Sweet Seduction Read online

  For the first couple of weeks after his return, she’d helped him forget. Hell, he’d been too exhausted from their marathon sex to think about anything.

  But some memories don’t stay buried. No matter how much soil you cover them with.

  He closed his eyes and rubbed them wearily.

  When he opened them again, Sydney was standing there, staring at him curiously. How had he missed the sound of the key in the door?

  Glancing at the clock, he was surprised to discover it was already midnight. He rose from his chair.

  “Hey,” she said, her eyes concerned. “You okay?”

  He nodded, trying to shake off the heavy thoughts that consumed him. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

  “You looked a little upset when I walked in.”

  Chas shook his head. “No. Just impatient.”

  She laughed softly. “I was afraid I might wake you.”

  “No, Sydney,” he said, lifting his arms. “I’m not tired. I’ve been waiting for you.”

  Chapter Six

  Sydney walked into his embrace, accepting the soft kiss he offered. Chas was such a contradiction—sometimes a gentle, sweet lover, other times a rough, demanding sex god who made her body quiver with his deep-voiced commands.

  “How was work?” he asked as they pulled apart.

  “Same old, same old.”

  Chas grinned. “And you loved every minute of it.”

  She laughed. “Yeah. I think I must be the most boring woman on the planet, but the truth is I love my little piece of the world.”

  “I know you do. And it doesn’t make you boring. It means you’re lucky. You’ve found genuine happiness in your career, you have an incredible family and you have that rare ability to appreciate the little things in life. I’m sort of jealous of that.”

  Sydney tilted her head, a slight unease forming. “Are you unhappy with your decision to come back home?”

  He quickly shook his head, setting her worries to rest quickly. “Oh no. That’s not what I meant. I’m glad to be back in Maris. I’m just sorry I didn’t appreciate how much it had to offer a long time ago.”

  She blushed when his eyes drifted from her face to her breasts, the bold man letting her know exactly what he was appreciating these days. She rolled her eyes, then changed the subject. “How’s your gran?”

  “Fine. Even so, I think I’m going to stay close to home for the next week or so just to be sure. Are you okay with that?”

  “Of course I am. Though I’ll admit I’ll be a bit sorry to curtail our nighttime fun. I swear I think you’re turning me into a sex addict.”

  Chas narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean curtail?”

  Sydney put her hands on her hips. “I meant what I said earlier, Chas. I’m not having sex with your grandmother in the house.”

  Chas raised his hand and Sydney braced herself as he began ticking off all the reasons why they would indeed be having sex. “Hate to disagree with you, Sydney. However, I am because, number one, my grandmother’s bedroom is on the second floor. We’re in the basement. Secondly, she sleeps with the TV on and she’s slightly hard of hearing. And lastly, there’s no way you’re coming to bed with me without coming. Period.”

  “Chas—” She knew the second she said his name she was wasting her breath.

  He grasped her hand and led her to his bed. They sat down side by side. He’d gotten the king-size bed when he was in high school as he continued to outgrow every mattress his grandmother bought for him.

  Sydney placed her hand on his cheek, unable to shake the feeling that he hadn’t been happy when she’d walked in. For one thing, he’d been so deep in thought he hadn’t even heard her open the door and his face had looked so sad. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  He nodded too quickly. “I’m fine.

  She decided to take him at his word. Even if something was bothering him, she knew exactly how to distract him. She rose up, tossing one leg over his thighs until she straddled his lap. Since his return, Chas had taken the lead in all their bedroom play, issuing sexy commands that made her blood run hotter than molten lava.

  He placed a loose grip on her waist and she wondered how long he’d let her hold the upper hand before pushing her away. She ran her fingers through his hair, delighted that he was letting it grow out. While the shorter military style had been hot on him, she liked having something to stroke, to grab on to when they kissed.

  Her gaze drifted to his lips at the thought and she moved the few inches forward until her mouth touched his. Chas let her lead the kiss, molding his lips to hers but not seeking to take over.

