Switch Master: 6 (Ink and Kink) (16 page)

“If he had the skills, why didn’t he do it himself?”

“That’s a good question. My guess is he didn’t want to do
the dirty work himself. He was obsessed with cleanliness.”

“What happened to your baby, Samantha? If it’s difficult,
you don’t have to continue.”

“James caught me trying to leave the penthouse,” she
answered. “I’d not felt the baby kick for some time and I’d hoped to get to the
doctor he’d taken me to early on in my pregnancy.”

“Jesus, how did James keep you hidden in the penthouse that
long?”

“Fear, chains, the constant threat to my mom,” Sam answered.
“I’d meant to do the right thing, but naively chose the wrong course.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” he said, kissing away the tears
suddenly running down her beautiful face. “You were a kid forced into a
terrible situation. You know that, right?”

“It took a long time to understand that, but yes, now I do.”

“We both lost a lot when we were young, but the important
thing is that we’ve got each other now. If my instincts are right, Luke’s meant
to be our son.”

“His aunt may object,” she murmured. “No matter what, I
don’t want to hurt her or take Luke away from her.”

“She’ll be part of our family too. You’re going to have to
trust me on that, okay?”

Samantha’s tears dried some and she eased back. “I trust
you, Taran. Promise Luke’s not going to get lost in the wake of his father’s
expensive attorney. He’s an impressionable kid. If we do this wrong he’s going
to fly.”

“No, he’s not. He loves his aunt and you too much.”

“How do you know?”

“It was in his eyes and actions around you. Not sure he
feels quite that way about me, but that’s understandable. Luke’s trying to make
sure I don’t hurt you. Don’t worry. I’ll do right by him.”

“When you went to clean off Bella and Teri’s SUV, he asked a
gazillion questions about you. He was awed, Taran.”

“I’m glad, but don’t be surprised if it takes time for him
to really trust me.”

“He’ll come around. You’ll see.”

Her confidence meant a lot to him. Needing to hold her,
Taran kissed her gently. She had the softest lips. Endorphins released from
fantastic sex made her glow. Her lips appeared fuller and sweeter, her hair
longer, softer.

“Come here, let me hold you and know that I love you,” he
said, drawing her head down to his shoulder.

“I love you too,” she whispered, wrapping up against him and
relaxing.

“Thank you for trusting me tonight, Samantha,” he murmured,
closing his eyes to breathe her in and enjoy how nice it was to finally have
her love.

She fell asleep just like that. At some point, he got up long
enough to turn off all but the bathroom lights. Slipping back under the covers,
he took her into his arms and slept more peacefully than he had since before
his parents died.

Opening her eyes to dull morning light, Sam turned over in
the big, comfortable bed, enjoying the chance to simply look at the man she
loved. Taran was still asleep, still snoring softly, and she didn’t even mind
the snoring.

Snoring meant he was content being with her. A couple times
during the night, she’d had to get out of bed to use the toilet and once he’d
done the same. Fortunately, he’d remembered to leave a light on in the bathroom
and the bedroom hadn’t been too dark.

Taran had kindly kept the bathroom light on. When he
returned from his trip to the bathroom, he’d promised he’d buy some nightlights
as soon as he could, proving he was the kind of man a woman could count on.

There was still so much he didn’t know about her. Though
she’d alluded to being a hacker, Taran didn’t know that she’d helped James
Cormack steal a great deal of money from his business associates by hacking
their computers and bank accounts due to constant threats against her mother’s
well-being and her baby if she tried to escape the penthouse.

He didn’t know that the handful of times James had taken her
out of the penthouse to see an obstetrician at a women’s health clinic, she’d
been too afraid to tell the doctor or a nurse that James wasn’t her legal
guardian. All she’d done when she visited was discuss her options for the baby and
say she was thinking about placing Sarah for adoption.

As much as she’d come to love her daughter, she’d simply
believed adoption was the best option, as Sam simply didn’t know how long she’d
be compelled to remain in New York. Part of her had held out hope that Mark
would come and rescue her, but once she knew that wasn’t an option, she’d felt
heartbroken and betrayed.

In all her youth, she’d never thought a man such as Taran
would be hers. Before she’d gotten pregnant and ran away, she’d been geeky, weirdly
tall and shy, preferring to collect floppy disks rather than dating boys. Now
that she was all grown up, she could safely shove the old Sam Riley back into
the past.

Here she was now, in bed with Taran Maddox. He was
extraordinarily beautiful and masculine. His body was built for sin and sex.
His touch was something she’d come to crave. Still feel the telltale signs of
soreness from fantastic, mind-blowing sex.

Honestly, of the three Maddox brothers, Sam always thought
Taran was the prettiest. As pretty as his face was, she noticed a faint scar on
his chin and wondered where he’d gotten it.

Wanting to explore the scar, she reached out and lightly
touched him. The second she did, he stopped snoring. His eyelids slid open, his
gaze slicing into her from across the bed.

