“I agree.” There was no need to toe the line farther. She was satisfied with her reaction to the three he’d given her. No need to push that particular envelope. “It didn’t hurt like last time.”

  “Good, then I did my job.” He gave her a small smile. “The second was easier. The third, the easiest of them all. Probably because it was the last and I knew how much I’d got you worked up between two and three.”

  “I wasn’t expecting that.”

  His eyes laughed at her. “Which is why I did it.”

  “I’m glad it turned out so well. Even if you woke me up at almost five to do it.”

  “First of all, it turned out much better than so well,” he said. “Second, technically, you never put almost five on your limits lists. And third, I didn’t want you to spend our anniversary wondering if I was getting ready to drag you into the playroom.”

  “Thank you for that.” She hadn’t thought about how horrid it would have been to spend the day questioning his every move.

  “No thanks needed,” he said. “I made reservations for a champagne brunch, but they’re not until eleven.”

  “Eleven?” she asked, rolling to her side.

  He slid his hand between her closed thighs. “Open.”

  She spread her legs and he teased her folds, each touch heating her with electric jolts of pleasure.

  “Yes, eleven.” He pushed two fingers into her. “That gives us plenty of time to work up an appetite.”

  Twelve: Sasha

  “Sounds like a good plan.” Sasha sat up. “A nice brisk jog, perhaps, Sir?”

  He growled and pulled her down on top of him. “You have no idea how badly I want to drive you into this mattress.”

  She wiggled, working herself on his erection. He still had his clothes on and the roughness of his denim jeans felt so damn good against her bare skin. “I respectfully disagree, Sir. I’d say I have an inkling. Of course, if you’d like for me to get a better handle on the situation, that could be arranged.”

  He batted her hands away from his zipper. “Impatient are we?”

  “Just a lot.” She didn’t realize how desperate she was until she heard the evidence in her own voice.

  He cocked an eyebrow. “Does this mean no to jogging?”

  “As opposed to you driving me into this mattress? I’m sorry, was there a question in there somewhere?”

  He laughed and slowly unbuttoned his shirt, watching her as he moved from button to button. She would have offered to help, but didn’t since he’d already batted her hands out of the way once. Besides, she wasn’t opposed to watching his splendid self get naked.

  The grin was still on his face when he shrugged out of the shirt and tossed it across the room. She loved how their play was often playful, having never experienced a lighthearted side of the lifestyle before Cole.

  Her mind flashed back to the first time he’d bound her, he’d used a feather tickler to tease her until she was relaxed and laughing. There’s a reason it’s called play, he’d said.

  As if reading her mind - she hadn’t said anything, had she - he reached down and lifted her foot. Wearing an evil grin he ran a finger along its side. Being incredibly ticklish, there was no stopping her giggle, even as she writhed, trying to get away.

  He stopped, and she took a second to catch her breath.

  “No tickler today?” she asked.

  “I think we’ve had enough toys for one day.” He brought her foot up to his lips and placed a kiss on the arch. She let out a sound that was half giggle and half groan. “Wouldn’t you agree, little one?”

  Truth was, she’d probably agree with damn near anything he said at the moment. But in this case, she wholeheartedly agreed. “Yes, Sir.”

  He wrapped his hand around her ankle and planted it on the bed, leaving her knee bent. The look he shot at her made it clear she wasn’t to move. He moved on to her other foot and placed it on the bed, spreading her knees wide and leaving no part of her hidden.

  He stroked her legs, up and down, sometimes stopping for a kiss, sometimes not. His breath was hot against her skin when he spoke. “If I used a tickler, I wouldn’t be able to taste you. Too enjoy your flavor on my tongue.”

  She often wondered if she could come from listening to his words alone. It was entirely possible. As well as he knew her body, he knew her mind just as much. Which words to say and what phrases to use to set her spinning. Today he was pulling everything. She whimpered as his lips brushed her inner thighs.

  “You want me, little one?”

  “I need you, Sir.”

  He didn’t act on her words, instead, he continued moving up her body, bypassing where she was horribly empty. His hands traveled up and between her breasts, his lips following. Slowly, he circled each nipple, bringing the first one and then the other to a stiff peak before biting one and giving the other a tight squeeze.

  She yelped, her back arching in combined pleasure and want, desperate for more. “Please, Sir.” The sharp sensation sent sparks of heat through her body, but it wasn’t enough. Not nearly enough.

  He moved further up her body until his lips brushed the side of her neck. She shuddered, tilting her head back.

  She’d assumed once he’d made his way to her head, he would finally take her. But instead, he gave her a long, sensual kiss. “Don’t move,” he warned, then dropped down between her knees, once more raining kisses along her inner thighs. But she knew this time he wouldn’t stop. He would bring her to the edge and not allow her to take a step more. Keeping her there until he was ready for her to fall off the edge. She would hang on and make it, knowing it would feel so good when he allowed her to come, even if it felt like torture at times.

  His mouth and tongue continued their sinful torment. She squeezed her hands into tight fists, trying to shut down any part of her tempted to give in before he gave permission. “Ugh.”

  He lifted his head. “Problem, little one?”

