Until she disappeared.
Now, she stood before him. Wanting to be submissive. His submissive. Rem had the chance to find the truth, and experience the one thing that haunted him throughout the years.
Cara Winter's full submission.
He motioned to the velvet chaise. "Sit down and let's talk first."
Her fingers clenched, and then slowly relaxed. Her chest rose as she dragged in a breath, calming herself, and walked over to the chaise. Her motions were elegant. Simplified. She'd grown into herself and achieved full power, owning her curves and body with a pride that elicited a raw lust. Her breasts spilled over the black corset, cinching in at the waist and flaring at the hips. The black skirt barely covered her full ass, clinging to her flesh and stretching to accommodate as she strode across the room. Muscled legs flexed, working the four inch black stilettos, he'd instructed her to wear. Rem imagined her heels digging into his thighs as he fucked her. Imagined her spread-eagled against the wall, while those heels tilted her ass up like a gift made for him and only him.
Fuck. He needed to get his shit together before she realized he was acting like a horny teen rather than an experienced Dom. She couldn't know how badly he'd missed her, or how often he'd thought of her over the years. If he was to own her submission, he needed to be in full control at all times.
Rem re-focused and sat across from her. Steepling his fingers together, he waited in perfect silence, gathering his thoughts. The old Cara would've ducked her head. Fidgeted. Sighed impatiently. The new Cara looked back at him with a steady gaze, completely still, and focused on his next action. His gut twisted in arousal, warring with anger. Where had she learned such control? How many men had she given herself to after she ran from him? Had he been so disappointing she needed to replace him? Rem tamped down on the bitterness and spoke. "I'd like a bit more background before we continue. I received your list of hard and soft limits. Is there anything I need to know about that's a trigger?"
"No," she said quietly.
He'd memorized the list so he ticked off the items that concerned him. "Flogging is acceptable. You said no blood or scarring. What about marking? Bruises?"
"Marks or light bruising is fine."
"Anal is a soft limit. Have you tried it before?"
"I've never tried it but I'm curious."
"You've played with an array of toys before. What's your favorite?"
Her skin flushed a delicate pink. "Vibrator with clitoral stimulator."
"Yes, one of my favorites, too." Her flush deepened but she kept her gaze on his. Nice. "Sexual intercourse is permissible?"
"Yes."
"You want me to push your limits, Cara. Hard. I need to be sure you're ready for this. I'm a strict Dom, and I will do things to your body, to your mind, that will break you down. I will go deep, and if you fight me, I'll fight back."
Her pupils dilated, so her eyes turned more gold than green. She swallowed and twisted her fingers together. "I wouldn't expect anything less of you, Sir."
The title sang in his ears and stiffened his dick. How long had he craved her to call him Sir without prompting? The term did odd things to his heart, bringing back a tidal rush of memories he didn't want to probe. He kept his attention on the moment, to the woman she was now, and what she needed from him.
Because his fantasy had been the same exact thing.
A woman he could break. A woman he could conquer. A woman he could heal.
A woman who could heal him.
"What is your safe word?"
"Red."
"You will use yellow to slow things down. Do you have any concerns before we begin?"
"Remington?"
His name rolling from her plump lips nearly brought him to his knees. She used to whisper in his ear right before she came, as if repeating his name over and over helped her hold onto something stable. He fought to keep the emotion from his face. "You will call me Sir."
Grief flickered in her green eyes but he convinced himself it was just a trick of the light. "I'm sorry, Sir. I need to know if this -- if this is okay. Should we talk about what happened?"
"We both have something the other needs. Tomorrow, we'll part and never see each other again. Tonight, you will not lie to me. You will give me everything I ask, and I will take care of you because I'm your Dom until dawn. Do you understand?"
Her lower lip trembled, and she bit down hard, as if trying to find her courage. Rem studied her. Waited. Now was the time fear struck, and the reality of their situation was total. The ghosts of the past shimmered around them, taunting. It was her decision. He only had as much control as she gave him, and she needed to be ready if the evening would be what they both craved.
