Chapter 8

8

BOAZ

I t started snowing as Ellery drove us back to his cabin after spending all day at the Winter Festival. I couldn’t remember the last time I had so much fun. And Ellery had enjoyed it as well. For some reason, he didn’t seem to grow tired of my incessant chatter or weird brain quirks. It wouldn’t last, but I’d enjoy every damn minute.

His truck had no issue making it up the steep road to his cabin, and he drove with confidence. Rather him than me. Also, my rental car—some boring sedan I couldn’t even remember the brand of—wasn’t the best choice for snow.

As soon as Ellery had parked, I slid out of the truck and headed for the front door of his cabin. Brr, had it grown even colder outside, or was that my imagination? I was so not used to this weather as a California native.

The blast of frigid air that hit us as we stepped into Ellery’s cabin made my teeth chatter. I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering. “Holy shit, it’s c-cold in here!”

Ellery chuckled, his deep laugh warming me from the inside even as I shook off snowflakes. “It’ll warm up soon,” he said, reaching past me to shut the door against the howling wind outside. I watched, mesmerized, as he shook the snow from his salt-and-pepper hair. God, he was gorgeous.

My brain, ever unhelpful, decided this was the perfect moment to remind me just how gorgeous. Images of our previous encounters flashed through my mind—Ellery’s muscled body moving above me, his eyes dark with desire, those strong hands gripping my hips. Heat pooled in my belly, chasing away the chill.

“We should warm up,” I blurted, my mouth running ahead of my brain as usual. “Like, right now. Together. In the shower.”

Ellery raised an eyebrow, a slow grin spreading across his face. “That so?”

I nodded eagerly. “Yep. For, uh, safety reasons. Wouldn’t want either of us catching hypothermia or something, right?”

“Mm-hmm.” Ellery’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Well, we can’t have that. Follow me.”

As he led the way toward the bathroom, I took my sweet time admiring the way his jeans hugged his ass. My fingers itched to grab it, to feel the firm muscle beneath. I bit my lip, trying to rein in my impatience. We’d only known each other for three days, but already, I craved Ellery’s touch like a drug.

It wasn’t just physical. There was something about Ellery that drew me in, made me want to spill all my secrets. Made me want to be a better person. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

“You coming?” Ellery called over his shoulder, startling me from my thoughts.

I grinned, quickening my pace. “Not yet, but I’m hoping to be soon.”

His laugh warmed my heart. I loved hearing that big, booming laugh.

Ellery turned on the shower so it could warm up—it took a minute or so for the water to get warm, I had noticed. And then I watched, mesmerized, as he began to undress. His movements were unhurried, deliberate, each piece of clothing revealing more of his muscled physique. My eyes were drawn to the roman numeral tattoo encircling his right biceps, stark black against his tanned skin.

“You gonna stare at me all day?” Ellery’s deep voice rumbled with amusement.

“Maybe,” I quipped, fumbling with my buttons. “Just admiring the view. You know, for artistic purposes.”

Ellery chuckled, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. “Artistic purposes, huh? And what kind of art would that be?”

“Oh, you know,” I rambled, managing to strip off my shirt. “The kind with lots of…muscles. And tattoos. You know, the smexy stuff.”

“Smexy? What the everloving fuck is that?”

“Smutty and sexy at the same time. Smexy.”

“Right. I’ll take your word for it.”

I hadn’t been entirely joking. My fingers itched to draw him, to capture that magnificent body and personality in my art.

But right now, I had other priorities.

Steam billowed around us as we entered the small bathroom, the warmth enveloping me like a comforting hug. As we stepped into the shower, the warm water cascaded over us, and I let out a contented sigh. Ellery reached for the shampoo, his fingers brushing against mine.

“Allow me,” he murmured, squeezing a dollop into his palm before working it into my curls.

I leaned into his touch, my eyes fluttering closed. “Mmm, that feels amazing. You missed your calling as a hairdresser.”

Ellery’s laugh reverberated through the small space. “I’ll stick to wood carving, thanks. Though I do enjoy getting my hands dirty.”

“Oh yeah?” I opened one eye, grinning mischievously. “What other talents are you hiding, Mr. Wolfe?”

His hands slid down to my shoulders, kneading the tension away. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

I turned to face him, my heart racing as I took in his gorgeous blue eyes, the water droplets clinging to his beard. “I would, actually. I want to know everything about you.”

“I’m an open book, darling. Ask me anything.”

I would. But again, not right now.

