Lunch at Gregorio’s was surprisingly relaxed. Sierra had expected to sit through an achingly long lunch while shifting in her seat. She’d been aroused, yes, her body begging for release even from the small touch of Austin’s hand on her chin, her neck, her lips, but Austin made lunch…pleasant.

He hadn’t touched her under the table beyond tangling his legs with hers. They sat across from one another, the distance helping cool her down slightly.

Not that she’d ever be completely cool when she was around Austin. Oh no, that ship had long since sailed. Sure, she could be the serene, put-together owner of Eden with others, but as soon as she got near the bearded man, she wanted to melt.

Or kneel and lower her gaze.

That had been ingrained in her from her time with Jason, and it seemed that her inner need found what it wanted in Austin.

There was no denying Austin was a Dominant. While that should have scared the hell out of her, she found herself curious as to how he’d handle the situation.

How he’d handle her.

While she’d never be a twenty-four/seven sub who trusted her Dom to make all of their choices, she had enjoyed giving Jason control while they were in the bedroom. She liked being his first priority and the way he cared for her before, during, and after their scenes.

They’d never visited a club or ranch or anything like that. They preferred to do things in private, and that was exactly how she liked it. They also didn’t play every time they had sex. Sometimes it was just the two of them and their own needs. She hadn’t needed to give up control and relax—if one could call it relaxing—each time they made love.

Everyone’s kink was different. Needs changed as the person changed. As long as it was safe and consensual, it could work.

However, she hadn’t participated in anything like that in ten years. It had taken five years after the accident for her to even have sex again. Even then, it hadn’t been worth it. Yeah, it scratched an itch, and the two men she’d slept with since were nice but nothing to do cartwheels over.

If she let herself think about it, then she’d worry it was her and her lack of heat, but she’d been good to herself. It was a lack of chemistry, a lack of true desire beyond a need to comfort that led her to those mediocre couplings.

Austin, however, would be anything but mediocre.

They made it back to her place after having, in her opinion, the best burritos in town. They had reached an unspoken understanding that whatever needed to be said, whatever would be done, would be in her place first. She might not love her place—she hated it—but it was hers. For their first time—even if it was just talking about what they wanted—she needed it to be in her own place.

Yes, that was clearly her not giving up the control, but it had been so long since Jason…

She mentally slapped herself. This wasn’t about Jason. This was about her and Austin. No matter where their future ended up, she needed to keep Jason firmly rooted in the past. He was gone. Austin was not. The girl she was all those years ago wasn’t the woman she was now.

She was stronger, scarred, and had finally come into her own.

And now she was alone in her living room with Austin Montgomery of the gorgeous blue eyes that saw far too much.

“Where did your mind go just then?” Austin asked, pulling her out of her thoughts.

“Everywhere and nowhere,” she answered honestly.

He raised both brows then sat on her old wood coffee table, pulling at her wrist so she sat on the couch directly in front of him. Their knees brushed, and she wanted to pull away and scoot closer at the same time. Yes, they truly needed to talk.

“That is an oddly cryptic answer, but I’ll let that go. We need to talk anyway.”

If anyone else had said those words she’d have thought it was the clear sign of a breakup. However, they hadn’t been dating for more than an hour. Well, maybe longer considering she’d been territorial over him since the first time she saw him, but that wasn’t something she was going to think about. She had a feeling she knew what he wanted to discuss.

There was no hiding the alpha in Austin Montgomery.

“Okay, then. I’m ready.”

He searched her gaze. “I think you are.” He cleared his throat then took both of her hands in his. “Do you know what BDSM is?”

He looked so worried. Yes, his face was set and relaxed, but she could see in his eyes he wasn’t.

She squeezed his hands. “Yes, I know. And before you start to worry if you’re scaring me away, I was in a D/s relationship before.”

The shock that crossed his face wasn’t a surprise, but the jealousy was. Seriously?

“Really?” he growled out.

She sighed but didn’t pull her hands back. She had been the one to jump right in, so she’d have to deal with the consequences.

“Yes. It was over ten years ago. I haven’t played since.”

He pulled his hand back, and for a moment, the loss made her ache until he cupped her face. “Not in ten years?”

She swallowed back the pain, the memories of what she’d lost because of one careless action. “Jason—that was his name—and I were a couple, and I was his submissive while in the bedroom. We weren’t twenty-four/seven, and that’s how we both preferred it. I can’t give up complete control, but I think you know that about me.”

