He gives it an experimental tug, and I press my backside against him as he starts chuckling at me. The plug rotates in tiny circles inside me. My shoulders sag onto the shelf.
 
 This feels like jumping off a cliff into the ocean and surviving the fall to greet the rays of light. I feel so free, and I found my freedom here with him.
 
 He pulls the plug out without warning and leans forward to grab the bottle of lube on the shelf next to me. He uncaps it, and a generous amount of cool liquid glides between my ass cheeks. The bottle thuds to the floor as Reeve spreads them apart and inserts a finger into my ass hole, stretching me to accommodate him. I’m spanked again. Two extra fingers dip in, and the pressure that’s building is extraordinary. It’s intense.
 
 I relax, letting my body accept it.
 
 The head of his cock forces its way in, inch after inch, flick after pleasant flick of his piercing. The room goes silent. Our heavy breaths and desire resound in sync.
 
 His hands curve around my hips to keep me in place as his rough thrusts reach as deep as my body allows him. His balls slam against my pussy rapidly. Thick arousal drips between my thighs.
 
 Spank after spank, I crave more.
 
 Three times turn to eight.
 
 That sweet sting burns, and I can guarantee he left his handprint on my ass.
 
 He takes what he wants, chasing his release like an addict.
 
 “How about more stimulation?” he says, pressing the vibrator to my clit on the highest intensity.
 
 “How did you—”
 
 “It was in my pocket,” he cuts me off before I finish my question, already knowing what it would be.
 
 The feel of him and the vibrations are too much for me, as a wave of pleasure ripples through me. I come hard, and he continues to thrust into me with care and precision until he releases inside me.
 
 Once he’s done, he pulls away from me, helping my wobbly knees back up before he tucks his semi-hard cock back into his pants. Reeve’s blue eyes are soft, shimmering with admiration as he looks at me and backs me up against the library again.
 
 “So adorable.” He kisses my forehead, nose, cheeks, and gives me a lingering kiss on the lips, leaving me mesmerized. His hands glide along my sides, tender and eager. “Get ready for our date.”
 
 The glass door to the balcony is open. Music plays from the gramophone inside. Reeve and I lie on a blanket he spread on the floor, holding hands and gazing at the stars.
 
 The red dress I picked is tied around my neck, the fabric snug against my breasts, hugging my curves, and falling above my knees. Reeve looks sinfully handsome in his dark, tailored suit.
 
 “Why didn’t you tell me about your childhood and what you’ve been through after you ran away from the circus?” I ask.
 
 “It was part of my contract. I couldn’t tell you, but it was also easy to keep it hidden because I didn’t want you to carry my past with you.”
 
 “Do you wish you had done things differently?”
 
 “Every day.”
 
 “Do you regret me?”
 
 “Absolutely not. That’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Thank God I stood up to your grandma about that.” He chuckles adorably. “She hated me for it, but I didn’t care.”
 
 “She may have hated the way you play her games so well, but she loves you,” I say because I know she does. I saw it in her eyes.
 
 “I know.”
 
 “She even shed a few tears during our fake wedding.”
 
 “Those weren’t paid actors? Pfft, shocking.” Reeve finishes, and a hearty laugh escapes me. “Your laugh is contagious. You smile, too.”
 
 My laughter slowly fades, and I swallow hard as a thought surfaces. “I know we will never get married for real, but I want you to know that you’re mine, and I know your real name. I’ll carry it with me wherever we go.”
 
 He squeezes my hand tightly in response as I glance at him with a grin.