“So, before your parents so rudely interrupted with their surprise arrival, you were about to tell me something about the Modern Wedding feature?” She took a bite of the chocolate souffle we were sharing.
“It can wait. It’s not important right now.” I was every bit the asshole she had labeled me from day one.
“If you say so.” She didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t press.
The drive back to my apartment was quieter than the drive to the restaurant, a comfortable silence settling between us. Mari slipped her hand into mine as I drove. The simple gesture felt more intimate than any kiss.
“Thank you for dinner,” she said as we pulled into my building’s parking garage. “It was perfect.”
“Even with the parental interruption?”
“Even then.”
I turned to look at her, taking in the way the dim garage lighting cast shadows across her face. “Would you like to come up? For a nightcap?”
She leaned across the console, her face inches from mine. “I’d love a nightcap.”
Inside my apartment, I moved to the bar cart in the living room, gesturing to the various bottles. “What would you like?”
“You.” She stepped closer, reaching up to loosen my tie. “I vaguely remember something about my needing to be sober the next time you fucked me, so I’m actually going to pass on that drink.”
Shit. Oh shit. She remembered.
Her bluntness caught me off guard, desire surging through me instantly. I caught her wrist, stilling her movements.
“Say that again,” I commanded, my voice dropping to a register I rarely used outside the bedroom.
She tilted her chin up, a spark of challenge in her eyes. “I said, I remember you telling me you wanted me sober next time. Well, I’m sober now. Wouldn’t want to ruin that.”
I tightened my grip on her wrist, just enough to see her pupils dilate. “Are you sure that’s what you want, sweetheart? Once we start, I won’t be holding back.”
“Good,” she breathed, pressing herself against me. “I don’t want you to. Hudson, I want this. I want you to take control like you did before. I have for a while.”
The last thread of my sanity snapped. I spun her around, pressing her front against the wall, my body caging her in from behind. One hand gathered her wrists above her head, pinning them against the wall, while the other slid around to her throat, not squeezing, just establishing dominance.
“Show me how much you liked me taking control that night,” I murmured against her ear, feeling her shiver as my breath ghosted over her skin. She pushed back, grinding her ass against my erection.
“Harder,” I nipped at her earlobe hard enough to make her gasp, and she pressed back just as I’d said. I tilted my head back, swallowing a groan. Fuck, she was perfect. “Safe word?”
“Red,” she replied without hesitation.
“Good girl,” I praised, feeling her pulse jump under my fingers at the endearment. “Now, don’t move.”
I released her slowly, stepping back just enough to appreciate the sight of her, hands still obediently above her head, face turned to the side, cheek pressed against the wall, chest rising and falling with quickened breaths. The pink dress hugged every curve, begging to be removed.
“Turn around,” I ordered, and she complied immediately, her back now against the wall, hands still raised above her head. Her lips were parted, cheeks flushed, eyes dark with want.
I approached her again, deliberately unhurried, enjoying the way she tracked my every movement. When I reached her, I didn’t touch her, just leaned in close, my lips a breath away from hers.
“I’m going to undress you now,” I informed her, voice calm and controlled despite the desire racing through my veins. “And you’re going to stay perfectly still. Can you do that for me?”
She nodded, then caught herself. “Yes.”
“Yes, what?” I prompted, one eyebrow raised.
“Yes, sir.”
Those two words in her voice sent heat straight to my groin. “Good girl.”
