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Mallory cocked her head at him. “You’re only going to participate with me?”

“I’ll be as faithful to you as you are to me.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means if you want to take Jackson up on his whip skills or Sam up on his oral excellence, you can’t come complaining to me if I’ve found other interests as well.”

“That works,” she said. “I’m not like Angie. I don’t want a lot of sex with a lot of guys. If we’re going to do this, I’m only going to be with you.” She could do that. She was feeling adventurous and in the mood to have crazy revenge sex to get back at David for hurting her. But she didn’t want to cross the line into self-destructive. She had to set some guidelines; otherwise she might end up like Colleen.

Rich, stacked, and comfortable in her own skin
.

How was that a bad thing again?

And if Mallory was really being honest with herself, the revenge sex was an excuse. She wanted to feel as free and have as much fun as the people she saw last night. Only this time, she wanted to be sober. She wanted to have fun. God, she wanted to come. It had been so damn long.

“Can I just freshen up a bit?” Mallory asked.

“Sure.” He nodded toward the bathroom.

She splashed cold water on her face and toweled off. Leaning her head against the mirror, she took a few deep breaths.

“You can do this,” she told her reflection. “If Colleen can make a career out of sex, you can unclench enough to enjoy a really hot guy. You deserve this.”

She took a few more minutes to make sure she wasn’t going to chicken out, but her pulse was racing too fast and she really wanted to feel wanted again. When Mallory walked out of the bathroom, she was surprised to hear the crash and roll of waves against the beach.

“This is an amazing setup.”

“There are lots of rooms like this. This one is one of the more normal ones.”

Mallory closed her eyes. “I can almost smell the salt air.”

She felt his arms go around her and he just held her, swaying her back and forth. She laid her head on his broad chest. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes because it felt so damn good to be in someone’s arms, to feel safe and cared for. But she wasn’t going to ruin this moment by bawling her eyes out. However, she acknowledged to herself that she might have to indulge herself later and cry it all out before she could go on. Max rubbed circles down her back and it was more comforting than sexual.

“How do you feel?”

“Like a broken doll.”

“Let’s see if we can find all the pieces.” Max led her by the hand and knelt with her on the mats. In front of them, the surf crashed down. “Do you want to touch me?”

“Yeah.”

“Then let’s get started. Why don’t you put some oil in your hands and rub it over my back and shoulders. Let’s pretend we’re at the beach.” He nodded to the screen. “Calm, relaxing, and very safe.”

Mallory wasn’t so sure about that. Pouring the baby oil, she felt reckless. His muscles glistened as she passed her palms over the hard muscled planes. “Why are you doing this?”

“I wanted a free back rub.”

She swatted him.

“We’re going to play like that, are we?” he growled, and Mallory was glad she wasn’t standing because that primal little noise made her weak in the knees. As it was, her stomach was doing jumping jacks.

“You don’t have to go slow and play games. I want you,” she said.

“I want you too. Very much. I wasn’t going to go here yet, but when you said you wanted to experiment a bit I decided to improvise. Don’t worry—I’m going to treat you like a princess.”

“I’m not used to being special.”

“That’s a crime,” he said with quiet sincerity. “Because you
are
special. I knew it the moment we met.”

Mallory’s hands moved down his arms. “Keep talking like that and I’ll be putty in your hands.”
Ha, like I’m not already
.

“If I thought you were ready for me, I’d be inside you right now.”

Mallory’s hands were shaking so hard she nearly dropped the oil. “I’m ready,” she croaked.

“We’ve got all the time in the world. No need to rush.”

When was the last time she had heard that? She went nonstop all night in the emergency room, pinging from one case to another. Then came the problems with David and the months of hiding. Maybe she should just go with the flow, unclench and relax. Let go of the pain.

She snorted.
Easier said than done
.

“Don’t think,” Max said. “Just touch me.”

He let out a sigh when she reached around his body to glide her oiled palm over his abdomen. She let her hands move over him, taking in every ridge and bulge in a greedy caress.

“You have a sweet touch,” he said, leaning back into her.

