Reckless Devotion: Book 2 Read online

  “Maybe.” She giggles. “Now you’ve got me thinking all kinds of dirty thoughts.

  “Once he sees you in that get up we bought today, he’ll do anything you want him to.”

  “Same to you.”

  “Hey, gotta use what you got.”

  “So true.”

  We stand up to throw our trash out and start the walk back to her car when I see exactly what I want in a window as we pass by. I need to figure out a reason to go in there.

  “Can you wait here a second?” I ask. “I see something I want to look at, but don’t want to carry all these bags.”

  “Sure, no problem.” She sits down in a nearby chair, gathering all our purchases around her as I run in the store.

  I approach a woman behind the counter. “Can you help me please?”

  “Sure.”

  “I need to get that bracelet set in the window. The silver ones and can you hurry? The person it’s for is right outside.”

  “You’re in luck. We have those pre-wrapped because they’ve been so popular this season.”

  “Awesome.” I hand her my debit card. “What do they cost?”

  “Two hundred.”

  I have some seriously good taste. “Fine. Thank you.” I wait a few minutes while she rings it up and hands me a little bag. It’s so perfect actually. “Thanks again.” I walk out to find Sara people watching. “Ready to go?”

  She looks up and smiles. “Ready.”

  After being dropped off by Sara at Gabriel’s apartment, we part ways and agree to see each other again in a few hours. When I open the garage door using the code, I see his car, and call out his name when I open the door to the inside. He appears quickly, taking my bags from me, then leans forward to kiss me.

  “Did you have fun?”

  “I did.” Inhaling the aroma filling the room, I grin. “It smells amazing in here.”

  “I’ve been having fun too. Got some quick shopping done and started dinner. I have a little surprise for you in the living room.” I follow behind him, then pause, as a huge smile spreads across my lips.

  “That’s adorable.”

  “Like it?”

  “I do.” I walk over to the small Christmas tree sitting by the fireplace. It’s probably only three feet tall, pre-decorated, and has several gifts around it. Vixen is curled up beside it like she lives here, and I guess in a way she does. Unexpected tears fill my eyes as Gabriel wraps his arms around me from behind, kissing the top of my head.

  “Next year, we’ll pick out a tree and decorate the place together, but this isn’t bad for last minute.”

  “Not bad at all.” I notice how my voice cracks as I speak.

  He twists me around, cupping my face. “What’s wrong, honey?”

  “Nothing. I’m just really happy.”

  “So am I. For years, since I was a kid probably, Christmas has just been another day for me. This year though, it’s different.”

  “Yeah.”

  He kisses my nose. “Make yourself comfy. I’m making some decadent hot chocolate even though it’s seventy degrees outside.”

  I laugh softly. “Welcome to Christmastime in the desert.”

  “It takes some getting used to.”

  “It does, but at least plans are never canceled because of weather.”

  “Good point.”

  I start to walk away, but then pause. “Oh, by the way, I totally fucked up and let Sara see my wrists.”

  “And?”

  “I told her I asked you to be rough with me.”

  “Not entirely untrue.”

  “No.”

  He walks close again, pulling me to him by my waist. “Did you tell her anything else?”

  “No. I have a question though.”

  “Sure.”

  “If I wanted to… um, fuck around with a woman, would you allow that?”

  His eyebrow raises. “Allow?”

  “You know what I mean. We’ve sort of joked around, but would you be down with that?”

  “I suppose it depends on the specifics.” He gently grips my chin. “I won’t fuck another woman. No way.”

  “I don’t want you to, but…” I reach up and run my fingers though his luxurious hair. “Would you watch me fuck her?”

  He takes my hand and presses it against his growing bulge. “Does that answer your question?”

  “You wouldn’t be jealous?”

  “I would,” he tilts his head, “and then I would take it out on you when she was gone.”

  “Take it out on me?” My chest tightens from excitement. “How?”

  “However I fucking want to.”

