Chapter Five

Chris watched Cynthia dress, a mixture of immense satisfaction and irritation running through him. The night they’d shared had only whetted his appetite for her. He wanted to show her just what she needed in bed, show her the power of domination. What she’d started hadn’t been full domination, but the glimpses he’d seen the night before told him she wanted—hungered—to learn her full powers.

Someone with Cynthia’s background would require several months to work through the emotions her new role would bring out. All he’d had was one night. Chris knew without a doubt she would enjoy that role and, in the end, be his perfect mate when she submitted to him. She didn’t realize what they had together. That, paired with the fact she was running away at the light of day, caused the irritation.

“I don’t have to leave until late tonight. Why don’t you spend the day in bed with me?”

She sighed as she zipped her skirt. “I told you. Anna and Max are leaving today. I need to get to her house. I’m also responsible for making sure her shop runs smoothly. If there are any problems, I’m the one who has to bother her. I don’t want that to happen.”

He mulled that over as she pulled her shirt over her head and then looked around for her shoes. As she bent over, the memory of taking her from behind flashed before him. He’d found her wild, crazy…perfect. He couldn’t wait to introduce her to anal play. He was sure she’d love it. Shaking his head to push away the thoughts of slipping into her tight little ass, he brought himself back to his argument.

“You could go there, get everything straight, then come back.” It surprised him how close he was to pleading with her to stay. He’d never even contemplated begging with any other woman, but with Cynthia, he didn’t want to lose their connection. Glancing at the clock, seeing it was just after six thirty, he formulated another plan. Since her back was turned to him, he slid from bed and snuck up behind her. “Anna and Max aren’t leaving until tonight.”

She jumped when he spoke, then looked over her shoulder at him. “Chris, I should have left last night.”

“You’re embarrassed to be seen with me.” He said the words, worried they might be true. He didn’t think Cynthia was prejudiced, but he was in South Georgia, the heart of Dixie. It was different from Honolulu. Her family came from old Southern money, the kind that didn’t like to mingle with people of color—unless they were being served by them. Besides the color of Cynthia’s skin, there was the added problem of her background. She’d been taught to be ashamed of her sexuality. Even as she frowned at him, he slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him.

She settled against his chest. Her golden hair contrasted against his dark skin. He drew in a deep breath. The hint of her flowery perfume lingered beneath the scent of sex coating her skin. Just that, the simple scent of their time together had his body aching for another round. Hell, just knowing she was breathing was probably enough.

“You know I’m not embarrassed to be seen with you. In fact, I would probably gain points for the gossip it would cause.”

He heard the smile in her voice and responded in kind.

She shook her head. “It isn’t being seen with you that would bother me. It is everyone knowing…well, knowing.”

Resting his chin on top of her head, he gently rocked her. “What does that matter? Everyone knew about you and Max.”

The sigh she released was filled with irritation. “Yes, they did. But, you see, I was marrying Max. A Myers doesn’t have one-night stands. I know it’s stupid to worry about that, but I do.”

He heard the scorn in her voice. He hoped it was more for what she’d had to endure than what had occurred between them. Glancing over his shoulder, he located a chair just a few steps back.

“Tell you what,” he said as he walked both of them to the chair. “Why don’t we have breakfast, and then you can go?”

When he reached the chair, he sat, pulling her down with him. She wiggled and crossed her arms beneath her breasts. Breasts he wanted to touch, lick, taste. Since he was nude, he knew she felt his erection. She stilled, looking down at him, her eyes simmering with passion.

“Chris.” She was trying to sound like she disapproved. It wasn’t working. Mainly because he could see the pulse in her neck jump and hear her breathing increase. “You would think…”

She closed her eyes as he grabbed hold of her hips and ground against her. “Think what?” He nipped at her earlobe.

She drew in a shuddering breath. “Chris…”

This time, there was such yearning in her voice it made him want to shout with triumph. She needed him like he needed her and playing fair was off the table. Knowing how sensitive her breasts were, he slid one hand up under her blouse and beneath the fabric of her bra. A few strokes of his thumb were all it took. Her nipple pebbled, and she moaned.

“Come on, chéri . Once more.”

And even though he said it, he silently acknowledged once would never be enough. He’d never felt this connection with a woman, the need to bring her into her own, to teach her the things that would make her complete. He moved his hand to caress her other breast, and she relaxed against him.

“This is our one chance.” He didn’t believe that. He would figure out some way to make it work, even thousands of miles apart. “Why would we not enjoy ourselves?”

