15. Gareth

Ileaned against the bar with my arms folded over my chest, my anxiety rising with each second that ticked by. I told myself to stop being a primal possessive asshole, but it wasnt really working.

Serenity still hadnt arrived to the Cougars’ spring break costume party. The bar was packed with my players dressed in all manner of costumes, from the Mandalorian to Freddy Krueger. Pretty sure I saw no less than three phantoms and more Ghostbusters than I could count.

While they were all celebrating their off season, enjoying the open bar Id provided them because they sure as hell earned it, I was glaring at the bar, dressed in my normal suit, and looking at my phone every two minutes.

I knew she was safe, but with Dantes latest update about Doyle going off the grid after being kicked out of the game, I was struggling with a sense of unease. Like the bastard would pop up any second to do a jump scare. I knew he wouldnt take the offense quietly, and I found myself wishing he would just get his plans over with so Serenity and I could relax for a fucking minute.

Although lately, she certainly hadnt seemed as on edge as she had in the beginning of our relationship. Each day she seemed more and more comfortable, sliding into her own skin with such an effortless grace I couldnt help but admire her. She could’ve easily and understandably been working through her trauma with lots of self-care and isolation, but shed chosen to embrace her new freedom and try on all sorts of different situations to see if she liked them. And I was pretty damn proud to be one of those situations she liked. For now.

She told you she loves you,my inner voice reminded me.

It’d been two weeks since Serenity had said the words. Words I never thought I would ever hear so sincerely from someone in a relationship with me, let alone someone as amazing and as Serenity.

But I hadnt said it back.

It wasnt because I didnt feel that, because I did.

I loved her like I’d never loved anyone before, but if I said it back, then it’d be real.

Solid and concrete.

It would be another cage that Serenity couldnt escape. Because even if my past didn’t creep up and terrify her, she was still healing. Still learning who she was and what she wanted outside of family obligations. Telling her I loved her would only encourage her to stop exploring anything outside of me. And I wanted her to have the freedom, even when it killed me to think of her anywhere else but with me.

I shifted against the bar, hating when my thoughts traveled this direction. I scanned the bar again, noting so many of my players having a great time either drinking and mingling or dancing on the dance floor.

I was ready to text Daisy, who’d promised me she’d get Serenity here safely when the girls said they were going to get ready for the party together.

Serenity had been more than excited, the prospect of a costume party where she got to pick out her own role to play was next level for her. And thats exactly why I resisted the urge to text and took another drink in order to help myself calm the fuck down.

Asher spotted me as he made his way through the crowd. “You certainly dont look like youre ready to handle whats about to hit you,” he said as he came to stand next to me.

I tilted my head, wondering what the hell he was talking about. “Have you heard something about Doyle that I havent?”

Asher shook his head, biting back a smile that had me cocking an eyebrow at him. “Thats not the OBrien Im talking about,” he said, glancing over his shoulder.

I followed his line of sight, and it felt like the floor had been ripped out beneath me.

Daisy, dressed as a pinup girl, held hands with Serenity as she guided her through the crowd. She wore a Princess Leia costume, her hair intricately woven into braids to match. And it wasnt the white dress that covered every inch of her body, either. Nope. It was the costume that looked more like a metallic bikini with some bolts of fabric hanging between her legs, leaving every inch of that glorious body on display.

She was stunning, breathtaking. And everyone noticed.

“Shes a Maxfield,” I finally corrected Asher, who patted me on the back.

I stayed locked in place at the bar, content to watch her, and checked myself every time one of my players practically drooled at the sight her. She laughed at something Daisy said, both of them heading our way before one of my fullbacks approached Serenity.

I moved before I could think, before I could rationalize that Serenity could absolutely handle herself. I reacted on instinct, catching my fullback asking if Serenity wanted to dance.

“Thats my wife,” I said. “And I sign your checks,” I added for good measure.

The fullback immediately took two giant steps away, an apologetic look on his face. I gave him an approving nod, the tension in my muscles relaxing as Serenitys arms wove around mine.

“What do you think?” she asked, releasing me and doing a little twirl that gave me the most exquisite view ever.

“I think every man in this room wants to be me tonight,” I said, smiling down at her.

“Youve got that right,” Daisy said. “You’re welcome,” she said to me before winking at Serenity and heading over to Asher.