  I bite my bottom lip trying to hold back my smile. “I hope she’s worth it then.”

  “I’ll pick her out for you and make sure she is. I’ll let you indulge your fantasy once, and then never again will another person touch anything of yours because it’s mine, Mia. All of it, all of you, is mine. If you want this, say the word, and I’ll make it happen for you. I’ll watch you then I’ll fuck you so hard you’ll beg me to stop. I’ll make her sit on her knees watching my cock slide in and out of you, waiting until she can lick you clean after I fill you up. It’ll be a night none of us will forget, but then that’s it. I won’t share you again.”

  “That sounds, um…” I swallow hard. “Incredibly hot.”

  “It would be.”

  “You’d find a submissive woman?”

  He nods. “And watch you dominate her like I know you can.” He runs his hand up the back of my neck into my hair. “You’d get your chance to boss someone else around.”

  I laugh. “Surprisingly, that’s not a desire I have.”

  “I would coach you through it. Then after you ruin her on the taste of your pussy and she’s a quivering mess on the floor, I’ll take charge again.”

  “You’ll remind us who’s really running things.”

  He smiles. “Have you forgotten already?”

  “No. I knew who was in charge a long time ago.”

  “Much sooner than I did. I always thought it was me.”

  My eyebrows raise. “Isn’t it?”

  Gabriel chuckles. “That’s cute. You’ve been in charge since the day you walked away from me, and I’ve never been happier pretending that I’m running things. Inside I know all you’d have to do is say no and it would be over. So thank you for allowing me my fantasies, but we both know who’s running shit. That thing between your legs started it, but…” he taps my chest over my heart, “what you keep in here finished me.”

  “You know what I think?”

  “Tell me.”

  “Neither one of us is running things. We’re negotiating power as we go. Sometimes it’s yours, sometimes it’s mine, and all that matters is that we both like it.”

  “I love it.”

  “Me too.”

  He bends his head down to kiss me again, and as we grope each other, I start to wonder if I could handle another round, knowing damn well I can’t. Gabriel pulls away abruptly.

  “We need to stop. We both need a break.”

  “I know.” I softly rub his bulge. “But I can hardly wait for the next time.”

  He searches my eyes for a moment. “A shared struggle.”

  He lets me go, and I change into yoga pants and a tank top, then open his drawers searching for something to cover up with. I open several before I glance up to find him standing next to me.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Oh, I was looking for a sweater or something.”

  “In the closet.”

  “Okay. I’m sorry if that was invading your privacy or something.”

  “I have nothing to hide from you, except one of your Christmas gifts that I’m keeping in the drawer.” He smiles. “You alarmed me.”

  “Oh.” I smile. “I didn’t see anything.”

  “Good.” He leans against the wall. “There’s one box out there that isn’t wrapped.”

  “That’s mine. I mean, it’s ours, but no
t yet.”

  He tilts his head. “Under the tree or not?”

  “Not, but don’t open it.”

  “You’ve piqued my curiosity though.”

  “Trust me if you see it, we’ll both be hurting.”

  “Intriguing.” He smiles and winks. “Tomorrow we can go to your place and pick up some clothes and anything else you need.”

  “Great.”

  “Assuming you still want to stay.”

  “Absolutely.”

  I notice how his shoulders drop. “Great. Hot chocolate is waiting.”

  “I’ll be right out.”

  Inside his closet, I find a sweatshirt that has the Eiffel Tower on it so I throw that on, then walk back out to the living room where Gabriel is already sitting on the couch with two mugs of hot chocolate waiting for me. After picking mine up, I take a sip, and open my eyes in surprise.

  “This is amazing.”

  Gabriel smiles. “I’m glad you like it.”

  “So good.” I take another sip, then gaze at the man next to me.

  “It’s funny you picked that out. My coworkers gave it to me as a going away gift, meant to be tongue-in-cheek since American tourists always buy things like this.” I look down at it as he continues. “I secretly liked it very much, but acted like it was the cheesiest thing I’d ever received and I was only keeping it to be nice.” He smiles. “Now seeing you in it brings it full circle. I like it ten times more now.”

