Authors: Sara Brooks
That is so fucking sexy.
“Right now, though, I’m more interested in this. It’s not a
run-of-the-mill item. You had to have something like this specially made. It
takes time, patience and most importantly, skill. I know because I know who
made this.”
“What?”
“It’s a Meltdown original, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” She squeezed her eyes shut.
This really can’t be
happening to me. “
How did you know?”
“Meltdown was incorporated right here in the good old town
of Gatlin Falls, Virginia. Founded and run by its sole employee.” He gestured
to the front window with his free hand. “Dade Ellingson.”
She scowled, folding her arms in front of her. “Well, shit.”
“Don’t worry, your little secret is safe with me. But you do
have my admiration. Most people aren’t willing to invest this much in their sex
toys. They look at those kind of items as something to get them off, not a
piece of artwork.” He stopped, pushing into her space as he pinned her between
his body and a stack of boxes. “These kinds of toys are the mark of someone who
takes their masturbation very, very seriously.”
“Don’t most single women?” The feel of his body against hers
spun up her arousal despite her embarrassment.
He leveled his gaze at her. “Toys aren’t just for solo
pleasure and you damn well know it.”
She swallowed and nodded, curious where this was heading
because he was doing an awful lot of talking. That wasn’t like him. Maybe he
just wanted to taunt her with his discovery. Ryan never failed to surprise her,
something she’d grown quite fond of.
“Someday you’ll give me a demonstration with some of those
items in the box. A very slow, very thorough demonstration in order to convince
me you’re competent with each one.”
The gleam in his eye indicated she’d been wrong. He had
every intention of following his words with action. She cleared her throat,
finding her voice. “Everyone should be back in a few minutes.”
He appeared undeterred. “Strip.”
She glanced over his shoulder, eyeing a curtain-less window.
His body blocked her from view so anyone who happened to glance in would see
only him—for now. Based on where this was going, anything seemed possible.
They’d never discussed it, but she wouldn’t put it past him to exhibit
voyeuristic tendencies.
“Introducing me to a new fetish of yours?”
“Either you strip, or I do it for you. And I’m not sure
you’d enjoy my version as much as I’d bet you value your shirt. It looks
vintage.”
“My grandmother’s when she was my age.” Her fingers were
already on the buttons of the pale blue shirt before he’d even finished the
command. When she reached back to unfasten the clasp on her bra, the piece of
glass fell forward and touched her cleavage.
The shock of the cold made her gasp.
“Do you ever play with temperature sensation with this?
Freeze it so it’s cold or run it under hot water for heat?”
She let her bra fall to the ground, unsurprised he knew
about sensation play. He seemed to know a little bit about everything. A detail
she found so very, very wonderful. “Yes. Just one of the things I like about
glass.”
“There are more? Go on.”
Her breath hitched as he pushed the smooth implement against
her breast, drawing concentric circles tighter and tighter until he reached the
nipple. The bud peaked against the sensation and she had to take a few
steadying breaths before she was able to speak again.
“The texture is smooth. I like that.”
“And yet, the end of this one is ridged.” His finger drew
across the twisted surface and she followed the motion, mesmerized. It wasn’t a
typical design for a piece and something that had only come onto the mainstream
market in the past few years. She’d always liked the motion of the texture and
it had taken quite some time before she’d settled on the exact design she
wanted.
The fact she hadn’t yet used this particular toy didn’t help
matters.
The fact Ryan was the one wielding an implement she hadn’t
even tried yet just heightened her anticipation even more.
She fought to keep her voice even and level. “Yes, but it’s
still smooth. It’s something different when I’m not in the mood for the real
thing.”
Ryan snorted softly. “Well now. That can’t be entirely
true.”
Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
“If that were the case, you wouldn’t have glass dildos in
the shape of dicks.” He tapped the glass against her nipple again. It took
everything in her to keep from sighing in pleasure. “If you just wanted
sensation, you could get that from something far less expensive or realistic.
