Luka was right. A hot shower was exactly what I needed. I would swear the water around here had healing powers. They seemed to be able to wash away all of the dirt, grime, and stress of my life within a matter of moments, making me forget everything going wrong in my life.

The hot shower also helped me to see straight. I didn’t have to accept Luka’s house as my own, but it didn’t mean I had to run. Staying here with him would provide me the opportunity to get back on my feet and figure out what to do about Bob. Not to mention, I wasn’t looking forward to leaving the comfort of Luka’s embrace. His arms were like heaven draped around me.

Clothed in a pair of sweatpants and a light tank, I found Luka in the kitchen. He looked just as sexy today as he did the first day I saw him cooking over the stove.

“Smells good, what are you making?” Luka tossed me a bright warm smile, one that lit up his face and made my insides turn to mush.

“My secret recipe.” He winked before turning back to the stove.

The sound of tiny nails tapping against the hardwood floors brought a bright smile to my face. Both pups came bounding from the living room. My mouth made a tiny ‘oh’ when I spotted the large dog bed against the wall in the living room. Chew toys and balls littered the space warming my heart further.

“You got the puppies toys.” I was near tears at such a sight.

“What kind of parents would we be if we deprived them of such? Besides, I was afraid they would turn to shoes and furniture if they didn’t have something to gnaw on.” Luka rushed out, almost sounding embarrassed.

I didn’t miss the fact that he called us parents, referring to the pups as our children. As much as it should have frightened me, it didn’t. Instead it warmed my heart.

“Well, you’re a good daddy for doing such.” I said, failing to hide the beaming smile as I did.

“So be a good momma and name them.” Luka’s wrapped his arms around me from behind.

Spinning me in his arms we were chest to chest, the heat in his gaze searing my soul. My arms wrapped around his neck, drawing him in closer. Our lips were only a breath apart. My eyes searched his, begging for answers, answers to questions I couldn’t quite form the words to ask. What is this? What are we? What do you want from me?

Luka’s hips hovered over mine. The heat of his breath sent bolts of electricity through me.

“You’re mine.” The moment the words left his lips he crashed them into mine.

His kiss was demanding, full of passion and heat. I gave into him, pouring everything I had into that one kiss. A kiss I knew would be locked away in my memory. A kiss that all other kisses would be compared to, all of which I felt sure would fall shy.

My body felt as though it were lifting from the floor, my soul being sucked into this one singular moment of time. Lips, tongue and teeth clash, hungrily trying to claim dominance.

I was left a quivering mess by the time he retracted his lips from mine. His hands gripped the globes of my ass, and using his hold on me he pulled me in for one last kiss before releasing me fully.

I was left wobbling on my feet. My eyes glued to the retreating form of the man in front of me. Oh, what it would be like to truly be his. I refused to let my mind wander down that path.

“Have you decided on names?” Luka asked, checking the pots on the stove.

“Names?” I tilted my head to the side trying to figure out what he was talking about.

Small growls followed by the tugging of my pant leg had my memory circling round finding the answer.

“Ah- names.” I replied now fully aware.

Bending down I lifted the tiny offenders into my arms.

“From the state of my pants I would consider the names Double Trouble. But seeing how they are so cute I think we should go with Waffles and French toast.”

Luka’s shoulders shook with laughter.

“Yeah, because those names aren’t punishment enough.” Luka continued to chuckle.

The glare I shot in his direction only spurred him on more.

“How about Chicken and Waffles?” He teased as he carried plates of food to the table. 

“Who names their dog chicken?” My face scrunched up at the thought.

“The same kind of person that names their dog Waffles.” He threw back with a laugh.

“Hey, you called me Waffles.” I countered back with a pout.

Luka pressed a quick kiss to my lips before returning to the kitchen.

“Yes, because you’re delicious.” I didn’t miss the wicked gleam in his eyes.

The gleam that promised things my libido begged for.

“Well, we can’t name one of them chicken. It just seems wrong.” I blew out a long breath as I stared at the dogs, hoping their names would come to me.

