Bought: Highest Bidder(23)

"I enjoy … " her voice trails off and she looks out of the window, tucking  her hair back as she clears her throat. "I enjoy it when you're rough  with me." She whispers her words, and the soft sounds makes my dick  harden in my pants.

"I enjoy that, too," I tease her. "But this is more than just rough sex," I add.

"Yes," she answers diligently, nodding her head. "It's about me submitting all things and giving you control of the situation."

I wait for her to say more, but she doesn't. "And for you to trust that I  know what you need, and that I'll provide it for you." I hold her gaze  as we stop at a red light. Waiting for her to acknowledge that.

"Right," she says softly although there's no conviction in her voice.

"You've never had a relationship like ours before? But you've had  boyfriends I assume?" It sounds odd to say the term boyfriend. I never  much liked the word.

"I have."

"And would you call them dominant?" I ask her.

Her forehead pinches and she shakes her head slightly. "No. I wouldn't."  She puts a finger to her lip and seems to truly consider what I'm  asking.

"Tell me what you're thinking."

"My last …  my ex." I drive easily, listening to her tell me about her  experience. "He didn't really know how to help me in ways that I needed  him to." It's a rather cryptic response, but I respect her privacy if  she's not willing to divulge any more information.

"And you communicated your needs, but they weren't fulfilled. You couldn't trust him to take care of you in that way?"

"Right," she nods her head, "so yeah, I wouldn't say he was my Dominant.  He didn't know how to be," her voice is soft and coated with the sound  of realization. "He couldn't be my Dom."

"Is that why it didn't last?" I ask her. I'm curious. The conversation itself has made me want to know more.

"He just didn't understand." She answers with a sadness I wasn't expecting.

"What's that?"

"Hmm?" she hums.

"What didn't he understand?"

"I'd rather not talk about it, if that's alright?" The shyness and sadness mix in her eyes. Also apprehension.

"That's fine, treasure. You can keep a few secrets."

"My point was I respect your needs and your submission, and you do the  same for me and my dominance. It's about trust, respect and  communication."

I pull through the valet at the Ritz-Carlton and put the car in park so I  can look at her. "Do you think I don't respect you, Dahlia?"         

     



 

I ask her in all seriousness. I respect her and her submission. I know  her needs, and what she enjoys. We share the same desires, so it's been  extremely easy for me to fall into the dominant role in our relationship  and fulfill her needs, but maybe I've missed something.

I lean forward and take her chin in my hand, tilting her lips to mine  and planting a small chaste kiss against them. "Don't forget for even  one second, that every time I smack my hand across your ass, it's  because I know you need it." I nip her bottom lip and then whisper,  "Every time I fuck you until you can't breathe, it's because I know you  want it." Her eyes close, and her lips part with lust. I reach my hand  down and let my fingers play along the thin fabric of her underwear. "I  give you what you want, I respect your needs, I cherish them."

"And you'll do the same for me, won't you, treasure?"

"Yes, sir," she whispers with lust.

"Ah, ah," I say as I pull away, turning the car off and grabbing the key. "Right now, it's ‘yes, Lucian.'"





Chapter 16





Dahlia





Every time I fuck you until you can't breathe, it's because I know you need it.

Lucian's words repeat in my mind as I climb out of his sports car, my  breath catching in my throat as I take in the gorgeous view. Holding the  door for me, Lucian gives me a boyish grin as a young valet dressed in a  black suit and gold vest jogs up to us and hastily greets Lucian with a  slight nod, asking him for the keys to the car.

"This is beautiful," I breathe, turning to Lucian and shaking my head.  The valet grabs the keys from Lucian, grinning at the sports car like a  kid at Christmas, before running around to the driver's side and jumping  in. "I've never been taken to a place like this. Ever." I turn back and  take in the restaurant with awe, admiring the scenic view. The  building, which is cut of exquisite grey stone and has gleaming tall  glass windows adorning the front, sits back on a terrace overlooking a  beautiful lake. Floodlighting brightens the entire area, showcasing  every inch of the grandmaster masonry. Intricately designed stamped  concrete steps lead up to the entrance, a sparkling water fountain with  ambient lighting rests at the center of the plaza, and a fancy  balustrade runs up along each side. The full moon looms in the starry  night sky, milky white light reflected against the water, making the  scene even more romantic.

