I used my thumbs to hold her open as I dipped my tongue inside her, then slid it up to circle her swollen clit. She was so wet as my tongue washed over her, sometimes making long strokes with the flat of my tongue, sometimes flicking her clit.

  “Rhett!”

  The sound of my name on her lips nearly made me lose control. I’d always loved hearing women scream my name, but there was something special about hearing it come from Emery Rose.

  Her fists thudded against the sheets, and she pushed her hips up, grinding harder into my mouth. I grabbed her hips, holding her in place as her climax brought my name screaming out of her again. It wasn’t until she orgasmed once more that I lifted my head and crawled up her body and sheathed myself with a condom.

  When I was over her again, I looked down into her beautiful eyes. Her pupils were blown wide, the irises nearly black.

  There was so much I wanted to say to her, but words weren’t enough, so I slid home in one smooth stroke.

  Home.

  Her body molded around mine, our lips finding each other as I rocked into her, taking my time.

  The orgasm building in me was a slow burn instead of the normal explosion. I fought it back, not wanting this to ever end.

  Emery’s body tightened, closing around my cock like a fist as she reached her release. I swallowed her cries, rejoiced in the nails digging into my back, holding her together while she fell apart in my arms.

  I watched her face, memorizing everything about her.

  And when it was my turn to come, she held me together too.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Emery

  “I need some advice.”

  I looked up from my journal to find Daphne standing over me. I snapped the book shut, then stuck the pen behind my ear. “I seem to be running low on wisdom lately, but I’ll try.”

  She glanced around. Gabrielle’s ears seemed to be perked up like a cat’s as she flipped through a magazine, trying to ignore us. “Can we go somewhere more private? And I want to grab Becca and Amy too.”

  “Why don’t we go for a walk? She…” I nodded toward the goddess, “wouldn’t want to come.”

  Daphne nodded and turned to face the group. “Since we still have a few hours, who wants to take a walk with me?”

  Amy popped up as I’d expected she would. Like me, she was used to being busy and sitting around so much was tedious. Becca stood up too, but like I’d suspected, Gabrielle just turned another page.

  I stuffed the journal under a cushion and headed out the door, grabbing coats and gloves on the way out. The day was glorious but cold, and I raised my face to the sun, enjoying its warmth.

  Down by the water, we hooked arms and started walking. After a few minutes, Daphne began. “I want to leave the show,” she blurted out, and we all stopped in surprise.

  “Why?” Amy asked, her arms wide.

  Daphne pushed her hair back from her face, and I was struck again at just how incredible-looking she was. “I just think I don’t have a connection with Rhett. You know? Sometimes you feel it, and sometimes you don’t, and I don’t. Besides…” a slow grin grew on her face, “I really hit it off with Marty and—”

  Becca gaped. “The second baseman from yesterday?”

  Daphne looked down at her hands. “Yeah. There was just something there, you know? And at one point, he said that he wished I wasn’t trying to be with his boss. I was honest with him about the connection, and he asked if he could call me when everything was over. And…” she lifted a shoulder. “I really, really, really want him to call me.”

  Air gushed out of me. “Oh my gosh. I noticed the two of you talking before we left, but I had no idea.”

  She nodded. “I know. And I tried all night and all day today to forget about it. I mean, what if I leave the show and it doesn’t work out with Marty?”

  I grabbed her hands. “And what if it does?” I realized that my words could be taken as selfish. “Sorry, I don’t want you to go. I really feel a kinship with you.” I looked at Becca and Amy. “With all three of you.”

  She smiled. “I know. I feel the same way. In the end, only one of us can win this show. The rest of us have gorgeous bracelets and a fun experience to tell our grandkids someday.”

  “What are you going to do?” Amy asked, tears glowing in her eyes.

  Daphne heaved out a breath, then nodded. “At elimination tonight, I’m going to step forward and ask to be released. That should give some drama for the show.”

  “Are you completely sure?” Becca asked.