  She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, digging her fingers into the powerful muscles there until she heard his soft intake of breath. She didn’t mean to hurt him, yet she did. So many times she found herself touching him roughly, sort of the equivalent of pinching him to make sure he was really there.

  Of course, the kiss wasn’t much gentler. Her touches were demanding, powerful. A dare. Sydney wanted to force his hand. Challenge him to take control. Something in the way he held himself so stiffly now, the way he’d looked so lost when she’d entered the room told her he needed this.

  She gave an internal eye roll.

  Yeah.

  That’s why she was doing this. For purely unselfish reasons. She barely resisted the urge to snort. They’d spent every night since his return exploring the dynamics of their sexual relationship. She clearly had submissive qualities as well as a taste for pain. It was news to her, but she wasn’t going to deny it, wasn’t going to pretend it wasn’t there.

  Why would she, when her desires were the perfect counterpart to his? To his dominant streak, his need to be in control. Chas was clearly suffering from some unpleasant memories, but not when he was with her. Not when they were like this.

  While she couldn’t read his mind, she knew with utter certainty that when they came together like this, when they gave themselves to each other, it was just the two of them in the room—no past, no future. Just the here and the now.

  Perhaps that explained his unquenchable need for her. Maybe their time together helped him forget. Sydney wanted to make him forget, wanted to wipe away every painful moment he’d suffered in the Middle East. She loved him. With everything she had, everything she was. This man had claimed her heart and she had no intention of making him relinquish it.

  She tightened her grip, pushing the envelope. It had the desired effect. Chas gripped her wrists and tugged them behind her back. The action pressed her breasts forward, something he took time to acknowledge and appreciate with a long, heated look.

  “Had your fun?” he asked.

  She gave him a seductive smile. “I was just getting started.”

  He released her hands with a stern, “Behave, Sydney.”

  Her smile grew. So far she’d obeyed his requests without question, without resistance. Obviously he expected her to comply tonight as well. Thought he could use that deep, sensual voice that sent every sexual electric current she possessed straight to her pussy and she’d fall in line.

  Not this time.

  She moved quickly, taking him off guard as she kissed him once more. Before he could push her away again, she nipped at his lower lip, slowly biting down until he jerked away from the pain. He reached up to swipe at the wounded area when he tasted blood.

  “You bit me.”

  She grinned unrepentantly. “So what are you going to do about it?”

  Sydney was purposely trying to provoke him, to see what he’d do next. While he’d introduced her to a much rougher, much stronger type of sex, instinctively she knew there was so much more. He’d been holding back, going slowly. The master teacher taking his time to instruct his apprentice with patience, methodically.

  She wanted more, thirsted to learn it all.

  “Be very sure, Sydney.”

  She tilted her head. “Of what?”

  “That this is the road you want to go down. Once we start, there’s no stoppi
ng. You’ll belong to me in ways you can’t even begin to imagine.”

  How could such ominous words sound so inviting, delicious?

  “Show me.”

  Chas cupped her face and she sensed he was still holding back.

  She offered another tweak. She knew how to get a response out of her brave Marine. “What are you afraid of?”

  His expression darkened, but not with anger. It was as if he’d held tightly to some invisible reins and he’d just opened his hand to let them fall.

  He twisted, one smooth action that put her on her back on his bed with Chas on top, caging her under his large, hard body.

  “You just poked the bear.”

  She laughed. Despite his domineering ways, underneath it all, he never stopped being Chas, her dearest friend, the man who could always make her laugh. Even when her heart was racing with anticipation and the slightest bit of aroused fear.

  “That’s a shame,” she said, the breathy quality of her voice betraying her, giving away the tiny sliver of nervousness residing there.

  “Why is that?”

  She reached down and cupped Chas’ cock in her hand, giving the thick flesh a firm squeeze. “I was hoping he’d poke me.”