I watch in wonder as men in expensive suits and ties walk up the steps  with women dressed in absolute finery on their arms. The gowns these  ladies are wearing look like they cost a fortune, dazzling jewels and  all, and it makes me feel more than a little self-conscious.

No wonder Lucian wasn't pleased by my outfit, I think to myself,  glancing down at my outfit that seems drab compared to the others. He's  accustomed to seeing women wearing all this.

Lucian is enjoying my shock, watching me with obvious amusement. "I  thought you might like it," he says, splaying a hand across the small of  my back. "But come, I think you'll enjoy the inside even more."

Breathless, I allow him to lead me up the steps to the restaurant, and I  try to appear confident like all the other women around me. Like I  belong on Lucian's arm. But it's hard. I can't stop worrying about  people looking at me and thinking that I look out of place. Glancing  around, no one seems to be paying us any mind, and the pleasant sounds  of the waterfall take the edge off my anxiety.

Unconsciously I reach for Lucian's hand, wanting to feel security and  comfort, and then snatch it back, fearful that I might be crossing the  line. Shit. I didn't mean to do that. But isn't that what Lucian wants  me to do? Pretend I'm his girlfriend? It's confusing, and my emotions  and anxiety are getting the best of me.

I bite my lower lip nervously, glancing over at Lucian. He doesn't seem  to have noticed my misstep and even places his hand on my right hip,  guiding me up the last of the steps leading to the terrace.

Inside I'm completely blown away by the ritzy, upscale setting. The  high-ceilinged room is a splash of gold and white, filled with luxury  seating and high-class booths. There are several crowded bars on either  side of the room, manned by attractive bartenders in deluxe suits.  Delicate music seems to float to my ears from nowhere and a delightful  scented fragrance tickles my nose. The walls are adorned with gold  lights made up of gorgeous patterns that blend in with everything else,  and on the back wall, the floor-to-ceiling windows provide a  breathtaking view of the moonlit lake. The room is filled with the  ultra-wealthy, the din of their chatter almost making me dizzy. I take  it all in with a sharp breath. The seating, the lighting, the  ambience--all of it is done to perfection.         

     



 

"This is incredible," I say just above a murmur, unable to find a better  word, my nervousness returning. I've never been somewhere like this in  my entire life, and I feel totally out of my element. I step closer to  Lucian and cling to his arm, wishing I could shrink and hide behind him  as we move through a crowd of finely dressed couples toward the waiting  area.

"I'm happy you like it." Lucian seems unconcerned with my anxiety and  even wraps his arm around my waist as a waiter immediately approaches  us. My cheeks redden at how Lucian is acting like I'm his property, and I  have to take a moment to remember that he's doing this for show. I  can't enjoy this too much. I can't get used to this either.

The waiter nods his head at Lucian, his eyes taking me in for a moment  and then going back to Lucian. "Right this way, Mr. Stone. Your  reservation is ready."

The waiter leads us over to a luxurious booth in a secluded corner and I  try to walk with confidence on the way over, but I almost trip. A small  gasp slips through my lips, and my heart stutters in my chest. Luckily,  Lucian hooks me with his arm and keeps me from falling, smoothly  guiding me to the table like nothing happened. My heart's in my throat  as I walk the remaining few steps, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.  I don't look around to see if anyone saw.

The waiter produces two menus but Lucian politely waves him away as he says, "I already know what we'd like to order."

"Of course, sir." Another young man dressed in a crisp black suit  quietly fills the crystal globe glasses on our table with water from a  pitcher as Lucian orders.