Lose Control Read online

  One word had never meant so much. Myles let out the breath he hadn’t even known he’d been holding and shook his head. This whole time, he had been so focused and worried about remaining in control that he hadn’t seen the truth… She was the one in control, had been since the moment she walked back into his life. The amount of relief washing over him was all the evidence he needed of the power she held over him.

  “I have two conditions, though.”

  “Anything.” He meant it. Whatever she wanted or needed, it was hers. Especially since he was itching to dive between her legs and find out if he was right about her thong situation or lack thereof. Now that he knew what direction they were going, he was eager to get started on their future and all the pleasurable positions they were going to use to get there. His cock twitched in agreement.

  “First, I don’t do offices or cubicles. Being cooped up all day makes me want to run. Fast.”

  Myles smiled. “Done. You’ll have an office, but you’ll be traveling a large majority of the time, and I’ll be accompanying you on most of your trips. It’s a field position where you meet our current and potential vendors face to face. The only time you will be required to be in the office is for monthly staff meetings.”

  “Is Blake one of the vendors I will be managing?” Cassie said with a wicked glint in her eye.

  “Not a chance in hell.”

  “Don’t trust me, huh?”

  “It’s Blake I don’t trust. Besides, I make it a point to frequently visit our vendors. It’s good business and a win-win situation all around now that we can share a hotel room and make use of the bed on the corporate jet.”

  “Whatever happened to business is business and pleasure is pleasure?” Cassie laughed and stood up. Myles reached out, unsuccessfully, in attempt to pull her back down as she took a quick step back. “Second condition and most important. I care about you, Myles. All of you. Don’t let go. Because, I don’t want you to, and to prove it...”

  Cassie’s words trailed off as she reached into the delectable cleavage line her breasts created and slowly began pulling out a long, sheer stocking. Apparently, she had stopped by the bedroom because he was positive nothing had been hidden there earlier. Myles wasn’t sure how a piece of hosiery could prove anything, though. Other than how much he wanted to take a look for himself to see if she had anything else stuffed in there.

  Captivated, he watched as the silky material magically appeared and trailed against her creamy skin. The woman was a damn seductress, and he couldn’t wait until his tongue was licking the same area. The way her nipples were pebbling and straining against her shirt, Myles didn’t have to guess her thoughts weren’t far behind his.

  When the stocking was completely free, she continued. “I was going to use this on you. Tie you up, and show you letting someone else be in control for once can be just as pleasurable. We can do that another time. Right now, I want you to do the tying.” Cassie draped the stocking over her wrists, clasped her hands, and came to stand before him. “I’m all in, too, Myles. Trust me when I tell you that I trust you.”

  He stared for a moment in awe and taken aback. Bondage had been a no-fly zone since his ex. The damage he’d done that night had kept him far away from any thoughts of repeating the experience. Knowing Cassie was fully aware of what had happened and could still believe in him so completely, to offer herself to him in such a way, was both staggering and humbling. His chest swelled at the emotions suddenly settling there. To him, her trust was the ultimate gift, and he was going to cherish that, and her, for as long as she would allow him.

  Myles stood up and ran the back of his hand down her cheek, past her neck, and continued down the length of her arms until he reached her hands. He wrapped and secured her wrists with a knot before he reached down to scoop her into his arms.

  Myles looked down at the woman who had freed him from the restraints he’d placed upon himself and taught him in such a short time he didn’t have to hold back or keep himself in check. That letting go and letting himself feel was okay. Better than okay. It was the right thing to do.

  “I’m not sure how I got so lucky to have you come back into my life after all these years, but I’m not going to second guess it again. You’re perfect, in every sense of the word, and you make me want to be perfect for you.”

  “Perfection is overrated. I’ll take flawed any day. As long as there is some spanking involved.”

  She waggled her eyebrows at him, causing him to chuckle as he started making his way to the bedroom. “Baby, I might not be able to promise you romance, but that is one thing I can guarantee is in your future.”

