Midnight Magic, page 59
“Thank you so much for the delicious meal, Liam. You didn’t need to go to all the trouble. I could have easily put something together for us.”
Liam took a sip of wine and put his glass and Whitney’s glass on the coffee table. He grasped her hips and pulled her onto his lap until her body curled into his. He tucked a stray curl behind her ear. No shying away from him. Master Liam demanded full disclosure. Sometimes that meant simply allowing him to penetrate her gaze. Tonight was about building trust, not pushing boundaries. They would get there, eventually.
“Whitney, I wanted to do something nice for you. I know how busy you are and how crazy things have been. Picking up dinner on my way here was easy. This way, we both get to relax and not fret about the timing of the potatoes being ready when the roast is a perfect 135 degrees Fahrenheit. You can cook another time. And I’ve been known to don oven mitts myself. Some evening when we have more time on our hands, it would be my honor to cook for you.”
The heat Liam saw in her eyes could have melted the polar ice cap. She drank him in. He was humbled to be on the receiving end of her attention. It sent his pulse racing and his blood rushing below his belt, but he needed to stay in control.
“Did you know that the way to a woman’s heart is in the kitchen?” Whitney said with a coy smirk on her face and a glimmer in her eyes.
“Isn’t the saying more like ‘the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’?”
“Sure, everyone knows that version. But in today’s society, where the woman of the house is also a career woman, maid, cook, and myriad other roles, you should cook for her if you want to win her hand. Often and well. She will be yours forever.” Whitney nodded her head once for emphasis.
Liam loved this playful side of Whitney. And if cooking would keep that smile on her face, he was just the Dom to make it happen. He wasn’t a gourmet chef like Jazz by any stretch of the imagination, but he owned a Robot Coupe and knew how to use it. Hell, he’d even been known to bake cookies and muffins to unlock a few panties. And maybe Whitney would enjoy being his sous chef.
He’d found a new mission — making Whitney smile. A soothing warmth, not searing pain, invaded his heart. And he wasn’t shoring up the barricades safeguarding his heart. Instead, he was the one pulling them down brick by brick, allowing Whitney’s light to shine a healing light onto the detritus that used to be his heart.
He leaned in as he pulled her face toward his. Their lips barely touched, and the sizzle of sexual heat between them surged into the stratosphere. Having Whitney in his arms was heaven. He licked and nibbled on her lips until she opened. Her tongue darted out and explored his lips, calling to him, coaxing him to come out and play. He didn’t need a second invitation.
Whitney traced her fingertips across each honed muscle in Liam’s back, each one twitching as if it was straining to meet her touch, deepen it. He liked having her hands on his body. It felt right to give her a piece of himself.
Liam kept his hands cradling her face as he drew them back onto the sofa, taking her with him, so she was on top of him. They both stretched out their legs though the sofa wasn’t long enough for Liam. He let his left leg fall to the floor with his foot bracing their bodies. His right leg bent up and pressed against the back of the couch. Whitney nestled between his legs, her belly against his ribs, her hips pressed into his erection.
She was a temptress, undulating her body in time with the music. Part of him was hugely turned on. But the Dom in him questioned his reading of her responses. Could she be taking control to stave off detaching? He needed to slow things down, or else he would come in his pants before they made it to the bedroom.
Liam pulled back from her kiss and held her shoulders firmly in his hands. “Whoa, beautiful lady,” he said as he searched her eyes. “We have all night.”
Confusion flashed across her face as color crept up her cheeks. “I thought you Doms liked it hot and sweaty.”
“Oh babe, trust me, I love hot and sweaty. But there are lots of ways to get there. Tonight, I want to take my time to taste and touch and explore every inch of your luscious body. I want to discover what you like, what turns you on, what makes you wet. You know I need control as much as you need me to be in control. Do you trust me enough to allow me to be in control when it comes to sex? Can you surrender your body to me? Allow me the honor of seeing to your needs and your ultimate pleasure?”
He punctuated each question with a nibble sliding down her neck until he reached her breasts. Her scent had hunger of a different kind grumbling in his stomach.