Her breath shuddered from her chest. "I understand."
Rem cocked his head.
"Sir."
"Very good. Our scene will begin. Please go to the edge of the bed, remove your clothes, and greet me in sub position."
Cara rose from the chaise, walked to the edge of the king size platform bed, and began untying her corset.
Chapter Four
THE SHEER INTENSITY OF THE SCENE unveiled before her and part of her wanted to scream "Red" and get the hell out of dodge.
Cara couldn't believe he wanted to stay. When she took off without warning, she told herself it was for the best. She didn't want him to believe in a future that didn't exist for them. Through the years, Cara had accepted the truth of what she had done to the man she loved. She'd brutally hurt him in order to avoid confrontation. To avoid the questions he would've asked and she wouldn't have wanted to answer.
But he was here. Tonight, she'd been given a second chance to be the submissive she dreamed of being with him. Cara refused to run again, no matter how difficult facing his pain and her choices became.
She concentrated on the automatic motions of her fingers as she unlaced the corset from the front, and shimmied out of the material. Her large breasts hung free, the cool air caressing her nipples and turning them into tight points. Cara bent to pull down her skirt, and step out of the minuscule fabric. Excitement gathered low in her belly as each item of clothing was removed, until she stood naked in front of her Dom, bared for only his pleasure.
Remington feasted on her with his gaze, touching every inch of skin as if he planned exactly what he was going to do with her. When they'd been in college, Cara had been ashamed of her body. She compared herself to magazine covers and skinny models, always finding herself lacking, wondering when he'd leave her. Rem always punished her for insulting what he said belonged to both of them. She never realized the gift he'd given her early in life, his complete and total devotion to every single part of her.
She just hadn't been ready to accept the gift.
This time, she reveled in the raw lust that twisted his lips and gleamed from his blue eyes. This time, she stood proudly in front of him, knowing he received pleasure from her full breasts and curves, her generous ass and the way she held her shoulders back.
"Should I take off the shoes, Sir?" she asked.
"You may leave them on."
The burgundy carpet was plush and thick. She dropped gracefully to her knees, widening her stance, clasping her hands behind her back to thrust out her breasts. Her head bent slightly as she dropped her gaze downward. Cara focused on the breath filling her lungs. In. Out. Calm began to seep into her, bit by bit, and her surroundings came into glorious, sharp awareness.
His scent hit her first. Pleasure tingled her nerve endings from the intoxicating swirl of mint and cloves, a customized cologne she'd always adored. The lash of his body heat tempted her to look up, but she didn't move. His black loafers squeaked slightly as he walked around her. The anticipation built, fueling her adrenalin, and Cara fought the instinct to participate in the ritual. Years ago, she would've lifted her head to peek, or arch toward him for his touch. Not now. She'd learned the slow building tension only made the explosion more satisfying. She wanted desperately to show him how she'd changed.
His hand stroked her hair, lifting the strands and combing his fingers through it. A moan hovered on her lips. His touch was pure heaven, and she ached for more. "You cut your hair. Straightened it, too."
"Yes, Sir."
"I like it. The style suits you."
"Thank you, Sir."
He continued his inspection, his hands caressing her shoulders, exploring her firm flesh as he traced the line of her spine and drew goose bumps. He cupped her ass cheeks, pinching slightly, and then dipped one finger between her legs.
"You're wet."
Embarrassment hit, but she was already too turned on to care. Her pussy was swollen and tight. She loved being on display for him, ready to do what he commanded. The sheer freedom of giving herself over to this man who'd once held her heart in an iron grip coursed through her like a delicious drug.
"Do you like what I'm doing to you?"
His voice lashed like a whip, but his fingers were gentle as he swirled and rubbed her labia, gathering the moisture and coating her clit. Cara remained still, eyes half closed against the pleasure, fighting her body's reaction to ask for more. "Yes, Sir," she choked out.
"You used to fight me in this position. Said you didn't like being on your knees in front of me. Has this changed?"