These are specific in need. Special in their design. I’m familiar with Dade’s
work. He treats each item as if it’s the only piece he’s ever worked on or will
work on again. As I said, these aren’t something the casual user owns.”
“Do I detect a note of jealousy? Afraid you can’t measure up
to my toys?”
He slid his hand around her nape, positioning her mouth just
inches from his. His hold emitted strength and power—the kind where her knees
weakened and turned her insides to molten lava.
“Don’t think for a second I’m going to let your comment
slide, California. Just remember, punishment comes in many forms.” He leaned
forward, pulling her to within a hairsbreadth of his mouth. “And it doesn’t
always come when you expect it.”
He released his hold on her and disappeared into the kitchen
and then reemerged a moment later with one of her informal dining room chairs.
He positioned it near a few boxes so the back side was closest to the window.
With the other stacks of boxes, she would be blocked from at least shoulder
height down. She wouldn’t need to worry about her new neighbors seeing Ryan’s
brand of sex.
Clever, clever man.
“Have a seat.”
Not obeying him wasn’t an option. She didn’t know what he
intended to do, but it didn’t matter. She wanted this just as much as he
did—maybe even more. She crossed her ankles as she sat, her heart thundering
against her ribs. He stacked two boxes on either side of her knees, taking his
time as he studied and analyzed the arrangement. His hands wrapped around her
ankles and he lifted one at a time, placing each one on top of either box,
opening her.
When he sat back and studied his handiwork, he frowned. “Not
high enough.” He stood, vanishing around the corner and then reappearing a
moment later with two more boxes in hand. He repositioned her feet on the
higher stacks, smiling as he looked up at her. “Almost.”
He stood again, searching the room. When his gaze landed on
her, his eyes lit and he circled behind her. He pulled off the red handkerchief
she used to keep her hair tied back, running his fingers through the strands to
spread out the long lengths.
The familiarity of his touch made something inside her jump
for a split second before leveling out. She loved this particular gesture he
used to ground her, to pinpoint her focus directly on him and nowhere else.
She’d heard about Doms who used this kind of thing to help
with training a submissive, but she’d never actually seen it employed until
Ryan. She doubted she was the only one he’d ever used the technique with, but
since it was the first time she’d experienced such a thing it was special.
Just another item on the laundry list where her faith in
Ryan as a Dom was confirmed.
He pulled her arms behind her, looping the cloth through the
slats in the chair to wrap her wrists before he securely tied it off. He made a
noise that sounded faintly like satisfaction. A thrill shot through her at the
sound. He circled around her again, kneeling between her spread legs.
The glass tapped against the wood seat, sending a wave of
thrilling vibrations through her body. Dampness spread between her legs. She
wanted nothing more than for him to thrust the toy into her and put her out of
this exquisite agony. He pulled the toy back, studying each end as if he couldn’t
decide which end to use. When they made eye contact, she willed him to hurry
before their friends returned and completely ruined the moment.
Turning the glass so the twisted end pointed toward her, he
moved it between her legs. The first touch of the tip of the toy at her
entrance made her hiss. The contact was cold and a contrast to the scorching
heat between her legs. Undeterred by the noise, he pushed the toy inside her.
The ribbed texture of the glass was in complete
contradiction to the smoothness of the surface and she instantly knew she’d
made the right purchase. He began moving the toy with rapid stokes and she
quickly found herself caught up in the pace he set.
Everything in her was already poised to burst.
Her head fell back with a soft groan as he continued to
slide the dildo inside her. The smooth surface glided easily against her inner
walls and having someone else control the depth and pace of the toy allowed her
to fully enjoy.
“You’ve come a long way since the shy little submissive who
told me she wasn’t allowed to make noise during a scene.”
In response, she let out a deeper and louder groan as Ryan
pushed the glass inside her.
As much as he loved teasing her with one of her own toys,
the need to be inside her was too overwhelming. He set the toy to the side,
reached around to undo her bonds and tugged her out of the chair, taking her
mouth as he pulled her tight against him. Much to his pleasure, she melted
against him as everything spun out of control. He let arousal course hot in his
veins, the energy of it transferring to her.
