Submitting in Vegas (Vegas Morellis 3)

“What?”

“It doesn’t take that long to answer with the thing that’s right on the tip of your tongue. That’s immediate. It doesn’t take any time. I want that thought.”

I huff at the unfairness of him selecting which thought I have to share. “I can have more than one thought at a time, you know? What are you thinking?”

Without hesitation, he answers, “That you look beautiful.” Cocking an eyebrow, he says, “Now, tell me what you were thinking.”

I try to envision saying what I was thinking and it not making things weird, but I can’t. As much as I’d like to obey him, I look away. “I… I don’t want to share that one.”

“Were you thinking about someone else?”

My eyes widen. Normally he’s at least close on what I’m thinking about, but he couldn’t be further off base tonight. That gives me some idea of where his head might be, but… well, it just seems crazy. I’m lying in bed with the literal man of my dreams, thinking how amazing it is that I am in his bed with him, and he is wondering if I’m thinking of someone else? That’s fucking insane.

Well, insane to me.

I guess he has been dumped for another man in both of his last relationships—if you even consider him and Laurel a relationship, but I don’t know what else to call them. A tryout? Either way, I think the sun rises and sets on Rafe, but I guess I have to consider that—while he is a one-night-stand all-star—both of the women he let closer to him than that most recently found him lacking in some department.

I don’t find anything about Rafe to be lacking, ever. I can’t even fathom thinking that.

As absurd as it seems to me that those thoughts could even cross his mind when he has so much to offer, just in case they are, I slide my arm around his waist and curl up close. I gaze up at him with open affection and pepper his jawline with kisses.

“Of course I’m not thinking of anyone else,” I tell him, as my lips move along his strong jaw. “As far as I’m concerned, there is no one else. Just you and me. All the other people in the world have disappeared. It’s the damndest thing.”

That makes him smile. “I wonder what happened to them.”

“I just hope they don’t come back,” I joke, before trailing my lips down his neck. “I love being here with you. That’s what I was thinking.”

He fists a hand in my hair, tugging my head back and looking down at me severely. “It was not. Don’t lie to me.”

Warmth moves through my belly at the tone of command he uses, even though I’m sated. “I wasn’t lying. That is what I was thinking. I didn’t want you to think I was being mushy.”

“Mm hmm,” he murmurs, seemingly unconvinced, as he drags the tip of his finger lightly down the front of my neck, sending chills everywhere.

I can’t tell if he’s playing or not. Uncertainty makes me feel a little drunk, a little off-kilter. Does he want to play with me? I know he likes to play domination games, but we haven’t explored his play room, or any of the games he might play inside it.

It’s like I can feel him wanting to play, but for some reason, he doesn’t ask. Is it as much fun if I offer? Maybe part of the thrill for him is luring me into it. Maybe I should wait so I can follow his lead. I don’t know how any of this works.

I feel exposed as he looks down at me. Not because I’m naked, but because of his penetrating stare, like he’s trying to see inside me. Oh, that he could.

On instinct, I ask softly, “What are you worried about?”

His voice is hard—too hard. “I’m not worried about anything.”

“Okay,” I say easily, swallowing past the lump of unease.

“Do you like being held like this, Virginia?” His tone is at once casual and in command. The finger he has been running up and down my throat stops, and his hand curls around my throat instead.

I swallow on instinct, my heartbeat kicking up a few paces. “I—um… I can see the appeal.”

His sensual lips curve up firmly. “It’s a yes or no question, sweetheart.” His fingers tighten around my throat just slightly.

“I like it if you like it,” I finally say.

His tone is more a purr than anything, and it washes over me like pure sex as he tugs me closer. “Oh, I was wrong. That’s a much better answer.” He rewards me with a kiss, and I’m so hungry for him, I let my tongue dart out to ask for more.

Upon breaking the kiss, he murmurs, “You want me to fuck you again, don’t you?”

Always.