  “It’s really comfy, and I’m glad it makes you happy to see me in it.”

  “Everything about you does, Mia.”

  I smile and sip my hot chocolate, before glancing back at him. “I owe you an apology.”

  He sips his drink. “For?”

  “Getting so pissed off when you wanted my checkbook. I thought it was too controlling, and I didn’t know what you were gonna do with it. I thought you were gonna put me on some kind of allowance or something.”

  “You don’t owe me anything.” He gazes into his mug for a moment before fixing those intense baby blues on me. “Remember what I explained in Dr. Nashito’s office about the whole master/devoted relationship?”

  “Yes.”

  “I would have done exactly what you feared. I would have controlled your finances.” He nods. “I would have.”

  My brow crinkles. “I don’t get it. You put a ton of money in my account.”

  He nods. “Yes, but I would’ve told you how to spend it.”

  “I see.” I think about this for a minute. “But you didn’t today.”

  He smiles. “I’m a recovering control addict.” He takes one of my hands in his. “You were right to be angry. I overstepped because I wanted to make you mine so badly, I couldn’t see or think clearly. I wanted to own your every thought and desire. I would’ve done anything to make you mine.”

  “And yet here I am all yours and shit.”

  Gabriel laughs. “All I had to do was strip away all the bullshit and here you are.”

  “It was that easy and that hard.”

  “Hardest thing I’ve ever done, but unbelievably worth it.”

  “Thank you for the generosity though. I had so much fun today shopping like money doesn’t matter.”

  “Money doesn’t matter anymore. I don’t have infinite amounts of it, but I have more than I need. More than a lot of people need. Whatever you need or want, is yours.”

  “I wish I could give you something that amazing in return.”

  “You have, Mia. You gave me your heart, and that’s worth more than all the money in the world.”

  A FEW HOURS LATER, I finish setting up the dining table, then turn on some music, just as Mia comes out from the bedroom, freshly showered. She looks amazing with her long hair wild and wavy. She’s not wearing much makeup, which I love, and clothed in just a simple blouse, jeans, and those knee high boots that drive me wild.

  “You’re so fucking gorgeous, Mia. Unbelievable.”

  “Thanks.” She walks over to me, slowly, with a sexy smile on her lips. “Guess what?”

  “What?”

  “I’m not wearing any panties.”

  “No?”

  “No.”

  “So you’re naked under those jeans?”

  “Yes, sir, I am.” She steps closer. “And I’m so sore from the fucking you gave me last night that every time the seam rubs against me, it makes my breath catch.”

  “Fuck.”

  “And even though my poor pussy is absolutely wrecked, I’m still so wet every time I remember how amazing your cock is.”

  “Wrecked, huh?”

  “Good news is I think I’ll recover.”

  I step closer causing her to have to strain her neck to meet my eyes. “And then?”

  “And then you can wreck it again.”

  “I’m about to bend you over the couch and tear it up right now.”

  She smiles when the doorbell rings. “What would Gingerbread say?”

  “You’re damn lucky I don’t plan to find out.”

  “Lucky?”

  Laughing, I open the door to see my sister and her nervous looking boyfriend standing next to her. He’s holding a bottle of wine that he hands me.

  “I hope you like it. The guy at the liquor store said it was a great vintage.”

  I study the label and smile. “He was right. Thank you very much.”

  He smiles and relaxes his shoulders as my sister squeezes his arm. “You’re welcome. Thanks for having me over.”

  I study his face for a minute. “My sister seems to like you so it’s important I do as well.”

  “Don’t be so ominous,” Sara says, patting my chest as she walks inside. “Open that wine and let’s have a toast.”

