Ren didn’t want or need a man who’d coddle or pamper her endlessly. She needed a dominant man who wouldn’t give an inch and who would take her to the very edge of her boundaries and then pull her back with a gentle hand.

And hell yes, he could be that man. He was that man. Ren may not know it yet. But in a few days’ time, any doubt she may have would be gone. He’d damn well make sure of that.

CHAPTER 20

Shopping with Cole was a whole new experience for Ren. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t shopped with him in the past, but they’d had a decidedly smaller budget back in the day. They’d bought things like jeans, tennis shoes and seen budget films at the dollar cinema. They may have walked by an exclusive retail shop, but that was the extent of any name-brand shopping for them.

This time, Cole seemed determined to cater to her every desire and not only that but he was involved in every single purchase. He studied each outfit, had her try on every pair of shoes and then he simply made his selections based on what he thought looked the best on her.

As for her part, she hadn’t a single complaint. His tastes were as impeccable as Lucas’s. He knew precisely what complemented her figure, her hair, her coloring and he seemed to love any top that showed off her tattoo.

She also discovered his love of ultrafeminine lingerie. He loved her in soft colors. Pinks, peaches, lavenders. Lucas usually leaned more toward black and darker, more sultry colors. Cole liked …girlie.

He was also wickedly evil. He’d requested she try on a particular set of lingerie complete with the hot pink stilettos he’d picked out himself. Ren called them Barbie shoes. Cole merely informed her she looked hot in them.

His eyes glittered in approval as she stood before him, clad in pale pink lace panties and a matching bra and wearing those killer fuck-me shoes.

Okay and well, she had to admit, she felt like a total bombshell with the way he devoured her with his gaze.

“Tonight I’m going to fuck you in nothing more than those shoes,” he said in a growly voice. “I’m going to hold on to the heels and spread you wide while I ride you long and hard.”

Oh hell. A shudder worked up her body. Her knees shook and she nearly went down in those heels. Cole was on his feet and caught her to him but chuckled at how flustered she appeared. He knew exactly his effect on her. He delighted in it.

“I could fuck you right here, Ren. The saleslady won’t interrupt. She’s perfectly happy to give us all the time and privacy we want.”

“It’s not her I’m worried about,” Ren muttered, not willing to admit just how turned on she was by the idea of him fucking her right in the dressing room. Or maybe even turn her over his knee and mark her bottom in her pretty new underwear. Or maybe he would make her suck his cock on her knees while he sat so indolently in that chair where he’d watched her model.

Her imagination had taken her on a delicious trip through all the possibilities.

“What I wouldn’t give to see what’s going on in that pretty head of yours right now,” Cole murmured. “Care to share?”

She shook her head vehemently and actually blushed. She hadn’t felt like a little girl in so very long and now she was actually blushing like a preteen with her first crush.

“No way I want someone to walk in on us!” she whispered.

Cole smiled.

That smile made her immediately suspicious and her eyes narrowed as his smile only grew more arrogant. He crooked his finger, his eyes daring her to refuse.

She took the few steps to close the distance, her pulse racing. He touched her jaw and then leaned down so he was a mere breath from her mouth.

Oh but he was delicious. He looked delicious and smelled so yummy she wanted to lick him from top to bottom and everywhere in between. He oozed sexuality from every pore. He was the type of man who she’d pick out of a crowd every single time. Aloof. Confident. A little arrogant. Bold. And absolutely, mouth-wateringly gorgeous.

“The store is closed, my darling. There is only you and me and a very happy saleslady who was only too thrilled to close the store for us to have a very private shopping excursion. And I guarantee she won’t appear until I’ve summoned her.”

“In that case,” she murmured.

“Care to share what devious thoughts you were having?”

She grinned. “I am ever obedient.”

“Mmm, yes you are. Now I must consider what I want my darling submissive to do.”

She lowered her eyes demurely and then took a step back just so he could see her in those decadent heels and the frothy pink lingerie that he did seem to love so. She was so excited she nearly went up on tiptoe in her eagerness to see what he would exact from her.

His eyes immediately went dark with approval. The power that rolled off him was a tangible wave that wrapped around her and lured her seductively in.

Oh yes, she was his. She would do whatever he commanded. She would please him as he’d never been pleased. It was a sudden, fierce need that came from deep within. From her soul. It was a craving as strong as any desire she’d ever experienced. She wanted to be his, wanted his strength and his dominance. Right here, right now, among the beautiful outfits he was showering her with. She wanted him to assert his dominance and his ownership.

When his hands dropped to his belt, her knees threatened to give out. Slowly and methodically, he undid the buckle and pulled at the leather until it came free of his slacks.

She had no idea what he planned to do with that belt but she hoped. Oh God, she hoped. She could literally feel the hot kiss of leather on her ass and she nearly swooned with want.

“Go to the mirror,” he ordered.

His voice was all business and yet layered with a gruff darkness that was so very seductive.

She honest to God wasn’t sure if she could take the three steps to the mirror.

She put one foot hesitantly in front of the other, grateful when she remained steady.

“Face it and put your hands up over your head, palms pressed to the glass, then push out so there is space between your body and the mirror.”

She did as he commanded. Pressed her palms to the full-length mirror and then took one step back.

“Spread your legs and look at yourself.”

She raised startled eyes to view herself, surprised at how aroused and how …drugged …she looked. Already she was well on her way to a place only he could take her. She embraced it. Welcomed it. Craved it with every inch of her body.

He slid his hand over the curve of her behind. Caressed the cheeks, one and then the other. He toyed with the thin strip that covered the cleft of her ass and then smoothed his hand over the plump flesh again.