“Your body is amazing. I can see all your hard work in each definition.” She put on more oil so his back was slick with it. Tracing his spine, she moved her hands in circles over each plane. Going back to his muscles, she marveled at the strength and power in his arms. But he had shown her only gentleness and patience.

“How are you feeling?” he said.

“I like touching you.”

“But how do you feel?”

“I want more.”

“Take off your shirt.”

Mallory hesitated slightly, then pulled it over her head. She shrugged out of her bra also. His back was still to her.

“Rub your breasts against my back. Use more oil.” His voice was even and calm, but she saw his muscles clench as he adjusted his position.

He breathed in sharp as the hardened tips pressed against him.

“Oh,” Mallory said, surprised at the pleasure that little touch gave her. She held against him like that, rubbing ever so slightly. Her hands clasped his chest and she could hear his heart thundering. She grew bolder and swayed against him, covering her breasts in oil from his back.

He muted a groan. “That’s it,” he encouraged.

This was so much nicer than watching the people in the Hot Spot, but she needed more. “Am I still allowed to tell you what to do?”

“Yes.”

“Kiss me.”

He moved so fast, he seemed to flicker as he whirled around to take her in his arms. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Mallory said. She wanted to burn the images of David out of her mind. He chose his addiction over her; she needed to move on. Max was making her feel alive for the first time in a long while. The fact that he made sex safe was the deal clincher.

Max’s mouth covered hers with a heat that singed her down to her toes. She wanted to lie back on the mats and take him with her, but he held them tightly upright. While his mouth ravaged hers, his beard gently rubbing her chin, Mallory clutched at him, pulling him closer. She craved his strength, his immovable presence. He was her rock. And the fact that she could fall for him hard and fast made her eyes open with shock. His eyes were closed, his long chestnut eyelashes thick on his high cheekbones. His fingers stroked her neck and chin as he tilted her face in so he could deepen the kiss.

Mallory’s eyes closed in bliss and she enjoyed the sweet slide and play of their lips and teasing tongues against each other. She wanted out of her clothes. Wanted him deep inside her. She didn’t want to think. She just wanted to feel. Afterward, though, would she be just another notch in his belt? This was wonderful, crazy. So unlike her. Was she really going to do this? Her brain was going into overdrive. She was so sick of listening to that organ. He sensed a change in her and his mouth let up on the relentless passionate assault.

“Still okay?” he breathed.

She nodded. “So, how does this work?”

“I’ve got movies I can show you.”

“I mean, we’re both revving hot now. It’s easy to lose ourselves and chuck our panties to the wind.”

“I’m not wearing panties.”

“You know what I mean. What if we go too far and then regret it?”

He shook his head. “I won’t let that happen.”

“What if your control breaks?”

He kissed the tip of her nose. “I won’t let it.”

“But …”

“Trust,” he said, and nipped at her chin. He nuzzled down to her neck and finally let her sink to the mat. Only he didn’t follow her. He spread her legs wide so he could kneel between them and he took out a leather flail. “I’m not saying I won’t push a few boundaries, though.”

“Hey now,” she said, looking up at him in alarm.

His eyes were hooded and his mouth quirked up in a sensual twist. “Trust,” he said, and
trailed the leather flail over the tips of her nipples. The fringes felt like a dozen tickling fingers.

“Oh,” she said, surprised.

He flicked his hand and the gentle swish of the leather hitting her breasts made her jump. But it was all sound. The effect was a light rub of the soft material. The air whizzed again and she tensed for the sweet strike, but it didn’t come. The next flick was harsher and the smack loud as the flail hit the mat. She flinched from it and covered her face.

Damn it
.

He waited as she lay trembling and frightened. “You have to tell me if this scares you, remember.”

“The sound, it just … it just reminded me of David when he hit me.”

The flail dropped and she was gathered against Max’s chest again. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think it would trigger that. I was building up the anticipation.” He kissed her temple. “Do you want to continue or stop?”

If he stopped, she would die of embarrassment and she would never have the courage to be in this place of want and daring again. And to quote what he’d said before, that would be a shame. But when she closed her eyes, she was back in her apartment with David and he was so very mad at her. Just like he would be if she went back there.

