Steam and Ink Read online

  She was stronger, scarred, and had finally come into her own.

  And now she was alone in her living room with Austin Montgomery of the gorgeous blue eyes that saw far too much.

  “Where did your mind go just then?” Austin asked, pulling her out of her thoughts.

  “Everywhere and nowhere,” she answered honestly.

  He raised both brows then sat on her old wood coffee table, pulling at her wrist so she sat on the couch directly in front of him. Their knees brushed, and she wanted to pull away and scoot closer at the same time. Yes, they truly needed to talk.

  “That is an oddly cryptic answer, but I’ll let that go. We need to talk anyway.”

  If anyone else had said those words she’d have thought it was the clear sign of a breakup. However, they hadn’t been dating for more than an hour. Well, maybe longer considering she’d been territorial over him since the first time she saw him, but that wasn’t something she was going to think about. She had a feeling she knew what he wanted to discuss.

  There was no hiding the alpha in Austin Montgomery.

  “Okay, then. I’m ready.”

  He searched her gaze. “I think you are.” He cleared his throat then took both of her hands in his. “Do you know what BDSM is?”

  He looked so worried. Yes, his face was set and relaxed, but she could see in his eyes he wasn’t.

  She squeezed his hands. “Yes, I know. And before you start to worry if you’re scaring me away, I was in a D/s relationship before.”

  The shock that crossed his face wasn’t a surprise, but the jealousy was. Seriously?

  “Really?” he growled out.

  She sighed but didn’t pull her hands back. She had been the one to jump right in, so she’d have to deal with the consequences.

  “Yes. It was over ten years ago. I haven’t played since.”

  He pulled his hand back, and for a moment, the loss made her ache until he cupped her face. “Not in ten years?”

  She swallowed back the pain, the memories of what she’d lost because of one careless action. “Jason—that was his name—and I were a couple, and I was his submissive while in the bedroom. We weren’t twenty-four/seven, and that’s how we both preferred it. I can’t give up complete control, but I think you know that about me.”

  He narrowed his gaze, his thumb running along her cheek. “On the one hand, it’s good to know that you’re aware of the lifestyle and have experience. I could tell you were a sub, but not about all of your experience. That’s probably because it’s been so long.”

  Ignoring the memories, she rolled her eyes. “You have sub-dar, do you?”

  His grip tightened on her chin, and she sucked in a breath. She hadn’t realized how much she missed this. Damn him if this went sour. Damn them both.

  “Sub-dar? It’s a thing, but it’s not like you glowed or I heard little pinging sound when you were near me.”

  She snorted then rolled her eyes. “Good to know. I think I’d have to get that checked out.”

  “Insolent,” he muttered then leaned closer. She could scent him, the musk that was Austin and pine. “It’s the way you lowered your eyes when I touched you, the way you came closer in certain ways and pulled away in others. Your body, your soul was made to trust a Dom to take care of you in bed.”

  “Not all the time,” she added in. She needed to make that clear.

  He nodded, understanding filling his gaze. “I understand. I’m wired the same way.” He grinned then, and she held back a sigh. He really was a gorgeous man. Not that she’d tell him. He was already too sure of himself as it was.

  “So it seems we’re on the same page,” she whispered.

  “It seems. But we’re not done talking yet. Open communication in any relationship is important, but even more so in this case. I don’t need to inflict pain or control on my partner unless they desire it. That need is what drives my own. So every time we’re making love—because Legs, we’ll be making love soon—we don’t need to be together in a D/s way. We won’t need the flogger, the nipple clamps, or the way I want to tie you up each time.”

  She shuddered out a breath, her pussy growing slick at his words alone.

  Dear God, she wanted all of that.

  She hadn’t known how much she wanted that.

  “Sometimes, Sierra, sometimes I’ll want you to be on top as you ride me, rocking your hips as you take my cock deep inside that pussy of yours. Other times I’ll be soft and on top, pumping into you as we just let ourselves go, no control, no dominance, just us.” He paused, and she held back the need to squirm. “Does that sound like something you’ll need? Something you’ll enjoy?”

