One to Keep

Chapter Fourteen

Jen wasn’t sure what had happened with Stef and his dad, but she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was her job to calm him down. If she allowed him to, he would withdraw, pretending that there was absolutely nothing wrong. He would more than likely tell her that he wanted to work or some such nonsense and leave her alone for the rest of the evening.

That was not going to happen.

Stef pulled his Land Rover into the long drive that led to his house just as the sun was going down. He’d said very little since he’d asked Max to give his father a ride back when he was ready. Other than that, he’d concentrated on the road. His hands had been perfectly steady on the wheel, but she couldn’t forget the moment when she’d seen them shake. Stef out of control made her heart hurt. It was the one thing she knew he couldn’t handle.

She knew exactly how to give control back to him.

He put the SUV in park and shut off the engine. Jen got out before he could say a word. Though she was right in front of the door that led into the house, she walked around the vehicle. She wasn’t going into the house.

“Jennifer?”

She turned slightly and stared at the deliciously masculine sight he made. He was lit from behind by the setting sun. He looked every inch the rough-and-tumble cowboy in Levi’s, boots, and a somewhat-battered Stetson. He looked far from the immaculate man he often presented himself as. She realized looking at him, heart racing at how beautiful he was, that she loved all of Stef. She loved the wickedly decadent artist and the doggedly loyal small-town boy. She adored the perverted Dom. He was all of those things, and she wouldn’t have him any other way.

“I love you, Stef.”

His boots suddenly became very intriguing, it seemed. He stared down at them for a moment.

Though her heart clenched at his silence, she realized something else. In the end, she couldn’t control whether or not he loved her. She couldn’t force him to see how good they could be together if he didn’t want to. She could bluster and batter him with attention-seeking behavior, but in the end, he would decide whether or not he was brave enough to take the chance. All she had control over was how much she loved him. It wasn’t such a selfish thing. Her love suddenly seemed vast and warm and giving.

“Don’t cry.”

She hadn’t been aware she was, but she felt it now. It wasn’t sad.

It was simply the acknowledgement of overwhelming emotion. She loved, and suddenly she was a better person for it. She was larger than she’d been just moments before.

“I love you.” There was no hesitation in the words. They were strong and proud. Her love was worth something. He might deny it, but she wouldn’t.

“I…that means a lot to me.” His words were oddly faltering, as though foreign to his tongue.

She wouldn’t push him, but she could help him. “Then come to the guesthouse with me. I want to play, Stef.” His eyes flared. “You want to play? Jennifer, I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I’m not exactly calm and in control.”

“But you will be.” She turned and started to walk toward the guesthouse. This was how he could get his control back. This was the gift she could give him.

He caught up to her in an instant. “You’re topping from the bottom.”

The outrage in the accusation made her smile. “Isn’t that what every smart sub does?”

He frowned before a laugh huffed from his chest. “You’re going to kill me, Jennifer.”

He leaned over and gently pushed his shoulder into her midsection, picking her up in a fireman’s hold.

“Hey!” The world went topsy-turvy, and then she felt a sharp slap to her ass.

“Hush, sub. You want to play? I want to play, too. But we’re at least going to pretend I have some control. When we go into that guesthouse, you treat it like a dungeon. I’m the Master. You’re the pretty slave who’ll do anything to please me.” And that was different how? She didn’t argue with him, though.

She was already getting hot at the thought of playing with Master Stefan. “Yes, Stef.”

“What will please me, slave?”

She loved the way his voice went deep and rich, like dark chocolate. “My submission.”

“No clothes are allowed in my dungeon.” He set her on her feet and pulled out the key. He quickly opened the door and allowed her to enter. Jen felt her shoes sink into the thick carpet. The door closed behind her, and when she turned, Stef was staring at her, his face as hard as granite.

“I’m waiting, Jennifer.”

She certainly didn’t feel the cold now. She shrugged out of her coat and handed it to him to hang. With deliberate movements, she took off her clothes. Where the afternoon had been a flurry of passion, this was measured, and a level of anticipation permeated the room.

She felt almost drugged by it. She slid her hands under the waistband of her jeans and pushed them down her legs.

“Poor darling,” Stef said with silky sympathy. “You had to wear your plug all day. Is my slave’s ass sore?”

“I can handle it, Stefan.” She smiled at him in genuine pleasure.

There wasn’t a hint of his earlier worry and panic. He was utterly and completely focused on her now. He was in control.

“Turn around and lean over the couch. It’s time to take it out. I have more interesting things to shove up your ass than a piece of plastic.”

