TableofContents

Title Page
AllRightsRe se rve d
Aboutthe Book
CHAPTERONE
CHAPTERTWO
CHAPTERTHREE
CHAPTERFOUR
CHAPTERFIVE
CHAPTERSIX
CHAPTERSEVEN
CHAPTEREIGHT
CHAPTERNINE
CHAPTERTEN
CHAPTERELEVEN
CHAPTERTWELVE
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Sne akPe e k!
Te llLiliyourfavorite part!
Aboutthe Author
AlsoByLiliVale nte

MasqueradewiththeMaster

AMasterMeNovella

ByLiliValente

AllRightsRe se rve d
CopyrightMasqueradewiththeMaster©2017LiliValentewww.lilivalente.com

Allrightsreserved.Withoutlimitingtherightsundercopyrightreservedabove,nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinor
introducedintoaretrievalsystem,ortransmitted,inanyform,orbyanymeans(electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,orotherwise)
withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthecopyrightowner.Thiseroticromanceisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,brands,media,
andincidentsareeithertheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously.Theauthoracknowledgesthetrademarkedstatusand
trademarkownersofvariousproductsreferencedinthisworkoffiction,whichhavebeenusedwithoutpermission.Thepublication/useof
thesetrademarksisnotauthorized,associatedwith,orsponsoredbythetrademarkowners.Thise-bookislicensedforyourpersonaluseonly.
Thise-bookmaynotbere-soldorgivenawaytootherpeople.Ifyouwouldliketosharethisbookwithanotherperson,pleasepurchasean
additionalcopyforeachpersonyoushareitwith,especiallyifyouenjoyhot,sexy,emotionalromanticcomediesfeaturingalphamales.Ifyou
arereadingthisbookanddidnotpurchaseit,oritwasnotpurchasedforyouruseonly,thenyoushouldreturnitandpurchaseyourowncopy.
Thankyouforrespectingtheauthor’swork.CoverdesignbyBootstrapDesigns.EditorialservicesprovidedbyHelpMeEdit.

AbouttheBook

AwhitehotStandaloneromancefromUSATodayBestsellerLiliValente

“Leavethemaskon,princess,buteverythingelsecomesoff.I’mreadytoseewhat’smine.”

Theysayyoudon’tknowwhatyou’vegotuntilit’sgone,butIknewlongbeforethedayIsaidgoodbyeto
IvyPrescottthatIwasnevergoingtofindanotherwomanlikeher.

Now,we’rebothsixyearsolder,andmysweet,innocentIvyhasbecomeasexy,irresistiblewoman.

Shewasn’treadyformethen,butshe’sreadyformenow.Readytolearnallthewicked,wonderfulthings
Ihavetoteachher.

Herlessonwillbeginwithabox.Aboxwithabeautifuldress,amask,andaninvitationtocomeplay
withamanwhohasbeenwatchingherfromafar…

Amanwhowantstomasterher—bodyandsoul…

Warning:Thissinfullysexyreadfeaturesvoyeurism,bondage,andaDominantalphamalewholikesto
playroughwithhistoys—butdon’tworry,he’llmakesureyouenjoyeveryscorchinglyhotminuteofit.

CHAPTERONE

DearIvy,

Areyousittingdown?Ifyou’renot,Iadvisethatyoudoso.
Putyourfeetupandgetcomfortable,doll.Thisisn’tthekindofletteryouwanttoreadstandingup.Yes,

I’mserious.Findaseatforthatfineassofyoursandtakeit.

Now.
There.Thatwasn’tsobad,wasit?
Maybeyouevenlikedit.Atleastalittle.Maybeyou’reintrigued.Eagertolearnwhohastheballsto

writeasavvycorporatewomanlikeyoualetterlikethis.

IhavetheballsbecauseIknowyou,princess.Youlikeamanwhoisn’tafraidtotakecontrol.You

alwayshave,evenbackwhenyouweresonaïvethatI’mprettysureyouhadnoideawhatImeantwhenI
saidIneededtowinawoman’ssubmission.

Butyougotonyourkneesanywayandaskedmetotakeyoutotheball.
Doyouremember?
Ido.Ithinkaboutthatnight—andwhatashitjobIdidofbreakingthingsoff—moreoftenthanIwould

liketoadmit.

Butsayinggood-byewasforthebest.Iwouldn’thavebeengoodforyouinthelongrun.Notbackthen.I

wouldn’thavebeenabletostopmyselffromtakingadvantageofyourinexperience,nomatterhowhardI
wouldhavetried.Weweresparkandtinder,Prescott,andIwouldhaveburnedyoutotheground.

Butthingsaredifferentnow…
Aren’tthey?
IknowhowyouspendyourSaturdays,Ivy.Iknowaboutthesecretstaircase,thereddoor,andthetoys

youplaywithinthebackroomwithamanwhowantsyoutocallhimMaster.Butyouweren’tmeantfor
him.

Youweremeantforme.
Ifyou’reshakingyourhead—orhavingahardtimecomingtogripswiththisblastfromthepast—ask

yourselfthis:Whosefacedoyouseewhenyoucloseyoureyesandslipyourfingersbetweenyourlegs?
Whosehandsarebrushingacrossyournipples,smoothingoveryourass,spreadingyourthighswide?
Whosevoiceisinyourear,tellingyouhowsweetyoutaste,howperfectlywetyouare,howmuchhe
wantstofuckyouandkeepfuckingyouuntilthereisnodoubtinyourmindwhoyourpleasurebelongsto?

Tellthetruth,princess.Don’tlietome,ortoyourself.
Maybeyou’reeventurnedonrightnow.Wet.Thinkingabouthowgoodweweretogetherandallthefun

wecouldhavenowthatyourkinkhascaughtupwithmine.

Ihopeso.BecauseIwanttobewithyou,Ivy—inperson,unfiltered,noholdsbarredandnoholding

back.Iwanttopushyourskirtuparoundyourhipsandgetmymouthbetweenyourlegs.Iwanttotieyour

wriststomyheadboardandteaseyouuntilyoubegmetotakeyou.Iwanttomakelovetoyouinevery
filthywayyou’vedaydreamedaboutandafewnewwaysI’llteachyoubecauseI’madirtybastardwitha
filthymindandyouarethestarofeverysingleoneofmyfantasies.

Iwanttopleasureyou,possessyou.IwantitsobadIcanalmosttastethesaltandhoneyofyourskin.
Noonetasteslikeyou.Sosinfullysweet…
I’vebeenthinkingsooftenlatelyaboutthatcampingtriponthebeach,ofthatfirstkissmixedwithrain

andthewayyoucameonmymouthwiththewindhowlingoutsideourtent.Youwerelightninginabottle,
andIknewthatfirstnightthatIwasnevergoingtofindanotherwomanlikeyou.

Whichbringsustothismoment.
Thisgift,andachancetoseeiflightningcanstriketwice.
IntheletterIsentwiththatfirsttuitioncheck,Iwarnedthattherewouldcomeadaywhenyour

“anonymousfriend”wouldaskforafavor.Ialsosaidthatyouwouldbefreetosayyesornotothat
request—nohardfeelings;noharm,nofoul.Imeantitthen,andImeanitnow.Thereisnodebttobe
repaid,onlyanopportunitysincerelyoffered.

IwanttoshowyouallthethingsI’velearnedsincethenightwepartedways.Iwanttoshowyouhow

sorryIam,andhowtrulyincrediblesubmissioncanfeel.Thatmanyou’vedabbledwithdoesn’thave
whatittakestotopyou,butIdo.Meetmetonightandletmeproveit.

You’rereadyfortheball,princess,andIwouldsoverymuchliketobethemantotakeyou.
I’llsendacarateight.

Sincerely,
Edward

CHAPTERTWO

Ivy

GoodGod…Edward.
Istanduponlytositdownhardagain,mytailbonetwingingasitmeetsthewoodenseatofthechair.
Edwardismymysteriousbenefactor,themanwhopaidformylastyearofundergraduateschoolandthe

master’sprogramafter.Theonewhosetmeupwithtenthousanddollarsinstartupmoneytofundmy
movetoNewYorkCityandkeepmeincoffeeandramennoodleswhileIinterned,beforeIlandedan
entry-leveladvertisingjob.He’stheonewhosentchocolatesandchampagnewhenIwaspromotedthe
firsttime,andBroadwayticketswhenImadeAssistantCreativeDirectorlastmonth.

Theticketshadcomeinanantiquejewelrybox,alongwithanotesaying“Ineverdoubtedyoufora

moment.Congratulationsonyoursuccess.–Anon.”

Anon,shortforAnonymous,butI’dthoughtI’dknownwhowaslookingoutforme.MybrotherAaron

mightbeaselfishshitmostofthetime,buthelovesme.Hewouldneverstandbyandletourparentssteal
myinheritanceanddisownmewithouttakingstepstomakethingsright.

OrsoI’dthought.
ButifEdwardistheonebehindthemoneyandthegifts…
IfEdwardisbehindallofthis,thenthatmeans…
Idropmyfaceintomyhands,lettingmyfingersmufflealong,lowgroan.“Jesus,Aaron.Yousorryson

ofabitch.”

Myolderbrotherisn’tajerkwithasecretheartofgoldafterall.He’sjustajerk—aselfish,self-serving

bastardwhowashappytoturnhisbackonmebecauseitwaseasierthanstandingupforwhatwasright.
I’vespentyearswritinghimthoughtfulemailsandtoleratinghishalf-heartedrepliesfornothing.Aaron
wasnevermyallyormyfriend.He’sjustanotherpersonI’munluckyenoughtocallfamily.

Iswallowhard,ignoringthepressurebuildingbehindthebridgeofmynose.
Iwon’tcry.NotforhimoranyotherPrescott.Imadeapromisetomyselfyearsago,aftermygramdied,

nottogivemyshittyfamilyanymoreofmytears.Thisfreshsuckerpunchhurts,butthepainwillfade.It’s
theideaofabenevolentbigbrotherthatI’llmiss.InrealityI’mnotanymorealonethanIhavebeenfor
thepastsixyears.

Aaronhasn’tbeenthereformeinalongtime,notsinceMomandDadtoreupGram’swill,bribedher

crookedattorney,andkickedmeoutofthehousefortryingto“takewhatbelongedtothem.”Ihadn’teven
knownGramwasnamingmesoleheir,butthathadn’tmatteredtomyparents.Themoneywasallthey
caredabout.AndapparentlythesamegoesforAaron.

I’mnotlosingabrother;I’mgaininganextrahoureveryotherweekend.Nomoreafternoonswriting

emailsmeansmoretimetoenjoymyself.

Toenjoymyself…

Mygazeshiftsfromthelettertothecreamboxonthekitchentable.It’stwofeetwideandthreefeet

long,tiedupwitharedsatinbow.It’salsoheavyandI’mguessingexpensive,judgingbytheBergdorf-
Goodmanlogoonthebagitarrivedin.Itwasdeliveredtwentyminutesagobycourier,alongwithahand-
writtenletter.

AletterfromEdwardMulligan,theboyIcrushedonformostofmyteenageexistence,themanwho

tookmyvirginityinatentbythesea,theassholewhowassowonderfulandromanticthatIfellmadlyin
lovewithhim,onlytohavehimtellmemylovewasn’tenough.

Iwasn’tenough.
Andyouweren’t.Youweren’treadyforamanlikeEdward.Canyouimagineifyou’dreceivedaletter

likethisbackwhenyoutwoweredating?

Youwouldhavefainted.
Orburstintotears.
Orrun,thewayyouranthatnight…
Ipickuptheletter,scanningitagainwithnarrowedeyes.Dirty-talking,game-playing,dress-ripping

Edwardisback.

Evenacoupleofyearsago,IwouldhavesaidIhatedhim.
Butnow…
NowI’mafull-fledged,fuckinggrown-up.I’vehelddownachallengingjob,landedtwopromotions,

negotiatedaraisewithmyintimidatingboss,Mr.Tennyson,andperfecteda“youdon’twanttomesswith
me,buddy”glarethatkeepsallbutthemostdeterminedNewYorkCitycreepersatarm’slength.I’vealso
learnedtoaskforwhatIwantinthebedroom,andthatIenjoyregularwalksonthewildside.

I’maregularatamembers-onlyclubforDominantsandsubmissives,andIknowhowmuchwickedfun

thereistobehadinthedark.Afterthepastfewyearsofexperimentation,there’snowayIcouldgoback
tomakingsweet,innocentlovetoanearnestvirgin.

ItnolongersurprisesmethatEdwardcalledthingsoff.I’mmoresurprisedthathestartedarelationship

withmeinthefirstplace.Iwassoinnocent,sonaïve,andsopatheticallyinlovewithmyolderbrother’s
bestfriend,theonlymaninmylifewhodidn’ttreatmelikeIwasmadeofglass.

Mygrandfatherwasthefirstfamoustelevangelistofthe1980s.Myfatherfollowedinhisfootsteps,and

mymothermadeitherjobtobetheperfectpreacher’swife,whichmeantmoldingmeintotheperfectly
pure,squeakycleanpreacher’sdaughter.Edwardwasrightinhisletter.IwassoshelteredIdidn’t
understandwhatBDSMwasuntilmonthsafterourbreakup.Ittookmuchlongerformetoworkupthe
couragetoexploremyfantasies,tofindoutifmydaydreamsaboutbeingtakenbyaDominantmanwere
somethingIwouldenjoyinreallife.

MasterHansen,themanwhohastoppedmeforthepastsixmonths,teasesthatI’macliché—thefallen

preacher’sdaughter,thegoodgirldeterminedtogobad.Butitgoesdeeperthanthat.Growingup,Ihadno
choicebuttosubmittothepowerfulmeninmylife.Now,submissionmakesmefeelpowerful.

Imakethechoices.Ichoosewhen,where,how,andtowhomIoffermyobedienceandtheprivilegeof

givingmepleasureandpain.

IfIgotoEdward,itwillbemychoice,nothingforceduponmebyanyoneelse.
Myskingoeselectricatthethought.IfItakehimuponhisoffer,inlessthansixhoursIcouldbe

kneelingatEdward’sfeet,kissingEdward’slips,comingonEdward’sincomparablecock.

BackwhenIwasatwenty-year-oldvirgin,Ihadnoideathatallcocksarenotcreatedequal.IfI’d

knownthenthatIwouldneverfindanothermancapableofmakingmecomelikeasteamenginecareening
offthetracks,maybeIwouldhavefoughtthroughmyshameandstayedwithhimthatnight.

Thethoughtmakesmesnortaloud.

Iflicktheletterintotheair,sendingitsailinguptohitthelightfixturebeforeitlandswithsharptickon

theglasstable.Mycat,Shiver,whoisnotaccustomedtomethrowingthings,exitsthekitchen,stageright,
withahissofdisapproval.

“Sorry,”Icallafterher,butmyheartisn’tinit.
InmymindI’mnotinmyBrooklynapartmentwithmycat.I’mbackatthegatesoftheCastleofSinon

thenightoftheVenusBall.I’mbackatEdward’ssidewhenherippedthefrontofmydressopenandtold
metoplaywithmynippleswhiletherestofthepeoplewaitingtogetintotheballwatched.

ItwasthefirsttimeI’deverbeennakedinpublicinmyentirelife.EvenifIhadforcedmyselftoobey

andsurvivedtheembarrassmentoftouchingmyselfinfrontofthosemaskedpeople,whatEdwardwanted
todotomeinsidethewallsofthat“castle”wouldhavescaredmeoutofmymind.

Hewasright.Twenty-year-oldIvywasn’treadytoplaywiththebigboys.
Buttwenty-six-year-oldIvy…
BeforeIcansecond-guessmydecision,Itugtheredribbonfreeandopenthebox.Inside,cradledina

nestoftissuepaper,isablackmasquerademaskandthemostbeautifuldressI’veeverseen.It’saslinky
blackfloor-lengthnumberwithtinycrystalssewnovereveryinchandasee-throughpanelthatstartsjust
belowthedeepVoftheneck,taperstothewaist,andthenveersofftoexposepartofthehipbefore
trailingallthewaytothefloor.

ThefabrichissessoftlyasIpullthedressfromthepaperandholdituptothelight.Icanalreadytell

thatitwillfitperfectly,andthatitwillbaremorefleshthanI’veeverbaredinpublic.Theneckline
plungesintoaVsodeep,Ican’timaginehowthegirlsaregoingtostaycontained.I’monthelargerside
ofaDcupandusuallyrequiresomeseriouselastictokeepmedecent.

Butthen,Edwardclearlydoesn’twantmedecent.Hewantsmenaughtyandhalfnakedandwillingtolet

himdowicked,kinkythingstome.

Amentalimageflashesthroughmymind—Edward’sdarkhairfallingoverhisforeheadintohiseven

darkereyes.Hissmilelikeaslashoflightinthedarknessashebeckonsmecloserandpullsmeinfora
kiss,akissthatgoesonandonuntilI’msobreathlessIdon’tofferanyresistancewhenheguidesmeonto
mykneesinfrontofhimandopenshisfly,tellingmeit’stimetoshowhimwhatI’velearnedinallour
yearsapart.

Mytonguetinglesatthethought,andarushofsalivafillsmymouth.Ineverhadthepleasureoftaking

Edward’scockbetweenmylips—Iwastooshybackwhenwewereacouple—butGod,Iwantto.Iwant
togivehimtheblowjobofhislife,leavehimweak-kneedandsoshatteredbypleasurehewon’tknow
whathithim.Iwanttoseehowfasthe’llrecoverfromthethingsmytonguecandotohim,andhis
reactionwhenherealizesthatIlearnedtosuckcockfromsomeoneotherthanhim.

Dangerousthoughts,Ivy.
Nothingsays“I’mstillnotoveryou”liketryingtomakeaguyjealousoftheothercocksyou’ve

sucked.

Ipressmylipstogether.It’strue.AndthelastthingIwanttodoisgiveEdwardanyreasontothinkI’ve

beenpiningforhim.He’sclearlystillcockyenoughwithoutanyencouragement,andIhavenointerestin
anythingmorethansex.IlearnedmylessonthefirsttimeaboutgivingmyhearttoaguylikeEdward.

IfI’mgoingtodothis,I’llhavetogoinwithgroundrules.ForEdwardandmyself.
AsIshoweranddrymyhair,Ithinkaboutwhatitwilltaketokeepthisnightaboutkinky

experimentationandnothingmore.BythetimeI’veputonmymakeup,slippedintothedress,which
makesmybodylookmadeforsin,anddonnedmymask,Ihaveagameplan.

Inthecaronthewaytotheball,asthedriverspeedsoutofthecityandintothefoothillsofupstateNew

York,I’mnervousbutconfident.Icanhandlethis.Icanhaveanightoffunwithamanwhoknowswhatto

dowiththetenincheshe’sbeenblessedwith,enjoymyself,andwalkaway.

IoweEdwardthatmuchforallthehelphe’sgivenme,andIoweittomyselftoprovethatI’vegrown

upandgrownoutofMr.Mulligan.

He’sright—hisisthefaceinmyeroticdreams.HisarethehandsIimaginetouchingmewhenI’malone

inmybedwithnothingbuttheceilingfanwhirringoverheadandmyvibratorbuzzingbetweenmylegs

Buttonight,allofthatisgoingtochange.TonightEdwardcanhavemeineverywickedwayhewants,

andI’llgiveasgoodasIget.Iwillridehimallnightlong,sexhimoutofmysystem,andwakeup
tomorrowafreewoman,nolongerhauntedbytheghostsofThingsThatWereNeverMeanttoBe.

Ifeelgood.Great,even.
AsthecarpullsdownthepaveddrivewaytowherethegothicCastleofSinloomsonahill,surrounded

bythestonewallsthatencloseitspleasuregardens,I’mnottheleastbitnervous.Thewell-dressed
peopleliningupforentrancedon’tscareme,either.I’molder,dressedaswellasanyofthesewealthy
women,andI’vegottwoyearsofexperienceasasubmissiveundermybelt.I’mnotgoingtoembarrass
myselforrunaway.I’mgoingtoprovethatIbelonghere.

Iamconfidencepersonified…rightuptothemomentstronghandsgrabmefrombehind,liftingmeoff

thepathandtuggingmebackintothedark.

