Page 45 of Releasing Reenie

Light. Free, like I’d gotten answers I’d been waiting for my whole life.

Trent returned, helping me to sit and holding the bottle of water to my lips, tipping it gently.

I drank thirstily, downing half the bottle in a couple gulps before pushing it away. Trent screwed the cap back on, then looked at me like he could see my soul. His eyes were full of concern and… what else? I wasn’t sure.

Shame burned in my belly. I felt better about what had happened in the Dungeon after the punishment, it would have been impossible not to, but now the guilt was different. I didn’t feel it over the act itself, but over putting Trent in this position. Which was stupid. It hadn’t even been my idea to do so.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered thickly, casting my eyes down to stare at his hands holding the water bottle. “And thank you. I know this… I know it’s probably not what you wanted to do tonight.”

Trent’s response was a scoff that turned into a low, deep chuckle, before he took my chin in the crook of his fingers and forced me to look at him.

“I didn’t want to help a friend? I didn’t want to put my hands on a very sexy woman? I didn’t want to stripe her ass and paddle her hard and help her release guilt?” He frowned. “I’m not sure why I wouldn’t want to do those things. They happen to be some of my very favorite things to do. Just like right now, I want to hold you, and hug you and talk or not talk. I want to be here for you. For whatever you need.”

What did I need? The common aftercare kit touted by experts was warm blankets, snuggles, chocolate, and water. It’s what I myself went with in situations like these ones, but it wasn’t what I wanted. It wasn’t what Ineeded.

“I need…” I trailed off, licking my lips. He should say no. This was a punishment. A well-deserved one. If I was anyone else, what I wanted would be off the table. But I wasn’t your run-of the-mill submissive. Hell, I wasn’t evena submissive.

Whatever you need.The loaded phrase played on repeat in my brain, spurring along my request. I licked my lips again and cleared my throat. Trent was looking at me expectantly, waiting for me to finish.

“I need… you.” It came out strained. Vague. My voice cracked. Why was I so nervous?

Trent squeezed my hand and ran his hand along my side. “You have me. I’m right here.”

“No.” I reached out with my free hand and ran it over the crotch of his slacks, biting my lip in both nerves and anticipation when I realized he was hard. “I want you. I’ve been stripped bare of all my armor and I can’t resist you, or us, another second. Not tonight.” I didn’t know how long this feeling would last but I wasn’t wasting it. I had no pride, no ego in this, I just wanted tobe consumed by him, the man who was strong enough to let me be weak.

For a second, as he scrutinized my face, I considered he might reject me for reasons other than his morals. The thought hurt, but I resisted the walls that instinct brought up to protect myself. I shoved them down, pushed them away. I was not going to protect myself from the bad, because those walls didn’t just stop the bad, they stopped everything.

He got my intention then. His eyes darkened with desire. “I normally wouldn’t in a situation like this,” he hedged. “This is a Rawhide-sanctioned punishment.”

I nodded. “I know, but… it’s over, and who I am right in this moment is someone who’s no longer willing to push what we have away. There’s something between us and we both know it. Whether I admit that in the light of day remains to be seen. And let’s face it, there’s nothing about us that fits under ‘normally’.” I swallowed hard and brought my gaze up to meet his eyes again. “I… please? I really… I need you. I need your strength to fill me. Let me be yours just a little longer.”

CHAPTER 24

Trent

When Maureen wrapped her hand around my cock—as best she could through my pants—and those long-lashed sultry eyes pleaded at me, saying “I need you,” I had to stifle a groan.

A full-body groan from my throat down to my cock. The responsible Dom side of me was waving red flags. Sometimes sex after a punishment was a very bad idea—something I would try to avoid, especially in a circumstance like this.

But her pleading for me to let her be mine just a little longer… that did it. Not only was my protective Daddy side coming out in full force, but my cock ached for her. I wanted this woman. What we had before, it wasn’t enough, it was anamuse-bouche, and I needed a fucking meal. And here she was begging to feed me.

If it was anyone else, I would have said no. But it was Maureen, and I wanted to be her strength, her safe place, her Daddy. And I just plain wanted it. Maybe more than she did.

“Lie back,” I commanded, my voice stern. If she wanted this, if she wanted me… then she was going to get me. “You’re mine tonight,” I growled.

“Yes…”

Her pause had me holding still, watching her. Instinct telling me whatever she was about to say was huge.

“Daddy.”

A red-hot poker of desire rammed through me, burning through any remnants of restraint I held onto. I growled again, this time sounding feral?almost beast-like.

“Hands above your head,” I said gruffly, grabbing her nipple between my thumb and forefinger, pinching lightly. “Daddy likes that. Call me that again.”

“Daddy,” she said on another gasp as I tweaked the hard bud in my fingers.

“Such a good, good, girl you are, Reenie.”

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