CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Ava
I couldn’t believe he’d agreed last night. I knew he struggled with his feelings, but as I massaged him and worked around his body, he became more comfortable.
He was always on his guard, but he’d lowered the drawbridge some.
I’d explained to him, “This is not about your sexuality or weakness. This is about you owning your sexuality and accepting pleasure. You’re just as in command of your body now as you were when we came in this evening, the only difference is, you’re more keenly aware of your needs.”
I’d been diplomatic and rational — two traits I knew he admired. He hadn’t really agreed, but he’d let me play. The look of ecstasy and relief on his face was exquisite when he came.
When he’d recovered, he stared at me with a smirk then gave me a hard slap on the ass. “You naughty girl.” Then he grabbed our robes, helped me into mine, scooped me up in his arms and carried me to the bed.
“Miss Ava, you need to be punished,” Lucas growled.
I laughed. “I’m no naughtier than you. What you give, you’ll also have to take.” I gave his shoulder a quick bite before he threw me on the bed.
We’d both been sated and blissful as I curled into his side and he draped his leg over my body, then spanked my ass again, hard. I guessed in his book, I deserved a couple of swats for pushing him as far as I did, but I meant what I said.
I’d be exacting an eye for an eye.
I nestled closer, content. I’d brought him to a place no other human had ever been able to take him. He’d given up a piece of himself, his humility.
This morning, I was hungry for food and achy. I watched him as he slept, amazed that I was so comfortable with this man I hadn’t known a mere week ago. So much, that I couldn’t imagine doing what I’d told him I would last night — walking away and going back to my normal life. Life would never be normal again. Lucas had awakened something inside me I didn’t know was there.
When the waiter brought our breakfast, he left a note that instructed us to meet downstairs at seven this evening for dinner with Isabella and Mason.
We had the day to ourselves. We could ski, hike, snowboard, or just laze around our room. There was an endless array of things to do.
“I remember when I was a child,” Lucas said as we lounged at the kitchen table and sipped our coffee, “and I’d need to escape this place from time to time. The adults would get too controlling and stuffy.” I raised my eyebrows at this. “Yes, even for me. I’d hike as far as I could climb up the incline in the back of the ski run. There’s a remarkable view from up there. Would you like to join me on a hike to my favorite spot?”
“I’d love it.” I took a final sip of coffee and stood, ready to escape to the outdoors.
We suited up in snow gear, and I packed water and some snacks. He added a flask of whiskey to our pack, and we left the chalet to trek up the mountain in the snow.
It was a rigorous climb. He must’ve been quite the little athlete as a boy. While I was in incredible shape, the altitude and snow made it a difficult climb for me. I stopped several times to rest as I trudged my way up the mountain.
Lucas remained attentive and caring and helped me over slippery or steep sections. After what felt like a lifetime, we made it to the top. I sucked in the sharp cold air and stared out at the view.
My religious beliefs had always run toward the eclectic, so I was very open to spiritual experiences, but seeing that beauty of the mid-morning light was proof enough something greater than ourselves existed.
“Isn’t it magnificent?” Lucas asked, his face painted with a boyish gaze of wonder.
“I think it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” I stood mesmerized by the vast blue sky and majestic snow-covered mountains.
“I think you might be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” He curled his arms around my waist and drew me in close.
The moment was electrifying… and big… oh so big for us.
“You know that’s a cheesy line, right?” I took a stab at humor, unsure I was ready for “the most” anything.
He laughed, and I was afraid he would feel my heart pounding out of my chest. “I know beauty.” He drew me away from the edge and led me to a large rock at the far side of the summit. “Let’s rest for a moment. We can have something to eat before we head back down.”
The moment felt surreal, and my head was spinning. Was it the altitude? I had to get my shit together. I liked Lucas, more than I wanted to admit. And with each day that passed, I felt like we were drawing closer. While the top of the mountain was almost unbearably cold, it was an excellent place to get to know Mr. Dominant Billionaire better.
“What got you interested in dominance in the first place?” I asked as he passed me the flask of whiskey.
I took a swig, and my breath crackled in front of my face. The whiskey was high-dollar and didn’t burn going down, but heated my insides, making me almost break a sweat. Or maybe that was worry. I waited on ice shards for his answer.
“Since I was young, I’ve been in charge of many things. It was just my mom and I, so I took on a lot of responsibility. With responsibility came pressure, and I needed a release. Some guys like violent video games and I tried those, then ran into a website that promised everything I’d been looking for. A world that I could control. I started joining online clubs and dating groups that liked to play rough. I didn’t so much enjoy the violence, but found myself enjoying the control being a Dominant offered. I’d finally found the satisfaction I’d been looking for.”
“Is something different now?” I pressed him, wanting better insight into the man who was stealing my heart.
“Something is. I just don’t know what.” He stared out at the mountain view, his face softening for a moment before hardening to resemble the solid cliff walls. “You don’t know how to be a sub, and I don’t think you have the personality to become one, but there’s time yet.” His voice was cold.
“Is that what you really intend on doing? Making me into your sub?” I was trembling, my voice shaky.
There was a long silence, and it was hard to conceal the avalanche of feelings within me.
“Don’t ask dangerous questions, Ava, if you won’t like the answers. Let’s get you back to the chalet before you freeze into a popsicle.” He punctuated his statement with a smile, which made me feel fractionally better. I took the flask and another swig of whiskey, and we walked back down the mountain in silence.
When we got back to the chalet, it was late afternoon. We opted to go to the spa for massages and to warm up in the sauna. There, we kept our conversation light and buoyant, mostly talking about the prospects of the other team. Later, we dressed and met Mason and Isabella at dinner.
There wasn’t a deep chasm between the two of us, but I sensed a divide as we faced our next challenge together.