His cock was making his jeans bulge. While she’d been undressing, he’d done the same. He was down to his jeans, his perfectly cut chest making her mouth water. She wondered what he looked like in his leathers. More than likely, a lot like he did now. He was an intimidating, lean presence. Jen took a deep breath to calm her racing heart and walked to the couch with what she hoped passed for grace. She placed her hands on the arm and leaned over, presenting her ass to her Master.

“Nicely done, love,” Stef purred.

Jen shivered just a bit as his hands traced her back.

“You’ve studied up. I can see that. I wonder how much you’re prepared for. I wonder how much you can take.”

“I can take just about anything except the part where you get me riled up and walk away.”

He chuckled. “Yes, I can see where that would be difficult for you. How about I promise you that I won’t ever leave you unsatisfied? But your satisfaction, when we’re playing, comes at my discretion. If I choose to torture my slave for hours on end, that is my decision.”

“I don’t know how much I like the sound of that, Stef.” He smacked her ass, causing every nerve in her rectum to come alive with a jittery pleasure. “Yes or no? We can go back to the house and have very nice, vanilla sex. I’m all right with that, love. I really am. We can have vanilla sex and go to sleep wrapped in each other’s arms. Or I can tie you up, spank your sweet ass, and torture you with vibrators and other nasty toys. I can lick every inch of your body. I can devour your pussy while I shove my finger up your anus. And I can fuck that ass, love. I’m going to ream it until you don’t remember a time I wasn’t balls-deep inside you. Really, it’s your choice.” He punctuated his speech by running his tongue down her spine to the place he’d promised to fuck. It was delicious and dark and dirty, and Jen felt her pussy clench in response.

“Oh, Stef, I want to play.” Her hands tightened on the couch because if she didn’t hold on, she would fall. He was turning her into a quivering mass of desire. “Please play with me.” She felt him get to his knees behind her. He playfully nipped at her butt cheeks. “I’ll play, love. Have I mentioned how pretty your asshole is?”

She laughed a little. It wasn’t a compliment she heard often, but Stef said it like he was talking about her hair or telling her how nice she looked in a new blouse. He left absolutely no room for shame.

“Thank you.”

“I like to look at it.” He pulled her cheeks apart.

“You’re not painting my asshole, Stef.” She had her limits.

“I don’t see why not. I wouldn’t sell it, of course. But it is a work of art. I could do a whole series of paintings featuring your pink parts.

I love your anus and your pussy.” His hand slid up to where she was already wet and wanting. “I definitely love your clit. I like to rub it and suck on it until it pokes out of its little hood and begs for my attention.”

Jen gasped. Her clit was probably doing that right this second because he was rubbing her in the sweetest way. He pressed on her clit and lessened the pressure, running a circle around the nub before pressing again. It lit a fire that spread from the apex of her thighs, crawling along her skin.

He pulled his hand away.

“Hey, I was enjoying that.”

“And I’ll enjoy this, brat.” He pressed her down, forcing her midsection over the arm of the sofa. His hand slapped at her ass in ten quick, harsh licks, each one a shocking heat on her flesh. “Don’t talk to me that way when we’re playing.”

“Yes, Stefan.” She bit her bottom lip to keep from crying out, but even as she did he was smoothing his hand across her skin, the pain morphing into pleasure.

He slid his hand between her cheeks and pulled on the plug. It slid from her anus, leaving her strangely empty. He almost immediately pressed a finger in.

“Tight. You’re still going to be tight, love, but you can take me.” He groaned as he pressed deep, rotating his finger. He moved in between her legs, taking up all the space. “No one’s had your ass, have they?”

“No, Stefan.” She never even dreamed she’d want anyone to take her there, but she couldn’t imagine not sharing the intimacy with Stef.

He’d invaded every inch of her soul. She wanted him to have all of her body, too.

“Excellent.” He pulled his finger out and backed away. “Go into the bedroom, love. I’ll be along in a moment. There are some toys I need.”

He steadied her when she got back on her feet. Every nerve and pore in her body seemed open and aware of his presence. His lips curled in a decadent grin as he looked down at her.

“Toys? Dare I ask?” She probably didn’t want to know. He was a veritable pervertopedia when it came to toys. He knew how to use them all to great advantage.

“No office supplies this time, love. We’re in my dungeon. I have every luxury imaginable.” He suddenly frowned. “Unless my father threw it out.”

She stifled a laugh. “I doubt it.” She went on her toes and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I’ll be waiting.” On wobbly feet, she made her way to the bedroom. Callie had pointed it out when she’d given her a secret tour of the guesthouse.

