Chapter Nine
His sweet sub made tiny,desperate noises as she came down from her orgasm. Tremors wracked her body, and Alexander wrapped his arms aroundher.
“Shhh. Very good, Elizabeth. You honor me.” Feathering a kiss against her cheek, he savored the scent of aroused woman hovering in theair.
Her head dropped onto his shoulder as she whispered, “I don’tunderstand.”
Holding her up, afraid she’d collapse if he stepped away, Alexander nuzzled her neck. “Your trust. A woman’s submission is a gift. One I never take lightly. Now, I have only one morerequest.”
“I can’t. Please, I can’t take any more.” Her entire body shook, and Alexander pressedcloser.
“A request, not a command. Kiss me,Elizabeth.”
A weak sound that might have been a giggle escaped her lips as she raised herhead.
Her wanton need still coating his tongue, he claimed her mouth. Hints of wine, berries, and chocolate, the sweet honey of her release, and the unique taste of Elizabeth could sate him for days. Months. Perhaps years. Sucking her lower lip between his teeth, he groaned as his cock throbbed inside his jeans. If he didn’t end the scene soon, he’d take her—or shoot his load inside hisboxers.
With much difficulty, he pulled away, but Elizabeth tried to follow, leaning forward, her breath coming in shallowpants.
“Alexander, I need you.Please.”
Bloody hell, she’s going to undome.
With a quick tug, the silk and hemp rope fell away, and her arms dropped to her sides. Sliding the blindfold from her eyes, he smiled as she blinked up athim.
“And I, quite obviously,” he said as he pressed his hips against her, “want you. But not tonight,chérie.Tonight, I hope you’ll think back to what I can do to you fully clothed. The next time we meet, you can decide if you want to know what I can do to you naked.” Alexander trailed a knuckle against her cheek. “I won’t have regrets between us. The next time I have you in my silks, you’ll be mine completely. Tonight…will seem like child’splay.”
Her breath hitched, and her knees buckled, but Alexander scooped her up and carried her into the lavish bath. Depositing her on the marble counter with a gentle kiss, he started warm water running in thesink.
“Wh-what are you doing?” sheasked.
As he ran a soft cloth under the water, he met her gaze. “Tending to you. Aftercare is a part of every scene, Elizabeth, and I take it veryseriously.”
Not to mention, trailing the cloth over her damp thighs, up to her bare pussy, and then back again gave him a delicious view he’d not soon forget. Turning the water cold, he dunked the cloth again and then took herarm.
Five welts marred the tender skin not far from herwrist.
“Shit,” she whispered. Her eyelidsfluttered.
Alarm quickened his pulse. “Stay with me, Elizabeth,” he ordered as he pressed the cold cloth to her reddened flesh. “A few more minutes and I’ll have youwarm.”
“Uh huh.” Though her words weren’t as crisp and clear as he’d like, she blinked hard and then focused onhim.
Sighing in relief, he snagged a tube of aloe from one of the drawers. “This should be gone by morning. I should have bound you from the start, even if that meant you safeworded before we even began. I’m very sorry,Elizabeth.”
One didn’t pass years as a Dom without mistakes, though thankfully, Alexander’s had been few and far between. Still, old memories threatened as he massaged the tender skin. He wouldn’t blame her for never trusting him again, but she rested her free hand at his waist, and the touch soothedhim.
As he finished with her arm, he took stock of the woman before him. A little disoriented, flustered, and perhaps a bit ashamed. She glanced over at the mirror, thengrimaced.
“What’s wrong,chérie?”
“I’m a mess.” Dropping her gaze, she sucked her lip under herteeth.
Alexander nudged her chin up gently. “You’re beautiful. A well-loved woman isalwaysbeautiful.”
Before she could protest, he slid his arm under her knees and picked her up, carrying her to the bed. “Lie back for just a moment. I won’t befar.”
Before he’d stepped off the platform, she’d closed her eyes. He needed her in his bed, in his life, and he’d only just mether.
