Well, hell, wasn’t that the shitty truth? She shrugged, as if it didn’t matter to her about that precious baby when in truth she would give her eye teeth to raise the filly as her own. Master Dan knew just how to play her, and reel her in. “Just out of curiosity, what’s your price?”
“Your complete trust. Give yourself to me, and not just at the club this time, and agree to my demands. The first time I get you to climax, she’s yours, and our bargain can end.”
Oh, wow, I never expected that. His suggestion sent warm tingles dancing down her spine, a temptation she was hard-pressed to turn down. A chance to get back the confidence Gerard had stolen from her and win the foal would be a dream come true. She’d always wanted a horse of her own but had intended to wait until she could buy a few acres to keep it on instead of boarding it. But gazing into those soft, trusting eyes had won her over and there was no going back now. She couldn’t help thinking that might have been Dan’s plan all along.
“I’ve never known you to be so manipulative,” she said without censure.
“I’ve never been presented with such a challenge before.”
Dan reached behind her and wound her hair around his hand and wrist until his knuckles rested against her nape with the snug hold. She held her breath, waiting for the tug, refusing to panic as the flashback of Gerard’s cruel grip and drag on her scalp threatened the fond memory of the tug she used to love. But he just held patiently still, his eyes steady on her face, giving her the option to move and create that yank on her scalp herself or to stay still.
“What are you trying to prove?” she asked when her jitters calmed, confused by this maneuver.
“Nothing. I’m showing you I’m willing to let you set the pace and call the shots here first, until you’re more comfortable. When you are, I’ll take over and then we’ll go to the club.”
His offer surprised her, the reason for it renewing her frustration. “But, you’ll hate that!” When it came to sex, he was a dominant man, needing to control as much as she craved to be taken over. She didn’t want her fears to keep him from enjoying the lifestyle like they were her.
A small smile curled his lips. “Yeah, I will. But you’ll need that assurance to get you over the first hurdle.” He released her hair and pivoted, walking out of the stall, his next words causing a wet gush to dampen her panties. “You used to love going down on me, and in case I’ve never mentioned it before, no one can give head as good as you, at least from what I remember. I may need a reminder to be sure. I’ll be up at the house when you decide.”
The casual way Dan tossed out the suggestion for oral se
x and the thread of excitement the idea evoked reminded Nan of why she’d always enjoyed his company. What do I have to lose? Her first thought propelled her feet forward, her response making her eager to discover if indulging in that sexual act outside of the club would turn her on as much as when she’d performed it in public. But she halted after taking only two steps, her insecurities rising to the surface. What if she freaked out again, like she had the other night? Who would be more upset if she failed to go through with it, if she managed to suck and stroke his cock into a throbbing erection and a return of terror forced her to back away?
The little filly neighed behind her, the sweet sound pulling her back into the stall to stroke her silky head. Shit, was she such a fucked-up mess she would walk away from his offer, from the first light at the end of the dark tunnel she’d failed to emerge from on her own? Before she could decide, the side door opened and a young man she didn’t recognize entered, his startled gaze taking in her unexpected presence.
“Hi. I’m a friend of Dan’s. Are you one of the new hands around here?” His gaunt face reminded her of other veterans Dan had hired and helped in the past.
“Yes, ma’am. I’m Pete.” He came over and held out his hand, his brows dipping as he got a close look at her face. “You okay?”
“I’m fine, a little too much to drink last night is all,” she returned with a wry grin at his astuteness as she shook his hand. “I’m Nan, and I hope I’m way too young for you to continue calling me ma’am.”
A sheepish look crossed his face. “Respectful politeness is drilled into you in the military and it’s a hard habit to break.”
“I guess there are worse ones.” Shoring up her resolve and nerves, she ran her palms down her thighs as she said, “He’s waiting for me at the house. Nice to meet you, Pete.”
Pete nodded then surprised her by saying, “He’s a good man, none better. I’d trust him with my life. Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
She’d trusted Dan for years before ever meeting Gerard, maybe it was time she did so again. “Yeah, he is. Have a nice day, Pete. Take care of my baby.” She waved her hand toward the filly and then strode out of the stables, having made her decision.
Pete watched the attractive brunette with the haunted eyes leave the stable, wondering at the grim determination that had settled over her face and what, or who was responsible for the nightmares that must have put that look in her eyes. God knows, there were more evils in the world than what happened during war, and he wasn’t the only one who found the days difficult to get through.
Dan did his best to remain calm and unaffected as Nan entered his house and walked into the den with slow, measured steps and a curve to her mouth that set his pulse to jumping along with his cock. He recognized that brazen, teasing smile, but not the uncertainty in her eyes. The girl he remembered was still in there, wanting to re-emerge. Now, if he could just push the right buttons to help her find her way back, he could get the rest of the story.
Remaining seated in the wide recliner facing the stone fireplace, he let her set the pace, widening his knees as she stood before him. “Are you going to take me up on my offer, then?”
She went to her knees as gracefully as always and looked up at him with that small grin still in place. “It’ll be weird calling you Master here, but,” she trailed those long fingers up his thighs, “this is the same no matter where we are, right?” Cupping her palm over his denim covered cock, she squeezed, her smile spreading to reveal straight, white teeth.
“Right.” Her eyes remained uncertain instead of sparking with pleasure, but those soft lips kept their curved shape. She wasn’t comfortable with the situation, not like she normally would be, but she still didn’t hesitate to lower his zipper and grasp his heated flesh in her hand as she released his cock. The craving for dominance was still there, so Dan let her stroke him for a minute and enjoyed her tight grip moving up and down his rigid length until his blood heated to the boiling point. Aching for the familiar, pleasurable suction of her soft mouth and clinging lips, he fisted his hands to keep from reaching for her and instructed, “Mouth only for right now, Nan. Lace your fingers behind your head. That will help you keep from using your hands without triggering your fear by binding them.”
Nan licked her lips, a slow sweep of her tongue over the lush curves that had him gritting his teeth to keep from climaxing right then. While Dan enjoyed the tease that reminded him of her old self, he didn’t relish waiting for his pleasure. It had been way too long since he’d played with his favorite sub. Edgy arousal hardened the warning behind his one-word growl. “Nan.” She rewarded him with her obedience, lifting her hands behind her head as a noticeable shiver racked her body that didn’t alter her expression.
“Like this, Master Dan?”
With her hands laced behind her head, elbows out, the position pushed her full, unfettered breasts forward, their plump roundness shifting under her thin tee. “Yes, just like that.” Wrapping his right hand around the base of his cock, he held his erection up and called on every ounce of his patience as he waited for her to dip her head.
Nan wanted to taste Master Dan again in the worst way, to feel his smooth crown bumping her throat as she took him deep. There was no fear, or even a hint of anxiety as she bent at the waist and swept her tongue over his seeping slit, savoring his pre-cum sliding down her throat. Without his hands or restraints binding her, she stayed in control. She dipped down and closed her lips around the thick girth, enjoying the way his size stretched her lips and filled her mouth. The memory of how his thick, long cock would burn as he slid inside her pussy, stretching and filling her the same way drew a shiver of remembered pleasure.
When her nose bumped his hand at the base, she pulled slowly back, swirling her tongue around and around, pausing to scrape her teeth over the bulging, pumping veins before traveling back up to his cap as Dan groaned above her. Nan basked in the contentment of pleasing a Dom again, of accomplishing a feat without bad memories intruding.