She’d gone into salacious detail of what went on, though at the time she hadn’t played here herself. Jen had the feeling Nate and Zane had probably fixed that situation. She knew that Max and Rye had an open invitation. She entered the bedroom and wondered if there was a sign-up sheet. It might be awkward if the room was already occupied.

Then she wasn’t thinking about awkwardness. Her heart raced as she looked at the newest addition to the dungeon. Stef had installed a floor-to-ceiling mirror. She stared for a moment at the reflection of herself. She was naked, but she almost didn’t recognize the woman there. She looked tousled and soft. She’d always thought of herself as gangly and too thin. She didn’t have Callie’s curves or Rachel’s petite grace, but there was an innate sexiness to the woman in the mirror that couldn’t be denied.

“Yes, love, you’re beautiful.”

Stef stood in the doorway behind her, his dark hair ruffled. He leaned on the frame and caught her gaze in the mirror.

“I never thought of myself as beautiful. I certainly never thought of myself as sexy.” She doubted she would without him. Stef brought out a version of herself she really liked. When Stef looked at her like he was looking now, she felt powerful and sexy even as she submitted to him.

“I can’t think of you as anything less.” He tossed several items onto the bed and took a place behind her, cupping her shoulders.

“You have no idea how many times I’ve thought about painting you, your graceful arms and long limbs.” He let his hands move lower to cup the breasts that had always seemed too small to her, but felt like the perfect size when his hands were on them. “Your sweet breasts.

You’re my ideal model. I couldn’t find a woman I want more than you.”

She let her head lean back against his chest, enjoying the picture they made. When she looked into that mirror at the couple cuddling together, it was hard to believe they ever fought at all. They looked right together, as though two pieces that had been separated had finally found their way back together.

“Kiss me, love.”

She tilted her head up and reveled in his kiss.

Stef pressed his lips to Jennifer’s mouth and felt himself sigh. All of the previous tension of the day melted away as he let his body mold to hers. This was what he’d needed since that moment when he realized how close he’d come to losing her.

He’d walked into the room to find her staring at herself in the mirror as though seeing herself for the very first time. He wanted her to see herself as he did—a true, amazing work of art. She was gorgeous from the top of her silky, sable hair to her dainty toes. She would probably be shocked to discover he was fascinated with her toes. She painted them pinks and purples, and one day last summer, a bright, shocking orange. He loved summer because she would glide around town in sandals, her toenails a patch of art in his day.

He ran his tongue along the seam of her lips. She always tasted sweet to him. He sometimes thought he could run his tongue over her skin a thousand times a day and never get sick of the taste.

How was he going to let her go?

A breathy little cry slipped from her mouth as he moved from her lips to her neck. He let his eyes drift up so he could watch them in the mirror. She was femininity and grace to his masculine aggression.

That little mewling cry went straight to his cock. Every muscle in his body seemed hard and ready to pounce, but his cock was past rigid.

His cock was a throbbing, insistent rock.

He nuzzled her neck. His fingers found her rigid nipples. He pinched at them, remembering how well she’d taken his spontaneously made clamps. He had better ones now. Unwilling to wait any longer, he moved back. “Get on your knees on the bed, love.

Face the mirror. I want you to watch everything I do to you.”

She shivered a bit, but Stef didn’t think it was from the cold. He could see her pussy, and it was getting creamy and soft. She was so responsive, like an instrument only he was meant to play. She climbed on the bed and turned so she could see herself in the mirror. Stef reached out to the nightstand table and grabbed the first of the toys he’d brought for her, a set of lovely clover clamps. Silver and ornate, they were held together by a chain that would dangle between her breasts.

“No more paper clips?” She anticipated his next command. She pushed her shoulders back, thrusting her breasts out. The pink and brown nipple pointed directly at him.

He quickly clamped the precious nubs, adjusting the tension to ensure maximum stimulation without cutting off her circulation. He would really prefer piercings. If she belonged to him, he would try to convince her to pierce her nipples. He’d play with the rings constantly, twisting them and sucking on them. He would attach pretty chains between the two and tug on them to stimulate her.

“It’s pretty, Stef.” She smiled at him like he’d given her a diamond necklace rather than clamping her breasts for his pleasure.

“You’re prettier, love.” She was gorgeous, and it went past her lovely face and sexy body. She was beautiful down to her soul. She was kind and loving. She put others first. It was up to him to make sure she got her dreams. Even if it meant letting her go.

But not yet. He could keep her for a while. He felt a stubborn resolve rise. What if he taught her? He’d never taken on an art student before, but he’d never met one with as much potential as his Jennifer.

