PrideandSurrender (9 page)

I am home.

I stared at my townhouse, the soft light over the stoop
beckoning me. My fingers tightened on my seat belt. We’d been silent on the way
home. The car filled with tension so tight I could reach out and ping it.

The thickness in the car wasn’t the normal sexual tension
that connected us like a live current. Nor was it the threatening tension of
our past. No this was new—the tension of two people who knew that what they
were about to do would change everything.

The purr of the engine died, plunging the car into silence.
My thumb hovered on the button that would free me from the belt, but I couldn’t
quite make myself push it. I swallowed hard.

I knew what he’d do to me when we went to my bedroom. I’d be
helpless, bound, at his complete mercy. But unlike before, I could no longer
convince myself it was only an act. A game two people played.

Now I knew I was in love.

There was no hiding the truth from him, he knew it. I could
feel it in his touch, see it in the way his eyes roamed over me. In one
fraction of a second everything had changed. And even though I trembled with a
mixture of fear and anticipation of the unknown, I wasn’t
afraid
.

His hand settled over my fingers clutching the strap. “They
loved you.”

My breath stuttered in my chest. “You were right, I had a
great time.”

I had too. Dinner had been filled with fantastic food, wine
and conversation. His family had welcomed me into their folds as though I’d
been sitting at their table forever. They filled my head with stories of the
man next to me both funny and touching so that over the course of the evening
I’d become drunk on him and his life as much as the wine I’d consumed.

The pad of his finger covered mine over the red button and
pressed until my seat belt slid free from the latch. I wanted to hold it there,
tight over my chest, but let go. He took my hand and raised my fingers to his
lips, planting a soft kiss on each one. “It’s time, Juliet.”

I looked at him, so darkly handsome, and butterflies took
flight in my stomach. “Okay, Christos.”

His gaze traveled to my mouth then came back to my eyes. “I
want to kiss you. I’m dying to kiss you, but I can’t right now.”

A couple of months ago I would have assumed he’d meant he didn’t
want me, but I didn’t jump to any conclusions now. Instead, I raised one brow
in silent question.

“Not until I have you on your bed, stretched out and open
before me.”

My pussy filled with heat. Those few words made my clit
swell and pulse, ache for release. Never in a million years would I have
believed I’d get wet at the idea of being tied up and helpless, but the
evidence of my arousal hummed in my body.

Or maybe it was Christos? In all black, covered in half
shadows from the glow of the moonlight he couldn’t look more dangerous. In the
end, it didn’t really matter. I wanted it and him.

“Do you know why, Juliet?” His voice dropped, turning husky.
“Why I can’t kiss you?”

I shook my head as my breath quickened in anticipation of
his answer.

His fingers squeezed mine. “Because I cannot trust myself.
Once I start touching you, it’s impossible for me to stop. I am so desperate
for you right now, if I kissed you, you’d be on top of me, riding my cock in
under five minutes.”

My nipples beaded almost painfully at his words. “Yes,
Christos.”

“You want this, don’t you? I can feel it in the way you’re
practically vibrating.”

We hadn’t touched, but the car filled with the thick, heavy
scent of sex anyway. “Yes, Christos.”

“I want to give it to you.” Again, he clutched my hand tight
in his. “I can’t kiss you right now because I need the bonds as a reminder to
stay in control so I can give you what you need.”

My cunt clamped down on his words as though wanting them to
fill me up. Wet, slick heat coated my slit and inner thighs as my breath came
fast. I wanted to say I loved him but I couldn’t push the words out, so instead
I settled for another admission. “I need it, Christos.”

He groaned, a low tortured sound. “You think I have power
over you, my Juliet, but you have no idea the power you have over me.”

My lips parted on a gasp and it hit me like a ton of bricks.

I believed him.

It wasn’t that I’d thought he’d been lying before, but I had
the kernel of doubt. That little voice inside my head telling me not to trust
him, not to let go, not to surrender, but now that voice was quiet. Without the
constant buzzing in my ear, I could hear the truth.

I
did
have power over him. It was different than the
power he had over me but nonetheless profound or earth-shattering.