CHAPTERTHREE

Edward

Frommyhidingplacebehindastandofbayberrybushesnearthecastlewalls,IspyIvythemomentshe

getsoutofthecar.She’sevenmorebeautifulthanIremember,herred-brownhairfallinginwildcurls
aroundhershoulders,herlipsstainedpink,andherfullhipsswayingbackandforthinthatincredible
dress.

She’sagoddamnedheartattackwaitingtohappen.
ThesecondIlayeyesonher,IknowIwon’tbeabletowaituntilwe’realoneinthegarden.Ineedto

touchher.Now.Sixyearswithoutherskinagainstmineistoolongformetoexerciserestraint.

Asshepassesbymyhidingplace,Istepout,wrappinganarmaroundherwaist,liftingheroffthe

groundasmyfreehandcovershermouth.

Shestiffensandsucksinasurprisedbreath,butrelaxeswhenIwhisper“Don’tworry,it’sme,”and

drawherdeeperintotheshadowsbehindthebushes.

ThecurveofherasspressesagainstwhereI’malreadyhard,andwebothmoan,thetwinsoundsofneed

makingmesmileintohercurls.

“Thatanswersmyfirstquestion,”Imurmur,flatteningmyhandlowonherstomach,bloodcatchingfire

asthesweet,familiar,too-long-without-hersmellofIvyfloodsmyhead.

“Andwhatisthat,yousneakybastard?Youalmostgavemeaheartattack!”
“Andthatanswersmysecond,”Isay,tryingnottobetoodisappointed.Shehaseveryrighttobeangry

withme,afterall.“Iunderstandifyouhateme,princess.ButIhopeyou’llgivemeachancetomake
amends.”

“Idon’thateyou.”Herbreathhitchesasmyhandslidesevenlower,hoveringabovetheapexofher

thighs.“Idon’tfeelanythingforyouanymore,Edward.I’mjusthereforagoodtime.”

“Me,too,”IlieasIsweepherhairfromherneckandpressmylipslightlytoherthroat.“AndI’mglad

youdon’thateme.Ienjoynotbeinghated.”

Idon’tmentionanythingaboutloveorregretorhowmuchIwantthistobeaboutmorethanfun.Iknew

whenIwrotethatletterthattonightwasn’tgoingtobeeasy.

Butthen,thebestthingsneverare.
Sheswallows,hermusclesworkingbeneathmylips.“Me,too.Butbeforethisgoesanyfurther,Ineed

tomakeonethingclear:wekeepthiscasual,okay?I’mabusyperson,andI’mnotinterestedinmorethan
onenightandaneasygood-bye.Ifyou’relookingforasteadydate,orhopingtorekindleoldflames,I’m
notyourgirl.”

Mychesttightensatherwords.She’salwaysbeenthegirlforme.I’djustneededhertobecomeher

owngirlfirst.Shewassodamnedyoung,evenforatwenty-year-old.Ihadtogivehertime.Ineededher
togainexperience,confidence,andthestrengthtotellmetogotohellwhenItrytotakethingstoofar.

BecauseIalwaystakethingstoofar,andI’mafraidtonightwon’tbeanexception.IknowIshouldkeep

heavystuffoffthetableuntilI’veproventoIvythatIdeserveanotherchance,butmyheartisalready
poundingoutthatfierce,possessiverhythmitbeatswheneverthiswomanisaround.

She’smine.Shebelongsherewithherbodywarmandsoftinmyarmsandherbreathcomingfaster

simplybecausewe’restandingthisclose.

“Didyouhearme,Ed?”
“Watchit,Prescott,”Iwarn,butthere’sasmileinmyvoiceasIcurlmyfingers,pressinglightlyagainst

herclitthroughhersexy-as-sindress.“YouknowIhatenicknames.CallmeEdagain,andI’mgoingto
spankyou.”

Sheturns,meetingmygazeoverhershoulder.“Isthatapromise?”
Mycockswellsthickeratthechallenge.Nodoubtaboutit,Ivyisallgrownupandhotasfuckinghell.
“Ifyouwantittobe.”Ishiftmyhipsforwarduntilmyerectionisnestledbetweenthecheeksofherass.
“Oh,Ido.Iwantthefullpackage,Mulligan,noholdingback,”shesays,voicebreathy.“Iwantwhatyou

promisedinyourletter.”

“Andyou’regoingtogetit.Anythingyouwanttonight.Anythingyouneed.I’llreddenyourass,tieyou

up,andshoweveryonehowsexyyouarewhenyoucomeonmymouth.”Sheshivers,givingmeallthe
encouragementIneedtoadd,“AndthenI’lltakeyou—rightthereinthegrassbecauseIwon’tbeableto
waittogetbacktoourroom.”

“Nosexwhereotherpeoplemightsee,”shesays.“That’smyhardlimit.Idon’tgothatfarinpublic.”
Inudgeherclitwithmyfingeragain,hummingbeneathmybreath.“Doesthatincludenofuckingyou

withmytongue?I’llconfessI’mattachedtotheideaofdevouringyouwhileyou’renakedinthe
moonlight.”

“Oralisokay.”HereyelidsflutterasIincreasethepressurebetweenherlegs.“Butnothingelse.It’s

too…”

Idrawherdressup,fistingtheheavyfabricinmyhands,baringherthighsbyslowdegrees.“Too?”
“Dangerous,”shesays,shiveringagain.“Weshouldn’tbothbeoutofcontrol.Oneofusneedstokeep

theirheadonstraight.”

“Iwon’tbeoutofcontrol.”Ireachherpantiesandrunmyfingeroverthesatin,lovingtheheatIcanfeel

comingoffofhersex.Fuck,she’salreadysohotforme,andIintendtomakeherevenhotter.“Evenwhen
I’mballsdeepinyou,I’mgoingtobeincontrol.Incontrolofyourpleasureandyourpainandthis
beautifulpussy.”Ipullthecrotchofherthongtoonesideandslideafingerthroughherwetness.“Damn,
sweetness.Isallofthisforme?”

“No,it’sfortheotherguywho’sgothishandinmypanties,”shesays,makingmesmileagain.“What

aboutyou,Edward?Anyhardlimits?”

“Onlyone.”Ipresstwofingersinsideher,penetratingherswollenflesh,myballsachingasshegasps

andwidensherstance,givingmyhandroomtomovebetweenherlegs.Ican’twaittobeinsideher,tobe
thrustingmorethanmyfingersdeepintothiswomanwhodrivesmewildlikenoother.

ButfirstIneedherconsenttoplay.“Oncewestepthroughthegates,I’llbeincharge.Icalltheshots;I

namethegames.Andfromthemomentwestartasceneuntilwefinish,youwillcallmesirorMasterand
makeityourmissioninlifetopleaseme.Doyouunderstand?”

“Iknowhowtoplay,sir,”shesays,givingmeatasteofhowincredibleitwillbetohaveher

submission.“ThesedaysIunderstandwhatDominancemeans,butIdon’tgoinsidewithoutasafeword.”

“Nameit.”Ileanbackagainstthewall,andIvyleansbackwithme,proppingonefootonthestones,

grantingmeevengreateraccesstotheparadisebetweenherthighs,accessItakeadvantageofasIdrive
indeeper,harder.

“Mysafewordis‘marionette.’”Herbreathcomesfastassheshiftsherhips,meetingmythrusts.“And

I’mserious.Thisissex.Nothingmore.We’renotpickingupwhereweleftoff.”

“Iunderstand.”Isilentlyamendthatunderstandingissomethingfluidandsubjecttochange.
“Andthatmeansnohurtfeelingsor—”HerwordscutoffasIthumbherclit,rubbingheruntilshe

moans.“OhGod,thatfeelsgood.”

“Andthere’ssomuchmore,”Ipromise.“I’mgoingtomakeyoucomeuntilyouthinkyoucan’ttakeany

more.ThenI’mgoingtomakeyoucomeagain.Andagain.Untilyoubegmetostop.ButIwon’tstop,
becauseIintendtohavenofuckingmercywhenitcomestoyourpleasuretonight.”

Shereachesback,fingerstanglinginmyhair.“Jesus,Edward.I’mgoingtocomerightnow.”
“Notyet,beautiful.”Iglancedowntoseeherrightbreastpeekingoutoftheplungingnecklineofher

dress,andIbitemylip.Hernippleisbaretothecoolair,andIwanttosuckitintomymouthmorethan
I’vewantedanythinginyears.

Butsufferingisgoodforthesoul,anddelayingsatisfactionmakesthepayoffthatmuchsweeter.
“Anymoreconditions?”Iask.
“Conditions,”sheechoes,hernailsdiggingintomyscalp.“Ican’tremember.Ican’tthinkofanything

buthowmuchIwantyou.CanIcome,Edward?Please?Ineedtosobadly.”

“Notyet.”Ifindhernippleandrollthebudbetweenmyfingers,lovingthesoft,hungrysoundshemakes

inresponse.“Waitforme.WaituntilIgiveyoupermission.”

Shemoansandarchesclosertomyhands.“I’mtrying,butthewayyoutouchme…God,Edward,it’s

likenooneelse.Youfeelsoinsanelygood.”

“Youtoo,princess,”Isay,heartsqueezingtightinmychest.“Ican’twaittomakeyouscream.”
“Yes,”shemurmurs.“Oh,yes,please.Please!”
“Thencomeforme,baby.Comeonmyhand.Letmefeelyougetoff.”
Herheadfallsback,herpussylockingdownaroundmyfingersasshecallsmynameinachokedvoice.
“Fuck,yes,Ivy,”Imurmurintoherhair,mycockthrobbingagainstherass.“Justlikethat.Ilove

watchingyoucome.You’rethesexiestthingI’veeverseen.”

Shegasps,pullinginadeepbreathasherbodycontinuestogripmyfingers.Islowmystrokes,waiting

untilIfeelherrelaxagainstmebeforeIslidemyhandfrombetweenherlegs.

Iholdherforalongmoment,countingthebeatsofherheartasthepulseatherneckslows,beforeI

lowerherdressandturnhergentlyinmyarms.

Shetiltsherheadback,lookingslightlydazed.“Well,thatwasahellofagreeting.”
Ismile.“Sorry.Icouldn’thelpmyself.HaveItoldyouhowbeautifulyoulooktonight?”
Theheatglitteringinhereyescools.“Thankyou.Butyoudon’thavetoflatterme,remember.”
“It’snotflattery,it’sthetruth.You’rebeautiful.Completelystunningfromheadtotoe.Evenprettierthan

thatnightonthebeach.”

Herlipspresstogetherinathinline.“Ihaveonemorecondition.Notalkingaboutthepast,ordredging

upthepast,oranalyzingthepast.Tonight,weliveinthehereandnow.”

“Ilikeitwhenyou’resternwithme.”Icupherbottomthroughherdress,squeezinglightly.“Likeasexy

schoolmarm.”

“I’mserious,Edward,”shesays,frownstillfirmlyinplace.
“Irealizethat,Prescott.”Iinclinemyhead.“Iacceptyourfinalcondition,thoughIhavetoconfess

you’remakingmewonderwhatsortofsubmissiveyouare.DotheMastersatyourplayroomletyouboss
themaroundlikethis?”

“Ofcoursenot.”Herlipscurve.“Butthey’reexperienced,accustomedtotoppingawomanwhoknows

whatshewantsandhowshewantsit.”

Igrin,andmycockpulsesagainstherhip,silentlyassuringherthatit’supforthechallengeoftopping

heranywhere,anytime.“AreyousayingyoudoubtI’vegotwhatittakestoearnyoursubmission,
sweetheart?”

Sheshrugs.“Idon’tknow,Mulligan.ForallIknowyou’vegonesoftinyouroldage.You’repushing

fortynow,right?”

“I’mthirty-two,andyouknowthatperfectlywell,brat,”Isaypleasantly,swattingherlightlyonthe

bottom.“AndIhaven’tgonesoft.Quitetheopposite,infact.”

“Soitseems,”shemurmurs,rockingherhipsclosertomyachinglength.“Wouldyoulikemetodo

somethingaboutthatbeforewegoin?”

“No,thankyou.”Ibrushacurlfromhercheek.“Athoughtfuloffer,butI’mapatientman.AndIneedto

makeyoucomeafewmoretimesbeforeIfuckyourprettymouth.”

Hereyesdarken.“Allright.You’recallingtheshots.”
“ThatIam.”Ithreadmyfingersthroughhers.“Yoursafewordismarionette,yourhardlimitispublic

intercourse,andyouinsistIrefrainfromtalkingaboutthepastorfallinghelplesslyinlovewithyou.Is
thatallIneedtoremember?”

Shesmiles,awrygrinthatmakesmethinkthepastisn’tasfarfromherthoughtsasshewouldlikemeto

believe.“That’sit,sir.”

“Thenafteryou,madam.”Igesturetowardthepath.
Shebrushesherhairoverhershoulderandadjustshermask,hesitatingamomentbeforesheaddsina

softervoice,“Thankyou,bytheway.Foreverythingyoudidforme.”

“Youaresoverywelcome.Itwastrulymypleasure.”Ibringahandtohercheek,fingersbrushingthe

satinmask,hopingtherewillcomeatimewhenthereisnoneedforrulesordisguises.

ThattherewillcomeadaywhenIvyismine,thewayshewasmeanttobe.

CHAPTERFOUR

Ivy

Remaincalm.Youmustremaincalm.
Ifyoufreakoutthewayyoudidlasttime,youwillneverforgiveyourself.Justrelax,getadrinkin

yourhand,andtrytoforgetthatyou’reabouttodothingsinfrontofhundredsofpeoplethatyou’ve
onlydoneinthedark.

Oh,andthatyou’llbedoingthemwithEdward,whoisevenmoreinsanelysexythanheusedtobe,

andwhoisprobablygoingtobreakyourheartintoathousandtiny,jaggedpiecesalloveragain
becauseyourself-controlisabsoluteshitwhenyou’rewiththisman.

“Fuckme,”Imutter,fightingtobreathepasttheknotofanxietyinmythroat.
“Whatwasthat?”Edwardtucksmyhandmorefirmlyintothecurveofhisarmaswemovedownthe

walkway,towardthecastleonthehill.

“Fun,”Isay,forcingasmile.“Thisisgoingtobefun.”
Hechuckles,makingmethinkheknowsexactlywhatIsaidandexactlyhownervousIam—healways

couldreadmelikenooneelse—butbeforeIcancomeupwithamorecleverresponsethan“shutup,
asshole,”we’vereachedtheendofthelineofcoupleswaitingtoentertheVenusBall.

MytongueslipsouttowetmylipsasIshifttomyleft,peekingpastthemaninfrontofmetocatcha

glimpseofthecastlegatesandthegroundsbeyond.Pasttwoenormousmeninredmaskschecking
invitations,Iseewhatmustbeacresofgardens,illuminatedbylanternsandtorchlight.Pavedpathways
windthroughthecarefullymanicuredbushes,flowers,andornamentaltrees.Thestonesshinelikefreshly
polishedshoes,andthecoolairisperfumedwithnightflowers.Icatchthescentofjasmineandsomething
softer—tuberoseorphlox—onthebreeze,andthetensionstitchedbetweenmyribsloosens.

Alittle.
Ifallelsefails,Icandistractmyselfwithbotany.ThankstoGram—theonlytrulysweetsoulinmy

familyfullofprofessedsaints—IknowthenamesofalmosteverycommonNorthAmericanflowerand
plant.Helpingherinthegardenwasmyfavoriteescapeasachild,andgardenshavefeltlikesafehavens
eversince.

Maybenotaftertonight…
Ipushthethoughtaway,concentratingondrawingsmoothbreaths,makingeachexhalationlongerthan

theinhalation.It’satechniqueIlearnedingraduateschool,awaytotricktheparasympatheticnervous
systemintochillingthehelloutbeforeIhadtogetupinfrontofaclassoftwohundredfreshmentoteach
DigitalMarketing101.I’veneverbeenafanofpublicspeaking.Maybeitwasallthoseyearsofsitting
withmyanklescrossedinthefrontrowwhilemyfatherboomedabouthellfirefromthepulpitand
camerasrolledonhisloyalfamilythatbreddistasteforbeingthecenterofattention.

Ormaybeit’sjustacoincidence.Publicspeakingisoneofthemostcommonphobias.Publicfucking

wouldprobablybeprettyhighonthatlist,too,ifmorepeopleattendedfunctionslikethese.

“Almostthere,Prescott,”Edwardwhispersformyearsonly.“Ifyou’returningback,turnbacknow.”
Iliftmychin.“Notachance.Butifyou’rehavingsecondthoughts,Iunderstand.”
“Myonlythoughtsinvolveyou,thisdressontheground,andmymouthoneveryinchofyou,”hesays,

sendingaboltofheatknifingthroughmybelly.

He’salreadymademecomeharderthanIhaveinyearsandwehaven’tmadeitinsidethedamnedparty

yet.NomatterhowlittleIenjoythethoughtoftakingitalloffinfrontofstrangers—I’veneverremoved
morethanmycoatoutsideofaprivateroomatmyclub—noamountof“nakedinpublic”anxietycan
makemeturnbackbeforeI’vegottenmoreofEdward.Moreofhishandsandhismouthandthatlong,
hard,ridiculouslyperfectcock.

“Shallwestartwiththerestraintwallnearthecastle?”Edwardasks,hishandwarmatthesmallofmy

backasthelineshufflesforward.

Therestraintwall…Jesus,amIgoingtobetieduprightnexttooneoftheseotherwomen?Howisthat

notgoingtobeawkwardashell?

“I’veneverplayedinthepublicspaceatmyclub,”Iconfess,decidingthatgivinghimaheads-upisn’t

admittingweakness.Onlytwocouplesseparateusfromthegates,anddespitethechillinthespringair
mypalmsarestartingtosweat.“I’vealwayspaidforaprivateroom.”

“Iknow,”Edwardsayscalmly.
Ifrownbehindmymask.“Howdoyouknow?Justhowcloselyhaveyoubeenwatchingme?”
“Veryclosely.”Hepatsmyhip,asifconfessinghe’sbeenstalkingmeisn’tweirdatall.“Iwantedto

makesureyouweresafe.Iknowyourfatherhashisshareofenemies.Iwantedtomakesureyouweren’t
caughtinthecrossfire.”

Irelax,outragefading.“Whenyouputitthatway,it’shardtostayangryatyouforbeingacreepyspy.”
Heturnstomewithasmile.“Well,whatifItoldyouthatIpaidyourfriend,MasterHansen,avisit?

AndthatIpromisedtocutoffhishandsifhetouchesyouagain?”

Myeyesgowide.“Youdidn’t.”
“No,Ididn’t.”Helaughs.“ButIthoughtaboutit.He’stoooldforyou.”
“He’sthirty-nine.”MylipscurveasIcockmyhead,studyinghisprofile.“Andsincewhenareyouthe

jealoustype?”

“SinceIspentsixyearswaitingtomakethingsrightwithyou,”hesays,surprisingmealloveragain.

“LikeIsaidintheletter,I’msorryIwasanassthelasttimewewerehere.AndI’msorryIseveredties
socompletely.Atthetime,itseemedlikethebestdecision,butinhindsightIrealizehowharditmust
havebeenforyoutolosethelastlinktoyourpast.”

Istandupstraighter.“It’sfine.Morethanfine.Yousubsidizedmyentirelifeforyears,forGod’ssake.If

anyoneowessomeoneanapologyit’sme.”

“Whatintheworldwouldyouneedtoapologizefor?”
Ibringmyfingerstotheedgeofmymask,gratefulforthehelpconcealingmyexpression.“Ithought

Aaronwastheonesendingmemoney.IfI’dknownitwasyou,Iwouldn’thaveacceptedsomuchhelp.At
leastnotwithoutafewhundredthank-yousandapromisetopaybackeverypenny.WhichIwill,bythe
way.AssoonasIcan.Withinterest.”

Hemakesasoundsomewherebetweenacoughandasnort.“Youwillnot.Idon’tneedyourmoney,Ivy.

IalreadyhavemorethanIknowwhattodowith.”

“ButIneedtopayyouback,”Iinsist,fullyawarethatEdwardhasthekindoffortunethatnotevena

compulsivegamblercanburnthroughinageneration.

AndEdwardhasneverbeenagambler.He’scarefulandthoughtful,thekindofpersonwhothinksten

stepsaheadandtwentyyearsdowntheroad.Bytwenty-threehehadalreadydoubledhisfamily’snet
worth,andsincethenhe’sopenedachainofwildlysuccessfulnightclubsandafewluxuryhotels.

