My fingers trailed down her hair to explore the line of her jaw. I curled two fingers beneath her chin, so I could look down into her lovely eyes.
They glowed flame-blue as she stared up at me. Her devotion was even more breathtaking than I ever could have imagined.
“You are so beautiful,” I said hoarsely. “So perfect. Mí sirenita.”
She flushed, a small smile playing around her lush lips. “So are you.”
I regarded her with awe. “You’re not scared of me? I don’t frighten you?”
“No,” she promised. “I’m not scared of you, Andrés.”
I drew in a shuddering breath. She didn’t find me repulsive. It wasn’t just my scars that had disgusted her in the beginning; she’d been horrified by my touch, by my claims of ownership. Now, she gave herself to me willingly. I’d fantasized about having her in this position for long weeks, but I couldn’t have imagined the heat that flooded my chest in response to her show of affection.
I brought the strip of leather up to her throat and secured the collar around her neck. She blew out a long, relieved sigh as peace settled over her.
“Mine,” I declared, tracing the line of the collar.
“Yours,” she replied with fervor.
I bent and grasped her waist, lifting her to her feet and guiding her back toward the bed. “Are you ready for me?” My voice was strained with need. I craved to drive into her wet heat and seal our connection, but I was wary of the trauma she’d faced yesterday.
Her eyes were clear of fear or doubt. “Always,” she promised. “I want you.”
I groaned my desire, and I grasped her ankles to tug her ass to the edge of the mattress. Resting her calves on my shoulders, I remained standing as I gripped her hips and drove into her in one ruthless thrust. She cried out as her tight sheath gripped me with exquisite pressure.
I paused, concerned that I’d hurt her by being too rough.
She placed her hands atop mine, curling my fingers deeper into her hips. “Please, Andrés…”
A low sound of longing left my chest, and I withdrew from her before slowly pushing all the way back in. I claimed her in long, careful strokes, playing with her clit until she eased around me. Her body adjusted to accept my size and ruthless thrusts, flowering open for me.
This wasn’t fucking. This was pure, perfect possession.
Samantha owned me, body and soul.
I dozed off after we both reached completion, sated and spent, but I roused when she tensed in my arms.
“What are you thinking about?” I brushed away the furrow in her brow.
She propped up from where she’d been resting on my chest.
“I thought you were asleep,” she said instead of answering.
“I was, but I could hear you thinking.” I gave her a languorous smile and brushed her hair back from her cheek. “You do have a very busy mind.”
“Let me guess. You’re going to help me make it go all quiet and blissful?” She might have spoken with asperity, but the words were tinged with longing.
“I can, if that’s what you need,” I said. “But I like your clever brain.”
She blinked. “You do?”
“Of course. You challenge me. I find you fascinating. Did you not know?”
“I…” She swallowed, but her voice still came out a touch hoarse. “No. I guess I didn’t know that. Not for sure.”
I traced the line of her cheekbone. “I should tell you more often, then.”
Samantha had to know how much I treasured her, especially her quick mind. She always managed to surprise me, and I delighted in her company. She was so much more than simply my sex object, a toy for my own perverse pleasures.