The Prize (2 page)

I wiggled, shoving against his strong grip at my waist.

“Naughty.” His free hand went to my neck and pulled at the silk of my white blouse
to lower it down my arms between our bodies. “I like it. It tells me you’re willing
to play and that you aren’t afraid to get punished.”

I shook my head and twisted to one side to look at him. “I’m not one of your submissives,
Parker. I never will be. How many times do I have to say it?”

He smiled. “As many as you want, but your body tells me otherwise.” He released my
blouse, leaving it dangling from my bent elbows. His palm flattened on my belly again,
his thumb stroking the undersides of my breasts. His confidence was one of the sexiest
parts of him. No matter what I said, he never faltered in his belief that he would
win me over to his way of thinking.

He wouldn’t.

But it was attractive. I’d dated far too many men who were weak and indecisive. Hooking
up with Parker was a breath of fresh air. I didn’t have to worry about anything when
I was with him. He made me feel special every time. Even that first night when most
people would have said we’d merely fucked and parted, I knew it was more.

And that was what scared the hell out of me.

I couldn’t do more. Ever.

It wasn’t just the BDSM aspects. I used that as a smoke screen.

He lived in Charlotte and ran a company there. I was never leaving Atlanta. I couldn’t.
Especially not to go to Charlotte.

“Don’t make more out of this than it is.”

He grinned his usual sexy smile and kissed my shoulder. “Why is it we feel the need
to chase the ones who run?”

“I don’t know.”

Without dropping eye contact, he popped the front clasp on my bra and nudged it out
of the way so he could cup my breast. As he molded the heated flesh in his palm, I
melted a little more.

To be honest, I was scared. Afraid to face the fact that I could easily let him dominate
me, and I had no doubt he could rock my world if I let go. But I needed to be strong
and firm, and I feared if I let him dominate me, I would like it way too much. And
it would make it that much harder to keep things casual between us.

Serious wasn’t in my vocabulary. BDSM wasn’t in my vocabulary.

Lying to myself? I had that one mastered.

Chapter Three

“I’m going to let you go now. I want you to lose the shoes and panties and head for
the bedroom.”

I lifted a brow. “You’re skirting the edge of bossy.”

“Please…” It was hard for him to say. But musical all the same. He released his grip
on my waist and immediately went for the buttons on his shirt while inching toward
me like a predator.

I backed up, letting my bra and blouse fall to the floor. I kicked off my heels next
and continued watching the show in front of me while he sauntered in my direction.
When my back hit a wall, I stopped. I hadn’t been paying attention to anything behind
me. I turned my face to one side to find I’d missed the entrance to the bedroom.

He shrugged out of his shirt and dropped it on the floor without a glance.

I lowered my gaze to his waist, and then farther to where the bulge of his cock prominently
filled his pants. With one thought in mind, I lunged forward and cupped his length
in one hand while loosening his belt with the other.

“Meagan…” His voice was barely audible, and his hands landed on my waist. He was giving
me this one thing.

Thank God. I dropped to my knees in front of him and worked his belt free, followed
by the button, and then the zipper.

His fingers threaded into my hair, but he didn’t say a word as he rocked forward.

I pulled his pants and underwear down while he kicked off his loafers. Moments later,
he was naked, his cock gloriously free and bobbing in front of him.

Without giving him an opportunity to protest, I grasped his thighs and sucked his
length into my mouth, deep and firm.

He groaned, his fingertips digging into my scalp, urging me to continue.

I sucked deeper, drawing him all the way to the back of my throat before pulling off
and repeating.

“Jesus, hon. Too fast. I’m gonna come.”

“Mmm.” I hummed around his length. This was my first time tasting him, and I would
do so for a while if he let me.

But he pushed my head away and stepped out of my reach, his cock dislodging with a
soft pop. “That’s enough, imp.” He tucked his hands under my arms and hauled me to
standing. And then he spun me around and directed me toward the entrance to the bedroom.

As we passed through the door, he flipped on the light and then lowered the dimmer
slightly.

It was brighter than I would have chosen. In fact, it shocked me he wanted it so illuminated.
But he continued to nudge me forward, leaving the lights as they were.

When we reached the bed, he tugged the thick fluffy white comforter down and turned
me to face him. His hands cupped my face. “Submit to me.”

I shook my head. “This conversation is getting old. Can’t we just have sex?”