Hell,theticketstothisballprobablycostmorethanImakeinayear,butthat’snotthepoint.
“WhenIthoughtitwascomingfromthemoneyGramintendedforme,Icouldacceptit,”Icontinue.“I

thoughtitwascomingfromfamilyand—”

“Iamfamily.”Hecutsmeoff,hiswordssendingregretrushingthroughmychest.
TherewasatimewhenEdwardwaslikefamilytome.Hewasthekinder,funnierbig-brotherfigureI’d

crushedonallthroughhighschool,spendingthelongweekendswhenhevisitedourhousedaydreaming
aboutwhatitwouldbeliketohavehimtakemebehindthepoolhouseandkissmeuntilIwasbreathless.

Andthen,myjunioryearofcollege,hehad.Andforsixbeautifulmonthsithadfeltlikeallmysilly,

romanticfantasieswerecomingtrue.

Butallithadtakenwasonelongweekendtoloseitall—myfamily,myfaith,myboyfriend,andallmy

stupiddreams.

“No,Edward,”Isay,gentlybutfirmly.“You’renotfamily.You’renotevenmyfriend.Notanymore.We

haven’tbeenintouchforyears.Youmayhavebeenhavingmefollowed,butthatdoesn’tmeanyouknow
me.AndIdon’tknowyou.”Iforceasmile.“Butthat’sokay.Idon’thavetoknowyoutohaveagoodtime
tonight.”

Hesighs.“Ivy,I—”
“I’mpreparedtogiveyoumysubmission,”Icontinue,needingtogetthewordsoutbeforeit’stoolate.

“Butthat’stheonlythingonthetable.Pleasedon’tforgetthat.”

Amuscleinhisjawleaps,butthere’snotimeforhimtorespond.
We’reatthefrontoftheline.It’stimetoleaverealityatthegateandstepintoanotherworld.

CHAPTERFIVE

Edward

Thepartofmethat’sdeterminedtoprovethattheconnectionbetweenusisasstrongaseverwantsto

bypassthegardens,dragIvyuptotheelegantoldbuildingonthehill,findourroom,andfuckheruntil
she’stooweakwithpleasuretoshutmeout.SheconfessedthatnoonehasevermadeherfeelthewayI
makeherfeel.Myguttellsmeallitwouldtakeisanhourortwoaloneinthedarktoteardownthewall
she’sbuiltbetweenus.

AndtherearesomanywaysIwanttohaveher.
IwantIvyontopofme,grindingonmycockasIsuckandbiteandteasehernippleswithmytongue.I

wantherfrombehindwithmyhandinherhairandmyballsslappingagainstherthighs.Iwantherup
againstawall,herbreathcomingsharpandfastbecauseI’mfuckinghersohardshecanbarelybreathe,
sohardthatwhenshecomesherorgasmwillwhipthroughherlikeatornado,shatteringherdefenses.

AndthenIwanttomakelovetoherslowly,totakemytimeworshippingherbody,showingherhow

gratefulIamforeverybeatofherheart.

Butifwegothatroute,wemightnevermakeitouttoplay,andtheVenusBallcomesbutonceayear.I

can’tpassupthechancetotopIvy,and—gluttonforpunishmentthatIam—Ilikethatshe’snotgoingto
makeiteasyforme.

Iwasbornwithasilverspooninmymouthandtheworldatmyfeet.Icouldhavesatback,proppedup

myshoes,andlettheabundanceflowinwithouttheslightestbitofeffort.Instead,Iworkfivedaysaweek
andtheoccasionalweekend,slowlybuildingmyfamily’sfortuneintoanempire.Iprefertoearnmy
rewardstheold-fashionedway,withballs-to-the-wallhardwork.

Soinsteadofstartingupthehill,IguideIvydownthegardenpathtowardthelilypondandtheJapanese

bridgeleadingtothesculpturegarden.SincethedayIdecidedtosendthisinvitation,I’vebeen
daydreamingaboutIvyintertwinedwithoneofmyfavoritestatues,andI’mpastreadytomakefantasya
reality.

“WhatdoyouknowaboutAthena?”Iask,settingaslow,deliberatepace.Thenightisstillyoung,and

thegamesusuallystartslow.Buttwohoursfromnow,theentiregardenwillechowiththesoundsof
peoplelettinggooftheirinhibitions.

“IknowshewasbornfromZeus’sforeheadafterheswallowedhermother.”Ivyliftsherskirt,climbing

thestepsofthesharplyarchedbridge.“Shewasthegoddessofwisdomandwar,anexpertstrategist,and
hadabadhabitofhelpingshoreupthepatriarchy,sidingwiththeboys’clubevenwhenherfatherwas
beingahugefuckingdick.”

Ilaugh,notsurprisedthatIvyknowsherGreekgoddesses.Shewasraisedinanevangelicalhousehold,

butthegirlreadeverythingshecouldgetherhandson.Atsixteen,she’dbeenoneofthemostwell-read
peopleI’devermet.Bythetimeshewastwenty,shewasafascinatingmixofinnocenceandself-taught

genius,aclevergirlwithasharpmindandthebeginningsofthefoulmouthshe’sclearlycontinuedto
cultivatesincethen.

“Zeuswasahugefuckingdick,”Iagree.Istopatthetopofthebridge,gazingoutacrossthegroundsand

themoonrisingabovethetrees.“Ineverlikedhim.”

“Me,either.Hewaswaytoorapey,”Ivyagrees,makingmelaugh.“What?Hewas.”
“Iknow,Ijust…”IletmywordsdriftoffasIturnbacktoher.She’sstunninginthemoonlight,herpale

skinasflawlessasanyofthestatuesinthesculpturegarden.

“Butthatwasn’tyourpoint,wasit?”Sheadjuststhelapelofmytux,smoothingitflat.It’san

affectionatetouch,onethatgivesmehopethiswon’tbemyonlynightwiththestunningwomanshe’s
become.

“Notreally,butit’srelevant.”Itakeherhand.“IwasthinkingaboutthestoryofAthenaandMedusa.Do

youknowit?”

Sheshakesherhead.“Ididn’trealizetheyhadastory.ThisisthesameMedusawhohadthehairmade

ofsnakes,right?”

“Thesame.”Itwinemyfingersthroughhers.“Butthatwasn’talwaystrue.Beforeshewasamonster,

MedusawasapriestessinservicetoAthena.Abeautifulgirl,soheartbreakinglylovelythatshespent
mostofhertimehidingoutintheshrine,doingherbesttoavoidvariousrapeyindividuals.”

Ivyshakesherhead.“ThoseGreekladiescouldn’tcatchabreak,couldthey?”
“Sadly,no.ButMedusadidherbest.Shewasverydevoutanddeterminedtoremainavirgin,oneofthe

prerequisitesforservingAthena.”

Ivyhuffs.“IwouldhavechosenAphrodite.OrBacchus,thegodofwine.”Sheglancespastmeatthe

garden,wheretheonlymovementcomesfromabreezeblowingthroughthelimbsofawillowtree.

OneofthebestpartsoftheVenusBallisthesheersizeofthevenue.TheCastleofSin—formerlythe

AbbeyofMountPleasant,amonasterythatbecameasecreteroticretreatforthewealthyintheearly
seventies—issurroundedbysixtyacresofgardens,andIknowallthebestplacestohide.Ifwe’relucky,
IvyandIwon’tseteyesonanyonebuteachotheruntilwemakeourwaytothemainbuildinglatertonight.

“Thereiswineatthisshindig,isn’tthere?”Ivyasks.“Ihopethisisn’toneofthosepartieswherethey

makeyousmuggleinyourownflask,becauseIleftmyhollowed-out-Biblewiththewhiskeyhidden
insideathome.”

“Yourfatherwouldbescandalized.”
“WhydoyouthinkIpickedaBibleinsteadofTheCompleteWorksofShakespeare?”
Ireturnherwickedgrin.“There’sanopenbarinsidethecastleandanotherinthecourtyardoutside.But

wewon’tbedrinkinguntillater.Iwantyoursubmissionstraightup,princess,withoutanythingtocloud
yourmindexcepthowmuchyouwantme.”

Shestudiesmefromthecornerofhereye.“Igetthat.ButIcanhandlemyliquornow,Edward.I’mnota

kidwhogetsdizzyfromaglassofchampagne.Icandowntwohappy-hourmargaritasandabeeratthe
pubandstillstayawakefortheentirecabridehome.”

“Verybadass.”
Shewrinkleshernose,sendinghermaskrisinghigheronherface.“Iamverybadass.AndI’mgoingto

proveittoyou.ButfirstIwanttoheartherestofthestory.WhathappenedtoMedusa?Howdidshego
frombeautifulyoungpriestesstohideousmonster?”

Inod.“Right.SoonedayPoseidon,thegodoftheocean,wasswimmingbytheshrineandgotaneyeful

ofMedusawhileshewasgatheringflowersoutside.Instantly,heknewhehadtohaveher.Hetriedto
seduceherawayfromtheholylife,begginghertoabandonhervowsandbecomehislover,butshe
refused.Finally,hegottiredofaskinganddecidedtotakewhathewanted.Hehidintheshrine,waiting

untilMedusawasaloneatthealtar,thenheemergedfromtheshadowsandrapedheronsacredground.”

Ivy’sjawdrops.“Bastard!”
“Anditgetsworse,unfortunately,”Iconfess.“Insteadoftakingvengeanceonbehalfofherpriestess,

AthenablamedMedusafordefilinghertemple,insistingthegirlshouldhavedoneabetterjobofhiding
herbeauty.Sheflewintoarageandcastaspell,transformingMedusaintoamonstersohideousthatone
glanceatherturnedmentostone.”

Ivy’sbreathrushesoutandgenuinesadnessflickersinhereyes.“Whatutterbullshit.Whydon’twomen

standupforeachother,Edward?Whydotheykeepmakingexcusesformenandblamingthevictim?”

“It’sjustastory,Prescott,”Isaygently,evenasIcursemyselfforforgettingthatthereisamoretender

thanaverageheartbeneathIvy’stough-girlact.

“It’snotjustastory.It’sterrible,andwomendefendingwomenhasn’tcomenearlyfarenoughinthepast

twenty-fivecenturies.Sistersneedtostickupforeachother.”

“Orwecould,asasociety,takestepstodiscourageassault.Bettertopreventthecrimeinthefirst

place,don’tyouthink?”

“Well,ofcourse,”shesays,rollinghereyesaswestartbackacrossthebridge,“butlikethat’sgoingto

happenanytimesoon.Haveyoubeenfollowingthenewslately?Rapistsgetoffwithaslaponthewrist
allthetime,butmostpeoplecouldn’tcareless.”

Ifrown.“Icare.”
Shewavesadismissivehand.“Butyou’renotnormal,Edward.Youneverhavebeen.”
It’sclearshemeansthewordsasacompliment,buttheystillsendangerflashingthroughmychest.

“Well,Ishouldbe.AndassoonasIgethome,I’mwritingachecktoacharitythatfightsviolenceagainst
women.Abigcheck.”

“That’sniceofyou,but…”Shesighs,pullingawayfrommeatthebaseofthebridge.“ButI’mafraid

I’mmissingyourpoint.Whytellsuchasadstory,Mulligan?Areyoutryingtokillthemood?”

Irecaptureherhand,givingitanapologeticsqueeze.“Notevenalittlebit.Killingthemoodisthelast

thingIwanttodo.”Itugheraroundthenextcurveinthepath,intoatunnelofarchedtreelimbslitby
flickeringtorches.“ItoldyoubecauseIwantedyoutoknowwhytheplaceI’mtakingyouissospecialto
me.”

Halfwaydownthepath,Imakeasharpturnbetweentwournsintoanevendarkertunnelformedby

carefullymanicuredhollybushes.Thispathisnearlypitchblack,litbynothingbutthemoonlightvisible
attheotherendoftheshadowedpassage.

Ivyhesitates,grippingmyhandtighter.“Whatplace?”
“Comewithme.Seeforyourself.”Istepintothedarknessandshefollows,puttinghertrustinmethe

wayIhopedshewould.

ButIhavetobemorecarefulfromhereonout.Idon’twanttodoanythingtoputadamperonherfirst

timeattheball.Iwanthertoremembertonightasoneofthesexiest,mostfulfillingnightsofherlife.I
wanthertobeeagertoreturnwithmenextyear,andtheyearafter,untilwe’veexploredeverysecret
corneroftheestateandI’veshownherjusthowenchantingthisplacecanbe.

Afewmomentslater,westepoutofthedark,emergingintothesculpturegarden,wherepalemarble

statuesstandwatchoverthecourtyardlikeguardiansmadeofmoonlightandbone.

Ivy’sbreathcatches.“Oh,Edward,it’s…”Sheshakesherhead,sendinghercurlsdriftingaroundher

shoulders.“It’scompletelybeautiful.Iloveit.”

“Andthere’smore.Comeseemyfavorite.”Wemovepastapairofhorseswithhoovesraisedtoward

theskythenastatueofApollolyingonabedofleaves.Tenmorestepsandwe’rearoundapairoflovers
entwinedinaneroticembraceandafountainwhereanymphposeswithwaterstreamingdownherbare

breasts.

WereachtheprivatecornerwhereMedusawaits,backedclosetoawallcoveredwithfloweringvines,

andIturntowatchIvy’sreaction.Inthedimlight,hereyesareshadowed,butthesoftgaspasherfingers
movetoherlipsassuresmethatshefindsMedusaeverybitasstunningasIdo.

“Youlike?”Iask.
“She’sperfect,”shewhispers,hervoicethickwithemotion.
“Sheis,”Iagree.“Likeyou.”
“Edward…”Mynameisawarning.OneIchoosetoignore.
Instead,Ileanin,pressingakisstoherthroatbeforewhisperingagainstherskin,“Leavethemaskon,

princess,buteverythingelsecomesoff.I’mreadytoseewhat’smine.”

CHAPTERSIX

Ivy

What’shis…
Icouldbehisagain.Theinvitationisclearineveryglanceandeverytouch,inthereverentway

Edward’sfingersskimacrossmyskinandtheaffectioninhisvoiceashesays,“Now,Ivy.Takethedress
andshoesoff.Iwon’tasknicelyagain.”

“Yes,sir.”IholdhisgazeasIreachforthestrapsofmydressandslidethemslowlyoffmyshoulders.
Theheavybeadedfabricslidespastmybreastseasily,baringmyskintothecoolair.Thebreeze

whispersacrossmytightnipples,buildingtheweboflongingalreadyknittinglowinmybody.Iwant
EdwardasdesperatelyasIdidoutsidethecastlewalls,butthingsaredifferentnow.

NowI’verememberedhoweasyitistotalktohim,howcleverandkindheis,andhowheseesthe

worldinawaynooneelseI’veknowneverhas.

TheMedusastatueistheperfectexample.
Anyothermanwouldseeastatueofaprettywomanwithsnakescomingoutofherheadandmoveon.

ButEdwardsawthedefianceinherexpressionandtheknifeinherhand.Hesawthewaythesnakes
writhewildlyaroundherhauntedface,asifcryingoutinsympathyforthiswomanwhowasattackedbya
god,betrayedbyhergoddess,andbroughtlowthroughnofaultofherown.Thestatueisabeautifuland
heartbreakingcallforjustice,forinnocencetobepreserved,loyaltytoberewarded,andgoodnessto
triumphoverevil.

It’sbeautiful.
Asbeautifulasthemindofthismanstandinginfrontofme,hisdarkeyesdevouringme,leavingno

doubtthatasfarashe’sconcerned,I,too,amaworkofart.

AsIurgethedressovermyhips,wigglingslightlytoeasethetighterfabricatthewaistovertheswell

ofmybottom,thebarsaroundmyheartbegintomelt.Itisn’tsmart,itisn’tsafe,butdamnit,he’sEdward,
andIcan’tseemtohelpfallingforhimalloveragain.

“You’restunning,”hesayssoftly.“ThemostbeautifulthingI’veeverseen.”
IshiverasIstepoutofmygoldsandalsandstandbarefootonthesmallwhitegravelthatcarpetsthe

courtyard.“Tellmehowtopleaseyou,sir.”

“Sitonthestatue’spedestal.”Hereachesup,looseninghisbowtiebeforeshruggingoutofhistuxedo

coat.

Iwalkthethreestepstothebaseofthestatueandsitdown,suckinginabreathasmywarmassmeets

coldmarble.

“Chilly?”Edwardtosseshistietotheground.
“Yes,sir.”Mychestrisesandfallsfasterashestripsoffhisshirt,revealingathicker,harderversionof

themuscledchestIremember.“ButIhaveafeelingyou’regoingtowarmmeup.”

“Notjustwarmyouup,princess,”hesays,steppingcloser.“I’mgoingtomakeyouburn.”
BeforeIcanrespond,he’skneltinfrontofme,curledhisfingersaroundmyneck,andpulledmeinfora

long,bruisingkiss,crushingthefabricofourmasksbetweenourfaces.ImoanasIopenforhim,
welcomingtheassaultofhislips,teeth,andtongue.HekissesmesohardIcanfeelourbonesrubbing
togetherbeneathourlips,butIdon’tcareifmymouthwillbebruisedtomorrow.ThisisthekindofkissI
needrightnow,thekindthatassuresmethatthere’snopointinresisting.

NomatterhowmanywallsIbuildorhowstrongthebarsaroundmyheart,Edwardwillbreakthem,

bendthem,destroythem.BecauseIamhis.IalwayshavebeenandIalwayswillbe.

“Spreadyourlegs,”hedemands,hisbreathhotagainstmylips.Iobey,partingmythighstomakeroom

forhiminbetween.

ButclearlyIdon’tpartthemfarenough.
“Wider.”Edwardgripsmebehindmyknees,spreadingmesowideitsendsatwingeofdiscomfort

throughmyhips.“Don’tfightme,princess.Letmein;givemecontrol.I’mgoingtomakeitsogoodfor
you,Ipromise.”

Bitingmylip,Iwillmyselftorelax.Immediatelythepaininmyhipsvanishesandtheelectricity

buildingbetweenmylegssizzleshotter.

“That’sit.”Edwardstrokestheinsidesofmythighswithhiswarmhands,makingmetremble.“You’re

sosexywhenyouobeyme,Ivy.Nowputyourhandsonyourtits.Touchyourself,baby.Makeyournipples
hardforme.”

Iobey,cuppingmybreastsinmyhandsandrollingmynippleslightlybetweenmyfingersandthumbs.

But,thoughthetouchisgentle,itstillmakesmewinceinpleasureandpain.I’msosensitive,soraw,and
we’vebarelystarted.Iswallowhard,backingoffuntilI’musingalmostnopressureatall,butIcan’tstop
thewhimperthatrisesinmythroat.Wavesoflongingcoursefrommynipplestotheneedyplacebetween
mylegs,makingmesquirmasEdwardspreadsmykneesevenwider.

“You’realreadywet,aren’tyou,princess?”
Inod,tongueslippingouttodampenmydrylipsashisthumbsdigdeepintomyinnerthighmuscles,

massagingthetightfleshbeneathhisfingers,slowlyworkinghiswayfrommykneeuptowhereI’m
alreadyslickandready.

“Icansmellhowhotyouare,”hemurmurs,pressingakisstomyneckbeforerakinghisteethlightly

acrosstheskin,makingmemoanagain.“Sosaltyandsweet.Ican’twaittogetmymouthonyou,tomake
youcomeonmytongue.”

Myhandsfalltomysides,buthecorrectsmeimmediately.
“No,beautiful.Don’tstoptouchingyourself.Pinchyournipplesforme.That’sit.Yes,likethat,but

harder.”

Iobeywithagasp,quicklybecomingoverwhelmedbysensation.I’msokeenlyawareofhim.Ofthe

heatofhisbodyandthesmellofhisskin—soap,sage,andEdward—andtherestrainedpowerinhis
touchashisfingersreachmysexandgentlycaresstheswollenfleshofmyouterlips.

