Cuff Master (10 page)

“You wouldn’t really have done that,” she commented even as
Ethan strode across the bathroom, grabbing a towel off a rack on his way to the
shower.

“It’s for your sake that I’m giving you this towel.
Otherwise, you might not eat for a while and I’ll have to kick my own ass for
not giving you sustenance before I fuck you.”

He opened the shower door and wrapped the towel around her.
As warm and big as the towel was, Ethan’s hands where he gripped her shoulders
were smoldering hot.

Did he know that his very act of admitting and denying what
he wanted was pretty darned honorable?

Morgan didn’t blatantly tempt him further. But the sexual
tension within her had tightened to the point of near madness.

She didn’t want soup right then. She wanted to be fucked
many, many times. This was how it felt to be wanted for who she was. Ethan’s
desire was honest, raw and undisputedly sexy as hell.

“Ethan,” she whispered as he tightened the towel around her
and knotted it in place. “The soup shouldn’t burn.”

“No, but we might burn up if I let another night go by without
fucking you,” he told her point blank. Letting go of her shoulders to gather
her face in his big hands, he leaned in very close. “Word of warning, after you
eat and I’m sure you’re not going to pass the hell out on me, I’m going to have
you for dessert.”

“Have I objected?”

Her response had him smiling. “Then get your gorgeous ass in
gear and get some clothes on. I’m a horny sonofabitch and my woman needs some
hardcore sex.”

“Yes, yes I do.” He kissed her then, softly and just enough
to tease her into falling forward and into his arms. It was lovely to be
engulfed by his strength. To know without a shadow of a doubt Ethan Maddox
would never let her fall.

Drawing back seconds later, Ethan gave her room to maneuver
out of the shower stall.

“I’m going to the kitchen or I’m toast.” He glanced back
twice to be sure she was okay, then continued out the door.

Morgan finished drying off, wrapped her hair in a towel and
set to work preparing herself for dinner with Ethan.

Chapter Four

Morgan changed her bandage, discovering the cut on her
forehead didn’t look as horrible as she’d feared. The stitches were very small
and the clean inch-wide bandage covered it completely.

She’d likely have a very small scar. The bruising was ugly,
but it would fade. For the most part, her face looked fine and a natural
after-shower flush made the warm tones of her skin glow.

She did apply a light amount of makeup, because let’s face
it…she was having sex with Ethan tonight and wanted to look nice for him.

He was a man who followed through with what he wanted. What
he wanted was her. Wow, it was incredible to even believe it, much less
anticipate an evening in bed with the man of her dreams.

Feeling remarkably good considering what she’d been through,
she was grateful she’d had a couple of days to recover. Food would definitely
help the lingering weakness and later they’d be in bed. If she wavered or
became shaky, Ethan would take care of her.

Getting dressed quickly, she finished up in the bathroom by
brushing and blow drying her hair. There was a hair band in her makeup bag and
she made a quick efficient ponytail to keep it out of her face.

She didn’t bother with shoes. The house was comfortably warm
and she liked going barefoot when she could.

Back in the bedroom, she tossed the sweats in a laundry bin.
Samson and Delilah had vacated the room altogether. They must have smelled
food.

A little worried she might have to rescue Ethan from
Delilah’s habit of trying to steal people food whenever she got the chance,
Morgan headed out of the bedroom. The smell of soup reached the stairway
leading down to the kitchen, making her stomach rumble in earnest.

The Federal-style house was made with some of the back
bedrooms having direct access to the kitchen. The front and master bedrooms
opened to a long hallway and staircase that led to the foyer and parlor.

Given that the two bedrooms were joined by a bathroom and a
door, Morgan figured the front room would eventually become a nursery when
Cassie and Phalen were ready. Right now it was a home office with a day bed. It
was a big house with more than enough room for a big family and a humongous
club basement.

Morgan hurried down the steps, drawing up short when she
discovered Ethan crouched low to play with the kitties on an even level. In one
corner of the kitchen was a mat with an automatic water dispenser and kibble
feeder. The feeder was full and a small plate of wet kitten food was nearby.

Even though they were big, Samson and Delilah were mouthy at
times, their claws were sharp and they tended to be over-exuberant as if they
were toddlers. Ethan’s patience and gentleness with the kittens was a sight to
see.

Right then her heart melted. Ethan would be a wonderful
family man.

He already was. As much ribbing as Phalen, Ethan and Taran
gave to each other, they prized family as the most important part of their
lives. If one of them fell or was threatened, the other two would move heaven
and earth to help them.

She’d grown to view Taran and Phalen as her brothers, Cassie
and Sam as her sisters. But she loved Ethan Maddox. She had since they met.

A little nervous, she stepped farther into the room. Ethan
looked up from where he was crouched, grinning at her. “Hey, look at you. You
clean up quite nice, Ms. Everhart.”

