Page 51 of Keeping What He Wants

“Why don’t you want me to be in that part of your life?”

“Because it corrupts people, Ella. You’re so fucking good. Innocent. Naïve, even.” He stared up at the ceiling. “You don’t need that in your life.”

“You’re not corrupted.”

“I am. You just keep me from sinking into the darkness.”

She wrapped her arms around him. “You’ve got a good heart. Don’t sell yourself short.”

He kissed her arm. “You’re still not going to be part of the club.”

“Fine,” she relented. “Just don’t treat me different in front of your friends.” She kissed his neck. “You’re so lovable and cuddly.”

“I’ve been trapped in here with you for too long.” He turned to look at her with a smile on his face. “There is nothing cuddly about me.”

“No?” Her teeth scraped along his ear lobe. “You offered to hold me that first night we got together. I was down to fuck, and you just wrapped your arms around me while we lay in my bed. That was pretty damn cuddly, I think.”

“I plead the fifth.”

She laughed. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Ella hugged him, and he loved the way she felt.

He pulled her on top of him and smoothed his hands down her back to cup her bare ass. “Look at me.”

Ella sat back on his thighs.

“You don’t ever have to be something you’re not to get my attention. I mean it. I love you exactly how you are, and I want you just the way you are. I’ve told you before that you’re not like those women. You never will be. Inviting you into that life is just asking for trouble, Ella. I don’t want it for you, and I don’t want it for me.”

She pressed her forehead against his. “It’s because of my dad, right?”

He pulled her hair back. “Among other things.”

“So shaking my ass and working the pole for you is out of the question?”

“Honey, you can do whatever the fuck you want. I’m not going to say no.”

She nodded. “I’ll hold you to that.”

He laughed and rolled her to her stomach, smacking her ass. He loved her. There was no denying it. He scraped his teeth along her fleshy cheek.

“No spanking me.” She shielded her ass with her hands as he smacked her bottom. “You’re the one that needs a spanking!”

“You’re so damn right about that one.” He laughed and fell back against the mattress as she dominated him, rubbing her body against his while she tried to smack his ass. He gripped her arms and pulled her down to kiss her. She made him smile. And as long as a smile stayed on her face, he was okay with whatever it was she wanted to do.

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