  Daphne nodded. “Yes. And now that I’ve said it out loud, I’m even more certain. I know how stupid it sounds, but there was really something strong between Marty and me. I want to give it a chance.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “And who knows. I might run into whichever one of you wins Rhett’s heart at the ballgames.”

  Amy looked at me. “I think we all know who that is.”

  My breathing stopped. Amy didn’t look sad or mad or even indifferent. She was just stating what she saw as a fact. “I’m…” I began but wasn’t sure how to go on. I didn’t want to lie to these women, and I also didn’t want to tell the truth. “I like him,” I finished lamely.

  Amy gave me a knowing grin. “And I think he likes you too. I see the way he watches you.”

  Becca nodded. “I see it too. Maybe I should pull a Daphne and step down too. I don’t feel a connection either, and I really miss my work. Who knows, if I’m classy about it, Rhett might hook me up with some developers or hire me in the future.”

  I panicked. “Oh, please don’t do that. That will leave Gabrielle with me and Amy.”

  Becca gave me a sultry look, thrusting her breasts out. “Are you afraid I’ll ride him a long time?”

  We all laughed. “Oh my god, that imitation was perfect!”

  Daphne sniffed. “I’m really going to miss you all. Group hug.”

  We embraced and then went back to whiling away the afternoon, which consisted of me working out in the gym and writing more in my journal. Although it served more as a diary, I’d had some thoughts on a screenplay and had been jotting down those notes too.

  There wasn’t a challenge that day, and nothing besides the cameras following us around. Rhett was gone. He’d told me privately that he had to fly to Washington, D.C. for a meeting on a project he had started working on. But he’d be back in time for an early dinner. We’d eat together as a group, then he’d spend alone time with each of us. Well, alone in this case meant with cameras in our faces recording every word.

  When it was elimination time, we all stood outside. I was nervous, but not for me. I glanced at Daphne as Phil did his introduction. She smiled, still looking serene regarding her decision.

  When Rhett stepped forward and picked up his first ball, Daphne made her move.

  “Excuse me, but I have an announcement to make.” Everyone on set looked at her, then at Mr. O’Dell. He just shrugged and twirled his finger, signaling the cameras to keep rolling.

  “Rhett, I want to thank you so very much for this chance to get to know you better, and for opening your lovely home to all of us. I’ve enjoyed meeting everyone, and I feel like I’ve made good friends, which is incredible in such a short amount of time.”

  Tears pricked my eyes. She was right. I’d made more friends in just a few days than I had in my entire life. I glanced at Rhett. He was paying close attention to Daphne, giving her the time and space she deserved.

  “But I’ve decided it’s my time to go explore new possibilities, and I’d like to be released from your team.” She glanced back at all of us, smiling big before continuing. “But who knows, if fate smiles on me, our paths may cross again.”

  A tear fell as Rhett gathered her into a hug.

  “Thank you for your honesty, Daphne. I’ll honor your request and release you. And I dearly hope fate smiles brightly and our paths cross many times.”

  Instead of just leaving, Daphne ran back and gave me, Amy, and Becca long hugs. “I think Amy was right,” she whispered fiercely in my ear. “He likes you. If you like him too, fight for it.” She kissed my cheek then gave Gabrielle a quick wave before rushing off the set.

  Phil Harris stepped up beside Rhett. “In yet another surprise twist, we say farewell to the lovely graduate student, Daphne Latham. Rhett, you may go ahead and offer a ball to the rest of your team.”

  Rhett nodded and picked one up.

  “Emery.” My stomach tightened as I walked up to him. “Will you remain on my team?”

  I smiled. “Can I be first base next time?”

  He laughed. “You can be anything you want.”

  I held my hand out. “Then I’d love being on your team.”

  He leaned in and kissed my cheek. “I’m tying you up tonight,” he whispered.

  Oh my.

  Holding my composure, I walked to the winner’s circle where I watched him offer a ball to Amy, Becca, then Gabrielle.