“You look good enough to eat, Detective Maddox.”

“Careful, the soup’s just about ready.”

He nudged Delilah’s chin lightly, then stood. “Did you take
your medicine? I left the antibiotics and Excedrin for migraines on the vanity.
Doc said you can’t take any ibuprofen.”

“I took the antibiotic. I’ll wait on the Excedrin. If my
headache returns, I’ll take it. But I think it’s gone.”

“If at any point this evening you’re uncomfortable or
feeling ill, promise to let me know.”

“I will, promise,” she agreed, suddenly feeling as though
she were waiting on something big to happen.

She wanted to walk farther into the room and go up to him.
Something within her told her to wait for permission. As she waited, the look
in Ethan’s gunmetal gaze pierced right to her soul, his grin of approval sexy
and wanting.

Ethan finally reached out his hand. Without saying anything,
he gestured to invite her to walk to him.

The kitchen was an eclectic mix of farmhouse cabinetry,
linoleum black and white squared floor and stainless steel appliances. It was
big and airy, with a big diner-style booth for casual meals.

Morgan loved it. But before she knew it, she was padding
across the floor. Her hand was in his. His right arm wrapped around her waist
to draw her in so close. His body heat alone set her on fire.

“Missed you,” he whispered, leaning in to pepper kisses all
over her upturned face.

“I’m sorry. I wanted to look pretty for you.”

He shifted back. “Honey, you always look beautiful to me.”

“You’re saying that because you want to get laid later.”

“True, doesn’t mean I don’t mean it. As it is, it’ll be a
miracle if I make it through dinner without nibbling on you.”

“It’ll be a miracle if I don’t fall over before you have the
chance to nibble,” Morgan admitted.

“Then we’ll eat and talk until you’re feeling up to going
back to bed, agreed?”

“I thought we’d already done that.”

“Just making sure you understand what going to bed means.”

“I know.” With her response, Ethan kissed her firmly on the
lips, then shifted backward to guide her to the booth.

The table was set with two giant bowls, utensils, ice water
with lime slices and two empty square plates. Morgan looked over at the
six-burner stove with two oven doors and saw a big pot on a front burner. Steam
rose, the aromas of vegetables, broth, herbs and pasta filling the whole kitchen.

Beside the pot of soup was a flat cast iron skillet. There
was a plate of cheese sandwiches made out of crusted French bread.

“Grilled cheese sandwiches and soup for dinner,” she said.
“Smells wonderful.”

“Cassie had several family-sized cans of vegetarian alphabet
soup in the pantry,” Ethan said. “I figured you’d need a bit more than veggies
and kid-sized pasta and made the sandwiches.”

“I’m not complaining. I love grilled cheese sandwiches.
They’re one of my primary comfort foods.”

Ethan went to the stove to stir the soup. “I have a
confession.”

“What’s that, Detective?”

He looked back at her. “I’ve seen you order grilled cheese
many times at the diner. Cassie regularly sends them to you for lunch.”

“You paid attention to that?”

“When it comes to learning what you like and dislike, I
needed to pay attention. What I don’t know is whether you like ice cream or
what kind of movies you prefer to see. You know…the little things that make you
who you are.”

Morgan smiled as he heated up the skillet and watched him
slather butter onto the bread. “I like chocolate ice cream and prefer action
flicks featuring ripped martial artists or badass cops. Surprised?”

For a second, Ethan faltered in the buttering, causing a big
glop of butter to fall on the counter. He quickly recovered and kept up the
task. “Not surprised, but you did describe your man to a tee.”

“My man, you say? And who might that be?”

“That’s easy. Me.” He tossed one sandwich onto the skillet.
Butter sizzled.

“Confident much, Ethan Maddox?”

“I say it the way I see it. What, are you trying to say that
it wasn’t you who’d stopped at the bottom of the stairs to appreciate the view,
that being me.”

Again, she grinned. She was so happy it was almost hard to
believe two nights ago she’d never felt so dejected and lost.

“There is a lot to appreciate about a man such as you.
You’re ripped in a nice sculpted kind of way. Not too bulky, not too inked, I’d
say you’re perfect.”

“I’ve got a few scars, honey. As long as you like what you
see, I’m happy with myself.”

“Oh I like what I see. But I admit it was the way you played
with Samson and Delilah that stopped me in my tracks. You were so gentle and
aware that they’re really just big babies. I saw your potential as a dad.”

Another sandwich joined the first. More butter sizzled from
the stove. The soup continued to simmer. It smelled so darned good, Morgan
thought she might drool.

If Ethan kept his attention on cooking, allowing her to
appreciate the splendid view of his excellent ass filling out jeans better than
a mere mortal man should ever be able to do, she’d leave a puddle on the bench.