“Morning, doll, you okay?” he murmured.

“Yeah, go back to sleep. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“If you’re okay whatcha doing all the way over there?” he
asked, looking ruffled and gruff and lovable.

“I’m only a couple inches away.”

“Still too far, come on over here.”

Knowing exactly what would happen if she did that, Sam
giggled at the way her tummy fluttered. “You wouldn’t be planning on getting
frisky, would you, pretty boy?”

He grinned without a hint of shame. “Yes.”

“If I give in, you’ll think I’m easy,” she said, shifting
around so that she was on her side facing away from him.

“If you don’t give in, I’ll be forced to come over there and
show you who’s in charge.” Taran spooned in behind her, nuzzling some of her
hair out of his way and touching his lips to the sweet spot on the back of her
neck.

So incredibly soft were his kisses, it felt as if butterfly
wings were dancing upon her skin. Tingles of delight spread outward, threading
their way to her heart. One of his big hands smoothed its way from her abdomen
to her breasts, giving each badly needed attention.

“Samantha, may I make love to you? If you’re too sore or
tired, tell me and I’ll let you go.”

Their position reminded her of a pair of spoons, the
gentleness in his touch and kisses tempting her as nothing else could. His
muscles were sleek and warm and safe. The brush of his chest hair along her
back was extraordinarily nice.

This was what it meant to make love. In the past, she’d only
had sex. To deny him this intimacy after the night they’d shared wasn’t
possible.

“I’m a little tender, Taran, but if you’re gentle, I’ll be
fine,” she answered.

“You’re sure?” he whispered between kisses along that sweet,
sweet spot that’d rapidly become her favorite erogenous zone. “Promise, we’ll
go real slow, real easy.”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“Thank you,” he returned, shifting his hands to begin
playing with her breasts.

Gradually, one hand moved away, caressing all the way to her
bellybutton. Without having to be asked, she parted her legs for him, welcoming
his touch between her thighs. His hard cock slid against her backside, leaving
a warm, wet trail of pre-cum as he rolled his hips into her.

“Can you turn face down on the bed?” he asked, pushing
against her to help her comply.

Moving around, she rubbed sinuously against the soft bamboo
sheets, loving the texture and feel against her naked flesh as he climbed on
top of her. She loved it even more when he shifted and peppered kisses along
her shoulders and spine.

Sam felt his cock slip between her thighs to at last find
her slit. He didn’t enter her then, he teased, taunting lovingly, tempting her
to arch her hips and take him inside.

“Slow down, honey, we have all morning,” he said sweetly.

Using his clever fingers to softly tease her tender
clitoris, he was careful not to make her go numb. On a surge of his hips and a
lift of hers, they were joined.

If Sam hadn’t loved him already, she’d have fallen simply
from the gentle way he’d switched from demanding Master to a lover capable of
great tenderness. Honestly, she’d have accepted it if Taran turned on his
dominant side. But she would forever cherish his lovemaking.

Slowly, with much love and care, he brought her to orgasm,
the beauty of it washing through her in gentle lapping waves, ebbing and
flowing, satisfying. Seconds later, he joined her in release.

“I love you, Taran,” she said when they lay next to each
other, her head pillowed by his broad chest.

“Love you too, Samantha,” he returned without hesitation.

They’d come a long way in such a short time, but she
couldn’t remember when she’d been in a better frame of mind. Peace, she was at
peace.

They rested together for a long time, each of them content
and satiated. At some point, Taran fell back to sleep. Sam was wide awake.

Carefully scrambling around as much as she could to see the
bedside clock, she saw that it was nearly ten o’clock. A quick glance out the
bedroom window showed that it was still snowing.

Deciding to let Taran sleep, she carefully got out of bed,
placing a gigantic pillow where she’d been and giggled softly when he burrowed
into the plush pillow. He slept with a smile on his face. She’d done that.
She’d made him happy.

Feeling strangely as if she might cry, Sam headed for the
bathroom, closing the door behind her to get ready for the day. Since it was
still snowing, she wasn’t in a rush so she took her time in the bathroom,
letting the water warm up in the shower.

A few minutes later, she stepped into the shower stall,
closed the door and drenched herself. The water was pleasantly warm, though she
didn’t feel as if she needed to take a long shower since Taran graciously
bathed her the night before.

Aware she wasn’t alone, Sam turned, discovering Taran stood
there, mesmerized.

“Taran, are you all right?” she asked, concerned because the
look on his face was intense.

“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” he said,
his voice extremely deep.

“Thank you. Would you care to join me?”

“I can’t,” he answered more harshly than she’d expected.

“Why not?” she asked, hoping she didn’t sound disappointed.

“If I join you, I’m going to fuck you.”

Taking her eyes away from his handsome face, she noticed his
cock was fully erect. Whoa! To know he wanted her that much was a trip.

“I’m not objecting,” she said, unsure why he hesitated.

“Exactly how sore are you?”