Surely he had something to teach her. His work went for hundreds of thousands of dollars. He’d been reviewed as an artist to collect and was doggedly pursued by gallery owners. He could teach her. For as long as he taught her, he could enjoy her. He could hold her close and pretend she really belonged to him.

He traced the line of her torso down to her wet and ready pussy.

He found the jewel of her clit and rubbed gently.

Her eyes closed, and her body bowed back slightly, opening her to his touch.

“Come for me. I want to watch your face as you come.” She murmured her assent as her breath caught.

Without letting up on the pressure he was exerting on her clit, he grabbed the vibrator he’d brought for her. He replaced his finger with the rabbit, pressing the outside to her clitoris.

Jennifer’s eyes flew open as he flicked the vibe on.

“Oh.” A delicious moan came out of her mouth.

“Keep those eyes open.”

She opened her eyes. They were large and verdant green. She could never lie to him because everything about her was right there in her eyes. Now he could see her desire in those eyes. Her bow of a mouth came open as he rubbed the vibrator over and over her clit. Her hips pumped forward, pressing against the sensation.

Stef looked down at her pussy. It was swollen and pink like a flower just on the edge of bloom. He hadn’t needed to use the lubricant he’d brought. By the time he’d clamped her nipples, she was soaked with her own sweet cream. He notched up the vibrator, the sound buzzing against her skin.

Her eyes flared. Her skin flushed a gorgeous pink. Her breath was ragged as she moved toward orgasm.

“Stefan. Oh, Stef.”

His name sounded like a breathy prayer. Her hands came up. She held on to his shoulders to balance herself as she cried out. Everything about her was so beautiful in that instant that Stef knew it would never be the same again. He would never want another woman. He might be able to view them as lovely on an aesthetic level, but she was everything to him.

Her body shook in little quivering waves. It made the chain between her clamps shiver. Stef tossed the vibe away and pulled her close. His hands tightened on the soft flesh of her ass. She didn’t hesitate, merely wrapped her arms around his neck and gave herself to him. Her mouth opened on his, and he took advantage. He plunged his tongue into her silky heat. He kissed her over and over as though he could memorize her taste. He loved the feel of her clamps teasing his chest.

He could have kissed her forever, but his cock was insistently pulsing, demanding attention. He forced himself away from her and climbed off the bed. He ripped at the fly of his jeans and had the offending garment off his body in a heartbeat. His cock bounced free.

“Hands and knees, love,” he commanded as he grabbed the tube of lubricant. Jennifer hadn’t needed it to take the vibrator, but her lovely asshole didn’t have her pussy’s cream. Stef felt his whole body tingle at the thought of finally shoving his dick up her ass, forcing her to take him in a place she’d never had a man before.

He was shocked to find his hands were shaking slightly as he got onto the bed behind her. She was beautiful, the perfect picture of submission. Her golden brown hair hanging down, she stared forward, looking at the mirror. He wondered if she saw what he saw. He saw his perfect mate, waiting for him.

Heart pounding, Stef couldn’t wait a moment longer. He slicked up his dick, fisting himself in quick passes before moving on to the more interesting part of the preparation. He parted her cheeks and dripped the lube in between them.

“It’s cold.”

“Sorry, love.” He’d warmed it, but then he’d spent a good deal of time getting her off. She was a dangerous distraction. “I’ll warm you up in a minute.”

Stef pressed a well-lubed finger into her anus. She groaned. The rosette of her asshole clenched around his finger.

“Relax. Don’t try to keep me out. I won’t let that happen.” He pushed a second finger in. She groaned as he stretched her. The deep sound made Stef groan a little, too. “This is mine. Say it.”

“It’s yours, Stef.”

“Your body is mine.” The possessive words rolled off his tongue.

They felt right, just like she felt right. She was his, every inch of her.

“Your mouth, your breasts, your pussy, they’re all mine. What else is mine?”

“Everything, Stef.” She didn’t hesitate. Her green eyes were clear as she looked at him in the mirror. The chain dangled under her breasts. “I am yours.”

He lined his cock up to her asshole. “You’re mine.” He pressed in, every inch an outrageous pleasure. She was tight around his cock, fighting to keep him out, but he gently pushed forward. He would win this little war. He would have her because she belonged to him. She would surrender everything to him. He gripped her hips and drove in with ruthless precision.

“Oh, Stef, oh. It burns. You’re so much bigger than the plug.” In the mirror, her face was tight with obvious discomfort. He smoothed his hands over her back. “Poor baby. Is my nasty cock splitting your little asshole?”

