Bared (28 page)

Cora sobbed, unable to find words to express what that meant. Hearing those words that she’d longed for had her crying so hard her breathing became harsh panting. She thought she’d lost him. She thought she’d have to move on, and knowing she didn’t have to endure that mended parts of her soul that had been shattered.

His wife …

Only when she got control of herself did he release her. She stared down at her hand, seeing the diamonds sparkling in the light. “It’s beautiful.”

“I had it designed two days after I last saw you in the dungeon.”

“Did you?” At his nod, she added, “So this is what you’ve been doing?”

He gave a firm nod. “This”—he looked to the ring, and then waved out to the house—“is where we will build our life. A life that I should have given you a long time ago. A life that we both deserve.” One eyebrow arched. “Once you’re moved in we can rent or sell your home—that you can decide. I want you here and with me, by my side always.”

“I couldn’t ask for anything more, Aidan.” Cora had wanted more than the D/s relationship and now he’d given her that. She had hoped he’d see past his pain and he’d gone above that—he had faced his pain, dealt with it, and now looked past it. “It’s perfect.” Hell, this was the most beautiful home that she’d ever seen. The fact that it’d be there’s made it all the more special.

His smile was gentle. “I’m pleased.” Then a firm and unyielding look crossed his face. His Dom look, one that spiraled a burn alongside her swelling heart. He reached for her hand with the wedding ring. “Up you come now.”

Once she stood, her taut nipples were so close to brushing against his chest, and she fought against the desire to rub herself all over him. Things needed to be discussed—even she knew that.

Everything had changed.

Their relationship was different—she wasn’t only his submissive, she was now his
fiancée. Her heart tripped, and she could hardly wait to tell Presley and Kenzie. She could hardly wait to become Cora Knight.

She’d never doubted his love. She felt that emotion through every touch and every moment with him. She’d also never been a fool; what Aidan had gone through had been devastating. The show that he’d willingly enter into love again and be entirely vulnerable all for her said more than words could.

They’d never played together in a bedroom, and this was all new to her. Yes, they’d had sex when they went camping, but he had seemed relaxed that night. He didn’t act like the Dom she knew in the dungeon. She had no clue if his easygoing manner would extend to the bedroom. The idea of learning with him all over again fluttered her belly, and she didn’t anticipate the burn between her thighs that brought.

She needed him close. She needed his touch. She craved for him to be inside her.

He commanded her with one look. His shadowy eyes scanned over her from head to toe, and when he lifted his head to stare intently at her, a swell of desire stormed straight to her core. God almighty, he’d never looked at her like this. Not with this intensity—with this heat—or with this affection. An expression had never held so much weight, but Cora felt the power of that look ease her longing.

At whatever crossed her expression, he smiled, and then he tugged on her hair. “It looks good like this.”

“I wanted a change,” she said, totally mesmerized by him.

Hell, she had wanted this side of him and had dreamed of it once so long ago. Now with the reality upon her, the remainder of the broken shards of her heart washed away. It didn’t matter what’d they had gone through—he accepted his love for her.

Cora needed nothing else.

She witnessed it there in his chiseled face and the arch to his mouth. He no longer looked at her out of duty. This was different. He looked to her as if he finally saw her. As if he finally realized how important she was to him. As if he accepted their connection instead of hiding from it. As if the pain and fear he had carried had vanished.

Aidan had forgiven himself.

Cora had no idea what he went through to experience the peace she saw in the depths of his eyes, but she didn’t care. Aidan admitted his weakness to her tonight, something she never
thought a Dom would do. That message spoke of trust far beyond anything she had experienced.

She didn’t need to know the why.

He loved her.

She loved him.

She would be his wife.

His gaze shifted ever so slightly, becoming a bit darker and demanding. Cora shivered, and her skin tingled for his touch. When he tangled his fingers into her hair, her lips parted with a sigh, as he added, “Your strength, Cora, it amazes me. Your beauty … it takes my breath away.”

Heat zinged up her legs before descending like liquid fire to pool low in her sex. Even his hold seemed different. He wasn’t careful in the way he gripped her, or demanding telling her not to move.