I pressed myself against Ellery, feeling bold and intoxicated by his presence. The steam swirled around us, and I could feel every inch of his muscled body against mine. My voice dropped to a husky whisper as I trailed my fingers down his chest.

“You know, I was thinking we could do more than shower,” I murmured, my lips brushing against his ear.

I felt his sharp intake of breath, his hands tightening on my hips for a moment before he pushed me back. His blue eyes were dark with desire, but there was also concern etched in the lines of his face. “As much as I want to—and believe me, I do—you need time to recover. We’ve been pretty…active these past few days.”

I couldn’t help the pout that formed on my lips. “But I feel fine!”

Ellery’s expression softened, and he cupped my face in his large hands. “I know you do, sweetheart. But I want to take care of you, not hurt you.”

I sighed dramatically, my shoulders slumping. “Fine. But you’re no fun.”

A glint appeared in Ellery’s eyes and his demeanor shifted. He leaned in close, his beard tickling my cheek as he spoke. “No fun, huh? Keep that attitude up, and you might find yourself over my knee for a spanking.”

My eyes widened as a jolt of excitement shot through me. “W-what?”

Ellery’s laugh was deep and rich, but an undercurrent of promise in his tone made me shiver. “You heard me, boy. Don’t test me.”

I swallowed hard, aware of how close we were, how vulnerable I felt. But instead of fear, I felt a thrill of anticipation. “And what if I want to test you?”

Ellery’s eyes darkened. “Then we’ll talk about it first. And that’s nonnegotiable.”

I recognized a firm boundary when I saw one. “Okay.”

“Doesn’t mean we can’t do other things…”

Before I could blink, Ellery’s lips crashed against mine. The kiss was hungry, demanding, and I melted into it, my arms wrapping around his neck. The steam from the shower swirled around us, creating a cocoon of heat and desire.

I moaned into his mouth as his hands roamed my body, leaving trails of fire in their wake. “El,” I gasped when we broke for air, “please, I need?—”

“I know what you need,” he growled, reaching for the conditioner bottle. The snap of the cap echoed in the small space, and I shivered in anticipation.

Ellery’s slick hand wrapped around my cock, and I bucked into his touch. “Fuck,” I hissed, my head falling back against the shower wall.

“Look at me,” Ellery commanded, his free hand tilting my chin up. I met his intense gaze, drowning in the blue of his eyes. “That’s it, sweetheart. Let me see you.”

I couldn’t look away if I tried. My hips moved in rhythm with his strokes, pleasure building rapidly. “El, I’m gonna?—”

“Not yet. Together.”

I nodded frantically, reaching for him. The slide of our hands, slippery with conditioner, was exquisite. Ellery’s breathing grew ragged, matching my own desperate pants.

“Now, Boaz,” Ellery growled, and I came with a cry, my vision whiting out. I felt Ellery’s release seconds later, his deep groan sending aftershocks through me.

We stood there, foreheads pressed together, catching our breath as the water washed away our release. I felt boneless, completely satisfied.

“Holy shit,” I mumbled, earning a chuckle from Ellery.

“Come on, let’s get you dried off,” he said, reaching for the shower controls.

As we stepped out, Ellery grabbed a fluffy towel and wrapped it around me. His touch lingered, gentle and caring, as he dried my hair and shoulders. The tenderness of the gesture made my heart swell.

“Thanks,” I said softly, leaning into his warmth.

I had my suitcase, so I had my own clothes, but I still dressed in one of Ellery’s big flannel shirts and a pair of my butter-soft leggings. The shirt smelled like him, and I breathed it in, smiling.

Ellery had gotten dressed as well, wearing gray sweatpants and a hoodie. When we walked toward me, his dick swung against his leg, clearly visible. Oh, was he freeballing? Damn, that was hot.

He pressed a kiss to my temple. “Let’s get that fire started, yeah?”

I nodded, following him to the living room. I watched, mesmerized, as Ellery knelt by the fireplace, his muscled back flexing as he arranged the logs. Within minutes, a cheerful fire crackled to life, casting a warm glow over the room.

“Wow,” I said, impressed. “You’re like a sexy Boy Scout or something.”

Ellery laughed. “Just lots of practice, sweetheart. Come here, let’s warm you up properly.”

I settled on the couch, snuggling against Ellery’s broad chest as he wrapped an arm around me. The fire’s warmth seeped into my bones, and a deep contentment washed over me. It was strange how quickly I’d become comfortable with him, how safe I felt in his presence.

