Page 31

Wren

H eat pools between my thighs at his praise. My mind begins to misfire.

“Uh… I—I thought you were in charge here?” I respond, breathless.

“Is that what you want?” His tone is low—velvet-wrapped steel.

My lips part, but nothing comes out at first. The idea of being in control flickers through my mind, curious and fleeting, before dissolving under the weight of the way he looks at me.

Would I like to be in control? No, not really. Maybe I could try it one day, since I seem to enjoy trying new things.

But tonight? No. I feel fairly certain that I want him to have complete control over me.

I nod and quickly recall that he likes me to use my words. “Yes.”

His mouth curves into a slow, approving grin. “Like I said, Tink. We will not have sex, and our lips will not touch. But everything else is on the table. Did you make a list for me?”

I’m starting to feel like a bobblehead with how much I’m nodding tonight.

“Good. Let me see.”

My hand trembles as I reach for the list I scribbled at work—ink smudged where my palm kept sweating. When I hand it to him, he skims it quickly, then folds it with deliberate care and tucks it into his back pocket like it’s a secret he plans to savor later.

I want to burst into flames. Will I ever be able to stop feeling embarrassed about this kind of stuff?

Carson walks to the coat rack and retrieves the sheer purple scarf hanging there. He runs the fabric through his fingers as he approaches me again.

“Before we start, we need a safeword. You say it, and this all stops.”

His expectant gaze remains on me. For some reason, my mind has gone blank.

My mouth opens, then closes again. I apparently don’t remember a single word anymore.

A breathy chuckle escapes his nose before he answers for me. “Alright. Pineapple. That work for you?”

I think for a second and feel fairly confident that pineapple isn’t a word I’d say during an intimate moment.

I nod. “Yes.”

The blue in his eyes is almost completely swallowed by black. “Good.”

He moves so fast I barely register it. One arm wraps around me, spinning me in place. The scarf slips over my eyes, snug and soft, and he ties it behind my head with practiced ease.

“Now, Tink… If you want me to be in charge, you will do as I say—and only speak when given permission. Understand?”

His mouth is so close to my ear. The heat from his words sends a shiver down my spine.

“Y-yes.”

Before I know what’s happening, I’m sitting on the couch blindfolded. All breathing ceases as I anxiously await what comes next.

Be blindfolded. Check.

I sit for a few silent seconds that feel more like a century.

“Carse?” My voice is small, uncertain—vulnerable. I hate the silence more than the anticipation.

The scarf shifts slightly as I instinctively begin to reach for it, and then?—

“What are you doin’, Tink?” His voice cuts through the air like a whip, sharp and possessive. “Did I say you could take that off?”

My shaking hands quickly drop to my sides. “Sorry. I just thought you?—”

“Tink.”

“Yeah?”

“Should I grab a scarf for your mouth next?”

A new wave of heat pulses in my belly.

Thinking better of it, I press my lips together and don’t say another word. His approving hum makes me smile.

“Next, I’ll remove your clothes. If you wanna back out, now’s the time for that safeword.”

Ohmygod. Ohmygod.

Am I really doing this?

Yes! I’ve made it this far—no backing out now.

A beat passes. Then two. Then five.

“Okay. But don’t forget,” he says, voice calm but firm, “you can say it anytime if you’re not comfortable.”

I nod, nervously biting my lip.

Carson’s hand wraps around mine—firm and steady. He pulls me to my feet, and even blindfolded, I feel the way he’s watching me.

His fingertips tease the hem of my shirt. The brush of fabric over my skin is maddeningly slow, like he wants me to feel the absence of his touch just as much as the presence. The warmth of his fingers sends a shiver down my body. When he unbuttons my shorts, my breath catches.

“Breathe, Tink,” he murmurs. “This is easy. Just like a swimsuit, remember?”

A breathy laugh passes my lips. “Right.”

My shorts slide down my legs with ease, just as my shirt is lifted effortlessly over my head.

It’s just like a swimsuit. Just like a swimsuit. Just like a swimsuit. Just ? —

The hell it is.

Whoever said there was no difference between a swimsuit and a bra and panties clearly hasn’t stood half-naked in front of their lifelong crush.

My breathing speeds up, my stomach flips. Maybe I can’t do this after all…

“Hey.” His fingers lift my chin. “Would you be more comfortable in your bedroom?”

