Part of Your World

Getaway

I sat back on my knees, admiring my handiwork with a malicious smirk. Aria wriggled beneath me, her bluish, wide eyes locked on mine, her wrists bound and tethered to the headboard. Her thin, pale fingers gripped at the silky cordage. It wasn't much in terms of bondage, not for me. There were much, much darker things I'd expose her to eventually. But I knew she needed baby steps, knew she still needed that reassurance that I wasn't a heartless monster—I just needed some other way to express my more monstrous tendencies.

Once I'd learned to control it in such a way, my life had calmed considerably. Drugs and booze had been my crutch until I'd been able to free myself in these types of sexual encounters. And now that I had Aria—a woman I loved and cherished—it was better than I'd ever thought it would be. My goal had never been to harm—it had always been about control, and exercising that euphoric feeling of power such dominance gave me.

"Safe word?" I said with a quirk of my brow. She pursed her lips, giving a quick, sharp whistle. I grinned, nodding. It had taken a few minutes while I was busy tying her up for me to figure out a way around her muteness.

I kicked the comforter to the floor, leaving nothing on the bed but sheets and our electrified bodies. With a growl, I readied myself, staring down at her, naked and stretched before my feasting, starving eyes. She seemed to sense the change in my mind, shivering in response. I shimmied down, gripping her thighs, then the backs of her knees, bending them and throwing them over my shoulders. I gave her no warning, intent on my usual fast and hard approach. With her, though, I wanted her pleasure, craved it. She'd never leave this bed without climaxing. But that didn't mean I couldn't play with her first.

I devoured her, my fingers digging into her soft flesh, holding her as still as I was able. She bucked against me, searching for a reprieve from the onslaught. I grinned, flicking my tongue with precision. She was so sensitive. Her legs trembled and rocked, soft calves rubbing against my shoulders, and I could hear her ragged gasps, could hear her fighting against the ropes. More than anything, this was an exercise of trust for her. She always needed me so close in these moments, and this would ensure she learned I was aware, and that it was alright if we were't nose to nose each time.

I felt her tensing, and in cruel fashion I pulled away, leaving her on the cusp of climax and gasping. She pulled her head up, glaring at me with livid eyes, her hair an orange, flaming halo about her oval face. I smirked, gripping her hips and flipping her over, running my palm over her ass before I gave a rather tame smack. She jumped, arching her back, making me chuckle as I smoothed my palm over her supple skin. I leaned in across her shoulders, nipping at her ear.

"Someone enjoyed that," I teased. In answer, she gave a shaky nod. I growled, pulling back and hitting a little harder. She jumped again before she squirmed, seeking her release I'd so rudely taken from her. I knew what I was doing, but she had no clue. It made this all the sweeter for the dominant side of myself.

I dragged my fingers down her spine, nudging her thighs with my knees until they were closed tight. She tried once more to arch her back, earning another strike to her reddening ass.

"Be a good girl," I growled. I'd explained to her what she should and shouldn't do. She knew the rules, and she was breaking them, but I didn't mind too much; the fact that she was even letting me do this made my cock throb painfully, made my heart swell with pride.

One palm splayed on her lower back, keeping her pinned, my other hand dove between her thighs, my fingers plunging into her. She jerked automatically, already having been so close to her orgasm. I was slow now, so slow it was grating to me even—and even more torturous to her, the pace of her breathing increasing. I knew she wanted it with desperation as a sheen of sweat coated her back, so as soon as I felt her tightening once more, I withdrew, flipping her panting form back over. Her eyes were glossed, desperate, tortured. I stroked myself, unable to hold off anymore.

Still slow, still gentle, I pushed in until our hips touched, watching her expressions, memorizing the way her eyes pinched shut, the way her mouth gaped, her neck straining. With a growl, I pressed my forehead to hers, reaching up and pulling one end of the rope, freeing her. I wrapped her in my embrace, sitting her on my lap as I kept a slow, soft thrusting. She wrapped her sinewy arms about my neck, her fingers clawing at the back of my head before they wound through my hair. Our lips met, a long, deep and lingering dance of our tongues as our connected bodies threw shadows on the walls.

"I love you," I groaned. She nodded, gasping, nails biting into the tops of my shoulders. "Go, baby."

My words were all it took for her to tense, her legs rigid as I thrust through her clenching, her face contorted in pure bliss and pleasure.

"Fuck," I hissed, coming with no restraint. I'd meant to hold off, to keep this up for as long as possible, but seeing her face, feeling her reach her high—it had done me in. She trembled in my grasp before slackening, staring up at me with wide, sleepy eyes. I leaned in, pressing my lips to her forehead, before I fixed her with the most serious gaze I could muster.

"I will never love something as much as I love you, Aria," I said. She gave me a tremulous smile, pressing her hand to my thumping heart.

"Promise me, when we're old and grey, you'll let me die first. It's selfish, I know, but...I can't live this life without you."

Her eyes watered as she stared up at me, and after a few heartbeats, a tear slid loose from those depthless irises. She raised her hands to sign.

When the time comes, we go together.

I grinned, pressing my forehead to hers.

"Sounds like a deal, pipsqueak."

Thanksgiving

"Remind me again why I agreed to this?" I grumbled, glancing over at Aria as we wound down the tree-lined highway. The day was cloudy, rainy, and this rental car was shit. But as she grinned over at me, Porter in her lap, I couldn't help the feeling of warmth that slipped into my veins. She'd convinced me that we needed to spend Thanksgiving—a holiday my brothers and I had never celebrated—with the Fordson's over near Seattle.

Jonah had sweetened the deal by promising to help further our investigation into Aria's past—without her knowing, of course. After her latest appointment with the surgeon, things had been tense between us. He'd given her the all clear for surgery, being upfront about the possibility of it not working. I'd thrown caution to the wind and almost booked the procedure that day, until I'd seen the look on her face.

We then got into a heated argument about it, one where she had the audacity to lock me out of my own room. As much as I loved her fire, I hated her stubborn attitude in those moments. Needless to say, we'd both relented and agreed to a get-away, to spend some time not thinking about work or this looming decision.

I turned off the highway, heading to Mr. and Mrs. Fordson's massive mansion. I'd been there a handful of times, but the sheer size of the place always caught me off guard. Aria's eyes widened, a perfect sapphire hue on this oppressive day. Porter pressed his nose to the window, his tail giving a slow wag. He'd meet his brother, Kai, today, and stay here for his training while we returned home. Aria had barely kept her tears in check when I'd told her that news.

Biting her lip, she chanced a glance at me, nervous. I smirked, running my fingers through her hair, leaving my palm on her cheek and holding her gaze.

"Let's go celebrate this weird-ass holiday."

She rolled her eyes, leaning in to place a quick kiss on my lips. I gripped her, not allowing an easy escape as I deepened the kiss. She melted into me, her body rigid with anticipation. I pulled away before we got past the point of no return.

"I'd gladly fuck you in this car, but it's shit. Keep that fantasy for when we get home," I said with a parting wink. She blushed, rolling her eyes again and waiting for me to help her and Porter out. In truth, we'd taken it easy in the physical realm of our relationship. She needed time, compassion. There were times we'd dabble in my fantasies, and times where I'd show her nothing but love and adoration. But my favorite moments were always after—watching her succumb to sleep in my arms every time, like clockwork.

It made me feel I had a purpose in this cruel world; to protect her, to shower her with affection, and to know she felt safe enough with me to be vulnerable in every aspect. It had been a whirlwind, how fast my life had changed. But I would never regret a moment of this new journey.