Shifting, she winced. As gentle as he’d been first thing
this morning, her body needed a break. Even if she hadn’t voiced it, he’d know.
His gray eyes had locked on her face.

“I’m too tender for sex right now, but we can clean each
other up or you could be as gentle as you were earlier this morning.”

“I can’t be trusted at the moment.”

“I trust you, Taran,” she whispered, awestruck at his
self-control.

“No, right now, you shouldn’t. Hurry, doll, my patience is
waning.”

Taran didn’t turn away. He waited, standing there with a
mammoth-sized cock that looked good enough to eat. Sam took mercy on him and
drenched herself beneath the full force of the shower spray, washing and
rinsing her hair and following with conditioner.

“Taran, would you mind getting me a washcloth?” she asked,
having forgotten to get one from the bathroom closet.

Shortly, he retrieved a washcloth for her, opening the door
long enough to hand it over and closing the door right away. His erection
remained prominent, impressing her to know he had such virile stamina.

Soaking the cloth, she lathered it with the bar of soap
sitting in a shower caddy, washing all over, paying gentle yet meticulous
attention to her slit. Honestly, the warm water and cleansing helped ease her
tenderness.

“Samantha, you are courting trouble,” he warned.

What would he do if she tested him? He wouldn’t hurt her.

“It’s not intentional,” she said. “The warm water feels
nice.”

“Then I was right to keep my distance,” he replied. “Forgive
me, but I couldn’t keep my hands off you last night.”

“I loved everything about last night,” she assured. “Don’t
worry, Master Taran. In a few hours, I’ll be right as rain.”

Sam rinsed her hair and body, watching the last of the
conditioner and soap suds swirl down the drain. Ready to face the day, she
turned off the water and climbed out of the shower only to be engulfed in a
cozy bath towel. Taran secured it in place, using a second smaller one to
vigorously towel-dry her hair.

“Thank you,” she said, her eyes falling to his cock. As much
as the shower helped ease her tenderness, she couldn’t have sex right then,
however there were ways to please him.

“Samantha, doll, I love the way you’re looking at my cock,”
Taran said, his tone dark, sexy. “But if you keep looking, I’m going to put you
on your knees.”

“I’m willing,” she offered.

“I know you are,” he returned. “Thank you, but due to the
circumstances and how beautifully you responded last night in our dungeon, I’ll
grant you one mercy today.”

“You don’t need to.”

“Yes I do. You may choose one thing to wear this morning.
I’ve a closetful of clothes you can pick from.”

“One article of clothing, you mean?” she clarified.

“Yes, one piece of clothing. Your choice, but keep in mind
that if you test me, there will be consequences and even if we can’t have sex
this morning, there are other ways to pleasure you.”

“Will the consequences be fun or painful?” she asked.

“That depends on your needs, although sadism isn’t one of my
kinks.”

“Very well, Master Taran, I’ll choose something from your
closet,” she promised, inclining her head and feeling incredibly happy with his
answer. She had a task to do, find something to wear that would please her
Master and cover her adequately.

For fifteen minutes she searched through the contents of an
extremely organized walk-in closet. Sam was all for keeping things in their
place, but Taran’s closet put hers to shame.

Being careful to make sure everything stayed where it was
placed on the dark-mahogany shelves or hung with care on hangers, she found her
article of clothing among the snow pants and coats hanging in the very back.

Taran wasn’t going to like it. But she hadn’t violated the
one article of clothing rule.

Dare she admit she was looking forward to his reaction? The
moisture between her legs, a significant sign that she was aroused by the
thought that her Master would be most displeased with her choice, made her
decision that much more powerful.

Taran took a quick shower, brushed his teeth and shaved.
Wondering what trouble Samantha would choose from his wardrobe, he was pretty
sure she wouldn’t disappoint him.

Admittedly, the more he got to know her, the more he liked
her. He knew there was a lot more to what happened to her when she’d been a
runaway, but he was proud of her for overcoming a very difficult situation.

Every time he thought of her loss, of what Mark and James
Cormack put her through when she was a teenager, he wanted to hunt the bastards
down for what they’d done. More than that, he wanted to pick Samantha up, place
her in his lap and ease her pain in the only way he could, offering his
unconditional support.

Finished shaving, he rinsed his face, dried it with a hand
towel and wiped down the counter and sink. After his toothbrush and razor were
stored, he found a brush and ran it through his hair.

Pausing, he realized Samantha hadn’t brushed her hair after
she’d finished in the shower. Hanging the last towel on a rack to dry along
with the ones he’d used to dry off Samantha, he took the hairbrush with him,
heading out to the bedroom.

It took him a second to track her down in the other room.
Stopping short the second he saw her wearing the ugliest outfit he’d ever seen
in his life, he fell in love with her all over again. Clever vixen one-upped
him with her choice of clothing.

“Samantha, what the fuck are you wearing?” he demanded,
startling her into spinning around.