No .

“Maybe.”

Before I can even process another thought, I’m tossed over his shoulder, an embarrassing shriek escaping me.

“Carson! I can walk!”

A firm hand lands on my backside, and I shriek again.

“I said no talkin’, Tink.”

Holy. Hell.

The familiar scent of my lavender diffuser overtakes me as we enter my bedroom. He gently places me on the bed, and the fresh, sweet, floral aroma instantly helps calm my racing mind the slightest bit.

“Don’t move.”

His body lifts from the bed, the sound of his retreating footsteps filling the hallway.

Why does he keep leaving?

He’s back so fast that I don’t have time to think too much about anything.

“Give me your wrists.”

I swallow hard and extend my arms toward his voice. Cold metal wraps around my skin.

“Good girl, Tink. Now, stay just like this.”

My arms are pulled above my head, the sound of another set of cuffs clinking together around the bar of the headboard. I’m being restrained just like I wanted.

It’s both terrifying and thrilling. I’ve never let go of control like this—completely handing my body over to someone else.

“I’ll admit, I don’t have everything from your list…”

My heart sinks slightly, knowing that his text this morning mentioned this would only happen the one time.

“But,” he continues, “tonight isn’t about checking boxes. I only want you focusin’ on the way your body feels. Understood?”

I nod.

“What was that?”

A sharp pinch tugs at my nipples, and I gasp in surprise and pleasure.

“Yes!” I moan in response.

“Good.” He releases his fingers, trailing them down my stomach, edging them along the line of my panties. Back and forth, his fingers smooth across the line.

I begin to squirm, heels pressing into the comforter beneath me, toes curling into the soft material. Not being able to see what he’s doing makes his touch on my skin ten times more intense.

“Gettin’ impatient for me, love?”

I nod eagerly, feeling the swirl of desire building in my core at the new name.

“ Good .” His breath brushes my ear, sending a fresh coat of goosebumps over my exposed skin. Desire consumes me, from the top of my head to the tips of my toes; I can feel my body yearning for him.

“Now, I’ll touch you.”

His fingers coast down, slipping inside my panties. One smooth stroke has me gasping.

“I’ll put my hands on every inch of your beautiful body,” he purrs. “And when I’m done, you’ll know exactly how good it’s supposed to feel.”

The desire building inside of me is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. I’ve never wanted something so badly. He’s barely touched me, and I’m already ready to burst.

All too quickly, his presence fades away. Once again, I find myself alone in the bed.

“Carse! Please … I need you?—”

“I do enjoy hearin’ you beg for me, love, but you were given rules.”

His commanding voice makes me want him even more— if that’s possible.

Rolling my lips tightly, I bite down, wanting to do better to make him happy.

Only a second passes before I feel his fingers on my skin again, slowly pulling my panties down my legs, followed by the unfastening of the clasp at the front of my bra.

Be fully exposed to someone. Check.

“Keep these here.”

My legs are nudged apart to either side of the bed. Now I truly am exposed for his viewing pleasure. Every part of my body is fully visible to him, and I can’t see anything outside the scarf tightly wrapped around my eyes, including his reaction.

I wanted this. I asked to be displayed, and he’s giving it to me. However, it becomes difficult to ignore the nerves growing in my stomach, knowing he’s taking all of me in. Racing self-conscious thoughts begin to multiply rapidly.

What if?—

“Fuck, you’re perfect.”

As the words leave him, his breathing quickens, making me think he didn’t plan to say them.

He’s lost some control.

With my other senses heightened, it’s now a lot easier to notice all the small details.

A soft buzzing sound snaps me back into my body, my senses suddenly hyper-aware. I don’t know what’s coming next, but I know I want it.

Use sex toys with someone. Check.

When the vibration meets my center, it’s like lightning under my skin. I arch with a sharp gasp, body instinctively curling toward the pleasure.

“Uh-uh,” Carson hums, smacking my thigh with gentle authority. “Stay open for me, sweet girl.”

The pleasure grows as he does something else I can’t see, but I definitely feel. My knees rise and come together at the sensation that’s almost too much to bear.

Whack!

His hand lands firmly against my ass, and I moan.

“ Sweet little Wren,” he tsks. “You’re not listenin’ to me.”

Spankings. Check.