  After the ceremony, I did the post-ceremony interviews. It was funny, I no longer hated talking about “how I felt” quite so much. Maybe it was because I’d done it so often. Maybe it was because not everything I felt was so shitty. But whatever it was, the questions were easier to answer, and the smile I offered the camera wasn’t so forced.

  And maybe… I felt happy.

  ***

  I felt… tortured.

  Blood roared in my ears as the need to come pushed all rational thought aside. There was nothing beyond the pulsing ache between my legs.

  Rhett told me I couldn’t come without his permission. I couldn’t even make a sound. I already couldn’t move. My arms and legs were tied to the four-posters of his enormous bed, and the man himself was straddling my chest, feeding me his cock as a device of pure, sensual torture vibrated on my clit.

  At first, they had looked like ordinary panties. When Rhett had asked that I slip them on, I hadn’t hesitated. The crimson silk was sexy, and I wanted to be sexy for him. But the front was fitted with a small vibrator which was controlled by the device in Rhett’s hand.

  It was cruel agony.

  It was the sweetest bliss.

  “Don’t come,” Rhett reminded me, and I might have disobeyed and screamed, except Rhett shoved his cock in my mouth again just as he turned the vibration setting higher.

  “Suck me, Emery.”

  The red in his eyes gleamed as he gently pulsed in and out. He didn’t go in all the way, didn’t make me gag, but he pushed me to the point of needing to breathe. When he pulled out, I sucked in a lungful of precious oxygen before he slid back into my mouth again.

  “You like giving me head, Emery?” he asked, but because my mouth was full, I couldn’t answer. So I sucked harder, sliding my tongue up and down his shaft.

  “You’re really good at it,” he murmured, his voice raw.

  I gasped for breath again when he pulled out. With a smirk, he turned the vibration higher. My entire body throbbed, pulsing with need.

  “Do you want to come?”

  Because he’d asked me a question, I was permitted to answer. He’d established that as a rule when we first started to play.

  I wanted it so badly, I hurt. “Yes. Please, Sir.”

  That was another rule. I would call him “Sir” when I spoke to him. At first, I resisted, but now, I found it sexy.

  “What if I don’t want you to come yet? What if I said no?”

  My arms were shaking against the restraints, the need incredible. But I was beginning to understand this sensual game. It was about trust, me giving him complete control, knowing his goal was to take care of me.

  “Whatever you want, Sir.”

  I still didn’t understand this type of relationship, and I wasn’t sure if I was comfortable with it yet. But I loved giving him control like this. And I did trust him. Not needing to be in control myself was a relief I hadn’t fully examined yet.

  As he smiled down at me, I was struck again by how attractive he was. I wondered if in a few years his dark hair would be streaked with gray. Maybe his beard too. I wondered if that was why he wore it, to look less like his father.

  It was no wonder he’d been tortured by his genetics. If anyone walked into this bedroom right now, they would think he was cruel.

  Sure, my body was screaming for release, but I had a feeling I’d be glad that he made me wait. Just like any explosion, the longer the buildup, the more powerful the detonation.

  I flexed my fingers, wishing I could grab on to something, anything. “Please, Rhett. I need...” I couldn’t find the words to articulate what I was feeling, but I knew he understood.

  His hazel eyes burned even brighter. Lust. Caring. Desire. Hedonism. They were all there.

  “Did I give you permission to speak?”

  My eyes opened wide. I’d forgotten that quickly.

  Moving off me, he disappeared into his closet. The vibration against my clit became the only thing I could focus on, and I wondered if he would know if I allowed myself an orgasm. Just as I had the thought, he was back, a knife in his hands.

  I gasped as he walked closer to me, but I didn’t feel afraid. Not exactly. He climbed back on the bed and slid the flat of the blade up my leg.

  “Do you trust me, Emery?”

  It was a dare. It was a pleading.

  I swallowed. “Yes, Sir.”

  He exhaled his relief, then I gasped again as he brought the knife down and cut the panties off me. He yanked them away, and the vibration against my clit stopped. I barely managed to keep from whimpering in protest...and relief.

  That was what he did, I realized. He took me to the line between pain and pleasure, showing me all of the wonderful ways he could make me scream, make me come.