  Epilogue

  Cassie slid into the back of the limo, thanking the driver as he closed the door behind her. As soon as it shut, a deep voice echoed throughout the interior.

  “Come here.”

  A shiver ran over her at the command and she quickly shimmied across the seat, all too eager to get close to Myles. Over the past three weeks, they hadn’t spent more than a few hours apart. They laughed, talked, traveled, worked, and had phenomenal sex together each and every day. And Cassie couldn’t be happier.

  This latest business trip, however, had come out of nowhere and included a scheduling snafu where there was one very important person missing from their usual joined at the hip status—him. Three days and two insufferably lonely nights later, she couldn’t wait to get back into his arms.

  Strong hands wrapped around her waist and lifted to place her across his lap. The second she was seated, he cupped the back of her neck and pulled her close, his lips descending on hers in a hungry and consuming kiss. Cassie instantly opened for him. The desperation of needing to feel him, taste him after what felt like an eternity, fueled her movements as she met each stroke of his tongue with her own. His fingers dug into her hip where the palm of his free hand had landed possessively and, with a groan, he pulled back to place his forehead on hers.

  “Christ, I missed you.”

  Fighting the urge to pout that his mouth wasn’t fused to hers anymore, Cassie snuggled her head against his neck instead and breathed in his familiar scent. “I missed you, too.”

  How had she ever managed to get through a day without him? Before him? Cassie had always been strong, independent, stubborn, carefree… But, Myles completed her in a way she hadn’t realized she’d been lacking. With him, she found contentment and a happiness that could only be described as blissful.

  Yep, she’d turned into that girl. Hopelessly in love, nauseatingly happy, and quite literally whipped. Well, if she had any say in the matter, she would be as soon as they were alone and they could try out the new toys she’d bought while she was in Miami. Among the cat-of-nine-tails, she’d grabbed some silk ropes, a flogger, and nipple clamps.

  That last day at the cabin, she learned a vital lesson. Bondage can be damn freeing. Not only did tying her up allow Myles to finally get over his past and toss away the baggage he’d been carrying around with him, Cassie realized that there was an inner freak-streak running deep and hot within her. Apparently, it had always been there lurking within, hidden alongside her desire to be submissive. Her true nature just needed a little coaxing to rise to the surface and, thanks very much to Myles for spanking that bad girl right out into the world.

  Since then, they had delved into their fantasies and experimented in the bedroom, raising the kink level to new, tantalizing heights. Cassie loved every moment of their sexual adventures and loved Myles even more for unlocking that side of her. Did she mention she was beyond over-the-moon for the man? The only thing missing was a declaration of said love.

  The words had been on the tip of her tongue and nearly tumbled out so many times she’d lost count, but she’d bit them back, wanting him to lead the pace of their relationship. When he was ready, he would admit his feelings. Besides, she didn’t need verbal reassurances. Okay, admitted, she wanted to hear it. Desperately. But, she could wait. His actions spoke louder than any words that could be said any
way. With how he tended to go overboard with grand gestures and attempts at romanticism, the day he did admit his love would probably be in a hot air balloon flying high in the sky as the words were spread across the landscape below.

  Cassie swore Myles sat around reading blogs and articles, thinking of new and wondrous ways to prove he could be as romantic as the next guy. Not that she minded. She liked the attention and thoughtfulness as much as any girl, but seriously, nothing was small when it came to Myles. He went big or went home, and after a few subtle hints about him not needing to prove anything or being a tad more understated—like having a single dozen roses delivered instead of what was the equivalent to a whole florist—had fallen on deaf ears, she’d given up and chosen to appreciate he was doing all of it for her. Nothing wrong with that, and he could hire an entire marching band to spell out her name on a fifty-yard line while playing show tunes if that’s what he wanted. At least she could honestly say he wasn’t boring. Complete opposite was more like it. Myles was constantly surprising her, making each moment together seem fresh and new. Although, speaking of gestures that went above and beyond…

  “So, are you going to tell me why you picked me up from the airport in a limousine? What’s the occasion?”