  She nodded.

  He shook head. “Say it, Sierra.”

  “Yes…Sir?” She wasn’t sure what he wanted her to call him.

  He grinned then, cupping her face. “I’m just Austin, Sierra. I don’t need to be called Sir or Master for you to be under my gaze. That works for some, but it’s not my kink. If you need to call me that, then you can, but I want to hear my name on your lips as you come.”

  She licked her lips. “Austin.”

  He grinned. “Good. Right now, since I don’t have any of my things and I know we both want to ease into that part of our relationship, I’m not going to tie you up, flog you, or make you scream.” He paused. “Oh, I might make you scream, but only when I’m thrusting inside you.”

  “What if I make you scream?” she teased.

  He snorted. “I intend to shout your name, Sierra. I promise you. Now, before we start, we need a safe word.”

  She raised her brows. “I thought you said we weren’t starting that part yet.”

  He shook his head. “But it’s always good to have one. You know that.”

  “I think the standard red, yellow, and green will work.” It was what she’d used with…no, she wouldn’t think of him. Not here.

  He narrowed his eyes. “You need a strong one, Sierra. There’s a ghost between us. One you’re not ready to talk about.”

  She sucked in a breath.

  “Pick a different safe word.”

  There was only one word she could use, and they both knew it.

  “Motorcycle,” she whispered.

  Austin nodded, his eyes carefully blank. Had she hurt him? Maybe, but he’d asked for the safe word. It was something they’d both have to deal with when they were ready.

  He stood then, holding out his hand. She took it and stood so her chest brushed his, her body flush to him.

  “I want you, Sierra Elder. Say you want me too.”

  She knew this was big. A step she hadn’t been sure she was ready to take as late as that morning. However, she’d been hiding for so long, neglecting what was inherent to her being that she knew she needed to take this risk.

  “I want you too.”

  “Good.”

  He crushed his mouth to hers, and she moaned. His hands were in her hair, forcing her head to stay in one place as he devoured her mouth. His tongue pressed against hers, controlling the kiss, and she gave in. They might not get into the truly D/s things this first time, but she wanted—no, needed to let herself give in and see if she could trust him.

  Not fully.

  Not yet.

  But soon.

  His lips trailed along her jawline, and she closed her eyes, reveling in the feel of his lips, teeth, and tongue on her skin. He bit her earlobe then placed small kisses right behind it, sending delicious shivers down her spine, her knees going weak.

  “Austin,” she whispered.

  “Yes, that’s my name,” he growled against her neck, one hand on her head, the other on her lower back. “You’re going to be saying it over and over again soon.”

  Before she could respond, his mouth was on hers again as he cupped her breast. She gasped as he rolled her nipple hard between his thumb and forefinger. It didn’t matter that she still wore her shirt and bra, the exquisite pain and sweetness went straight to her core, and she shuddered.

&
nbsp; Oh, how she missed this.

  “I want to suck your nipples, learn their taste.” He pulled up her shirt, and she lifted her arms, letting him strip it off her head, leaving her in her tank and bra. “Earlier, I was mesmerized by just the thought of them. I wanted to know their color and what they’d look like after I’d sucked and nibbled on them. Then my thoughts went to your pussy, and I wanted to know what you’d look like swollen and wet, ready for my cock.”

  “If you don’t stop talking like that, I’m going to come without you touching me.”

  He grinned and sucked her bottom lip between his teeth. “That would be fine with me. After this first time. I need to see you.” He pulled back, meeting her gaze. “All of you.”

  She licked her lips and felt her whole body stiffen. In all of this, she’d forgotten her scars. How could she forget what had plagued her for so long?

  “You don’t have to tell me right now how it happened. I don’t want to ruin what we have at this moment, Sierra.” He pulled up the bottom of her tank, and she let him, knowing if she didn’t do it now, she’d never do it at all. “No matter what scars you have, Sierra, you’ll always be beautiful. No amount of ink or scars will make your skin anything but perfect to me.”