“Haveyoueverhadclampshere,sweetheart?”heasks,pinchingmyslickskintightbetweenhisfingers.
Inodswiftly,quicklymovingbeyondlanguage,beyondthoughtorreason.
“Answerme,Ivy.Tellmeifyou’veeverhadamanclampyourpussybeforehefuckedyou.”
“No,sir.”Mybrowfurrowsinpleasure-painasIcontinuetoteasemynipples,andEdwardcontinuesto

squeezethelipsofmypussybetweenhiswarmfingers.“Imean,yes.Yes,totheclamps.No,totheother.
I’venevergonethatfarwithanyofthemenatmyclub.We’veneverhadsex.Iwa-wasn’tready.”

“Areyoureadynow?”Histhumbdipslightlyintothewellofheatbetweenmylegsbeforecomingupto

oh-so-gentlycirclemyclit.“IfIwantedtoclampyourpussybeforeIfuckyoutonight,wouldyoulike

that?”

“Yes,”Ibreathe.“I’mreadyforanythingyouwanttodotome,sir.Anythingyouwant.”
“Anything?”Thepressureonmyclitincreases,makingmegasp.I’msoclose,dancingtherazor’sedge

betweenanticipationandrelease,andhe’sbarelytouchedme.“Areyousureaboutthat,Ivy?”

“Yes.”Imeethisgaze,hopinghecanseethedesperationbuildinginsideofme.“Yes,sir.Aslongasyou

letmecomebeforeIlosemymind.I’msoclose.”

“I’mnotgoingtoletyoucome.”HisvoicedropstoagrowlsodeepIcanfeelitrumblethroughmy

chest.“I’mgoingtomakeyoucome.ButfirstIwanttoshowyouanothersecret.Somethingthat’sgoingto
makeyoufeelsofuckinggood.”

Iblink,butbeforeIcanaskwhathemeans,Edwardgripsmebeneaththearmsandliftsmeintotheair.

Amomentlater,mybackisagainstthestatue’scold,hardthighandsomethingevencolderandmore
insistentisnudgingtheskinnearmytailbone.

Iturntolook,butEdwardcapturesmychininhishandsandturnsmebacktofacehim.
“It’sthesecretofthisstatue.”Hekissesmesoftly,histongueteasingalongmybottomlipbeforehe

continues.“Thesnakesinthewateratherfeetaren’tjustbeautifultolookat.They’remadeforthingslike
this…”

Hishandsdroptomythighs,urgingmetoliftmyhipsandscootbackuntiltheheadofwhatfeelslikea

cockmadeofsmoothstonefitsagainsttheentrancetomysex.MyeyeswidenasIrealizewhathewants
metodo,butIdon’tresistashegentlyurgesmetodropmyhips,down…

Down…
Down…
…untilI’mcompletelyimpaledonatleastsixinchesofthick,solidmarble.
“OhGod,”Iwhisper,chestheavingasmypussypulsesandthrobsaroundthecoldstone.Itfeelsso

wrong,likeI’vebeeninvadedbysomethingforeign,penetratedbyacreaturethat’snotquitehuman,butat
thesametimeit’ssoincrediblygood.It’shotanddirtyandstrangeinthebestway.Myinnerwallsgrip
andrelease,gripandrelease,undulatingaroundthemarbleoftheirownaccord,takingmehigher,making
mewhimperagain.

I’monthevergeofclimaxwhenEdwardtakesmyhandsinhisandliftsthemovermyhead.
“Holdonhere.”HisvoiceisroughashewrapsmyfingersaroundwhatfeelslikepartofMedusa’sslim

arm.“Don’tworry,youwon’tdoanydamage.Thisstatuewasbuilttobeusedlikethis.Justlikeyour
beautifulpussy.”Hishanddropsbackbetweenmylegs,hisfingertipsskimmingovermyclit,makingme
gaspashekissesme.

Histonguestrokesagainstmine,fuckingmymouth,claimingmeasherubsmyclitharder,faster,until

I’mrockingonthestoneburieddeepinsideofme.Itdoesn’ttakelong,however,todiscoverthatIcan’t
movemorethananinchinanydirectionwithoutthemarbleknockingagainstthebonesofmypelvicfloor.
I’mpinnedhere,atthemercyofEdward’swickedhands.IshouldstaystillandmakesureIdon’tbruise
somethingI’mgoingtowantinonepiecelatertonight,butIcan’tstopmyselffromseekingthereleaseI
needsodesperately.IbuckintoEdward’sfingersandrollmyhips,sendingthebluntendofthestonethat
penetratesmeintobruisingcontactwithmyG-spot.

Icryout,myheadfallingbackasaviolentwaveofpleasureboltsthroughme.
“Notyet,Ivy.”Edwardflicksmyclitlightly,makingmegroan.
“Ohplease,sir,”Ibegagainsthislipsashekissesmeagain.“Ohplease.”
“Notyet,princess,”hesays,nippingatmybottomlipwithhisteeth.“Ineedtotasteyoufirst.Ineedto

tastehowbadlyyouneedtocome.”

Istarttoprotest,toinsistthatIcan’twaiteventhoughIwantto.IwanttopleasehimasmuchasIwant

release,butI’msoclose.I’mfalling,tumbling,spiralingoutofcontrol.Mylipsparttoconfessmy
weakness,butbeforeIcandrawabreath,Edwardpullsbackandslapsmyleftbreast—hard.

Myeyesgowide,buthe’salreadyslappedmyrightbreast,sendingthembothbobbingonmychestanda

rushofwhitehotarousalthrobbingbetweenmylegs.Igomolteninside,burninghotenoughtomeltstone.

“Fuck,sir,”Igasp,mynervesthreateningtooverload.
“Youwillwait.”Edwardslapseachbreastagain,harderthistime,makingmecryoutasthefreshsting

sharpensmydesiretoaknifepoint.“YouwillwaituntilIgiveyoupermissiontocome,Ivy.Doyou
understandme?”

“Yes,sir,”Iallbutscream.“OhGod,yes,sir!Please,sir.”
“Youdopleaseme.”Hecupsmybreastsinhishands,kneadingthehot,tenderflesh.“Youpleasemeso

much,beautifulgirl.”

Myheadfallsback,knockingagainstthestoneasEdwardtakesfirstonenippleinhismouthandthenthe

other,suckingandbitingandteasingme,stokingthefirealreadyroaringinsideuntilIdisintegrateinthe
flames.UntilI’mnothingbutoneraw,exposednervedesperateforrelease,andIlosesightofeverything
buttheexplosiveneedtocome.

ButIdon’t.Irefuseto.
IfighttoholdbackasEdward’smouthmovesbetweenmylegs,playingthroughmyfolds.Ibitemylip

andclenchmyjawashetonguesmyclitinbeautiful,torturouscirclesandwhispersthatItastelike
paradise.Iclingtothestoneaboveme,thestatue’sarmtheonlythinggroundingmeasIfighttowait,to
last,topleasethismanwhoisabouttogivemethemostintense,unbelievable,insanereleaseofmylife.

“You’resobeautiful,”hesays,kissingmyclitbeforehesucksitbetweenhislips,makingmecryoutto

thestarsspinningoverhead,prayingforstrength.I’monthevergeoflosingthebattleagainstmyown
pleasure,whenEdwardfinallysays,“Come,princess.Comeforme.”

Withagroanthatbecomesaprimalcry,myheadfallsbackandmyorgasmripsthroughme.Mypussy

locksdownaroundthestoneshoveddeepinside,grippingfierceandtight,doingitsbesttoprovethat
thereisnothingmorepowerfulthanthispleasure.Notsteelorstoneornuclearexplosionsorallthefiery
sunsburninginthesky.

IcomesoharditfeelsliketheskinismeltingoffmybonesandI’mglowingwhitehotinthecoolair,

andthensuddenlyI’moutsidemybody.Iwatchmyselfwritheonthemarbleslippedbetweenmylegsas
Edwardkneelsatmyfeet,worshippingmypussywithhiswicked,wonderfulmouth.

AndforthefirsttimesinceIstarteddownthisroad,submissionfeelslikemorethananassertionofmy

post-Prescott-familyidentity,morethanawayofsayingthatIcalltheshotsastowhoreceivesmy
obedience.

Tonightisexplosive,butsweet.Savage,butsincere.Wild,butsafe,sane,andexquisitelybeautiful.
Itmightbetwistedtofindbeautyinwhatmostpeoplewouldseeasdepravity—wholetsherselfbe

fuckedbyastatueandamanshehasn’tseeninyears?—butIdo.Ifindbeautyinthismoment,thisshared
fantasy,andinthefaceoftheserpent-hairedwomanwhowatchesasmysecondreleaseclaimsmewitha
ferocitythatleavesnoroomforanythingelse.

Thereisnoroomforthought,noroomforlanguage,noroomforanythingbutEdwardandmeandthe

magic.

CHAPTERSEVEN

Edward

AllIwanttodoisrewindtimeandreliveeveryminuteinthisgardenalloveragain,everymomentof

Ivy,fierceandmagnificentinherpleasure,hersubmission.Iwantthisfirsttimetattooedintomymemory
forever.IwantitsobadlyI’mtemptedtostaybetweenherlegsuntilImakeherlosecontrolagain,but
therearevoicescomingfromthetunnelleadingintothesculpturecourt.

There’sachancethatwhoeverisheadedthiswaywillmissthehiddensidepassage,butincaseour

timealoneiscomingtoanend,IneedtogetIvycovered.

Inthepast,I’venevermindedanaudience.SometimesIpreferone—there’ssomethingtobesaidforthe

phenomenonofgrouparousal—butIdon’twantanyonetoseeIvylikethis.Sheisshatteredbypleasure,
rawandvulnerableandincomprehensiblybeautiful.

Anyonewholaideyesonherrightnowwouldfallinloveatfirstsight,andIrefusetotolerateany

competitionforherdesireoraffection.

“Weneedtogo,sweetheart.”Ipullaway,shruggingbackintomyshirtandjacket.
“Go,”shemurmursdreamily,clearlystilldriftingsomewherehighabovetheclouds.
“Here,letmehelpyou.”Igentlyliftheroffthestatue,jawclenchingasIseethewetnessshe’sleft

behindonthestone.IneverimaginedIcouldbejealousofarock,butIam.I’mhardenoughtogive
marblearunforitsmoneyanddesperatetogetmycockbetweenIvy’slong,tremblinglegs.

Sodesperatethatwhenherhipmakescontactwithmyerection,Ihavetobitebackagroan.It’s

becomingphysicallypainfultobedeniedthesweetreliefofherbody,andI’mnotsurehowmuchlonger
I’lllastbeforeIhavetotakeherbacktoourroom.

“Armsup,beautiful.”Isetherbackonherfeet,holdinghersteadyasIkneelandfetchherdressfrom

theground.

“What’swrong?”sheasks.“Areyouallright?”
“I’mperfect.”IsmileasIslipthedressoverherraisedarmsandthefabricglidesintoplace.“Iheard

voices,andIdon’twanttoshareyou,that’sall.”

Sheblinks,noddingassherunsahandthroughherhair,smoothinghercurls.“Me,either.Idon’twantto

shareyou.This.Anyofit.Isthereanotherwayoutofthispartofthegarden?”

“Yes,butit’sabitofaclimb.”Ihookthestrapsofhersandalswithmyfingersasdeepvoicesecho

throughthedarkness,confirmingthatintrudersareheadedourway.“Bestletmecarryyourshoes.”

“Allright,”shewhispers,glancingoverhershoulder.“Let’shurry.”
“Thisway.”Itakeherhand,holdingtightaswejogacrossthegraveltothebaseofanancientoakwith

rootsclawingdeepintothegroundbeneathus.Whenwereachthetrunk,Iformabasketwithmyhands.
Withoutabeatofhesitation,Ivyplacesherfootintomymakeshiftstepandreachesforthelowestbranch,
pullingherselfontoit.Ifollow,swingingupbesideherandpointingouttheeasiestrouteupthroughthe

limbs.

Bythetimetwomenstumbleoutofthetunnel,alreadyhalfundressedandkissingasiftheyintendto

devoureachotherfromtheneckdown,IvyandIhaveclimbedhighenoughtostepoutontopofthewide
wallsurroundingthecourtyard.There,shieldedbytheleaves,shepauses,turningbacktowatchasthe
dark-hairedtallermanfallstohisknees,tearingatthetopofhislover’spants.

Ipullherclose,herbacktomyfront,andmurmurintoherhair,“Doyouliketowatch?”
“Sometimes,”shewhispers.“They’rebeautiful.”
“Theyare,”Iagree.Theblondman’scockisfreenow,fistedinhislover’slargehandasthemaninthe

graymaskbringshismouthtotheswollenheadandlicks,teasingwithhistongueincirclesaroundthe
sensitiveskin.

Mycockthrobsmiserablyatthesight.I’veneverbeenattractedtoanothermanorbeenparticularly

turnedonbythesightoftwomenfucking,butrightnowtheknowledgethatsomeoneelse’sdickisbeing
suckedandstrokedwhileIpulseandsufferinsidemypants,isenoughtomakemyvisionblur.

ButasI’vejustshownIvy,tortureonlyaddstothefun.
Ireacharoundher,slippingmyhandbeneaththenecklineofherdresstocupherbreast,feelingherheart

thuddinghardagainstherribs.Imakeagentlefist,pullinghertighteragainstme,hopingshecanfeelmy
pulsepoundingeverybitasfast.“Buttheylackimagination,don’tyouthink?”

Sheglancesatmeoverhershoulder,herlipscurving.“Youcertainlydon’t.”
“There’smorewherethatcamefrom,princess.”Ibrushmythumblazilybackandforthacrossher

nipple.

“Letmetakecareofyoufirst.”Shereachesback,strokingmyerectionthroughmypants.“Iwantto

makeyoufeelgood.”

Iglancepasthertowherethedark-hairedman’smouthisgettingwellandtrulyfucked.Hisloverplows

deepbetweenthekneelingman’slips,shovinghiscockdowntheotherman’sthroat,gruntingattheendof
eachthrust.

MygriptightensonIvy’sbreastevenasthebrushofmythumbonhernipplegrowswhispersoft.“Do

youthinkyou’rereadyforthat,princess?Tohavemeinyourmouth,downyourthroat?”

Herhandcupsmyass,urgingmecloserasshearchesherspine,nudginghertailboneagainstmy

erectionwitharhythmicpulsethatthreatenstomakemyheadexplode.“Iwantyoueverywhereright
now,”shesays.“Downmythroat,betweenmylegs,whereveryouwanttobe,Edward,howeveryouwant
totakeme.”

Bitingtheinsideofmylip,IforcemyselftoexerciserestraintasIslowlyguidethestrapofherdressoff

hershoulder.Ibringmyhandtomylips,wettingmyfingersandthumbbeforereturningthemtohernipple,
makinghergaspasIrollthetightbudbetweenmynewlyslickfingers.“Whataboutrighthere,rightnow?
Whilewewatch?”

Sheshudders.“Yes.Aslongasyoupromisenottofalloffthewallwhenyoucome.”
“Goodpoint.”Iglanceovermyshoulderattheten-footdroptothegroundontheothersideofthewall.

Therearefootholdsthatwouldmakeclimbingdownaneasytask,butafallfromthisheightwouldbea
goodwaytoputanendtothefun.

Iturnback,buryingmyfaceinherfragranthairasIwhisper,“I’llliedowntobesafe.Butdon’tworry,

I’mfullycapableoftoppingyou,evenifI’monthebottom.”

“Ibelieveyou,”shesays,breathrushingout.“Ican’twaittohavemymouthonyou,sir.”
“Thatmakestwoofus.”Withalastglanceatthesceneunfoldingbelow,wheretheblondmanpullshis

lover’smouthtighttotherootofhimattheendofeachthrust,Istretchoutonthestonesandopenmyfly,
lettingmyburningcockbobfree.

CHAPTEREIGHT

Ivy

Myfirstthoughtisthatsomeoneshouldcarvehiminmarble,everyinchofthatbeautifullength.
Edward’scockisevenmorestunningthanIremember,nearlyaslongasmyforearmandswollenso

thickI’mnotsuremyfingerswillbeabletomeetaroundit.Ablueveinpulsesalongtheridge,echoing
thehungrythrobbetweenmylegs,andasheshoveshispantsandboxerbriefslower,baringtheentire
lengthofhimfromroottorise,adropofpre-comeleaksfromhistip.

HisneedisthemosteroticthingI’veeverseen,andIcan’twaittobetheonetobringhimrelief.
Butfirsttotorturehimalittle…
Bitingmyliptoholdbackamoanofanticipationthatmightbeoverheardbelow,Ikneelbetween

Edward’sspreadlegs,gratefulthatthetopofthewallisafullthreefeetwide.There’splentyofroomfor
metobracemyhandsoneithersideofhishipsasIlowermyface.

Iclosemyeyes,inhalingtheclean,animalmuskofhissex.It’sanintoxicatingscent,betterthansoapor

cologneoranythingmanufacturedinalab.It’sasmellthatcutsstraightthroughtotheheartofme,
triggeringapowerful,primalresponse.

Ibreathehimin,and—Yes.This.Right—echoesthroughmyhead,butnotinthosewords.Thecertainty

andrecognitioncoursingthroughmeisolderthanspokenlanguage.It’sthevocabularyofbloodandbone,
ofhour-longkissesthatimprintthetasteoftheoneyouloveonyoursoul.

Slittingmyeyes,Isoakinthesightofhimbeforeslowlyextendingmytongueandlickinghimfrombase

totip.HisbreathrushesoutasIcircletheheadofhiscockwithlazyswirls,mimickingthewaythe
slimmermandownbelowteasedhispartner.

IhearwhatsoundslikeasofthuffoflaughterandthenEdward’shandisfistinginthehairatthebaseof

myneck.

“I’mgoingtotakeyourmouthnow,princess,”hewhispers,sendingfreshheatrushingbetweenmy

thighsashiscocknudgesatmylips.“Andthen,ifyou’rewillingtobendyourrules,Iwouldverymuch
liketofuckyourpussyuphere,hiddenbytheleaves.IpromisenoonebutyouandIwillseeathing.”

“Yes,”Ibreathe,unabletoimaginewaitinguntilwe’realoneinourroomtohavehim.Mybloodisstill

hummingfromourtimeinthesculpturegarden,butwhilethemarblewasanilluminatingnovelty,there’s
nothingliketherealthing.

NothinglikeEdwardandthewayIfeelhimeverywhere,hisenergysurgingthroughmyentirebodyand

hisspiritwhisperingthroughthosesecret,hiddenplacesonlyhehasevertouched.

“I’mready.”Isweepmytongueacrosshistipagain.“Fuckmymouth,sir.Givemeeveryinchofyou.”
“Slow,”hecautionsasheurgesmedown,hisfiststilltightinmyhair.“Relaxyourthroatandtakea

littlemoreeachtime.”

Ipartmylips,welcomingtheinvasionofhishotlengthashepressesbetweenmylips.Iwanttomoanin

approvalofthesalty,sweettasteofhim.Icouldprobablygetawaywithit—themenbelowaremaking
theirfairshareofnoisenow—butIdon’tdareriskit.Iwouldbemortifiedifstrangerscaughtme
watchingthemwhileIslidemymouthupanddownEdward’scock.

Iglanceover,gazelandingontheblondman’sbuttocksasheflexesattheendofeachthrust.He’s

fuckinghispartner’smouthsohardthatlogictellsmeitmusthurt,butthemanonhiskneesdoesn’tlook
likehe’sinpain.He’sgroaninginpleasure,onehandbracedonhislover’sthighandtheotherworking
betweenhislegs,jerkinghisownhardlengthintimewithhislover’sthrusts.

ThesightofhishandtugginghiserectionwhileEdwarddrivesdeeperintomymouthisindescribably

hot.I’veneverenjoyedwatchingthismuchbefore,butthenI’veneverbeenhiddenaway,spyingwithout
consentthewayIamnow.

It’ssowrong,andIknowI’llfeelbadaboutitlater,butrightnowI’mjustturnedon.Soturnedonmy

pulseisthunderinginmyearsandmyheartisslammingagainstmyribs.Astheblondmanpullsout,
losingcontrolonhislover’schest,thickropesofcomeshootingfromhisengorgedlength,mypussy
clencheswhip-tight.

Andthenthemanonhiskneespullshispartnerdownontothegravel,spreadingthecomefromhischest

aroundthecircleofhislover’sass,andIjerkmygazeaway.

Damn.
Ican’twatchanymore.IfIdo,Iwon’tbeabletoresistcrawlingoverEdwardandimpalingmyselfon

hiscock.Andit’snottimeforthat.FirstIneedtoshowhimhowdedicatedIamtoblowinghismind,to
suckinghimdeeperthananyonehasbefore.

