Page 94 of The Forbidden Trio

“Are you… are you disappointed?” she asked.

“By what?”

“That I couldn’t handle the knife?”

“Not at all. I knew I was pushing you. I didn’t know if you’d be able to take it for even a single moment, but you did. You were amazing. But I have to tell you something. Or, rather, I have to show you.”

“What is it?”

He shifted a little, reaching for something on the nightstand.

It was a butter knife. A damn butter knife!

“This is what I was using.”

“What? Max! Seriously?”

“Didn’t I mention that mind-fuck is one of my favorite kinks?” he said, humor in his low tone.

She sighed. “I don’t think so.”

“Well, now you know. Also, I wouldn’t have started with a real blade until I was certain you’d be able to hold still enough to do some serious knife play.”

“Am I actually expected to thank you?”

He laughed. “Even completely in subspace you still have a sense of humor. I like that.”

“Another notch in the ledger,” she murmured, turning her face into his warm neck.

“You are so damn much fun, baby girl,” he said, his throaty voice full of pleasure.

“I’m about to be a whole Vegas show while I fall asleep on you.”

“Go right ahead. You’ve earned it. Close your eyes, baby. I’ll be right here when you wake up.”

She kissed his neck, breathing in his scent, then laid her cheek against his chest and let herself drift off, safe in the arms of the only man she’d ever truly loved.

Chapter Seven

When the morning light woke him, Max was still sitting propped up against the pillows on his bed, a naked Aster asleep in his lap. He flexed his muscles a little, testing them. He was a bit stiff, but it was well worth it. He carefully shifted her until he could get out of bed, drew the blanket around her shoulders, and went to make coffee.

Their night had been incredible. He’d never found a woman who was so responsive to every touch, to pain and pleasure alike. Even when she was afraid, she’d turned herself over to him, trusting him completely, and he understood it for the gift it was.

He wanted to do so much more. But first, they’d need to have some breakfast. And clean up his bed, which was still soaking wet this morning, he was certain. Not that he minded. She had been incredible.

He was grinning and humming to himself as he waited for the coffee pot to finish when he heard her quiet footsteps. He turned to find Aster standing next to the counter, the throw blanked wrapped around her shoulders, her long hair in disarray.

“You couldn’t be more beautiful,” he told her, feeling it down to his bones.

She smiled a bit shyly, then moved into his arms.

“Good morning,” she murmured, her voice muffled in his shoulder.

“Good morning. How are you doing?”

“Mmm, so good.”

“Are you dehydrated at all? You did a lot of squirting, baby.”

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