God, she was portraiture come to life. My body reacted, every muscle tightening with need, my cock, a slow dance of arousal. I hadn’t fucked hard in a while, and given her effect on my soul, I’d have to rein in the Dom in me to take it easy.
Rising, I walked over to her and leaned down. “Keep your eyes closed, and don’t move until I say so. Understood?” I whispered in her ear.
“Yes.”
“Good girl.” Leaving her there, I walked through the door at the back of the stage that led to the training rooms. There, I switched on the music system. Immediately, the soft sounds of Beethoven filled the room. All I heard, though, was the deafening pound of my heart as the blood rushed past my eardrums.
Surprised by my reaction, more so the anticipation singing in my veins, I prayed for strength. For the both of us and set to work.
Chapter 42 – Mikaela
Closing my eyes, Iheard Xavier walk away. Even though the thrill of the unknown raced through my body, I obeyed his command.
For so long, I’d only ever wanted one thing. To be treated like I was a woman with feelings, to be loved, cherished, adored, and most importantly, to feel safe. This man, who looked at me through eyes filled with a warmth I’d never experienced before him, had given me all that without so much as one ugly word. For him alone, I’d walk over a path of a thousand upended nails, knowing he’d be waiting for me on the other side with bandages, towels, and a soothing balm to calm my pain and heal my soul as he’d done since that first day we met.
Now, he was about to take me down another path that minutes ago had just one statement triggering the dark memories haunting my sleep. Familiar strains of doubt quickly swam through my mind, and voiced conflicting opinions about why I should stop him.
As if he could see inside my head, I heard Xavier return and kneel in front of me. “Do you want me to stop?”
My eyes remained closed. I swallowed hard, forcing myself out of that moment. Even though it was easier to breathe when I looked at him, I focused on his voice, his scent, his soft breathing. They always brought me the calm I needed.
“You’re allowed to say no, love. Everything we do is about consent. Pain is pleasure, but only if you give into it.” He rolled a slow finger along my jaw.
“Please don’t stop.”
He was silent for a bit. I felt the weight of his stare on me and trembled at the intensity of it. “Look at me.” I lifted my lids. “You’re safe.” His warm words mixing with the passion in his deep blue eyes, cured any leftover panic from that moment with Tyrone. “Say it,” the order was gentle yet firm, pulling the words from me.
“I’m safe.”
“What will make you feel uncomfortable?” At my frown, he added, “what don’t you want me to do to you? What would make you panic?”
“With you...” I blushed, lowering my gaze.
“Eyes on me. Always.” I looked at him. “With me?”
I didn’t understand love or the emotions that led up to it. I was denied the chance to, but this man kneeling in front of me, there was just something about how he looked at me, spoke to me. His assurance, his patience, his guidance. It made me feel like I was always floating, like my heart wanted to burst out of my chest with happiness.
