“Right. See you then.”
Jared signed off. A movement in the doorway caught his attention. The sight of the shirt he’d worn the previous night folded around Paxton’s body represented itself in the throb of his cock.
“So, you’re going ahead with your hair brain scheme to seduce Olivia Lopez?”
Jared swore the temperature in the room dropped from the chill in her voice. He didn’t respond immediately, too taken with Paxton’s just-awakened sleepy-eyed look. She looked endearing with her naked legs and small feet crossed. He cleared his throat and dragged his attention back to her face.
“Getting on the inside of their circle is the perfect way to expose their entire operation, Paxton. Hannah Conti’s suspicion might have been about needing confirmation that her husband is cheating on her but it’s also opened a whole new can of worms.” He got up and approached her. “And, no, I have no intention of seducing Olivia Lopez. I’ll play a role to convince her I’m the perfect candidate to fill their deep pockets with my deprived desires for sex on the sly.”
“And if she offers herself as part of the deal?”
He cupped her cheeks. “How about a morning kiss before we continue?”
“No.” She pushed at his chest. “I’ve got morning breath!”
“Hmm... I don’t mind since it’s what I’m after... your taste.”
He brushed his finger over her bottom lip, tenderly at first, and then harder with a rough intensity that robbed her of any thought.
“So invitingly sensual,” he murmured as he nibbled on their pulpy fullness. “May I, Paxton?”
“May you what?” she managed to croak; her mind was drenched with the rush of sensations overwhelming her.
“Kiss you.”
She blinked, caught in the promise of all kinds of delight. “Yes, please.”
He was anything but gentle. The demanding caress represented the man he was, hard and possessive. His tongue sought entrance into her mouth, turning her inside out from the first sweep with a kiss packed with lustful promise and unchecked hunger. The saturated color of her sensual groan crawled out between their meshed lips.
“I could become addicted to your taste, little one.”
“Would that be a bad thing?”
He smiled as he traced her lips with his thumb. “I believe the question should rather be whether you’re ready to have me underfoot all the time.”
Paxton leaned back in his arms to stare at him. “I don’t follow.”
“We both agree on what we’re after insofar as a future together is concerned. I for one, don’t need weeks or months to know I want you by my side, Paxton. Not only for the odd date or getting together to scene but to live together.”
Her eyes widened. She had been the one to set the conditions of their relationship but she hadn’t expected it to move so fast.
“We hardly know each other, Jared. Isn’t it too soon to take such a step?”
“Neither of us are youngsters, love. We don’t need to do the dance of pretense and discovery. I am who and what I am. It’s all I have to offer. I’m too old to change.”
“I don’t want you to change, Jared. The man you are, however chauvinistic at times, is what attracted me.”
“Last night gave you a taste of the kind of Dom I am. There are times I’m gentle but expect rough and wild domination. As a man, I’m committed to opening my heart to you. If we’re not on the same page, I need to know.”
Paxton considered her response carefully. She hadn’t expected Jared to be this honest and demanding but she’d be lying if she didn’t admit it filled her with hope. Hope for a future of togetherness, of mutual respect and understanding of each other’s needs. A normal relationship had many challenges. Add a BDSM lifestyle to the mix and it was ramped up exponentially. Without trust and confidence a relationship like that would be doomed. The question she’d asked herself was whether he triggered both within her. The answer had been a resounding yes.
“Offering one’s heart and soul to another isn’t an easy decision, Jared. We have a long way to go before we get to that stage but I do know that I trust you. As a Dom, to care for and protect me. To know what my body needs and to push my boundaries to reach a level of release I crave. I don’t mind rough and wild, as long as you respect my boundaries. Although I am a submissive, it will always be mine to offer or to take away. Not because I’m weak but because I find joy and fulfillment from submitting. I offer it to you, Jared, not out of weakness but with pride and strength.” She traced his lips. “As a man, you excite me. I admire your strength, intelligence and the way you care for those close to you.” She went on her toes to kiss him tenderly. “In short, the answer is yes. We are on the same page. I’m committed to opening my heart to you.”
“That fills me with joy, little one.” He kissed her tenderly. “This is the start of our journey together.” He smoothed her hair from her face. “There’s power in offering your heart. I’ll accept it gladly with the knowledge that it doesn’t give me rights but demands responsibilities. I know I have no right to your love, no right to your time, but I’ll be honored with the moments we’ll share. I will always do what is best for you, and not seek fulfillment of my own desires at an expense to your wellbeing. Each person is responsible for their own happiness but I can’t wait to be part of seeking my own with you.”
“I never realized you had the soul of a poet, Jared.” She leaned closer. “Your words mean more to me than you can imagine. I avoided serious relationships for ten years and ended up living a lonely life since Rex’s death. I suppose I found comfort in the familiarity of being alone but the older I get; I concede that human beings were born to love. What you said resonates inside me and confirms that I’m ready to walk the path with you.”
“It might be a rocky one at best but I’m confident we’ll find happiness in each other.” He tapped her on the nose. “Now, Mrs. Lee. Are you gonna feed me? I’m starving.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Especially since I never got to enjoy my dessert last night.”