RequiredSurrender (11 page)

She dug her nails into his shoulders and shimmied against
him. When her hands raked upward and sank into his hair he groaned. He had
everything to do not to flex forward and bring his aching cock into play. He
couldn’t do that just yet so he used his hand instead. Teasing her drenched
flesh until she was panting and writhing all over again.

Tearing his mouth away, he leaned back. “What do you want?”
She tried to pull him down but he didn’t budge. “Tell me.”

“I want you to come inside me.”

Dropping his forehead down to hers, he asked, “Is this the
best you can do?”

“No.”

“Beg me.”

Her hands were still in his hair only now she cradled the
back of his head while her thumbs parted through the strands and stroked.
“There’s something I didn’t tell you about one of my dreams.”

“Does it involve begging?”

Her thumbs stopped moving, and when she answered her voice
was low and breathy. “Yes.”

He tilted back to gain some distance to see her eyes. “Go
on.”

“In this dream I feel much the same way as I do now. Hot and
restless. I want you so bad inside me and every time I ask you to fu—screw me
you say no.”

“What do you say to convince me? You do convince me in the
end.”

“Yes.” Her thumbs started stroking again and her hips
pivoted into him. “I’m so wet for you. Only you. I want your hard, thick cock
to fill me up. I want to feel the length of it. Every rock-like inch as you
slide into me and make me forget the world. Please, Sir,” she kissed his
shoulder and went so far as to humbly drop her gaze. What a rush. “Please, I
beg of you to use me any way you want. I need you. Only you.”

Her bottom shifted, and her center hit up against the tip of
him. And he knew it was time to tap into his lust, into the need he’d been
keeping under wraps. Admittedly with Jo, it was a more difficult thing to do,
but he’d managed well until now.

He dropped down and kissed her fiercely. As strong as he’d
wanted to since they came into this room. When she sank into the embrace and
moaned, he knew it was time. He knew she was ready. He let her wiggle because
for this first little while he was comfortable going by her measure. A damn
tedious process as she accepted an inch of him and then stopped.

“You’re so soft. Tight, but soft.” He kissed her neck and
let out a breath in her ear.

She scrunched her hands in his hair and he moved in deeper.
Not a lot, but a little more ground was gained.

“Bring your legs up. That’s right.”

“Not too deep.”

“Shhh. I know. I’ll be careful. Take a breath.”

“Ah.”

“Too much?”

“I feel like I’m going to break.”

“You won’t, I promise. Have you ever ridden a horse?”

She frowned and opened her eyes. “I don’t think that’s a
good analogy to make here. Accurate, but not good.”

“Come here,” He rolled with her until he was flat on his
back and she was on top of him. “Up you get. Brace yourself and put your hands
on my chest. Now you can decide how much of the horse you want to ride. And to
help you decide…”

It was his turn to use his thumbs. Rolling and rubbing her
clit as the tension eased out of her. Another inch or so, that was good, but
her tight channel was killing him. His only thought was making her come. Those
taut muscles would milk him good no matter how far he got into her, he was sure
of it.

“That’s a girl.” Her head fell back and her knees spread
wider. The heat as he opened her up another little bit had him sweating.
“You’re doing so well.”

He was dying to get his hands on her breasts, but he didn’t
dare let go of her clit. He’d already determined going into this the first time
that the main attraction was right between her legs. Soon enough he’d be able
to trace those intricate designs on her with his tongue so—

“Oh God.”

Oh God was right. He’d slid into her another inch and she
was bouncing on him softly. With each downward thrust he breached more
territory. More. And more. “That’s good. Not so hard. Spread your knees. A
little more. Good girl. Does that feel good?”

She was panting. Moaning and whispering something.

“Speak up, princess. I can’t hear you.”

“Fuck me. Fuck me. Oh God, please, it feels so…so good.” Her
bouncing turned frantic.

He watched her through half-closed lids, because just as
before, she let herself go. Her body became putty in his hands but he had to be
careful with her. She needed time to get used to him. He left off torturing her
clit and took hold of her hips. Worried in her frenzy she’d impale herself on
him fully and she wasn’t ready for that. Hell, he wasn’t ready for it either.
Her tight heat was burning the hell out of him.

“This feels so good.”

