It sounded too good to be true. But for once in her life, Emily chose courage. She met his gaze, steadying her breath, and nodded.
“We’re all about consent here, baby,” he murmured. “Say it for me. That you trust me and will submit to me—tonight.”
“I do,” she breathed. “I will. It’s all I’ve thought about since yesterday.”
His grin returned, crooked and self-aware. “I’ll do my best to match what you’ve built up in your head. Since I’m flesh and blood, not the CEO of a multinational conglomerate and a self-made billionaire, I’m sure I’ll fall short in some way.” He leaned in, voice low and teasing. “But I’ll rise to the occasion. Count on it.”
No promises were necessary. She felt him ready, and very real against her belly.
Alec dipped his head, his lips grazing a teasing path from her cheek to her jaw.
“Is this really happening?” she breathed.
“Yes, now that you’ve consented.”
“To what exactly?”
“No spoilers. Anticipation is half the fun.” His mouth covered hers, and his tongue swept hungrily inside. It was hot but abbreviated because he paused for a last piece of business. “One thing first—your safeword.”
“Julia told me. And the books,” she admitted.
He groaned. “New rule,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “No more fictional doms. Unless you’re angling for another spanking.”
“Um... yes?” she replied with an uncommon surge of confidence. “It’s the reason I’m here, after all.”
“That,” he said, grinning, “I will certainly make happen.”
His mouth descended, but just before reaching hers, he paused. “Red,” he murmured. “That’s your safeword. Say it, and everything stops. No hesitation.”
His breath ghosted across her lips—then he kissed her. Not sweet. Not tentative. But consuming—like a starving man allowed his first taste in years.
Chapter 11
He could take her right there—against the fence under the moonlight. Need clawed up his spine, raw and insistent. But he risked becominginconsideratevanilla dude. She’d come here searching for more. Not just heat but depth. Not just sensation but surrender. It was up to him to introduce her to his world with care.
With effort, Alec created space where his body wanted none. Her kiss-swollen lips, the passion in her gaze, and the disappointed whimper she let slip nearly broke his resolve. He almost leaned in for another taste, but dominance wasn’t only about taking; sometimes it was exerting self-control and holding steady for her sake.
“It’s close to midnight,” he murmured, steadying himself. “If we linger in the shadows, you’ll miss all the good stuff. And trust me, there’s plenty worth seeing.”
She rose onto her toes, chasing another kiss. “This seems good to me, Alec. Really good.”
Brushing a thumb over her cheek, he smiled at how easily she reached for him.
“Did I say something wrong?”
“Around here, submissives rarely call their doms by name.”
“Right. You, uh, probably prefer sir,” she stammered, as if she’d forgotten where they were. It was an excellent sign he could do that to her with a few kisses.
“That works most of the time, but from you, I’ve missed hearing Alec,” he confessed. His name in her soft little sigh did things to him he couldn’t put into words. “How about you do what feels natural tonight?”
“I can do that, sir.”
His cock hardened instantly. Easing her in wasn’t doing him any favors.
He cleared his throat and drew her away from the hedge, plucking leaves from her hair while she leaned into him, flushed and weak-kneed. It was all he could do not to drag her right back in.
“Have you had a chance to look around?” he asked, reining himself in inch by slow inch.