“Yes, but I promise it will be so much better if you let me dominate you. Why are
you fighting me? I know your pussy pulses with need when I pin you to a wall or restrain
your hands. Your moans go up an octave, and your pupils narrow to small points.” One
hand drifted down to my neck and touched my pulse. His voice lowered. “Your heart
rate increases when I command you.”

I chewed on the corner of my lower lip. “That’s not who I am, Parker. Let it go.”

“Says who?”

“Me.”

He blew out a breath. “What can it hurt to give it a try? One night. Give me the next
eight hours.”

“Eight hours? Are you crazy? I can’t stay here, Parker. I need to go home tonight.”

“Why?”

“Because that’s where I live.”
Lame
.

He inched closer, pinning my thighs to the bed. “I’m clear on where you live.”

He was?

“Do you have to work tomorrow?”

“No. But I have other places to be.” Places I wasn’t going to divulge.

“Fine. Let’s make a deal. You give me until eight in the morning. Give me free rein
over your body until that moment, and in return I’ll let you go home without a word.
I’ll call my driver, Jerry, to pick you up, and I won’t initiate contact again. The
next move is yours.”

I narrowed my gaze. How was this beneficial to him?

He smiled. “I’m that confident in my abilities, hon.”

“So you’re saying if I let you do whatever you want to me all night long, you’ll let
me go?” I wasn’t even sure how this was beneficial to
me
.

“Yes. And just so we’re clear. ‘Whatever I want’ is not going to include marking you
permanently in any way. Your safe word is ‘red’. I don’t do piss play or scat. There
will be no blood. If you try my patience enough, you might leave here with a pink
sore ass, but nothing that won’t fade in a few hours.

“Try it. You might find it’s freeing for someone who ordinarily controls every aspect
of their life. Letting someone else take the reins for a while can be a release.”

I held my breath. My pussy flooded. I knew this was a bad idea. I knew he was absolutely
right, and he would make it impossible for me to deny him in the future. But what
he didn’t know was I had no other choice.

The only thing allowing him to dominate me would do was make it that much more painful
when I walked away. He would take a piece of my heart and leave me forever changed.

“Okay. Do it.”

Chapter Four

I lowered my gaze as I spoke that one word, already slipping into the role.

I knew enough about BDSM to know he would request that act first. Hell, I knew more
than that. I’d been intrigued for the last two months since first watching Amy and
Cheyenne in action with their Doms. I’d grilled them both for details so I could sleep
at night, assured neither of them was being harmed.

The internet had become my main source of information every time I had another question.

I wasn’t going to lie. I was freaked the fuck out the first time I saw Cade and Riley
in their dominant modes and my two friends submitting willingly after the bachelorette
party. But I’d also been aroused. That was the main reason I’d let Parker thread his
fingers with mine and lead me into his room that night instead of my own.

He’d known I was green, and he took care to treat me with respect. He also encouraged
me to do some research and consider the lifestyle.

I had hedged. Outwardly at least. Inside, I was turned on every time I got near him.
Just the idea of him ordering me into submission made me squirm.

It had been a long six weeks holding out.

Apparently the suspense was over. I swallowed the sorrow I felt that this would be
the last time we would be together. I needed to cut it off anyway before we got too
attached to each other. This would make my job easier. And so much harder…

He stroked his hand down the back of my head and continued along my long curls. “Your
hair is so soft.” He threaded his fingers into the locks and let my curls drift across
his hand.

Even that simple act was arousing. So gentle. Like I was cherished.

Whatever I’d heard or read about BDSM, I hadn’t fully believed it would be this sweet.

“Thank you, Meagan. I won’t let you down.”

He wouldn’t have to. I would let myself down.

His fingers stroked my arms until he reached for my hands. “Do you have any particular
fears I should be aware of?”

“Fears?”

“Yeah. Darkness. Restraint. Pain? Maybe something from your childhood that scared
you in some way?”

I flinched. His question was too close for comfort. I had a pile of childhood issues,
but none of them had anything to do with BDSM. “No.”

“You sure?” He released one hand and lifted my chin with his fingers.

I nodded.

“Words, hon.”

“I don’t have any fears.” I exhaled on that revelation.

“Good. Climb onto the bed for me. Lie on your back.”

I could do that much. Nerves gnawed at me, but if he took it slow, I could keep up.

He stepped out of my line of sight and moved around the room. A zipper drew my attention,
long and slow. A suitcase? Gym bag?