Serenity’s eyes flashed up to mind, concern streaking there. “Im not going to ask you if this outfit is okay,” she said, even though the tone of her voice said anything but.

I laughed, tucking her tighter against me, heat blazing beneath my skin at the feel of her bare skin beneath my fingers in such a public place. “You never have to ask if anything is okay. Youre in charge. Always. And you look exquisite.”

She grinned confidently, tipping her chin ever so slightly. “I feel exquisite,” she said. “I had no idea how much fun it could be getting ready for a party with a girlfriend.”

Id always loved Daisy, since the minute she captured Ashers attention, but that love ran deeper now seeing the smile and happiness she brought out in Serenity.

The booming music in the club shifted to a new song, and Daisy squealed behind me, hurrying between Serenity and myself as she grabbed her hand. “We have to go dance!” Daisy didnt bother looking at me for approval, and neither did Serenity as they headed to the dance floor.

I couldnt take my eyes off of her as I made my way back to Asher, scooping up the drink Id left next to his.

“Remind me to thank Daisy for this,” I said to Asher.

“Oh, make no mistake, shes not doing it for you,” Asher said. “She happens to love Serenity. If you ever piss her off and Daisy finds out, Ill only be able to give you a five-second head start.”

We both laughed at that, clinking our glasses together before taking another drink. “I have no intention of ever upsetting her, but knowing me, it’s bound to happen. Im happy to know she has someone in her corner willing to go to bat for her.”

“Always selling yourself short,” Asher said. “You two have come this far, considering all the bullshit that youve been dealing with. Any news on that front?”

I shook my head. “Doyle went off the grid. Even Dantes best guys havent been able to locate him. Im not sure what hes planning, but whatever it is, I’ll be ready for it.”

“And you know well be here for whatever you need,” he said, not only including himself but our other friends too.

I dipped my head in a nod, falling silent as I continued to watch Serenity and Daisy dance to the music. The last thing I wanted to do was talk about my concerns revolving around her father, and it was easy to get distracted when she was swaying her hips the way she was.

Especially in the outfit that left so much of her soft stomach bare.

After a few more songs, Asher nudged me. “I think its about time we go join them, dont you?”

Asher didnt bother to wait for me, navigating his way through the crowd of people to get to Daisy.

Normally I would stay right where I was.

Normally I would never be caught on the dance floor.

But nothing between Serenity and myself was normal, and there was nothing more I wanted to do than be with her in that moment. To share in the effortless joy she was experiencing.

I made my way to her in a matter of seconds, more than willing to go back to my spot dutifully watching if she only wanted to dance with Daisy. But she didnt turn me away. Instead, she immediately faced me, wrapping her arms around my neck when I bent down to be closer to her level.

The music swelled around us, shifting to a sultry thumping beat that we easily fell into a rhythm with. My hands glided to her hips, gently squeezing as she rocked back and forth to the music, totally losing herself to the beat.

Fuck me, she was a temptress, a goddess, as she rolled her hips against me without a second thought. She took control of the dance, using my body to make herself feel good on the dance floor, spinning to move that luscious ass on me, reaching up and gripping my neck while her spine kissed my chest.

I growled, unable to contain the sound as she bent at the hips before rolling back up slowly. She was practically glowing with both confidence and radiance, and I was just fucking lucky to be a part of the ride.

Spinning her back around, I reached for her wrists, throwing them around my neck as I moved with her, taking lead. She submitted easily, allowing me to sway her back and forth, to slip my thigh between hers to bring us closer. Her blue eyes were charged as they met mine, and I nearly dropped to my knees from the look in them—desire, need, and love.

I couldn’t deny it because it was the way I looked at her.

Fuck.

She pulled on my neck as one song transitioned into another, reaching up on her tiptoes until I bent so she could reach my ear. “Take me home,” she said, her tone laced with need.

“Say less,” I growled, taking her hand in mine and leading her through the club. She waved behind us to Daisy before we made it out of the club and into the backseat of my driver’s car.

The door barely closed before Serenity’s mouth was on mine, nothing delicate about it. She kissed me like she was starving, and it made me instantly hard. I held her as close as possible in the backseat, groaning as her hands roamed over my chest and abs, then lower, her fingers teasing the line of my cock over my pants.

“Fuck,” I whispered, my lips at the shell of her ear. I nipped her lobe. “You look downright edible in this costume.” I trailed my fingers over her bare skin, shuddering when I felt the thin string that held up the skirt she wore.