She shuddered, her rear end wiggling over his erection. As the blood rushed from his brain, he had to beat back the caveman who said to throw her down and show her just how good they were together.

He slid his hand beneath her skirt. As he skimmed one finger along her slit, he pinched her nipple with the fingers of his other hand. Her gasp was filled with surprise and arousal.

“Chris…”

Her sex was so damp her panties were soaked with her passion. She moved with him, her body taking over even if she still harbored doubts.

“That’s it, baby. So wet.”

In one abrupt motion, she pulled away from him and off his lap. He opened his mouth to argue with her, but she shook her head. She settled her hands on her hips, her breath coming out in gasps. Licking his lips, he noticed her nipples pushing against the fabric of her shirt.

“You know, you like to tell people what to do. But I’m not sure I want that.”

Again, his mouth opened in protest, but she touched her index finger to the tip of his cock, spreading around the beads of moisture that had bubbled up. Catching his gaze, she lifted her hand to her mouth, licking her fingers. A simple act, but it was probably one of the most erotic things he’d witnessed in his life. She put her finger between her lips, sucking the rest of the liquid off.

When she finished, she slid her finger out and smiled. That look, the radiance, the need…it dug deep into his soul.

“I was right, Mr. Dupree. You are delicious.”

Her voice dripped with seduction, arousal, her Southern accent deepening, turning him inside out. He moved to stand, but she stepped forward and placed her hand on his shoulder.

“Uh, uh, uh. Mr. Dupree, I think we are having problems communicating here.” She trailed her fingers over his chest as she walked around the chair. Once she was behind him, she settled her hands on his shoulders, rubbing his tense muscles. “I think for once I should be the one to decide about this. True, you played along with me yesterday, but I don’t know if you suffered enough.”

He wanted to tell her that he had not been playing along. That he understood her need to dominate. She stole any rational thought as she moved her hands to his head, massaging his scalp. Chris closed his eyes and leaned his head back to rest on her breasts.

“You know, I have a feeling you enjoyed yourself last night.”

He chuckled. “How did you guess?”

She ignored that comment. “But you know what? I don’t think you ever told me what you like.”

Her hands skimmed down his face, past his chest and stomach, to his cock. He was held mesmerized watching her elegant, ivory hands contrasting against his darker skin as they moved down his body. Leaning against his shoulder, she draped her body over his and took hold of him at the base.

“It was all about making me happy, which is good. I don’t know if anyone ever thought about that before. But you know what would make me happy?” She nipped at his ear, then licked it.

“What?”

She stroked him again, allowing her thumb to pass over the head. “I want to drive you crazy.”

“You’re doing a good job of it right now, Cynthia.”

She pumped him a few times. Tension gathered along his nerve endings, his body coiling, reaching for the pinnacle. His balls were so tight, he was amazed he had held on this long.

“Not good enough, in my opinion.”

She stroked him once more, teasing him with the release he needed, then she was gone and walking around the chair again. His body was pulsing, clamoring to reach fulfillment, and she left him. He opened his eyes and found her in front of him. Without a word, she dropped to her knees. She placed a hand on each of his legs and leaned forward. Touching her tongue to the base of his cock, she licked up one side, swiped over the top, and down the other side.

“Sweet. You taste so sweet.” He didn’t miss the excitement in her voice. She made him sound like a tasty confection, one she would relish, lick by lick, until she had completely devoured it.

She wrapped one hand around the base, took him into her mouth. She couldn’t take his entire length, but she did her damnedest. Closing her eyes, she set to work, sucking, kissing, licking him, driving him out of his ever-loving mind. Again, the tension mounted. He curled his toes, trying to hold off. Just as he felt he might not be able to stop his orgasm, she pulled away.

He looked down and almost came at the sight of her tongue darting out over her swollen lips.

“Hmmm.” That was all she said before she leaned forward to lick and suck his balls. Jesus. He’d created a monster.

Before he was satisfied, she was moving away again. She stood, wiggled out of her skirt, tugged off her shirt and bra and unhurriedly removed her panties. Grabbing the one condom left, she tore it open, pulled it out and approached him.

“Now,” she said as she bent over to put it on. “You be a good boy, and I’ll be nice.”

The teasing in her voice was new, but there was also another element. Steel laced her words, telling him that at this point she was in control. Once the condom was on, she stepped back and paused. Chris realized she was waiting for him to agree. Not able to form words—kind of hard with all the blood drained from his head—he nodded.

