He gave in to temptation and pulled her close, breathing deep her light floral perfume as she instantly cuddled into him. “Little flame, feeling overwhelmed is a perfectly normal thing for a sub after such an intense scene. I’m pretty sure that was your first for, well, a lot of things. When you left, I didn’t get a chance to hold you, to let you know you were safe and lov—cared for.” She tensed against him, and he remembered how adamant she had been about this being a vacation fling. He quickly tried to put her at ease, even if his words were total bullshit. There was no way he was going to let this end after just a few days, but right now, he had to reassure her he wasn’t after anything more. “I know you’re my sub only for this vacation, but that doesn’t mean I won’t do everything I can to make sure you’re happy. That’s what doms do. We strive to make our subs happy.”
Her slim shoulders rose and fell beneath his hands as she took a deep breath, then looked up at him. “I really do appreciate all the wonderful things you’ve done and shown me. I’ve learned more about myself and what arouses me in two days with you than I did in my entire marriage.”
The sincerity of her words touched him almost as much as the vulnerability in her gaze. He really, really didn’t want to let her go. Thankfully he didn’t have to—yet. “Would you still like to play with me?”
To his astonishment, she slid down his body to her knees. Her golden hair fell forward as she bowed her head and kissed his shoe. “Sir, I would love to play with you.”
The rest of the world faded to a hum as he drank in the site of her submissive pose, the way her rounded butt pressed against her pants and the outline of her thong as she leaned forward. She remained there, her lips pressed to his foot until he swore he could feel the heat of her kiss through the leather of his shoe. “You please me very much, little flame.”
A shudder rippled through her body, and she leaned up, tossing her hair over her shoulder in a perfectly feminine gesture that he adored. “Thank you, Sir.”
He held out a hand to help her to her feet, noting how her nipples stuck through the thin silk of her shirt like pencil erasers. Her mouth softened, making it impossible to resist capturing her lips in a devastatingly gentle kiss that left her panting and his cock straining against the confinement of his pants. She traced the lapel of his suit and straightened his tie with a bemused smile. “Not that I’m complaining, but it’s different seeing you in a suit. I almost didn’t recognize you at first. Has anyone ever told you that you look a lot like Anderson Cooper?”
He rolled his eyes and indulged himself in kissing his way along the soft skin of her jaw to her ear. “I’m giving a presentation after dinner tonight.” He nuzzled her ear, giving the tender flesh of her lobe a sharp bite that had her pressing her hips into his. “I know our arrangement is only for VR, but I want you to come back to my room with me when I’m done.”
Her fingers stilled, and he could see the pulse in her throat pound. “Just the two of us, Sir?”
Jealousy reared its ugly head, and he had to fight to keep his tone even. “Is that a problem?”
She empathetically shook her head but kept her eyes on his chest. “No, not at all, Sir.”
The lobby around them was rapidly emptying as the crowd made its way toward the dining room. He couldn’t tell if her tension came from being alone with him, not having a third party there, or any of a number of things. “Would it make you feel safer to have someone else there?”
Again she shook her head. “No, I trust you.” Now she did look up at him, and he found himself falling into those big eyes as they sparkled with mischief. “Besides, I know the Vulcan nerve pinch.”
He laughed and slid his hand into hers, marveling at how well they fit together as they strolled to dinner. “I’ll have to make sure your hands are occupied with something more fun than knocking me out.”
Chapter Ten
In the golden light of the mass of white and red pillar candles on the table, Margo leaned back in her chair and sighed, her hands rubbing her swollen belly. “It was really nice to have the illusion of not being pregnant while in VR, but I missed my little peanut.” She winced and pressed down on her stomach. “Even if he does like to head butt my lungs.”
“He’s probably mad at you for all that spicy shrimp you just inhaled,” Greg said and dodged the napkin she threw at him.
“I’m hungry! All those delicious orgasms you gave me at the zoo made me work up an appetite.”
Greg leaned back in his chair with a rather smug look. “What can I say, you made a beautiful chinchilla.” He shook his head and laughed. “Just when I think my life can’t get any stranger, I’m complimenting my wife on being a sexy rodent.”
Margo snickered as she stole a shrimp off his plate and ate it. “If you think I’m wearing a mouse costume at home, you’re crazy.”
Tanwen watched them banter and couldn’t help the twinge of envy she felt. They were so in love and had their whole lives ahead of them, filled with the joys and trials of raising young children. It made her miss her own boys intensely. She was glad she’d talked to both of them before she came down to dinner. Each had urged her to have a great time, and her youngest had even given her dating tips on how to look out for a loser.
She examined Bryan as he teased Margo and mentally went over her son’s list. During dinner, she and Bryan had talked about his construction business, so she knew he was employed. He wasn’t married, and he didn’t set off her “creeper radar,” whatever the heck that was. On the surface, he was exactly the kind of man her children would want to see her with. Too bad that would never happen.
What in the world was she doing allowing herself to spend time with him outside of VR?
Every moment she spent around him, the more her heart hurt at the thought of never seeing him again after vacation. That tender organ was inclined to trust blindly, while it was her mind’s job to keep her heart safe from itself, and her mind told her she was a fool. He’d been clear—well, actually, it was more like she’d been abundantly clear that this was just a vacation fling, and he hadn’t disagreed. They’d probably just go upstairs and have some kinky sex, after which she would thank him for what would undoubtedly be an amazing time and return to her room, alone. To her big, empty bed in a quiet hotel room all by herself, instead of nestled against his warmth as they slept.
Margo said something pert to her master, and the other couples at the table laughed, pulling Tanwen out of her morose thoughts. Beneath the table, Bryan softly stroked her thigh, and she looked over at him, catching his questioning glance as his thumb traced circles over her leg.
“What was that sad thought?”
She forced a smile and took a sip of her wine. “Just missing my boys. What about you? I never asked if you had any children.” Pain flashed through his eyes, and she quickly said, “I’m sorry. Forget I asked.”
He lowered his voice and gathered her hands into his, holding them tight. “My late wife had fertility issues. We were going to start looking into adoption, but she got sick before we had a chance.”
“Oh, Bryan, I’m so sorry.” Impulsively she gave him a hug, and he held her tightly, rubbing his face against her hair. After a long moment, he let her go, and she became aware of how their table had gotten quiet. A quick glance showed everyone looking discreetly at everything but them, trying to give them an illusion of privacy.
Bryan rolled his shoulders and sighed. “Thanks, little flame. I needed that.”
Tanwen laughed as Greg pretended to grab Margo’s last shrimp off her plate as she guarded it with her fork held like a spear. “You come near my food, and you’ll be pulling back nubs.”
Bryan grinned and leaned back in his chair, running his hands over Tanwen’s exposed shoulder in a most distracting manner. “I’d be careful if I were you. I think she means it.”