“I’m in love with you, Christos.” The words had left my lips
before I even knew I was going to say them. Saying them was the first real risk
I’d taken in as long as I could remember and it felt good. Freeing. Right.

I didn’t want to hide anymore.

He blinked as though I’d flipped on a bright light and his
eyes hadn’t yet adjusted. He trailed a finger along the line of my jaw, pulling
me close to him so I could see the fire blazing in his gaze.

My heart beat so fast I was scared it would slam out of my
chest.

“I love you too, Juliet.” He stroked down my throat,
hovering over the rapid pounding of my pulse. He raised my hand and flattened
it on his chest. His own heart pounded under my hand, matching the frantic
rhythm of my own. “Do you feel that?”

I nodded.

“It’s you, Juliet. Only you.”

Mouth dry, my tongue darted to wet my lower lip. When I
swallowed, I felt the press of his fingers against the fragile cords of my
neck. “I think it’s time to go inside now, Christos.”

His eyes hooded and I could feel the change in him as he
slipped into the role I needed. “That it is, darling girl.”

* * * * *

I don’t know why he closed the bedroom door, we were alone
in the house, but I couldn’t deny that with the resounding click it felt as if
there were no turning back. The decision was made. Final.

I was giving myself to Christos. Mind, body and soul. I’ve
given parts of myself to others over the course of my thirty-five years, but
never everything as I was now.

His hands cupped my shoulders, smoothing down my bare arms.
Tingles exploded over my skin.

His lips fell to the shell of my ear. “You know, I hadn’t
realized that I’m wearing all black and you’re wearing all white.”

My brow furrowed, thrown by his casual tone and subject. He
slipped his arms around my waist, pulling me against him until his hard cock
nestled at the base of my spine. He chuckled, low and wicked. “Fitting, isn’t
it?”

I nodded, staring at my bed in all its crimson decadence.
The pillows piled high, it was rich and lovely. We’d made it this morning,
amidst long bouts of slow, deep kisses.

He squeezed me tight. “Do you trust me?”

Again, I nodded.

“Tell me.”

I swallowed hard and managed to say, “I trust you,
Christos.”

“Then go stand by the bed.” With a soft brush of his lips
against my neck, his arms fell away.

My pride didn’t disappear in the face of my surrender, and
while I obeyed, I walked to my bed with my shoulders back and spine straight,
turning to face him with a tilt of my chin.

His lips quirked as he crossed his arms over his chest, that
familiar arrogance alight in his features. “Do you remember the first time we
kissed?”

“Yes,” I said simply.

“And after?”

“Of course.”

He nodded. “You told me you didn’t obey orders.”

My shoulders became a little straighter. “That’s true.”

“Tonight, you’ll obey mine.”

“Yes, Christos.” My tone steady and sure, I met his eyes
without flinching. Standing here before him, unable to stop the small tremble
running through my limbs, ready to give myself to the man I’d sworn would never
have me, every protest I’d ever made in shreds at my feet, I’d never felt more
powerful. More alive.

In my surrender, I was free.

“Strip for me,” Christos said, making no move toward me.
“Slowly.”

I hesitated for only a fraction of a moment before I raised
my hand to the top button of my sleeveless blouse. Even in my empowerment the
nerves trickled in, I couldn’t help it. I’d never done this before. And while
my emotions were powerful, they were also new and I felt like a foal trying to
stand for the first time. Wobbly but determined.

Christos saw my hesitation and gave me a slight nod of
encouragement but said nothing further. It was just like him. Not to rush. Not
to be impatient. Not to expect me to jump, but to trust I’d give him what he
wanted when I was ready to give it.

My body hummed with arousal. We’d barely touched but I was
more wet than I thought possible. My nipples were hard peaks. My cunt was
swollen and ready. Already desperate need twisted in my belly.

With a deep, shaky breath, I toyed with the button, slipping
it free.

His gaze flared, trailing down to flicker over the next
button.

Something came over me—I wanted him to struggle with his
desire, threaten his control.

I traced the open vee of my blouse, stroking over the silk
like a lover. He watched my every move. The muscles in his biceps bunched and
flexed and I imagined him clenching his fists under his folded arms. The
thought sent jolt of pleasure straight to my clit.

