Played by the Master(11)
When they finally collapsed on the bed, she wrapped her arms around him, knowing she never wanted to let go.
He held her tight and rolled to his side, keeping her close to his body. She fell asleep, feeling warm and safe in the confines of his big, strong arms.
* * *
Jacquie awoke still in Race’s arms, her head resting against his chest. She could hear the beating of his heart. Slow and steady.
Last night had been incredible. The lovemaking had been more than she could ever have dreamed of. She loved being dominated by him. And when his manner had turned tender and loving, which had been totally unexpected, her heart had melted.
Who was this man?
She had thought him a player, who simply toyed with women. But last night… it had been so much more than casual sex.
She bit her lip as she listened to his heart.
Or was she just kidding herself? Seeing what she wanted to see?
“Good morning, sweetheart.” His hoarse, sleep-roughened voice melted through her.
“Good morning.”
His arms tightened around her, and she felt cherished.
Last night, he had promised to grant whatever it was she had come to ask for. But he didn’t know. It would cost his company a lot of money. And embarrassment. And it could send a wrong message to others, letting her brother-in-law get away with his carelessness. Maybe he hadn’t stolen the money, but he had been irresponsible.
He kissed her forehead. “What’s wrong?”
She smiled at him. “Why do you think anything’s wrong?”
“Well, I can feel the tension in you.” His gazed locked on hers. “And remember, I’m very good at reading people. Tell me.”
She pursed her lips. She didn’t want to ruin this time together. Because she was sure when she finally told him what she wanted, whether he did it or not, he would resent her for putting him in this position and would end it with her.
And she didn’t want it to end a minute sooner than it had to.
“Why don’t we wait until after breakfast to discuss it?” she suggested.
He chuckled. “First you’re mad because our talk gets put off, now you’re the one deferring it.”
She gazed at him, stroking his cheek. “I’m sorry. I should have known you would keep your word.”
“Yes, you should have.” He kissed her gently. “That’s why I punished you last night.”
She grinned. “I enjoyed that. I didn’t know I would but the flogging, and the spanking. They were so sexy.”
“Yes, I could tell you liked it. But that’s not what I mean.”
“What then?”
“Taking control like I did. Pretending I was mad.”
“You weren’t really mad?”
“Mad, no. A little hurt…”
Her eyes widened. “I hurt you?” Her heart ached at the thought. She rested her hand on his raspy cheek. She never thought she would have the power to hurt him.
He took her hand and drew it to his lips, then kissed her palm. “You are very special. I knew that the first moment I saw you. I might have played games with you, but not because I didn’t value you. I like challenges, and you are one I embrace.”
She stroked his cheek. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“As I said, the trip took longer than I expected, but as soon as I knew I would be back, I sent you flowers, and an invitation to join me at the poker game.”
“Flowers?”
“Yes. Pink orchids. I know you like those.”
Orchids. She remembered the delivery man walking through her apartment lobby with orchids. Those were for her. From Race.
Her eyes widened. “How did you know the flowers I like?”
He smiled. “I make a point of knowing everything I can about the people who are important to me.”
She smiled, but her heart grew heavy.
He tipped her onto her back and pushed her wrists over her head.
“So talk. What’s bothering you?”
She pushed against his restraint. Not to escape, but to more fully feel the vulnerability of her position. Knowing she was totally safe under his control.
“Last night, you told me that you would grant my request, no matter what it is.”
“That’s right.”
As she gazed at him, her lip trembling, the light faded from his blue eyes.
“You don’t believe it.” He released her wrists and she felt… abandoned.
“No, that’s not it. I do believe it. And I don’t want you to.” As much as she worried about her sister, she couldn’t let him do this out of obligation.
His eyes narrowed. “Why?”
She locked gazes with him, her eyes wide. “Because I don’t want you to do something that’s wrong for you because of me.” She stroked his cheek. “I don’t know if what you and I have between us is enough for you to want to keep seeing me… but I’m afraid if you’re forced into doing this, that you’ll want to end it between us. And I want this to last as long as you’ll let it.”
Her stomach tightened at his unreadable expression.
“I’m afraid it’s too late.”
“Too late? You mean, you’re ending it now?”
He shook his head. “No, sweet thing. I mean that I’ve already dropped the charges against your brother-in-law.”
“What, but—how did you know?”
“I told you, I learn as much as I can about people who are important to me, so I found out about our legal action against him while I was on my trip. I knew that was probably why you had come to me, but even if it wasn’t, I didn’t want that, or anything else, to come between us”
“But the money you’ll lose—”
“Isn’t important. I have lots of money.”
“And what about what the media says?”
He shrugged. “I don’t care about any of that.” He stroked her shoulders. “I only care about you.”
A flood of emotions swirled through her. This man… this incredible, sexy, giving man… cared about her. Wanted her.
“I… can’t believe I’m so lucky. You are so… so…”
“Sexy?” he asked, eyebrows raised. “Handsome?” He grinned. “An incredible lover?”
She giggled. “Yes. Yes. And yes. But I mean generous. And…” Her eyes swelled with tears, but she blinked them back. “Very special.”
His lips found hers and he kissed her with an intensity that filled her with complete certainty that this relationship would continue. And maybe even lead to love. Because she knew she was more than halfway there already.
When their lips parted, he smiled.
“Now that that’s settled…”
He stroked her shoulder, then downward until his fingertips glided over her nipple. It hardened immediately. He cupped her breast and she reveled in being enveloped by his big, warm hand.
“I bet I can make you orgasm several times before breakfast.”
She laughed. “I’ll take that bet.”
# # #
If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Opal’s next hot BDSM story, Mastered By The Boss the first of her upcoming Mastered By series.
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Excerpts
If you would like to read more Opal Carew stories, here are some recommendations. For more hot BDSM stories, try MASTERED BY THE BOSS or HIS TO POSSESS.
If you enjoy short, quick reads, Opal recommends her OFFICE SLAVE series, currently consisting of THE OFFICE SLAVE, THE BOSS, and ON HER KNEES. (The first two stories are available at a significant discount in THE OFFICE SLAVE SERIES, BOOK 1 & 2 BOXED SET.
If you like rough and ready tattooed bikers who love to share their women, you will probably really enjoy her READY TO RIDE biker erotic romance series, which consists of HOT RIDE (novella), WILD RIDE (novella), RIDING STEELE (novel) and HARD RIDE (novel). These can each be read independently, but Opal recommends the above order.
Here are short excerpts from THE OFFICE SLAVE and HOT RIDE...
The Office Slave
by Opal Carew
Her ultimate sexual fantasy brought to life…
Sylvia loves to read erotica, and after her latest read, she's developed a sizzling fantasy about being forced to submit to the sexual whims of four incredibly hot business partners. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she'd have the opportunity to live out her fantasy... until her friend decides to make it happen. Now she's about to become an office slave… to four hunky men she's never even met. But faced with the reality, can she actually go through with it??
Excerpt
Sylvia walked to the entrance and opened the glass door, then crossed the lobby, her high heels clicking on the marble floor. She glanced at the directory near the elevators, then walked down the hall to the end and stopped at Suite 105. A sign said to ring the bell, which she did. Becca had told her that these four men ran a software business, programming games. This office was where they developed the games. Also, Becca had told her the guys were extremely good-looking. All but one of the men used to work with Cal as strippers before they graduated from college and started this business, so she didn't doubt it.