Liam pressed Whitney’s shoulders back so he could see her answer to these fundamental questions. If the hardened peaks of her nipples poking through her T-shirt were any indication, “yes” should be her answer. But would her fear get in her way?
“Yes.”
The correct answer, despite a hint of trepidation lurking in the undertone. But first, Liam needed to be sure for what he had planned.
“I know you were not properly trained, Whitney, so I will let your lapse in manners go without punishment this time. But you need to remember, the proper way to address your Dom is Sir.”
“Yes, Sir.”
The words floated from her lips — more than a sigh, not quite a gasp. They were primal, guttural, born in her soul and manifested with her body.
He could smell her arousal. She was as turned on as he was. Indeed, Whitney was a sensual creature capable of experiencing pure ecstasy. She just needed the right partner to coax it out of her in a safe and caring environment. Liam needed to be that man.
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God, this man was deadly. Whitney thought she knew what he wanted and was prepared to give it to him. Then he completely floored her with tenderness, unlike his aloof and withdrawn persona.
Whitney was very aware of Liam’s Dominant side. So, how should she begin that conversation with a new lover? “Yo, Master D. I want to be your sub and how about you be my boy toy? Oh, and feel free to bring your buddy along.” Not bloody likely. She had thought she would show Liam with her mouth and her body. But that wasn’t the right approach either.
Her curiosity only intensified when Liam put the brakes on. And so had her confusion. She thought she’d read the fire in his eyes correctly. Maybe she hadn’t. Before she’d had a chance to figure out a plan B, Liam was off the sofa, striding toward the stairs with her delicately cradled in his arms. He moved up the stairs effortlessly, his gaze never leaving hers. The blaze in his eyes when he looked at her melted her heart. Whitney knew Liam was a regular participant at the Pandemonium Club. She knew Liam could satisfy his needs there, yet he chose to be here. With her. Inexperienced. Damaged. Fragile. Was this more than just sex to Liam? Did he care about her?
“Are you with me, little one?” His voice was a rumble vibrating from deep in his chest. She felt the words reverberating in her core as much as she heard them. Yum.
All she could do was nod.
“Tell me. I need to hear you say it.”
It took her a few moments to get her tongue to acknowledge the command from her brain to form words. “I’m with you, Sir. I’m so very with you.”
“Thank fuck. Based on the way all the blood in my body is racing to my cock, I don’t think I would have survived had you said no.”
“I don’t know if I’ve wanted anyone like I want you.”
His eyes grew even darker. This incredible, sexy man wanted her too.
A bed magically appeared, and Liam walked over to it, pulled back the covers with one hand, and gently lowered her to the cool sheets. She wasn’t a big woman, yet neither was she a waif. Somehow in Liam’s arms, she felt like air, just a tiny wisp of a lady being tenderly cared for by this powerful, potent man.
All she could do was smile. Smile at how at ease she felt with Liam. Smile at how she knew he was going to rock her world thoroughly. Smile at the fact that the Liam Miller was looking at her with unadulterated hunger in his eyes.
“Your smile is incredible. Your eyes sparkle, your skin glows, and I can see your heart beating in your chest.”
“Not just anyone makes me smile like this, Mr. Miller.” This time her smile came with a deep, throaty voice she didn’t even recognize.
“Well, beautiful lady, plan on having that smile planted on your face for hours. Think you can handle that?”
That made her head spin as blood rushed to her nipples and the throbbing tissues between her legs. “I…I’m willing to give it the old college try.”
Liam gave her an expectant look like he was waiting for something.
“I’m willing, Sir.” She had to remember the rules.
“That’s better, little one.” Liam’s focus lasered in on her. His smile evaporated, and an erotic tension came over his musculature.
Whitney gulped like a schoolgirl being asked out on her first date by the quarterback of the varsity football team. Master Liam had arrived.
“Normally, forgetting the proper honorific when addressing your Dom is worth ten swats. However, since you’re just learning, I will forgo punishment this evening.”