  Sydney was surprised when Chas rose, leaving her feeling oddly exposed and cold. She much preferred being under him, buried in all that rock-hard muscle.

  “Chas—” She was ready to put up a fight if he tried to protect her from this again. Now that she knew he’d been holding back, she felt almost resentful.

  Before she could say more, he yanked her from the bed, taking her place on the mattress. “Take off your clothes.”

  Her hands flew to the button on her jeans instantly. She was used to Chas’ gaze on her, the way he ate her alive with his eyes as she bared more and more skin. It was easy being naked in front of him because he never made her feel anything less than completely beautiful. The flaws she faced daily whenever she looked at herself in the mirror seemed to vanish before him.

  “I’m going to take you over my knee and spank you, Sydney.”

  “Finally. I was afraid I was going to have to throw a temper tantrum and start breaking stuff.”

  He barked out a loud, boisterous laugh that reminded Sydney of where they were. She glanced upwards. Chas recognized her concern.

  “If you’re uncomfortable having sex here, we could put this on the back burner and just go to sleep.”

  She shook her head quickly. “No. I believe you when you say she can’t hear us. Besides, I have a feeling after her fall today you’re not going to leave her alone very often. I either have to adapt or buy a bigger vibrator.”

  He scowled. “No more vibrators. I’m already intimidated by your current one.”

  Sydney laughed, but the sound was cut short when he reached for her hand, tugging her until she was facedown over his lap.

  She wished he’d taken off his own clothing; the fact he was still completely covered while she was naked as the day she was born was not lost on her.

  He ran his hand over her bare ass. She’d expected firm slaps, something painful. This touch was sweet, warm. Pure comfort.

  It wasn’t nearly enough. The damn hesitance was back. She pushed up and Chas offered no resistance. She sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Tell me.”

  “Sydney. I can’t…I won’t… What I need from you won’t be easy. There’s too much inside me right now, fighting to get out.”

  It was the closest he’d come to admitting what she’d seen in his face upon her arrival had really been there. Something bad was rattling around in Chas’ head. Maybe one day he’d find a way to talk to her about it, to confide in her.

  Until then…she could feel how much he needed this moment. His emotions lay bare, his body tense. He wasn’t hiding anything from her.

  “Do it.”

  “Sydney—” His tone was one of warning.

  She didn’t want it.

  “You already said it, Chas. I belong to you. Do it. Do whatever it is you need to make these demons disappear.”

  “I don’t want to hurt you. You’re still new to…” He seemed to struggle for the word to describe their sexual desires.

  “I think it’s called BDSM.”

  His brows creased.

  She lifted one shoulder casually. “I Googled it.”

  He smiled, though she didn’t sense any true happiness behind it. He was still worried, still the protector. Even if what he was trying to save her from was him.

  She didn’t feel threatened or scared. For the first time in her life, Sydney felt as if she was truly home, even though she’d never left the damn place.

  He didn’t appear convinced, so she took control once more. Hopefully for the last time tonight. One last nudge…

  She walked to a small dining table his gran had placed in his galley kitchen and bent over it. She rose up on her elbows and looked over her shoulder at him.

  He was standing now, his gaze glued to her bare ass. She added fuel to the fire, parting her legs, displaying far more. Everything.

  “I know what you want, Chas. I want the same thing. I’m not afraid. I trust you and I know you’d never intentionally hurt me. Take what you need from me. There’s nothing I won’t give you.”

  His hands clenched as he continued to resist. He was still trying to find the power to walk away. She wouldn’t let him. “Please,” she whispered.

  Then, the clouds cleared and she knew she’d won. She smiled as Chas approached her, reaching out to stroke her bare ass.

  He chuckled when Sydney jerked at the first touch. “Nervous?”

  Now that he was all in, she’d expected something stronger. She shook her head.

  His gaze narrowed. “Don’t lie to me, Syd. Not here. Not now.”