“When you look at them, what do you see?” Luka asked walking past me with his hands full.

“I see a chocolate shake and chocolate chip cookie dough.” I replied honestly.

Luka came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, his chin rested on my shoulder.

“So, if you were to pick Waffles as a name, which one would be Waffles?” He asked, pressing a kiss to the side of my neck.

I could feel his erection pressing into me as his hands locked onto my waist pinning my hips back against him. Biting into my lower lip I bit back a moan.

“I’m not sure.” My breath came out heavy with want.

“Well that means you probably shouldn’t call either of them Waffles, Ducky. How about you set the boys down so we can eat? We can discuss names over dinner.” Luka said between nibbles on the flesh behind my ear.

Bending forward to set the pups down, my ass pressed against his front. The thick firm bulge in his pants pressed firmly between the globes of my ass.

“Fuck.” I could hear Luka swear under his breath as his fingers dug into the soft flesh of my hips.

“Dinner, Luka.” I reminded him as I righted myself, stepping out of his reach.

Luka had prepared another delicious meal. The grilled chicken and fresh vegetables were amazing. The fact that he could cook made him that much sexier, not that he was hard on the eyes in the least.

There was something about a man that knew his way around a kitchen. It was just as sexy if not more so than a man with a baby in his arms. Things like that threw a woman’s heart into overdrive.

Over dinner we had gone back and forth over names, each one being more ridiculous than the last. By the time we had finished the names Chicken and Waffles had circled back around. It was absurd and probably the most ridiculous names imaginable but they stuck. The lighter colored pup was now named Chicken and the darker pup was Waffles.

I volunteered to clean up while Luka took the dogs out for a short walk to relieve their bladders. It felt right, me being in the kitchen cleaning up while he was out with the dogs. It almost felt like we were in a real relationship, not playing house while we waited for the verdict on the property ownership.

Luka came in with the two happy pups just as I was putting away the last dish.

“Did you boys have fun?” I asked smiling over at Luka as he unleashed the dogs.

“Yeah, they are good sports, but they love to take their time.” He smiled back.

“How about you go take a quick shower while I check in with Sam?” I offered up at the wall of muscle in front of me.

“Sounds good. I’ll be out in a minute.” Luka gave me a quick kiss before heading back toward the bedroom.

I settled onto the floor with the two pups and their toys. I found it adorable that Luka had been sure to get them two of everything so they wouldn’t fight. Rolling the ball on the floor I watched as both dogs chased it down, neither one knowing what to do with it once it stopped. Grabbing another ball into my hands I rolled it out to them. It was adorable watching the two try to figure it out.

Pulling my phone out of my pocket I turned it on and dialed Sam’s number as I watched the pups bite and claw at the ball in an attempt to figure it out.

“Holy hell babes, I miss you. Where are you? When are you coming home?” Sam’s questions poured out in a rush of breath causing me to laugh.

“Relax babes. I’m fine. I can’t tell you where I am yet. Not because I don’t trust you but because I don’t want you any more involved than you need to be. But I promise I’ll be home as soon as I can. I wouldn’t miss your wedding for the world” I promised. 

“What the hell does that even mean, Sash? Of course you’ll be at my wedding, you’re my maid of honor.” Sam shrieked into the receiver.

“It means, hell… it means I may or may not have got myself into a mess and I’m just trying to figure out a way out of it. But I promise I will be there, with bells on.” I replied exasperated.

“Does this have anything to do with the fact that Robert Davidson was snooping around the office looking for you?” Sam accused.

I could hear the anger radiating off of her in waves.

“Sam…” I hung my head down in frustration.

I wanted to tell her. I wanted to tell her everything, but I knew her like I knew the back of my hand. There was no way she would sit by idly and let this slide. I didn’t want her getting hurt.

“Tell me Sasha, I need you to tell me everything. If you don’t I’ll find out on my own.” She threatened.

“Sam, it’s not that easy.” I tried to explain.

