Destined for the Dom (Masters of Submission, #2)(33)

“So what are you saying?”

“Maybe it was your lucky day when your father dropped you off at St. Mark’s. Maybe your life turned out far better without him. Perhaps he realized he couldn’t be the father you deserved.”

“I hadn’t thought of it that way.”

“When the authorities eventually did catch up with my alcoholic mother, they sent me to St. Mark’s.” She kissed his cheek again. “That’s where we met for the first time, Hunter, and we’ve been soul mates ever since.”

Hunter patted her hand. “Perhaps it was always meant to be that way, Peaches. You and me together.”

“And look how well you’ve done for yourself. You’re healthy. You have a wonderful house, a wonderful job. What more could a man ask?”

“The love of a good woman.”

“You got it, Mister, but you know that already. I’ve told you often enough.”

He pulled her onto his lap, and held her head in his hands. Her beautiful elfin face lit up the room as her green eyes, so full of love, stared back at him. “Jealousy is a new emotion for me. I’ve never cared for a woman like I care for you. I’m sorry I overreacted, but I’m not sorry you lost your job. I can’t bear the thought of other men looking at you, the way I look at you.”

“I can’t bear it, either, Hunter,” she admitted on a sigh. “I hated working at Les Belles. I can’t believe I’d forgotten all the heartache.”

He brushed his thumb over her lower lip. “I don’t want to lose you, Zo?.”

“You won’t lose me, Hunter. But I need to understand where I fit in. I feel like I’m coasting here. I’m not contributing anything. I need purpose, too.”

Hunter felt his heart swell as he looked at her. He took her hand and held it to his chest. “See how fast it beats when you’re around. You fit right here, Zo?. You always have, and you always will.” The words he thought would never pass his lips came bubbling to the surface. “I love you, Zo? Leighton. Don’t ever forget that.”





Chapter Seventeen




Zo? felt an overwhelming sense of connection with Hunter now. The man she’d loved for as long as she could remember had made her the happiest woman alive.

“I love you, too, Hunter.” Tears welled in her eyes as he held her close. She hadn't meant to push him into confessing his love for her, but events had taken over. She’d been angry, and said things she didn’t really mean. She may have lost her new job before it had even begun, but she didn’t care, she had Hunter. That was enough for any woman.

He wrapped her in his arms, his lips seeking the tender flesh of her neck. “I guess I’ve always loved you, Zo?, even when we were kids at St. Mark’s. That’s why I came back to Pittsburgh to claim you. I just wish I’d done it earlier, but life has a habit of getting in the way.”

Zo? placed a finger to his lips. “Shhh, babe, no regrets. We’re the people we are today, because of what we’ve been through in the past. I wouldn’t want it any other way. Knowing you love me means everything.”

Hunter sucked her fingers into his mouth. His eyes locking with hers, as he tasted each and every one. She heard him groan with pleasure as he nipped at her fingertips with his teeth. Eventually, his lips covered hers. Hot, and demanding, they blazed a trail to her ear, where he whispered, “It’s a shame to waste such talent, dance for me, Peaches.” His breath was warm against her neck, and a pulse of sexual desire shot straight to her *.

She smiled. “For your eyes only, Sir.” Cupping her hands to his face, she planted a soft kiss to his lips, and then rose from his lap.


Looking directly into his beautiful blue eyes, she began her well-practiced routine. Her body swayed gently and seductively before him, and she beckoned with a come-to-me finger. Zo?’s ass and hips undulated and rotated as she spun around in front of him. She knew she was having the desired effect on Hunter’s libido. From the bulge in his pants, there was no doubt in her mind about that. His eyes were hooded and focused solely on her. A sexy smile drifted to his lips as he closely monitored her provocative routine.

“Hands on the deck, Mister,” she warned, as she got up close and personal.

“Yes, ma’am.” He placed his hands on the arms of the soft chair, palms facedown.

Zo? sat on his lap and straddled him, arching her back provocatively as she ran her fingers through her hair. She swayed back and forth in front of him, her breasts and nipples coming oh, so close, but never quite touching his mouth. She loved teasing Hunter, and he loved it, too.

She’d never danced with such uninhibited joy before. This time her moves were real, not make-believe. Her mood was euphoric and full of optimism. Zo? knew her * was soaking wet. Something she’d never once experienced when dancing for clients at Les Belles, back in Pittsburgh.

Zo? moved from his lap, and continued to dance sexily for her man. She twirled, doing a full three sixty, before kicking her foot high in the air and placing her ankle on his shoulder. The breath seized in her lungs as his control snapped, and he grabbed her leg.

“That’s not allowed, Sir. You’re breaking the rules,” she whispered as he slowly kissed her ankle, running his tongue over the sensitive bone structure.