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LAREN

I 'd emailed Dr. Cushions multiple times to make sure that she understood what I needed. She was to weed out rotten apples and find me somebody safe to play with. After being single for two years and being afraid to let a man get within six feet of me, my body craved sexual attention. I'd denied myself that kind of relief from another person for too long and my senses were hyper-aware.

I didn't trust myself not to hump the first man I came across with similar interests, so I contacted a professional. Dr. Cushions was the best in the business and though her usual Forte was love, I needed her to find me a play partner that wasn't looking for anything serious. Casual safe hookups were what I required and anything more was off-limits.

I thought the task was damn near impossible, but two weeks later, she was in my inbox, telling me she'd found the perfect match. It made me doubt if her skills were as good as she claimed them to be. Or was she pretending because she knew the task was bigger than her capabilities?

Dr. Cushions verified with me three times that she'd screened this guy and even did a video chat to verify that he understood. He'd passed all the tests with flying colors. And now she wanted us to meet in person to see if she'd found my match. The guy had insisted that we meet at an exclusive VIP club. I'd heard about it, but never been. Dr. Cushions verified the club by sending her people in. The only threat was the no-nonsense bouncer out front. She repeatedly assured me it was safe, but I found it hard to believe her because of my past experience of being stalked by someone I was involved with.

But I was here. Staring up at the big bad bouncer who was looking for my name on his tablet screen filled with lists and wondering if this was the right decision. He was handsome but didn't hold my attention since I was more concerned about the one waiting for me inside.

"You're in the Red Room." He confirmed. "Inside, there will be two escorts waiting to take you back." He nodded toward the door and looked over my shoulder, officially dismissing me.

"Rude," I mumbled as I passed him.

"I'll let Salt know how you feel," he said.

I looked up and his gaze pinned me to the spot that I was in.

"Who is Salt?" I asked, squinting at him.

"You'll find out soon enough."

I sighed, becoming more alarmed about this. Inside, the dimly lit room didn't hold my attention. I was more concerned about the men approaching.

"Right this way." The one on the right said.

I nodded and followed him back to the room he was leading me to. As I passed women, none of them seemed to be enslaved or here against their will. Hoping I wouldn’t regret anything. I firmed my shoulders and marched toward my impending doom.

When we arrived at the door, one escort handed me a phone. Confused, I took it and there was a call waiting.

"Hello," I spoke into the cell.

"If you were serious about this, there's no turning back after you come in."

I swallowed, hearing his smooth baritone through the line.

"I am."

"Then enter my beautiful slut. I hate waiting."

I gasped just as the line went silent. I wanted to be offended. Tried to not like the contrast of his dirty and sweet name for me. However, his words settled low in my belly, turning the crude meaning complimentary.

I opened the door and stepped inside, closing it behind me. When I turned around, I inhaled a sharp breath as I was met with the view of a man so damn divine I wondered if I was in the wrong room.

He sat forward on the edge of the bed with his elbows resting on his thighs. Black ink swirled around his upper chest, shoulders, and arms. He wore no shirt and jet-black jeans. His beard appeared soft with tight curls that enticed me to touch it. The man was sinful with his intense gaze and bad boy charm dripping in the air.

"Damn…" He exhaled. "I'm going to enjoy breaking you, beautiful. And when I do, you're going to shine so bright that you'll forget about anything else." He pulled at the hair on his chin and licked his lips.

“Break me?” I flinched, offended by his words.

“Yeah. Into small fucking pieces so that nobody can ever put that version of you back together.” He stood and advanced toward me. “Today starts a new beginning. I just need to figure out what parts of you are worth saving.”

He wasn’t my fucking savior. His arrogance was making the room so thick that I couldn’t breathe. So was the way that he stalked me. Too much too fast.

“You wanted it rough, right?” He stopped so close to my face that I could smell the sweetness from whatever cherry candy he’d been eating. Twizzlers, maybe?

I nodded.

“Say it.”

“Say… what?” I dared to look up into his eyes, but couldn’t. His mouth had my eyes fixated on it, so I couldn't.

“That you need it rough. That you want me to take away your options and force your hand. Say that you’ll be my beautiful slut and that when this is over, you’ll be a better version of yourself.”

I swallowed again, and the door seemed safer. Exiting through it was the only option that would allow me to go back to how things were before I contacted Dr. Cushions. It also was a death sentence for my bravado and any chance of moving forward.

“I need it rough.” I sighed, not remembering anything else that he said. Instead, I added my twist. “I want to feel owned and treasured in a way that removes the doubts and fears. Rough… It’s the ability to follow your most primal needs and when it’s over, there are no regrets. Just bliss. But then,” I made sure that I was ready to say what I had to because if he was truly the man he’d claimed to be. He’d knock me on my ass for sure. “Then I need him–you to soothe the vulnerability so it doesn’t feel so damn dirty.” I sighed.