“Not that easy? What you mean to say is it’s not that hard. Just tell me Sash. I’m your best friend.” Her words cut me.

Yes, she was my best friend, that’s why I was trying to keep her safe. That’s why I didn’t want her involved.

“You need to tell her.” Luka stood behind me, his hands crossed over his naked torso.

My mouth hung open in awe as my eyes swept over his thick broad, muscular frame. I watched as his mouth quirked up at the side in a knowing smile.

“Who’s that? Is that Devon?” Sam screeched into the receiver making me cringe.

“No, most definitely not Devon.” I replied, my eyes never leaving Luka.

“That’s it, you have to spill woman or I will hunt you down myself.” Sam threatened.

“She’s safer if you tell her.” Luka said, stepping closer to me.

I watched every move his body made, transfixed by his muscular grace. He moved with the fluidity of a dancer.

“Who is the man you’re with?” Sam demanded.

“Sam, I’m in Nevada, with Luka.” I replied.

“Luka? Luka who? Where did you meet him? What happened to Devon?” Sam demanded throwing question after question out in my direction.

“I’ll tell you, Sam. But you have to promise not to get involved.”

“What’s going on, Tiger? Tell me everything.” I could hear the concern in Sam’s voice a mile away.

Luka sat down behind me, pulling me into his lap, his arms found purchase around my waist, anchoring me to him.

I told Sam everything, about Emily, Devon, Bob’s perversion, the dead animal on the hood of my car and even the endless stream of phone calls. I went so far as to send Sam the picture I had taken on my phone.

When I had pulled the picture up I felt Luka stiffen behind me, his arms wrapped around me tighter, the corded muscle of his forearms throbbing. I could tell he was affected by the picture. It was one thing to hear about something happening and in seeing the evidence encased in a photo.

I had to hold the phone away from my ear as Sam screamed out obscenities.

“Sash, I’ll kill the bastard.” She threatened.

“That’s exactly what I want you to avoid, Sam. Stay away from him. Devon said he and Emily are working on getting him locked away.”

“Oh yeah? They are more than likely working on new positions in the Kama Sutra than they are looking for a solution to the Bob situation.” Sam spit, her voice filled with venom.

“So where does Luka play into this?” She demanded.

I told her all about how Luka and I met and everything leading to the puppies we just got today, leaving out all of the sexual tension and the activities of the night before.

“He seems sweet, but I want you to be careful. You don’t know this guy Sash.” Sam warned.

I expected Luka to be offended; instead he nuzzled my neck, laying a light trail of kisses across my shoulders. My mind instantly went blank.

“Sam, I know. Trust me, will ya?” I begged, biting back a moan.

“Do you even know this man’s last name?” Sam demanded.

“I- um…” Luka placed a light kiss to my lips, plucking the phone from my hands.

“Hello, Sam. Sasha tells me a great deal about you. I’d be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.” I watched as Luka stood, the phone pressed to his ear as he spoke to my best friend.

“Luka Maddison.” I watched intently as he answered all of Sam’s questions.

I couldn’t hear Sam’s side of the conversation but I did get to watch the sexy man in front of me blush, squirm, and answer all of Sam’s rather invasive questions, most of which Luka replied with a simple yes or no. I was dying on the inside with need wanting to know exactly what Sam was asking.

I tried desperately to distract myself with the two pups who took to using my fingers as a chew toy. Their razor-sharp teeth nipping into my flesh was not nearly the distraction I needed. My eyes remained laser focused on the man in front of me.

“Yes, I promise. It was a pleasure speaking to you as well.” I listened as Luka rattled off what sounded like his phone number to my best friend.

A small twinge of jealousy nipped at my heels. I knew it was unreasonable to be jealous. Sam was madly in love with Anthony. I couldn’t rationalize it, it was just there, smack dab in my face.

Luka handed me the phone, which I snatched out of his hands, cringing at the action.

“Sorry.” I mouthed to a smirking Luka.

“Hey Sam.” I spoke into the receiver letting Sam know I was back on the line.

