Page 10 of Up In Flames
“When did you do all this?” I asked, turning to look up at him. “I mean, collect it all.”
Taroc was sitting against the headboard, and I was between his legs, leaning back against him as we ate. He offered me another bite of sausage as he answered, “I've had this place awhile. I come here to get away from the citadel.”
“And fuck your lovers?” I lifted my brows.
He grunted. “Does that upset you?”
“No. You had a life before me. I know that.” I looked around. “So, you've always been into this?”
He grunted again.
“What is this exactly?”
Taroc shrugged. “It's a . . . sex enhancer. I like having my lover at my mercy. I like knowing they trust me enough to let me bind them.”
“I'm always bound to you.”
He nuzzled my neck before saying, “Yes, but I like to see you vulnerable. Our bonds do the opposite.”
“And you like to have me at your mercy,Daddy?” I grinned.
Taroc chuckled. “That's just another aspect of the dominance.”
“It's kind of weird,” I said.
A muscle ticked in Taroc's jaw.
“I'm not saying I don't like it,” I hurried to add. “I just . . . why 'daddy?'”
“It puts me in a role of responsibility. Authority. And it makes you more . . .”
“Innocent?”
“No.” He scowled. “Well, maybe a little. Some people who enjoy this type of play make their lovers call them master or mistress. I've done that.” He nuzzled me, then said, “But I don't want you to be my slave. I want to take care of you.”
My heart melted, and I turned to straddle his lap. “I want that too, Daddy.”
And then we were kissing, but it wasn't lusty. It was tender. It was about love. I had known from the start that Taroc's calm, silent nature hid something incredible. After we bonded, Ithought I saw him fully. But he was deeper than that. Sweeter. All that shit that I had seen as overbearing and brutish was now an expression of love. I still didn't want him controlling who I was friends with—we would talk about that—but I understood him now.
I eased back and stroked the scales on Taroc's face. “I didn't think I could love you more than I already did.”
Taroc's expression softened even further. “Ember.” He brushed his lips over mine. “I never thought I'd love anyone the way I love you. I'm sorry I overreacted to Caleb.”
There went my heart again, melting everywhere. “Thank you for saying that. And it's all right. I understand now. I won't let him touch me again. Not in any way. I promise.”
“Thank you. And I promise to try harder to—”
“No,” I cut him off. “Don't change a thing,Daddy.” I wriggled on his lap. “I love you just as you are. You growl all you want. And when I'm a bad boy, you'd better make sure to spank me.”
Taroc grinned. “Why do I get the feeling you're going to be very bad very soon?”
“Because you know me.” I nipped at his lower lip, then I jumped off his lap and ran over to his table of toys. “Oh, do you like everything neat?”
“Ember,” Taroc growled. “Don't touch those.”
“These?” I lifted a leather blindfold. “Oops.” I dropped it on the floor.
“Ember!” Taroc got out of bed.
