Page 24 of Her Marine Master

"I'm sorry about calling youDimples.I didn't mean to sound condescending.Well, maybe I did—so I'm sorry.But I love your dimples."

He cradled her head to lift it away from his chest and thumbed away her tears.Bending his head, he kissed her supple lips.They were softer than he'd imagined and so pliant.

She looped her arms around his neck, stroked the left side—the scarred side—of his face.

He grasped her wrists, lifting them up over her head, never breaking their lip lock.With his other hand, he slid under her halter top to cup her breast.Her nipple responded to his touch, hardening to a stiff peak.He pinched it, hard.He wanted her.In the worst way.

He shifted, grasping both her wrists and pulling them behind her back, where he pinned them with one hand.Her body tumbled against his when he yanked her forward, the heat from her skin sending a fresh kick of lust straight to his cock.

His brain short-circuited.Was this right?Or so very wrong?His body screamed right, his gut, too.But how could he trust his instincts when he'd been so fucked up for the past nine months?His rational brain yanked back on the reins.

You're going to hurt her.She doesn't deserve that.

"I don't know what we're doing here," he rasped against her neck.

She lifted her lovely face."I hoped you were going to fuck me.Hard."

His cock jerked against his jeans and he nearly groaned aloud.He forced out his breath."Yeah, but then what?"Somehow he made his lips work to speak."You're not the kinda girl a guy fucks and walks away from."

She stilled and he knew he'd hurt her again just by suggesting he wanted to walk away.He didn't—not really.It was just a pressure now, that heshould.But all she said was, "Let's just see where it takes us."

He made up another deal with fate.Named the fantasy that had been banging around in his head since the night before.The new one that he never thought he'd want."If I fuck you again, I'm going to make you my girl."

His 1950's housewife girl.

The joy that lit up her face stabbed him through the heart again.God, he did not deserve someone as pure and good as her.He tried to warn her off."I don't know if you're prepared for what that entails."

He spun their bodies so her back fell against the door.With a knee wedged between her legs, he pinned her wrists beside her face and bit her bare shoulder.He dragged his tongue along her collarbone, then back up her neck to flick her earlobe with the tip of his tongue.He wanted her so bad it made him dizzy.

"Tell me what it entails."Her voice sounded husky.Sexy as hell.

He didn't even know where the words came from—it was a fantasy he'd never even acknowledged."I'd be your man.I'd make rules for you, and you'd follow them or be punished.You'd belong to me—body and soul."

If he'd expected her to back off, he'd guessed wrong.Her nipples jutted out and she gyrated her hips, grinding down on his thigh.She was excited, not scared.

His breath shortened, his head swam with the vision of her as his little housewife, his girl."I'd be fair.I would…" He blinked at the force of emotion inspired by his proposal.To have this girl for his forever-girl.For keeps."I'd be good to you.Take care of you."He sounded gruff."I'd do anything for you—protect you, die to keep you safe if I had to.But you'd be mine to guide and correct."

Her enthusiasm hadn't dampened.She thrust herself against him, rocking those sweet little hips against his leg."Yes, yes," she breathed.

He cradled her face and kissed her again, a hard, demanding kiss.His tongue thrust into her mouth, lashing hers."You want that?"

She surrendered to him, her body soft and pliant, eager."Yes, sir," she murmured between kisses.It had a husky, sexy lilt—the hint of a tease.She may be inexperienced with dominance and submission, but her instincts were submissive through and through.She loved surrender.

He made a last deal with fate: If she accepted punishment now, she was truly his and he'd be in one hundred percent."Your first lesson will be in respect.You don't get to yell at me, even when you're upset."

She blinked and uncertainty crept into her expression, as if worried he was truly angry with her.

"You can speak your mind, but you have to stay respectful."

Her lips parted.

There.How would she take this, when it was semi-real?He thought for sure it would piss her off.

"I-I'm sorry."She looked genuinely upset.Because she was that sweet.

It pinched his heart.

He kissed the tremble in her lips away, teaching her, in this first lesson, that he'd be there for her.He wouldn't let her fall."I'm going to have to punish, you, Katie girl."