Page 82 of The Summer We Lie

Finally, I perch on the edge of his enormous bed, the mattress barely giving under my weight.

I sit there, my heart racing, waiting for him to come upstairs. Waiting to see what happens next.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Dominic

I move quickly and quietly down the hallway to Skye's bedroom. The house is silent. Opening her door, I step inside and lock it from the inside—creating a subtle security measure. I cross to the patio door, slide it open, and step outside, leaving it deliberately unlocked. The night air is cool against my skin as I make my way around the exterior of the house to the back door.

Re-entering, I move silently up the stairs. Every step is calculated, controlled. Just like everything else in my life.

Until Skye.

When I open the door to my bedroom, the sight of her perched on the edge of my bed stops me for a moment. Her small frame looks both out of place and perfectly positioned against my dark gray bedding. Something primal and possessive stirs in my chest at the sight of her in my space.

She rises immediately, looking uncertain. Her eyes widen slightly, and she shifts her weight from one foot to the other.

"Come here," I say, my voice low but firm.

She crosses the room with small steps until she stands before me. I slide my hand into her hair, feeling the silky strands between my fingers.

"I want you to stay with me tonight," I tell her, tugging gently on her hair so her face tilts up to mine. A small gasp falls from her parted lips.

Fuck, she is perfect. I wonder if I'll ever get enough of her—this unexpected addition to my life.

"Okay," she whispers, her green eyes wide and trusting.

"Good." I hold her gaze. "I got you something."

"You did?" The hope and desire in her voice is unmistakable. She wants me as much as I want her.

"I did. Let me show you."

I bring my hands to her hips, feeling the delicate curve beneath my palms, and turn her around to face my dresser. With one hand remaining on her hip—anchoring her to me—I open the top drawer with the other and pull out the first item: a small clear butt plug made of smooth, high-quality glass. I place it on the dresser's surface.

She starts to turn toward me, curious.

"Not done, baby. Keep looking," I instruct, my voice soft but authoritative.

My hand returns to the drawer, retrieving a slightly larger blue plug and setting it beside the first one. She gasps softly as I reach in again, this time producing a red one with more substantial girth. I line them up precisely—smallest to largest—adding a pink one next, and finally, the largest: a substantial black plug that will be the final step.

The bottle of lube comes next, then a sleek magic wand vibrator. All arranged in perfect order on the dresser top.

I pull her hair tie from her hair letting it fall down her back, and brush my fingers against the nape of her neck before leaning in to press my lips against her skin. The scent of her—that perfect combination of soap and something uniquely Skye—fills my lungs.

"What's all this for?" Her voice trembles slightly, a mixture of nervousness and excitement.

"If you're going to take me in the ass, we have to get you ready," I explain, my lips moving against her neck between words. "You've already taken my finger, so we'll start with this one." I reach for the smallest clear plug. "Then we'll work our way up to this one." I indicate the black plug with its intimidating dimensions.

"You want my cock in your tight little ass while I fuck you until you scream?" I ask, my voice dropping to gravel. "Want me to stretch you open and make you come so hard you forget how to breathe?" She lets out a small whimper that tells me everything I need to know, but I wait for her words.

"Yes," she says, breathless.

"I think you need a safe word now," I tell her, running my hands along her shoulders. "I never want to hurt you or do anything you're not comfortable with. So I need you to pick a word, and if you say it, I will stop no matter what I'm doing. Think about it, baby."

As she considers, I begin running my fingers through her hair, sectioning it with practiced movements. I start braiding it down her back, securing the end with a hair tie I just removed.

She reaches back, feeling the neat plait.