touched by this man.
Zander Thompson is sin in all black. Black jeans that hug his ass and are faded just slightly, and a black Henley is stretched tight across his broad shoulders.
Then his eyes meet mine and he tilts his head ever so slightly. His expression, though … the seriousness can’t hide the desire in his gaze.
“There are things we’re going to discuss before I fuck you,” he says and his deep voice barely comes out above a murmur, yet I hear every word crystal clear.
Suddenly I’m not so tired. Suddenly I’m not so sad.
I’m needy, though. I’ve never felt so needy in my entire life as I do now.
The floorboards groan as he shifts his weight.
I can’t explain why I suddenly feel like I’ve done something wrong. “What do we need to talk about?”
“Your punishment.” He speaks easily, slowly pacing around the bedroom. Zander loosens his collar first, giving me a perfect view of the masculine sweep of his neck.
Inching backward to rest against the headboard, I’m hesitant to ask, “What exactly do I need to be punished for?”
With his lips pulled into an asymmetric smirk, his deep voice rumbles, “If you don’t know, then maybe I should reconsider this arrangement.”
“Extortion … threatening The Firm?” I say and can barely breathe, not knowing how he’ll react now that we’re alone. I’ve wanted to be at his mercy since he whispered the forbidden word, submission … and now we find ourselves here. It’s difficult to maintain eye contact until he says, “That would be it, my little jailbird.”
I can’t help but to simper at the twist to my nickname.
His approval brings warmth and comfort, although I’m still unsure what’s to come. “There’s that smile I’ve been missing.”
I could tell him how much I’ve missed him. How much I don’t want him to leave now that he’s here. Instead he speaks before my courage comes and says, “We need to decide exactly how I’ll be punishing you.”
My heart races from how deadly low his tone is. The leather of Zander’s belt glides easily from his belt loops as he unbuckles and removes it. All the while his eyes stay on mine.
The pounding of adrenaline in my blood causes it to heat and I swear I feel that pulse between my thighs the most.
With the belt folded in his hand, he turns his back to me before dragging the lone chair from my vanity to the end of the bed, placing it there and taking a seat.
He’s far too large for the dainty thing. His brooding stature takes it over.
“I apologize,” I say, answering him the only way I know how.
“Good girl,” he whispers with a sexed-up grin.
“Edging is what I would typically do in this situation, but—”
“Edging?”
“Orgasm denial for a few hours,” he says and leans back, more casual than he was a moment ago. His thumb runs down the stubble of his jaw as he adds, “Until I’m satisfied you’ve been punished.”
Heat simmers along my skin with the threat. James did that before. It wasn’t for hours and I cussed him out during. I vaguely remember being on the verge of tears when he finally let me get mine, then he fucked me into the mattress while telling me how much he loved me.
With my heart in my throat, I whisper, “It’s what you would do normally … but?”
“But I found what you did made me hard as fuck, so I’ll be rewarding you instead.”
The blush that rises through me, from the tips of my toes all the way up to the crown of my head, is heated and proof I’m eager for more.
“There’s—” I hesitate, my knuckles going white as I stare down at them, biting my tongue.
“Say it,” Zander’s voice is calm but I still can’t bring myself to look up at him, the memory that begged to be spoken playing in my mind.
“Tell me right now.” His tone is hardened and my gaze whips to his.
“I don’t love the pain.” I whisper the confession before swallowing.
His emerald and amber gaze is assessing, and the concern in his expression is apparent with the wrinkles that form around his eyes and his downturned lips.
Swallowing thickly I add, “James had a friend once.” It’s only once his name is spoken that I realize how easily I’ve mentioned my late husband. My lover. The only man who I’ve given everything to. It doesn’t feel like the betrayal I imagined it would. It feels like he’s given me permission. Like I’m supposed