MasqueradewiththeMaster

AMasterMeNovella

ByLiliValente

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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.

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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:

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Ilovereadingyourthoughtsaboutthebooksandyourreviewmatters.Reviewshelpreadersfindnew-to-
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grateful.

AbouttheAuthor

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

Thesedaysyoucanfindherwritinginatentbesidethesea,drinkingcoconutwaterandthinking
delightfullydirtythoughts.

Lililovestohearfromherreaders.Youcanreachherviaemailat

lili.valente.romance@gmail.com

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MasqueradewiththeMaster

Document Outline

Table of Contents
Title Page
About the Book
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Sneak Peek!
Tell Lili your favorite part!
About the Author
Also By Lili Valente

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