He narrowed his gaze, his thumb running along her cheek. “On the one hand, it’s good to know that you’re aware of the lifestyle and have experience. I could tell you were a sub, but not about all of your experience. That’s probably because it’s been so long.”

Ignoring the memories, she rolled her eyes. “You have sub-dar, do you?”

His grip tightened on her chin, and she sucked in a breath. She hadn’t realized how much she missed this. Damn him if this went sour. Damn them both.

“Sub-dar? It’s a thing, but it’s not like you glowed or I heard little pinging sound when you were near me.”

She snorted then rolled her eyes. “Good to know. I think I’d have to get that checked out.”

“Insolent,” he muttered then leaned closer. She could scent him, the musk that was Austin and pine. “It’s the way you lowered your eyes when I touched you, the way you came closer in certain ways and pulled away in others. Your body, your soul was made to trust a Dom to take care of you in bed.”

“Not all the time,” she added in. She needed to make that clear.

He nodded, understanding filling his gaze. “I understand. I’m wired the same way.” He grinned then, and she held back a sigh. He really was a gorgeous man. Not that she’d tell him. He was already too sure of himself as it was.

“So it seems we’re on the same page,” she whispered.

“It seems. But we’re not done talking yet. Open communication in any relationship is important, but even more so in this case. I don’t need to inflict pain or control on my partner unless they desire it. That need is what drives my own. So every time we’re making love—because Legs, we’ll be making love soon—we don’t need to be together in a D/s way. We won’t need the flogger, the nipple clamps, or the way I want to tie you up each time.”

She shuddered out a breath, her pussy growing slick at his words alone.

Dear God, she wanted all of that.

She hadn’t known how much she wanted that.

“Sometimes, Sierra, sometimes I’ll want you to be on top as you ride me, rocking your hips as you take my cock deep inside that pussy of yours. Other times I’ll be soft and on top, pumping into you as we just let ourselves go, no control, no dominance, just us.” He paused, and she held back the need to squirm. “Does that sound like something you’ll need? Something you’ll enjoy?”

She nodded.

He shook head. “Say it, Sierra.”

“Yes…Sir?” She wasn’t sure what he wanted her to call him.

He grinned then, cupping her face. “I’m just Austin, Sierra. I don’t need to be called Sir or Master for you to be under my gaze. That works for some, but it’s not my kink. If you need to call me that, then you can, but I want to hear my name on your lips as you come.”

She licked her lips. “Austin.”

He grinned. “Good. Right now, since I don’t have any of my things and I know we both want to ease into that part of our relationship, I’m not going to tie you up, flog you, or make you scream.” He paused. “Oh, I might make you scream, but only when I’m thrusting inside you.”

“What if I make you scream?” she teased.

He snorted. “I intend to shout your name, Sierra. I promise you. Now, before we start, we need a safe word.”

She raised her brows. “I thought you said we weren’t starting that part yet.”

He shook his head. “But it’s always good to have one. You know that.”

“I think the standard red, yellow, and green will work.” It was what she’d used with…no, she wouldn’t think of him. Not here.

He narrowed his eyes. “You need a strong one, Sierra. There’s a ghost between us. One you’re not ready to talk about.”

She sucked in a breath.

“Pick a different safe word.”

There was only one word she could use, and they both knew it.

“Motorcycle,” she whispered.

Austin nodded, his eyes carefully blank. Had she hurt him? Maybe, but he’d asked for the safe word. It was something they’d both have to deal with when they were ready.

He stood then, holding out his hand. She took it and stood so her chest brushed his, her body flush to him.

“I want you, Sierra Elder. Say you want me too.”

She knew this was big. A step she hadn’t been sure she was ready to take as late as that morning. However, she’d been hiding for so long, neglecting what was inherent to her being that she knew she needed to take this risk.

“I want you too.”

“Good.”

He crushed his mouth to hers, and she moaned. His hands were in her hair, forcing her head to stay in one place as he devoured her mouth. His tongue pressed against hers, controlling the kiss, and she gave in. They might not get into the truly D/s things this first time, but she wanted—no, needed to let herself give in and see if she could trust him.

Not fully.

Not yet.

But soon.

His lips trailed along her jawline, and she closed her eyes, reveling in the feel of his lips, teeth, and tongue on her skin. He bit her earlobe then placed small kisses right behind it, sending delicious shivers down her spine, her knees going weak.

“Austin,” she whispered.