“Dirty is the only way to be, though. There won’t be any soothing of what we’ve done. I’m not here to make that go away for you. Instead, I want you to embrace it. Feel that energy and blossom.”

His fingertips skated across the tops of my breasts until they dipped between them in my low-cut dress. Then he moved them up over my chest until his hand snaked around my throat. My breathing was erratic and my chest rose and fell heavier than before. When his hold tightened, I licked my lips in appreciation and a moan slipped free.

“The real question is, how much can you handle?” His hand squeezes and my pulse quickened. Before I could object, his free hand was up my dress and inside my panties. He stroked my clit like he had a right to.

I pushed him away forcefully, and though he took a step back, he didn’t waver. He was back on me, quickly kissing the space beneath my ear.

“Show me what you’ve got.” He said with the side of his face pressed against mine.

My adrenaline spiked, and I fought him off me while his hands caressed my skin. I didn’t fear that he was trying to hurt me. Instead, it felt like a game that I needed to win. When his fingers pressed into my thighs, I moaned deep in my throat. The sharp pain of his nails biting into my skin had my body shaken and ready for more. I wanted to kiss him, convince him with my lips to give me more of what he was doing. But he’d told me to show him what I was capable of. It was time to show him. I shoved him hard, giving me a bit of space, and when he growled at me as he advanced again, I shrieked and my instincts took over. I moved my hand, smacking him across the face, and then I jumped up at him.

His eyes flared, and he caught me. Then he spun me around and the next thing I knew, he pressed me against the bed with my arm anchored in a holding position behind my back. The other was underneath me, pinned in place. I panted, out of breath, and feeling defeated momentarily. I’d given him a run for his money because he, too, was panting.

“Shit, girl.” He pulled my panties over my ass and I closed my eyes to hide the humiliation I was feeling. He hissed before his fingers spread my vaginal lips. “Fuck, you really are a beautiful slut. She’s so wet for me. Pretty … Look at her…” He didn’t explore or touch me any more than spreading them so he could get a better view. “You do like it rough, don’t you, baby?”

I whimpered because of the combination of the tussle, the way he talked to me, and how exposed he’d made me feel was pulling at my reserve. I’d masturbated before I came so I wasn’t humping his leg, but this… sigh…

“Yes, Sir.”

“And you’ve got manners. Let’s see what else you’re into.” He let go of my arm and used both of his hands to spread the cheeks of my butt. His hands held a spot that exposed the puckered hole of my butt, but also how wet I was.

I felt something drip down and over the entire area. Warm at first, then it cooled as it traveled. Again, I felt it, and when I looked over my shoulder, I saw the strands of saliva dripping from his lips. Nasty … I closed my eyes, and he did it again. But if it was so bad, why was I aroused by it?

He let go, and the wetness lingered, making me feel dirty and used. Something I enjoyed. His hands clapped against my ass, then he massaged through the pain. Five more times of that and I was moving against the bed. He gripped my thighs hard, and I bucked, needing to be filled and fucked.

“You’re Lauren, right?” He asked.

“Yes, Sir.”

“I’m Salt. Nice to meet you.” He kissed over the globes of my butt and sucked along each of them.

“Finally?” I asked when I could breathe.

“Yeah, you came in here being somebody that you’re not. Now, you’re lying here being exactly who we both need you to be. You.” Salt trailed his tongue up my spine and nipped the back of my neck, covering me with his body. “Now we can negotiate.”

I moaned and closed my eyes again. Not safe. “I don’t think that’s wise. I’d agree to anything right now.”

“That’s exactly why it’s the best time to do so.” I felt something cold and metal on my thighs before a swift motion from his hand cut away the material. He switched hands and did the same on the other side.

“I could have taken those off,” I whispered.

“What fun would that have been for me?”

I felt the blade along my hip and thigh before he moved up to my side, moving toward my stomach. He wasn’t breaking the skin, but … I trembled in fear. The excitement wasn’t too far away.

“Good girl.” He said, as his tongue traced the outer shell of my ear.

As I turned my head toward him, I felt surprised at how relaxed I was with Salt while he slid to my right side, uncovering me, but his hand never left my body.

“My girl isn’t afraid to talk to me.” He said while looking into my eyes. “If you truly don’t like something, say that. Communicating with me is a must, even if you’re afraid. How else can we maneuver through this thing?” His fingers went between the crease of my butt and he teased the puckered hole. “Your ass is nice.”

“Thank you. I like your beard. May I touch it?” I asked.

“Yeah…”

I stroked his hair gently at first. Then I made my way to his chin, where I tugged and then massaged it.

“Like that?” He asked.

“Yes, Sir.” The hair was soft and felt good on my fingertips.

“Me, too.” He licked his lips and eyed mine. “Keep it up, though, and I’ll show you how much I like it.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Do you understand the rules?” He lowered his mouth and kissed the palm of my hand.

