the fly of his pants. He knew he should get off her. He should take control—of her, of himself. He tore open his pants and shoved them and his boxers down. His cock sprang free.

  “Wow,” Jen said in a breathy voice that did amazing things for his ego. Her small hand came out and touched him. He stared at the sight. He’d always been fascinated with her hands. He loved how they moved across a canvas as she stroked a painting to life. Now they ran across his cock, making him feel more alive than he had in years.

  “Stef, I’m on the pill. I’m clean.”

  It was all he needed. He’d had a physical and hadn’t ever had sex without a condom before. He wanted her with nothing in between them. He pushed her hands away and lined his cock up with her soaked pussy. He pulled her legs around his hips to open her up and started to push his way in.

  Tight. She was incredibly tight around him. She was a vise on his cock. He had to move carefully, advancing and retreating in a maddening dance. He wanted to shove himself in balls deep, but he wouldn’t hurt her for the world.

  “It feels so good.” Her nails found the bare skin of his ass and sank in, urging him on.

  “It feels right.” He shoved against her and sighed as he finally was as deep as he could go. Every inch of his cock was surrounded by hot, delicious pussy. He held himself steady, allowing her to accept him. The muscles of her pussy quivered around his dick.

  Jen’s throaty plea cut through the silence. “If you don’t move soon, I’m going to die.”

  He was more than willing to give her what she wanted. Stef pulled out until the head of his cock rested in her pussy and then slammed back in. And he was off. All thoughts besides fucking her were blasted from his brain. She was everything in that moment. He was surrounded with her. The touch of her skin. The smell of their fucking. The sound of her breath as she pushed against him, fighting for her orgasm. It was primal and out of control and perfect. She was everything he’d ever wanted. His perfect mate.

  “Oh, Stef. Stef. It feels…I…” She stopped trying to talk. Every muscle in her body seemed to tighten, and she cried out. Her legs clamped down on his hips; her pelvis thrusting.

  He followed her. He let himself go, pounding away at her until his balls drew up, and it was impossible to stave off the inevitable. He came in long, glorious jets. He pumped into her, delivering every ounce he had in his body.

  He fell forward, shocked at how his heart was still pounding. This was supposed to be his quiet time, but he wasn’t satisfied. He wanted something more, something he’d never had before.

  “I love you.” Her words were whispered as her fingers sank into his hair. He felt her lips on his head.

  Still, he wanted more. There was something else he was missing, something that would complete the scene they had just played out. His heart stopped as he realized what he wanted. The words were right there on his lips, practically dripping from his tongue. Foreign words. I love you. He’d never said them before. He needed to say them to her.

  He held back and let himself rest on her breasts. Eventually
her breathing slowed and steadied into the rhythm of sleep. She rested, her arms wrapped around him.

  He lay there, unwilling to wake her, but his mind raced all night.

  What the hell had he done?

  In the morning he was waiting for her. He’d untangled himself and gotten dressed again. He’d sat at her tiny table and scolded himself in every way imaginable. She wasn’t ready for a relationship. She was too young for him. He wanted too much from her. He didn’t have the right to demand that she settle down, and he wouldn’t, couldn’t, settle for less from her.

  He’d played out the scenarios in his head. He’d thought about simply starting a D/s relationship. That would be the easiest way to keep her close. They could have their own separate lives and come together for play. It was the way he’d handled his relationships for a long time.

  He’d watched her sleep, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to keep it there. He would have her moved into the estate and under his thumb before she knew what was happening. It was his nature.

  He could see clearly the way it would go. They would be happy for a while, but then she would need more. She would grow and change and leave him behind. It would be exactly like…

  He didn’t want to think about his father right now. This was about Stef and Jennifer. His own parents were simply an object lesson as to why an older man should not marry a much younger woman.

  Jennifer stirred, twisting as though seeking something in her sleep. She didn’t find it, and she went up on one elbow to look around the room. There was slight panic in her eyes, and then she softened as she saw him.

  “Hey, good morning,” she said in a sleepy voice that went straight to his cock.

  He wanted to strip down and climb back on the couch with her. He would push her legs apart again and be where he always wanted to be—inside her.

  “We need to talk,” he forced himself to say. If he gave in now, it would be disastrous for both of them. She had a whole career ahead of her. She didn’t need a man in her life who would try to take over.

  She sat up, clutching the quilt he’d pulled over her. “Do we have to? I liked it better when we didn’t talk.”

  He did, too, but this was morning, and they had to face reality. “Jennifer, last night was a mistake.”

  Her eyes slid away from his. “You bastard.”

  He didn’t argue. He was a bastard. He’d taken her last night when he’d known it was wrong. “It was a mistake, and I take full responsibility. It wasn’t your fault. I took advantage of you.”

  Now she looked at him, tears shining in her eyes. “Because I wasn’t here at all, was I? Because I didn’t make a choice? What the hell am I to you?”

  “You’re a friend,” he said gently.

  “No, I am not. People trust their friends. You said once that I knew nothing of trust, but you’re the one who doesn’t trust me. You think I’m a child, but I’m not. I know what I want, Stef. I want you.” She leaned toward him, holding her hand out. “Last night wasn’t a mistake. This morning is. Can’t you see that?”

  It was hard to look at her, to see that expectation on her face. “Jennifer, I remember being twenty-three. It’s not the easiest time of your life. There are lots of things that you think you want, but you simply don’t have the experience to know.”

  Now she stood, her expression turning to anger in a heartbeat. “Fuck you, Stef. Get out of my house. I’m not some child, but you’re never going to see it. You’re never going to see me as anything but some airhead kid.”

  Well, she was acting like one. He knew better than to say that out loud. “I’d prefer to talk about this reasonably.”