She arched back and brought her hands to her tits. Massaging
and plucking the nipples while she moaned and sighed.

“Do you want a little more of me?”

She licked her lips. “Yes.”

“Spread your knees. Don’t be afraid. I’ve got you.” His eyes
closed of their own accord when she did as he told her. Once she was settled he
sighed. “Doesn’t that feel better?”

“It does. It so does.”

It was her voice that made him look, and when he saw her, he
was glad that he did. In a slinky and sensual way that reminded him of her
crawling to him in the playroom, she lay over him. Her cheek pressed against
his chest. Her breasts squashed into his stomach. Her hands reaching to pull in
his hair as she shifted and slid all over him. Up and down she pumped herself
on him. Getting the rub she wanted against her clit while that tight channel of
hers worked him good.

He didn’t know who breathed harder and after a full minute
of her steady grind he didn’t care. His heart was hammering as he worked her
faster and faster on him. Testing the waters, pushing her down deep and deeper
still. Her hot juice covered him. The sucking clicks assuring him she was
primed and ready for the ride.

“I want you to come for me. I want you be generous and open
up. That’s right.”

“Ah…”

“That’s good. I’m going to—”

“Please…”

“Is it too deep for you?” He stilled, holding her there.

“N-no.”

“Good, very good. I’m going to rock you now. Right on me.
Right—”

She panted and moaned.

“Good and deep.” He pushed her down his length. “That’s a
good girl. Now come for me. I want your hungry pussy to squeeze me.” He held
her down on him until she started to flex and pivot. “That’s it. Work for it.”

She wiggled and groaned.

“You’re almost there.” At the first sign of her muscles
tightening lust swept right through him. His own muscles clenched. His balls
lifted. The blood drained to his cock until a good length of him throbbed
inside her. Hard and heavy. And when she screamed and the blazing contractions
pulled him farther up inside her, he knew he hadn’t been wrong. Her taut
muscles held him snug. Squeezing and grasping him in a sublime embrace until he
growled and allowed the heady spasms to milk his shaft while he came.

“Jesus fuck.”

His heart was still beating loudly and his breathing wasn’t
quite back to normal when she grumbled against his chest, “How come you’re
allowed to swear and I’m not?”

He didn’t say a word, only fisted his hand in her hair and
held her against him. He liked her cheek pressed over his heart and his cock
resting inside her. He liked it a lot. That was probably why he broke a few
rules with her just now. Well, that and the fact that this had been her first
time.

She was wrong too. He hadn’t been the only one who swore.
He’d let her get away with it before, when she was talking dirty. This was very
unlike him. These were the kind of moments he waited for so he could dole out
the punishment. He was all about the punishments so why had he let this slide?

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He knew why. Jo
touched him. No matter how long or hard he tried to deny that truth it wasn’t
going to change.

“Here.” He rolled with her onto his side and extricated
himself. Adjusting the duvet over her, he said, “I’ll be right back.”

Tucking her under the blanket, he smiled when she snuggled
in. Her eyes were closed, but there was a huge grin on her face as she curled
up nice and cozy. It pleased him to see her this way.

Making the trek to the bathroom, he determined to put his
worry aside. He’d go slowly with her. Real slow now that he was emotionally
involved. After what happened the last time he opened himself up to a sub, he
had to. But when he’d finished cleaning up, wrapping a towel around his hips
and headed back to her, he knew he was in trouble. She was lying there sound
asleep and he had to fight the urge to scoop her up and carry her to his bed.
To his room. She wasn’t ready for his room. Not yet.

“Hey, sleepy head. Come on now. I want you to take two of
these.”

She stretched and yawned then she sat up, tucking the duvet
around her. “What are they?”

“Ibuprofen. Don’t make that face. You’re going to be sore
real soon and these will help.”

“I’m already sore, but I like it.” She wiggled her butt
under the blanket. “It’s a good kind of sore.”

“Jo.”

And there it was. The natural submissive response that did
it for him. Giving him an all-male thrill as she dropped her gaze and held out
her hand.

“Wash them down with this.” He handed her a glass of water,
and when she went to take it without a word, he pulled it back. “What do you
say?”

“Thank you.” After she swallowed down the pills and gave him
back the glass, she whispered, “Thank you for everything.”