His firm fingers claimed her.

A statement she read that no other fingers would dare touch her hair. No other man would feel her skin. The tightness of his grip told her he didn’t intend to let go. One single sensation Cora had craved.

With his hard gaze on her, he ran his fingers up her arm, not soft as usual, but testing. She had flinched the last time he touched her, and now his harsh hold and the deep pressing of his fingers indicated clearly enough that that wasn’t an option anymore.

She was to stay put and accept what he offered.

Cora didn’t intent to move away.

Under his touch, she melted and ached for him. Her soul opened to the warmth in his gaze as he finally asked more of her. He wasn’t being gentle and careful, as he would with a sub who didn’t belong to him. He used more force, indicating she belonged right there. His eyes blazed, and she didn’t doubt if she flinched, he’d strap her to the bed until she didn’t hesitate.

Under his mastery and his love, Cora found salvation.

He yanked her against him, and the space between them got very small. “Now, then, I think it’s important to discuss expectations, since the dynamics of our relationship are changing.”

Cora couldn’t restrain her smile at the lack of distance in his gaze—he was bared, and she drowned in it, as he continued. “In the dungeon, we’ve already established that when we scene I demand you to be in the submissive role.” He moved in behind her and Cora’s loins burned in
desire.

Under his intense study of her, she tumbled into his command. With slow, small steps, he walked around her, trailing a finger over her lower back. “In the bedroom, I allow a little leeway. When I give an order, as I did tonight for you to come into the bedroom, that marks the beginning of our play. I only expect a
sir
at a direct question, not at all times, as we do in the dungeon. When we play, I expect you to fall into the submissive role. And I will tell you when play has ended. Until I do, you will stay in the submissive role. Understand?”

Cora’s eyes fluttered closed, but she forced them open when she sensed him in front of her. “Yes, sir.”

Clasping his hands at his back, he gave her an once-over. “However, the leeway I’ll give in our home is that you don’t have to ask permission to touch me. I want to see that you want me and can’t control yourself.” His voice lowered so deep that it vibrated right through her. “There are times when I want to fuck, Cora—roughly and passionately.” His grin belonged to the devil himself. “I like spontaneity.”

At the images of Aidan taking her at any time without regret, she shifted her feet. She clenched her thighs at the thoughts of going to her knees and sucking his cock because she wanted to please, not from an order given.

This was all new.

This was exciting.

Moisture spread out between her legs. Her slit ached for this conversation to be over. She studied him, and he’d never looked so hot. He owned the space and carried a level of passion in the way he moved and talked. The room wasn’t dark like the dungeon, and every look he gave her, every move of his mouth, all his dominant features turned her into a puddle of goo.

He strode behind her and his breath tickled her neck, raising goose bumps across her overheated flesh. “I want to find you in the shower and fuck you without orders.” He kissed her neck, causing a shiver of fire to descend through her. “I want to wake up and slide between those thighs and spend the day deep inside you.” He dropped another kiss on the sweet spot of her nape. “I don’t hate vanilla sex. In fact, I’ll enjoy making love to you, Cora.” His low chuckle was a full-out attack on her loins. “And I’ll love fucking you into exhaustion.”

After a lick up her neck, he dragged his finger around her back as he returned to her front. “In the dungeon is where I play with toys. Flogging, bondage, wax play, and all those wonderful
things are for the dungeon. I don’t bring that type of play into my house. Yes, I still enjoy a power exchange and expect you to be submissive when we play, but toys and such do not come home with me.” He stared at her intently, watching her closely. “Is this going to be a problem for you?”

Some Doms wanted the lifestyle all the time, and needed it, but she also understood Aidan’s point. Unless she was in the dungeon, she lived a typical vanilla life, and she preferred it that way.

The dungeon excited her because of what it stood for, and because of what she did there. If she had BDSM play all the time, it would lose that exciting edge. It was like her dirty little secret, a place of dark desires where she was pushed to extremes.