  I watch her walk past me to Mia and just shake my head. What a woman she’s become. Everyone chats as I go into the kitchen to open the wine, surprised when a moment later Jamie joins me. He has his hands in the pockets of his jeans with a slouchy gray t-shirt on and a leather jacket. With his unruly black hair and unshaved face, he looks like one of those guys who’s trying to look cool without acting like he’s trying to look cool.

  “Can I help you with anything?”

  “Nah, man, I got it, but since we’re alone…” I pause, knowing Sara will get really mad at me if I interrogate him too hard. “What do you do for work?”

  “I’m a teacher. High school.”

  I nod. “That’s a cool profession.”

  “Yeah, I like it.” He takes a glass of wine as I pass it to him. “I also have a side business in real estate. It’s been good to me in this market. I’m expecting to retire once my kids graduate from high school.”

  My brow crinkles. “You have kids?”

  Jamie smiles. “Future kids.”

  “Ah. So, financially, you do all right?”

  “I do. I live in a modest place right now. Drive a modest car, don’t spend a lot on nice things, but I do it so I can take care of my future wife and kids. I want my wife to be able to stay home if she wants, and I don’t want money to ever be a problem. So I know I don’t look like much, but I can take care of her.”

  “Are you serious about her? It hasn’t been very long.” Hypocrisy party of one.

  “I hope we’re heading that way. I really like her.” He smiles. “You’re really important to her. She told me your opinion matters more than her own father’s, so I’d like your approval. I swear I’m a good guy.”

  Leaning on the counter, I study him. “It takes a lot of nerve to come in here and talk to me. I know it’s not easy. I know I’m intimidating.”

  “Yeah, you are, but I’m no bitch. I can handle myself, and I can protect her. She’s worth being uncomfortable for a few minutes.”

  Smiling, I extend my hand as he shakes it. “Listen, Jamie. My sister’s a grown-up and can make her own choices. Yes, I’m protective, but only because I want her to be happy. If you can do that, you’ll never have a problem with me.” I release his hand. “But if you fuck her over…”
>
  “Got it.”

  “Cool. Let’s go out there and be with the women who for whatever reason have decided we’re worthy of them.”

  Jamie smiles. “Yeah, let’s do that.”

  In the morning, I sit on the balcony not believing how warm it is here in December. It hasn’t even been a month since Mia walked into my life, but oh what a month it’s been. I couldn’t possibly figure out what’s going to happen next, but I’ve decided with her in my life, it’s gonna be good. After a couple of hours, I decide to go check on her and find her still sound asleep. I laugh remembering how much wine she and Sara put down last night. I bet she’ll really be feeling it today. She opens her eyes slightly and growls at me, actually growls, then pulls the pillow over her head.

  “Do you want some coffee?”

  “Can you cut off my head instead?” she mumbles from beneath the pillow.

  “That seems a little extreme.” I try to the pull the pillow, but she holds it close.

  “No.”

  “It’s ten in the morning.”

  “And?”

  “We have things to do today.”

  “Nooo. I’m dead.”

  “You’re not dead. Tell you what, if you get up for me, I’ll take you out to breakfast.”

  She pulls the pillow down just enough so I can see her eyes. “Breakfast?”

  “Yeah, a beautiful meal to kill that hangover.”

  She drops the pillow. “Deal.”

  “Good.”

  “Then will you fuck me later?”

  “Are you ready for more?”

  “I dreamt about it all night.”

  I lift her hand to my lips and kiss it. “Funny, I dreamt about you too.” Using her wrist, I pull her upright, admiring her beauty even in this state. Her hair is a tangled mess, but she’s still amazing. When the blanket falls and I see her tits, my dick instantly reacts, tenting the sweatpants I’m wearing. She notices and grins.

  “Is that for me?”

  “It is.” I grab it through the material. “Always.”

  “Give it to me now.”

  “No. You need to get some caffeine and ibuprofen in you. Once you feel better, trust me, it’s on.”

  “Fine, fine, I’ll be patient.” She pushes the rest of the blanket off and drags her hand between her legs. “But you should tell that to her.”