Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten #2)(48)

She hadn’t lived under a rock. Melissa had dragged her out to that movie she’d been crazy about. She’d sat there in the darkened theater filled with a crowd of swooning women and she hadn’t admitted that she wondered what it would feel like. Not the all-day stuff. Not letting some man pick her clothes and tell her what to eat. That would make her punch the asshole.

But the sex stuff… Not having to think for a few hours a day. Trusting her lover enough to give him control of her body and her pleasure. Exploring with him.

“You’re talking about dominance and submission,” she whispered, trying to ensure no one else heard them. “I would assume it’s your dominance.”

He was staring at her lips. “Aye. And your submission.”

That accent had gotten so much thicker and he’d said “aye” not “yes” the way he normally would, as though the very thought of it made him somehow more primal.

“I’ve never…played before.” But she’d thought about it.

“That’s not a problem. I’ve played enough for both of us. All you have to do is follow my commands. I’ll ensure your pleasure, your relaxation. On a night when we play, you will belong to me and I will be possessive. The good news is you can tell me no and I’ll walk away. If you tell me to stay away, I will. This is only good for me if it’s good for you.”

“You would spank me?” The question didn’t come out shocked because she wasn’t. And that kind of shocked her. She was a genius at the top of her game.

She was also a woman who needed sex and emotion and connection, even if it was only for a few hours a week.

“Only if you like to be spanked.”

She had to push him before she made the decision. “But I know there’s punishment.”

“Only if you need it to feel happy and complete,” he explained. “Or if you wanted accountability for something.”

River walked up, a smile on her face. “It’s time for dinner, you two.”

He nodded her way. “We’ll be right there.” When their hostess had walked away, he turned his attention back on Becca. Such focus. When he looked at her like that, she felt like she was the only woman in the room. “Think about it, Becca. I’m willing to play with you. I’m more than willing. I want you. If all I can get is a night a week, I’ll take it. As long as when you’re with me, you’re with me, then I won’t ask questions about the rest of your social life.”

He wouldn’t care that she was dating other men. Or he might care, but he wouldn’t give her hell for it. He would likely date as well. They would be free to explore sex with each other, but also free to explore outside their relationship.

This was dangerous, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. He was offering her everything she wanted. No holds barred. No strings attached.

But there might be rope.

“Think about it.” He took a deep breath and stepped back. “We should go.”

“Yes,” she said, her decision made. “We should.” She took his hand. “River, I’m so sorry. I have an emergency.”

The whole room was staring at her, but she knew what she needed and it was absolutely him.

“An emergency? Is everything okay?” River asked.

She started to lead Owen toward the door. “Everything will be. Thanks so much for inviting me. And Owen. He’s got to help me with my emergency.”

It was weak, but she honestly didn’t care. She’d spent the last few hours feeling vulnerable, and this choice seemed to have brought her strength back.

“It’s definitely an emergency,” Owen affirmed in a low drawl. “It might take most of the night. Thanks for the party, Jax. River.”

She grabbed her purse and when he took the lead, she followed.





Chapter Nine





She led Owen into her apartment and silently thanked Cathy for the flowers that spruced the place up. Décor hadn’t been a priority since she’d moved in.

Of course, the prettiest thing in her place right now was the large predatory man glancing around, taking in his surroundings.

She took a breath and then let it out. Where was the panic? Shouldn’t she be asking herself what the hell she was doing? Shouldn’t she be questioning why she was about to talk about submitting to this man sexually?

Her lateral frontal pole was perfectly silent, having given way to her limbic system with a big old thumbs-up. As though the most sophisticated part of her brain had just told the primal part, “you go, girl.”

“Do you want another drink?” she asked, putting her purse on the foyer table and joining him in the living room.

“Do you need one?”

She didn’t take offense. She considered it for a moment. “No. I’m okay with my level of calm right now. I think another might dull the experience.”

He settled onto her big comfy couch. Big? She kind of got lost on it, but Owen’s body took up all the space. “I’m glad to hear that. I’m not going to drink for the rest of the night either. I want to focus on you. Come here and sit on my lap. We need to go over a few rules first.”

Rules. Yes, she’d heard this whole lifestyle thing was about communication. As long as it ended with his penis communicating with her pussy, she was okay with it. And his lap looked awfully comfy.