“Taking me out to the garage to fulfill your little
motorcycle fantasy?”
“As fantastic as that sounds, I want a hell of a lot more
time to see you bound that way. Something we really don’t have time for right
now.” He made it as far as the hallway before he gave in to the need to kiss
her again. Twisting, he spun her into the wall, pressing her back against it.
“You’re still wearing clothes.” He swallowed Beth’s
frustrated groan, feeding off the power swirling between them. Without breaking
away, he brought his hands up, yanking his shirt over his head.
Her muttered curse barely registered through the haziness in
his mind, and he shook his head in an effort to clear it. This woman barreled
over his senses faster than he’d expected and he found he wanted more. A lot
more.
It was more than simply the fact he wanted his cock buried
deep inside the tempting heat he loved to spend time adoring. Something had
broken loose inside him the day she’d found the picture at the warehouse.
Her eyes glazed over as his finger brushed against a
hardened nipple. He extracted a condom from his back pocket and slid open his
belt buckle. He had to release her to continue, allowing her legs to drop as he
unfastened his pants and let them fall away.
“Prepared, aren’t you?” He followed her gaze to the foil
square in his hand.
“Like a Boy Scout.” He discarded the packaging, sliding the
condom on without much thought to go slow. Right now, they both seemed to want
the same thing and it didn’t include time for patience. “Now my question is,
are you?”
“Am I what?” The corners of her mouth lifted even as she
wound her arms around his neck.
Without answering he reached down, lifting one of her legs
to wrap around his hip. He took a moment to indulge himself despite the need
screaming in his veins. His fingertips grazed through her soft folds as he held
her in place and she shuddered against him. Her lips skimmed against his jaw
and the rasp of his unkempt beard against her delicate skin caused him to let
out a quiet grunt of pleasure.
“Tell me what you need, Beth.” The purposeful use of her
name signaled their carefully crafted balance of D/s wasn’t in play at this
moment. Even he was capable of vanilla sex.
Still hot and heavy, but definitely not his usual flavor.
“You, Ryan. Please. Now.”
The plea was almost too good to give in to, but their
friends would come back at any moment. He wanted time to savor her to the
fullest.
“Any other time I would make you beg louder…” He trailed off
as he slanted his mouth over hers. She groaned, arching against him as she
lifted her other leg to wrap around his hip. The heat of her pussy was
scorching against his waist. He couldn’t resist letting his fingers dip into
her folds again as he positioned her a little higher.
She inhaled, widening her legs more to open for him. He
shifted his hand around, brushing his thumb firmly against her clit. Her head
fell back against the wall and he feasted on her neck, letting the floral scent
of her perfume wash over him. God, that scent alone could drive him wild.
“I thought you said right now.”
“I did.”
“They’ll be back soon—
oh Christ
. That feels good.”
At her distraction, he drove into her, listening as her
sharp gasp of surprise echoed off the ceiling. It was nearly as intoxicating to
him as hearing her call him Master in her husky voice for the very first time.
Her thighs tightened around his waist as she pulled him closer, her voice
melting away into the dark blanket of the hallway.
The sound of the noise calmed him, allowed him to focus and
made him want more from her. And himself. Giving in, he let a piece of himself
go that he’d held onto for more years than he cared to count. “Let me hear you.
Really you. Not dominant and submissive. Nothing but you and me. It’s just us.”
Her voice caught as he thrust into her again. She arched
against him as her voice echoed in the confined space. God, he’d forgotten how
much he loved the sound of a woman this caught up in herself.
In him.
Most of the time women just utilized him for his skills as a
Dom. Even though he’d be the first to admit he’d used them right back. But
this…this was pure need. Simple and elegant despite the frantic pace he’d set
them on.
Sex in its purest form.
He used the clarity to spiral them both up faster. Driving
into her with deliberate strokes that caused warmth to gather at the base of
his spine. The heat traveled out in all directions, pooling low in his gut as
his testicles grew harder. Unadulterated need crashed into him as her cunt tightened
around his cock, erasing the skill he spent so many years perfecting.
