Page 19 of The Reluctant Siren
“Which is why you’re perfect. I also wanted someone who I dohave some chemistry with.” It wasn’t the insane, off-the-charts,do-anything-to-get-into-his-pants chemistry she’d had with Jensen, but sheliked it. It was softer, warmer. It felt like solid ground. “But you know I’mtruly asking because I’ve been interested since the minute we met. It’s anexcuse.”
His lips curled up in the sweetest smile.
That was what time with him felt like. Sweet.
Would sex with him feel just as sweet? She was honest withherself. The chemistry between them wasn’t as moth to the flame as she felt forJensen, but she wanted him. It hadn’t been the fall into bed the first nightand start planning a life, but it was totally there. A slow burn might keep herwarm and not torch her whole soul.
“Why do you think I haven’t gotten physical with a singlesub the whole time I’ve been here?”
“Because you were waiting for me.” The idea was like theman. Sweet. Filling a part of herself that had been empty for a long time.
“I wonder if I haven’t been waiting for you my whole life.”He winced. “That was probably coming on too strong. Let me rephrase that so Ilook way cooler and less available than I actually am.”
Nope. She so liked that he wasn’t a player. She leaned overand kissed him, a brief touch of her lips to his. “Too late.”
“Good, because I don’t like to play games,” he replied andkissed her back, his hand cupping the nape of her neck and holding her therewhile he explored her mouth.
The kiss left her breathless and more excited than she’dfelt in forever. Like she was going on an adventure, but this time she trulytrusted the partner she was taking with her. “No games at all, Sir?”
It had been forever since she really played. Oh, she’d lether Dom friends spank her and flog her and get her to cry, but there had beenno sexy touches. No fantasy play. She’d put herself in deep freeze after whathappened with Jensen. It was past time to defrost.
“Emotional games,” he corrected. “There are other games I’mmore than happy to play with you. Why don’t we start with you pulling thosepants down and laying on my lap. I think we should train before we go in. Wecan certainly be a new couple, but we should look like we’ve spent some timetogether.”
He might be new to the lifestyle, but he’d already figuredout some Dom tricks. “And the only way to possibly look like we’re comfortabletogether is for you to spank my naked ass?”
His big shoulders shrugged. “I know I’ll feel morecomfortable.”
She had to be honest with him. “I’m not ready for full-onsex, Niall.”
He showed no anger at all. He simply nodded. “My cock canstay in my pants. How do you feel about fingers? Can I spank your pretty assand then stroke your clit until you come?”
And there went all of her resolve. “You know where that willlead.”
“Yes, it will lead right to my bed where we’re going to goto sleep and talk some more in the morning,” he promised. “There’s a greatbagel place next door. They’re actually a donut place, but I’m supposed to beall healthy and shit.”
“Donuts,” she said with a sigh and she stood. “Niall, forgetwhat I said. I want what you’re offering me. It’s not fair for me to geteverything I want and you nothing because I’m wary.”
“Then why don’t you get out of your clothes. I’ll give you aT-shirt to sleep in after we’re done. And Harlow, I’m offering you everything Isaid I would. If I’m your partner, your needs come before mine.” He winked herway, and the sexiest smirk came over his face. “Unless you beg.”
She pulled her shirt over her head. “I won’t beg, Sir.”
“Words to make you eat later, princess.” His cock tented hisjeans nicely, and she wondered if he wasn’t right. He was so gorgeous, and hemade her feel safe.
She tossed her shirt aside and unclasped her bra, watchinghim watch her. One big muscular arm was around the back of the sofa and hisbody was relaxed, with the exception of his impressive erection. She’d seen theman in leathers, seen him dressed for the gym. Not once had that cock of hismade an appearance.
Was he telling her the truth? Was she the only woman hewanted? The idea of having every ounce of this man’s focus on her made hernipples peak. He made all the right moves. He seemed to know exactly what sheneeded, and he made sure she got it. Oh, he would prove himself to be human,but for now there was a magical feel to being with this man. She’d hesitated somuch in the last few months that it felt good to follow her instincts.
Which had her shimmying out of her jeans and undies andstanding naked in front of him. She grew up in a family where shame wasn’t aword unless it had to do with missing the answer to final Jeopardy. She wascomfortable in her skin, and sometimes she wondered if a part of that wasbecause she was pulled out of school before she got hit with the mean-girlshit. Her sister had far more hangups than she did.
“Damn, you are gorgeous.”
She had to give him a saucy smile. “It’s not like youhaven’t seen most of it. Fet wear leaves little to the imagination. It’s why weenforce some strict rules since we’ve got so many siblings playing.”
“Is that what the zones are about?” Niall asked with a grin.“I can go wherever I want, but I heard someone saying he couldn’t enter zonethree since it’s a Thursday. Also, you don’t even understand my imagination. Itgoes to some kinky places when it comes to you. Come here.”
She loved how husky his voice had gotten. She moved towardhim. “Yes, Sir. Things are carefully planned. Sometimes it’s about days. Mycousin Gigi only plays on Thursdays or Fridays because her brothers play onSaturday. But Chloe and Gabe and their brother John don’t want to limit theirdays, so they have zones. John tried to tell Chloe she needed to wear a robewhen she walked to her zone, and she punched him. I taught her how, so now Johndoesn’t mention robes anymore.”
“Blood-thirsty princess,” he said with a grin. “I’m glad youdon’t have brothers so we don’t have to worry about zones. Lay on my lap. Iwant to get this over with. I want to cuddle. You’ll stay with me.”