  Tears filled her eyes at the beauty of his words, and she refused to close them as he looked down at her side. She sucked in a breath as his fingers gently traced the puckered scars and fine white lines that used to be so much worse.

  He knelt before her, and she choked on a sob.

  That this man would kneel before her…

  She would never get the image of his dark head at her stomach, her scars, out of her head for as long as she lived.

  His lips brushed the nearly numb areas on her skin, and a tear slid down her cheek. Her hands rested on his shoulders as he kissed every inch of her marred skin , caring for her in a way no other had ever done before. He finally looked up at her, his eyes dark and full of promise.

  “Beautiful,” he breathed.

  And she was lost.

  He stood then, cupping her face so he could kiss her. He tasted of warmth and strength, and she wanted more. Oh, how she wanted more. His denim-clad erection pressed into her belly, and she grinned at the size of it. Yeah, it would hurt at first, but she couldn’t wait; she wanted it badly.

  Austin pulled away from her mouth but didn’t let his lips leave her body. Instead, he gently set her down on the couch so he could kneel between her legs. At some point, he’d pushed the coffee table back so he had more room. How had she missed that?

  His lips moved to her collarbone, her sternum, then over each breast through her bra. She sucked in a breath as he licked along the lacy edge of her cup.

  “Let’s see what color your nipples are, shall we?”

  His hands expertly undid the clasp at her back, and he slid the straps off her shoulders His gaze met hers as he removed her bra, letting it fall to the floor at her feet. She swallowed hard as he lowered his eyes, his gaze on her nipples. As if they knew they were the center of his attention, they hardened into sharp points, ready for his tongue.

  He reached out and caressed her breast. The globe slightly filled his palm. The sight itself was one of the most erotic things she’d ever seen.

  “Jesus. Like little pink berries. You’re going to redden up so fucking nice when I suck on them. One day, when I use clamps, they’re going to be so hard they’ll beg for my tongue.” His gaze met hers. “Are you going to beg for me, Sierra? Beg for my tongue? My cock? You want my dick between your tits as I fuck those then your mouth?” She licked her lips, squirming for release.

  “I love your voice.” It was so deep, so rough. It went straight to her clit, and she knew if she tried she could get off on the sound of it alone.

  “Don’t move, Sierra. Save your clit for me.”

  She froze at his tone, her body as tight as a bowstring. She ached for him, but on another level, she knew if she sat still for him, he’d make it better soon.

  That was the kind of trust she held for him so early in their relationship. It boggled her mind, but she pushed it to the side. She wanted this. Wanted it right then.

  “Good girl.” Then he pinched her nipple.

  Hard.

  The sting shocked her system, and she sucked in a breath, using everything within her power not to move. If she moved, he might stop, and she didn’t know if she could take that. She wanted his touch, his everything.

  She’d worry about the consequences later.

  “Get out of your head, Sierra.” He pinched the other nipple just as hard then laved the sting with his tongue. “It’s just you and me. Nothing and no one else. Just think of me. That’s all you have to do. I’ll do the rest. You get me?”

  She nodded.

  He pinched her nipple again. “You get me?”

  “Yes, Austin.”

  “Good girl.”

  He lowered his mouth to each breast and feasted, his tongue and teeth devouring one as his free hand palmed the other, rolling and pinching her nipple. She let her head fall back as he gave special attention to each nipple, she loved the way the scrape of his beard made it even more erotic. Each scrape, each lick sent waves of pleasure through her body, pooling in her clit so that it hummed, needing just a little more pressure so she could get off.

  Still, she didn’t move her hips.

  She wanted Austin to do it.

  Trusted him to take care of her need.

  He pulled back, his gaze dark. “Just like I thought. Red berries. So fucking hot. Ass up.”

  She blinked, confused.