  “Permission to speak freely, Sir?”

  “Of course.”

  “How can what you do feel so good even when I know you’re being evil and mean?”

  “Translated to I’m being a prick by orally playing with your clit?”

  “Yes, but you forgot the feel so good part.”

  He laughed and slapped her thigh. “On your hands and knees, then. I’ve been waiting for this.”

  She quickly rolled over, and he wasted no time before he pushed inside her, bottoming out after one smooth thrust. “Bloody hell, it’s been too long.”

  Her back arched, needing him to move. And then he did, doing exactly what he'd told her earlier that he wanted to do, drive her into the mattress. Each forceful thrust pushing her further down, and closer and closer to the edge.

  He ran his hands over her thighs, using them as leverage as he worked his cock into her harder and deeper. There was no slow and shallow today.

  One hand released her leg, only to trace what she assumed was an ivy line on her back.

  “Mine.” He punctuated the word with a thrust. “Only mine.” Another one. “Yes?”

  “Yes,” she answered. “I need…. I need.”

  “Tell me.”

  “I need your cock.” Her eyes nearly rolled back as he shifted his hips to change the angle.

  “You’re going to get plenty of it today,” he promised her.

  “Yes, please,” she said in a half moan, thinking about the day to come. He didn’t reply with words, but rather, pushed her head down and lifted her hips, positioning her to take more of him.“I need to come, Sir.”

  “You want to come.” He corrected, once more pushing into her.

  In the new position, he hit her g-Spot with every thrust, and the sensation left her speechless. Her body begged for release, but she tightened her stomach and fought against it to the best of her ability.

  “How does that cock feel?” he asked.

  “So good, sir.” The coil in her stomach continued to tighten, preparing to snap at any moment. She teetered on the edge, fighting hard against the pleasure that awaited. Half part torture. Half part arousing.

  “Good. Take it a bit longer,” he said, increasing his rhythm.

  This time, her entire body tightened. She closed her eyes tightly, desperate to hold off the climax that grew ever closer. “May I please come, Sir?”

  “No.”

  Her body began to shake. She was done for. The need too strong. The pull too demanding. She was seconds away from giving in and bit back the wail of disappointment threatening to break free.

  He stilled inside her. It wasn’t a lot, but it was enough for her to catch her breath. He pulled out almost all the way. Then his breath tickled her neck and, as his hips began to move for another thrust, he let her fly with one word.

  “Come.”

  Thirteen: Sasha

  Sasha opened her eyes to find Cole watching her with a concerned expression. His lips curved into a small grin. “How are you feeling?”

  She took a deep breath and catalogued her various body parts. Her head hurt and there was a lingering ache from her back. Soreness between her legs. Oh, yes.

  “I think I blacked out for a moment, Sir.” She rubbed the spot on her head that hurt the most.

  “You did,” he said. “And it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have put you through so much without feeding you first.”

  “You won’t hear a complaint from me.” She sat up in the bed, and he pulled her into his lap, wrapping his arms around her.

  He idly stroked his hand up and down her arm. Feeling warm and content never to move again, she relaxed into him.

  “Any new thoughts about the bullwhip?” he asked.

  She’d expected he’d question her about the scene numerous times, and didn’t mind. It was part of who he was, and he was keeping her safe. Her only job was to be honest. Thinking back over the scene, she recalled the sounds and sensations. The way the past lost its stronghold when paired with her present and future.

  “It worked,” she said. “Thank you for what you did, I know it wasn’t easy.” The hardest thing he’d ever done as a Dom. Isn’t that what he’d said?

  He didn’t reply, and for several long moments they simply sat, enjoying the peace and each other. Never had she felt more content or loved. She turned her head to tell him, but before she could get a word out, her stomach growled. Loudly.

  He grinned. “We should have a snack before brunch.”

  “It’s after nine,” she said with a quick glance at the clock. “I don’t want to risk not being hungry for brunch.”

  “In that case, what do you think about a bath?”

  “That sounds perfect.”

  “I’ll go get it started.” He kissed her. “Don’t move. I’ll be back in a minute or two.”

  As he walked to the bathroom, she took a moment to step back and take a breath. To try to organize the thoughts circulating in her brain. Elation filled her at the knowledge she'd faced one of her worst fears and conquered it. The bullwhip no longer had a hold on her.

  When Cole returned and held his hand out to her, she hopped off the bed and took it, letting him pull her close only for him to pick her up again. She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning against his strong chest. This was exactly where she wanted to be.

  He carried her into the bathroom and gently set her on her feet beside the tub. “We don’t have a lot of time before we need to get ready. But if you’d like another, longer bath, I’ll draw you one later in the day, and pour you a glass of wine. Unfortunately,” he pointed at the small table on the other side of the tub, “for now, it’s just water.”

  On the previously unnoticed table were two water bottles.

  She laughed softly at his words and nodded. “Water sounds really good, to be honest.”

  He helped her step into the tub, opened one of the bottles for her and then slid in himself, settling against one end of the tub with her sitting in front of him. He moved his hands up her back, his fingertips exploring the tattoo.