“Yes.” Her eyes flashed fire, and she hissed through clenched teeth.

She didn’t look so submissive now, he thought with a chuckle.

This was how it should be. He should earn her submission. He should bind her to him by taking care of her needs and wrapping her in love and pleasure. “Give it a minute. Let your body adjust, love. You were made for me. You can take me.”

She lowered her head and leaned forward, flattening her back to push against him. It was just the traction he needed. With a low groan, he pushed his way in past her resistant muscles into the hot, tight clasp of her ass.

He held himself there, reveling in the feel of being balls-deep inside her.

“Are you going to get this over with?” His hands tightened in warning on her hips. “Don’t push me, love.

I’m enjoying this, and in a moment, you will, too.”

“I doubt that.”

He pulled back just a bit, with exquisite care. He watched as her muscles relaxed. He knew from having it described to him that this was the good part.

“Oh.” Jen’s breath came out in short, sharp pants.

“Tell me how it feels.” He wanted to hear it from her lips. He inched out again.

“It’s so…I don’t know, but it’s amazing. Do it again.” Her hands clenched, clutching the comforter in her fingers. She pushed her ass toward him as though trying to tempt him to stay inside.

“Your wish, love.” He thrust into her, a savage need taking over.

Her head fell forward, and she began to rock back against him as he thrust in and out. Stef alternated between watching the mirror and staring at the gorgeous sight of Jen’s ass taking his cock over and over again.

Stef drove forward, pulling her back so she took his full length.

He watched her in the mirror. Their eyes connected as their bodies pounded together.

“I love you.” She mouthed the words to him.

He loved her, too. So much. She was the other half of his soul, certainly the better part of him. She might never know how much he loved her, how much he was willing to sacrifice for her. She deserved more than he could give her. Even as he made love to her, he saw himself completely dominating her. He wanted to be the center of her universe. He wanted her main goal in life to be pleasing him. If she stayed, he would get her pregnant as soon as possible. He wouldn’t be able to help himself. She wouldn’t leave Bliss, wouldn’t see the world, wouldn’t become the woman she could be. She would be his wife, his submissive, his precious possession. How could he do that to her?

He slid his hand down to her clit. At least he could give her this.

He slipped a finger onto her clit and started rubbing in perfect circles, the movement timed to his fucking. His finger and his dick worked in perfect precision. He couldn’t keep her, but he could have a few weeks of joy. He could hold her and love her while she was here. He could please her and care for her so much that one day she might come back to him.

Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. Jen’s mouth came open, and she came on a low wail. He met her stare in the mirror, trying to memorize the experience. His balls squeezed up, lighting a fire in his body as he fucked her. It would be so lonely without her, but he wouldn’t cheat on her. That’s what it would be. She was his soul’s mate, and the least he could give her was his fidelity.

The orgasm flashed through his body, flaring every nerve in his system. He grasped her hips, pulling her onto his cock one last time, as though trying to fuse them together in a way that could never be broken.

He came, the cum leaving his body in smooth jets of silky pleasure. He pushed again and again, giving her everything he had.

Finally empty, he fell forward, his cock slipping from the sweet comfort of her ass. He pulled her close, turning her so her chest met his, the clamps a reminder that, for a while, she was truly his. Her hands came up, smoothing back his hair.

“God, I love you so much, Stef.”

“I love you, too.” The words dropped from his lips before he could think to not say them. They fell between them like a loaded gun in Stef’s mind.

Jen merely smiled and brushed his lips lightly with hers. “I know, babe. I know.”

Stef wrapped his arms around her, and tossed a leg over hers so that he surrounded her body with his. He knew he probably seemed like a spoiled child attempting to utterly brand a toy as his, but he couldn’t help it. He wanted to sleep like this, jealously guarding her against everything that might come their way.

“You’ll have to forgive him, you know.” She nestled her head into the crook of his shoulder.

He didn’t pretend to misunderstand. She was talking about his father. “I don’t see why.”

She was quiet for a moment, and he couldn’t help but think she was disappointed in him. It made him restless even as his blood pounded in languid afterglow.

“Why do you think he deserves forgiveness?” He wanted her opinion. He rarely asked for help in making a decision. He was very decisive, but she seemed so certain that he was wrong in this case.

Her face turned up, and the sleepy satisfaction in her eyes hit him straight in the gut. “Silly, I don’t think he deserves it. You do, babe.

Forgive him, because you might not have the chance to later. Forgive him. Forgive your mother. Let it go so we can move on. I promise I’ll help you.”

She settled her head against his again. Stef held her and thought about whether or not she would ever forgive him.