She smiled at him as if he owned the world, and at that moment, he thought he did. Approaching him, she straddled his hips and slid down his cock. Her ultra-tight pussy gripped him, caressing his dick with each movement.

When she finally slid all the way down, she leisurely began to rise. Deliberately, he was sure, she moved slowly, riding him at a pace guaranteed to drive him insane. Irritated, frustrated, and out of patience, he grabbed hold of her hips, wanting to urge her to move faster. In less than a second, she captured his wrists and tugged them behind his head.

Looking down at him with eyes filled with arousal, she shook her head. “No, Chris.” Even though her voice was breathless, she projected the aura of someone in charge. Another jolt of lust lanced through him, increasing his hunger, pushing him on. There was nothing in this world as sexy as a Domme realizing her power.

She began to increase her speed. He could tell she was close. Her muscles tightened around his shaft, pulling him deeper. Within moments, she was out of control, slamming down on him hard. She released his hands to cup his face as her mouth settled on his in a wet, openmouthed kiss.

Her pussy contracted on his cock. She devoured his mouth, her moans coming out muffled. When she tore her lips away, she leaned her head back, closing her eyes. “Now, Chris, baby, come with me now.”

That plea pushed him over the edge, and as she shuddered with her release, he followed, the tension in his body bursting free as he came.

Long minutes passed until he shook himself out of his stupor. Cynthia was draped over him, his cock still inside of her, her breath shuddering across his skin. He drew her tighter against him, and she snuggled, like a kitten in need of attention. With what little strength he had left, he lifted both of them out of the chair, eased out of Cynthia and laid her on the mattress. After discarding the condom, he stood beside the bed and watched her sleep. It was hard to believe this was the same woman who had blushed just the day before when she held his hand.

Warmth spread through his chest, his heart almost dropping to his stomach when he realized that she could really get to him. He’d given up hope of finding someone who might be comfortable with his role as a switch. Women didn’t always accept a man who didn’t want to control every time in bed. Especially in the lifestyle. They expected you to pick one side or the other. Be dominant or submissive. But in Cynthia, he thought he might have found a woman who could accept him and his desires.

He just didn’t expect to need her so much. Shaking his head, he climbed into bed with her and pulled her up next to him. Contentment filled the sigh she released as she rubbed her head against the underside of his jaw. As his maman had always said, he wouldn’t borrow trouble. He would take one day at a time.

Cynthia removed one tray of chocolate chip cookies, placed it on top of the stove and put another prepared tray inside the oven. When she’d left Chris just a couple of hours earlier, she hadn’t expected to feel this…lonely. She’d only met the man the day before, and now it felt like she had lost a part of herself. Silly, she knew, and a bit juvenile, but she couldn’t help it. And even if she could, she didn’t want to.

She’d discovered a new part of herself with Chris. Bold wasn’t a word people used to describe her. Hell, most people didn’t even notice her when she was standing right next to them. But last night, and especially that morning, she’d shocked the heck out of herself. Not once in her past had she initiated sex, let alone done the things she’d done to Chris. She couldn’t really help it. There was a way about Chris, something in the way he looked at her, treated her, that made her want to take chances. And when she did, the surge of power gained from it was almost as frightening as it was invigorating.

She shook away those reflections and continued on with her task. As she removed the cookies to the rack to cool, she heard the sound of a car pulling into the driveway. She cringed, considering what Max had thought of her going off with Chris the night before. Max would always be the big brother she wished she’d had, rather than the one she did have. Her feelings of embarrassment had nothing to do with their past romantic relationship. There had been little romance and lots of business dealings tied to their proposed marriage. She just didn’t want to disappoint him.

As usual, Anna burst into her house. Anna never did anything by half measures, from all her curly hair that she couldn’t control, to the way she dressed, to the way she behaved. Cynthia had envied her from the time they’d met in high school.

“Cynthia!” Anna pulled her into an embrace, and for the first time, Cynthia truly returned the hug. Physical contact wasn’t something she was accustomed to. Her family disdained it. Anna let go and smiled at her. “Gonna tell me what happened last night?”

Anna glanced around the kitchen, which was still a mess from Cynthia’s frenzy of baking. Measuring cups and mixing bowls littered the countertops along with a smattering of flour.

“What the hell is all this?”

“I…I tend to bake when I need to think. You know that.”