And then he was back, setting several items on the bed out of my sight.

Geez. He’d come to Atlanta awfully prepared. What if I hadn’t consented? Would he
have found someone else?

I winced and turned my face away from him. “Do we need all these lights?”

“Address me only as Sir. And I’ll allow a certain level of conversation from you because
this is your first time and I know you have questions. But normally, this wouldn’t
be something I permit.”

I pursed my lips.

“I like the lights. I want to see your every expression so I can judge your state
of mind. And I want to watch your body as you react to my touch.”

I nodded subtly.

“Safe word?”

“Red.” I paused. “Sir.”

He climbed onto the bed and kneeled at my side, making me shift my gaze to his cock.
It was still fully erect. I wanted another taste. The scent of his skin against my
nose had been heady.

“I’ve never met a woman who so blatantly wanted to suck me.”

I flushed, the heat rising across my chest and then my cheeks. I also jerked my gaze
away.

He leaned over me. “It’s sexy, hon. Don’t be embarrassed.”

Like that was an option.

“Lift your hands over your head.”

I followed that demand, my breasts lifting higher, my nipples jumping to attention.

“Good. Now plant your feet wide and let your legs fall open.”

My heart rate increased as I lifted my knees and spread them apart.

He climbed between my legs. “Look at me.”

I met his gaze.

“I’d like you to leave your hands there of your own accord. Fist the pillow or whatever
you need to do to keep them there. If you move them, I’ll find a way to restrain them.”

I swallowed.

“The appropriate response is ‘yes, Sir.’”

“Yes, Sir.” I grabbed onto the plump down pillow and held on.

He smoothed his hands up my thighs and held them wider, his gaze lowering to my pussy.
“We’ve only had rushed sex in tight dark places. You’re a truly beautiful woman, Meagan.
Does it bother you for me to stare at your pussy?”

“It bothers me more for you to talk about staring at my pussy…Sir.”

He chuckled while his thumbs landed on both sides of my lower lips and pulled them
open. And then his demeanor shifted to serious. “So wet.” He dipped one finger into
my channel and drew out more of my arousal.

I lifted my hips off the bed when he swirled my wetness up around my clit, not touching
the swollen nub directly.

When he stopped, he gave me his lopsided grin.

I tried to focus on his face. Why was he stopping?

Acting on instinct, I flung my arms forward and wrapped my hands around his biceps.
“Don’t tease.”

He twisted his wrists to free himself, grabbing my arms and pulling them back over
my head. “Do you understand the basic principles of BDSM?” He chuckled.

“I do, but I told you I’m not a very good submissive.”

“Yeah, well, I’m asking you to give me a night.”

I hesitated. “Could we at least have sex first?”

“You want me to fuck you and then dominate you?”

I shrugged against the mattress. “It’s not a bad idea.”

The grin spread again on his face. “Hon, that’s so not going to happen. See, the point
is for me to drive you mad with need until you can’t see straight first.”

He let go of my hands and leaned back to grab something behind him. When he returned,
he held up a blindfold. “Let’s start with some basics.”

I licked my lips, my pussy betraying me by filling with renewed wetness as he lowered
the black material over my head and lifted my neck to secure it.

Left in total darkness, my heart raced. The room was only dark for me. For him it
was well lit, giving him a perfect view of my nudity.

And then his hands were back on my wrists, wrapping something around first one and
then the other. On his knees, he fiddled with something above my head and somehow
attached me to the headboard.

I gave a slight tug.

“In an emergency, you could get free. It’s not that tight. The object is to allow
me to restrain you. Give in to me. Submit. Let go. Amy and Cheyenne both say you’re
anal to the point of making them crazy. Let that go. Give up the control for a night.
See how it makes you feel.”

I gasped, my heart threatening to stop. “You spoke to Amy and Cheyenne about me?”

He cupped my face and ran his thumb alone my bottom lip. “Relax. They don’t know a
thing. Neither do Cade or Riley. I’ve simply been present when they talk is all. They
love you to pieces. It’s all good.”

It wasn’t a secret that I was type A. Everyone knew it. I’d known Amy since fourth
grade, and we met Cheyenne when we went to college seven years ago. My girls knew
me well. They had teased me about my tendency to be controlling of every environment
for years. Of course they would have joked about that in front of their men.

I tried to slow my breathing.