As the sting fades, it’s replaced by warmth. I feel his body leave the bed once again and quickly return. Silky soft fabric wraps around my ankle as it’s pulled to the side of the bed again, followed by my other leg.

Be fully restrained. Check.

“Now,” he says, tugging the material securing me to the bed, “like I said… stay here .”

By the time he gets back to teasing me, I’m a lit fuse, ready to ignite at the slightest touch. His fingers tease over my nipples, and I arch up the best I can, chasing the pleasure.

“You really like this, don’t you, Tink?” The gravel in his voice is something I’ve only dreamed of hearing.

“Yes! Ohh, f —” I moan, just as a finger slides inside of me while another swirls around my clit. I don’t understand how he’s in so many places all at once, but I can feel him everywhere —him and whatever he’s using on me.

“Carse, please …” My voice breaks, raw and desperate. I can’t pretend anymore. I want— no —I need more.

All new sensations take over as he gives me everything I desire.

“ Mmm … You’re doin’ so well, Tink,” he praises. “You’re so damn tight around me. You want more, though, don’t you, love…”

His words trail off, but I can barely hear him over the loud moans spilling from my lips. He quickly adds a second finger, curling it inside me to hit a spot that I had only ever heard about—one I never thought existed.

The pleasure hits like a tidal wave—sudden and all-consuming. My back arches off the bed, every nerve ending set ablaze.

“ Fuck !” I cry out, voice shaking. I don’t care how loud I am. I want him to hear what he’s done to me.

My body pulses around his fingers, wave after wave, each one harder than the last. My breath vanishes, and for a second, all I can do is feel.

“That’s right,” he purrs, “let me hear you.”

I ride it out, his voice coaxing every last drop of pleasure from my body.

I don’t know if I’ve ever felt anything so… spectacular .

A few seconds later, the scarf lifts from my eyes, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe again. His gaze is molten, searing into me with something that feels suspiciously like longing.

He reaches up, carefully releasing the cuffs, his fingers brushing against the skin he just worshiped—and yet there’s distance in his touch now.

“I love the dirty mouth, by the way.” Carson moves to the side of the bed with a smirk. “Tell me, are you always this vulgar in the bedroom?” he teases, most likely sensing my discomfort now that the orgasm is over and I’m naked beside him.

I shake my head, mortified that I lost control and let that slip. I never talk like that… Never . I only said one simple word, but it’s a word I don’t use.

He bites the inside of his cheek and nods as he picks up the folded blanket from the foot of the bed. Opening it, he spreads it over me. “You should be.”

A blush creeps across my face as I pull the fuzzy blanket higher up to my exposed shoulders.

My mind starts to race, and all of the earlier carefree feelings have vanished.

I may have let go before, but now a wave of embarrassment, not only from my slip of the tongue but also from my loud cries and begging, is making me feel uneasy.

“Hey.” My chin is pulled between his fingers once again, lifting my eyes to meet his. “Don’t make it weird, Tink. We’re still friends. Nothin’ has to change.”

Right…

Friends who give each other mind-blowing, toe-curling orgasms on a random Tuesday night.

I nod, eyes drifting down before I can stop them—there’s no mistaking the hard outline in his jeans.

His gaze follows mine. He clears his throat, stands, and gives my leg a light pat.

“And now you know you do like those things,” he says with a teasing smirk. “A lot.” He winks.

I bite my lip, doing my best not to ask for more.

He lingers a moment, then steps back. “I’m gonna head out… You good?”

I’m a whole other level of good.

I don’t want him to leave so soon, but I’d also like the privacy to recollect myself after what just happened.

“I—I could…if you want…”

My eyes flick to his jeans again, my voice quiet, hopeful.

But he just shakes his head, already retreating toward the hallway.

“No, Tink. I told you—this was for you .”

Nodding, I glance at the bed. There on my mattress sits a black box filled with all sorts of toys.

“Don’t forget your stuff,” I call after him, feeling my cheeks heat again.

“You keep it,” he hollers from the hallway, clearly in a rush to leave my house.

I grab the box and look over the contents. If a good time has ever been packaged into one container, this is it; I found the box.

Being rejected stings. I would have liked to make him feel as good as he made me feel. But I understand why it would be a bad idea to go any further or, heaven forbid , do this again.

If I had another taste of Carson Matthews, I don’t think I could walk away.