Her eyes flared, and her breath caught. Sensing her fear, Liam gently caressed her thigh with the tips of his fingers. The connection brought her focus back to her body and out of her head.
“There’s nothing I want more than for you to trust me with your safety and to trust that I can make you feel completely and utterly, blissfully satisfied. If at any moment I do something that scares you or takes you too far outside your comfort zone, promise me you will use your safeword. It’s my utmost responsibility to make sure you feel cared for, cherished, and respected. We can go as fast or as slow as you want. I’ll do my best to anticipate your needs before you’re even aware of them. But we’re new to each other in this way, so I want to make sure I’m reading your signals correctly. Choose a safe word.”
“Erotica, Sir.”
“Erotica it is. If you say the word erotica, our activity comes to a full stop no matter what we are doing. Red can also be used to halt the scene. If that happens, we’ll discuss why you felt the need to stop. I’ll then determine if the scene will continue or be modified or completely stopped. Yellow and Green can also be used. Yellow for a pause in what we’re doing so you can ask a question or collect yourself. Green if you like what we’re doing and would like to increase the intensity. Show me you understand. Explain what the words mean. I need to hear you say the words.”
“Erotica or Red will stop the scene to discuss what’s happening. Yellow to pause. Green to increase the intensity. Sir.”
“Very good, beautiful lady. You will use Erotica or Red if you are in pain, emotional or physical, not simply because you’re feeling overwhelmed. I will push you, but not more than I think you can handle. Let go of your preconceived notions of pleasure and pain. Let me guide you. I know you’re going to be dazzling. Are you ready?”
If she wasn’t sure of her feelings up to this point, his impassioned proclamation made her fall in love with him just a little bit. Despite his insistence on calling her a lady, she did feel cared for, cherished, and respected. Right down to her little toes. She reveled in the connection where he touched her and, more importantly, the way he looked at her. Her feelings mattered to him. That alone was mind-blowing.
Whitney reached down, laced her fingers through his hand, and brought his fingers to her lips. Liam moaned, and the muscles in his magnificent chest tensed as she placed gentle kisses on each finger.
Liam’s chin drops to his chest, almost in relief. With her other hand, she reached up to caress his temple. She cupped his firm jaw in her hand, all the while looking deep into his eyes, opening herself with honesty she felt at peace with.
“I’m yours, Sir.”
“Excellent, let’s begin.”
CHAPTER 3
“Strip.”
The command was as much a test for Master Liam as for Whitney. Protocols and rituals between Dom and sub worked together to reinforce the rules, push the boundaries, and build trust between them.
Beyond every ending, look for a new beginning. Liam could hear his sensei’s voice repeating the mantra in his head.
Liam couldn’t hide his smile as he strode to the lounge chair opposite the bed. The master bedroom wasn’t frilly or girly. Instead, it was comfortable and inviting in sky blue and earthy brown shades. Everything had a functional purpose and was placed just so. The only nod to whimsy was the collection of throw pillows with images of botanicals in various natural colors artfully positioned on the bed. He wondered if Whitney was stressing that they were now strewn across the floor after he yanked down the bed covers. That they weren’t neatly stacked must be wreaking havoc with her need for order. It was a small thing but meaningful—the pillows may have run amok, but Master Liam was here to provide structure in a new way. Lucky for them, that new way included multiple mind-bending, toe-curling, full-body orgasms.
Tonight, he would be a master of control. He wouldn’t lose it and scare her. She deserved the very best he could give her. And he would do anything in his power to show this incredible woman she should expect the very best from him.
He settled back in the chair, awaiting her decision to obey his command or not. Heat flamed in her eyes, their blue taking on a dark denim hue as the pupils dilated. God, she was so open with him. Did she realize how beautiful a gift that was? She had the power to bring him to his knees.
“I’m waiting, beautiful lady. I’ve been imagining how your gorgeous brown skin will look when I can take my time and explore every inch of it. You are an incredibly sexy woman, Whitney. I’m honored that you have let me into your bedroom.”