The skill he normally prided himself on.
Her hands fisted in his unruly hair as her body went rigid.
Her keening cry echoed in the marrow of his bones. The sound of it caused him
to want to shout in triumph. As he shifted his hips to slam home into her tight
heat, silence filled him.
It seemed to be a long, few minutes before he could managed
to think clearly again. His chest burned from panting and he hauled in a breath
to stop the ache. Opening his eyes, he found a half smile turning up her lips
as she stared back at him.
The sight of her so content made him ridiculously happy.
Still lightheaded, he pulled her against him and kicked away
his pants. Legs free, he finally made it to her bedroom. They fell onto the
unmade bed, a tangle of limbs and perspiration.
He pulled her tight against his body, a warmth spreading
through his chest as she rested her head against his shoulder. The last thing
he remembered before drifting off was the soft caress of her fingertips tracing
over his chest and abdomen.
* * * * *
A few days later, Ryan wanted to celebrate the recent move
with drinks at Brogans. The loud and raucous atmosphere washed over him as they
stepped inside. Cold weather with the threat of snow in the forecast overnight
had the locals filling the pub to the seams.
Beth pointed to a free table in the back with one chair.
“There’s a spot.”
“Grab it while I get a round.” Ryan shouldered his way to
the bar, smiling when he saw Tessa slinging sodas on the other side of the
counter. “Hey, kid. Haven’t seen you around in a while.”
The quiet brunette’s face lit up. She pushed toward him,
pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. “Heya, Uncle Ryan. Home for the weekend to
give Dad a hand.”
“How’s college treating you?”
“Brutal. One of my professors is an ass.”
“Hey! Language, Tessa.”
She rolled her eyes at Sam’s correction. “Says the man who
calls someone a bastard every five minutes.”
Sam came over, delivering a round of beer to Ryan. “Do as I
say, not as I do. Hey, bro. Saw you brought your woman in tonight.”
Tessa’s entire face lit up. “Uncle Ryan has a woman?” Sam
pointed to the corner where Beth was deep in conversation with the patrons at
the next table. “Holy shit, she’s gorgeous. Oh. My. God. She’s wearing a Blade
Runner shirt.”
“A what?” Ryan glanced over his shoulder, eyeing the
dark-brown shirt with
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
printed in
gold lettering on the front. “What the hell is a blade runner?”
“It’s a movie. You really need to get out a bit more, Uncle
Ryan. Or talk to Aunt Elena, I bet she knows all about it. I love those leather
cuffs she’s wearing too. The rough-at-the-edges-type stuff is hot all over the
campus right now. I’ve been wanting to get me a set.”
“You will not.” Sam tapped Tessa on the shoulder when she
started to move toward Beth. “And right now, you’re going to get Jeremy at the
other end of the bar another coffee. He’s a designated driver tonight, so make
sure you keep his mug filled whenever he makes a run. Weather is going to be
nastier later.”
Ryan grimaced as his niece stuck her tongue out before
flouncing away to fix a fresh pot. Sam undoubtedly thought Beth’s cuffs were a
mark of Ryan’s ownership. While Sam didn’t have an issue with Ryan’s lifestyle
choices, even Ryan agreed Tessa was too young and immature to understand the
complexity of that type of relationship. She had enough problems in her life
without adding more issues into the chaotic mixture.
“She really doing okay?”
“Yeah, she’s good. She wasn’t kidding about one of her
professors. She means well, but Tessa just wants to be treated like everyone
else and hates to be signaled out just because of her learning disability. You
know how she is. It gets much worse, I’m going to have to step in and say something.”
“Well, let me know if you need anything.” He glanced,
noticing Sam had served him too many beverages. “What’s with the extra drink?”
Sam gestured to the back with his chin. “You have company.”
Ryan stood, relaxing when he saw Dade had joined the lively
conversation Beth was still engaged in. “Gotcha. Thanks.”
“Yo! Ryan.” Ryan lifted an elbow in signal, his hands full.
