Charlotte let out the breath she’d been holding. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she managed to keep her tone of voice from announcing that. Reaching down, she pulled off his blindfold, and he blinked his eyelids rapidly as he adjusted from going from dark to light. Charlotte brushed her thumb across his lips. “Really? Like what?”

His gaze met hers as he inhaled deeply and let it out again slowly. “I don’t want an end date, Charlotte . . . Mistress. I want to see where you and I can go from here. I know this was only supposed to be you introducing me to the lifestyle, but somewhere along the line, I . . . I fell in love with you, and I’m scared to death you don’t feel the same.”

Charlotte’s mouth dropped open. That had been the last thing she’d expected him to say. Going up on her knees, she put her hands on either side of his head, her face mere inches from his. “My sweet, brave sub. Is that what’s been on your mind these last few days?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

Leaning down, she brushed her lips against his in the softest of kisses. “I love you, too, Michael.”

His breath hitched as his eyes grew wide in disbelief. “Please, say it again, Mistress.”

The corners of her mouth ticked upward. “I love you, too, Michael. I’d actually been planning on telling you that tonight before I got worried about why you were so quiet. You’re more than just my submissive in the bedroom and my equal outside of it; you’re the love my heart has been searching for—the one I never expected to find at this point in my life. I don’t want an end date on our contract either, but I also don’t want to rush things between us. This is all still new territory for both of us, but I’m willing to see where it leads us. You’ve changed me, Michael. I’d always thought I had to keep the different facets of my life separate from each other, but you’ve shown me how I can merge them together and still stay true to who I am.”

Reaching over, she undid the strapped restraint from one of his wrists and then the other. Wrapping her fingers around his hands, she brought them to her hips. His fingers curled into her flesh. “You’ve brought happiness to my life, my love. I never thought I’d find someone who would give me the courage to relinquish the control I so desperately need. But you have. While it won’t happen often, I like knowing I’ll be able to every now and then.”

When his brow narrowed in confusion, she quickly kissed him again, then looked him in the eyes. “Make me lose control, Michael. Make me scream your name.”

Rising up on her knees, she shifted down on the mattress until she was above his pelvis. Mike grabbed his cock and held it upright for her. She produced a condom she’d tucked into her bra for safekeeping and swiftly put it on him. He groaned as she lowered herself onto him, her slick heat engulfing him. Clutching her waist, he jerked her downward as he thrust up into her. Charlotte gasped as his pelvic bone made contact with her clit. Leaning back, she undid the restraints around his ankles, giving him back his control. The nipple clamps were next. “Deep breath. There’s going to be a flash of pain as the blood rushes back in.”

He inhaled and then nodded. When she released the clamps together, his hips bucked again, driving him deeper inside her. “Fuck! Damn, that hurts!”

But it obviously didn’t hurt enough to slow him down. Together, they lifted her up and slammed her back down onto him. The pace Mike set was almost frantic, and Charlotte held on for the ride. He filled her over and over. Charlotte’s climax hit her fast and hard, and she screamed his name as she tumbled into a euphoric fissure where only she, Mike, and their love existed. Her walls rippled around him. He thrust deep within her and, with a roar, stilled as her orgasm triggered his own.

Gasping for oxygen, Charlotte collapsed on top of Mike, his own heaving lungs causing her to rise and fall with every breathe he took. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. Brushing his lips against her temple, his whispered words filled her heart. “I love you, my Mistress.”

* * *

Three weeks later . . .

Charlotte chuckled as Mike glared across the room. As they waited for the bartender to take their order, Charlotte curled into her lover’s side and wrapped her arm around his waist. “I thought you liked the guy.”

“I did until I realized he was making a move on Mom,” he said, putting his arm around her shoulders, as his mother and Chad Walker, a retired policeman, flirted with each other. Chad. Just the guy’s name had Mike thinking he was a playboy and up to no good, despite a stellar, thirty-year career on the New York City Police Department. He’d retired to Florida ten years ago at the age of sixty-two, and had moved into Twin Ponds after breaking his hip last year while riding a skateboard of all things. Of course, Jake had done a background check on the guy the other day after finding out he had a romantic interest in Emma.

“I think it’s cute. He’s quite handsome and charming.”