Ibringmyhandtohisswollensac,playingwiththeheavyweightofhisballsasheslows,givingme

timetoadjustashisthrustsreachthebackofmythroat.

“Shiftforwardandtuckyourchin.Findtheanglethatfeelsright,”hewhispers,hisvoicetight.“Yes,just

likethat,sweetness.Swallowme;letyourthroatworkmedownalittleatatime.”Hisbreathshudders
outasIobey.“Fuck,yes,Ivy.Fuck.”

I’mtemptedtosmileashisvocabularydegenerates,butIcan’tbecausemymouthisfullofhimandmy

throatisfullofhimandasalty,acidictasteisclawingatthebackofmytongue.Butthediscomfortonly
addsfueltothefire.

I’msohot,burning,andthedeeperhepumpsbetweenmylips,thehotterIget.
BythetimeEdwardbringsbothofhishandstofistinmyhair,holdingmelockedinplaceashebucks

upintomymouth,fuckingmeeverybitashardanddeepasthemaninthegardentookhispartner’smouth,
I’mflying.I’malsodroolingandtearsstreamfromthecornersofmyeyes,butI’mnotembarrassedor
ashamed.

I’mpleasinghim,pleasuringhim,unravelingthismanwhothrivesoncontrol.He’ssowild—hisbreath

cominginsharp,gutturalrasps—thatI’mcertainhe’sgoingtocomeinmymouth.

Butinstead,Edwardsuddenlyhaulsmeuphisbodybythehairandfuseshislipstomine.Idon’thavea

sparesecondtowipethesalivafrommychin,butit’sobviousthatEdwarddoesn’tcare.

“You’resofuckingincredible,”hegrowlsagainstmylipsashereachesbetweenourbodies,slidinghis

fingersthroughmywetness.“Ilovethewayyoutrustme.Iwantyoutotrustme—always—becauseI’m
nevergoingtohurtyouagain,Ivy,Ipromise.”

He’stalkingfeelings,breakingtheconditionsweagreedupon,butIdon’tcare.AllIcareaboutis

havingEdwardsodeepinsideofmethatthere’snoroomforanythingbuthim.

“Showme,”Iwhisperintohismouth.“Letmefeelit.”
Withoutanotherword,hereachesforthebacksofmythighs,liftingmehigheruntilhiscockfitsagainst

wheremybodyweepsforhim.Andthen,inchbygloriousinch,hefillsme.Deeper,deeperuntilhe’s

buriedtothehilt,thebaseofhiscockthrobbingatmyentrance.Eachpulsebuildstheintensityof
sensation,sendingnirvanadancingacrossmyskin,bubblingthroughmyblood.

“Yes,”Iwhisper,rollingmyhips.“More.”
Hegroans,placingafirmhandonmybottom,holdingmestill.“Wait.Iwanttorememberthewayyou

feel.Nothinghasfeltthisgoodinsofuckinglong.”

Ishudder,duckingmyheadtohidemyfaceinthecurveofhisneck.“You,too.It’ssogood.Icould

comerightnowifyoutoldmeto.”

“Notyet,”hesays,fingersdiggingintomyflesh.“WaituntilItellyoutocomeonyourcock.”Hecups

mybreastwithhisfreehand,pinchingmynipplehardenoughtomakemegasp.“Becauseitisyours,
princess.Iwantyoutoknowthat.”

Ipullback,bracingmyhandsontheroughstonebeneathhishead.Foramoment,I’mtemptedtolifthis

maskanddropthegame.Iwanttoseehim,justhim,withoutthedisguise.

Butanothervoiceinmyheadsaysthatthisisbetter.
Themasksandthegamegiveussomethingtohidebehind.Andmaybeit’sbettertokeepsomethings

hiddenhereinthisgardenthatseemstomagicallydissolveinhibitions.SoIswallowthewordsrisingin
mythroat,theonesthatwanttoaskifherealizeshowrareandpreciousitistobeabletocometogether
soseamlesslyaftersomuchtimeapart.

Instead,Inodandwhisper,“I’llcomewhenyoutellmeto,sir.”
Hesqueezesmyasstighter.“Leanforward.Ineedyourtitsinmymouth.Now.”
IobeyandEdwardsetstoworkprovingthatheis,asalways,theverybest.Heteases,licks,bites,and

strokes,allthewhilekeepingmepinnedtighttohimwiththeflatofhishand.Andthenhecapturesmy
nippleandsucksitdeep,trappingthepuckeredtipagainstthetopofhismouth.

Myspinebows,andIhavetobitemyliptokeepfromcryingoutasawaveofdesireslamsthroughme

hardenoughtomakemeflinch.Myteethdigdeepintomylip,sendingaflashofpaindownmythroat,but
Idon’teaseup.I’msoclosetolosingcontrol,toscreaming,crying,beggingforhimtofuckme.My
fingersareclawingintohisshouldersthroughhisshirt,andI’mwigglingdesperatelyontopofhim,but
he’sholdingmetootightfortherollsofmyhipstodoanygood.

“Wait.”Heswatsmyassashetakesmyothernippleinhismouth.Thesoundechoesthroughthe

otherwisequietnight,makingmyeyesgowide.

Mygazefliesbacktothesculpturegarden,butthetwomenaregone.Evidentlyneitherofthemisa

proponentofextended,prolonged,erotictorture.UnlikeEdward…thewicked,wonderfulsonofabitch.

“Ihateyou,sir,”Ihiss,moaningashisteethdragacrossthesensitizedtipofmybreast.
“Noyoudon’t.”Hesoundsamused,thoughIknowhemustbesufferingasmuchasIam.Hiscockfeels

eventhickerinsideme,andhisthighsarestartingtoshakebeneathmine.“Youloveme.Admitit,
Prescott.”

Iglaredownathim,rethinkingthewisdomofmasksandbrokenrules.
Howdarehedothis?Now,whenI’mclearlynowhereclosetobeinginmyrightmind?
Withatremblinghand,Ifliphismaskoff,decidingit’stimeforoneofustogetreal.
“Youfirst,”Idemand,angervibratinginmyvoice.Butit’shardtoholdontomyoutrage.Nowthatthe

maskisgone,themoonlightisenoughtorevealthetendernessinEdward’sunguardedexpression.My
angerevaporates,leavingahauntingmixtureofconfusionandlonginginitsplace.

“Iloveyou,”hesays,withoutmissingabeat.“Sixyearsago,Ilovedyouenoughtoletyougrowup

withoutmehangingaroundtoscrewthingsupforyou.Ididn’twanttobebadforyou,Ivy.Ihadtogive
youtime,butIhopeIhaven’tgivenyoutoomuch.BecauseIneedyouinmylife,princess.Ineedyouso
much.”

Ishakemyheadslightly,toostunnedtospeak.Andthen,finally,thepressureonmytailboneliftsandI’m

freetomove.Ishiftforwardwithasighofreliefthat’seclipsedbyEdward’sgroanofpleasureasIslide
backdown,takinghimdeep.

“You’resogood.”Hishandscometomyhips,pullingmetightertohimasIriseandfallagain.“You’re

thebestthingthat’severhappenedtome,andIwanttobethesameforyou.Let’shappentoeachother
again.”

Mybrowfurrowsandmylipspart,butIcan’tformwords.AllIcandoisholdEdward’sgazeasIride

himandalltheoldfeelingscomerisingtothesurface.Theydon’thavefartotravel.He’salwaysbeenin
mythoughts,mydreams,myfantasies,nomatterhowhardI’vetriedtomoveonandfindsomeoneelseto
givemyheartto.

Butthere’sneverbeenanyoneelse.ItwasalwaysEdward.
EdwardwhenIwassixteenandhewasthefirstpersontotellmethatIwasbeautiful.Edwardwhenhe

wasstillabig-brotherfigure,warningmetobecarefulbecauseboyswouldn’tbeabletoresistalight
thatshoneasbrightasmine.EdwardwhenIwastwentyandfinallyabletoconvincehimthatIwasn’ta
littlegirlanymore.Iwasawomanwhowasreadytogivehimherbody,hersoul,herheart.

Andit’sstillEdwardnowthatI’manadultwhoknowswhatshewantsandwhocanadmittoherself—

forbetterorworse—thattheansweristhisman.He’swhatIwant,himandonlyhim.Becausewhether
thetimeIhaveleftonearthislongorshort,itwillneverbeasmuchtimeasIneedtobewithhimlike
this.

I’mabouttotellhim,toconfessthatIstilllovehim,too,buthehaulsmylipstohisandkissesmeuntil

I’mbreathless.SoonI’mincapableofdoinganythingbutholdingontightasEdwardthrustssharply
betweenmylegs,takingusbothhigher,higher,untilhebringshislipstomyearandwhispers,

“Now,beautiful.Comeonyourcock.Comeonme,princess.”
AndIdo.Icomeinthick,stickywaves,myinnerwallssqueezinghimtightashiscockjerksinsideme

andthemoltenheatofhisreleasefillsmeup.Andit’ssogoodIcan’tholdbackthewordsrisinginmy
throat,wordsandcriesandalong,low,animalgroanthatcertainlyisn’tthemostdelicatethingtoever
comeoutofmymouth,butIdon’tcare.Idon’tcareaboutanythingbuthowinsanelygoodthisis.

Sogoodthatwhenwe’redoneIcollapseontoEdward’schestwithasighofcompleteandutter

satisfaction.I’msoblissedoutthatIforgetwhereIamuntilaloudvoiceatthebaseofthewallpierces
thecoolnightair.

“Climbingonthehistoricallandmarksisnotpermitted!”
EdwardcursesbeneathhisbreathasIscrambleoffhimsofastImisjudgethedistancebetweenhisleg

andtheedgeofthewall.

Irealizemydisastrousmistake,butIbarelyhavetimetoyipinsurprisebeforeItumbleovertheside

andplummetthroughtheair.

CHAPTERNINE

Edward

Heartinmythroat,IlungeforIvy,butI’mnotfastenough.Myfingerssnatchattheairinchesfromher

arm,andthenshe’sgone.

MychestgoessotightIcanbarelybreatheasItuckmyselfbackintomypantsandpreparetogoafter

her.It’sonlytenfeettotheground,butthat’sfarenoughtobreakabone,maybeevengivehera
concussionifshelandsthewrongway.

Andifshe’shurtIwillneverforgivemyself.
Ishouldhaveexercisedmorecontrol.Ishouldhavemadesurewewereonsolidgroundbeforesliding

insideher.IshouldhaverememberedthatthiswasIvy,thewomanwhodrivesmefuckingoutofmymind,
andtakenthenecessaryprecautions.

I’mstillcursingmypoordecisionmakingwhenIlookovertoseetwomeninredmasksdetanglingIvy

fromabushthatmusthavebrokenherfall.Shelooksalittledazed,butblissfullyunhurt.

“Areyouallright?”Iask,justtobesure.
“Um…yes?”shesaysasshe’ssetonherfeet.Thetallermanreachesout,pullingatwigfromherhair.

“Yes.I’mfine.”Shebitesherlip,castingaguiltylookupatherrescuer.“I’msorry.I…We….”She
motionsweaklytowardmewithaclearlyforcedsmile.“We’rebothsorry.Andthankyou.”

“Ourpleasure,miss,”theothermansaysbeforeglancingmyway.“Doyouneedassistance,sir?”
“No,thankyou.”Isnapmymaskbackintoplaceandthenrollontomystomach,droppingmylegsover

thesideofthewallandfindingthefirstfoothold.Afewsecondslater,I’mjumpinglightlytotheground
andextendingahandtoshakewithonebouncerandthentheother.“Thankyouagainforyourhelp,and
sorryforanytrouble.Wedidn’trealizethewallswereofflimits.”

“Notroubleatall,sir,”thetallermansays.
“Justtrytokeepyourfeetontheground,”hisfriendsaysinacrankiervoice.“Oralittleclosertoit,

anyway.I’veneverhadaguestinjuredonmywatch,andI’drathernotstarttonight.”

Ivycrossesherarmsandtucksherchin,thepictureofmortification.“Weunderstand.Andagain,we’re

sorry.”

“Verysorry,”Iagreewithasmile,loopinganarmaroundIvy’swaist,toothankfulthatshe’sinone

piecetotakeissuewiththeguard’stone.

“Enjoytherestofyournight.”TheguardwhopulledIvyfromthebushesnodsmyway,andthepairof

themmovealongthepathinsearchofotherguestswhomightbebendingtherules.

WhenI’msurethey’reoutofearshot,IleanclosertoIvyandask,“Doyouthinktheboysinthesculpture

gardensawusuptherespyingandrattedusout?”

“OhGod,Ihopenot.”Ivy’shandscometocovertheeyeholesinhermask.“I’malreadyembarrassed

enough.”

Ihughercloser.“Don’tbeembarrassed.There’snoreasontobeembarrassed.”
“Noreason?”Shedropsherhandstohersideswithahuff.“WeweredoingitontopofawallandthenI

felloffthewall,flashingtwocompletestrangersonthewaydown.Andtotopitoff,Ihavenoideawhere
mypantiesare.”

“Itdoesn’tmatter.Pantiesareoverrated.”
Shestepsoutofmyarmsandturnsbacktomewithnarrowedeyes.“I’mserious,Edward.Thislevelof

shamewasn’tonmyagendatonight.”

Ishrug.“I’mjustgladyouweren’thurt.Whocareswhatthosemensaw?”
“Icare.”Shejabsathumbatherchest,whereoneofherbeautifulbreastsisdoingitsbesttoescape

again.“JustlikeIcarethattheysawustogether.That’snotsomethingIwantedtosharewithotherpeople
tonight,andyouknowit.”

Imotionbacktowardthewall.“Butyousaid—”
“Yes,Iagreedintheheatofthemoment,”shesays,pacingaway,wavinganagitatedhandintheair.“I

wouldhaveprobablyagreedtotorturingbabybunniesintheheatofthemoment,aslongasyouletme
comeafterward.That’swhyIaskedyoutoagreetomyconditionsearlier,beforewewerebothhalf
naked.Butinsteadofrespectingmylimits,youbrokebothofyourpromisesinlessthananhour,Edward.
Andthat’snotcool.”

Inod,jawclenching.“You’reright.I’msorry.”
Hershouldersriseandfallassheshakesherhead.“You’resorry?That’sit?”
“Whatelsedoyouwantmetosay?ThatIwishIhadn’tfuckedyou,ortoldyouthatI’mstillinlovewith

you?BecauseIcan’tdothat,Ivy.Fuckingyouwasthebestthingthat’shappenedtomeinyears,andIdo
loveyou.Ineverstoppedlovingyou.”

Shepressesherlipstight,hereyesshininginthedarkovalsofhermask.“Howcanyouloveme?How

caneitherofusknowwhat’srealonanightlikethis,inaplacelikethis?Thisis…”Herhandsflap
helplesslyathersides,makingherlooklikethatsixteen-year-oldgirlImetthefirsttimeIaccepted
Aaron’sinvitationtocomehomewithhim,notlongafterbothofmyparentswerekilled.“Thisis
Wonderlandwithsex,Edward.ThroughtheLookingGlasswithmorevoyeurismandtoys.”

“Wonderlandforgrown-ups,”Iagree,determinedtogetusbackontherighttrack.“Andwhat’swrong

withthat?Youwerehavingfunbeforewegotcaughtbythewallpolice.Don’ttrytodenyit.”

Hereyessqueezeclosedbeforesheopensthemagain.“I’mnottryingtodenyit,”shesaysinasofter

voice.“AndIdohavefeelingsforyou,butthisisn’thowIwanttoexplorethem.I’mnotready.Not
tonight.Foramoment,Ithoughtmaybe…”Shetrailsoffwithashakeofherhead.“ButI’mnot.I’mreally
not.Andthat’swhyIneededrules,asafeword,andsomeboundariesIcouldcounton.”

Fuck,she’sright.Ishouldhaveknownbetterthantopushherwhilewewereplaying.Ididknowbetter.

IjustwantedIvymorethanIwantedtobeagoodDom.ButIneedtobebothifIwanttobeworthyofher.

Itakeherhands,gratefulwhenherfingerscurlaroundmine.“Igetit.Andyou’reright,Ishouldhave

takenyourconditionsasseriouslyasIwouldasafeword.Thatwasamistake.Imessedup,andI’m
sorry.Ihopeyou’llgivemeachancetomakeituptoyou.”

Hergazefallstothegrassatourfeet.“Youdon’thavetodothat.”
“No,Ido.Iwantto.AndIhaveanideahowtostart.”Ituckherhandintothecrookofmyarm.“Would

youbewillingtoacceptaglassofwinebywayofapology?”

Sheglancesupatme,mouthsoftening.“Makethatabottleforustoshare,andyou’vegotadeal.”
“Done.”Ipatherhandaswestartupthepathtowardthelightsatthetopofthehill.“Andwhilewe

drink,I’lldomybesttothinkofotherwaystomakeamendsforbeingalessthanidealMasterof
ceremoniesourfirsttimeout.”

Shewalksquietlybesidemeforamomentbeforeshesays,“Youweren’tlessthanideal.Whilewe

wereinthesculpturegarden,Ikeptthinking…”Sheducksherhead.“IkeptthinkingthatI’dneverfeltas
safeduringasceneasIfeltwithyou.Itwasperfect.Betterthanperfect.”

“AndthenIletyoufall.”Ihatethatit’smyfaultournighthastakenaturnfortheworse,butIknowhow

importantitistoownmymistakes.

“Youdidn’tletmefall,”shesayswithasigh.“ButIdidfall.Fallsstillhappen,despiteallthebest

intentions.”

Andwiththosewords,shetellsmesomuchmorethansheknows.Makingamendsformymistakesis

onething,butconvincingawomanwho’safraidtofallthatloveisworththeriskisanotheranimal
altogether.

ButI’mnotabouttogiveup.Nottonightortomorroworanyofthedaysafter.Ivyistheoneforme,the

onlywomanwhohasevermademefeellikeI’mexactlywhereI’msupposedtobe.

NowIjusthavetoprovetoherthatthemagicwemakewhenwe’retogetherisworththerisk,worth

anythingittakestofindourwaybacktoeachother.

CHAPTERTEN

Ivy

ThecastlelooksmorelikeachurchthanIexpecteditto.Therough-hewnstonesformframesforheavy

wooddoorsandstainedglasswindowsthatgivethestructureagothicfeel.Thevibecontinuesintherose
gardenbehindthebuilding,whereelegantlycarvedwoodenchairsandtablesfortwoareevenlyscattered
alongacircularpath.

Atthecenterofthewindinggravelwalkwaysitsalargestonebarmannedbywomeninredmasks,and

anotherbeefysecurityguardtypewhostandswatchbyabuffetofferingfruit,pastries,andotherlight
snacks.

EdwardordersabottleofunfilteredchardonnayfromCalifornia’sAlexanderValleythatheassuresme

iseventhemoredeliciousforthefunkwemayfindfloatingatthebottom,andwesettleinatatablenear
awhiterosebush.It’searlyintheyearforroses,buttiny,tightly-curledbudsalreadypeekoutfrom
beneaththedarkgreenleaves,promisingthatit’sgoingtobeagoodyearforbeautifulthings.

IfIwerethekindtobelieveinomens,Isupposeitwouldbeagoodone.
ButI’mnot.I’mpractical,logicaltothebone.Andeverylogicalboneinmybodyisscreamingthatnow

isthetimeforcaution,notromanceorsignsorsecond-chancedaydreams.

“Wouldyoulikesomethingtoeat?”Edwardnodstowardthebuffet.
Ishakemyhead.“No,thankyou.”Suddenlyfeelingshy,Irunafingerlightlydownmywineglass,

capturingadropofcondensationbeforeitcanpoolonthetable.Conversationshouldn’tbeharderthan
sexandsubmission,butitis.Lettingamandominatemeissomethingthat’sbecomefamiliarinrecent
months.Butlettingdownmywalls,lettingsomeonecloseenoughtoseethescarsonmyheartandthe
cracksinmyconfidenceisn’tsomethingI’vedonein…

Well,inalongtime.
Probablytoolong.
MaybeIshouldletEdwardin,lethimseethatI’mnotasperfectlypulledtogetherandsuccessfulashe

thinksIam,notevenclose.