She hooked her leg over mine, giving me more access to her bare legs, the bolts of soft fabric easily falling to the side.

The driver never once looked in the rearview mirror, and by the time we were at my house, I could hardly contain myself. I shut the car door behind her, quickly scooping her up and tossing her over my shoulder as I headed toward my front door.

Serenity giggled, and I playfully smacked her ass as I finally got us inside. I didn’t bother setting her on her feet, instead heading straight for the bedroom.

I shifted her off my shoulder, ensuring her body slid down mine slowly as I set her on her feet. I took a small step back, taking my time to admire the costume. She looked every bit the tempting warrior princess, and I literally didn’t know where I wanted to start first.

Serenity smirked, a confident look that was rare but so damn beautiful. She backed up, glancing at the bed. More specifically at the bedposts. Just like my home in Chicago, they had hooks embedded into all four.

“Serenity,” I warned when she climbed on the bed on all fours so I’d have the best view of her ass as she tapped the hooks.

“I want to see this monster you’ve been warning me about,” she said, turning to face me, rising up to her knees, her thighs slightly parted.

“You want me in control,” I argued, tracking her hands as she dragged them over her breasts and stomach and back up again. Little fucking tease. “You’re pushing me to not have any.”

She grinned like that was exactly what she wanted to do. “Gareth,” she said, a plea in her tone. “Please,” she begged, shifting her hands lower until one disappeared under the center bolt of flimsy fabric. “I feel so wild tonight. I don’t want that feeling to end.”

I pressed my lips together, a muscle in my jaw tensing. My wife wanted to ride this high a little longer, that I could understand, but she was still very new when it came to intimacy. The last thing I wanted to do was push her too far too fast or give her more than she was ready for.

“I want you to show me,” she said, a little more serious this time. “Show me how you’d be with anyone else. Anyone more experienced than me.”

My brow furrowed, my heart fucking breaking at the words that came out of her mouth.

I stormed over to the bed, yanking her body against mine, crushing my mouth on hers. There was nothing gentle about the kiss, nothing but the raw intensity in which I wanted her. She whimpered, her fingers fisting my shirt. I tangled her braided hair in my hand, gently tugging it so that her head tipped back, and I pulled away to look down at her.

“If I show you,” I said, my voice scraped raw. “It’s going to be for you, Serenity. All for you. Because what you and I have is nothing like I’ve ever had before. And what happens next is because I can be myself around you more than anyone else.”

Serenity smiled, a triumphant sort of look.

I hoped to fuck she wouldn’t regret it later.

But there was only one way to find out.

I released her hair, gently nudging her at the same time so she fell back against the soft mattress. An excited yelp escaped her lips, but her eyes were wide as I shifted off the bed, heading to the closet where I kept the ties.

“Wrists,” I demanded when I came back. Her immediate submission had lava streaking through my veins. I bent down, kissing the inside of her wrist before I secured her to one post, then repeated the process with the other.

“Ankles,” I said, moving to the foot of the bed, securing her ankles as well. Then I stepped back to survey my work. “Fuck, angel,” I groaned. “Look at you, all tied up and spread wide for me.”

“Gareth,” she said needily. She wiggled on the bed, impatient as her ties kept her limbs in place. Her breathing increased, making her beautiful breasts rise and fall a little faster. The costume was still in place, making this a fantasy I never knew I had.

Slowly, I shed my clothes, all the while devouring every inch of her with my eyes. Once I was completely naked, I climbed on the bed, ensuring we barely touched as I drew closer to her mouth. I hovered my lips just an inch above hers, relishing her little breathy sighs as she reached for me.

I backed up, grinning when frustration fluttered over her face. “You’re all mine, angel,” I said. “I’ll do what I want with you, when I want.”

Desire flashed in her eyes.

“If you don’t like something, speak up, and we stop, understand?”

“Yes,” she said.

“Good girl.” I leaned down, parting her lips with my own, gliding my tongue against hers before drawing back and kissing my way to her breasts. “This is such a naughty costume for such a good girl,” I said.

“Maybe I don’t want to be your good girl tonight,” she said. She arched up, trying as much as she could to make contact with my body. “Maybe I want to be your whore.”

Lightning zapped down my spine at the words. She usually had such a sweet mouth.