And just as she’d done before against the bridge of his
hand, she leaned forward and rested her forehead against his arm. Without a
word, he put down the glass and stroked his hand down the length of her hair,
wondering what the fuck had he gotten himself into. He better snap out of it
quick. He was off kilter with her and the best way to fix that was to establish
boundaries.

“I think we should go over your schedule.”

She brushed her cheek on his forearm.

“And after that it will be time to set some hard and soft
limits, do you understand?”

“Yes.”

But he was afraid she didn’t. After all, how could she understand
what he intended to do with her when he didn’t have a clue himself?

Damn.

Chapter Eight

Jo was in heaven, and for once it wasn’t hell to her. Desire
and lust were tangible things to her now. She felt… yeah, she felt. All because
of him.

“Did you have enough to eat?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Ted smiled and leaned back in his chair. “Are you mocking my
rules?”

“No, not at all.” His eyes twinkled and she grinned. “Well,
okay, maybe a little.”

“Why? Our relationship will be one based on mutual respect
and dedication. I’m committing a hundred percent of my attention and guidance
on you. Don’t you think I deserve a similar kind of commitment from you in
return?”

Jo had the urge to squirm. They’d already gone over his
short, but very precise, list of expectations, and the only sticking point in
her mind? The part about the no swearing…and being graceful…and anticipating
his needs. Hm. Maybe there was more than one thing that bothered her.

She stacked her plate on top of his and pushed them aside.
“Your to-do list is kind of sparse next to mine.”

He crossed his arms over her chest and nodded. “All right.
What would you like to take off your list? What is the thing or things that are
bothering you?”

Ah, negotiations. This she could get into. She clasped her
hands together on the table in front of her. She wouldn’t go for the most
offensive right away. In her experience if you wanted to break the ice you
started with something you would bend on if you had to. “The no swearing
clause.”

“Clause? We didn’t sign a contract. I asked you to obey one
of my rules. It was simple. No swearing because it makes you sound cheap and
trashy. I don’t like cheap and trashy women, so if you want to continue to
swear find someone else to Top you because I won’t put up with it. Next?”

Had she thought this was going to be a negotiation? “Being
graceful.”

He frowned. “What’s wrong with being graceful? You don’t
want to be graceful?”

When he put it like that she sounded like a crazy person and
he came off as totally reasonable. But… “I don’t want to be forced to be
graceful.”

“Don’t be absurd. Next?”

She unclasped her hands and put her palms flat on the table
as she straightened. This one she wasn’t going to bend on no matter what. “I
don’t like the idea of anticipating your needs just so I can fulfill them.”

“We’re talking outside of sex?”

She nodded.

“Fine.”

Ha, she gave herself a mental pat on the back. Her strategy
worked. She got what she wanted.

“Just be prepared because I’m sure I’ll be disappointed.”

That didn’t sit well with her but she pretended it did and
shrugged. “I’m sure I’ll be okay.”

His crooked smile suggested she wouldn’t. The devil was
still smiling when he uncrossed his arms and leaned forward with forearms
braced in front of him. “We’re going to start out simple. Real bare bones
minimum here, while we get to know each other. Let’s worry about the finer
details as we move through them. You have your safe word, not that you’ll need
it anytime soon, and you know the protocol. All I’m asking from you are these
three things. I want you to be faithful, obedient and trustworthy. If you can
do those three things as we go through the initial stages everything else will
fall into place. I promise.”

This made her feel infinitely better. “All right. I don’t
mind telling you that I had visions of you making me walk with a stack of books
on my head for better posture.”

“With my slippers in hand at the ready for me, no doubt.”

That made her smile. “You think I’m being a sucky baby about
all this.”

“Maybe a little.”

“I’m going to try, that’s the best I can do.”

“That’s all I’ll ever ask of you. Now,” he tapped the table
twice. “What are your three nonnegotiables?”

She’d put a lot of thought into this, and although she
wished he’d given her a list of things to tick off because she was sure there
was stuff she hadn’t even thought about, she’d done her best. “I don’t want to
be flogged. You know with that thing that looks like a cheerleader’s pompom?”

“I know what a flogger is.”

“Well, I don’t want that.”

“What else?”

“Figging. Absolutely no figging.”

“Figging?” he chuckled. “Where did you hear about that?”