Mike snorted in disgust before giving the bartender their order. It was Mother’s Day, and the assisted living had thrown a really nice brunch for their residents and any guests they wanted to invite. Mike was impressed with the place, and after settling in a few weeks ago his mother finally declared she loved it. There were plenty of activities scheduled throughout each day of the week to stimulate the residents’ minds and bodies—Tai Chi, word games, arts and crafts, a walking club, a bridge club, trips to the mall or shows, and more. Emma had quickly made friends, and her old neighbor, Linda, stopped by often to visit or take her out to lunch. The only thing Mike didn’t like about the place was Chad.

Jake wasn’t faring much better in that department, and Nick was taking great pleasure busting both the brothers’ asses over it. At least, they’d gotten good news from Emma’s doctor. Her tests for Alzheimer’s had come back negative. The memory loss and confusion at times had been the result of low sodium levels. He’d put her on a new medication to stabilize it, along with a new prescription for high blood pressure. Even Emma had noticed the difference in her mental status after a week, declaring she was thinking much more clearly.

The kitchen in the house Jake and Mike had grown up in was in the process of being renovated by Parker Christiansen’s company. Because of his friendship with the men, Parker had moved the job to the top of his list. As soon as there were no longer any signs of the fire and resulting damage, they were going to list it with a realtor. Mike didn’t think it would take long to get an offer; it was in a great neighborhood, with a nice backyard, and was the perfect size for a young family.

Taking the cans of soda and bottles of water the bartender had handed them, Charlotte and Mike made their way back across the dining room to where the others had commandeered a table. His mother’s new boyfriend and Nick were talking baseball, while Jake and Emma were chatting with one of the other residents who’d stopped by their table. Mike handed out the drinks then pulled out Charlotte’s chair for her, garnering an approving smile from his mother and her friend.

When the other woman returned to her table, and Chad excused himself to go to the restroom, Jake took advantage of the fact the small group was just family now and lightly rapped his knuckles on the table. “I have an announcement to make, and you’re the first to know. We’ll be letting Nick’s family know later this afternoon. We’ve chosen a wedding date and location.”

“Hey, that’s great!” Mike slapped his brother on the back while Charlotte smiled and clapped her hands in celebration.

Emma squealed and leaned over to hug Nick, sitting beside her, before placing her hand on Jake’s since he was sitting across from her. “It’s about time. You have to know, Nick, that I already consider you my son-in-law and I’m just so happy you’re making it official. When and where?”

“We’re renting a party boat on the Gulf . . . in two weeks. We just want our immediate family and our team there,” Nick said. When he’d moved back to Florida after retiring from the Navy SEALs, he’d been placed on the Alpha Team with his brothers and Jake. “That includes you, Charlotte. You’re family; we expect you to be there.”

She lifted her bottle of water in a toast. “I’m honored to accept.”

“Two weeks!” Emma exclaimed. “We can’t possibly put together a beautiful wedding in two weeks!”

Jake held up his hand. “Easy, Mom. There was a cancellation, so we put a deposit down. Nick’s folks will be heading overseas the second week in June for a month with Operation Smile, and we didn’t want to have the wedding in the middle of July or August; the heat would be unbearable. Besides, the yacht staff takes care of most of it.”

“Oh, what do they know? We don’t want some run-of-the-mill wedding; we want it done right.” Her eyes cut to her other son’s girlfriend. “Charlotte, you can help me. I’m sure Jenn and the Trident women will, too. Nick, I’ll call your mother tonight and go over everything with her. When will they be flying in? Oh, wait—you haven’t told them yet. Let me know as soon as you do. We’ll need to make an assignment list. Flowers, decorations, wedding favors, a band . . . or do you want a DJ?” Without waiting for an answer, she pointed to Mike. “You can be in charge of the dinner menu and hors d'oeuvres. We’ll need an open bar, with tonic for your brother, Nick; I know that’s what Devon prefers. And ginger ale for Angie and Fancy, since they’re pregnant. And, of course, Fancy will be in charge of the cake . . .”

Charlotte laughed, while Mike, Jake, and Nick rolled their eyes as Emma continued her rambling. Reaching over to clasp Charlotte’s hand, Mike squeezed it, earning him a peck on the cheek. He’d never get tired of touching her. What she saw in him, he had no idea, but he was grateful for every moment he had with her. They hadn’t really talked about the future—marriage and kids—yet, instead, taking things one special day at a time. But Mike was certain he’d found his soulmate. She was funny, beautiful, caring, and rocked his world in a way he could never have foreseen. While she dominated him in the bedroom, she was his equal every other time—and he wouldn’t want it any other way.

* * *