We’rebasicallyalone.Thehighbacksofthechairsandthedarknessbeyondthecandleflickeringonthe

tablebetweenusmakesitfeellikewe’retheonlypeopleintheworld.IfIstrainmyears,Icanhear
voicesmurmuringfromnotfaraway,butIcan’tmakeoutwords.IfIwantedtoconfessmysecrets,thisis
asgoodaplaceasany.

ButamIready?
ForEdward,allofthisisnormal,justanotherwildweekendfortheplayboybillionaire.ButI’moutof

myelementandmydepth.I’vesubbedatmyclubbefore,butthatwasasmall,secretivedeviancefrom
thenorm.I’veneverbeenapartofsuchalargepublicevent.Insomeways,thisnightislikeadream
cometrue,butinothersit’sliketheoceanbeforeastorm—beautifulbutdangerous,andjustaslikelyto

rollmeunderandcrushmeagainsttherocksasspitmeoutsafelyonshore.

“I’mopeninganewhotelinCuracaolaterthisspring,”Edwardsays,breakingintomythoughts.“All

privatebungalows,builtrightoverthewater.Youcanseethefishswimmingthroughwindowsinthe
floor.Iwouldliketobookasuiteforyouforopeningweek.I’llcoveryourflight,theroom,andallyour
expenses.Consideritanothersmallwayofmakingamends.”

Ishakemyhead.“I’vealreadytakentoomuch,Edward.Evenwithmynewraise,itwillbeyearsbefore

Icanpayyouback.”

Hefrownshardenoughtomakehismaskshifthigheronhisforehead.“We’vealreadycoveredthis.You

won’tbepayingmeback.Myassistancecamewithnostringsattached.Justlikethisoffer.Ihavemyown
suiteinthemainoperationsbuilding,whereI’llbestayingthatweek.Youwon’tevenhavetoseemeif
youdon’twantto.Youcanenjoythebeachandthepoolandpretendyou’venevermettheinsufferable
owner.”

Mybreathrushesout.“You’renotinsufferable.”
“Notarousingendorsement,butI’lltakewhatIcanget.”Hislipscurve.“Justpromisemeyou’llthink

aboutit,okay?Iwanttobringgoodthingsintoyourlife.Onlygoodthings.Nostress,nomess,nosadness
orregret.”

Nosadnessorregret…
Buthowisthatpossiblewhenthereisalreadysomuchbetweenus?Somanythingsleftunsaid,somany

emotionallandminesburiedbeneaththesurface,primedandreadytoexplode?

Thendigthemout,Ivy!Atleasttry,forGod’ssake.
Thisistheonlymanyou’veeverloved.Ifnowisn’tthetimetobreaktherules,takearisk,andjump

intothewaves,whenis?

“I…IknowIsaidIdidn’twanttotalkaboutthepast…”Ibreakoff,gazingdownatthecandlethat

flickersbetweenus.Theflameissmallbutstrong,refusingtobeputoutbythecoolbreezethatgustshere
ontopofthehill.

Anothersign.They’reeverywhereonceyoustartlookingforthem.
Ormaybethey’rejusteverywherewhenI’mwithEdward.
Iwasneverafanofromancegrowingup.Nomatterhowdarkthingswereathome,Ineverfantasized

aboutahandsomeheroonawhitehorseridingintosaveme.Ididn’tdreamaboutthatperfectguy;I
dreamtaboutalifethatwaspurelymyown.Aboutatinycottagebythesea,oranapartmenthighina
skyscraperinthecity,whereIcouldbeanonymousandsmallinthebestway.AllIwantedwasaplace
wherenoonewouldcarethatIwasthedaughterofamanwhoclaimedGodhadchosenhimtotellthe
peopleoftheworldwhatworthlesssinnerstheywere.IwascertainthatallIneededtobehappywas
distancefromthePrescottlegacyandthechancetofeedthespiritheldwithinthewallsofmyownskin.

AndthenEdwardwalkedintomylife,awakeningalongingthatIhadn’tknownwasthere.Hemademe

understandwhatSnowWhiteandSleepingBeautymusthavefeltwhentheyopenedtheireyesforthefirst
timeafteryearsunderawitch’sspell.

ThefirsttimeEdwardsmiledatme,I’dthought,“Sothisiswhattheymeanwhentheytalkabout

butterflies.”Fromdayone,longbeforeI’drealizedthatEdwardandIsharedthesamesenseofhumor,the
samevalues,orthesameloveforsomethingmoreexoticinthebedroom,hehadsetmyworldspinning.

Andhestilldoes,makingmefeellikeeverythingismovingtoofasteventhoughI’msittingstill.
“Wedon’thavetotalk.”Edwardcoversmykneewithhiswarmhand,remindingmehistouchcanbeas

comfortingasitiserotic.“Oryoucantalk,andIcanlisten.Idon’tknowifyouremember,butI’magood
listener.”

“OfcourseIremember.”Imeethisgaze,andmyheartstartspoundingalloveragain,willingmeto

speakup.

It’stimetostopbeingafraid,toreachoutandgiveolddreamsatleastachancetocometrue.

CHAPTERELEVEN

Ivy

“Iremembereverythingaboutyou,Edward.”Theconfessionemergesinarush,releasingthefloodgates

onallthefeelingsI’veheldbackforsolong.“Iwassocrazyaboutyou.Icouldn’tforgetyou,nomatter
howhardItried.Andbelieveme,Ididtry.ItriedhardbecauseafterthingsendedIwasreallyangry.And
hurt.Andsad.”

“Iwassad,too.”Theskinaroundhiseyestightens,buthedoesn’tlookaway.“ButIdon’tregretending

itwhenIdid.Yes,Icouldhavehandledthingsbetter,that’sfordamnsure,butitwasn’ttherighttimefor
us.WewereintwoentirelydifferentplacesandI—”

“AndIwasadumblittlevirginwhocouldn’thangwiththebigboys.”Itossbackatoo-largedrinkof

mywine,hummingaroundthemouthfulofsweet,goldenliquidbeforeIswallowitdown.“Yeah,Iknow.
Igetit.”

“No.Thatwasn’titatall,”hesays,fingersdigginglightlyintomythigh.“Yes,Iwasmoreexperienced,

butthatwasn’tthereasonitwouldn’thaveworked.”

“Thenexplainittome.”Icrossmyarms.“Becausefrommyenditfeltlikeyouwereboredandcutting

yourlosses.Ditchingthestick-in-the-mudchurchgirlbeforeshecouldcrampyourstyleanymorethanshe
hadalready.”

“Notevenclose.”Histoneisbrittle,angry,butIgetthefeelinghe’smoreupsetwithhimselfthanheis

withme.“Itwasn’taboutme,orwhatIwanted.Itwasaboutyou.Youwerejusttakingthefirststepsout
ofyourfamily’sshadow.Youneededtostandonyourowntwofeet,toprovetoyourselfthatyouwere
strongenoughtomakeitonyourown.”

Ifrown.“Really?That’shonestlywhatyouwerethinking?
“Yes,”heinsists.“Youwereonthevergeofcastingoffallyourfamily’sbullshit.Thelastthingyou

neededwasanotherdomineeringmaninyourlife,tellingyouwhattodo.”Heshakeshishead.“AndI
wouldn’thavebeenabletostopmyself,princess.It’swhoIam.Ican’thelptryingtobullythepeople
aroundmeintodoingwhatIthinktheyshoulddo.Itusuallycomesfromaplaceoflove—itcertainly
wouldhaveinyourcase—butIwasafraiditwouldcrippleyouallthesame.”

“Andwho’stosayI’mnotcripplednow?”Iwanttoreachformywine,butmythroatissotightI’mnot

sureIcouldswallow.“Youweremyoneandonlylongtermrelationship.Andwewereonlytogethersix
months.Sure,I’vehadmyshareofloverssincethen,butI’veneverfalleninlove.Ihaven’tevengotten
close.”

“Me,either.”HeleanscloseruntilIcanfeelhisbreathwarmonmylipsandmybodybeginstoachefor

himalloveragain.

“Butthatisn’tbecausewe’recrippled,”hecontinuessoftly.“It’sbecauseweweren’twillingtosettle

for‘goodenough’whenweknew‘wonderful’wasouttherewaitingforus.”Histhumbmakesgentle

circlesjustabovemyknee.“That’swhatI’vebeendoing.I’vebeenwaitingforyou.Ithoughtthetime
wasrighttoseeifyoumightwanttotryagain,butifIwaswrong,that’sokay.Icankeepwaiting.If
there’sevenalongshotthatyou’llletmebackintoyourlife,I’llwaitanothersixyears.Orseven.Orten.
Whateveryouneed.BecauseIalreadyknowthere’snevergoingtobeanotherwomanIwanttobewithas
muchasIwanttobewithyou.”

Myteethdigintomybottomlipasmythroatthreatenstoclosecompletely.Apartofmewantstothrow

myarmsaroundEdward’sneckandkisshimuntilheknowsthatthewaitisoverforbothofus.But
anotherpartofmeisthinkingaboutthenightIwalkedawayfromhim,thenightheletmego,andallthe
monthsafter,whenIwasn’tsureIwouldsurvivethepainoflosinghim.

Itwaslikehewasdead,but…worse.
Whenmygrandmotherpassed,I’dbeendevastated.Shewastheonlypersoninmyfamilywhohadever

mademefeelunconditionallyloved.Shewasn’tjustagrandmother.Shewasafriend,akindredspirit,a
sourceofwonder,kindness,andtruthinachildhoodthathadbeenlackinginallthree.Losinghercut
deep,butthewoundhealedfairlyquickly.

Death,theonlytrulyinescapablefatewaitingtocatchupwitheachofus,soonerorlater,wastheonly

reasonshewasgone.TherewasnothingelseintheworldthatcouldhavekeptGramfrombeingtherefor
mewhenIneededher.Shelovedmethatmuch,socompletelyandselflesslythatherloveisstillwithme
now,alltheseyearsaftershebreathedherlastbreath.

ButEdwardhadn’tbeendead.He’dbeenalive,outtheresomewherebeingfunnyandkindandsexyas

hellwithanotherwomaninsteadofme.BecauseIhadn’tbeenenoughforhim.

Ithadtakenalongtimeformetobelievethatoursplitwashisproblem,notmine,andcontrarytothe

cliché,timehadnevermendedthatwound.Timewasjustacheap,bargain-brandBand-Aid,onethatgot
stickyandgunkyaroundtheedges.Now,thatBand-Aidisapartofme,anecessarypieceofthepuzzle,
partofwhatkeepstheIvyPrescottShowupandrunning,concealingthefactthatInevergotovermyfirst
loveandmightneverbeabletoloveagain.

Pullingitoffwouldchangemylife.Andthere’snodoubtitwillhurt.Alot.
Butnotasbadlyaslivingwithoutthisman.ThethoughtofwalkingawayfromEdwardasecondtimeis

enoughtomakemephysicallyill,sendingasharpwaveofmiserysurgingthroughmychestanddownto
sourmystomach.

“Oneyear.”ThewordsareoutbeforeIhaveanyideawhatI’mplanningtosay.
Edward’seyeswiden.“Youneedayeartothink?”
“No,I’llgivethisayear.Usayear,”Isay,makingtherulesupasIgoalong,fakingituntilImakeit,the

wayIalwayshave.It’satechniquethat’shelpedmeachievemyprofessionaldreamsfasterthanI’d
thoughtpossible,andrightnowIcan’tthinkofanydreamIwanttobecomearealitymorethanthisone.
“Andthistimethere’sonlyonecondition.”

Thereliefandhopeinhisvoiceashesays,“Anything.Younameit,”makingmyheartfeellighterthanit

hasinalongtime.

Ireachup,pullingoffmymaskandplacingitonthetable,sighingasthebreezewhispersacrossthe

newlybaredskin.“Nomorehiding.”

Hetugshismaskoff,droppingittothegravelatourfeet.“Nohiding.”
“Andnomoresecrets,”Isayashereachesforme,drawingmeintohislap.
“Nosecrets.”
“Andnomoredoingwhatyouthinkisbestformebehindmyback.”Ismoothhishairfromhisface,

marvelingthatthisstunningmanisgoingtobemineagain.“Idon’tthinkI’masstrongasyouseemtothink
Iam,butI’mstrongenoughtohandlemyownproblems.”

Hiseyesnarrow.“Idon’twantyoutohandleyourownproblems.Iwanttohelpyouhandlethem.AndI

wantyoutohelpmehandlemine.”

“Doyouhavealotofproblems?”Iask,lipscurving.“Thewholeüber-successful,beautifulbillionaire

thingisn’taseasyasyoumakeitlook?”

“Absolutelynot,”hesays.“IhavemoremoneythanIknowwhattodowith,Prescott,andadrivingneed

tofixthingsandpeopleandtogenerallystickmynoseinwhereitisn’twantedorneeded.I’ma
meddlesomemenacetosocietyandindesperateneedofsomeonetoreinmeinwhenItakethingstoofar.”

Mysmilewidens.“Ithinkthat’scalledbeingaphilanthropist.Ormaybejustanicepersonwhowants

goodthingsforthepeoplehecaresabout.”

Hegrunts.“Whichremindsmeofmyonecondition—youstoptalkingaboutpayingmeback.Idon’t

wantyoufeelingindebtedtome.”

“Allright.”Iwrapmyarmsaroundhisneck.“Butthat’sjustwheremoneyisconcerned,right?Because

I’vebeenthinkingabouttonight…”

Hearchesabrow.“Thinkingwhat?”
“Aboutorgasms,”Isay,droppingmyvolumeasIadd,“I’vehadatleasttwoorthreemorethanyou’ve

had,andthatdoesn’tseemfair.”

“Letmeclueyouinonalittlesecret,Prescott.”Heslidesahandbeneathmyassastheothersnakes

aroundtocupthebackofmyhead.“Ifuckinglovemakingyoucome.”

Ismileagainsthismouthashepullsmeinforkiss.“Isthatso?”
“Itis.”Hislipsmovelower,kissingmythroat.“Yourorgasmsareworksofart,andyouknowI’ma

collector.”

“Youdohaveaneyeforart.”
“Ifuckingloveart.AndIfuckingloveyou,andIfuckinglovefuckingyou.”
“Ialsofeelstronglyaboutthesethings.”IsighashemoveshishandfrommynecktoslipitinsidetheV

ofmydress,cuppingmybreast.

“Andthat’sokay.”Herollsmynippleingentlecircles,makingmesquirm.“Youcancontinuetofeel

strongly,andI’llcontinuetoloveyouuntilyou’rereadytolovemeback.”

Ibringmyhandtohis,stillinghisfingersasIpullbacktomeethisgaze.“Thankyou.Iappreciatethat.

Truly.”

“Howmuch?”heasks,archingabrow.
“Verymuch.”
“Enoughtoletmedragyouuptoourroomandaddafewmoreorgasmstomycollection?”
Ismile.“Absolutely.Butareyousureyoudon’twanttoexploremore,first?IknowtheVenusBallonly

happensonceayear.”

“Anditwillhappenagainnextyear,andwhenitdoes,wewillexploreagain,”hesays,standingwith

mestillinhisarms.“RightnowIjustwanttobealonewithyou,princess.”

“Me,too,”Iconfess.
Gamesareallwellandgood,buttherearetimeswhenit’sbettertobereal.Tobehonest.Tobenaked

ineverywaywiththepersonwhofeelslikehome.

Andhourslater,afterEdwardhasproventhathestillmakesloveeverybitasbeautifullyasheplays

games,andwe’relyingtangledtogetherinbed,ItellhimthatIlovehimandit’snotscaryanymore.

Turnsouttheclichéhaditallwrong.It’snottimethathealsallwounds;it’sorgasms.Lotsandlotsof

orgasms,deliveredbyamanwholovesyouenoughtoconsideryourpleasureandhappinessaworkof
art.

CHAPTERTWELVE

OneYearLater…

Edward

Theysaytimeflieswhenyou’rehavingfun,andnowIknowit’strue.ThepastyearwithIvyhasbeena

bullettrain,flyingbysofastthereneverseemstobeenoughtimetotakeitallin.

SoI’vestartedtakingpictures.Lotsandlotsofpictures,documentingeverydayofthelifeI’mlucky

enoughtosharewiththewomanofmydreams.

ItwasactuallyIvy’ssuggestion.
“You’vegotaneyeforbeautifulthings,”she’dsaidoneafternoonaswewerehanginganewMedusa

paintingI’dacquiredonabusinesstriptoGreece.“Youshouldpaint.”

“Andpigsshouldfly,”I’dreplied,dismissingtheidea.“Ican’tdrawastraightlinewitharuler,

princess.TheonetimeItriedtopaintitlookedlikeadogswallowedaboxofcrayonsandthenvomited
thembackontothecanvas.”

“Ew,”she’dsaidcheerfully.“Well,maybephotography,then?Youcan’tmakeapicturelooklikedog

vomitunlessyouintentionallyfindvomittophotograph.AndI’dlovetoseewhatyouseewhenyouwalk
aroundthecity.Youalwaysfindthebeautifulthingsnooneelsenotices.”

AndsoIboughttwocameras,IvyandIattendedaweekendcourseonhowtousethem,andnowour

houseisfilledwithevenmorebeautifulthings—photographsthatdocumentthedaysthatpasssoquickly
whenI’mwithher.

Butnoneofthephotographs,eventheonesIvyletmetakeofherinourclaw-footbathtub,cancompare

tothewomanherself,intheflesh.

Orinthishotasfuckdress…
IvypickedoutherowndressfortheVenusBallthisyear,aredstraplessgownthesamecolorasher

hair,whichmakesherlooklikeacolumnofflame.Theorangeandredfeathermaskshewearscompletes
theensemble,givingbirthtothoughtsofaphoenixrisingfromashes.Sheisstunning,magical,andso
fuckingsexyI’vebeenhardsincethemomentshesteppedoutofthebedroom.

AndI’mcertainlynottheonlyonewho’spreparedtosellhissoultogethishandsonhertonight.Aswe

makeourwaytothecastlegates,everymaninattendance,andafewofthewomen,turntowatch.One
burlyman’sheadswivelssointenselyI’mworriedhe’sgoingtopullamusclebeforeheandhisdateget
intotheparty.ButI’mnotjealous.There’snoreasontobe.

Ivyismine,fromthetipofherupturnednosetotheendsoftheperpetuallycoldtoesshekeptbundledin

twopairsofmysocksthiswinterbecausesheinsistedmysocksfeltwarmerthanhers.

Halfofmysocksareinherdrawers,myT-shirtshavebeenappropriatedforwalksaroundthe

neighborhoodbeforeworkeachmorning,andthemasterbathhasbeentakenoverbydozensofbottlesof

curl-enhancingpotionsandcreamsIvyinsistsarenecessarytokeepherhairfromfrizzing.Shehaslefther
markoneveryroominmyhome,everyaspectofmylife,andIcouldn’tbehappier.

Well,maybeIcouldbealittlehappier…
“Isyourassminetonight,princess?”Iasksoftlyaswefindourplaceatthebackoftheline.“Isthatmy

surprise?”

“No,itisn’t,”shesays,smilingupatme.“NotthatIwouldtellyouifitwas,becausethewholepointof

asurpriseisthatyoudon’tknowwhatit’sgoingtobe.Butit’sdefinitelynotyourcockinmyass.”

“Whataboutmytongueinyourass?”Iaskhopefully.
“That’srepulsive,Mulligan.Reallyandtruly.”
Ishrug.“IbetIcouldmakeyoucomethatway,justfrommytonguelickingandteasingandfuckingyour

ass.Youshouldletmetry.”

“Keepitupandyouwon’tgetyoursurprisetonight,”shesays.“I’llmakeyouwaituntiltomorrowwhen

wegethome.”

Ipressmylipstogether,feigninggreaterirritationthanIfeel.“Fine.ButthenI’llbeforcedtoretaliate

bymakingyouwaitsolongtocomethatyouthinkyou’regoingtodiefromit,princess.”

Shelaughs.“You’regoingtodothatanyway.”
Igrin.“Iam.Ilovethatyouknowmesowell.”
“Me,too.”Shepressesupontiptoe,stealingaquickkissbeforewestepforward,closertothecastle

wallsandallthefunwe’regoingtohaveinsidethem.

