I pushed inside slowly. Watched her face, watched her eyes go wide, watched her lips part on a gasp. Her pussy so tight and hot around me.
"Look at me," I commanded. "Keep looking at me."
She held my gaze while I moved inside her. Slow at first, letting her adjust, then harder when she started begging for more.
"Touch me," she gasped. "Please, I need—"
"I know what you need." I reached between us, found her clit, circled it while I thrust into her. Built her up again, felt her tightening around me. "Come with me. Right now."
She came apart a second time, clenching around me, and I followed her over. Buried myself deep and let go, my forehead pressed to hers, her bound wrists wrapped around my neck holding me close.
We stayed like that, joined and breathing hard, hearts hammering against each other.
Then I pulled out carefully and reached for her wrists.
"Let me see."
I unwrapped the silk slowly, checking every inch of skin. Her wrists were slightly pink but not damaged. No marks, no irritation. I brought each wrist to my mouth, kissed them gently.
"Wait here."
I went to the bathroom, filled a glass with water, came back. "Drink this."
She took the glass, drank deeply while I watched. When she finished, I set it on the nightstand and gathered her against me, pulled the covers over us both.
"How do you feel?"
"I feel..." She paused, searching for words. "Free. Like I've been holding my breath for years and I can finally breathe."
"Good." I held her close. "You did so well. I’m proud of you, Presley."
"I never knew it could feel like that," she whispered against my chest. "Letting go."
"With the right person, surrender is strength." I pressed my lips to her hair. "You're strong, Presley. The strongest woman I know."
She was quiet for a moment. Then: "Can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
"You mentioned bondage equipment in your truck. The scarves were wonderful. But is there more? Other things we could try?"
A smile tugged at my mouth. "There's more. Soft braided cotton designed specifically for this—proper bondage work. When you're ready, we can progress to that. But tonight was what we both needed."
"You said you'd done this before. After you got out of the service. Was it... was it like this?"
"No." I held her closer. "It was release without connection. Power exchange with strangers who didn't matter and whodidn't know me. It helped me process what I'd been through, helped me learn to trust again. But it was mechanical. Empty."
"And this?"
"This is different. You matter. I care what happens to you." I tilted her chin up so I could see her eyes. "This is about you believing in me to take care of you. And me proving I'm worthy of your trust."
She settled against my chest. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For helping me let go. For making me feel safe."
I held her tighter, buried my face in her hair. For the first time since Jake died, I felt something shift. Not guilt. Not the constant weight of watching for the next threat. Just this—her in my arms, both of us breathing, both of us here.