“From Colin.”

“Really?”

She nodded. “Colin told me that Ethan’s an evil genius when
it comes to the creative use of vegetables.”

“And the last one?”

She hated to have to admit this but she was determined to be
truthful. “I don’t want to be made to say I love you. Ever.”

“Hm. I can honestly say that’s the most eclectic list of
non-wants I’ve ever heard.”

“The two, surely, but what about the flogger? Makes sense,
right?”

“Not to me, but that could be because I wield the
instrument.”

He was so nonchalant about it they could have been talking
about a Sunday afternoon drive. “What do you mean?”

“Out of the items in my drawer I would say the flogger is
the least daunting.”

She tried not to let her eyes widen, but she knew they did.
“What. Do. You. Mean?”

“The cane, switch, whip and belt cause more of a sting than
the flogger. I guess it’s to each his own.”

Did he just wink at her?

She slapped her hand down on the table and said, “I want to
change my answer.”

“I bet you do. Come here.”

He pushed his chair out and patted his lap.

She was glad for the robe he’d given her, even though the
silky kimono had her burning with curiosity to know a few things. Like why did
he have a woman’s robe at the ready and how was it that it fit her perfectly?
She was going to ask, but then decided she may not like his answer.

“Come on.”

A sandy-blond lock fell over his eye the moment he threw a
curt nod for her to comply, and she sucked in a breath. This monumental
attraction thing for him was a real bitch. Butterflies danced in her stomach
better than the most over-the-top Bollywood production number. She’d thought
the jitters had eased some after their afternoon in bed, but if she wasn’t
mistaken, and she didn’t think she was, they were worse.

Her feet practically dragged, making the four steps around
the table to him, and when she got within arm’s reach he did what she expected
and pulled her onto his lap. After that, she just sat there with ankles crossed
and toes curling while she let her eyes do a circle search around his gorgeous
kitchen. Once. Twice. And finally when the “could have heard a pin drop”
silence was too much for her, she stuffed her hair behind her ear, tilted her
head and looked at him through the corner of her eye, whispering, “What are you
doing?”

He whispered back, “Waiting.”

Her gaze did a pendulum sweep of her lap. No. She had no
idea. “Waiting for what?”

“For you to ask me questions.”

“About?”

“The,” he bent and spoke the next word in her ear, “disciplinarian.”
Instantly the shakes started all over again.

Shrinking away from him, even though she secretly didn’t
want to, she grumbled, “Y-you’re the disciplinarian.”

“I know.”

“Well,” she twisted and leaned back against the table edge,
facing him, “the name sort of covers the topic doesn’t it?”

He slowly shook his head.

“I think it does.”

“But I don’t,” he said rather casually. Too casually before
he parted her robe until each side slid down her arms, exposing her from
shoulder to navel. “I love your designs.”

And she loved when he played with her nipples like he was
doing now. “Are you trying to get me to agree with you?”

“No.”

Her insides heated. Melting. She couldn’t think straight
when he teased her this way. Maybe talking was better. “I know why they call
you the disciplinarian.”

His hands stilled and she could breathe. “Why?”

“Because you spank bad subs.”

“No.” He started rolling her nipples again.

“You spank misbehaving subs that belong to other Doms.”

“Getting warmer.”

He rubbed his thumbs over her fully engorged peaks until she
shivered and closed her eyes. “You’re a bully who gets off on administering
corporal punishment.”

“Jo.”

Her eyes snapped open and she gasped, jerking back. “Oww.”

“Behave.”

Scowling, she moved to put her palms over her breasts because
they were still stinging from where he’d flicked them, but he stopped her.
“Don’t touch.”

“That hurt.”

“Are you trying to make the bully feel bad?”

“Maybe.”

“Not gonna happen. Maybe next time you’ll think twice before
you give me a glib answer like that.”

Now she felt bad because he sounded disappoi—her eyes shot
to his and the bugger was grinning. She was losing serious ground here, so in a
way he was right. She needed to start paying attention. “Sorry.” She thrust her
breasts out. Maybe a little feminine wiles would distract him. “How come they
call you that when you don’t dole out spankings?”

“I didn’t say that I didn’t dole them out. I do, but they’re
usually reserved for rewards. A present.” He waggled his brows like she needed
a reminder on that one.

