His eyes flash with primitive need, and for a moment I know I’ve shocked him. He’s quick to regain his position, placing his hands on my hips, gently so.
“For now . . . until I have you on your knees on the floor. Or would you rather we get right to it, Belle?”
“On my knees?” The vision flashes in my mind. The crackling of the fire, my knees and palms burning against the rug as Calum takes me from behind, his blunt nails digging into my hips.
A rough groan travels up his chest, once again making me feel as if he’s read my mind. “Yes,” he answers, “Let’s get the formalities over with, and then I’ll have you that way first, your ass in the air as I fuck you on all fours.”
I couldn’t blush any harder, but with the barest grasp on the last bit of dignity I have, I manage to speak. “Is that the deal? My father’s debt for tonight?”
Calum’s head tilts, and a threat laces the single word he speaks. “Tonight?”
The raging of my heart heats my body, as if I’ve said something wrong. Instinctively, I take one step back, and he’s far too quick to keep us close, matching my step with his own.
“What do you want with me? If not . . .”
“Oh, I assure you, Belle, what you’re thinking is precisely what I want.” The desire in his tone is reflected in his gaze, and the lust that rushes in my blood is the only thing that keeps the fear from taking over.
“Then . . . I don’t understand.” I honestly don’t.
“It’s going to take much more than a night to pay off your debt.”
4
Calum
“How much more?” she questions, the desire subsiding, overtaken by the details. “How long is this . . . Arrangement?”
“I’ll decide that.” Irritation rolls through me, tensing my body. She’s already thinking of limiting her time. “I want everything from you. Including your time. As much of it as I desire.”
I could give her everything and anything she wanted, but all she wants is to know when it will be over before it’s even begun.
“I need to know.”
“You don’t need to know anything other than how I want you.” My words are harsh, and I’m quite aware. She was eager and ready, but panic has reached her eyes.
For the first time since I met her eyes and stalked her steps at that party, regret lingers in the air between us. My anger quickly dissipates, and the hint of fear bleeds into my thoughts. I almost have her. Ever since I saw her years ago, I’ve wanted her. I can’t let a minor detail take her away from me.
“Did you think one night would pay it all off? That in one night I’d have my fill?” Slipping my hand around the back of her neck, I nip her bottom lip in admonishment, ramping up the desire I know she has for me.
“Calum.” Her throat tightens as she swallows. “Please, I need—”
“You need to do as I say,” I command her, and my tone resonates, but still she hesitates. I fucking loathe it.
“I will,” quickly spoken, her eyes wide and her body willing. “I promise I will. But I need . . .”
“Make it very clear and be quick, Annabelle. My patience is running thin.”
“You want to use me, fuck me, and I swear I want you too. How can I agree to letting you do as you please with no way out and no way to stop this . . .”
“When I’m done with you tonight, that won’t be a worry. Now, get on your knees.”
She gasps, the sound both alarming and tantalizing.
The image embeds itself in my memory.
“You can only have me at night.”
“No.”
“You expect me here for how long?”
“When I’m here; you’re here.” My voice is firm. “This isn’t negotiable. You’ll be taken care of and you’ll be ready for me whenever I need.”
“And my life?”
“It is owed to me.”
“For . . . for however long you decide?”
I can see the likelihood of the next series of events. The fear, her wanting out. She’ll make it difficult. More difficult than it needs to be.
“I would prefer not to give you a date. I’d rather give you a word. If you feel the need to be alone. To be without me for a moment. You will come back, and you will continue to be mine in all ways. But if it becomes too intense . . .” My pulse races as she slowly unravels under my offer. The way her eyes turn darker and peer into mine and her lips part just slightly inform me that she’s willing, that the offer tempts her.
“Give me a word. Or a statement. Tell me what you’ll say if you need . . . a moment. I’m only willing to give you a moment.”
“I say this word and you’ll let me go?”
“For a day. I’ll give you one day and then you must come back.”
“A word . . .”
“Or a phrase.”
“Deep red rose.”
“Deep red rose,” I repeat.
“So the terms are: I’m yours to do with as you please. But if it’s too much, I have one day if I tell you ‘deep red rose’.”
Nodding, I hold her gaze, refusing to let it go as she stands in front of me, taking it all in. Did she really think I’d only want her for a night?
“I’ve grown tired of terms, Belle.”
With a sudden inhale, she nods slightly and the tips of her fingers play at the hem of her dress. “How would you like me?” she questions, and I swear I couldn’t get harder if I wanted to.
“Good girl,” I commend her and take a chance, stalking around her in a slow circle to her back. When I rest my hand at her neck, brushing her hair out of the way, she shivers, and her head falls back slightly. Her quickened breath and the sound of her dress unzipping is all that fills the room. The heat from behind us swells until her dress falls to the floor, followed by her undergarments, and I leave her standing there, bared to me as I unbutton my shirt behind her.
She steals a glance over her shoulder, and I allow it. Taking my time as she stands nervously waiting.
When I unzip my pants, she shifts her weight, her thighs clenching and the blush turning darker against her skin.
With puddles of cloth beside us, I circle her again, gripping and stroking my length. Precum beads on my head and I spread it, stoking myself again.
If I wasn’t already an arrogant man, the sight of her eyes widening and her lips parting with a gasp when she stares down at my cock would certainly turn me into one.
With my other hand, I test the weight of her breasts, holding them for a moment and running my thumb against her hardened nipples. Her soft whimper begs for me, and she leans in slightly until I tsk at her.
She’s quick to correct herself, even if need is etched into every aspect of her expression.
Her reactions and obedience are perfection. I didn’t make a mistake. I was right that she was the perfect one for this.
“Down on your knees and lick,” I command her, and she’s quick to do just that. I grip myself at the base as she leans forward, gliding her tongue along the veins of my cock. A shudder runs through me as her scandalous tongue slips between my slit, gathering the precum.