Besides, Cora also knew one truth within herself, and Aidan had confirmed it. Yes, she loved being flogged and enjoyed wax play, but it was the Dom that solidified her desire. The power exchange would never go away, exactly as it didn’t now.

If she had Aidan in her bed and under his dominance, it didn’t matter what he used on her. His touch and big, beautiful cock were more than enough. Plus, the idea of spontaneity excited her, too.

She figured as he’d told her actions spoke louder than words. Her nipples puckered as she reached between them and rubbed the hard bulge in his pants. “I like this agreement. It means I can do this.”

He grunted. “Yes, I see that you understand.”

She stroked harder, enjoying the right to touch him in the way she wanted. Though Cora also knew the game he played. He allowed her this right, but a Dom was a Dom after all. He might loosen the rules outside of the dungeon, but it was still his rules and on his terms. If she could touch this hot-as-hell man in the way she wanted, she didn’t care.

She moved faster, and his skin flushed. When his breath grew rough, he grabbed her hand. “Keep doing that and we won’t get through this talk.”

“Talking is overrated.” She smirked, giving a halfhearted shrug. “Didn’t you say words mean jack shit if someone doesn’t follow through? I do believe you told me that action speaks for itself.”

His eyes creased at the corners. “Smart-ass.” Pinning her hand to her stomach, he arched a deliberate eyebrow. “Would you rather not understand what is expected of you and learn
through punishment?”

She nibbled her lip and then giggled. “Okay, talking it is.”

“Good choice.” He grinned.

In a blink, the playfulness vanished from his features, and a look she was becoming increasingly fond of rose to his face. A look that said
I love you
, but also
You belong to me. Don’t forget it
.

His gazed turned dark and stormy, liquefying her insides as he said, “Outside of the dungeon, unless I give you an order, you’re free to touch me as you like. You don’t need my permission. Clear?”

“Touch you how I like. No permission necessary. Oh, I’m so on board with this plan.” She rubbed her chest against him, grinning up into that sexy face that she wished was buried between her thighs. “Yes, sir.”

He watched her grind against him. A low growl rumbled from his chest before he pressed a hand against her lower back. “One warning: If you demand anything from me it will result in a punishment.” His hand traveled down to her bottom, where he squeezed her cheek, thrusting her harder against his erection. “I know when you need to be fucked. I see it in the way your eyes darken.” He brushed her cheek with a light touch. “I see it in the way your face flushes.” He slid his finger down her neck, moving it over the top of her breast. “I see it in your hard nipples.” He licked up her neck and her eyes fluttered closed as he added, “I taste your need.” He drew his nose up her neck, inhaling. “I smell your desire.”

Leaning away, he gave a slow, building smile. “Never tell me what you need. I’ll know. Always.” Then he sealed his mouth over hers, and Cora became lost in her Dominant’s kiss.

He angled her head and deepened the kiss, and he stole her soft moans. The stroke of his tongue clashed with hers. The power behind his embrace brought forth a blaze so hot it made her acutely aware of him.

When he finally broke the kiss, she was breathless. Her nerve endings stirred and tingled, and her heart hammered. He slid his thumbs to her chin, tilting her head. His voice held a slight tremble as he murmured, “I know when you want me. Christ, I can feel it in my soul.” He caressed her parted lips and his heated stare followed his touch. “Just as I know you’re aching for me now …” He lowered his hand, sliding his fingers between her soaked folds and grunted, “Ah, see how wet and ready your cunt is?”

“Yes, sir.” Her knees buckled under each swipe of his finger against her swollen flesh. “God, yes.”

Aidan chuckled against her lips, sliding his fingers deep inside her. “Now, that you can call me anytime you like.”

Chapter Twenty-eight

Cora’s touch … her kiss … her spicy scent … Aidan didn’t need to memorize it. He already knew this woman inside and out. She was his, made entirely for him. He experienced the rightness in his intense craving for her. The intensity toward her was nothing he could’ve anticipated or prepared for, nor was it anything he planned to run from. Not anymore. Now she belonged only to
him. Always to him
. And Aidan wouldn’t spend another night without her wrapped in his arms.

Cora had loved him flawed.

Aidan would love her forever.