That was a little secret they shared. Granted, it was a stupid thing to keep a secret, but for some reason, she liked sharing it with Anna. Not even Max knew about it.

Max joined them. Without an invitation or even a word to either one of them, he helped himself to a handful of cookies.

“New recipe?” Anna asked, grabbing a cookie out of Max’s hand. She popped it into her mouth and hummed, closing her eyes. After swallowing, she reopened her eyes. “This is not simply baking. You used macadamia nuts, but these cookies are richer than the ones I make.”

Cynthia smiled. “I raided your liquor cabinet. Just a little Kahlua before you add the nuts and chips. Works well with cakes, also.”

“It gives them more of a decadent taste. I mean, the chocolate melts, but the cookie itself seems to dissolve the moment it touches your tongue,” Anna said, seizing another cookie Max had just picked up.

He frowned at her and smiled at Cynthia. “You know, if I’d known you could bake like this, I might have tried harder to hold onto you.”

Anna laughed even as she punched his arm and turned her attention to Cynthia. “Gonna give me this recipe too, or will you finally work in my kitchen?”

“What the hell is this?” Max asked.

Cynthia looked at her ex-fiancé, still happy that for once she had fought her father on this one thing. She would have been married to Max, and he didn’t even know her. Like her love of cooking. The truth is, Cynthia didn’t want to admit that her best friend growing up had been the family cook. It was embarrassing how starved she’d been for anyone to notice her that she’d spent days in the kitchen learning to bake.

Instead, she shrugged. “I enjoy it. I always have had a knack for baking.”

Anna took a bite of her cookie as Max noticed her banana nut muffins. Anna moaned in obvious appreciation.

Max bit into a muffin, then looked at his wife. “You don’t seem surprised.”

He didn’t seem mad.

Anna shook her head. “No. Cynthia didn’t want anyone to know.”

“Know that she could bake?”

“Or that she’s the one who worked up some of the new recipes in the café.”

Anna’s café, The Last Drop , featured great coffee, unique tea blends, and some of the best desserts in Georgia.

Max looked between the two of them. “So, keeping secrets from me? Not cool.”

Then he grabbed another muffin.

“Seriously, when are you going to work for me?” Anna asked as she snatched a second cookie. Before Cynthia could answer, she faced Max and said, “Don’t you think three pancakes, eggs and sausage were enough for breakfast?”

He wiggled his eyebrows at Anna. The gesture reminded Cynthia just how much Anna had loosened Max up. He never would have teased her like that. “I worked up quite an appetite last night.”

Anna rolled her eyes and grabbed Cynthia’s arm. “We have to have some girl talk.”

“But my cookies—”

“You have the timer on, right?”

Cynthia nodded.

Anna looked at her husband. “Max, take the cookies out when the timer goes off.”

She tugged Cynthia along, practically dragging her upstairs. When they reached her old room, she pulled Cynthia inside and shut the door behind her.

“You know one thing I’ve always liked about you, Anna?” Cynthia asked as she watched Anna open the closet door.

“What?” Anna ducked her head inside, rummaging around on the floor for something.

“You know how to be subtle.”

Anna swiveled around so fast she fell on her rear end. She frowned up at Cynthia, then smiled when she realized Cynthia had been joking.

“Can’t be subtle with Maxwell. Subtle for him is a two-by-four to the head.”

Cynthia laughed and sat on the bed. “What are you looking for?”

“I have this great pair of flip-flops with cherries on them.” She began to look around again. “So, you going to tell me, or am I going to have to ask?”

Cynthia sighed. She’d known this was coming and that Anna would expect to gossip. Girl talk wasn’t something Cynthia did. She’d had acquaintances, but never any kind of girlfriends she would divulge secrets to. Not that she’d had anything really shocking to talk about before now.

Before Chris Dupree.

“I took Chris to his hotel room.”

“A-ha!” Anna stood, her hair hanging in her face. Triumphantly, she held up a pair of red flip-flops with a set of cherries dangling from each thong. She shoved her hair out of her face with the other hand. “I knew they were here. Max went on and on about how it didn’t matter, I could buy more, blah, blah, blah. So, what happened?”

“With Chris?” Cynthia tried to act nonchalant, but she could hear her voice rise.

“Yes, with Chris.” Anna groaned. “You didn’t actually waste a perfectly good body and do the right thing, did you? Please tell me you did something bad.”

Cynthia thought about her seduction, the way they’d made love the last time, him in the chair…

Her face flushed, and Anna laughed. “Ahh, you didn’t waste it. Okay, how was it? Tell me it was worth it.”