"No, Sir."
"When I ask you a question, you will answer me honestly. Has this changed?"
Goosebumps broke out on her skin. "No, Sir. I liked it before. I was too afraid to admit it."
His grip tightened on her ass. Cara waited in the silence for his next move. She swore no matter how hard his questions were, she owed him her honesty. Tonight was not just about being physically naked, but emotionally. It was the driving force of what had been lacking in her life since she left Rem, and the craving for a Dom to challenge her on all levels haunted her continuously. Finally, tonight, she'd get what she wanted, but only if she was brave enough to give it.
"Forehead to the floor. Use your fingers to spread your ass cheeks wide. I want to see what belongs to me tonight."
He removed his fingers. A shudder shook her, but Cara dropped her forehead down to the carpet, and reached back to hold herself open to him. Arousal dripped down her inner thighs as she felt his blistering gaze study her pussy. She'd never felt more helpless. By him forcing her to present her body, he chained her tighter to his control and ratcheted her excitement.
"Your orgasms belong to me. Every single one of them. If you come without permission, you will be punished. If you do not obey my orders, you will be punished. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Yes, what?"
"Yes, Sir."
"I love you in this position. Offering your pretty pink pussy up to me to do whatever I want. I can touch you like this." His fingers swept over her weeping, swollen lips, stroking with merciless demand until she squeezed her eyes shut and locked her muscles to remain still. "Or use my tongue. Do you taste the same I wonder? Like soft, ripened peaches? Let's see."
Cara moaned with pleasure as his hot, wet tongue swiped her slit, gathering up her taste. He licked her with quick, teasing motions that hardened her clit and caused her hips to push back slightly for more. The sharp sting of his hand against her ass made her jerk. "Stay still." She panted for breath as he went back to licking her, until finally, mercilessly, he stood again and the squeak of his loafers hit her ears.
"Yes, still the same. Delicious."
Cara shook with the need for more. The need to come. She bit back her cries, knowing tonight was on his terms, and he'd just begun. Still, how long had it been since a man caused her to be this wet and achy after only a few moments? She craved an orgasm, dreamed of letting her body shatter until there was nothing left in her world but pleasure.
"I can see your clit begging for more. Do you want to come, Cara?"
"Yes, Sir," she gasped, her fingers curling into tiny fists.
"Tonight, you are my fuck toy. My gorgeous little slut. You will not come until I'm ready. Let's get back to the dirty little things I can do with your pussy. Ah, yes, I can spank it."
Oh, God.
Cara had always been a bit squeamish about certain BDSM play, but her body lit up like a firecracker at his casual statement. Would he spank her there? No, she was too vulnerable. No, she couldn't take it. She licked her lips. Say yellow? Or...
"Have you ever had your sweet pussy spanked, Cara?"
"No, Sir."
"Sometimes it throws a woman into orgasm. The shock of pain turns into hot pleasure. You will not come though, will you?"
Her thighs trembled and her fingers shook as she held herself open. "No, Sir." She held her breath, waiting for the sting, waiting for pain, but his fingers rubbed her labia in tiny circles, his thumb penetrating her in short, sharp strokes that ripped away her breath. So good. Her clit throbbed for pressure, and her cunt squeezed his finger, begging for more. "What a good little slut you are, wanting more. Like this, sweetheart?" He added another finger, giving just enough pressure. The world tilted as she hung on desperately for control, panicking at thought of her body breaking away from her.
"Yes, Sir," she gasped.
"And this?" Once again, his tongue worked her, flicking her clit, around and around, refusing to give her the flat of his tongue or the pressure needed to go over the edge. Frustrated tears stung her eyes. Cara didn't know such torture existed. Every ounce of need and want centered around her clit and the Holy Grail of orgasm. Her skin pricked with sweat, her nipples stabbed the carpet, her arms shook, and she swayed back and forth under the delicious licks of his tongue. "I asked you a question, Cara. Do you like my mouth on your pussy?"
"Yes, Sir, God, yes."