“So what do you do for punishment? Hand out candy?”

“I have actually.”

“I don’t believe it.”

“It’s true. Big Tom’s girl was a hoarder of sweets. She hid
a whole sack full of chocolates in their bedroom closet after he’d forbidden
her to bring any in the house. She was a little on the rounded side of things.
Not that Big Tom had anything against her curves. He didn’t. He just didn’t
like her addiction to Dove Bars. He probably never would have known she was
sneaking in the contraband if not for the ants. A whole army of them marched in
a single file right to her shame.”

“So B-Big Tom sent her to you? To do what exactly?”

He reached out and took hold of her robe, pulling it up on
her shoulders yet falling short of covering her completely. “He wanted me to
break her of her addiction.”

His hazel eyes were so clear. Clearer than she’d ever seen
them. Almost as if he was happy—no, content. She liked the thought of that.
“Did you do it?”

“Yes.”

Jo was shocked. “By making her eat the ant-infested
chocolate?”

He did a double take and then laughed. It was a deep,
all-male laugh that made her smile. “No I did not. I had her stay with me for a
week and all she was given to eat was insect-free chocolate.”

“That’s it?”

He nodded. “Yeah, well that and we did discuss why she felt
the need to squirrel away the sweet stuff. It turned out that she had three
younger siblings who used to steal all her holiday treats before she got the
chance to enjoy them. So I guess you could say it was a conditioned behavior
for her.” Now he brought the edges of her robe together and tightened up the
loosened belt.

“That’s it? You made her eat chocolate and let her whine
about her brothers and sisters? That was her punishment?”

He sent a mocking look skyward, as if he were considering,
then he shrugged and looked right at her. “Yes. Let’s face it, even if you were
given steak and lobster every day for a week it would get old by Wednesday,
wouldn’t it?”

“Is Ethan a different kind of a Dom than you?”

“Sure, I guess, because no two are alike. Why do you ask?”

“He spanked Colin and it wasn’t a,” she did the air quotes
for him, “present.”

“I’m sure he had his reasons and like I said, every Dom is
different in the way they—what are you doing?”

“I’m feeling your scar.”

He pulled back. “I know that. Why?”

“I think it’s beautiful.”

Ted stared at her and she stared back.

“What’s the matter?”

Nothing. Everything. She was touching him in places she
shouldn’t be. Deep down, under-the-skin places that he’d been protecting for a
very long time. “Should we have some dessert?”

He gently pushed her off his lap and stood. “I have cinnamon
applesauce.”

“That’s not dessert,” she said, moving aside for him. “It’s
not sweet enough.”

“It is for me.” He scooped the dishes off the table and put
them in the sink. “Especially with the way I eat it.”

“I can do that.”

He scrubbed the table and shook his head. “Thanks, I got
it.” He continued wiping the surface until it shined and then he threw the
dishtowel on the counter. “There. Up you get.”

He didn’t bother waiting for her to hop up on her own. He
just picked her up and plunked her on the tabletop. Then without pausing, he
went after her belt and undid it.

“W-what are you doing? It’s late. I need to be going.”

He opened the robe and feasted his eyes on her before he
cupped her chin in his hand and tilted it. “It is late, but I’d rather you be
coming.”

She was all warm and soft. And when the robe landed in a
whisper around her bottom he didn’t hesitate. “Lie back. I want to show you
something.”

“But I—”

“Shhh. That’s right. I’m just going to,” he lifted her hips
once she was lying down and took the robe out from underneath her, “make you
more comfortable.” Bending over, he kissed her abdomen, then her right hip as
he adjusted her legs.

“Ted?”

“I want you to stay like this for a minute. Don’t move. I
just have to get the dessert.”

The place was so brightly lit he knew he was pushing it with
her. After he grabbed the applesauce, he left the fridge door open, and went
one better and opened the freezer door as well. All he had to do now was
retrieve a little buzzer out of his black bag and then he could commence with
lesson number one.

“Are you doing okay?”

“I think so.”

He snapped off the overhead lights and turned. Damn she
looked fucking awesome highlighted in the silver-lit darkness. Lying there,
just as he left her. Waiting for him. “You look perfect.” He came to her. “Now
close your eyes and let me prepare dessert.”