Aching to bury his cock deep inside her and drive away the hunger threatening to devour them both, Jax folded her into his arms and held her until she stopped shaking.

“Will you?”

He eased back to hold her head between his hands. “No. I can’t, Willow, as much as I want to.” Honor was the only thing that provided him with the strength to deny her. They’d negotiated a scene, and he’d agreed there would be no penetration.

He’d paddled her hard, and when he helped her up, the sight of the tear tracks staining her face told him she’d been lost in her pleasure. If he fucked her now, he’d be taking advantage of her vulnerable state. But if she asked outside a scene? He’d never be able to resist.

Jax held her for a long time before helping her dress, then cleaning up the room. “Where are you staying?”

“Nearby.” She adjusted her skirt. She was back in control, and obviously stinging from his rejection. “Close enough to walk.” She was smart enough to hastily add, “I’ll catch a ride.”

Another battle? “You’ll ride with me.”

“You’re not—”

He put a finger on her lips. “Don’t make me gag you.”

“You—”

“Would. I’d give you the world, but I’ll never risk your well-being. Deal with it.” He picked up his bag. “It’s a ride. Is it really worth arguing about?”

In the end, she relented with a sigh.

On the main level, he claimed her lightweight jacket and helped her into it while the hostess asked the valet to bring his car around.

Jax took her elbow as they walked down the steep set of stairs leading to the street.

As she’d said, her hotel was nearby, but with the constant stream of revelers carrying hurricane glasses and the gridlock of cars, it might have been faster to walk. Still, they reached their destination too soon, and he didn’t want the evening to end like this.

He found a rare parking spot on the street and pulled into it so they had a few more minutes together. “We’re not finished.”

“I had a nice evening.”

There was that infuriating word again, wielded like a weapon. “Let me buy you a drink.”

“I—”

“Goddamn it!” He slammed his hand on the steering wheel. “Cut me some slack. I didn’t fucking reject you. You set out the rules for the scene. As your Dom, I respected them. What kind of man would I be if I had fucked you as hard as I wanted when you were in no position to give consent? I’d be the asshole you think I am.”

She leaned back against the headrest.

“I’m trying to be a decent human being.”

With a small grin she turned to look at him. The car was intimate and quiet. With a light tease, she asked, “Is it as difficult as it sounds?”

“Keeping my hands off you? Yeah. I’ve got it for you. Bad.” He gave into temptation and leaned across the car to capture her chin. “May I kiss you?”

For a second, she said nothing.

“You’ve got your chance to reject me.”

“Kiss me.”

He did. At first, he teased, the way he would when he entered her pussy, because that sure as hell was going to happen. He teased her tongue, then slid his hand inside her jacket, then her crop top.

Some idiot kid knocked on the window and gave him a thumbs-up.

Jax shook his head. “I’m going to need more privacy to seduce you.”

“Is that what you’re doing?”

“If you’ll have me?”

“Buy me a drink.”

Within minutes, they were in the hotel lobby. She’d ordered a dry white wine, and he’d opted for a premium whiskey.

“So…” She regarded him over the rim of her glass. “About this seduction…?”

“Is that what you want?”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t sleep around, and I don’t discard women. If we sleep together, there’s no going back.”

They spent an hour over their drinks. She told him about her studies and shared that she was looking for an internship over the summer.

“You can come work for me. Maybe have a positive influence on the office. And me.”

She rolled her eyes as if that was impossible. “One could hope.”

“I offer fringe benefits. All the spankings you need.”

An interested gleam lightened her hazel eyes, making them appear golden. He adored her many expressions and wanted to explore them all. “Ah, the keys to your kingdom. You could come to me anytime and I’d kick anyone else out and lock the door. From time to time, I’d even get you off.”

Her breath caught. “That took me by surprise. I don’t usually orgasm during a scene.” She clapped a hand over her mouth. “Wait! I shouldn’t have admitted that. Now you’ll be even more insufferable.”

He grinned. Few of the people in his inner circle challenged him, and frankly, he liked that she did. “What is it about impact play that satisfies you? Beyond my superb sexual prowess.”