I grinned possessively at her, flicking my tongue over the top of one of her breasts that threatened to spill from her costume. “In this outfit?” I growled, fully embracing the role she wanted me to play. “You’re absolutely my dirty little whore.”

She wanted to see me at my most unhinged, wanted to completely vacate her norms? I was more than happy to offer her that escape. And I could more than understand the fantasy—her upbringing had required her to be pristine, pure, never once tiptoeing toward anything remotely sinful.

But with me, she could explore anything she wanted. Safely.

I was more than ready to take care of her.

“Every person in that club wanted you,” I said, teasing my teeth along her neck. “They all wanted to taste that sweet pussy of yours. But you’re mine. All fucking mine.”

I studied the way her top was held together, then quickly grabbed the thin straps and yanked until they broke.

She gasped, her lips parting open.

“Whores don’t need clothes,” I said, shucking the ruined top to the side and immediately bending to suck one of her nipples into my mouth. Her whimper only made me suck harder, using my hand to play with the other one, savoring the way she arched beneath me, desperate for friction that wasn’t there. Not all tied up like she was. Completely at my mercy.

Fuck, I had no idea how badly I’d wanted to do this to her until she’d kicked in that door.

“Gareth,” she sighed, sucking in a sharp breath when I bit her breast hard enough to mark. I flicked my gaze up to hers, gauging every reaction, every face, every breath.

And fuck me, she loved it, lost herself in the pain and pleasure and pure submission.

The woman trusted me with all of her, and I didn’t fucking take that lightly. Never had, never would.

I moved to the other breast, sucking and biting and plucking the marked one with my hand until she was writhing beneath me.

Kissing down her stomach, I hooked my fingers in the bikini of her costume, ripping it too and throwing it over my shoulder, the thin bolts of fabric flying behind me.

“Fucking hell,” I growled, looking down at her naked body, all tied up and spread, ready for me to do absolutely anything I wanted to her. “Look at my perfect little whore,” I said, dragging my hands over her thighs, and damn near chuckling at the way her eyes lit up every time I used that little bit of degradation on her.

I dipped down, kissing her thighs, nipping the insides and grinning when she tried to clench them around my face but couldn’t because of her restraints. Anticipation was everything in this game, but because I adored her, I caved and gave her my hand.

She moaned at the connection as I dragged my fingers up her slick slit, playing with her clit with teasing pressure. She rose off the bed, desperate for more.

“Needy little whore,” I growled, and slipped two fingers inside her warm pussy. Fuck, she was drenched, so into the game she’d begged for. It made my cock ache painfully to sink into her, but I locked my need in place and focused on how much she was getting off on this.

I curled my fingers before pumping them in and out, alternating the moves I knew drove her mad with need before pressing the heel of my palm against her clit. She arched into the touch, seeking her release like her life depended on it.

I watched her face, my blood on fire as I watched her lips part, her eyes close. She was right there?—

I removed my fingers, sucking them into my mouth.

Her eyes flew wide, accusation and aggravation lingering there.

I smirked, humming around her flavor as I dragged my fingers out of my mouth. “Delicious,” I said before caressing her thighs again. I smoothed my hands up and down them, touching her everywhere but where she needed me.

“Gareth, God,” she groaned as I continued the tease.

“I’m not God,” I said. “He’d let you off easy.” I worked my touch up her arms, massaging them as I met her gaze, my lips hovering over hers. “I’m the demon who will edge you all night until you beg for release.”

She trembled beneath me, but there wasn’t an ounce of fear or regret on her face, just pure need and curiosity.

I slanted my mouth over hers, licking into it the way I was desperate to do to her pussy. One taste of her and I was a desperate man, but I wanted to give her what she asked for.

Slowly, I started the process over, worshiping her breasts, leaving marks that made her moan, before working my way between her thighs again.

She was liquid. Wholly drenched by the constant teasing. I fucking loved it.

Loved her.

I gripped her hips, lifting her so I could lick up her slit in one, slow lap.

She shivered, her breaths broken and hurried. “Gareth,” she moaned, and I looked up her body to see her pulling against her restraints.

Desire flooded my body, twice as hard and fast at the sight. I loved how out of control she was with need.

I licked her again.

And again.

Her flavor coated my tongue, only making my cock ache to the point of pain.

She tensed in my hands where I held her up slightly, her orgasm right on the edge.

I kissed her inner thigh, lowering her back to the bed.