  “Screw reason. I’m done reasoning with you. I’ve begged and pleaded and made a fool of myself. Well, I’m done with all of that. And I’m done with you, so feel free to leave.”

  “Last night you loved me, and this morning you’re through.” Everything she said made his point clearer.

  She shrugged. “Well, I guess you were right about me then. Get out!”

  He left, the door slamming behind him and the worst feeling in the pit of his stomach telling him that he’d fucked everything up. He’d intended to be gentle, to talk it out. As he walked away, he thought he heard her cry. He knocked on the door, but it was locked this time. He stood there, hand on the door, and wished he could go back in and hold her.

  He left a few moments later, but that afternoon he was back like a moth to the flame. He came with flowers he’d bought at the Trading Post and plans to, at least, talk this out. He couldn’t stand the thought of her feeling down. Maybe, he thought, maybe, they could try.

  Her apartment was empty of anything that was personal. Only the furniture remained. She’d packed up and left in a matter of hours.

  He walked out, tossing the flowers in the trash. It was better this way, he told himself. It was better that she left now, rather than later.

  Chapter Four

  Stef was jarred awake as the chair he sat in was kicked hard. He sat up straight, forcing himself to come out of the dream he’d been having. It was a familiar dream, one he had every night. He’d made love to Jennifer again. He’d chased her down and taken her. He’d made her his. She’d been soft and utterly submissive by the time he’d gotten her underneath him. It had been perfect in his dream because this time he’d said the words he wanted to say. This time he’d made it right, and she hadn’t left him.

  When his vision cleared he saw the reason he couldn’t say those three words. His father was asleep in the chair across from him, his eyes closed and a blanket around his body. He was older, more fragile than Stef had ever seen him. His father was a rock. His father was a workaholic who never seemed to have an emotion, much less show one.

  Except that one day. The day his mother had left them alone. He remembered little beyond shouting and his mother’s pronouncement that no amount of money made up for being tied to a husband and a kid. But he remembered his father’s knees hitting the floor. He could still feel the way his father had clung to him as he cried. The next day, Sebastian Talbot had been back to smooth, CEO perfection as if nothing had happened. He’d divorced his young bride and never mentioned her name again. It had been years before Stef had heard anything about her, and then it had been a single e-mail explaining she’d remarried and requested contact. He’d been twenty. He’d deleted it and blocked her from his e-mail.

  Stef let his eyes slide to Jen’s sleeping form. She was even younger than his mother had been when she married his father.

  “You want to explain to me why your father thinks you’re going to marry my wife?” Nate’s low growl brought Stef out of his revelry. He’d whispered the question, but it jarred Sebastian awake.

  “What?” His father sat straight up and glanced around. There seemed to be a moment’s panic, as though he didn’t remember where he was, but then a smile lit his face. He stretched and moved aside the blanket the flight attendant had settled on him while he was sleeping. “Sorry. I must have fallen asleep. I tire easily these days. I’m afraid I was dreaming. How far are we from Bliss?”

  Nate backed off. “Another twenty minutes, Mr. Talbot.”

  Sebastian shook his head. “No, no, Nathan. That won’t do. Please call me Sebastian. Half the time Stefan does. I can’t wait to see Bliss again.”

  The panic was back. His father was coming home. “Dad, this is insane. You don’t vacation. The whole time I was growing up, you rarely left the office.”

  His father turned and looked out the window. He took in the gorgeous mountain views. “That’s not true, son. I spent two whole years in Bliss running the company from the estate. It worked well then. Given today’s technology it would be even easier now. Don’t worry. I won’t be a pest. I’ll stay in the guesthouse.”

  “No!” Both he and Nate shouted the denial.

  “The guesthouse is drafty,” Nate managed to sputter. “It’s cold right now. You’ve been in Texas for a long time. Colorado winters are hard.”

  St
ef was glad Nate was such a quick thinker. He nodded. “Yes, the guesthouse needs some renovations.”

  The guesthouse was perfectly comfy. It was also filled with sex toys. Often it was where he kept his subs when they came for training. Of course, for the last six months the place had been empty, except when Max and Rye had brought their wife there to play. Stef hadn’t brought in a sub since that night with Jennifer. It seemed wrong somehow.

  Sebastian shrugged as he got out of his seat. His father had lost a lot of weight. He seemed small and frail. “Well, there are six bedrooms. I’m sure we’ll all manage. I promise you’ll barely know I’m there.”

  He walked toward the back of the plane and disappeared into the bathroom.

  Jen’s eyes came open. She looked sleepy and soft. A secret smile curled those plump lips of hers up. “Liars. What’s up, Stef? Don’t want your dad to find your stash of butt plugs?”

  He shuddered to think about it. There were far more exotic toys than anal plugs in the guesthouse. “I’m more worried about what he would say about the St. Andrew’s Cross. He also might think the new violet wand I bought is a massager. Really, it’s best he doesn’t go into the guesthouse. For all our sakes.”

  “He might know you better than you think,” Jen said, pulling a blanket around her.

  He pulled his blanket off his body and handed it to her. She didn’t argue, simply tucked it around her and settled back down.

  “I don’t think he knows you at all.” Nate’s face was flushed, his jaw perfectly square. “Especially since he thinks you’re sleeping with my wife.”

  Jen grinned at the sheriff. “Didn’t you know, Nate? Callie’s been his beard for years. Ever since they were teens.”

  “She is not my beard. For god’s sake, Jennifer.” She was making far more of this than was true. He and Callie had a simple agreement. She pretended to be his girlfriend, and he did stuff for her. They took care of each other. He turned to Nate, hoping he could make the man understand. “On several occasions Callie accompanied me to Dallas. My father would summon me from time to time, and Callie went with me. He never made me stay for long. Maybe his conscience got to him, I don’t know.”