“Such a beautiful ass, Ren. Perfectly shaped. So deliciously fuckable. But equally delicious? My mark on those pretty, dusky cheeks.”

Without warning he issued a sharp slap with his hand. It rocked her forward and she closed her eyes as the bite of pain was quickly replaced with the warm haze of pleasure.

“Open your eyes, Ren. I want you to watch yourself while I use my belt on your ass. I want you to see how beautiful you are. And then you’re going to watch me fuck you from behind while you keep your hands against the glass. If you move them. Even an inch. I’ll punish you.”

Her eyes widened. They hadn’t discussed punishment. She wasn’t even sure what he considered punishment. Lucas rarely ever punished her. There was no need. She took her obedience very seriously. It was a matter of respect and she’d never disrespect Lucas or Cole.

Cole smiled back at her. “You won’t move your hands, Ren. I know you.”

No, she wouldn’t move them. No matter what he did. No matter what he made her endure. No matter how much he drove her wild with mind-blowing pleasure. She’d obey and she wouldn’t move her hands.

“Face forward.”

Her gaze returned to her own reflection and she saw the excitement and anticipation glowing in her eyes. Behind her, he moved and then looked directly at her, ensuring she was doing as he’d commanded.

She flexed her fingers against the glass just as the leather snapped across her ass. She jumped, flinching against the sudden fire. Just as quickly a whispery moan escaped her lips and her eyes turned all soft and glowy as pleasure hummed through her veins.

“Don’t look away,” he said hoarsely. “See how beautiful and wild you look. See what I see.”

She stared back at the woman in the mirror. She was beautiful. Her eyes flashed. Her neck arched. Her hair flowed over her shoulders and she looked seductive, sensual and vibrant.

The belt snapped against her flesh again and it was all she could do to keep her eyes open as bliss descended. Each blow was an erotic mix of edgy, fiery pain and decadent ecstasy.

He wasn’t easy. He didn’t wimp out. He didn’t pretend to spank her and throw little pats her way. She would have been deeply disappointed and thoroughly unsatisfied. This was what she needed. That edge. The thin line between what she could and couldn’t take. She wanted it pushed. She wanted to strain her very limits every single time. She wanted him to take her there and then pull her back with a loving hand. Just like Lucas.

“How many can you take, Ren?”

She blinked, perplexed by the question. It wasn’t one she should answer. Through her haze, she knew the right answer.

“As many as you choose to give me.”

Satisfaction carved a line through his features. His mouth firmed and his eyes glinted in approval.

“Your ass is so pretty. It has a nice rosy blush that complements your lingerie quite nicely. The only thing better than the marks from my belt will be the fingerprints I leave when I hold you down and fuck you.”

She shivered and her palms slid the barest of inches, suddenly slick against the smooth glass. She was quick to reposition herself, ready for the next lash.

It came like fire. Quick. Searing. Suddenly one after the other. He forewent the methodical striping that he’d begun and peppered a line over her entire ass until her entire backside throbbed and burned.

Then the belt slid from his hand and landed on the floor, the metal buckle clinking on the polished tile. He gripped her ass in both palms, massaging roughly over her burning flesh.

Impatiently, he ripped the thin lace of the panties and they fell down one leg to hang at her knee. He pushed upward on her buttocks, baring the entrance to her pussy, drawing it so tight she knew it would be almost impossible for him to get inside her easily.

She didn’t want easy. She wanted an animalistic taking.

He unzipped his slacks but left them on. His cock protruded through the fly and he rolled a condom on before returning his hands to her ass.

He slapped the cheeks to bring back the burn. He continued to administer stinging swats until she moaned and twisted restlessly in his hold.

Then he was inside her. Quick. Brutal. Shocking.

But so very good.

She leaned her forehead against the glass, overwhelmed by the ferocity of his possession. He was so thick and huge within her. She’d been damp, but she hadn’t been completely prepared. She loved how snugly she fit around him. Loved the delicious friction of his too-large erection in her tight opening.

“You’re resisting me, Ren,” Cole said as his fingers dug more tightly into her ass.

He gave another hard push and she gasped when he only gained an inch. Then he pulled out, his cock rippling over swollen, engorged flesh. She nearly orgasmed on the spot and had to use all her restraint not to let go.

“Open for me. Take me all the way,” he ordered.

Then he surged forward, until his hips slapped against her hips. His entry was rough, delicious, painful, intensely pleasurable. A whole host of conflicting sensations that had her incoherent.

Her mind went blank. She couldn’t even conjure the simplest of thoughts. All she was aware of was Cole’s possession. Him inside her. And how very right it felt.

Her face was flushed. Eyes heavy and drugged. Her lips were swollen and yet he hadn’t kissed her. Had she bitten them in reaction to the mind-numbing bliss she was experiencing?

Her hair was tousled and sexy around her face. She looked like a wild creature wrestled and subdued. She arched her neck and moaned when he rammed into her again.

Then suddenly he pulled out and wrapped his arm around her waist. She was lifted into the air and he carried her across the room to where one of the armchairs was positioned.

He pushed her roughly down and ordered her to grip the arms of the chair with her hands. Then he lifted the bottom half of her body up so that her weight was supported by her hands gripping the arms. He spread her and then thrust back into her.

“I needed deeper,” he rasped. “I can take you deeper this way. Keep your head down. Arch your ass. Open yourself to me, baby, Ah hell, that’s it. Love it when I’m deep inside you.”

The words slid over her flesh like the finest silk.

He fucked her ruthlessly, taking his pleasure and driving her further and further to madness. After a moment, he picked her up again, like she weighed nothing, and positioned her on the large ottoman on her hands and knees. And then he fucked her from behind for five long minutes.