“Though I’m not sure why you’re so bent out of shape about them knowing we hooked
up. It doesn’t need to be a matter of national security.”

“It does. If we can’t agree on this, let me go.”

He lowered himself between my legs again, dragging his hands down my neck and shoulders
until he reached my breasts. “Mmm. I don’t think so. I’ll honor your request for secrecy.
You can trust me. I didn’t say I would betray you. I just said I don’t understand
the need to sneak around. I’m sure all four of them would be happy to hear we were…
What are we doing?”

I arched into his touch when his fingers grazed my nipples, bringing them once again
to sharp points. It was difficult to concentrate and focus on the conversation with
him touching me so intimately. I shook my head to clear my mind when his fingers stopped
teasing. “Nothing. This can’t go any further. That’s why. I don’t want them to give
me any grief. It’s no one’s business who I sleep with. But I tend to keep my relationships
private.”

“All of them? Surely you’ve had boyfriends before that Amy and Cheyenne knew about.”

Not really… I’d had partners in college, guys I hooked up with, some of them for an
extended period of time, but I never let anyone any closer. And I didn’t intend to
start with Parker.

“Meagan?”

I held my tongue.

“Come on. I know you weren’t a virgin when we had sex the first time.”

“Of course not. Don’t be silly.”

A few seconds ticked by, unnerving me while his gaze penetrated my body. I couldn’t
see him, and he had full view of me.

“When was the last time you had a serious relationship?”

“Never.”

“Never,” he repeated. “I see.”

Did he?

He set his hands on both sides of my head and leaned forward. His lips hit mine, softening
me with their touch. And then he spoke against my mouth. “Submit to me. No one will
know. I promise. We’ll keep it to ourselves for as long as you desire. You can trust
me.”

I already was submitting, wasn’t I? It did relieve me that he verbalized his promise,
however.

He gently set his lips on mine again and licked the seam between them.

I parted, my tongue reaching out to taste him. I loved his taste. And he kissed better
than any man I’d ever been with. He tasted of the wine we’d shared at dinner, a deep
fruity flavor. I hadn’t seen a wine list. He’d ordered it without looking, but I was
sure it had cost more than the outfit I’d been wearing. Though perhaps that wasn’t
a stretch.

When his tongue dipped inside, I moaned, losing myself to his kiss.

The urge to burrow my hands in his thick hair was strong, but every time I moved my
wrists, I was reminded of their restraint. And damn if it didn’t make me hot. A tight
ball of desire built in my belly and grew with each passing moment.

When he released my mouth, I was almost disappointed, until he trailed kisses down
my neck and lower, sucking a nipple between his lips.

I arched my back, thrusting upward. My heels dug into the bed on both sides of his
knees.

Suddenly he pinched my other nipple between two fingers, drawing a moan from me. “Parker…”

He released my nipple with a small pop. “Mmm. Normally I would ask you to keep quiet.
But God, woman, I love the sounds you make. And when you mumble my name, it makes
my dick harder. Besides, every time I’ve fucked you before, you’ve been forced to
hold back. So, I’m going to let you make all the noises you want tonight. It’s sexy
as hell.”

How chivalrous
…

He let his fingers dance over the undersides of my breasts and then lower, stroking
my belly until it dipped.

I bit my lip when he grabbed both thighs at the juncture to my sex and pressed them
wider. He was right about one thing—I was meticulous, and luckily that extended to
keeping myself groomed. How was I to know he would show up at my office today and
whisk me away for the night?

“I love this little strip you keep up the center.” Two fingers landed above my clit
and smoothed upward. “Normally, completely bare is more my style. But you might change
my mind. I’ve been thinking about this little patch for six weeks.”

Lord. I swallowed.

Before I wrapped my mind around the visual, he slid down the bed farther and lowered
his face to my pussy. Seconds later, my lower lips were held open, and his tongue
plunged into me.

My lips fell apart, and I released a deep groan. He was so fucking good with his mouth.
After that first night together, I hadn’t had the pleasure of his lips again. The
night of the rehearsal dinner and the reception, we’d made do with cramped quarters
on a tight timeline.

When he flattened his tongue on my sex and lapped upward to flick it over my clit,
I nearly shot off the bed.

He held me steady, though, gripping my thighs, prepared for my reaction. And then
his teeth pinched my swollen nub, just enough to make me flinch at the shock but not
enough to truly hurt.

As if all my blood flooded to my clit, it pulsed against his teeth.