A Dom is Forever (Masters and Mercenaries #3)(32)

“Ah, but that’s because you don’t understand the power exchange. Note that I used the word exchange. Listen, there are as many different ways to practice BDSM as there are people who practice it. I like to play. I like to know that my lover will turn to me when she needs something. I’ll want to protect you. And I like to give you what you need. It makes me feel good. It makes me feel necessary.” He hadn’t thought about it before. He’d first investigated the lifestyle because he needed a way to focus Rory and teach him control. His brother had enjoyed the power, but not the obligations of a Dom, and Liam had found a place where he fit. He’d enjoyed it for its honest communication. But now, he meant everything he said. He suddenly wanted to be necessary to this woman. Even if only for a little bit. “So tell me what you need. This won’t work if you don’t talk to me.”

She sighed. “I’ve really only had one relationship before. Brandon and I were so young. I don’t guess we really talked about stuff like sex.” She flushed, the pink in her cheeks doing nothing to mar her prettiness. “It’s hard to talk about this.”

“No, it’s not. It’s simple. It’s natural, baby. How will I know what you need if you don’t tell me?”

Avery seemed to struggle to find the right words. “Well, I need to know you’re with me. I’m not stupid. I know this isn’t like forever or something, but while we’re…what did you call it?”

Sex. She was talking about sex. She was talking about f*cking and taking his cock until he was balls deep inside her and he couldn’t see straight, and the word he would use seemed brutally inadequate. “Play.”

“While we’re playing, I would like to know that I’m your only playmate. I know that sounds old-fashioned. I might not be up with the times…”

He cut her off because he was going to make that so simple on her. “Avery, I can promise you this. If you come to my bed, if you submit to me, then you’re the only one there. For however long this lasts, I’m yours. You want to know how I practice?” Fuck, he hadn’t really practiced before. He’d just poked his head in for a little fun, but his beliefs seemed to be coalescing, forming something real and tangible. He’d never needed a real code before, but now it was easy to know what he wanted. “It’s a two-way street. I want you, Avery, and not in a random hook-up way. I want to know you. I want to explore you. For however long that lasts, I will only be with you. If you’re mine, then I’m f*cking yours, too.”

God, he really meant it. What the f*ck was happening to him? He’d come to London and lost his f*cking mind.

“Okay.”

It couldn’t be that simple. God. She needed a damn keeper. “What are you saying?”

“I want to try.”

He wanted clarification on that. “You want to try what?”

There it was, that deep flush. “You know.”

Yes, he knew, but he wasn’t going to let her off the hook so easily. She was going to be his. For a brief time, she would belong to him and he would have everything he wanted, and he wanted her to start talking dirty. Yes. He wanted to teach her, to train her to accept pleasure so she would expect it. “No, I don’t know. You’ll have to be plain.”

Avery blushed a little. “I want to be intimate with you.”

So sweet. So polite. So not happening. “That sounds like you want me to get into my pajamas and exchange secrets with you. I’m not your girlfriend, Avery. Tell me what you want. That’s lesson number one. Communication and honesty are the keys to the relationship I want. I need to hear you say plainly what you want.”

She hesitated, but only for a moment. He wasn’t surprised. Deep in her heart, she was a brave girl. She’d faced so much and still was open with her heart. Damn, but he didn’t understand that. “I would like for us to sleep together.”

“I’m not very sleepy.” He wasn’t going to let her get away with anything.

She groaned a little in obvious frustration. “You know that’s not what I’m talking about.”

“Yes. I do. So say what you want.”

“I want to have sex.”

“So clinical. I’ll have to think about that.”

“I want to make love.”

“Sweet, but not what I’m looking for.”

Her face crinkled into the cutest pout. “Damn it, Lee. I want to f*ck.”

Just like that he was primed and ready. She’d said f*ck with such a sweet little heat, her eyebrows forming a V over her face as though the entire incident had offended her polite sensibilities. She would learn there wasn’t room for politeness between them.

He growled just a little. “I want to f*ck, too, baby. I want to f*ck all night long.”

He pulled her in hard, slamming her chest against his. He wanted to cup them, feel their weight in his hands, pluck at the nipples until they were hard little points begging for his mouth. His lips covered hers, and he was thrilled at the way she responded. She flowered open beneath him, welcoming his kiss. He wanted to spread her wide, forcing her to take his cock to the root. He would f*ck her hard so she couldn’t remember another man, so he was branded on her body. He would f*ck her *. He would take her ass. He would feel the heat of her mouth around his cock. And when she was sore from his f*cking, he would still want her. He would just lube up her breasts and make another hole for his dick.