  She closed her eyes for a moment taking everything in. The heat of the water, easing what aches remained on her back. The icy coolness of water she drank, so cold it nearly burned. And, most of all, the love of the man sitting behind her. Her Master. Her Husband. Her Sir. Her best friend. Her Cole.

  “I think everyone has finally stopped staring at you,” she said, hours later, after placing their brunch order.

  They were at a small and intimate table, but in the middle of the upscale restaurant. Not tucked into a private corner like one might expect. It wasn’t bad now, but when they’d first arrived and sat down, it felt as if everyone had been watching them. She’d chalked it up to Cole. The man could turn heads wearing tattered rags. Today, in a custom made three-piece suit, he was resplendent.

  Cole chuckled. “I’m not the one people are staring at, little one. Not unless it’s with bitter jealousy.”

  What?

  “They’re looking at you,” he continued, shaking his head. “I knew you’d look like a siren in that dress, but failed to realize it would render me into a Neanderthal wanting to beat my chest, throw you over my shoulder, and take you back to my cave.”

  She had to admit, it was a fabulous dress. He’d given it to her after their bath. Made from a silky deep green material he said matched her eyes, she loved the full skirt and the fitted bodice. But her favorite part was that it was backless. Held up by tiny spaghetti straps, the back dipped low down her spine, showing off her ink as well as her curves.

  “You know there’s no need to throw me over your shoulder, right?” she teased. “I’d gladly follow you to your cave.”

  His eyes darkened with desire, but he was kept from saying anything thanks to the server bringing a bowl of local berries for them to enjoy while they waited for the rest of their food.

  “What should we conquer next?” he asked, later when they’d finished eating.

  It wasn’t a question she expected him to ask. “What do you mean?”

  “Are there any more dragons to be slain?” he asked. “Because I have a feeling the two of us could do damn near anything.”

  “I know we could,” she said. “But at the moment, all I want is to live a long and happy life with you.”

  They had been doing so since they got together, but there had always been a shadow looming behind them. Now, the path was bright. Nothing was holding her back, and there were so many things that she wanted to do. She felt alive again, and she intended on making every following second count.

  “I can definitely drink to that,” he said with an easy smile. He refilled both their champagne flutes, and they each took one. He lifted his. “To us, and a long, happy life filled with dragon carcasses.”

  “To us.” She raised hers and the glasses clinked together.

  “Happy anniversary, Mrs. Johnson.”

  Fourteen: Cole

  Three weeks after their anniversary, the bullwhip found its permeant home as a display piece in Sasha’s Happy Place. There it would remain unbothered and untouched. A part of his collection, but to be viewed as a reminder of what they could accomplish together. Cole looked over the room, ensuring everything was set up for later, and then went looking for Sasha.

  He walked through the house. The last time he saw her, she was in the bedroom and he’d been stepping into the shower. He checked in the living room and kitchen, not spotting her until he looked out the kitchen window.

  Of course.

  She knelt in the garden she had designated the kitchen garden. He’d teased her, asking how she could possibly know anything about a kitchen garden if she didn’t cook. She’d wrinkled her nose in that cute way she had, and told him she didn’t see what the two things had to do with the other.

  Everywhere he looked, he found evidence of her work over the last few weeks. There were holes in the dirt waiting for seeds, and she had ordered plenty of them. She had a flower garden planned for the front yard, but the project she was most excited for was the ivy she was looking into for the backyard.

  He made his way outside and around to where she was working. Bending down, he offered her a bottle of water he snagged from the fridge before he came out. It was hot and it didn’t appear that she’d brought any with her.

  She looked up at him with a big grin, wiping the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. The move left a streak of dirt on her cheek.

  “Thank you,” she said, downing half before sitting the bottle down. “I needed that.”

  He wiped the dirt off her face with his thumb. “You need to be wearing a hat.”

  It was a hot day, without a cloud in the sky. She could burn.

  “I don’t have one.”

  “Easily taken care of, little one. What would I do if you brunt into a crisp?”

  “I won’t. I put on sunscreen.”

  He nodded, his eyes sweeping over the garden. Parts of the garden had been planted and stick flags stuck out of the ground with names detailing what she’d planted. “How’s it coming along out here?”

  “Good. I’m just about done for the day. I have a few more seeds to plant along here.” She gestured to the row of holes in front of her. It would take some time for the garden to match the beautiful and lush one in her vision, but like he’d said before, she could be stubborn. She wouldn’t stop until it was perfect.

  “It’s going to look great. Better than the house in England,” he assured her.

  “I don’t know about that.” She laughed as she grabbed a seed packet for cabbage. She carefully distributed a seed in each hole, narrowing her eyes in concentration. He loved watching her work on something she clearly enjoyed so much. With her gloved hands, she carefully scooped the soil back over the holes. Finished with that, she pointed to the water hose at his feet. “Can you hand me that?”

  “I’ll do you one better.” He took the hose and stood up. “Show me what to do.”

  With him in charge of the water, she joked it took twice as long as it would have had she’d done it. He threatened her with the water hose but didn’t follow through. If he got the white shirt she wore wet, it would in all probability put an end to any plan he had for later.