After laughing, she answered his question sincerely. “I’ve always channeled my energy into something—ballet, cycling, yoga. But a group of us visited the Quarter a couple of years ago on one of their explore days. There were lots of workshops and discussions, and we had the opportunity to try things, in a very vanilla type of way—over our clothes, that sort of thing. I found peace I hadn’t known I was looking for.” She took the final sip from her glass. “A spanking refocuses me, chases away stress. I can study better. Sleep better. I don’t have to have it all the time. Sometimes just knowing it will happen helps.”

“And the men you play with?” His voice was far sharper than he’d intended.

“I’ve scened with the same top a couple of times. But mostly, I see who’s available.”

He didn’t like it.

“Thanks to Aviana, the Quarter is a safe place for me to visit.” She slid her empty glass onto the table. “I’m ready for bed.”

“Is that an invitation or a dismissal?”

“Despite what you might have believed, I was in total control of my thoughts back at the club when I asked you to make love to me.”

He signaled for the check and paid the bill.

They rode the elevator to the third floor. Then, when they were in the room, she hung out the DO NOT DISTURB sign.

This time, he closed the distance with deliberate intent. He loosened the belt of her coat and slid the garment from her shoulders. Then he kissed her the way he wanted to, coaxing a response and then deepening his probing until her mouth was wide and she leaned into him.

When he ended the kiss, she was breathless, and his hunger for her demanded satiation.

In a few calculated moves, he had her out of her clothing and shoes, and he let her fumble with his belt buckle long enough for her to sigh in frustration. “Allow me.” He managed to get it apart while she unbuttoned his trousers and lowered his zipper.

She dropped to her knees in front of him as his trousers fell. “You don’t wear underwear?”

“Another of my many charms.”

She took him in her mouth and he reached for the nearby dresser to remain upright. In perfect submissive form, she looked up at him while sucking him with long strokes. “Jesus, Willow.” He doubled down on his determination to keep her for himself. He’d go mad thinking of her doing this for any other man.

“Enough.” Before he lost it, he grabbed her by the upper arms and dragged her to her feet, then kissed her deeply while she struggled with his shirt. Lovemaking would have to wait for later. This was about staking his claim.

He captured her under her ass and lifted her from the ground. Obediently she wrapped her legs around his waist, holding on as he carried her to the bed.

She let go and ended on the mattress with a squeal, still reaching for him. Helping her out, tugged the shirt over his head and dropped it, uncaring where it landed. He toed off his shoes and spent two impatient seconds getting rid of his socks.

“Jax…”

He yanked off her thong and covered her hot pussy with his mouth. She arched, crying his name. He tongued her clit until her words ran together in nonsensical pleasure. “Come for me, princess.”

“I want you.” She grabbed his head.

He pressed on that tiny nub and placed his finger inside her, making sure she was wet.

“Please…”

He left her long enough to grab a condom, and when he returned, he kissed her hard, loving the taste of her on his tongue. She was the sexiest woman he’d ever known.

Willow spread her legs. His dick was already raging, and he didn’t need a second invitation. He grabbed her hands and pinned her wrists over her head. “Look at me. I want to see what I do to you.”

He pressed his cockhead to her entrance.

“This is what I want.”

Him as well. He stroked in, a little at a time, until he felt some resistance.

“I want you all the way inside me.” She pulled free from his grip so she could wrap her arms around his neck; then she lifted her hips.

He drove deep, then knew the truth. “Holy fuck.”

“Jax, please.”

He pushed up onto his hands to look into her eyes for the truth. “You’re a virgin?”

“After that paddling, the orgasms…I wanted it to be you.”

Emotions spiraled through him. Shock. Disbelief. And then…humility. She’d chosen him. No wonder his refusal had been such a rejection for her.

“Don’t be mad.”

“Mad is the last thing I am.” He kissed her again with tenderness.

He changed his pace, making love to her rather than fucking her. There’d be time for that later. He stroked in and out, reaching between them to toy with her clit. Then because he knew she liked sensation play, he pinched it, sending her over the edge with a scream.

After he’d satisfied her, he orgasmed.

Then he rolled to his side to gather her close. He stroked her hair, then her spine. Until her, he hadn’t known this was missing in his life.

“That was—”

“If you say nice, I’ll blister your ass.”