Sweetness.

Maybe Dr. Cushions had gotten it right after all.

“Yes, Sir. I do.”

“I’ll give you everything you could fucking want as long as you talk to me. Without communication, I can be a ruthless bastard. You don’t want that.”

The threat shouldn’t have made me gasp in curiosity, especially since I could tell that he didn’t mean it in a good way. I loved how he was setting boundaries, though. That’s the part that drew me to him. Black and white rules so we could play in between the lines.

“Yes, Sir. I like those rules.”

“Good. Anything else you need from me?”

To be fucked. But he knew that.

“No, I think you’ve set things clear.”

“I asked, is there anything else that you need from me?” He lowered his head and let his eyes fall over my exposed lower body.

“Oh!” I giggled. “I thought it was assumed. Yes, please.”

“Please, what?” He asked.

“Fuck me.” I purred.

“No.”

He leaned forward and took my mouth, demanding me to open and surrender to him. I fought a bit, not giving in. However, his tongue delved inside and massaged mine until I met each thrust with my own. He moved on top of me, between my legs, and controlled my body with his. I melted as he pulled desire from the tips of my toes and let it pool at my core.

Salt slowed the fevered kiss until we were barely pecking against one another. My body was roaring from the flames within, and I watched as he stood. I thought he was going to take off his pants so we could get to the good stuff, but he kissed the tops of my thighs and moved away. I sat up on my elbows to see him putting on his shirt, shoes, and then a leather ball cap.

“Ready for me to walk you out?” He asked.

“Are you shitting me?” I exclaimed.

“Uh, no?” He looked confused.

“So you mean you didn’t get me all riled up for you to send me home like some little toy?” I stood up in front of the bed with a loud sigh.

“I told you I wasn’t fucking you.”

“I didn’t know you meant it!” I raised my voice, completely frustrated and pissed off.

“Maybe that’s your issue. I said to communicate. You told me what you wanted, doesn’t mean that you’ll get it when and how you want it. I make those decisions and today ain’t the day. I know what you need and I’m giving you that. Neither of us signed up for a one-night stand. You need to trust me, and it’s the same for me. Show me you can handle my dominance by giving me your submission. Let me earn your body the right way and the rest will fall in line. Don’t mistake things though, you’re mine. Everything about today shows that we’re right for each other. I won’t spoil that with a quick nut and thank you.”

I shook my head and pulled at my locs. What kind of switcheroo did he just pull? He was denying me so that we could fuck later?

“Salt, I–”

He held up his hand, halting my words. He came over to me and stood so close that I could feel him pressed up against the entire length of my body.

“Don’t touch my body sexually. You can bathe it, care for it, and groom it. Don’t give it gratification, though. That’s for me to do.” He handed me a phone. “Put your number in there and send a text to yourself that says ‘Don’t touch what belongs to me.’”

I swallowed, blinked, and slowly took the phone and completed the assignment.

“Good girl. Now, let me walk you out.” He reached around me, grabbed my panties from the bed, and tucked them in his back pocket.

His golden skin made my darker complexion seem like the perfect opposite color. My height made him about a foot taller than me and I was 5’6”. Still, we lined up perfectly. I put my arms around his neck, stood on the tips of my toes, and kissed him. His arms rounded my waist, and he rested them on my ass. He held on to my curves as if they didn’t bother him. Looking at him, I would have assumed he was into pencil-skinny women, not ones with more softness than not. Was it the reason he didn’t want to have sex?

Salt pulled away from my lips. “What was that thought?”

“What?” I said, shaken by the abruptness that he’d pulled away.

“You tensed. Why?” He searched my eyes.

“Do you even like big girls?” I blurted.

Salt snickered. “Big girls…” He shook his head. “If you mean physically, I like my women capable of taking what I give.” He slapped my ass, and I softened against him, licked my lips, and exhaled slowly. “Mature? Yeah, I prefer women over girls. One’s able to receive praise, big girls.”

“Salt, you know what I mean.” I huffed.

“What about ‘mine’ don’t you understand?”

Silence. That was the comeback I had.

“Let’s go.” He took my hand, and we walked out together. He held onto my hand and escorted me to my car. His kiss lingered when he came in for it. It teased, yet promised me that more was to come. “Be good for me.” He said.

I nodded. “Yes, Sir.”

He stepped back, and I started the car. I gave him a lingering look before I pulled off. It wasn’t until I got home that I relaxed. I showered before bed and when I climbed in, the only thing I could think of was Salt.

There was a message waiting for me on my phone. When I checked it to see Salt’s message, he had sent another while I was in the shower.

Salt: Good night, beautiful slut.

Me: Good night, Sir.

I held on to my pillow as if it were him. The last thing I thought about was the way he’d nurtured all the sides of me he’d seen tonight. I just hoped that he wasn’t too good to be true.