“Yes, that’s my name,” he growled against her neck, one hand on her head, the other on her lower back. “You’re going to be saying it over and over again soon.”

Before she could respond, his mouth was on hers again as he cupped her breast. She gasped as he rolled her nipple hard between his thumb and forefinger. It didn’t matter that she still wore her shirt and bra, the exquisite pain and sweetness went straight to her core, and she shuddered.

Oh, how she missed this.

“I want to suck your nipples, learn their taste.” He pulled up her shirt, and she lifted her arms, letting him strip it off her head, leaving her in her tank and bra. “Earlier, I was mesmerized by just the thought of them. I wanted to know their color and what they’d look like after I’d sucked and nibbled on them. Then my thoughts went to your pussy, and I wanted to know what you’d look like swollen and wet, ready for my cock.”

“If you don’t stop talking like that, I’m going to come without you touching me.”

He grinned and sucked her bottom lip between his teeth. “That would be fine with me. After this first time. I need to see you.” He pulled back, meeting her gaze. “All of you.”

She licked her lips and felt her whole body stiffen. In all of this, she’d forgotten her scars. How could she forget what had plagued her for so long?

“You don’t have to tell me right now how it happened. I don’t want to ruin what we have at this moment, Sierra.” He pulled up the bottom of her tank, and she let him, knowing if she didn’t do it now, she’d never do it at all. “No matter what scars you have, Sierra, you’ll always be beautiful. No amount of ink or scars will make your skin anything but perfect to me.”

Tears filled her eyes at the beauty of his words, and she refused to close them as he looked down at her side. She sucked in a breath as his fingers gently traced the puckered scars and fine white lines that used to be so much worse.

He knelt before her, and she choked on a sob.

That this man would kneel before her…

She would never get the image of his dark head at her stomach, her scars, out of her head for as long as she lived.

His lips brushed the nearly numb areas on her skin, and a tear slid down her cheek. Her hands rested on his shoulders as he kissed every inch of her marred skin , caring for her in a way no other had ever done before. He finally looked up at her, his eyes dark and full of promise.

“Beautiful,” he breathed.

And she was lost.

He stood then, cupping her face so he could kiss her. He tasted of warmth and strength, and she wanted more. Oh, how she wanted more. His denim-clad erection pressed into her belly, and she grinned at the size of it. Yeah, it would hurt at first, but she couldn’t wait; she wanted it badly.

Austin pulled away from her mouth but didn’t let his lips leave her body. Instead, he gently set her down on the couch so he could kneel between her legs. At some point, he’d pushed the coffee table back so he had more room. How had she missed that?

His lips moved to her collarbone, her sternum, then over each breast through her bra. She sucked in a breath as he licked along the lacy edge of her cup.

“Let’s see what color your nipples are, shall we?”

His hands expertly undid the clasp at her back, and he slid the straps off her shoulders His gaze met hers as he removed her bra, letting it fall to the floor at her feet. She swallowed hard as he lowered his eyes, his gaze on her nipples. As if they knew they were the center of his attention, they hardened into sharp points, ready for his tongue.

He reached out and caressed her breast. The globe slightly filled his palm. The sight itself was one of the most erotic things she’d ever seen.

“Jesus. Like little pink berries. You’re going to redden up so fucking nice when I suck on them. One day, when I use clamps, they’re going to be so hard they’ll beg for my tongue.” His gaze met hers. “Are you going to beg for me, Sierra? Beg for my tongue? My cock? You want my dick between your tits as I fuck those then your mouth?” She licked her lips, squirming for release.

“I love your voice.” It was so deep, so rough. It went straight to her clit, and she knew if she tried she could get off on the sound of it alone.

“Don’t move, Sierra. Save your clit for me.”

She froze at his tone, her body as tight as a bowstring. She ached for him, but on another level, she knew if she sat still for him, he’d make it better soon.

That was the kind of trust she held for him so early in their relationship. It boggled her mind, but she pushed it to the side. She wanted this. Wanted it right then.

“Good girl.” Then he pinched her nipple.

Hard.

The sting shocked her system, and she sucked in a breath, using everything within her power not to move. If she moved, he might stop, and she didn’t know if she could take that. She wanted his touch, his everything.

She’d worry about the consequences later.

“Get out of your head, Sierra.” He pinched the other nipple just as hard then laved the sting with his tongue. “It’s just you and me. Nothing and no one else. Just think of me. That’s all you have to do. I’ll do the rest. You get me?”

