He sighed, pulling her close as the water came down all around them.

“Baby, you wreck me. You turn me inside out. I want to help but I don’t know how.”

“It’s long past. I don’t cut myself anymore. I don’t hurt myself, though I let hot older men tie me up and slap my ass because it makes me wet. But I don’t need to punish myself for other people’s sins. You don’t need to fix me.”

She held his heart in those soapy hands and she had no idea. She was like those roses climbing up her inner arms. Beautiful and strong. Slightly dangerous.

She was the most amazing thing he’d ever seen.

10

She unlocked her door and he came in with her, wearing a hungry expression.

Five seconds after she’d locked the door behind them she’d found herself picked up as he walked them over to her bed. The rain had started, the sheets of water pelting her windows, soothing.

But there was nothing soothing about this man who unbuttoned the bodice of her dress so nimbly. He uncovered her skin like he’d found treasure. It . . . touched her. As much as she tried to keep it to just sex in her head, it was more. She knew it and couldn’t hide from it anymore.

He kissed her chest, above her heart and she cradled his head to her body. Tenderness rushed through her system, making the way for the desire that barreled through right after.

He licked up her neck, suckling on her earlobe.

“I want you.”

She shivered at this declaration he’d whispered.

“Take me, then.”

“I plan on it.”

He hauled her upright. “I don’t want to rip this dress you look so damned delicious in, and I will if I try to get you out of it. Take it off.”

She got to her knees and pulled it over her head, tossing it to a nearby chair.

On her knees, she watched him, waiting for whatever he wanted next. Something about that had settled into her system. Letting go of the control eased her, unknotted her muscles.

“You’re amazing.”

He pulled his shirt off before stepping from his shoes, shorts and socks. Naked he was breathtaking. The ambient light from the street outside only highlighted the masculine power of his muscles. His cock, so hard, tapped his belly.

“I want that.” She indicated his cock.

He laughed and she shivered. He had a way of laughing when he meant to tease her. So much promise there.

“You’ll get it. Hands behind your back. Clasped. That’s how I want you every time we’re like this. Unless I tell you otherwise.”

She swallowed past a very dry mouth, complying with his request. Ha, request. His order.

Her back was arched and she knew she got to him. Knew her beauty appealed. It filled her with power, the allure she held. Just the way he looked at her made her feel beautiful. Incomparable.

He moved to her like a predator. Her ni**les hardened impossibly.

She watched as he took each one between thumb and forefinger. Pinching. Tugging.

Her breath gusted from her lips as pleasure ripped through her belly.

He stepped away and she couldn’t stop the sound of disappointment that bubbled up from her belly.

“I’m coming back.” He rustled through the bag he’d brought up from the car, turning as he held a small box. “I have something for you.”

She kept still long enough that he understood. “You can move to take the box and open it.”

Inside lay two new hoops for her ni**les and a long silver chain.

“I saw these in a movie once. I’d like you to wear the chain. Between your ni**les and then to your clit when I’m not with you.”

This was more than not f**king other people. This was a stamp on her in a way she’d never allowed. The appeal of it set her heart thundering.

She nodded slowly.

“Put the new hoops in.”

She pulled the bars from her ni**les and replaced them with the pretty silver hoops he’d presented her with.

Then he wove the chain through the hoops, tugging and bringing a gasp from her. Sensation, quicksilver, flitted through her like lightning.

He petted down her belly and thighs, easing them wider. His fingertips brushed her clit and she moaned at how good it felt.

“I think I’m doing this right.”

She agreed when the cool of the chain slid against her cunt and then through the ring he’d exchanged for her old one.

“They told me the chain goes best with the rings I gave you. I like you like this, but I don’t want to harm you. Does it feel all right?”

He stood, straightening as his gaze slid over her skin like a caress.

“Y-yes.”

More than all right.

“You’re so ridiculously beautiful.”

She smiled past the lump in her throat, luxuriating in the feel of the chain against her flesh.

“I have little weights too. We’ll deal with those next time. For now you look like the best present I ever received and I’m going to f**k the hell out of you.”

“All right.” She put her hands back into position and watched his pupils swallow a bit more of his irises.

He blew out a breath and stepped closer again.

He fisted his c**k over and over as he watched her. She couldn’t tear her eyes from the way he touched himself. So sure and unashamed.

But she wanted to be touching him. So much that she ached from it.

“Please.”

He paused. “Please what, darlin’?”

“Please let me do that. Please touch me. Please f**k me. Whatever. Just please.” She’d never in her entire life begged a man or a woman to give her something sexual.