“Oh. My. Gawd. Sash, you lock onto that man and you never let him go. Do you hear me?” Sam squealed into the phone.

“I think everyone on planet earth heard you, Sam.” I replied gently rubbing at my offended ear.

“I have to go tell Anthony. Stay put and call me tomorrow.” Sam let out another ear-piercing shriek. “Love you, talk soon.”

Before I could reply Sam had hung up.

“That was weird. What did you tell her?” I asked cocking a questioning brow in Luka’s direction.

Running his hands through his hair I could tell he was uncomfortable.

“I just answered her questions.” He replied brushing the question off.

“Well, I’ve known Sam my entire life and I’ve never heard her so happy after talking to someone on the phone.” Luka looked embarrassed as he ducked his head.

“I don’t know, Ducky. I’ve never talked to her till now.” He replied.

Looking him up and down I realized I was wasting valuable time worrying about what he and my best friend talked about. What I needed to be worrying about was the scorching kiss and how unbelievably sexy he looked standing there in nothing but a pair of sleep pants.

Climbing up from the floor I kept my eyes trained on the prize in front of me. Luka seemed to feel it too. His eyes became hooded as they traveled my body.

Putting an extra sway to my hips I walked past him toward the bedroom. At the door I tossed a sultry look over my shoulder in his direction.

I knew he was feeling it, not just by the heated gaze of his eyes as they watched my ass, but by the bulging erection in his pants that he didn’t bother to hide. 

“Coming to bed?” I asked as I sauntered into the bedroom.

Before I could make it to the bed his arms were around me. The man moved like lightning. I never even heard him make a sound. Like a flash he was there, wrapping his arms around me.

“Are you sure you want to tease me, because I don’t play fair?” He asked.

His breath was hot and heavy against my skin sending shivers down my spine. I could feel my nipples reacting to the sound of his voice, budding like tiny pink erasers.

“What do you plan to win?” I asked, backing my ass against the thick erection pressed between the globes of my ass.

“You.” That one word sent my head spinning.

There was no question as to what he meant when he said me. He wanted me, all of me. I was more than eager to give it to him.

“I’ll warn you. I don’t play nice. Tell me now if you want to back out.” His teeth sank into my shoulder, reminding me of the night before.

The pain mixed with pleasure was almost more than I could take… almost.

My moans were all the consent he needed.

“Strip.” He commanded, releasing me from his grip.

Without a second thought I hooked my thumbs into the waistband of my bottoms, shimmying them down my hips.  I let them drop to the floor before stepping out of them.

Bending down to give him a good look at my bare ass I grabbed my pants from the floor. Before I could lift back up, his hand connected with the flesh of my ass. Searing hot pain radiated across my flesh.

“Drop them.” His voice was deep and gravely.

I complied, dropping my pants to the floor.

I knew I should be afraid. I had just let a man spank me. I wanted to feel undignified, offended, or even angry; instead I felt the slickness of my arousal between my folds.

“Now stand and remove your top.” He demanded.

I felt my body flush with excitement. Obeying, I tugged my tank over my head, leaving my body now completely bare.

“I want you to bend over the bed, legs spread.” I walked to the bed as he requested, bending forward, legs spread apart.

I felt the cool air of the room between my legs, reminding me of my exposure. I could feel the heat of Luka’s body moving closer to mine. My breasts swelled with heaviness with his nearness.

I felt the heat from Luka’s mouth at my core, close but not quite touching me where I needed him most.

“You smell so sweet.”

I nearly lost it once the smooth flat of his tongue ran across my slit.

“You taste sweet too.” My hips bucked, begging him for more.

My ass was rewarded with four well-placed slaps, two to each cheek. I felt the rage simmering just beneath the surface, but more than that I felt the arousal dripping down my legs.

A thick wet tongue traced along the path, lapping at my juices sending my mind into orbit. I moaned for more, desperate for his tongue between my legs.

“Ducky, if you keep moving I’m going to bind your wrists and take my belt to your ass.”

