Part 16 (1/2)

”It doesn't have to be difficult. He's cantankerous and perhaps overwhelmed.”

”Stubborn. Which makes you two a bit alike.”

”I think that was meant as an insult.” But there was no acrimony in his tone.

”It wasn't meant that way.”

”I believe you.”

”As for my house, I'd like to keep it.”

”You could rent it out.”

”I'm not sure I want to put my belongings in storage for that long. And I'd hate to sell it. I shopped for it for years, and... It may seem ridiculous, but it's mine. I want somewhere to go back to when this is over. Would you consider moving in with me?” The idea made her blood heat. She pictured him naked, enjoying Sat.u.r.day breakfast, coming home after a business trip.

”I prefer to be downtown near the office.”

”I understand that, especially for a single man. And my yard is my respite from the world. I have enough room for you to be comfortable. Will you think about it, at least?”

”Lara-”

”For me?”

”Now who's not fighting fair?”

”Thank you.” She leaned toward him and kissed his forehead.

His eyes widened for a moment before he schooled his reaction. But she'd had a glimpse. For all his gruffness, he did have a softer side. If she weren't careful, she might start to fall for this man. Nothing could be more dangerous to her emotional and mental health.

”That's it? No further objections?”

”The financials are fairly straightforward. I'll get you mine. But we have to sort all of these things out.”

”Do you have plans this evening?”

”No.”

”Do you shower or bathe before bed?”

”Generally I take a bath to help me relax.” Which is why she had fallen in love with his soaker tub.

”Good. Call me before you climb into bed. Be naked.”

She looked at him, knew she was falling under his spell, taking another step toward being his submissive and not objecting to the journey. ”Is there a reason?”

”Yes.”

”Care to enlighten me?” she asked when he allowed the silence to stretch.

”No.”

She needed to be careful, she realized, or else she'd give him anything he asked for.

”Let me know when you've set up that meeting with your mother so we can get our agreement over to your lawyer. I'm looking forward to talking to you tonight.”

Chapter Six.

Just before ten, Connor's phone rang.

He answered immediately, ”Good evening, Lara.” Wife-to-be. Ridiculous how much he liked that thought.

”I...” She paused.

He waited.

”I had a bath.”

She had an amazing, appealing combination of innocence and boldness. Even before the marriage proposal, she'd intrigued him. With it, she'd snared him. ”Tell me what you're wearing.”

”A towel. Peach colored.”

The addition of the detail made him hard. He imagined the shade made her honeyed skin seem even more sun-kissed.

All evening, he'd been thinking of Lara, remembering the sight of her bent over his desk, his bed.

He'd dove into the building's swimming pool soon after he'd gotten home. As he'd cut through the water with powerful strokes, he'd realized that he was thinking of the future. The thought had startled him. Since the loss of his father, he'd exercised to keep the grief at bay or to sort through the numerous difficulties he faced running a multinational company. ”Where are you in your house?”

”My bedroom.”

”Drop the towel and lie on your bed. Face down so that you can put the phone next to you on speaker.” He wondered if she'd protest.

Moments later she murmured, ”Yes, Sir.”

”You're so wonderful, Lara.” He sat back against the living room sofa and reached for his gla.s.s of brandy. He took a sip while he listened to her movements. The sounds grew louder as she found the speaker b.u.t.ton and he heard a faint whisper that might have been her towel falling to the floor.

In the past, he hadn't thought a lot about getting married. Rather, it had been an abstract thought. The only thing he'd known for sure was that D/s would be a part of any union. But he'd had no idea how rewarding it would be. Having this woman, so smart, courageous, beautiful as his submissive? The reality was sublime.

”I'm in position, Sir,” she said.

”You're right-handed?”

”I am.”

”I want you to use your left hand to part your l.a.b.i.a. Then use your right to stroke your c.l.i.t, make sure it's exposed, meaning pull back the hood. I want you to feel this deeply.”

She moaned.