“Keep talking about colors and you will end up in my bed, sore or not,” he warned, his lips curling into a seductive smile that showed just how on edge he was while trying to maintain his control.
She wanted him. But her body still needed some time to recover before they made love again.
“Strip down and get in the bath,” he ordered.
Still shy, she hesitated. The look he gave her promised a punishment, but she still wasn’t ready to just whip off her clothes.
With a low laugh, he gripped her arm and turned her to face the counter. He pushed hard enough to keep her bent over, helpless, but not hurting.
“When I give you an order relating to the bedroom or the removal of clothes, you say ‘yes, sir’ and do as I ask.”
Smack! The little slap to her bottom stung, but it was well away from her tender areas. He knew her body too well. Like how she would respond to a light pat at just the right spot on her backside, or the way to nibble her throat between kisses.
“Yes, sir,” she hastily said, burying her face in her arm, a little turned on and more than humiliated by the fact that the spanking made her instantly wet.
“Good. One more for you to remember this lesson.” Smack! This one was harder, but still nothing painful. The light sting always faded into a delicious heat a few seconds later. Wes kept her pinned down on the counter with one hand between her shoulder blades while his other hand massaged her ass, rubbing in the little reminder of her disobedience. Then he let her stand and he pointed at the floor by the bathtub.
“We’ll try again. Strip now.”
With trembling hands, she tugged the boxers down and kicked them away and then lifted the large t-shirt over her head. When she let the shirt flutter to the ground, she had to clench her hands in fists at her side so as to not cover her bare breasts. She was learning now that he’d punish her, deliciously so, if she tried to hide from him.
“Very good. I know you want to hide, Callie. But you are beautiful. Inside and out. I’ll allow some modesty, because it’s charming on you, but I want you to learn to accept your body and be comfortable sharing it with me.”
“Yes, sir.” Her fingers uncurled from their tight fists and she inhaled slowly, then exhaled. It helped.
I’m beautiful. She chanted the mantra a few times and was surprised that it made her feel beautiful standing bare before him.
“I don’t expect or want you to adhere to most of the rules I would require of a submissive. We both know what’s between us is more complicated.” He stared only at her eyes as he spoke and she didn’t feel like an object, but a person, and that made her relax.
“Wes, now that we’ve slept together…” She paused, terrified of how he might answer.
“Yes?” He was so patient, so calm, it was almost unnerving.
“Well, is that what you want? I mean you had me. Do you still…”
“Still want you?” He only continued once she’d nodded. “More than ever. Before I’d only had a taste of you. Now I’m not letting you go. You agreed to try to play by my rules and it will be so rewarding for us both. Tell me now if this isn’t what you want. If you don’t want me any longer then we can stop.”
She shook her head. “I still want you, too.”
“Good. When I have expectation or wishes, I will tell them to you so that you do not fear punishment. I will never really hurt you. What you’ve endured up to now is all that I’d ever put you through.”
She nodded. That little reassurance made her feel better. The idea of doing something wrong without knowing made her uneasy.
“Now come here and kiss me.” He waited like a lazy lion as she approached him. He didn’t move to touch her but let her place her hands on his shoulders. He waited, so patiently, but she could see the barely banked fires in his deep blue eyes. Her naked body pressed to his clothed one, only their bare feet touched and for some reason that made her giggle. He moved fast, too fast, grabbing her and pulling her against him.
“What’s so funny?” he demanded in a soft tone.
She shook her head and stood up on tiptoe, kissing his startled mouth. She’d managed to catch him by surprise and the knowledge of that turned her on. Knowing she’d caught him off guard only made her shake with silent laughter and he started laughing, too, even though she sensed he didn’t want to.
“What’s so funny?” he asked again.
“It’s not something I can actually describe,” she said and kissed the corner of his mouth, his jaw, then his cheek. She was happy. That was part of it. The rest was a sense of wholeness, of being complete and satisfied in a way she hadn’t ever felt before.
“You are a confusing woman,” he said and sighed, but it was accompanied by a soft smile that made her toes curl, especially when he followed it with a sweet, deep kiss. His hands cupped her bottom, clenched, and she jerked when he gave it a playful smack. Wetness pooled instantly between her thighs at that mix of pain and pleasure.
How did he know just what to do to her body to make it light up with inner fire?
“Go on and get in the bath, you minx.” He tapped the tip of her nose and urged her to get into the tub that was nearly full by now. She did as he ordered, sighing as the hot water sizzled on her skin and soaked into her, melting away her stress and soreness.
“Feeling better?” Wes asked, watching her from beside the tub. Amusement danced in his eyes and she grinned sleepily up at him.
“I’m not going to last long with this. What’s next, warm milk and cookies?”
He chuckled. “If you like.” His rakish wink made her roll her eyes.
“Are you getting in with me? Plenty of room.” She waved a hand at the expansive tub.
“I can’t promise not to touch you again.” He took a step back, as though the temptation was too great, but Callie had quick reflexes and she caught his hand, holding him still. Whenever he tried to pull away it made something inside her flutter with panic.
“Please.”
He pulled his hand free and she feared he’d walk away, but he stripped out of his jeans, sweater, and briefs and then climbed into the tub behind her. The water sloshed as he reached for her and pulled her onto his lap. She was too tired to fuss as he arranged her just the way he liked, her back to his chest. She leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulder, their cheeks touching as he held her close. It was oddly right, to feel and be this close to Wes. He’d seen part of her soul in the last few days and she was starting to see his. After the bearing of such secret parts of one’s self there was no other need for barriers between them.
“Now that our bet is over, I have a serious matter to discuss with you, Callie. If you had the chance to go to art school, would you? If money was no object?” He added this last bit hastily.
Feeling a little bold, she stroked his forearm, which rested on her stomach. It was so nice to be able to touch him, like a lover. She’d never been able to do that with anyone else.
“I…If money wasn’t a problem, then yes. I would. Assuming I could get in without a recommendation of course.” She doubted she could do it. Art schools were incredibly competitive and she had no portfolio or any real experience besides her own self-taught techniques.
“That’s good to hear. There’s an excellent school on Long Island. I’ve spoken to Royce about applications for the spring semester and my friend has already written his recommendation based on the photos of the pictures I took of your art at the ranch. I’ve taken care of everything except for your entrance essay and three pieces of art you need to provide in three different mediums for your portfolio submission.”