My mind drifted back to our shower, to how Ellery had taken control so effortlessly. It sparked a curiosity in me that I couldn’t ignore. I hesitated, my heart racing as I summoned the courage to voice my thoughts.

“Can I ask you something?”

He hummed in response, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my arm. “Of course, sweetheart. What’s on your mind?”

I took a deep breath, feeling my cheeks heat. “In the shower, when you…? I mean, the way you took charge. Do you…? Is that something you’re into? Like, being dominant?”

Ellery was quiet for a moment, and I worried I’d overstepped. But when he spoke, his voice was thoughtful and measured. “I wouldn’t say I’m a Dom, but yes, I do enjoy taking control. It’s more a…mild form of domestic discipline, I guess.”

My breath caught in my throat. “What does that mean?”

Ellery shifted, turning to face me more directly. His blue eyes were intense as they met mine. “It means I like to set boundaries, provide structure. Sometimes, that involves discipline, like spanking. But it’s always consensual, always discussed beforehand.”

I couldn’t help the shiver that ran through me at his words. “Oh,” I breathed, my mind racing with possibilities.

“It’s not about humiliation or pain. For me, it’s about care, about helping my partner feel safe and cherished. Does that make sense?”

My mind was racing, filled with a heady mix of excitement and nerves. I couldn’t stop fidgeting, my fingers tapping an irregular rhythm on Ellery’s chest.

“So, um,” I started, my words tumbling out faster than I could control them. “When you say discipline, like, what do you mean? Is it spanking, or are there other things? And how often? Would it be, like, a regular thing or just when I mess up? Not that I mess up a lot, I mean, sometimes I forget stuff, or I talk too much, which I’m doing right now, aren’t I? Sorry, I just?—”

Ellery’s deep chuckle vibrated through his chest, cutting off my rambling. His hand came up to cup my cheek, thumb stroking over my skin. “Breathe, sweetheart,” he murmured, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement and affection.

I took a deep breath, my cheeks heating under his gaze. “Sorry, I get a little…overexcited sometimes.”

“I like your enthusiasm.” He paused, his expression growing more serious. “But to answer your questions, yes, it could involve spanking or maybe no devices for a day. It’s not about punishment though. It’s about helping you feel grounded, giving you structure.”

I nodded, drinking in every word. “That…actually sounds kind of nice,” I admitted, surprised by how much the idea appealed to me. “Or is that not something we could do in the time we have? I mean, I am leaving right after Christmas, so we only have, like, six days or so. Is that enough to even try this?”

Ellery’s smile was gentle. “We can experiment with it for sure, sweetheart. We’ll take it slow, I promise. We’ll talk about everything first, set clear boundaries. Your comfort and consent are the most important things to me.”

My heart swelled at his words, a warm feeling of safety washing over me. “Thank you,” I whispered, leaning in to press a soft kiss to his lips.

The fire crackled, casting a warm glow across the living room. Outside, snowflakes drifted lazily past the window, blanketing the world in white. Ellery had told me the forecast was for a foot of snow and that it would take a while before the road was cleared. Who cared? Not me.

I nestled deeper into Ellery’s embrace, relishing the solid warmth of his body against mine. My fingers traced lazy patterns on Ellery’s chest, feeling the soft hair beneath his shirt. “This is nice. I could get used to this.”

Ellery’s chuckle rumbled through his chest. “Yeah?” he asked, his hand running up and down my back. “Even with all this snow trapping you here in the middle of nowhere?”

I tilted my head to look at him, a grin tugging at my lips. “Are you kidding? Trapped in a cozy cabin with a hot older guy who wants to spank me? This is like every fantasy I never knew I had.”

His eyes crinkled with amusement. “Is that so?” he asked, his voice dropping to a low, teasing growl that sent shivers down my spine. “I’ll have to remember that.”

I felt my cheeks flush, but I held his gaze. “Please do.”

Ellery’s expression softened and he pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. “You’re something else, Boaz,” he said quietly. “I hope you know that.”

I ducked my head, overwhelmed by the emotion in his voice. “I’m just me.” I fidgeted with the hem of his shirt. “Nothing special.”

“Hey.” Ellery tilted my chin to meet his eyes again. “Don’t sell yourself short. You’re bright, talented, and full of life. And in case you haven’t noticed, I’m pretty fond of you.”

My heart swelled, and I blinked against the sudden sting of tears. “I’m pretty fond of you too.”