Therewillbenodrama,noworry,nofallingoffthingsorfrettingaboutthefuturetonight.TonightIvy

andIarecompletelyinsync,inlove,andhappierthanwe’veeverbeen.Ourtimeattheballwillbeone
hundredpercentpleasure,sevenoreighthoursofgamesanderotictorture,and,ifIhaveanythingtosay
aboutit,toppedoffwithmycockburieddeepinIvy’sbeautifulass.

I’vehadherinsomanywonderfulandwickedwaysthispastyear,butshecontinuestodenymeaccess

tothatpartofher.Herassismyfinalfrontier,andImeantoconquerit—andshowherjusthow
incredibleanalcanfeelwhendoneproperly—tonight.

Myhanddriftsdown,cuppingherbottomthroughthevelvetyfabricofherdress.
“It’snothappening,”shesays,asternernoteinhervoice.“I’mserious.I’mnotready,andwedidn’t

bringlube.”

“Wecouldacquirelube,”Isay,knowinganyeroticpropwedesireiseasilyobtainedatthecastle’s

frontdesk.“Butifyou’renotready,thenyou’renotready.Justpromisemethisisstillonthetablefor
anothernight.”

Sheshakesherheadwithasigh,clearlythinkingI’mcrazy.“Yes,ohstubbornone.It’sstillonthetable

foranothernight.”

“Good.BecauseIneedtofuckyourassbeforeIdie.It’sonmybucketlist.Attheverytopofit,infact.”
“I’llkeepthatinmind,”shesayswithalaugh.
“Pleasedo.”IwrapmyarmaroundherwaistasIreachintomytuxedojacket’sinnerpocketforour

tickets.“Justincasewesomedaygetintoaterriblecaraccidenttogetherbeforemydickhasmadeyour
ass’sintimateacquaintance.”

“I’lldragmyshatteredbodyoutofthewreckageandmakeithappen,”shepromisesdryly.“Scout’s

honor.”

Ilaughbeneathmybreath.“You’retoogoodtome,princess.”
“Iam.Butyou’reawfullygoodtome,too,sir,”shesays,theshiftinhertonemakingitclearshe’sas

eagerasIamforthegametobegin.“Wheredoyouwanttostarttonight,MasterEdward?Inthegardens
nearthegates,orfartherafield?”

Ikissthetopofherhead.“Iwanttostartwithastory,thewaywedidlasttime.Anyhardlimitsforyou

tonight?Asidefromtheposterior-relatedbanalreadydiscussed?”

“No,sir.”Sheleansintome,tiltingherheadbacktowhisperinmyear,“ThoughIwouldlovetofind

somewhereprivateifpossible.”

“Me,too,”Isay,hopingshe’lllovetheadventureIhaveplanned.“IfindI’mevenlessinterestedin

sharingyouthisyear.”

Shearchesabrow.“IsthisthesamemanwhosaidhewantedtoshoweveryonehowprettyIamwhenI

comeonhismouthinthatalcovebackthere?”Shejabsathumboverhershoulder,towardtheshadows
whereIambushedheroneyearagotonight.

“BeautifulwasthewordIused.AndthatwasbeforeIrememberedjusthowbeautiful,anddecided

sharingthatviewwithanyoneelsewouldbeaskingfortrouble.Ienjoycompetitioninmostthings,butnot
whenitcomestoyou.”

“Asifanyoneelsewouldhaveachance,”shesays,takingmyhandaswereachthefrontoftheline.
“Ditto,sweetness.”Islipourticketstothemanintheredmask,andwestepthroughthegates.Onthe

otherside,Isqueezeherhandtight.“Thinkwecanbeateveryoneelsetothefarsideofthegrounds?”

Shereachesdowntoscoopherdressupinonehandwithagrin,revealingapairofredNikes.“We

absolutelycan.Icamepreparedforclimbingandrunningfromsecuritythisyear.”

Icursesoftlyinadmiration.“Iwasn’tsureitwaspossible,butyoujustgottwentypercentsexier.”
“Racemeoverthebridge?”sheasks,eyesglitteringbehindhermask.
“Readyinthree,two—nofair!That’scheating,Prescott!”Icallafterherasshedashesdownthepath

aheadofme.Withagrin,Istartafter,followingthesoundofherlaughter.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

Ivy

BythetimeIbeatEdwardoverthebridge—it’shardlycheatingtotakeaheadstartwhenmylegsareat

leastfourinchesshorterthanhis—followhimthroughamazeofthicklyplantedtreesnearthebrook,and
hiketothetopofagrassyknollonthefarsideoftheproperty,I’mstartingtoregrettheballgown.

“NextyearI’mwearingspandexpantsandatanktop.”WithahuffIdroptheheavyfabricI’veheld

bunchedinmyhands.Theskirtswirlsbackaroundmylegs,concealingmynowmud-christenedsneakers.

“Formalwearisrequired,mylove,”Edwardsays,motioningformetofollowhimaroundarowof

largerocksthatblockourviewofwhateverliesontheotherside.

“I’llbedazzlethetanktop,then.”IlaughatthelookEdwardshootsmeoverhisshoulder.“Iloveyou.

You’reverycutewhenyou’rehorrifiedbysparkles.”

“Iloveyou.Andyou’reverycutewhenyou’renaked,”hesayswithagrin.“WhenwegettotheboatI

wantyoutostrip.I’vealwayswantedtorowanakedgoddessacrossamoonlitpond.”

Ibitemylip,butbeforeIcanthinkofareasonableexcusefordisobeyingadirectorderduringplaytime,

wecleartherocks,revealingalandscapethattakesmybreathaway.

“Oh,it’smagical.”Mygazesweepsacrossthedark,moonlight-smudgedpondwherewaterliliessleep

inclustersneartheshore.Onasmallislandatthecenterofthepond,weepingwillowtreestrailsilver
leavesdowntokissthewaves,andasinglepaperlanternhangsfromahookdugdeepintothewater,
sendingflashesoforangelightdancingacrossthesurface.“It’slikeaMonetpaintingatnight.Or
somethingfromafairytale.”

“Whichisperfect.BecauseIhaveafairytaleIwanttotellyouwhilewerow.”Hetakesmyhand,

leadingthewaydownastretchofsandygrasstoadockwherethreerowboatsbobinthegentleswells.
“I’veneverseenanothersoulontheisland.Weshouldhaveitalltoourselves.”

“Ican’twaittoseeit,”Isaysincerely,evenasmymindclicksquicklythroughexcusestokeepmy

clothesonandmysurprisecovered.“ButwouldyoumindifIwaiteduntilwe’retheretotakeoffmy
dress?Iknowwewerefast,butontheoffchancesomeoneelseshowsupwhilewe’rerowingacross…”

“Ofcourse.”Heleansin,pressingakisstomycheekbeforewhisperingagainstmyskin,“butassoonas

we’realone,thegamebegins.ThenexttimeItellyoutogetnaked,you’dbettergetoutofthatdress
posthaste,orI’mgoingtohavetopunishyou.Sokeepthatinmind.”

“Yes,sir.”IsmileasIclimbintotheboatandsettleontothewoodenseat.Iloveagoodspankingas

muchasthenextgirl,andamnotabovedeliberatelydisobeyingEdwardtogetone,butI’mnotlookingfor
punishmenttonight.Ijustneedtomakesurehedoesn’tgetagoodlookatmypantiesuntilwe’realone.

“Tonight’stalecomesfromDenmark,”Edwardsaysashegripsthehandlesofthewoodenoarsand

steersusawayfromthedock.“HaveyouheardtheoriginalversionofTheLittleMermaid?”

Ileanback,bracingmyhandsonthesidesoftheboat.“Yes,Ihave,butIforgetthefinerdetails.Ijust

rememberthatsheturnsintoseafoamattheendbecauseofthatstupidprinceshewasinlovewith.”

“Hewasastupidprince,”Edwardagrees,becausewealwaysagreeonimportantthingslikestoriesand

art.“Hedidn’trecognizethatthemermaidwastheonewhohadsavedhimfromdrowning.Andbecause
she’dtradedhervoicetotheseawitchinexchangeforlegs,shecouldn’ttellhim.”

Ishakemyhead.“Ifonlyshe’dknownhowtoreadandwrite.Anotherreasoneducationforwomen

aroundtheworld,andunderthesea,issoimportant.”

“Youmakeagoodpoint,asusual.”Hesmiles.“ButthepartofthestoryI’vealwaysfoundfascinatingis

howmuchtheprinceenjoyedwatchingthemermaiddance.Shewasevidentlyquitefetchingonhernew
legsanddancedbeautifully,despitethefactthateverystepshetookinherhumanbodyfeltlikeknives
slicingatthesolesofherfeet.”

“Idon’trememberthatpart,”Imurmur,admiringtheflexofhismusclesbeneathhiscoatasheworksthe

oarsthroughthewaterwithdeep,assuredstrokes.“You’reveryhandsomewhenyou’rerowing,bythe
way.”

“You’reverybeautifulwhenyou’rebeingrowed.ThoughIwouldhavepreferredyounaked.”
“Maybeonthewayback,”Isay,heartbeatingfasterasIconsiderhowverydifferentourreturntrip

mightbe.ItalldependsonEdward’sreactiontomysurprise.“Wasthattheendofthestory?”

“Youknowthewayitends,”hesays.“I’mmoreinterestedinthemiddle,andthewaythemermaidgave

herprincepleasurewithherpain.Doyouthinksheenjoyedit?Thatmaybeitwasgoodforbothofthem?”

“Ihopeso.Seemslikethepoorthingshouldhavehadatleastsomefunbeforeshewasturnedtosea

foam.”Icockmyhead,eardroppingclosertomyshoulder.“Doyouintendtotellmeadepressingstory
everytimewecometotheball,MasterEdward?”

Hegrins.“There’snothingdepressingaboutthisstory.Becausewe’regoingtochangetheending.

Tonight,themermaid’spainisgoingtofeelsogoodshe’sgoingtobegherprinceforanotherdose.”

Mynipplestightenbeneathmydress.“Doesthismeanyoubroughttheclamps?”
“Maybe,”hesays.“Guessyou’llhavetowaitandsee.You’renottheonlyonewhotrafficsinsurprises,

youknow.”

Butmysurprisewillbemoreexcitingthannippleclamps.
Atleast,Ihopeitwill.Iadoreclamps,butIloveEdward—somuch.I’mminutesawayfromknowingif

I’llbelisteningtohisstrange,sexystoriesforever,andthethoughtmakesmystomachflutter.But
thankfullythepondissmall.Thereisn’ttimetogettoonervousbeforewereachtheislandandEdward
pullstheboatupontothesmoothwhitepebblesoftheshore.

Neitherofusspeaksashetakesmyhandandleadsmethroughanothergatheringofwillows,pastfat

camelliabushesheavywithblossoms,andintoaclearingwithmoremagicwaitingatthecenter.

There,astatueofamermaidreclinesontopofastoneclamshell,chinproppedonherfistasshegazes

outacrossthewaterontheothersideoftheisland.Butthistimeitisn’ttheskilloftheartistthattakesmy
breathaway;it’sthecarvedwoodenstarfishthatextendsfromthebaseofthemermaid’sclamshelltoward
theground.

ThestarfishislargerthanIam,withfivelongarms,eachoneequippedwithunbuckledleather

restraints.

“Clothesandshoesoff,princess,”Edwardwhispersashecapturesthezipperbetweenmyshoulder

bladesanddrawsitdown.“Mask,too,thistime.Iwanttoseeyourfacewhenyourealizeyou’rebound
andcompletelyatmymercy.”

“Yes,sir.”Iwaitformydresstopuddleatmyfeetthenstepfree.Itoeoffmyshoesandtossmymaskto

theground,shakingmyhairfreeasIpadbarefootacrosstheleaves,wearingnothingbutmyredlace
thong.

OnceIreachthestarfish,IglanceovermyshouldertoseeEdwardpullingoffhismask,grantingmea

clearviewofhisface.Ipause,soakinginthehungerandaffectioninhisexpression,certainI’venever
beensogratefulformoonlight.

NowIjustneedthecloudstostayawayforafewmoreminutessothemanIlovecanseethesurprise

I’vesewnintomypantiesjustforhim.

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

Edward

Ivyliesdownonthebondagestarandspreadsherarmsandlegs.Ibindherwriststhenherankles—

pressingakisstothedelicatebonesasIpulltheleatherstrapstight—andstandback,drinkingintheview
ofmywillingprisoner.

ForamomentIforgethowtobreathe.
Sheissobeautiful,soperfect,andIhavenodoubtthatI’mtheluckiestbastardintheworld.Andnot

becauseherpalebreasts,whichseemtoglowsoftlyinthemoonlight,arethemoststunningpairoftits
I’veeverseen,orbecausetherestofherisequallyflawlessandsexy,andfuckingherisanunparalleled
pleasurethatgetsbettereverytimeItakeher.It’sbecauseofhergoodheartandclevermindandtheway
shesmilesjustformewhenshebrushesmyhairfrommyforeheadinthemorningswithasoft“beep,
beep,beep.”Herinternalclockwakesherupatexactlysixfifteeneachday,andsheinsistsonbeingmy
ownpersonal,sweet,oh-so-sexyalarmclock.

Ilovehersomuch“love”doesn’tseemlikeanaccuratewordanymore,butI’veyettofindanotherto

surpassit.

“Catgotyourtongue,sir?”
“Itdoes.”Ikneelonthegroundbetweenherspreadlegs,restingmypalmslightlyonherthighs.“I’ve

runoutofwords.IthinkI’mgoingtohavetostartmakingupnewones.”

“Newwordsforwhat,sir?”Shegazesdownthelandscapeofherbodyatme,hereyesglitteringasI

leanintopressakisstoherstomach.

Itonguethepulsebeatingthere,circlinghernavelbeforemakingmyconfessionagainsthersweetskin.

“ForhowmuchIloveyou.”

Shesighs.“Me,too.Wordsaren’tenough.”
Icupherbreastsinmyhands,teasinghernipplesbetweenmyfingers.“ThenI’monlyseeingoneway

thiscango.”Istand,lengtheningmyselfontopofherasIbracemyhandsonthebondagestaraboveher
head.“I’mgoingtohavetoshowyouhowmuchIloveyouwithsomethingbetterthanwords.”Icoverher
lipswithmine,kissingherhardanddeepuntilshemoansintomymouth.

Iwaituntilshe’ssquirmingbeneathme,armmusclesflexingagainstherbonds,beforeIkissmyway

downherthroattoherbreasts,pressingherbeautifultitsclosesoIcanattendtobothofhernipplesat
once.

“Yes,please,”shecriesout,archingcloser.“Iloveyourmouth,sir.”
Ihumlowinmythroat,showingherhowmuchmymouthloveshernipples.Ilickandsuckandbite,

makinglovetoherbreastsuntilshe’spantingbeneathme.OnlythendoIreachfortheclampsinmy
pocket,affixingfirstone,andthentheother,tothetaut,wetbuds.

ShecriesoutasIturnthescrews,pinninghersensitivefleshtightbetweenthemetal.“God,sir.Oh

please,touchme.I’msowetforyou.”

“Patience,beautiful.”Myvoiceisroughandmycockispulsingbetweenmylegs,butmyhandsare

steadyasIpullaway,slowlystrippingoffmycoat.“Ihaveasurpriseforyou.”

Herlashesflutterashereyesopenandhergazemeetsmine.“Me,too.Ialmostforgot.Mine’shidden,

butIhaveafeelingyou’regoingtofinditsoon.”

Idisposeofmybowtieandshirtandreachforthecloseofmypants.“I’msureIwill.Idon’tintendto

leaveaninchofyouunexplored.Butfirst…”Istepoutofmyshoesanddropmypantsandboxerstothe
ground,baringmycockandthethickrubberringstretchedtightaroundthebaseofmyshaft.

Ivy’seyeswidenandherlipscurveononeside.“Acockring?”
“Notjustanycockring.Ithasarubberpadatthetopthat’sgoingtodowickedthingstoyourclit.”
Laughterbubblesfrombetweenherlips.Andnotjustalittlegiggle—athroaty,full-fledgedlaughthat

dancesthroughthestillair.

Ifrown.“Thiswasn’tthereactionIwashopingfor,sweetheart.Butifyouthinkyou’regoingtogetrid

ofmyhard-onthateasily,you’resadlymistaken.Nothingshortofanuclearexplosionisgoingtokeepme
fromfuckingyouwhileyou’retiedupandhelplesstokeepmefrommakingyoucomeagainandagain,
untilyouregretlaughingatmynewtoy.”

Sheshakesherhead,butshe’sstillgigglingwhenshesays,“I’mnotlaughingatthetoy.I’mlaughing

because…”Shesobers,pressingherlipstogether“I’mlaughingbecausegreatmindsthinkalike.Ibrought
youaring,too.”Sheshiftsherhipsbackandforth,drawingmyattentiontothelacyredthongthat’sthe
onlythingcoveringhernakedness.

Kneelingbetweenherlegs,IholdhergazeasIrunmyfingersbeneaththewaistbandofherpanties.

“Youdid?Andjustwherehaveyoumanagedtohideacockring,MissPrescott?”

“It’snotacockring,”shesays,wigglingherhipsagain.“It’ssomethingevenbetter.Atleast,Ithinkit

is.”

IarchabrowasIdrawherpantiesslowlyfromherbody.“I’mnotsureaboutthat.Ithinkwe’llhaveto

waituntilyou’vefeltwhatthisringisgoingtodotoyoubeforeyoumakethatcall.”Islidethefabric
downherspreadthighsuntilitisstretchedtoitslimit.I’mreadytotearthethongintwowhenIsee
somethingcatchthemoonlight.

Somethingsmallandmetallic…
Ireachdown,findingasilverringtackedtoIvy’spantieswithtwoloopsofredthread.
“Ihopeyou’llputthatoneon,too,”shesayssoftly.“Andmaybethinkaboutmarryingme,Master

Edward.”

Ishakemyheadasmychestfillswithanaching,swelling,hopefulfeeling.“Areyouaskingmetomarry

you,princess?”

“Ithoughtaboutwaitingforyoutoask,butyouknowIstrugglewithpatience,sir.”
“Youdo,”Isay,throattight.“Butthat’soneofthethingsIloveaboutyou.”
Fistingmyhandsinthedelicatefabricofherpanties,Iripthemintwobeforetuggingtheringfromthe

laceandslidingitontomyfinger.

“Isthatayes?”sheasksasIstretchmyselfontopofheragain.
“Yes.”IkissherhardasIfittheheadofmycocktoherentrance.“Ican’twaittobeyourhusband.”I

driveinsideher,swallowinghersoftcry,devouringherwithmymouthasIrideherhardanddeep.It
turnsoutIhavenopatience,either.Atleastnotatamomentlikethis.

“Oh,God,Edward,”shecriesout,strainingagainstherbondsasherorgasmripsthroughherwith

enoughforcethatIfeelherinnerwallslockingtightaroundmycock.“Youfeelsogood.Soperfect.”

“Iloveyou,princess,”Igrowlintothecurveofherneck,toofargonetodrawthisoutmuchlonger.“So

fuckingmuch.”

ImanagetoslowmythrustslongenoughtoreleasetheclampsonIvy’snipples,sendingfreshblood

rushingintothetighttips,makingthemevenmoresensitive.Allittakesisafewgentlebrushesofmy
thumbacrossherpuckeredflesh—once,twice,threetimes—asIgrindagainsthertomakehercome
again.

Thistime,asherpussygoeshotter,wetter,Iletgo,cryingoutinprimalblissasIcome.Mycockpulses

sohardinsideIvythatbythetimemyorgasmisfinishedIfeellikeI’vebeenturnedinsideout.There’s
nothingleftbutanemptyshell,butthat’sallright.Onelookinhereyesisallittakestofillmeupagain,to
fillmewithloveanddesireandgratitudeformysweetandwickedfuturewife.

“We’llgetyouanengagementringonMonday.”Ikisshercheek.“Iwantyoutaggedasoffthemarketas

soonaspossible.”

Shesmiles.“Good.Ilikebeingtaggedbyyou.Andthatcockring?Bestthingever.”
Igazedownatherblissed-outexpression,unabletohelpfeelingalittlesmug.“IknowwhatI’mdoing,

Prescott.”

“Youdo,”shesayswithahappysigh.“I’maluckygirl.”
“DoesthismeanIhavepermissiontoslipinthebuttplugIbrought?Ipromiseyou,it’sgoingtorock

yourworldthenexttimeImakeyoucome.”

