Page 68 of Stand Your Ground

When everything was on the line, when every second counted, when I had nochoicebut to perform at my highest level — that was the only thing I had to compare this feeling to.

I felt that same adrenaline pumping through me as Livia led me through the house, her hand wrapped around mine, the perfect curves of her ass and the gorgeous muscles of her back guiding me.

We passed by plenty of sexual scenes that should have had my head turning. It seemed as the night progressed, the crowd surrendered more and more to their kinks. No one was shy or bashful anymore. Everyone was giving in to their deepest, darkest desires — or watching someone submit to theirs.

But none of it was alluring enough for me to take my eyes off Livia.

I studied every lean slope and smooth patch of skin on her body, marveling at the fact that she was holding onto my hand proudly as she dragged me through the house.

She’d told that other patron that she couldn’t touch me. She’d practically fuckinggrowled, had climbed into my lap like I was her property.

And I wanted to be.

God, I’d never wanted anything so fiercely in my life — not even the Cup.

I was turned on, yes. That was a fucking no-brainer. She’d already made me come once tonight, and the fact that we were on our way to a private room told me the night wasn’t close to over.

But it wasn’t that simple fact that made me want to let her own me in every way a man can be possessed.

It was that she saw me.

She fuckingsawme, the real me, the version of me at his most vulnerable, and she didn’t laugh. She didn’t tease me. She… she fucking heard every word I couldn’t even say.

She brought me here tonight to please me, but she also brought me to show me something not even my therapist could help me grasp.

That it was okay to fail.

That there was no shame in trying.

That there were no consequences for voicing what I wanted.

Right now, my brain was too hardwired on the way her body looked wrapped in lace to think too hard about what this night would unlock for me, but I knew it without even fully understanding it.

I could feel it, like a puzzle piece snapping into place in the depths of my being.

She’d healed a part of me tonight.

We wandered through the mansion and upstairs, twisting through dark hallways until Livia pushed through a large wooden door to an empty bedroom. She locked it behind us, releasing my hand to take in the scene.

The air was warm, heat spilling from a sleek, modern fireplace built into the far wall, its flames throwing soft, amber light across everything it touched. In that glow, the king-sizebed dominated the center — draped in rich black sheets with a headboard padded in deep charcoal leather.

A play swing hung from a thick beam near the corner, the straps black and gleaming. Beside it sat a low, cushioned bench made of dark wood.

Against one wall, glass shelves displayed toys like an art installation. Polished metal, glossy silicone, braided leather — all shapes and sizes, some I recognized, and plenty I didn’t. Their reflections winked in the firelight like they knew secrets I didn’t yet, like they couldn’t wait to be in on what we were about to do.

The whole space smelled faintly of leather and clean linen, with the faintest trace of spiced vanilla — which I knew was all Liv. I’d smelled it on her the first night in her condo, that warm and inviting scent. It was like a warm sugar cookie and a shot of bourbon.

I let out a low whistle as I turned to face Livia, sliding my hands into my pockets. “This looks like a room out of a Bond movie.”

“Young. Livia Young.”

I smirked. “Nice.”

“This is our room for the night,” she said. “It’s completely private. No one is watching.” She took calculated steps toward me with every word, her heels clicking on the marble until they hit the fur rug under my feet. “I can still taste your desperation from earlier… and I’m not done with you yet.”

I swallowed, cock instantly growing hard beneath my slacks.

“You’ve been so good, listened so well… I want to reward you.” She trailed her long fingernail down my chest, her heated eyes locked on mine before she dug the nail into the flesh enough to make me hiss. “But I want to use you first. And I want you begging for me.”