How was it? How did she describe the best sex of her life? She smiled, and Anna hugged her.

“If it was that good, I’m glad I pushed you to do it. Every woman deserves a man who puts that look on her face.” Anna released her. “Now, about that job. When I return, I would like you to start baking for me.”

She had been harping on this for months. One of the little things they kept between them is that it had been Cynthia’s recipe for their wedding cake.

“Anna, really, I have enough money.”

Anna threw the shoes on her bed. “Listen, Cynthia, this isn’t about money. This is about making some of the most sinful cookies I’ve ever tasted. Plus, you know that Gerard is leaving after I return, and I’m going to need help.” Cynthia nodded. “What about biscotti? You were talking about them a few weeks ago.”

Cynthia grinned, remembering the spring break trip she’d taken to a cooking school. While other students were baking in the Florida sun, she had been learning all kinds of baking techniques. “Yes, several types. Almond is one of my favorites, but I do make a wonderful macadamia nut biscotti. My own recipe.”

Anna closed her eyes and sighed in appreciation. When she opened them, Cynthia saw the businesswoman no one messed with. “Okay, you don’t have a choice. You are working for me.”

There was a knock at the door, and before either of them said a word, Max opened it. He was wearing his brotherly frown, and immediately she was worried. Was her father or brother here? Had they called? Tension coiled in her stomach, a sharp pain radiating from the center.

“Chris Dupree is on your phone.” He held out her phone.

Anna smirked, and he noticed and frowned harder at her. Not wanting any more tension, Cynthia tried to intervene.

“Thanks, Max.” She held her hand out, but he pinned her with a glare.

“How did he get your number?” His suspicious tone irritated her. He had no right to question her.

Before she could stop herself, she answered, “I gave it to him when I left his room.” He looked somewhat relieved, so she went in for the kill. “This morning.”

He opened his mouth, but Anna, thank the good Lord, stopped him by grabbing the phone and handing it to her. “We’ll be downstairs.”

As soon as the door shut, Cynthia’s heart began to beat harder. Her mouth suddenly went dry. Lifting the receiver to her ear, she tried again to sound casual.

“Hello, Chris.”

“Hey, chéri . How are you doing?”

She shouldn’t fall for it, but his lyrical voice melted some of her reserve. “Doing okay. I just left you a few hours ago.”

He exhaled. A sound so plaintive it made her laugh. “Yes, I know, but, darlin’, I’m already missing you.”

A little thrill raced down her spine. She’d never had a man say that to her. Even though she knew it was harmless flirting, it didn’t stop her heart from doing somersaults.

“Max didn’t sound too happy to talk to me.”

“Oh, he’s just playing big brother. Don’t worry about him.”

“Hmm, well I don’t like him playing anything with you.” His voice hardened just a bit, taking on an edge she hadn’t heard before. He grunted, as if trying to control his temper. When he spoke, his voice had softened again. “So, what are your plans today?”

“I told you I was coming over here to Anna’s.”

“You did that. Now do you want to do something fun?”

She laughed. “Yeah, what do you have in mind?”

There was silence for a second, and she realized he had expected her to fight him on it. Then he said, “How about dinner?”

“You’re leaving in a few hours.”

“So, is that no?”

“You don’t have time. I would feel guilty if you missed your flight.”

“You’re a hard woman to pin down. I get back to Hawaii late your time, so how about I call you tomorrow?”

She wanted to ignore the excitement that one comment caused, but it was hard. Especially since her body was already reacting to the way his voice flowed through the phone. She shivered. “Chris, you really don’t have to do that.”

“Ahh, but chéri , I do. More than you know.” He paused as if he were contemplating his next words carefully, but simply said, “I’ll talk to you later, Cyn thia.”

After she hung up, she pushed the conversation aside. As she headed back to the kitchen, she decided she wouldn’t wait to hear from him. She would only be disappointed if he didn’t call. She would not make plans; she would play it by ear.

Stopping midway down, she realized that was something new for her. She plotted everything, planned things down to the smallest detail. Ms. Cynthia Myers didn’t just go with the flow. A smile curved her lips, and she practically floated down the stairs. When she reached the first floor, she joined Max and Anna in the kitchen, where he was devouring more cookies.

Both of them looked at her, Anna expectant, Max frowning as he munched away.

“Anna, I’ll take you up on that offer of working for you.”