I moan again, louder. I should be embarrassed, but I’m not. This is Mace. I don’t care if he hears me enjoy myself. He’s the master of my body. He has been for four years. He just didn’t know it until today.
The moment he taps my clit, I come. My head shoots up, and I drag my hands under me and flatten them so I can brace myself as waves of pleasure race through me.
Mace gently strokes my clit for a few more seconds before removing his hand. He rubs my sore bottom next and then pulls my shirt over my exposed skin. I’m still panting as he guides me onto my side, so I’m facing him. He pulls the pillow out from under me and tosses it at the headboard.
Chilled, I draw my knees up to my chest and hug them, grateful when Mace covers me. I’m not sure what he’s going to do next. He moves around the room, disappearing out of my line of sight.
Now what? I’m in Mace’s bed. I just came on his fingers. He spanked me. I can’t believe this is happening.
Chapter Ten
Autumn
* * *
Eventually, the bed dips, and then he’s with me again. He reaches over me to turn off the light before snuggling up to my back and hauling me into his arms.
His lips come to my neck behind my ear. “Feel better, Baby girl?”
I slowly smile. I feel like I won the lottery. I’m floating, not even inside my body. And then I remember my father, and I sober. Guilt consumes me. I just had the best orgasm of my life a day after my father was murdered. What’s wrong with me?
“Autumn…” Mace uses that warning tone as he grips my hand between my breasts. “What happened, Baby? You stiffened on me.”
My voice is rough when I speak. “My dad just died, and I’m?—”
“Don’t do that, sweetheart. You’re right where you’re supposed to be. He sent you to me. He knew how we felt about each other.”
I guess Mace is right, but I still feel like a bad person.
“Deep breaths, Baby.”
I inhale and let it out slowly.
“That’s my girl. Relax your body. Let me take some of your burden. You’re not alone. I’ve got you.”
“Are you going to sleep with me?” The question is ridiculous. Especially after what we just did. What he did. And the thought of him sleeping in another room makes me panic. I don’t want to be alone.
“Yes, sweetheart. For the rest of your life.”
My breath hitches. How can he be so sure? “But…”
“No buts. You’re mine, Autumn. We’ll work out the kinks as we go along.”
I try to relax. My mind is racing. Yesterday seems like a lifetime ago. My father died in front of me. I took the redeye across the country to get here. I’m in bed with the only man I’ve ever wanted to be with. I’m like a ghost, living outside of my body.
Except I just had an amazing orgasm, and my ass is on fire, so I know Mace really did spank me. I didn’t make those things up in my head.
“What am I going to do?” I mumble almost to myself.
“We’ll figure it out together, Baby.”
“I had a job interview…” That seems like ten years ago. Was it really only yesterday?
“I know, sweetheart. I’m sorry. You can’t take that job. The commute would be a bitch.” His voice is lighter. He’s teasing me.
“I can’t just move in with you, Mace.” It seems ludicrous. At the same time, the thought of being anywhere else makes me want to vomit.
“You already did, Autumn. You’re here. I’m not letting you go.” He’s not saying that in a bossy way, as if he intends to hold me hostage. He’s making a promise. But can he keep it?
