Page 77 of Power and Possession

“Steele, where was your security team tonight?” She looked at me closely, noticing the significance of their absence.

“I replaced my team after your father took you the first time, but I’m still short men. They’ve been watching you, my love. Ever since you left France.”

“Seriously? You had your men on me again and I didn’t notice?”

“They gave you a wide perimeter this time. Plus, your house is under surveillance at all times. Cameras, trip lines, the whole deal. They didn’t need to get close to you.”

She exhaled loudly, and I watched as her ears turned pink. She was pissed.

“I know you are going to say that it was a huge violation of your privacy, but I don’t give a damn. Do you think I honestly would have let you leave me without protecting you?”

She chewed on the inside of her cheek. I was curious to see if she’d give in to her temper or let it slide this once.

“I guess not,” she grumbled, unbuckling her seatbelt and sliding out of the car.

Disaster temporarily avoided. I was sure she’d bring it back up at some point, but for tonight, arguing with me wasn’t on her agenda.

She wanted me as much as I wanted her.

We both walked straight up to my room, silent. There was so much we wanted to say, but words weren’t enough. We would let our kisses, embraces, and sighs do the talking this time.

She followed me into the bedroom, and before she could even close the door, I pulled her into my arms. Her chest met mine and I leaned down and kissed her, slowly moving my lips against hers. As much as my body wanted to get her naked and shove inside of her, my mind wanted us to come together gently. Tenderly.

She kissed me back, her fingers running through my hair before she placed her hands against my chest. I tried to steady my breathing, but I could feel the ragged air escape my lungs. I needed to hold it together, but the anticipation was playing with my head.

She moved her lips from my mouth and nuzzled my neck, and I cursed as she placed a kiss at the hollow of my throat, moaning quietly.

“You’re burning me alive,” I said, cupping her cheeks in my hands. “I’ve never met someone so aptly named. Pretty soon there’s going to be nothing left of me but ash.”

Her brown eyes met mine, and she removed her hands from my chest and pulled her t-shirt over her head and unclasped her bra. I shuddered as her nipples instantly hardened when the cold air hit them. She covered herself, but I pulled her hands down and held them in mine.

“None of that now. We’ve been through hell and back, you and me. We’re cemented together now. You don’t get to be bashful or ashamed. Your body is now mine, just as mine is yours—and I’ll love every inch of it until my last breath.”

The intensity of my words must have moved her, becauseshe kissed me again on the lips. Her fingers snaked down and grabbed the hem of my shirt, and she pulled it off, throwing it down on the floor to join hers. Her palms went right back to my chest, and she traced the crevasses of my muscles. I bit my bottom lip and tightened my hold on her.

“I hate these scars,” she whispered, her eyes downcast. “I feel guilty every time I see them.”

“Don’t. If your father hadn’t taken me, you might not have realized what we had. I’ll wear them proudly for the rest of my life. Treasure the sacrifices we made for each other.”

We breathed together, my forehead against hers. I ran my fingers along her bare arms, feeling her tremble slightly at my touch. She stood on her tiptoes and our mouths melted together again, and I licked the seam of her lips, silently asking for entrance.

She opened her mouth, and I took what I wanted, kissing her so intently that a nuclear bomb could have gone off and I would have kept at it. When we were both shaking with need, I picked her up in my arms and then set her carefully on the bed. Her back hit the mattress, and I hovered over her, caressing her cheek and tracing her brow.

I pulled off her pants and discarded mine. She had on the same black panties she was wearing the night before when I changed her, but this time I removed them, the excitement mounting in my chest.

My body wanted to claim her right away, but my mind and heart wanted it to last. Instead of moving between her legs right away, I laid next to her, tracing lazy, slow circles across her hips and thighs.

“You’re teasing me,” she accused, her eyes wide with desire.

“It’s only fair,” I said with a low chuckle. I kissed her neck and then moved farther down, nuzzling her breasts and placing whisper-soft kisses along her rib cage. She squirmed, but I was delighted in her acquiescence. Before, she would have goaded me into getting inside her as quickly as possible, rocking hardand finishing us off as fast as I could. But now, she let me hold her, touch her…love her.

When I couldn’t contain myself anymore, I finally separated her thighs and moved in between them. My head found her entrance, and she was drenched for me.

Just like always.

I touched her how she loved, ensuring she was more than ready for me, and then I moved inside slowly, savoring the connection I felt when I was within her.

Her mouth opened slightly, and she closed her eyes, the sensation overwhelming. I wanted to tell her to open them, but I knew she wasn’t pretending that this wasn’t happening. Not like before.

---