questions, but he hadn’t offered any clarification or further information, and she was smart enough to figure that out.
“So you’re working for the government,” she surmised.
“Not exclusively. But yes. I do some high-tech business stuff, too.”
She closed her eyes. “You do counterterrorism work.”
He didn’t answer. Didn’t need to. “Sorry you asked?”
“I need to know what I’m facing.” She leaned toward him and traced the scar that he’d so recently touched.
He was tempted to grab her wrist. Wanted to. Needed to.
Instead, he allowed her to do what she needed to.
“A relationship with you won’t be easy.”
“Not always,” he agreed.
“You told me you forgot Valentine’s Day, for example.”
“Yes.”
“She said you were the world’s biggest asshole.”
“True.” He shrugged. “I’m sure as hell not proud of it.”
“Does that go for birthdays? Anniversaries? Christmas?”
“It has. All of the above.”
“Is it worth it?”
“Only you can decide.”
“What’s in it for me?”
“I have more than enough money to take care of us. That will allow you the freedom to start your own business. And I’ll encourage you. In fact, I need someone to do my books.”
“I’m a CPA not a bookkeeper.”
“Meaning you’ll do what you need to but it will cost me a pile of money?”
She smiled. “A shitpile.”
“That’s a lot.”
“A lot, a lot,” she confirmed. “And it will probably give me insight into your business that you may not be comfortable with.”
“I could be talked into taking that chance.”
She ran her finger around the rim of her mostly still-full glass. “What else? Spankings?”
“Always.”
“Fucking?”
He met her gaze. Her eyes were open wide, those lashes impossibly long. “In your hot little pussy. Your tight ass. And your mouth. Until you cry for mercy.”
“I…” She dropped her hand into her lap.
“Heard enough? If so, let’s get started on either the mouth or the ass fucking.” He gave her a wicked, evil grin. “Since I’m feeling generous, I’ll let you decide which.”
“You are generous, Sir.”
“Your choice?”
“Uhm… Anal scares me a bit. So oral?”
“Nice try. A proper sub would have said whatever I would like best.”
The color drained from her face.
“Mercy on a new sub?”
“Oh, Jennifer. Jennifer, Jennifer. Don’t you realize yet?” He reached out and put his fingers on hers. “Anything you want.”
“So oral?”
“Anything but that.”
Her eyes went wide. Her breath caught. Her shoulders were rigid.
“Please stand, turn your chair backward and grab hold of the back.”
Chapter Eight
“Are you really going to…?” Breathless, unable to think, let alone form the question, she trailed off.
When he didn’t respond, she squeezed her eyes shut momentarily, wondering what the hell she was thinking.
His honesty was a real, raw thing. He’d been open in admitting that he wanted to be more than fuck buddies, and that any relationship would be challenging. Jennifer knew he’d push her physically and mentally.
The scar he bore was a stark, physical reminder of the daily debt he paid to Joe and the friends he’d lost.
He’d never quit. He’d forget holidays and he might be on surveillance, unreachable during key moments.
Yet… Sex with him was spectacular. He didn’t expect her to give up who she was to be his hostess. In fact, he seemed to want to push her to explore her own wants and desires, to become more of the person she wanted to be.
He scared her in the most delicious way possible.
“You always have a safe word. I hope you won’t need it, want it. But I’m reminding you that it’s available in every area, in discussion, in sex, in reality. You’re in charge.”
Feeling unbelievably sexy and sinful, she stood and did what he’d said, holding on to the top of the chair.
He took another drink of his beer before putting the bottle down. “Your ass is mine tonight.”
The storm raged, as intense outside as it was in her.
“And first…” He pulled a small package from his pocket. Lube.
“You knew this was going to happen, Sir?”
“Jennifer, I think about you all the time. I’m planning the next scene when we’re in this one.”
“You think about it ahead of time?”
“There’s a script in my head.”
She frowned, but he nodded and said, “Always.”
“Now put your forehead on the cushion, reach back and spread your ass cheeks for me.”
“My pussy isn’t sore.” She hoped he’d select that option.
“Good to know.”
She could safe word, but she was more uncomfortable with the idea than anything else. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her, but being here, in the dining room with their reflections stark in the plate glass window, seemed lewd.
He tore open the package, seemingly content that she would comply. Which she did.
Swallowing her