Page 36 of Sins and Secrets

The relief is visible on his face. “Good girl.”

Holy shit. My core clenches and I could melt in his arms. How did two words shatter any sort of self-control I had left?

“Two more things before we get started. One, reds and greens can change. Something might be fine one day, but feel off another. Guard rails move, and that’s okay.”

His hand drops from my chin and I didn’t realize how much I liked his touch until it was gone. A mix of nervousness and anticipation blend together and my body comes alive with a buzzing energy. His words, this entire conversation, have given me a weird sense of warmth and comfort.

“Sounds good. What’s the other thing?”

He cups my cheeks in his hands and kisses me, slow, deep and passionate. When he breaks away from our first kiss in a half decade, Lukas whispers, “That night at the beach house, pinning you against the wall, was a formative moment for me. That’s when I started to act on my darker desires.” He waits for my reaction, and my cheeks burn. What else am I in for? He continues, “Are you interested in exploring some of that with me?”

“Yes.” That single word comes out a little louder and more eager than I hoped.

He softens as the straight line of his lips curls microscopically at the corners.

His knuckles scrape against my arm until his hand tightens, enclosing my wrist. He gives me a squeeze and it triggers an instant shiver.

Lukas leads me into his bedroom. “Draw the shades and take off your clothes. Don’t turn around.”

Behind me, I can hear him opening the closet door.

Ok. Blinds are down. I can do this. I’ve taken my shirt off everyday of my life, easy peasy. My fingers brush against my stomach, but as I grab the end of the shirt, I freeze, those old familiar doubts once again creeping in. Why is he doing this? Am I wrong for wanting this?

You know what? No, no I’m not.

A slow grin spreads over my lips as I resume removing my shirt.

“Waverly, take them off. Now.”

His command startles me. It’s a shift in a power dynamic I’m not expecting. And I like it.

I take my time raising my arms and gliding my shirt over my face. I let the fabric drag across my hair, and as I pull it all the way off, my long locks tickle the skin on my bare back. I try to conceal my hands shaking as I unzip my jeans. It takes two tries to get the top button undone. I hook my thumbs into my jeans at my hips, the air is cool on my ass as the jeans make it past my generous bump.

Lukas makes a low groan. Still facing away from him, I smile knowing he hasn’t completely changed over the years.. He always did enjoy the view from the back.

As my jeans fall to the ground, I try to step out of them, and my foot gets stuck. There goes my sexiness. Stupid skinny jeans get all tight at the ankles. Clearly a design flaw. I step on the jeans with my left foot as I try to release my right, doing my best not to fall.

If he sees me stumble trying to step out of them, he doesn’t say anything. As a matter of fact, he hasn’t said anything in a while.

I focus on the shades, the faded cream that looks almost yellow against the gray walls. He drops something heavy on the bed. Metal clanks, and I jump.

“Easy.” His breath is on the back of my neck. I feel self conscious for a moment and raise my arms to cover my breasts. He reaches around, grabs my wrists and moves my hands to the sides of my body. He releases them and slowly drags his fingers up my arms, producing shivers like I’ve never felt before. His hand makes its way toward my head and he grabs my hair gently, bringing it over my shoulder. Dear God, these miniscule movements are driving me crazy and the heat pooling in my core is making me squirm.

“We’re going very basic, no pain, no punishments.” His breath is warm in my ear. I can’t help but to lean into him..

“Sounds good to me.” Did my voice sound nervous? I can’t tell anymore.

His finger caresses my spine, and my body shivers the whole way until he reaches my lower back. “You’re too much of a people pleaser to be a brat anyway.”

I’m a little offended he would call me a brat, but he’s right about being a people pleaser.

His hand clamps on my left ass cheek and I jump. He lets out a short breath, a huff, his version of a laugh. “I don’t like brats anyway. I like good girls,” he says as he squeezes harder.

Fuck, those words make my body ache. I squeeze my thighs together. It doesn’t give me the relief I hoped for.

He releases my ass and steps in front of me. He seems calm. Why isn’t he affected like I am? Probably because he knows what’s going to happen next.

His voice is stern and commanding. “Put your arms around your back, cross them and hold them by your elbows.”

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