Sherollshereyes,butshe’sstillsmilingwhenshesays,“Yes,love.Whatbetterwaytocelebrateour

engagementthanwithabuttplug?”

Igrin.“IthinkIjustfellalittlemoreinlovewithyou,Mrs.Mulligan.”
“Ilikethesoundofthat.”ShehumshappilyintomymouthasIkissherlips.
AndthenIkissherneckandhershouldersandthesoftskinbeneathherbreasts.Ikissherbellyandher

thighsandbetweenherlegs,wheresheissoslickfromtheevidenceofourcombinedenthusiasmfor
fuckingeachotherthattheplugslidesineasily.AndwhenImakehercomeonmytonguewiththeplugin
herass,Icantellshe’safan.BythetimeIslidemycockinsideher,she’swild,outofhermindwith
pleasure,swearingnothinghaseverfeltsogoodascominghardwithmycockandtheplugbothburied
deepinside.

Afterward,I’mnotshyabouttellingher“Itoldyouso,”andshe’snotshyabouttellingmethatshe’s

readyformycocktoclaimthatfinalfrontier.

Andthenit’smyturntobedrivenoutofmymind.
Wedon’tleavetheislandtheentirenight.Wemakeloveagainonthepebblebeachandliesidebyside

inhammocksnexttothewater,planninganOctoberweddingbecausewebothagreeautumnisthesexiest
season.IhaveIvyagaininmyhammock,slowlyandcarefullywithherontop,andthistimenoonefalls.

Shesimplylaysherheadonmychestafterward,andwewatchthesunriseoverthewater,savoringthe

firstdayofourforever.

SignupforLili’snewsletter

andnevermissasteamyread:

http://bit.ly/1zXpwL6

KeepreadingforasneakpeekofDarkDomination

andmeetJacksonHawke,amagnificent,sexyashellDominantwho

willownyoure-reader.(DarkDominationisfree!)

SneakPeek!

DarkDominationbyLiliValente

Now#freeonallplatforms

Excerptc.2016

Hannah’seyesflewopenandherlipspartedinascream,buttheenormousmanstraddlingherpressed

hishandtightertoherlips,mufflingthesound.

Shejerkedherarmsdownward,readytofighthimoff,onlytodiscoverthatherwristsweretiedtothe

headboard.Terrorrushedthroughherandherpulsesped,settingherhearttoslammingagainstherribsas
shetuggedharderonherbonds.Buttheropebitingintoherwristsassuredhershewouldn’tbeableto
fightherwayfree.

Shewasboundtight,powerlesstoprotectherselffromwhateverthismanintendedtodotoher.
“Relax,princess.It’sjustme.”Themanleaneddown,thewaterdrippingfromtheendofhisnose,

landingonHannah’scheek,makingherflinch.“Icameinthroughthewindow.IthoughtI’dmakethat
fantasyyouweretellingmeaboutareality.”

Hannahswallowed,herthunderingheartbeatslowingabitassheunderstoodwhatwashappening.
Shewasn’tbeingattackedbyanintruder.ThismanmustbeHarley’sguyofthemoment,andheclearly

thoughthewasstraddlinghersister.Oncesheclearedupthemisunderstanding,he’duntieherandshe
couldshowhimtothedoor.They’dbothbeembarrassed,nodoubt,butshewasn’tabouttoberapedor
murdered.

Therealizationmadeherwhip-tightmusclessagwithrelief,anactionsherealizedtoolatethattheman

tookasaninvitationtocontinuelivingoutHarley’sbondagefantasy.

“I’vebeendyingtotouchyouallday,”hesaid,hisdrypalmmovingfromhermouthtoherbreast,

teasinghernipplethroughherthinteeshirt,drawingagaspfromherthroat.

Sheexpectedhistouchtofeelforeignandunwelcome,buthisfingersweregentle,teasingherwitha

sweetnessthatmadeherarchintohiswarmhand.Electricityshotfromherbreasttocoilbetweenher
legs,thesensationintensifiedbythefeeloftheropediggingintoherwristsasherbicepstightened
reflexivelyinresponsetothestranger’sconfidenttouch.

“God,thesoundsyoumakedrivemecrazy,”themansaid,pinchinghernippletightenoughtomakeher

gaspagain.

“No,please,I’mnot—”Hannah’swordsendedinamoanashepushedhershirtupandbentlower,

tugginghernippleintothewarm,wetheatofhismouth.Histongueflickedandteased,floodingherbody
withpleasureandlongingsointenseshewaspantingbythetimehetransferredhismouthtoherother
breast,suckingandnibblingatthearousedskinashisbighandslippeddownthefrontofherpanties,
findingwhereshewasalreadywet.

Wet,fromhersister’sboyfriend’smouthonherbreasts.Andnowhisfingerswereslidingintowhere

sheached,makinghershudder.

Ifshedidn’tstopthissoon,itwouldbetoolate.Therewouldbenoavoidingtragedy,therewouldbe

onlyshameandthenightmareofconfessingtohersisterandthisinnocentmanthatshe’ddonesomething
unforgivable.

“Stop,I’mnotHarley.”Shetensedherthighsonlytorelaxthemasecondlaterwhensherealizedher

lockedmusclesweretrappinghisfingersinsideherembarrassinglyslicksex.

“No,you’renot,”hesaid,drivinghisfingersinandoutofherashetrappedhernipplebetweenhisteeth

andbitdown,makinghercryoutinpainbeforehesoothedawaythehurtwithhistongue.

“You’remylittleslut,”hecontinuedinhisdeep,sexyrumbleofavoice,hisfingersstillbusybetween

herlegs,makingthetensioncoilinglowinherbodyfisteventighter.“AndI’mgoingtofuckyouuntilyou
scream.”

“No,please,”Hannahsaid,excitementandfeardumpingintoherbloodstreamsimultaneously,making

herfeellikeshewasbeingdeliciously,torturouslytornintwo.“I’mnotHarley,I’m—”

Thistime,hesilencedherwithakiss,histonguepushingbetweenherlips,demandingentrancetoher

mouth.Hetastedofsomethingsmoky,hardcider,andtheoceanonadaywhenitisn’tsafetogointothe
water.Hiskisswasdangerous,wild,andunlikeanythingHannahhadexperiencedbefore.Hedidn’ttease
ortesther;hefuckedhermouthwithhistongue,thethickmusclemimickingthemovementsofhisfingers
betweenherlegs,bringinghertotheedgefasterthanshe’dimaginedpossible.

She’dhadtroubletumblingoverinthepast.Butherformerboyfriendshadalwaysbeensweetmenand

oftentoo-tenderlovers.

Thismanmightbesweet—shehadnowayofknowingwhathewaslikeoutsidethebedroom—buthe

wasn’ttender.Hewasdemanding,controlling,thetypeofmanwhodidn’thesitate,didn’tchangecourse,
didn’tstopuntilthejobwasdone.Therewouldbenoeasyescapefromthisbed,sheknewitevenbefore
hehookedhisfingersinsideofher,coaxingherintoanorgasmthathadherbowingoffthebed,screaming
intothehot,hungrymouthstilldevouringherown.

Herbodyclencheddown,liquidheatgushingouttodampenherthighsaspleasurerocketedthroughher

coreandhistonguecontinuedtofuckhermouth,buildingherneedagainevenasherpussystillthrobbed
andclutchedathisthickfingers.

Bythetimehegrabbedherbehindtheknees,forcingherlegsupandout—untilherkneeswereinher

armpitsandshewasbaredtohim,fromherasstoherdrippingsex—shewasbeyondwords,beyond
identity,beyondawarenessofanythingbutthebluntheadofhisengorgedcockhotatherentrance.

Fearflashedthroughherforamoment—shewasonthepill,butshe’dneverhadsexwithoutacondom

before—butthenhewasglidingintoher,shovingthroughherswollenflesh,stretchinghersowideshe
wasn’tsureshe’deverbethesameagain.

Shemoaned,painandpleasurewarringwithinherasheclaimedherinonelong,slowstroke.Hewas

enormousandsothickherbodyfoughttoejecthim,tobanishtheburningsensationhecausedbetweenher
legs.Buthekeptcoming.Andcomingandcoming,untilshesworeshecouldfeelhiminherbelly,inher
lungs.Hewaseverywhere,hishotthicknessfillingherupuntiltherewasnoroomforanythingbuthim.

Shetriedtobreathedeeper,tocenterherself,toholdontothatsacred,hiddenkernelofhersoulnoman

hadevertouched,butshecouldn’tfindit.

Therewasonlyhim,hisheat,hisrainandcampfiresmell,andhisneed,spearingherintwo,insisting

shetakeeverythinghehadtogive.

“Lookatme,”hesaid,holdingstillinsideher,hisvoicedemandingsheobey.“Lookatme.”
Sheliftedhereyestohis,araggedsobescapingfromherstrainedthroat.Atthisangle,thelightfromthe

bathroomhithisfaceandshewasgrantedherfirstgoodlookathim,thisstrangerwhowasburiedinside
her,anditallbutstoppedherheart.Hewasbeautiful—strong,ruggedfeaturessoftenedbyfulllipsand
darkeyesthatburnedwithpassionandintelligence.HewasasstunningasallofHarley’smen,butthere
wasmoretohimthanahandsomefaceoragorgeousbody.Therewassomethinginhiseyes,something
thatmadeherwanttoknowhim,topleasehim.

“Iknowwhatyouwant,”hesaid.“ButIcan’tgothereuntilyoutellmethatyou’remine.”Hepaused,

lookingsodeepintohershecouldn’tbelievehedidn’tseethatshewasanimposter.

Butinthelong,breathlessmomentthattheireyesheldandallofHannah’ssecretsandfearsseepedinto

theairbetweenthem,hisgazeonlygentled.

“Becauseyouaremine,”hesaidsoftly,hisvoiceastenderashiscockwasmerciless.“Yourpleasure

belongstome,yourpainbelongstome.Iwantitall,Harley.Allofyou.Don’tfightmeanymore.Giveit
tome.Giveitalltome.”

Hannah’sbreathrushedoutthroughherpartedlips,butshedidn’tknowwhattosay,howtotellhimshe

wasaliarwhenthismomentfeltsoreal,soright.

“Youcantrustme.”Heflexedhisbuttocks,forcinghiscockimpossiblydeeper,makinghergroanin

pleasure.Inpain.

Pleasure-pain.Theywereoneandthesamewiththismanandshewantednothingmorethantogivehim

whathewanted,whateverhewantedsolongashewouldneverstophurtingher,healingher,possessing
herinawayshe’dneverrealizedshewantedtobepossesseduntilthisstrangerhadclaimedherforhis
own.

Butshewasn’thisandhewasn’thers.
Hebelongedtohersisterandthiswassowrongthat“wrong”wasn’tabigenoughwordtodescribeit—

thisbetrayal,thissacrilege,thisterrible,terriblethingshe’dallowedtohappen.Sheshouldhavefought
harder,screamedthetruthuntilheunderstoodshewasn’tplayinggames.

Nowitwastoolate,andshehatedherselfforit.
“Please,”shesaid,tearsfillinghereyes.“Forgiveme.”
“Forwhat,princess?”Hiswarmpalmcuppedhercheekwithasweetnessthatthreatenedtobreakher

heartalloveragain.

“Ican’t…”Sheswallowed,searchingforthestrengthtotellhimthetruth,butshecouldn’t,notwhenshe

wasexposed,sovulnerable,andsointimatelyconnectedtothismanthatshecouldn’ttellwhereheended
andshebegan.“Ican’ttellyou.Notnow.”

“Nowisthetimetotellmeanything,”hesaid,leaningdown,hislipshoveringabovehersasheshifted

hiships,pullingoutuntilshewasacutelyawareofalltheplacesthatachedinhisabsencebeforepushing
backintoheragain,summoninganotherhungrysoundfromherthroat.“Everything.I’mreadyforyour
secrets.”

“No,you’renot,”shewhispered,shudderingashebegantorollhiships,nudgingherclitwithhispubic

boneagainandagain,buildingtheneedswellinginsideofher.

“I’mnotafool.”Hecapturedhernipplebetweenhisfingers,tuggingitintimetotheundulatingrhythm

ofhiships.“Iknowyou’vebeenhidingthingsfromme.Itdoesn’tmatter.Whatmattersisrightnow.Tell
meyou’remineandwe’llfiguretherestouttogether.”

“Stop,please,”shesaid,teethdiggingintoherbottomlipasshestrainedagainstherbonds,butthe

roughropeagainstherskinonlymadeherhotter,wetter.“Ican’tthink.Ican’t—”

“Don’tthink,”hesaid,hisgriptighteningonhernippleasherodeherharder,untilshewasquivering

beneathhim,soclosetotheedgesheknewshecouldgoatanymoment.“Feel.Feelhowrealthisisand
tellmeyou’remine.TellmeandI’lldoallthosethingsyou’vebeendreamingabout.”

Heshiftedhishead,whisperingintoherear,hisbreathhotonherskinashefuckedherwithlong,

languidstrokesthatcompletelyunraveledhermind.“I’llspankyouandmarkyouandfuckyousohard
youwon’tbeabletositdownfordayswithoutthinkingabouthowIusedyou.”Hepressedakisstoher
throat,whereherpulseraced.“Isn’tthatwhatyouwant?”

Hannahnoddedbreathlessly.Shehadneverevenimaginedthingslikethat,butsuddenly,lyingbeneath

thisman,shewantedallthewickedthingshe’dpromisedandmore.Shewantedtobeturnedoverhis
kneeandpunishedfortheliesshe’dtold.Shewantedhimtohurtherforlettinghimbelieveshewas
someoneshewasn’t,andthenshewantedhimtotakethepainawaywithhisbeautifulmouth.

Thatexquisitemouththatmadehershuddernowashisteethdraggedlightlyovertheskinatherthroat.

“Thensayit,”hesaid.“Giveyourselftome.Tellmeyou’remine.”
“I’myours,”Hannahsaid,thewordsoutofhermouthbeforeshecouldstopthem.“I’myours.Forever.

Yours.”

“Fuckyes,princess,”hemoaned,thrustingfaster,deeper,demandingherpleasure.“Comeforme.Come

onmycock.Letmefeelyou.”

Hannah’sheadfellbackasshecamewithasoundthatwasn’tcuteorladylike.Itwaswildandbase,a

cryofanimalsatisfactionthatrippedfromherthroatasherpussyclutchedatherstranger’spistoning
cock,demandinghisorgasmwiththesameassurancethathe’dorderedherown.

Hecamecryingouthersister’sname,histhicknessjerkinghardinsideofher,thefeelofhisscalding

heatsoakingherinsidessendinghersoaringathirdtime.Lightsdancedbehindhertightlyclosedeyes,
andsomewheredeepinsideofher,thingssheneededtolivelostpurchaseandfloatedawayfromtheir
moorings.Shewasadrift,helplesstodefendherself,totallyatthemercyofthismanwhogentlyuntiedher
armsandkissedtheredweltsonherwrists.

Andshedidn’tevenknowhisname.
Hourslater,afterhe’dhadheragain—thistimewithhishandfistedinherhairwhilehetookherfrom

behind,hisroughusemakingherfeelsaferthaneveryconsideratekissfromeveryex-boyfriendshe’d
everhad—that’sallshecouldthinkabout.Shedidn’tknowthenameofthemanwhokissedherlikeshe
washisworldbeforeclimbingbackoutthewindowhe’dcreptthroughhoursbefore.

Andshewasn’tgoingtofindoutuntiltomorrow,whenshewouldbeforcedtocomecleantohersister

andconfessthenightmarishthingshe’ddone.

Harleymightactuallyforgiveher—shedidn’ttendtogettooattachedtoherlovers,especiallythe

summerboyssheusedtoentertainherbetweenepictripsabroad—butthestrangerwouldhateher.He
wasinlovewithhersister.Hethoughthe’dbeenmakinglovetoHarley,notacompletestranger.

AsHannahlayinthedark,insheetsthatstillsmelledofsexandsweat,shewasforcedtoadmitthatshe

wasaterribleperson.Shewasn’tthegoodtwin,afterall.Shewasweakandselfishandobviouslyunfit
tobecomeapsychiatristandcounseltroubledkids,notwhenshewassomessedupintheheadthatshe’d
sleptwithhersister’sboyfriend.

Thefirsttime,hehadn’tgivenhertimetoprotest,butshecouldhavestoppedthingsbeforetheycame

togetheragain,beforeheheldheronhischestandpromisedshewouldalwaysbeunderhisprotection,or
beforeshewhispered“Iloveyou,too”asheeasedoutontothetreelimbbeneaththesecondstory
window.

Liar.Shewassuchamiserableliar.
Shedidn’tknowifHarleylovedtheman,butHannahbarelyknewhim.Itwasimpossibletoloveaman

youhadjustmetandbarelyspokentoasidefromsomescaldinghotpillowtalk.

Sheknewthat,butasshegotuptoputthesheetsontowashandstartapotofcoffee—sleepwasgoing

tobeimpossible,mightaswellhelptheinsomniaalong—shecouldn’thelpwishingthatshedidn’thave
totellherstrangerthetruth.Aselfish,wickedpartofhersecretlyhopedthatHarleywouldnevercome
backtohersummerapartment,thatshewouldhopthenextflighttoParisanddisappearthewayshe
sometimesdid,usuallyrightwhenHannahneededherthemost.

AndthenHannahcouldmeetthemanagain,learnhisname,andstartfiguringoutwhatitwouldtaketo

makehimhers.

Intheyearstocome,shewouldthinkofthatselfish,wickedwishagainandagain,wonderingifwishes

likethathadapowerothersdidn’t.Wonderingifhergreedylongingwasthereasonhersisterhadbeen
murderedandHannahwouldneverseeherbestfriend’sfaceagain.

EvenwhenherAuntSybilspiritedherawayfromHarley’sveryprivate,verysecretwake,insistingit

waspasttimeshelearnedaboutthedarknessthathauntedtheirfamily,Hannahcouldn’tbringherselfto
blamefateorherfather’senemiesforhersister’sdeath.

Shewouldneverforgetthatonewonderful,terriblenight,orthatshehadwishedthatHarleywould

disappearandthathourslatershehad.

Forever.

DarkDominationis#freeonallplatforms!

LearnmoreatLili’swebsite:

http://www.lilivalente.com/#!dark-domination-is-free/c1yju

TellLiliyourfavoritepart!

Ilovereadingyourthoughtsaboutthebooksandyourreviewmatters.Reviewshelpreadersfindnew-to-
themauthorstoenjoy.Soifyoucouldtakeamomenttoleaveareviewlettingmeknowyourfavoritepart
ofthestory—nothingfancyrequired,evenasentenceortwowouldbewonderful—Iwouldbedeeply
grateful.

AbouttheAuthor

LiliValentehassleptunderthestarsinGreece,eatendinneratmidnightwithFrenchmenwhocouldn’tbe
trustedtokeeptheirmouthsontheirfood,andwalkedalonethroughMunich’sredlightdistrictafterdark
andlivedtotellthetale.

Thesedaysyoucanfindherwritinginatentbesidethesea,drinkingcoconutwaterandthinking
delightfullydirtythoughts.

Lililovestohearfromherreaders.Youcanreachherviaemailat

lili.valente.romance@gmail.com

or

likeherpageonFacebook

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLiliValente

Youcanalsovisitherwebsite:

http://www.lilivalente.com/

AlsoByLiliValente

Sexy,Flirty,DirtyStandaloneRomanticComedies:

MagnificentBastard

SpectacularRascal

IncredibleYou

MeantforYou

TotheBoneseries:

ALovesoDangerous

ALovesoDeadly

ALovesoDeep

UnderHisCommandSeries:

ControllingHerPleasure

CommandingHerTrust

ClaimingHerHeart

BoughtbytheBillionaireSeries:

DarkDomination

DeepDomination

DesperateDomination

DivineDomination

KidnappedbytheBillionaireSeries:

DirtyTwistedLove

FilthyWickedGames

CrazyBeautifulForever

OneMoreShamelessNight

BeddingtheBadBoySeries:

TheBadBoy’sTemptation

TheBadBoy’sSeduction

TheBadBoy’sRedemption

TheMasterMeSeries(StandaloneNovellas):

SnowedinwiththeBoss

MasqueradewiththeMaster