  “Because I didn’t want to have to wait until we got to where we were going to hold you. I won’t wait when it comes to you.” Myles wrapped his arms around her tighter. “For future reference, you are never going without me again. These past few days nearly killed me. Not to mention those damn pictures you sent. Were you trying to make me walk around with a raging hard-on for three days?”

  Cassie smiled. Actually, yeah, that had been the general idea. Not having Myles with her gave her a lot of free time at night when she was lying in the hotel’s king-sized bed. She decided to take a few images with the new toys, in various positions, and then send them along during the day when she knew he was in meetings or indisposed where he couldn’t react immediately. Timing was everything and, no doubt, she would pay for her actions. Her core quivered at the thought.

  “You liked them, then?” She wiggled against him. Would it be wrong to take advantage of the blackened-out windows? Waiting wasn’t very high on her list of favorite things either. “Even the one where I was bent over using the flog—”

  “Cassie.” Myles groaned out a warning as his cock twitched under her backside. “We will discuss your penance for the daily torment sessions and painful reminders that I couldn’t sink into your wet pussy whenever my cock roared to life courtesy of those photos later. Trust me, baby, torture is a two-way street. You have three days to be accountable for and before I’m through, you will become intimately familiar with exactly how much I liked them. Especially, when I use that flogger on your sweet ass. But, for now, we have somewhere we need to be.”

  Cassie leaned back, giving him a quizzical look. “I thought we were going back to your apartment.”

  “We are going home.” Myles reached behind him, revealing a black blindfold. “That’s the surprise.”

  Huh? That didn’t make any sense. Cassie looked between him and the black mask with satiny purple ribbons used for ties. If she wasn’t so suspicious of his intentions, she’d be turned on by the sheer decadence and promise the blindfold held. Okay, she was turned on, but he was up to something and, whatever it was, she would bet her new toys it had nothing to do with the images currently running through her mind.

  “What surprise, Myles?”

  A smug smile formed on his lips. “Hands, Cassie.”

  She instantly placed her arms behind her back, twining her fingers together as a surge of anticipation raced through her veins and shot straight down to land between her legs. Myles using the gentle demand that so often started their love-making sessions created an automatic response. Heat pooled and her breath quickened. Every cell in her body hummed and became hyper-alert, waiting for what normally came next—pleasure.

  Maybe she was wrong and having sweaty blindfolded sex in the back of the limousine was his plan after all? Fingers crossed. A woman could hope.

  Slowly, he inched over, placing the mask over her eyes and tying the ribbons snug at the back of her head. The world went dark as he slid her off his lap to gently position her with her legs slightly apart and her back arched.

  Myles swept her hair behind her shoulder as his warm breath fanned against the sensitive skin below her ear. “Baby, seeing you like this makes me so fucking hard. You know why?” He kissed the base of her neck, nibbling and running his teeth along her flesh, sending shivers cascading over her. “Because, not knowing what I’m about to do to you and being at my complete and utter mercy excites you, makes you hot. Can you feel the way your nipples are tightening? They’re pushing against that shirt, begging me to give them some attention, and it’s sexy as hell.”

  Cassie’s breathing hitched as what felt like his palm trailed down the center of her chest and her nipples peaked to the point of painful in anticipation. With the loss of her sight, her nerve endings became overly sensitive to his every move. His touch felt like flames scorching her skin, and when he ever-so-slightly finally brushed over her breasts, the contact sent electric bolts zinging through her. The air rushed out of her lungs in a hiss and she arched her back into his hand, begging for more.

  “So responsive. So beautiful. Should I check to see if you’re wet, too?”