Whitney’s legs wobbled as she stood. Her focus was solely on Liam and not the pillows on the floor. He took that as a win.
“Permission to speak, Sir?”
“Very nicely asked, beautiful lady. I’m not so strict on the protocol you need to ask to speak. I want to hear what’s going on in that gorgeous head of yours. So, if you have a question, you only need to ask. If you want to call me Zeus when you come, I’m all for it. Open, honest communication. That’s the goal here. Understood?”
“Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir. I would like it if you helped me undress.”
So, exhibitionism wasn’t her kink. Or maybe she was still bashful about her body. The latter was a challenge Liam was up for—convincing his beautiful lady to love baring her body to him. And if it was only for him, he was OK with that. Exhibitionism wasn’t his kink either, but he would indulge a sub if needed. So, getting her comfortable in her skin became a top priority in her training.
Was he contemplating taking Whitney on as his? His to train? Theirs to share?
Waves of contentment and satisfaction rolled through Liam. Finally, he was ready to open his heart to her. He needed to be the Master to train her. To break through her preconceived notions of what a D/s relationship with him could mean. To watch her confidence grow. To bring her to the precipice of orgasm often, then deny her until she danced on the trapeze wire waiting for his command to come.
Liam’s balls weighed heavy between his legs as his cock hardened to the point of pain. But he would endure the worst case of blue balls ever imagined to gain the trust of his beautiful lady. He needed her to trust him enough to offer herself, body and soul, to him.
“It would be my pleasure to help undress you, beautiful lady. But next time I order you to strip, you will do so without hesitation. You may be a bit embarrassed at the idea of undressing in front of me. But the point of the command is to show your Dom that you trust him enough with all of you. Shedding clothes is a metaphor representing the sub’s surrender to her Dom. And watching you undress would be sexy as fuck.”
“When you put it that way, Sir, I will obey your command. Thank you for explaining.”
“You’re welcome, beautiful lady. But I’ve changed my mind. I think I’d like to undress you myself. Reveal each glorious inch of your flesh, a bit at a time, to do with whatever I want.”
Liam stifled a chuckle as a shudder coursed through Whitney’s body. His Whitney liked the idea of being at his mercy. This is going to be fun.
Liam crossed the bedroom in two strides to where she stood. He inspected her as if naked, invading her personal space without touching. Still, his gaze bound her every bit as securely as his cuffs. He knew when the weight of his stare oozed into her pores. Pebbled nipples, increased heart rate, and that marvelous full-body flush that made her body glow with desire all confirmed they were on the right path.
Liam stopped behind Whitney, still not touching, just allowing his body heat to warm her back. Her scent rolled over him—soft floral notes with hints of citrus and a unique tartness that was all Whitney. Delicious. It filled his sinuses and set off tiny lust-filled explosions in his brain’s pleasure centers. Whitney did that to him. The retort of guilt he expected flared in his chest, but it wasn’t debilitating. Just a gentle reminder of all he’d lost. He could deal with that.
Every one of his senses was engaged and straining to imprint Whitney into his brain. It wasn’t much different than evaluating wine. She was a feast for his eyes, even clothed. The sound of her rapid breathing was a catalyst for his arousal. Touching her skin was like stroking the finest silk. The scent of her arousal was his catnip. It drove him crazy. Her taste could only be described as heaven-sent, and he could never have enough. Then there was an indescribable sixth sense that had his heart and soul straining to make her his.
Facing her, Liam fluttered his fingers up her legs and slipped under the hem of her shirt. He gently lifted her t-shirt, exposing her trembling belly. He kneeled at her feet and dragged his lips from one hip to the other, adding little nips with his teeth, which he soothed with his tongue. Down one leg, around the back of her knee, up the inside of her thigh. Repeat on the other leg. He couldn’t taste enough of her to satisfy his craving. But this wasn’t about him; it was about Whitney, his beautiful lady. Everything he was doing was designed to attune her senses to his touch, ratcheting up her arousal without touching her pussy. Sweet torture. He stifled a chuckle. He was going to enjoy this.