And not from drool either.

Her pussy was wet. Her panties significantly damp. Desire
had taken hold of her so strongly it was difficult to remain still, much less
stay seated while watching Ethan flip the sandwiches.

“If you saw my potential, does that mean you’re willing to
be the mother of my children, Morgan?” Ethan asked, shifting around to lean
back against the counter, his hands down at his sides. He was calm and
confident and every bit in command.

“We discussed this upstairs,” she said.

“But you love me. I love you. Why pussyfoot around and not
admit that you and I are a forever deal?”

The L-word took Morgan off guard. Stupefied, her mouth fell
open. Her heart went pitter-pat.

“You…love me?” she murmured when she could speak.

Ethan turned the burner off, moved the skillet to the back
of the stovetop, then pushed off his heels to stroll up to her as if he had no
worries in the world. Going down on one knee before her, he reached up to touch
his hand to her jaw, cupping ever so gently.

“I love you, yes. Please tell me I’m not putting my heart on
the line here, Morgan. Tell me I’m not wrong about your feelings for me.”

In that moment, she saw the fear in his eyes that maybe he
had pushed too fast or assumed too much too soon. She also saw that he wouldn’t
retract his admission. He said it. He meant it. That’s the way he was.

Just as he touched her, Morgan extended her hand to touch
his face. “You’re not wrong, Ethan. I’ve loved you since you walked into my
shop the first time. I’m still so sorry for being an idiot. Being scared isn’t
an excuse for putting you off for so long.”

“Trust me and know there’s nowhere safer for you than with
me. I take care of what I love, you, my brothers, my friends and even my pet
niece and nephew. If we have kids, you can bet I’m going to teach them the same
sense of honor my dad and mom taught me.”

“Your parents and Phalen taught you well, didn’t they?”

“They did. But I’m my own man and am confident in being your
man.”

“Then I guess Grandma Everhart was right. She told me I’d
find my soul mate when I learned to trust him on blind faith. Someday I want to
have children with you, although I want to spend some time learning about you
first.”

“I’m not going to rush you. Just giving you a heads-up.”

“Thank you, Sir,” she replied.

“You’re getting good with the sir tag. Soon I’m going to
teach you how to use Master during a scene. It’ll be essential for you to
remember I’m your Master in the bedroom.”

His praise sent her heart scurrying as fast as when he said
the L-word.

“Are we talking sexual slavery, Ethan? I’m not sure I can
kowtow or find pleasure in being at your every beck and call.”

“Not a sex slave. When it comes to sex, I hope you’ll let me
be in charge. Will there be bondage and discipline, dominance and submission?
Hell yes. If you don’t like something or want to take control sometimes, speak
up. If you’re scared or uncertain, you’ve the right to say your safe word or
tell me to explain something to ease your mind.”

“I have that much say in the bedroom?” she asked.

“You’ve a lot to learn, honey. In the bedroom, the kitchen,
a dungeon, wherever we fuck, yes, you always have the choice to submit or not.
No matter what I suggest in a scene, you set the bar on how far we go. I give
you what you desire and failing you is not an option.”

He eased back a little and stroked her face with his
fingers. Even his touch sent zings of pleasurable heat all over her skin. “When
does my education begin?”

“It already has. Tonight how about we concentrate on dinner,
conversation and lovemaking? I haven’t forgotten that it’s been awhile for you
and you still have stitches in your forehead. I want tonight to be special for
you.”

“Every time with you will be special, Ethan. I’ve never felt
that way before. Not with any other man. Hell, I’ve never had an orgasm.”

Ethan blinked several times. “Never? Not even by
masturbating?”

She shook her head. “I can’t. I’ve tried with toys and such,
but I get too tense. I can’t separate myself from those who’ve made them. It’s
the downside of psychometry.”

“Oh honey, I’ll teach you how to get yourself off when you
need to. Orgasm is something you should experience often. It’s for damn sure
I’m going to get you creaming so much tonight, I’ll make up for all your
frustration in not being able to come,” he vowed and stood up.

“I’m going to hold you to that,” she stated, realizing
submissives had way more power in a D/s relationship than she’d thought. Cassie
had tried to explain it to her, but it was Ethan who made her understand it.

Awed, Morgan watched him grab up the bowls and carry them to
the stove. He ladled up the soup, filling the bowls to the brim, and carefully
brought them back. The kitties weren’t pleased when Ethan walked by them without
spilling a drop.

He returned to the stove with dishes in hand, flipped the
grilled cheese sandwiches onto the plates and carried them back. Claiming the
other side of the booth, he offered her the salt and pepper.

“We good?” he asked.

She took the shakers, sprinkled a couple of dashes of both
into the soup and handed them over. “We are good. Thank you for dinner.”