  “Ass up, Sierra. I’m taking off your pants so I can eat your pussy before I take you into your bedroom and fuck you hard. Ass. Up.”

  “Yes, Austin,” she said and smiled as his nostrils flared. Oh yes, he liked it when she said that. She’d be sure to say it again…or not if she wanted his hand on her ass.

  Well, it seemed that this hidden part of her, the part she thought she’d buried so deep, wasn’t so hidden after all. She lifted her hips and bit her lip as he undid the button on her jeans and slowly unzipped her zipper. Then he gripped her jeans and panties in his fists and pulled. She helped him with each leg, keeping her ass above the couch, her weight resting on her forearms.

  Austin groaned. “Fuck, you’re beautiful. You can rest now, baby. “

  She sank into the cushions, her legs spread around Austin as he studied her. She could have felt self-conscious, but she didn’t, not with the look of pure pleasure and thirst on Austin’s face.

  “Gorgeous,” he whispered before lowering his body and licking the long line of her pussy straight up to her clit.

  Her body rocketed off the couch, and he clamped his arm over her waist. “You were doing so good, baby. Don’t move.”

  She licked her lips. “I need to, Austin. I need…”

  His gaze met hers. “I know what you need. And if you keep still, I’ll give it to you.”

  Well now, that was incentive...

  With that intensity of his, he lifted the hood then lowered his head again, sucking her clit into her mouth. She almost moved off the couch toward his face but stopped herself. He flicked it against his teeth before stroking her entrance with his finger. When he breached her, she sucked in a breath. It had been so long, and a vibrator wasn’t as good as Austin’s hand…or anything else on Austin for that matter.

  He pumped one finger into her then two, slowly, then faster as he teased her. He kept his mouth on her clit, humming and growling against her. The feel of his beard scraping her thighs was the last straw, and she came.

  Hard.

  Her pussy clamped around his fingers, but he didn’t relent. Instead, he curled his fingers on her G-spot and massaged the bundle of nerves until her body shook and she came again, this time screaming his name as her eyes rolled to the back of her head.

  By the time she opened her eyes, Austin stood at her feet, licking his hand, one finger at a time. Her juices coated his beard, his hand
, his fingers, yet he looked so pleased she didn’t care. God, she wanted to do that again.

  If she could walk.

  “You taste so fucking good, Sierra. Like nectar I can’t get enough of. Now I’m going to fuck you until we both pass out, then wake up for dinner, fuck you again, and repeat. How does that sound?”

  She licked her lips, her body languid even as it thrummed for Austin. “I just hope I have enough condoms.” She’d bought a whole box before on a whim and was damn glad she’d done so.

  He grinned at her then. “One day we’ll talk about other forms of birth control and getting tested so I can make love to you bare and feel every sweet inch of you. For now, I hope you have enough rubbers, too.”

  He lifted her up, her naked body resting against his clothed one. She smiled up at him. “It’s not fair you’re not naked you know.”

  When he kissed her brow, she sighed contentedly. “Give me a moment, and I’ll be just as naked as you.”

  He sat her on the edge of the bed then stood in front of her. When he stripped off his shirt, her jaw dropped.

  Dear. God.

  Ropes of corded muscles, hard lines of strength, sex, and everything in between covered his body. He had some chest hair, enough to enhance the beauty of his ink, but not too much.

  And, sweet baby Jesus, his ink.

  Tribal, skulls, flowers, and other symbols covered his arms and chest. A dragon went down his side to his hips, flaring out over part of his back.

  And the nipple rings.

  How on earth had she missed those in those tight shirts of his?

  He grinned down at her. “Glad to see you like it.”

  “You’re like a rock, Austin.”

  He looked down at his cock then raised a brow. “Seems so.”

  “I meant your body…” She looked down at his crotch. “Oh. Well then.” She licked her lips. “I didn’t realize you had nipple rings.”

  He reached up and flicked one, and she wanted to do the same with her tongue. “I don’t always have them in. Sometimes I just have the spacers.”