I smiled at him then, the way I’m sure Eve had when she held
out the apple to Adam, and slipped one more button free.

Christos took one huge step toward me.

My heart leapt in my throat.

He froze midstep, stopping as though some magnetic force
held him back.

I ran my hand over the lace of my bra, stopping to fiddle
with the next button.

“Are you toying with me, Juliet?” His tone a husky rasp.

I tilted my head, giving him my best innocent expression and
slipped the next button free. “Would I do that to you?” I was startled by my
voice, all low and suggestive. All-knowing woman.

He raised one dark brow, and I saw the exact moment the
challenge slipped into his eyes. “You’re taking a risk here, darling girl,
because I will win this game.”

Anticipation seeped through my veins like the most powerful
aphrodisiac. Another button free, I opened my blouse wider, cupping my breasts,
circling my nipples through the lace now abrading my sensitive skin, increasing
the ache between my thighs.

His jaw ticked and I saw his Adam’s apple bob as he
swallowed.

“You said slowly.” I trailed down to the next button then
stroked back up to my breasts, biting back the moan as my nails scraped over
the hard buds. “I’m obeying.”

Green eyes flashed, his mouth firmed into a sensual line. He
gave me a slow once-over and a thrilling danger thickened the air.

It was decadent. This mood between us. This game. I wanted
to savor it.

“I see,” he
said, walking to grab the wingback chair that matched my small writing desk. He
brought it over and placed it next to the end of my bed before sitting down.
“In that case, I want a show.”

Confused, my hands stilled, he couldn’t possibly mean…
“What?”

“Dance for me.”

Open-mouthed, I stared at him, trying to process what he was
asking me to do.

“This is my fault, I underestimated you, and I’m sorry about
that. You need something a little more challenging than stripping naked, don’t
you, Juliet?” All evil and confident he’d won, he gave me his best smirk, eyes
gleaming with mischief. “You’re begging to give me a show, so turn on some
music and give me one.”

“I will not!” I blurted the words out before I could even
think about them, face flushing what was sure to be scarlet.

“You will.” His eyes went to the small stereo system on my
dresser. “The music you had on last night will work.”

The confidence I’d experienced moments ago disappeared,
replaced by horror. I scowled. “You’re ruining this for me!”

“Take off your blouse.” His voice didn’t hold even a trace
of give.

Quickly, I shed the last two buttons and let the white silk
float to my feet, my brain already working on ways to escape my fate. My
fingers went to the clasp of my bra.

“Stop. Leave it.” His gaze fell to my waistband. “Now the
pants. I like the sandals, so keep them on.”

My fingers flew as I worked to get them off as fast as
possible, awkward as I maneuvered the slacks over my white sandals.

How could I talk him out of this? I couldn’t do this. I
couldn’t.

“Christos,” I said, my voice a plea. “I don’t want this.”

“Come here.” He crooked his finger, motioning me closer.

Unsteady now on heels suddenly too high, I walked to stand
in front of him. I looked down, and despite my position of power, we both knew
who held all the cards.

“You’re going to give me a show, Juliet.”

I opened my mouth, but his gaze narrowed, and I shut it with
a click of my teeth.

“This isn’t a discussion or a negotiation. You wanted to
tease, and that’s what you’re going to do.” He placed his hands on my hips and
bent his head to kiss my stomach, his tongue dipping into the swell of my belly
as the silky strands of his hair fluttered over my skin. “Stand wide.”

I did, desire still pounding through me despite my fears.
His mouth covered my mound, hidden away by satin. I gasped, tangling my hands
in his hair. He licked me through the fabric, applying pressure in just the
right spots. My head fell back and I closed my eyes. Then his mouth replaced the
fingers he slid into my panties. He glided over my cunt, a quick fleeting touch
before he was gone. “You’re wet.”

I nodded, unable to speak. He raised his head to meet my
eyes. He didn’t need to say the words
You want this
. It was understood.
He’d made his point. “Go over there and turn on the music then come back to me.
Do it now.”