“It was…” She smiled lazily. “Everything l I hoped it would be.”

He couldn’t breathe. It would take a lifetime to get enough of this…which was the perfect solution to the problems he’d caused when he’d spanked her hot ass. “We’ll get married next week.”

* * *

Willow’s favorite song blasted through the room, dragging her from her sleep. Who the hell was calling her so early? She glanced over at the phone’s screen. Dad. Of course. Who else would it be after Jax had ripped apart her world?

She tossed a pillow on top of the phone, trying to shut out its happy, annoying tune.

Last night, she’d refused his marital dictate. They’d argued—so loudly that she was afraid someone would call hotel security. They’d ended up back in bed. And that time, they’d fucked. Their anger created raw passion that left her satiated.

They’d dozed for a while, and he’d kept her folded in the protection of his arms. Before dawn, he left the bed, promising to return soon with breakfast and coffee. She’d protested that it wasn’t necessary. He’d shut her up in the best way possible.

Knowing she wouldn’t be able to get any more sleep, she propped pillows behind her and sat up. She’d been sucked into Jaxon Mills’s vortex. She didn’t regret their scene or offering him her virginity. With him, she had completion that she’d never experienced before. On the opposite side, no man had ever irritated her more. But why the hell did he have to be a self-proclaimed knight in shining armor?

Any other man would have been happy to spank her, fuck her, then leave when she asked. Instead of choosing someone else, she’d chosen him. Now she had to deal with the consequences.

The phone rang again. She had a choice. Answer or dodge her family all day. Better to get it over with. With a sigh, she answered. “Morning, Dad.”

“Congratulations, Willow. I couldn’t be happier.”

She dragged the blanket around her bare breasts. How much did he know? Afraid to unintentionally reveal something, she kept her mouth shut.

“Of course, your mother wishes she had more time to plan the wedding…”

What? Her father’s voice buzzed in her ears, but she couldn’t make out a single word.

“But she finds that agreeable.”

She shook her head. “Wait. Can you repeat that?”

Her dad sighed. “She’s agreeable to a private ceremony next week, but she wants you to have the full church wedding several months after graduation. That will give her plenty of time for planning, and of course for the reception.”

The vortex tightened around her.

“I’d put your mother on, but she’s busy talking to her friends and searching for venues. Jax mentioned you don’t have time to be involved in many of the decisions because of your studies.”

Of course.

“We had no idea you—” He cleared his throat. “At any rate, this is an excellent solution. One I would have insisted on if Jax hadn’t done the right thing.”

She pulled the covers over her head. In that moment, she hated Jax.

“I’ll let you get back to your future husband.”

Arguing with her father would do no good. She had to deal with Jax straight-up.

By the time he returned, she was dressed in blue jeans and wearing a T-shirt with an inspirational saying. She was in control, no longer the woman who’d done scandalous things with the billionaire.

“Morning.” He held a cardboard to-go tray containing two cups. “Room service will be up with breakfast in half an hour.”

She took a step toward him and pointed a finger at his chest. “My dad called.”

“Ah. I expected he would. I kept him on the phone until he calmed down and saw reason.”

“You told him about the Quarter?”

“Of course.” He blinked. “When I say I’m going to do something, I follow through. You can count on me.”

She scoffed. “As if that’s a positive trait.”

“I promise you, I’ll always be trustworthy.”

“You’re a tattletale,” she countered.

His lips twitched.

And she was lost. His transformation from resolved to shocked to humored unraveled the knot in her stomach. She lowered her hand.

He held the tray between them, either as a peace offering or to ward her off, she wasn’t sure which.

“I don’t drink coffee.”

“It’s green tea.”

“How did you…?” She exhaled. “You asked my dad.” Naturally.

“I want to please you, Willow.”

His voice wrapped around her in provocative tendrils. It was so much easier to keep emotional distance from him when she wasn’t inhaling his scent. Which was a good reason for her to change her flight and head back to New York today. “Don’t do nice things when I’m mad.”

“Would it be so bad? Being my wife? Knowing I’ll take care of you—”

“I don’t need a man for that.”

“Of course not. I’m not questioning your capability or resolve. You’ve argued with me more than any other person. And that was within the first eighteen hours.”

