Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 90075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
I didn’t speak.
I couldn’t.
“Anyway...” Hunter sniffed. “She needed what I could give her, and I needed what I could take from her. That night, I slipped onto a dark and wonderful path, and by the time the sun rose, we were both reborn.”
“Did you...did you ever see her again?”
“Once or twice at the club but we didn’t date, if that’s what you’re asking. I started Spectacle of Secrets not long after that. Realising that if I was fighting my true nature for that long—living in a state of misery and discomfort, not fully able to be me—then there would be others. Many others. Some not brave enough to go to a club. Some unable to chase their true wants. So...I took their truth to them.”
I ran my fingers over the crisp sheets. “That’s actually rather noble.”
“And lucrative.” Hunter chuckled. “I didn’t charge you that night, but the experience you had...if it’d just been us and I’d agreed to let you hire me—which I very rarely do these days—you would’ve walked away a few thousand dollars poorer.”
I fought a smile. “I’m grateful for the discount.”
“And I’m grateful to have fucked you.”
I gasped, my nipples pebbling.
Leftover champagne bravery had me whispering, “I’m glad you fucked me too. I’ll never forget it.”
“Goddammit, you still have a magic over me.” His voice went dark. “You’ve made me hard now.”
My pulse picked up. My skin went hypersensitive.
I’d called for advice, but...I wouldn’t be opposed to phone sex.
It couldn’t be classified as cheating on Nicholas since he’d never accepted me in the first place. But...it would only add to my confusion, and...I honestly didn’t know if I’d come or cry if Hunter demanded I finger myself while he masturbated in my ear.
“Ella...” His tone turned gentle, almost as if sensing my fragility. “I find you truly remarkable. I like you. A hell of a lot. If I didn’t have my business and the side gig of putting down monsters, I’d be tempted to go back to your town and keep you.”
Heaviness settled between us again before Hunter cleared his throat and said, “So...now that you know I’m hard. And I’m pretty sure you’re wet. Did you want to tell me why you called, or would you rather hear what I’d do to you if you were here?”
I teetered on the options.
I swayed toward both decisions.
My body primed for a release, but my heart ached for guidance. “Do you mind if we just keep talking for a bit?”
He sucked in a breath, not because he was offended but because whatever he’d heard in my tone set him on edge. “Are you okay, Ella?” He shifted and spoke with tight restraint. “You didn’t answer my question before. Is Nick worshipping you every night? Is that why you’ve called? Has he figured out the art of pain and pleasure? Do you have a safe word with him? Because you really should with him being a new Dom.” His voice softened. “Not to mention how are you coping with being a new sub? Have you accepted that part of yourself, or are you trying to convince yourself that you’re an independent woman who doesn’t need a man? Especially his commands or cum.”
My cheeks blazed.
I wanted to get on my knees and thank this open-hearted, unflappable guy for talking so frankly.
He’d gotten straight to the issue with no judgement or scorn.
I had no one else.
No one in this lifestyle.
No friends to understand.
No parents to confide in.
Not that I ever would.
Good lord, my mother would have a fit if she knew.
But then again...I think she’d be secretly proud that I’d finally learned how to live.
“Ella...speak to me. You’re scaring me a little. If I came on too strong, I apologise—”
“He’s leaving,” I blurted. “In three weeks. To Singapore.”
Hunter didn’t reply for the longest moment, almost as if weighing his words. “Is he leaving because he’s wanted to for a while, or is he running away from you?”
I gritted my teeth and turned off the TV, ridding the room of flickering blue light. “Pretty sure he’s running away.”
“Did something happen?”
“I...” Balling the blankets in my hand, I confessed, “The morning after we were with you, I caught him jerking off in the shower. I got on my knees and opened my mouth even though he told me that he would never be with me again.”
“So...you presented yourself to him?” He clicked his teeth. “What did he do?”
“He says I forced him.”
“He accepted what you offered?”
“Yes.”
“Did he come?”
“Yes.”
“Did he return the favour?”
“No.”
“No?” He growled. “That fucking bastard. If that’s his version of power play you can do much better, Ella. No self-respecting Dom would ever let his sub go wanting. Your happiness and pleasure are what we live for. We ache to see you give in. We burn to make you shatter. If I don’t have your climax on my dick or tongue at least twice during a session, then I failed you as your Master.”