She blushed and decided to just machine-gun it all out so she couldn’t overthink. “Okay, so the deal is, we’ve established that I want you inside me. We’ve established I’m not afraid of you. You’re teaching me how to tackle the last few things, teaching me to gain more control over my life.”

He nodded, solemn, his focus on her completely.

“So, um, I have a control problem. I mean, gah! I don’t know how to explain it.”

“Red, just tell me, and I’ll do it. Even if the most beautiful tits on earth weren’t brushing up against me this very moment, I’d still move mountains for you.”

“God, you’re so unexpected! I need to be in charge this first time,” she blurted.

A slow, sly smile crept over his mouth. “Is that all? You can tie me up, spank my ass, blindfold me, well, that would suck because those freckles, that skin, those f**king br**sts are so hot I’d hate not to be looking at them. But do what you will. I am yours to command.”

“Really?”

He laughed. “Ella, yes. I want you. We’re halfway to naked, and what do I care if you want to hold the reins? Tell me what to do, whatever.”

Cope had been so worried she would put a halt to the entire thing, and this is all she needed? He’d go buy her bitch boots and a whip if she wanted it. He got it; she’d been controlled, and she wanted some control now. Fine. What did he have to lose by letting her have it?

“It’s not like you think. Not really. I don’t need to hold the reins. I don’t think I’m cut out for being a dominant. Dominatrix? Whatever. I just need to be in control this first time. I know I’m not making sense. I’m sorry.”

He looked at her, into her eyes, and he understood. She didn’t want to top him, she just wanted to be on top, so to speak. Maybe to manage all the newness and doing something she hadn’t in years. Maybe to wrestle back the past. He didn’t know for sure. But he’d set the pace, and she’d stop him if he went too far. That’s how he interpreted it anyway.

“You make sense just fine.” He kissed her then, felt her relax against him, her arms encircling his neck and hauling him closer. “Guide me. Tell me what you want.”

He loved the way she had to close her eyes for a moment to get herself together. Her ni**les were hard, swollen, and made his mouth water. She wasn’t afraid of him, thank God. She was horny. He could deal with that quite easily.

“I want you to touch me. Be with me.”

“There’s so much of you, I don’t even know where to start,” he murmured before humming his pleasure and licking over the freckles on her shoulder. “Damn, you taste fine.”

She reached between their bodies, yanking at his belt, getting the jeans open, and she laughed.

“Didn’t anyone tell you laughing at a guy when his dick is in your hand is bad form?” he teased.

“You know I’m not laughing at this.” She squeezed him. “Though I must admit I’m a bit scared of it. I’ve looked more than a few times, and I knew you were, um, talented in this area. But this is, well, you’re gifted.”

It was his turn to laugh.

“I laughed because of course you don’t wear underwear. Though I might have sprained my wrist if I’d have known.”

He bent his knees to take her br**sts in his hands and put them together to swipe his tongue over them again and again.

“Wait.” He stood up, his pants open, c**k out. “Your wrist? Holy shit, you mean from masturbating?”

She nodded.

“You should tell me about it.” He grinned, and to his surprise, she turned off the overhead light, leaving the room lit by the fireplace. The surprise part was when she pushed him back on his bed and pulled off his jeans and socks.

“Wow.” She looked him up and down. “You . . . your body is . . . Whew, I don’t think I’ve seen anything so amazingly masculine ever.”

He liked that. He stretched, putting his arms above his head, and she laughed, pouncing on him. “Tease!”

He kissed her, gently rolling her over. “Nope. I always deliver.”

She smiled. “I want to look at your back now. I’ve seen it from a distance, but now I can look close. And touch.”

He was probably going to die by the end of the night with her talking this way, but he managed to push himself to stand, and she—God help him—totally braless, those br**sts swaying, taunting him, followed.

“Brody does such amazing work.” She ran her hands all over the Chinese horned dragon on his back, trailing her fingertips over the place on his biceps where the tail wrapped.

He closed his eyes as she touched him. Gentle, hesitant at first, but then bolder, which he liked. Liked that she trusted him. Loved that she wanted him.

“Chinese horned dragons have protective qualities. They’re very strong. Can’t this one produce rain?” She pressed a kiss to his spine.

“Yes. The horned dragon.” He turned, needing to touch her more. “Your pants are still on.”

“You’re pretty bossy for someone who just agreed to let me be in control.” She said it, brow furrowed, trying to look serious. But the wide green eyes taking in his chest and his nipple rings said differently.

“I want to see you. I’m naked here.” And so hard his c**k tapped his belly. “You should be naked too. It’s only fair.”

“You’re very full of it.” But her hands went to her zipper, and he could have sworn he felt each click of the teeth separating deep in his gut.