Bared (Club Sin 2)

Once she stood, her taut nipples were so close to brushing against his chest, and she fought against the desire to rub herself all over him. Things needed to be discussed—even she knew that.

Everything had changed.

Their relationship was different—she wasn’t only his submissive, she was now his fiancée. Her heart tripped, and she could hardly wait to tell Presley and Kenzie. She could hardly wait to become Cora Knight.

She’d never doubted his love. She felt that emotion through every touch and every moment with him. She’d also never been a fool; what Aidan had gone through had been devastating. The show that he’d willingly enter into love again and be entirely vulnerable all for her said more than words could.

They’d never played together in a bedroom, and this was all new to her. Yes, they’d had sex when they went camping, but he had seemed relaxed that night. He didn’t act like the Dom she knew in the dungeon. She had no clue if his easygoing manner would extend to the bedroom. The idea of learning with him all over again fluttered her belly, and she didn’t anticipate the burn between her thighs that brought.

She needed him close. She needed his touch. She craved for him to be inside her.

He commanded her with one look. His shadowy eyes scanned over her from head to toe, and when he lifted his head to stare intently at her, a swell of desire stormed straight to her core. God almighty, he’d never looked at her like this. Not with this intensity—with this heat—or with this affection. An expression had never held so much weight, but Cora felt the power of that look ease her longing.

At whatever crossed her expression, he smiled, and then he tugged on her hair. “It looks good like this.”

“I wanted a change,” she said, totally mesmerized by him.

Hell, she had wanted this side of him and had dreamed of it once so long ago. Now with the reality upon her, the remainder of the broken shards of her heart washed away. It didn’t matter what’d they had gone through—he accepted his love for her.

Cora needed nothing else.

She witnessed it there in his chiseled face and the arch to his mouth. He no longer looked at her out of duty. This was different. He looked to her as if he finally saw her. As if he finally realized how important she was to him. As if he accepted their connection instead of hiding from it. As if the pain and fear he had carried had vanished.

Aidan had forgiven himself.

Cora had no idea what he went through to experience the peace she saw in the depths of his eyes, but she didn’t care. Aidan admitted his weakness to her tonight, something she never thought a Dom would do. That message spoke of trust far beyond anything she had experienced.

She didn’t need to know the why.

He loved her.

She loved him.

She would be his wife.

His gaze shifted ever so slightly, becoming a bit darker and demanding. Cora shivered, and her skin tingled for his touch. When he tangled his fingers into her hair, her lips parted with a sigh, as he added, “Your strength, Cora, it amazes me. Your beauty … it takes my breath away.”

Heat zinged up her legs before descending like liquid fire to pool low in her sex. Even his hold seemed different. He wasn’t careful in the way he gripped her, or demanding telling her not to move.

His firm fingers claimed her.

A statement she read that no other fingers would dare touch her hair. No other man would feel her skin. The tightness of his grip told her he didn’t intend to let go. One single sensation Cora had craved.

With his hard gaze on her, he ran his fingers up her arm, not soft as usual, but testing. She had flinched the last time he touched her, and now his harsh hold and the deep pressing of his fingers indicated clearly enough that that wasn’t an option anymore.

She was to stay put and accept what he offered.

Cora didn’t intent to move away.

Under his touch, she melted and ached for him. Her soul opened to the warmth in his gaze as he finally asked more of her. He wasn’t being gentle and careful, as he would with a sub who didn’t belong to him. He used more force, indicating she belonged right there. His eyes blazed, and she didn’t doubt if she flinched, he’d strap her to the bed until she didn’t hesitate.

Under his mastery and his love, Cora found salvation.

He yanked her against him, and the space between them got very small. “Now, then, I think it’s important to discuss expectations, since the dynamics of our relationship are changing.”

Cora couldn’t restrain her smile at the lack of distance in his gaze—he was bared, and she drowned in it, as he continued. “In the dungeon, we’ve already established that when we scene I demand you to be in the submissive role.” He moved in behind her and Cora’s loins burned in desire.

Under his intense study of her, she tumbled into his command. With slow, small steps, he walked around her, trailing a finger over her lower back. “In the bedroom, I allow a little leeway. When I give an order, as I did tonight for you to come into the bedroom, that marks the beginning of our play. I only expect a sir at a direct question, not at all times, as we do in the dungeon. When we play, I expect you to fall into the submissive role. And I will tell you when play has ended. Until I do, you will stay in the submissive role. Understand?”