Despite herself, she considered his proposition. Would it be so bad? Having her BDSM and sexual desires satisfied? She might not want to go to work for him, but she’d planned to return to Houston at some point. Having someone like her on his staff would be a good thing. His message needed to be tempered, and she might be the only person on the planet who was willing to say that to his face.

She accepted the tea and took a long drink. “It’s wonderful.”

He took his cup and lifted it in a salute. “Here’s to many more mornings like this.”

“I haven’t said yes,” she warned. “I’m not dropping out of school or transferring.”

“I’ll relocate until you’re finished.”

“That’s not possible.” She blinked. “You can’t just move your office.” The logistics would be a nightmare.

“No one but you has the audacity to tell me what I can and can’t do. You’ll need to fly home to get the marriage license.”

“This is ludicrous.”

“Would a spanking help convince you?”

Damn him. It would. And he knew it.

Wordlessly, he took her cup from her and set it safely on the desk. “Do you have a hairbrush?”

Her blood turned sluggish as she began the ascent to the alternate reality where worries slipped away.

“Willow?”

She nodded. “It’s in the bathroom.”

“Fetch it.”

While she complied, she heard him slide the drapes closed. When she returned, he was standing near the foot of the bed with his arms folded. He was forceful and intimidating. Even though her pussy still throbbed from they way he’d fucked her so hard last night, she couldn’t wait to be dominated again.

“Remove all your clothes and then place your palms flat on the mattress.”

God, his voice. So uncompromising. Exactly what she wanted in the bedroom. Aware of his watchful gaze, she did as he instructed. This was different than last night. He hadn’t asked for a striptease, and there were no sexual underpinnings.

“I’ll always give you this.” It was as if he’d seen into her psyche.

He caressed her skin, but he didn’t warm her up like he had last night. “I want you to feel it. And if you have a few marks to remember this, I’ll be happy.”

Willow nodded.

“Spread your legs. Your inner thighs and pussy are not safe from me.”

She shivered as she adjusted herself.

“Your safe word will always be respected. Use it at any time.”

The first crack of the hairbrush knocked her forward. “Yes.” Unprompted, she added, “Thank you.”

He was methodical as he applied the implement to her buttocks. As promised, he covered her inner thighs, making her sway. Then he caught her pussy. She knew he’d been careful, but she whimpered from the scorch of pain. It receded almost immediately but turned her on more than she could have imagined. “That was…” She couldn’t complete the sentence.

With precision, he continued until her arms gave out and she collapsed on the mattress in a pile of sobs. Jax hadn’t taken her to subspace, but he’d made her vibrantly alive.

He tossed the brush aside, then smoothed his palms over her heated flesh.

“Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. Being with you, I mean.”

“No?” Instantly, he had her upright, facing him. She swayed so much that she reached for his shoulders for balance.

“Did I hear you right? Tell me this isn’t a subspace thing.”

His gaze beseeched hers. She saw desperation there that demolished any reservation.

“I’m serious.”

“You’ve made me a happy man.”

He kissed her deep, communicating his supreme confidence that they were doing the right thing. “I’ll spend my life making you happy.”

“I’ll continue to challenge you,” she warned.

“Noted.”

She grabbed his shirt and pulled it from his waistband, reveling in his honed, sexy abs. Yeah. Maybe this wasn’t so bad.

With a smile, he lifted his arms so she could finish undressing him. “Are you sure you’re up for it?”

Her pussy was sore from the immense size of his cock and the number of times they’d had sex. Once he’d gotten past the issue of her virginity, he’d introduced her to a number of different positions. He’d been as insatiable as she was. “I’ll take a warm bath afterward.”

“You can’t get enough of me, can you?”

“There should be a way for us to put your ego in a box or something.” She dropped his shirt.

In charge again, he captured her wrists and linked them behind her. “I love you, Willow.”

It was soon. She knew that. But she suspected a part of her had always recognized something in him that she craved. In so many ways they were opposite, but their essential belief was the same. Maybe that was why she’d waited.

“Don’t make me spank your admission out of you.”

He would, too. Even though the idea was really appealing, this was too important. She linked her arms around his neck. “I love you too, Jax.”