Mallory forced her eyes wide open and found herself staring up at Max. His concerned hazel eyes loosened the panic. She wasn’t in her apartment. David had no idea where she was. She was in Couture, where sex was healing and fun.

Screwing up her courage, she pressed her cheek against his chest. “Let’s try reversing that. Let me hit
you
with the flail,” she said. Turning her head, she darted her tongue over his nipple. His fingers tightened in her hair.

“That’s my girl,” he said, sliding his hand up to cup her breast. He ran his thumb over her nipple. “You’re doing just fine.”

She shivered in reaction. “Are you sure? Because I feel like an idiot. One moment ready to have you inside me and the next minute I’m afraid like this was my first time.”

“Are you having a good time?”

Mallory nodded.

“Does it feel good when we play like this?” He rubbed his palms over both her breasts, lifting them.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“I’d like to put oil on them.”

“Okay.”

He reached around and pooled the baby oil in his palms, rubbing them together to get the oil warm.

“I should have done that for you,” she said.

“I’m not complaining. Lie down for me.”

She eased back to the mat and let his oiled-up hands slide over her chest. His caress was rough, but each push and tug brought her back to that sexy haze. Mallory leaned into the hard press of his hands.

“You’re gorgeous,” he said, pulling on her nipples.

“Max,” she said, desire coiling through her.

“Are you ready to take the flail?”

“As long as I’m the one wielding it,” she said, a grin stretching across her face.

He put the flail’s handle between her breasts and pushed them together. “There’s an image I’m going to see in my dreams tonight.”

The fear had drained away and was replaced with a pulsing warmth. She wasn’t afraid of Max. Not when he was being so sweet and sexy. It was going to be all right. Glee shot through her.

Kissing his way up her chest to her neck, Max whispered in her ear, “Do you want me to take my pants off?”

YES
.

“I don’t think I could keep mine on if you did,” she said shakily, and with regret.

“Just checking. Pushing those boundaries.” Max smiled and placed her hand on the handle of the flail. “How do you want me?”

“On your back,” Mallory said and wasted no time sitting astride him. “Oh,” she smiled as she felt his hardness through both their pants.

“You like that?” He stretched his arms up and folded them under his head. “Do your worst.”

She swatted him playfully with the flail.

“Harder,” he told her.

She thwacked him again.

“Yeah,” he moaned and arched into her.

Biting her lip, Mallory ground against him, pressing his hardness into her core. He reached up and held her thighs as she rocked harder.

“That’s it,” he encouraged.

She brought the flail down on his arm. His fingers dug into her thighs. She eagerly rubbed herself against his pants. More. She had to have more.

“I changed my mind about the pants,” she said huskily as she let his erection tease her close to release.

“Not today,” he said, moving his hands off her thighs to hold her hips.

“You’re driving me crazy.”

“Good. Ride me. Use me to come.”

“Max!” she cried out. He bucked encouragingly. “I just can’t …” But he felt so good. “What about you?”

“It isn’t about me. You’re here to find joy and contentment. It’s okay to have an orgasm without feeling like you owe me something. Don’t you know this feels great to me? Watching your gorgeous breasts bounce while you get yourself off on my dick.”

“Max,” she sighed again as he arched and rubbed the hard ridge in his pants against her core. If they were flesh to flesh right now, she would have lost it. It had been so long since she felt this white-hot desire. She wanted that orgasm. Mallory grinned. She deserved that orgasm. Joy bubbled out of her mouth as she ground against him. Moving her hips in the rhythm she needed, the pleasure built up and overflowed until she was moaning in need.

He took the flail out of her nerveless hands and tapped the leather tails on her breasts. The slight sting brought her over the edge and as she came, he lavished light strokes over and over again on them. The sensation caused her to shudder and shake.

“Wow,” she said, and collapsed on top of him.

“Mmmm,” he said happily and slipped a hand down the back of her pants. He gripped the curve of her ass and held her against him. They kissed for a long while, the frenzy gone but not the passion.