“Fuck,” she groaned, equal parts aggravation and pleasure. “You’re killing me.”

I lifted up so that I was towering over her between her thighs. “You want me to stop?”

She immediately shook her head, and I smirked.

“Of course, you don’t, my needy little whore.”

A shiver ran the length of her body, and I held her lusty gaze for a few moments more before I slowly kissed her stomach, her ribs, and back up to her beautiful breasts. She sighed, all frustration and need as I started over.

Her body was tense beneath mine, all primed and ready to fire. And fuck me, when she came? It was going to be such a sexy fucking thing with how many times I’d walked her up to her release and then denied it, prolonged it.

“Gareth,” she said again, this time there was nothing but begging. “I can’t. I need you.” She struggled softly against the restraints again, like she kept forgetting she was tied up. Not being able to touch me or get me where she wanted only heightened the edging, but I could tell by the look on her face, she was more than into it.

“We’ve established that,” I said, sucking on a patch of skin beneath her jaw. “The question now is, how hard do you want me to go?”

“Hard,” she said instantly. “Please, give it to me hard.”

I nipped at her bottom lip before shifting between her thighs, using my cock to tease her drenched pussy. She moaned, a sharp keening because of how sensitive she was.

The position, the sound, the way her mouth parted… Fuck me, it almost made me come right then and there.

“You sure?” I asked, lining my cock up with her entrance. I sank in a couple inches, then pulled all the way out when she lifted to take me more.

“Yes!” she said.

“I want you to be really sure,” I said, teasing her again by sinking in an inch and then sliding back out.

“Fuck me,” she groaned in frustration.

I laughed softly. “Oh, angel, you’re about to get exactly what you’re asking for.”

“Prove it,” she challenged, and the defiant look she gave me had my blood spiking.

I plunged inside her, bottoming out before pulling all the way out again.

She gasped, her eyes fluttering at the quick move.

“Like that?”

“Yes,” she said. “More.”

I shifted, gripping her hips again before pumping into her with a hard stroke before pulling out again.

“God, yes,” she moaned.

I did it again.

And again.

Losing myself in the slick, silky feel of her needy pussy.

Losing myself in her moans, her demands for more.

I went harder, pumping into her so intensely the sound filled the room.

“Yes, Gareth. Omigod, yes.” She clenched around my cock, her drenched pussy fluttering as her orgasm built, primed from the torture I’d inflicted before. “I’m coming, I’m coming,” she breathed the words like I didn’t know, like I couldn’t feel her entire body reacting to what I was doing to her.

Warmth flooded around me as she moaned, gasping in surprise as her orgasm ripped through her. I kept pumping, thrusting fast, claiming her as hard as I could, pounding one orgasm right into another, losing myself in the feel of her intense pleasure dripping along my thighs.

It was so fucking good and she was so fucking perfect, coming undone beneath me, at the mercy of me. Everything in me tightened, narrowed to the way she still came, another orgasm rolling through her in waves that made her shake around me.

It made me come so fucking hard I blacked out for a few seconds. Slowly, I kept pumping, easing my pace until she stopped trembling. Then I leaned over her, kissing her lazily as I reached up and released her hands, before moving to do the same to her ankles.

She didn’t move, just stayed splayed out on the bed as she caught her breath.

I climbed off the bed, cleaning us both up before helping her sit up and handing her a glass of water. I made sure she drank the whole thing down before giving her naked body another inspection.

“You’re okay,” I said, but it sounded more like a question.

“More than,” she said, her tone sleepy, exhausted.

I took the empty glass from her and set it on the nightstand, cradling her face in my hands. “I didn’t go too hard?” I lost myself there at the end, fully adopting the role she’d begged me to play.

“Not at all,” she said. “I love the way I can still feel you,” she said, her eyes heavy.

I kissed her again, happiness spreading through my chest at her declaration.

“I’ve never,” she said, shaking her head. “Never come like that before.”

“You gave over full control,” I said, smiling with pure male pride. “And you liked it.”

“Loved it,” she said. “Loved it.”

I love you.

The words were there, beating against my chest, desperate to be declared.

But I didn’t want her to feel bound to me any more than she was already. So, I swallowed them down, instead drawing her against my chest as we settled into bed.

She fell asleep first, fast and deep.

And as I laid there, still coming down from the high as I held her in my arms, I knew that I was so far gone. I’d never survive if she ever decided to leave.