  His hand continued lower, past her stomach, to the top of her pants, and came to rest in between her thighs. Cassie felt him cup her mound as the warmth of his touch seeped through the material to stroke her pussy. She rotated her hips, silently prompting him to move, to do something about the ache he was creating. Instead, he remained still and said, “We’re here.”

  Cassie couldn’t help it. She whimpered when he removed his hand, and a chuckle sounded at her side. “Easy, baby, you won’t have to wait much longer. Before I’m done, you’ll reenact each one of the poses in those pictures you sent.” His lips covered hers in a quick kiss. “For my pleasure and, most assuredly, for yours.”

  “No time like the present to get started then,” she said, swallowing back the groan of frustration threatening to escape. Now who was killing who? Paybacks were a bitch and she’d just been handed a good dose of her own medicine. Myles played as dirty as she did and didn’t that just make her smile? The pleasure he promised would come, but getting there was half the fun, and that made her smile even more.

  She heard Myles, still chuckling, getting out from his side of the limo a moment before her door opened. He cautioned her to be careful as his hands guided her from the back seat, over what she assumed was the curb, and then a few more steps before they came to stop. She tilted her head to listen to the sounds surrounding her. The usual hustle and bustle of the city she’d grown accustomed to while at his apartment was gone, replaced by an odd tranquility. The air seemed cleaner, birds chirped in the distance, and she could swear someone was cutting grass nearby. She might not be able to see anything, but there was no mistaking that they were not home.

  Guess she was about to find out, because Myles started to work at releasing the knot at the back of her head. The blindfold fell away, and Cassie quickly blinked against the transition from dark to light. When her eyes refocused, she took a look from side to side. Nope, definitely not in the city. At least not the downtown part.

  The area looked more like one of those exclusive development communities with the mountains forming the backdrop to houses with expansive yards and neighbors that were close but not too close. The homes were most likely expensive, reserved for wealthy power couples, and to the right people, worth every penny. The serenity of living outside the city combined with the beautiful homes were the selling point and draw for most.

  Cassie had to admit, the house they were standing in front of was amazing. She was taken by its sleek and modern look with two stories of enormous windows that were surrounded by metal and stone. The structured lines and crisp look of the construction captured the attention, but
it was the plush colors of the landscaping that held it. Trees were scattered throughout the lawn while blooming flowers and green shrubs lined the walkway to the massive front porch where two wrought-iron rocking chairs with plush cushions had been placed. The contrast between hard and soft, man-made and nature, were in perfect balance, and if she had ever imagined her dream home, this would probably be it.

  She turned to Myles and asked, “Whose house is this?”

  “Ours.”

  “Wh..what? Ou…ours?” Cassie stuttered before clamping her mouth shut, refusing to make any more attempts at an intelligent response until she processed the bombshell Myles just dropped at her feet. Did he really just say…? Was he serious? She peered up at his expression. There was definitely no joking in those eyes, only determination and something that resembled… hope?

  Holy crap! And hello! Can we say grand gesture? Even for him, this was over the top. Still needing some clarification at the enormity of what he was saying, she took a breath and asked, “Myles? Did you buy us a house?”

  “Not yet. But it’s ours if we want it. A developer friend is holding out for our answer before he puts it on the market.”

  “I…I don’t know what to say.” Being shell-shocked would do that to a girl.

  “Hear me out, Cassie. I have a proposal.”

  Myles fished into his pocket, pulled out a key, and held it up to her as he lowered himself to one knee. The reality was that he was not holding a ring. Her brain knew that. Tell that to her body, though. Because, seeing him in that position made her stomach do a somersault and her heart pound.

  “Cassie, I fell for you all those years ago when you walked into the store where I was working, and I fell even harder when you walked into my office. I don’t care about how we’ve only been together for a few weeks, you had my heart the moment I saw you. Both times. I meant what I said when I told you I was all in. I love you, Cassie, and if you’re willing, take this step with me. Accept the key and we can start building the future I know we are meant to have with one another. Today. In this house. In our home.”