Page 94 of Stand Your Ground

“Because then everyone would think we’re dating?”

“And that would be the worst thing in the world,” he shot back with sarcasm.

A strange noise came from my throat, something between a laugh and an incredulous scoff. I looked at him like he was crazy, but when he didn’t back down, something inside me flared to life.

Panic.

I felt it in the shortness of my breath, in the way my hands suddenly went clammy, sweat gathering at the back of my neck.

What the fuck was I doing?

I’d let him in. I’d gone far past the outlines of our agreement and into a territory neither of us knew how to navigate. And this was exactly why it was a mistake to do so.

Because I told him a little about my past, and now he was trying to fix it all, to save me.

To be a part of my future.

I needed to take the reins. Immediately.

“Excuse me?” I asked, Domme voice taking over, all business. “I’ll have to punish you for that.”

Carter’s grin was infectious. “Mm, is that so? What are you going to do to me,Mistress?”

“Drop the smile,” I snapped, and then nodded toward an alcove in the river up ahead. “Paddle there. Fast. Find us somewhere no one can see.”

He laughed a little, but when I only arched a brow in response, his smile fell. “You’re serious?”

“Do I lookunserious?”

He shook his head, tongue in cheek with a grin playing at the corners of his lips before he did as I said, paddling off in quick strokes. I followed, slower, taking my time until I paddled into the shady cove I’d directed him to.

It was a little pull off, no houses on the shore and thick trees creating a sort of grove. Carter waved me over to where he’d paddled under the protection of the trees, and once I was with him, somewhat blocked from the world…

I slipped off my board and mounted his.

“What are you doing?” he asked in a hushed whisper, but he was still smiling as he helped me climb into his lap, his hands playful on my waist. My ankle strap was still hooked to my board, keeping it from floating away.

“No talking,” I clipped. “Take your cock out.”

“Here?”

“Do not make me ask again.”

“I don’t think youaskedme anything,” he teased, but he was already moving for the strings on his swim shorts, and I felt control slowly slipping back into my bloodstream.

“I’m going to ride you until I come. You are not allowed to come with me. Do you understand?”

He let out a groan, like it both turned him on and tortured him to hear that. “Yes, ma’am.”

The second the words were out of his mouth, I spit on my hand, coated him, slid my swimsuit bottoms to the side and sat all the way down on his beautiful cock.

We both shuddered when I was fully seated, Carter dropping his forehead to my chest and gripping my hips hard. “Christ, Liv. You feel so fucking good.”

“Hush,” I snapped, and then I started to ride him, my veins humming as control and power rushed through me.

Home.

This is home.