“Tickle the ivories for us!”
He ignored the request, sliding the beers onto the table.
She glanced at him, curiosity evident in her eyes. Suddenly, he wanted to cross
the room and play the instrument he rarely touched anymore. Because of her. He
was discovering day by day Beth made him want to do things he hadn’t thought of
doing in years.
“What do you think?”
Dade gave him a skeptical look while Beth just smiled in
encouragement. “You play piano?”
“Twelve years of piano lessons thanks to Gran.”
“Well, we can’t disappoint her.”
“Bless her soul, no we can’t.” He leaned forward, brushing
his lips across hers. He couldn’t seem to stop kissing her lately. “Come on.”
“What? No, you go.” Beth pulled her hand from his, shoving
it between her knees. She looked to Dade for help, but he just shrugged and
made no offer to assist.
Ryan’s eyes glinted with mischief as he turned. “Seems as if
my date needs a little encouragement, boys.”
The hollers and catcalls grew louder while Ryan continued to
hold his hand out to her. When he saw she wasn’t going to budge and was
actually trying to disappear into the corner, he held up a hand to the crowd to
silence them. This had the opposite effect and caused them to get louder.
Ryan leaned over and brushed his lips against her ear,
speaking loud enough so she could hear him over the noise. “They’re not going
to stop until you go with me. Once the townies are drunk, they’re damn
persistent and have been known to go for days.”
“Days?”
He nodded. “Sometimes weeks.”
He pulled back to wait for her answer and noticed Dade
signaling him with a wave. “I’m going to take off. Have a few things I need to
take care of.”
“Didn’t you just get here?”
Dade nodded. “Weather looks like it’s going to take a nasty
turn. Don’t want to get stuck in town.” He stood, dropping a few bills on the
table. Beth turned to resume her heated conversation with the neighboring
table, though they were now encouraging her to join Ryan on the stage.
Dade clapped Ryan on the shoulder. “I saw how you looked at
her from across the bar. She’s lucky to have you. Stop thinking otherwise and
just relax. Enjoy her. Enjoy your life.”
Ryan watched him exit, wondering what brought on the sudden
bought of romanticism from his friend. Dade had never made a secret about his
disdain for love and all that entailed.
Turning his attention back to Beth, he pulled her along to
the bench to sit beside him. He stretched his fingers out to warm them up
before brushing them over the keys. The crowd settled down and a quiet hush
fell over the audience as they waited. It had been a while since he’d been in
this place, but the familiarity of it immediately enveloped him.
He started to sing, a stripped-down and raw song—the sort he
poured his utter soul into. He drew the entire crowd in with his raspy voice.
He sang of love and loss, about mistakes and long-forgotten memories. But most
importantly, he sang about heartbreak. He knew all eyes were on him as his
powerful voice sang vocals that tore him apart.
It was cathartic—a cleansing of his soul—and very much
overdue.
He’d needed to do this long ago but had pushed it aside
because the time had never been right. Right now, he wasn’t the man everyone
saw onstage at one point in his career slinking along in skintight jeans, a
cowboy hat and an open shirt displaying his well-toned body. He wasn’t the same
one who belted out songs about sex, drugs and the fucking truck all the country
songs seemed to be written about.
Right now, he wasn’t Ryan Mason—country music superstar. He
was Ryan Flynn. Man. Singer. Lover. Dom.
His voice cracked on the last note as emotion swamped him.
He bowed his head as everything inside him fought to reach the surface. Emotion
rolled through the bar as every person in the crowd lifted their glasses high
in the air in a silent toast as the last strains of the piano faded.
The gathered crowd broke up, moving away so Beth and Ryan
were the only two people remaining at the stage. Someone shouted as a goal was
made on the soccer game being shown, shifting the atmosphere to one more suited
for the business.
“Let’s get out of here,” Ryan said as he surged upward,
grabbing her hand to take her with him. He pushed away the hollow feeling in
his stomach, blowing out the smoky air filling his lungs. He hadn’t played that
song since the funeral, but it still held enough power to shred his insides.