She nodded.

He pinched her nipple again. “You get me?”

“Yes, Austin.”

“Good girl.”

He lowered his mouth to each breast and feasted, his tongue and teeth devouring one as his free hand palmed the other, rolling and pinching her nipple. She let her head fall back as he gave special attention to each nipple, she loved the way the scrape of his beard made it even more erotic. Each scrape, each lick sent waves of pleasure through her body, pooling in her clit so that it hummed, needing just a little more pressure so she could get off.

Still, she didn’t move her hips.

She wanted Austin to do it.

Trusted him to take care of her need.

He pulled back, his gaze dark. “Just like I thought. Red berries. So fucking hot. Ass up.”

She blinked, confused.

“Ass up, Sierra. I’m taking off your pants so I can eat your pussy before I take you into your bedroom and fuck you hard. Ass. Up.”

“Yes, Austin,” she said and smiled as his nostrils flared. Oh yes, he liked it when she said that. She’d be sure to say it again…or not if she wanted his hand on her ass.

Well, it seemed that this hidden part of her, the part she thought she’d buried so deep, wasn’t so hidden after all. She lifted her hips and bit her lip as he undid the button on her jeans and slowly unzipped her zipper. Then he gripped her jeans and panties in his fists and pulled. She helped him with each leg, keeping her ass above the couch, her weight resting on her forearms.

Austin groaned. “Fuck, you’re beautiful. You can rest now, baby. “

She sank into the cushions, her legs spread around Austin as he studied her. She could have felt self-conscious, but she didn’t, not with the look of pure pleasure and thirst on Austin’s face.

“Gorgeous,” he whispered before lowering his body and licking the long line of her pussy straight up to her clit.

Her body rocketed off the couch, and he clamped his arm over her waist. “You were doing so good, baby. Don’t move.”

She licked her lips. “I need to, Austin. I need…”

His gaze met hers. “I know what you need. And if you keep still, I’ll give it to you.”

Well now, that was incentive...

With that intensity of his, he lifted the hood then lowered his head again, sucking her clit into her mouth. She almost moved off the couch toward his face but stopped herself. He flicked it against his teeth before stroking her entrance with his finger. When he breached her, she sucked in a breath. It had been so long, and a vibrator wasn’t as good as Austin’s hand…or anything else on Austin for that matter.

He pumped one finger into her then two, slowly, then faster as he teased her. He kept his mouth on her clit, humming and growling against her. The feel of his beard scraping her thighs was the last straw, and she came.

Hard.

Her pussy clamped around his fingers, but he didn’t relent. Instead, he curled his fingers on her G-spot and massaged the bundle of nerves until her body shook and she came again, this time screaming his name as her eyes rolled to the back of her head.

By the time she opened her eyes, Austin stood at her feet, licking his hand, one finger at a time. Her juices coated his beard, his hand, his fingers, yet he looked so pleased she didn’t care. God, she wanted to do that again.

If she could walk.

“You taste so fucking good, Sierra. Like nectar I can’t get enough of. Now I’m going to fuck you until we both pass out, then wake up for dinner, fuck you again, and repeat. How does that sound?”

She licked her lips, her body languid even as it thrummed for Austin. “I just hope I have enough condoms.” She’d bought a whole box before on a whim and was damn glad she’d done so.

He grinned at her then. “One day we’ll talk about other forms of birth control and getting tested so I can make love to you bare and feel every sweet inch of you. For now, I hope you have enough rubbers, too.”

He lifted her up, her naked body resting against his clothed one. She smiled up at him. “It’s not fair you’re not naked you know.”

When he kissed her brow, she sighed contentedly. “Give me a moment, and I’ll be just as naked as you.”

He sat her on the edge of the bed then stood in front of her. When he stripped off his shirt, her jaw dropped.

Dear. God.

Ropes of corded muscles, hard lines of strength, sex, and everything in between covered his body. He had some chest hair, enough to enhance the beauty of his ink, but not too much.

And, sweet baby Jesus, his ink.

Tribal, skulls, flowers, and other symbols covered his arms and chest. A dragon went down his side to his hips, flaring out over part of his back.

And the nipple rings.

How on earth had she missed those in those tight shirts of his?

He grinned down at her. “Glad to see you like it.”

“You’re like a rock, Austin.”

He looked down at his cock then raised a brow. “Seems so.”

“I meant your body…” She looked down at his crotch. “Oh. Well then.” She licked her lips. “I didn’t realize you had nipple rings.”