I should have been terrified. I should have stopped him right there. But I couldn’t. I wanted him to take me, bend me to his will and make me his. I craved the silence in my head that came with each slap to my ass. I craved the heat from his mouth as he licked at my folds.

I rebelled against the small voice in my head that told me to leave, run as far and as fast as I could. Thrusting my hips back I teased him, egged him on, dared him to make good on his threat.

“Ducky.” My name fell from his lips, both a promise and a threat.

“Please.” I begged rocking my hips back again.

Luka ran his tongue between my folds one last time before leaving me bent over, the heat from his body gone. Afraid to move I stayed there, my ears straining to hear what he was doing. I could hear the soft rustling of clothing. Afraid he was getting dressed I turned my head to catch a glimpse.

Before I could set my eyes on him, my body was lifted, his hand wound in my hair as I was shoved face first in the mattress, my hands were pulled behind me, thick cotton wrapped around them, binding them behind my back.

“I warned you, Ducky.” Luka’s breathing was shallow, his voice low and dangerous only making my need for him grow greater.

His foot kicked my legs wider apart, leaving me off balance.

I heard the soft whoosh of the belt before I felt the thick leather connect with my ass.  Fire radiated along my flesh. The soft peppered kisses from Luka did little to soothe the burning sensation.

His fingers probed my dripping wet entrance, dancing along my folds before plunging in. Tears stained my face as I moaned and writhed, riding the line between pleasure and pain.

My mind was so conflicted, I wanted to be angry, run from the room, and escape the harsh brutality of the situation. My dripping wet core held me in place, bent over the bed, bound, helpless to his assault.

Luka’s fingers were replaced by his tongue leaving me a quivering mess as I bucked and thrashed against his mouth.

“Ducky.” I heard his warning but I didn’t care. I wanted more. Needed more.

His mouth was replaced by the belt as it whooshed through the air, laying several more stripes across my ass. The fire radiated up my spine. I was so close, so close to coming.

“More.” I begged through the tears. I needed more. Craved more.

I was rewarded with four more strikes from the belt. The last strike sent me spiraling to oblivion as I came harder than I ever came in my life. My body bucked, thrashed, and writhed in ecstasy.

I felt the rock-hard head of Luka’s cock begging at my entrance.

“Please.” I pleaded like a wanton slut.

I needed him. I needed his cock pounding into my flesh.

Luka slammed into me; his cock, like a piston, rammed in and out of my tight wet core. I could feel my second orgasm building.

Luka’s hand wound into my hair, pulling me back on his cock while his other hand held my lower back down, forcing his cock to rub back and forth against my G-spot.

I had never been fucked so thoroughly in my life. I moaned my release as his cock slammed into me, my inner walls locking him deep within me as I fell apart. Luka grunted his release as he exploded into me. The dogs baying in the living room echoed the slapping of our bodies as they met, my pussy milking every last drop Luka had to offer.

“Fuck, Ducky.” Luka grunted out pumping into me one last time.

Working the binds around my wrist he freed me before lifting me up and laying me down on the bed, his firm body tucked in behind me. His flaccid cock slipped from my folds leaving me feeling hollow.

Luka trailed kisses up and down my neck and across my shoulders.

“Roll onto your stomach, Ducky.” He whispered and he gently helped me roll over.

Luka left the room only to return moments later. His warm body straddled mine as his hands caressed my ass reverently. With each stroke the fiery flesh was soothed as he rubbed a calming lotion into the welted flesh.

Luka continued to lay soft tender kisses along my spine. With each press of his lips I felt my heartstrings tug. This man was making me fall for him; fall harder than I had ever fallen in my life. The fact that he took a belt to me should have warned me away. It should have had me running for the hills. Instead it lit a fire deep down in my soul. He made me want and crave things I never knew imaginable.

Once he was finished, he climbed back into bed beside me, tucking me against him. I felt so safe and secure in his arms. Nuzzled up against him, I let my lids drift closed.