"You will not come."
The sharp sting of his open palm against her hard clit sent her over the edge. Pain jolted, then morphed into ecstasy. With a scream, her body jerked and she came hard, excruciating pleasure wracking her body in wave after wave. She shook under the violent spasms, and suddenly his arms were around her naked back. He soothed her with gentle caresses, down her spine, over her ass, her thighs, while he spoke in a dark, deep tone that touched a quiet place deep inside. Cara held her position with a ruthless determination, until he finally tugged her arms free, pulling her up from the floor and into his arms.
His scent surrounded her, and her cheek lay against the soft cotton of his t-shirt. Cara leaned in, accepting his warm strength. Flashbacks hit like stinging pebbles thrown at her.
The gentleness and love in his eyes when he held her after an orgasm. The way he'd tuck her tight into his body, wrapping his arms around her so she always felt safe and protected. Cherished. He was a man who could bring her to a ruthless orgasm, yet care for her with such shattering tenderness, her heart had never been able to escape the memory and belong to another.
The knowledge she still belonged to Remington Steele sliced through her with merciless precision. My God, no wonder her past relationships never amounted to more than a few dates or encounters. In a way, she'd always known she belonged to him. But being back in his arms confirmed the truth.
She was still in love with him.
"You disobeyed me, Cara," he whispered in her ear. The sweet caress of his hands over her body contradicted the hard promise in his voice. "You've always had trouble controlling your orgasms. You still haven't met the Dom to correct this behavior?"
"No, Sir. It's just..." she trailed off, swallowing back the words.
"Finish your sentence."
"It's just with you."
He leaned back and tipped her chin up. Studied her face with hard eyes. "Do you think you can gain favor with me by pretty lies? I don't care how many men fucked you or how many times you came with them. But I won't tolerate lies."
She flushed but gave him back a stubborn glare. "I'm not lying. I have trouble orgasming with men. It's easier to do it myself."
Shock flared in those blue eyes. "You've obviously been trained in BDSM. You're trying to tell me your past Doms never brou
ght you to orgasm? It's been five years since you ran from me. How am I supposed to believe this?"
"I've only been with a few other men. "
"Tell me about them."
"One man I was involved with for six months. He didn't really know the lifestyle. I got -- frustrated. When I couldn't orgasm from regular intercourse without kink, he became upset and eventually ended it. The second said he liked BDSM and we built a friendship, but he wasn't a true Dominant. He enjoyed playing a bit, spanking, ordering me around. But again, I had trouble reaching orgasm and we ended it as friends. The third man is a practicing Dom who took me to his club, Chains. I decided I needed to go back into the lifestyle to find what I was looking for. I took an introductory course to learn the formal practices. You already taught me so much, but I needed more, on my own terms. Under his protection, I experimented and learned what I liked and what I didn't. He was only able to give me an orgasm with a vibrator. Not by his own hand."
"He never fucked you?"
"No, Sir. I haven't been able to come with another man since I left you."
Silence shattered the room. Cara knew he probed her gaze for truth, but there was nowhere to hide tonight. She'd hold nothing back with him. All of these years running from him had brought her right back into his arms.
"Then why are you here tonight?"
"To be free," she whispered. "I want to be pushed to my limits and beyond. I want to have orgasms and see if I can reach subspace with the right man. Tonight was the first time I intended to experience a full scene."
He stepped back, seemingly trying to sift through her words. It must sound farfetched, but the two other men who'd touched her had been pale imitations of the only one who owned her body and heart. She enjoyed the way her Dom teacher, Paul, brought her deep into BDSM, but she hadn't wanted him to fuck her. For her, it was learning what her body needed, and how far she wanted to push. Paul had respected her wishes.
No man had been able to set her off with a simple touch, like Rem.
Suddenly, he turned and towered over her. Blue eyes blazed with a mingle of emotions she'd never seen before, but his face was tight and his voice cold. "I think it's time we both share some hard truths, don't you? But first, I owe you a punishment. What do you think it should be, Cara?"