His eyes glowed in the moonlight, a warning that she should heed what she was saying.
“I’m here to stay, Jared, but unless you allow me to help you find your way past the block in your soul, we’re doomed before we even begin.”
Paxton knew she had to get through to him. She had no intention of becoming a pawn to beastly sex.
“I’m not one of the subs you use for temporary relief. It’s time to conquer the beast. Don’t let the past define you, Jared. Whatever it is, let it go. You said we have to open our hearts. We both did, gladly. Now, I’m asking you… open your soul and let me in.”
“If there’s one thing I hate, it’s being psychoanalyzed,” he sneered.
“I’m selfish and demand all of you in this relationship, Jared. Your body, heart, and soul. You... the man you are outside of this bedroom. The one I fell in love with. In bed, or during a scene, it's of the utmost importance that we connect on both an emotional and physical level, otherwise everything will fall apart in difficult times.”
Jared didn’t respond. She had seen past the facade and found the scared boy who used anger to keep his heart intact, like he had with Bella, throughout their marriage, except with her, he’d used indifference to keep her from discovering the fear inside him.
Paxton was it. She’d crawled into his heart from the first time he’d seen her. He’d tried at first to ignore it— and failed. He loved her, with a depth of emotion that scared him. He needed her— to love him for the man he could be and to save him from the man he had become. He was humbled as he looked into her eyes. She had offered all of herself; her strength and gentleness, and the unconditional love that shined brightly.
“I am here for you, Jared. Together we can slay your demons.” The touch of her lips stole his breath away as they caressed the hard plates of his stomach. “A powerful Dom and his loving submissive.”
Jared closed his eyes with a sigh. She had shifted the dynamics. She was now his strength. The need to let go overwhelmed him. He relaxed under her tender touch. For the first time in over thirty years, hope filled him. The only people he’d allowed in his heart had been his two sons. Bella had given him a reason to be human but she couldn’t remove the armor. That had been his failure. He should never have married her. She hadn’t been strong enough for him.
Paxton had seen through all the layers and found the lonely man inside. With her, he might be able to forget and live the rest of his life in happiness.
She traced the lines on his forehead. “No more thoughts, my love. From this moment on, it’s only you and me in this room.”
“I’m all yours, little one... for now, you can play.”
Heat exploded inside his veins with every brush of her lips against his skin as she left a trail of kisses over his chest.
“Christ.” His jaw locked at the sensations rippling through him. She brushed her palms over the ropey musculature of his arms as she kissed him teasingly along his jaw.
“We all deserve to find peace— to be spoiled and loved,” she purred as she looked at him with tearful eyes, filled with understanding... and love.
“You have turned my life upside down in more ways than I care to admit from the first day we met,” he said with a revered tone in his voice. “Your words, your touch... are food for my soul. Your voice intoxicates me. You amaze me, love.”
With a gentle finger he traced her face, forcefully holding her gaze as he drowned in the pools of her eyes. He stared at her with an intensity that shimmered, begging for release.
“Enough talking. It’s time to explore these wondrous feelings you’ve triggered inside me. I’ve been waiting for a woman like you to come into my life who had the strength to slay the beast inside me. With you by my side I’m ready to start enjoying the pleasures and challenges life has to offer.”
Jared kissed the curve of her shoulder. Her back arched as he gently tugged on her nipples. He shifted to push her onto her back.
“You have lulled the beast to sleep. For tonight there’ll be no more darkening of my soul,” he murmured against her stomach as he left hot, wet kisses downward.
“Oh, god,” Paxton moaned as he flicked his tongue over her clitoris.
Jared was quickly losing himself in her. She was a natural sensualist. Her vibrant nature teased, promised, and tormented him. He was drawn by the strength and control she exerted over herself.
He was drunk with her. For her, hewantedto change, to forget the past that taught him not to care, to find pleasure only in himself. He wanted more from a woman— fromher— than just sexual indulgence. He wanted to open himself and offer her tenderness and passion.
She thrashed as he spanned his hands around her buttocks.
“Easy, my pet,” he said with a kiss on her clit.
Instead of calming her, it had the opposite effect. Sparks of fire lit her up at the touch. She cupped his head to hold him in place, orbiting her hips against his mouth.
“Fuck, Paxton,” he moaned against her swollen lips. He tickled the slit with the tip of his tongue. She spread her legs wider, releasing rapid puffs of breath.
“You’re a sensual witch. An enticing combination of wantonness and desire,” he growled against her pussy, his mind consumed by her aroma.
“Aah, Jared, that feels so good,” she murmured.