“Ah, Romeo… I…” I had no words.

Rome’s toned hips thrust furiously into my hand. “Let go, Mol… fuckin’ let go,” he growled, and with a final stroke, I broke apart, his mouth clashing against mine to consume my moans. His hand didn’t stop its rhythm and drained every ounce of pleasure from my flustered body writhing on top of his.

I continued to stroke him and with a guttural grunt, he tilted his hips to the side and came in long, hard bursts, spilling himself onto the grass.

As we both gradually slowed our movements to a stop, I wrapped both arms around his neck, and our combined breaths mingled in the small space, Rome’s hand still pressed intimately against me.

Romeo’s fingers stroked leisurely along my sex and I mewled against his cheek as he nibbled the skin in the crook of my neck. I lifted my head and leaned back so I could look into his deep-brown eyes.

“Hey, Mol,” he croaked, his chest still erratic from his release.

I blushed. “Hey, you.”

“You okay?” he asked, searching my eyes for something. I wasn’t sure what.

I lowered my gaze and nodded. “More than okay.”

“Look at me,” he instructed sternly.

I complied eagerly.

“You liked that? You liked how I spoke to you, how I ordered you?” He seemed nervous, out of sorts, as though he expected me to be angry.

I did like it. I had little experience with sex, but the way he commanded me stirred something within me. It made me feel liberated on some unknown level.

“Mol, you did like it… didn’t you?” Vulnerability affected the usual hardness of his voice.

“I did, Romeo. I-I didn’t know that I’d like it… like that… but… I think we both know I did.”

A small smile transformed his normally hardened features and he took my hand and ran it across his ribs. “Are they all there?”

I frowned. “What?”

“My ribs. Is there one missin’?”

My hand smoothed up and down his sides. “Okay, I think you’ve lost it. You think you’re missing a rib?”

He exhaled a quiet laugh. “Just thought God took one of mine when he made you.”

Although he was playing, his words made me melt inside. “Romeo. At times you’re really sweet, you know that?”

He winked. “Only for you.”

I kissed the palm of his hand, reflecting on what just happened. It confused me how right it felt—his orders, demands, instructions—but I didn’t want more than that. I could relinquish control to Romeo, but not delve into darker territories.

“What you thinkin’?” Rome cupped my cheeks.

I chewed on my thumbnail. “When you say you like to order, just how far does that need to dominate go?”

He chuckled. “I’m not a sadist, so you can take that look off your pretty face. I just like to be in control… I don’t know… It’s how I am. There are some pretty shitty things in my life that I can’t have power over so I need it with the things I’m good at. I just need the assurance that I’m in charge. I’m a good QB ‘cause I like to lead, run the show. It’s the same with sex.”

It made sense; he needed control. Not in a sordid way, but as a necessity for his sanity.

“I liked how you took control. I’m so used to having to be independent and self-sufficient, always making the decisions, and I hate it. That felt… freeing to give myself over to you, to hand over the reins.”

A strange expression spread on his face, the fierceness of it knocking me back enough to lose balance. Romeo held me steady in his arms.

“You’re mine now, Mol. You know that, right? I’ve never had anyone respond to me like you do—every move, kiss, and stroke—full and complete surrender of yourself.” His fingers, still flat against my heat, picked up speed.

I sobbed out a cry and bit the nail of my thumb to hold back the screams. “Yes, I’m yours.”

Rome pulled my thumb into his hand. “You’re gonna make me crazy with that move, Mol. I’d rather put an object more satisfying there if you need somethin’ to play with.”

I expelled a small gasp. “I… I…”

“In time. Not yet,” he assured, somewhat amused.

My eyes rolled back. “Romeo… your hand…”

“Is going to satisfy you again. And I’m gonna watch you let loose. I’m gonna watch you unravel in my arms and I’m gonna love it, Mol. You get that? I’m gonna control your every desire,” he hissed through clenched teeth as his fingers plunged deeper inside me.

“Yes… Yes…”

And he did. He hit every note with perfection.

I shuddered as I let out a shrilled cry and slumped onto his chest. We lay that way for a long time and he eventually removed his hands from within me, zipped up his jeans, and pulled me to lie across his lap. I closed my eyes and dozed against his warm chest, enjoying the feel of his light caresses on my cheek, thoroughly exhausted.

I woke slowly as Romeo gently twisted me between his legs, laying my back flush against his chest. “The sun is settin’. I thought you might like to watch it go down with me.”

A surge of happiness burst from my heart. “I would like that.”

The sky was blood-red, the warmth from the sun casting a pink-hued tint and the big yellow sphere dropped down to a half circle, dimming the large creek in a smouldering golden glow.

Romeo’s breath scattered the air at my ear. “Tell me about your family, Mol.”

I flinched as the shards of panic stabbed at my chest, and I stiffened, trying to find some kind of relief. Romeo, on feeling my reaction, grasped my hand in his, folding me in his embrace. His warm, safe embrace.

“Tell me, Mol. Tell me about your family. Why are you filled with such pain?”

I took a fortifying breath and watched as the last few rebellious flares of the orange sun were dragged down to the horizon. “I don’t know where to start really.”

“The beginnin’. I want to know you, all of you, inside and out.” The reverence in his voice caused me to tremble.

“Okay.”

I shifted into a comfortable position, my head on his chest, hearing the comforting thud of his heart. “My mother died at my birth. I was her only child. She died through complications.” I squeezed my eyes shut, focusing on Rome’s hold, and opened them again to stare at the calm water of the creek, letting the still of the surface sooth me. “I’ve got her picture. I look just like her.”