He reached up and flicked one, and she wanted to do the same with her tongue. “I don’t always have them in. Sometimes I just have the spacers.”

“I like them.”

“Good.” He undid his pants then shucked them and his boxer briefs down his legs. His cock jutted out, so erect it brushed his belly.

Without giving it a second thought, she slid off the bed and knelt at his feet. Her legs were spread, and she put her open, up-turned palms on her thighs, the submissive pose so ingrained in her she didn’t have to give it a second thought.

Austin’s nostrils flared, and he took the two steps between them toward her. His hand cupped her chin to raise her eyes. His cock brushed her cheek, and she had to hold back from turning and sucking the thick head into her mouth.

“That is the most achingly beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life. I’m honored, Sierra. Honored.” He stroked her cheek then pulled away. The loss was almost overwhelming before he held out his hand.

“Let me lay you on the bed and make love to you. I want to feel you wrapped around me as we both come. We’ll explore everything else next time.” She stood up, using his arm as support. “There will be a next time.”

“Yes, Austin. Yes, there will be.”

He walked her backward then laid her on the bed. She scooted so her head was on the pillow, and he hovered over her.

“Condoms,” he bit out.

“The nightstand.”

He nodded then left her to get the box from the drawer.

The whole box.

Ambitious.

He tore open a packet and rolled one over his length. She swallowed hard as he worked his cock, the girth of it a little intimidating. When he came over her again, her body shook, from anticipation or nerves she didn’t know.

“Ready?” he asked, his body shaking as well.

“Yes, Austin. Please.”

He lowered his head, kissing her softly. She could taste herself on his lips and was only disappointed she hadn’t been able to taste him as well. Next time, he said. She couldn’t wait.

“Put your hands on the headboard,” he ordered, and she shuddered.

When she did so, keeping her hands close together, he wrapped his hand around both of her wrists. God, he was big everywhere.

He settled between her legs, his body pressed against hers as he kept his weight on his other arm. Then he pressed against her opening, his cock sliding through her juices. Thank God she was so wet for him because, hell, he was big.

Much bigger than anything she’d experienced before.

He slowly stretched her, filled her inch by inch until they were both sweat-slick and panting. “Jesus, baby, you’re so fucking tight.” He let his hand drop from her wrist as he moved to his knees. The action brought him that much deeper, and she cried out in pleasure, not in pain. It must have shown on her face because he slid his hands down her sides, gripping her hips.

Then he moved again, thrusting in and out of her slowly at first, then harder.

Her gaze met his, wanting that connection like her next breath.

“You feel so good around my cock, Legs. I can’t wait to take you from behind and push even deeper. Then, one day, you’ll be above me, your tits bouncing as you ride me. Maybe I’ll tie you up, your ass in the air, and fuck that sweet ass of yours. You want me to do that? You want me to fuck your ass like I’m fucking your pussy?”

She couldn’t speak, couldn’t think.

He lifted her hips up with one hand even as he continued to fuck her, and then he slapped her ass. Hard.

“You want that, Sierra? Answer me?”

She nodded. “Yes, Austin. I want it all.”

“What do you want, Sierra?”

“I want everything. I want you to tie me up, spank me, fuck my ass. I want it all.” Later she might blush at her words, but right then, with Austin’s intense gaze on hers, his cock deep inside her, she wanted nothing but him and everything he had to offer.

“You’ll get it all, baby. You’ll get everything.” He lowered himself again, his body resting over hers as he put his weight on his forearms. He kept thrusting in and out of her, the sensation of his cock hitting her in just the right place sending her over the edge even as she stared at him.

She couldn’t breathe, but she could see him, see the way his jaw clenched, and then he growled her name as he came, filling the condom. He kept thrusting, pushing them both over the sweet edge of ecstasy into the warm comfort of afterglow and contentment.

More than contentment, so much more.

When they became more aware of things around them, he pulled out, took care of the condom, and came back to bed. He wrapped his body around hers, pulling the sheet over the two of them.

She wiggled closer, turning to rest her head on his chest. He held her shoulders to him, his head buried in her hair and his other hand on her ass, patting and massaging almost as if he couldn’t stop touching her.

Sierra couldn’t blame him because she was doing the same to him.

“Perfect,” he rumbled before falling asleep.

She smiled, pushing away all thoughts of the trials and complications to come that had been forgotten in the moment.

“Perfect,” she whispered back.

Perfect.