Page 47 of Relentless Pursuit

“Yes.”

“I won’t apply too much pressure tonight.” He dangled the clamps in front of her, giving her a moment to study them. They were attached by a silver chain, with a thicker strain of metal hanging between them. “You’ll be sensitive and I don’t want to hurt you. I want to stimulate you. If I recall, that’s why you said you had put these on your checklist.”

“What’s this chain for?” She pointed to the long one hanging down the center.

“When I tug on that one, you’ll get the full effect of what these are for.” He grinned. “Can I put them on you?”

She nodded.

“Stand in front of me.”

She crawled off the bed, standing before him in her pink cotton panties. He let his gaze travel along her naked flesh, taking her in slowly, deliberately.

“Stunning.” He continued to study her. “You’ve become a distraction for me.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.” He fingered the clamps in his palm. “The time we spend together invades my thoughts. The idea of you keeps me calm and settled all week.”

“I’m the opposite,” she admitted. “When I think of you I’m anxious.”

“Really?”

“Not in a bad way. I’m eager to get back to you all week, because I want more.”

“That I can deliver.” He kissed her, running his hand down her spine.

She closed her eyes, taking a moment to get her head in the game. His touch, his kiss, had a way of making her forget anything outside of those four walls. When she was with him, under his command, nothing else mattered. There was nothing else. Only Julian.

“Take my pants off,” he instructed. “Since we weren’t together last night, I’m going to be inside you faster than usual.”

When she smoothed her hands down his chest, his nipples hardened under her touch. With a steady motion, she continued her journey downward, smiling when his breathing intensified. When she reached for the zipper of his jeans, she licked her lips, her eyes connecting with his before she pressed her mouth to his neck. He sucked in his stomach when she lowered his zipper and slid her hand inside his jeans, grasping his length.

“Kayla,” he moaned when she pumped him hard. “Stop.” He gripped her wrist. “That wasn’t my instruction,” he scolded. “I didn’t give you permission to touch me.”

“I like touching you.” She bit her lip, hoping to persuade him to let her finish. “You don’t allow me freedom often.”

“I allow you more freedom than I’ve given any other,” he reminded her. “I know you can’t fully comprehend that, but you’ll have to take my word. When we’re in here, this is my time. I need to set the pace and determine what comes next. That’s how this works. That’s how we work.”

She sighed as she wiggled out of his hold. How could she argue with him? Placing her hands on the sides of his pants, she knelt in front of him, pulling his jeans down his legs. As she worked them over his muscular calves, she tried to shake off her misstep. He lifted his foot and helped her get them off.

“That’s better.” He extended his hand and guided her up to him. “Relinquishing control isn’t something I’m interested in. It’s not who I am.”

“No,” she whispered. “It’s not what I want.”

“Are you sure?”

“Very.”

“Turn around.”

She did as he requested, trying not to let the disappointment of his actions rule the moment. He didn’t want her like normal people wanted one another. He was very clear before he ever touched her. When they were in the bedroom, he wanted to be in charge. He needed to be the one to control the scene. A slow tremor coursed through her when he moved her hair to the side, brushing his lips along her neck.

“This is going to feel awkward, but if you relax and let me lead, you’ll enjoy it.” He twirled his thumb over her nipple before opening the clamp and securing it to her sensitive bud.

Oww! That pinches.

He stroked the underside of her breasts, calming her, whispering into her ear. “You’re stronger than you think. Remember the scarves the first time? You were frightened by those too, but you did amazing.”

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