  He chuckled and slid his hand between my thighs, pushing a finger inside me. “God, you’re still so tight,” he growled, and I struggled for control. “So wet.”

  Slowly, he added a second finger, twisting them against my walls in a way that was almost more tormenting than the vibrator.

  “Rhett, please.”

  “Do I need to gag you?”

  I snapped my mouth shut, hearing the real warning in his words. My stomach clenched and he chuckled, turning his fingers until they found some magic button that caused my eyes to roll back in my head. I shuddered when his thumb found my clit. It was too sensitive. Too raw. And I would rather die than ask him to quit.

  Reaching down, he untied my ankles and pushed my knees up to my chest before spreading them wide, fully exposing me to his gaze.

  “Your pussy is like a flower, blooming for me.” He lifted his fingers to his lips. “Your nectar is intoxicating.” He leaned down and kissed me on the clit before inhaling deeply. “And your scent makes me crazy.”

  Once again, I was entranced by him, hypnotized by his words and actions.

  “I’m going to fuck you now, and if you’re really good, I’ll let you come.”

  He sheathed himself, then ran his cock up and down my slit. I shivered at the feeling, wishing it was his skin touching me, but understanding why it wasn’t. It was smart, especially since I’d never been on any sort of birth control.

  My heart squeezed at the thought of having Rhett’s baby. No, I couldn’t even think of something like that yet. It was too soon. We barely knew each other. We—

  I nearly screamed as he thrust into me in one quick stroke, tearing all other thoughts from my mind. He pulled out all the way and spread my legs farther apart before watching his cock slide in inch by inch.

  I wanted to beg for him to hurry, but I curled my hands into fists instead as my body shook with anticipation.

  The thick, heavy width of his cock stretched me as he eased his way deep inside. Instinctually, I knew this wasn’t him being gentle with me. This was only one of the many ways he could torment me, and there was only one thing I could do in retaliation.

  Bearing down, I squeezed my internal muscles until he cursed, his eyes flying to mine. I squeezed again, pulsing him, doing my best to drive him almost as crazy as he was driving me.

  “You are a vixen.”

  But he gave me what I wanted, and slammed into me, our bodies colliding. And he didn’t stop there, he slammed and slammed, the sound of skin crashing on skin filling the room.

  “Open your eyes, Emery.”

  The words came out on his harsh breaths. Sweat was pouring down his face and I so desperately wanted to touch him, wipe it away.

  He thrust harder. Faster. His face a mask of agony.

  “You can come.”

  In two more strokes, I exploded. Air exploded from my lungs in harsh bursts, and my eyes burned with unshed tears. I didn’t know I could feel so much.

  He followed me, shouting my name as his movements become more violent. Then he stopped, his cock pulsing deep inside me before he collapsed with his head on my breast.

  Reaching up, he untied me and pulled me into his arms, folding me against him after tossing the condom aside. Neither of us spoke. Words weren’t necessary. And in a while, his breathing deepened and slowed, his muscles jumping as he fell into sleep, the first time he’d slept before me.

  “Don’t leave me,” he murmured, pulling me even tighter into his hot body. “I need you. Please don’t hate me.”

  As he dreamed, I held him, listening to him fight and plead against the demons still haunting him, and I wondered how often they came to visit.

  And if, just maybe, I could one day help keep them away.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Rhett

  Emery was gone when my alarm went off, and like a love-sick idiot, I pulled her pillow to my face so I could smell her.

  I was tired.

  But not in a bad way.

  I was excited too. Excited to get through another day so Emery would be back in my bed. Forcing my feet to hit the floor, I hit the shower so that I could face whatever was coming at us next.

  Hell, maybe Amy, Gabrielle, and Becca would all bail, and we could cut this thing short. That had been something, Daphne bowing out the way she did. On the one hand, it had been excellent. On the other, I felt bad. I knew she didn’t feel a connection because I hadn’t focused enough attention on her. Not when my head was wrapped around Emery and every movement her lush little body made.