  “I’m fucking terrified. And I love it.”

  “I love you.”

  Those sweet words should feel wrong at a time like this. After all, she was naked and bent over a table as he loomed over her, fully dressed, clearly intent on doing all sorts of unspeakable things to her. And yet, no time had ever felt more right.

  Before she could return the sentiment, Chas lifted his hand and struck.

  Damn. Suddenly she was reconsidering those kid gloves. The blow hurt. She only had a moment to consider that pain before he delivered another smack and then another.

  Those muscles she’d admired since his return didn’t seem so sexy anymore. He was putting his strength to good use and though he’d spanked her once before—their first night together—it was obvious he’d been holding back then.

  “Wait,” she cried out when he lifted his hand once more.

  Chas bent over her prostrate form, his lips tickling her ear. “Three minutes. Give me three more minutes. If you want to stop after that, we will.”

  She nodded, trying not to think of how much pain he could evoke in a mere one hundred and eighty seconds.

  Another blow landed and Sydney squeezed her eyes closed, forced herself to concentrate on her breathing, to find somewhere else to be.

  Chas, the clever bastard, didn’t allow her that retreat. With his toe, he nudged at her ankle, indicating he wanted her to open her legs farther. She hesitated only a second and then gave him what he desired.

  Her ass was on fire and those flames didn’t abate even when he began to gently caress her bottom. She squirmed when those soft touches sparked yet another inferno—this one inside her pussy.

  She gasped, struggling to breathe, to understand. How could something that had hurt so bad feel so freaking good?

  “Chas…” Her tone revealed her wonder, her surprise.

  He pressed one finger inside her oh-so-wet opening. “Still want me to wait?”

  She shook her head quickly. “Stop and I’ll kill you.”

  She’d expected her words to evoke a laugh, but instead he leaned over her once more. “You hesitated when I asked you to open your legs.”

  Observant man. “I’m sorry.”

>   “Don’t do it again.”

  Chas didn’t wait for her to reply. He removed his finger and ran his hand along her slit. She was drenched, hot, trembling with need.

  He dragged some of her body’s juices to her anus. She’d never experimented with anal play and Chas knew it.

  He’d taken his time, slowly exposing her to the act. He hadn’t fucked her there yet. Instead, he had let her get used to his fingers—one, then two, then three. Each time he ramped up the exploration, the experience, allowing her body to adjust to the new sensation.

  Tonight, he wouldn’t hold off. He’d made no secret of his desire to take her this way and through patient play and exposure, he’d made very sure she wanted it as well.

  She groaned softly when he pushed one finger inside her ass, straight to the hilt. Her body was relaxed, the fact not lost on her, considering how tense she’d been only a few moments early.

  “I’m going to test your limits tonight, Sydney.” She couldn’t help but wonder if he wouldn’t be testing a few of his own as well.

  “I’m ready.”

  He kept his finger buried as he caged her beneath him. “I’m fucking you here.” Her back stiffened despite her desires. Chas wasn’t a small man and regardless of his attempts to prepare her, she wasn’t foolish enough to believe there wouldn’t be some pain. Then she considered his spanking. It had hurt like hell. And yet here she was. Gasping, clamoring for more, dying to come.

  Chas added more fuel to the fire. “I’m going to bury my cock as deep as it will go and take you hard.”

  Sydney didn’t balk, didn’t protest. The words would only be a lie. Instead, she gave him the truth. “Yes.”

  “But not yet. You’ve been a bad girl.”

  Rising, he wasted no time in pulling his finger from her ass, his hand striking her powerfully.

  Sydney rose up on her toes and for a moment, she tried to decide if she should move closer or get the hell away.

  It didn’t matter. He didn’t give her a chance to escape. He brought his hand down on her ass and upper thighs over and over. Tears formed behind her closed eyes, then began to stream down her face. Tears of pain mingled with cries of need. Her empty pussy clenched, desperate to be filled.