The Choice Read online

  “Please.” She finished the last of her liquid courage and set the empty glass on the tray held by a passing waiter.

  Since he’d worried she would demand they leave the gallery altogether, her acquiescence filled him with relief. Maybe the wine had done its job.

  As he cupped her elbow, he led her into the next open space. It held more photos and paintings, as well as several pedestals displaying bronze statues. Instead of methodically perusing each piece, Heavenly skimmed a discriminating eye over them, showing neither aversion nor excitement.

  Finally, one particular photo caught her eye. She strode straight to it, transfixed. When Beck saw the image, he wanted to cheer. He’d brought her here hoping some of the pieces would call to her. One finally had.

  A blindfolded woman wearing a black demi-bra, panties, and a garter straddled a chair with her stockinged thighs. Her hands had been tied helplessly behind her back. She listened raptly, head cocked to one side, while her fully dressed Master whispered in her ear.

  “Oh…” Her murmur was so soft he almost missed it.

  “Do you like it?”

  “It’s powerful. Evocative. There’s a sense of…anticipation.”

  Fuck yes! Beck’s head filled with all the wicked things he could say to Heavenly once he had her bound for his mercy. Clandestinely, he adjusted his aching fly.

  As they continued through the gallery, Heavenly steered clear of the hardcore fetish or masochistic pieces, but works containing bondage almost always made her linger, a soft yearning filling her face.

  Winding their way deeper into the exhibit, they found a narrow rectangular board mounted to a door frame with a protruding vertical line of a half-dozen penis sculptures, each in various stages of arousal.

  When Heavenly caught sight of the protrusions, she giggled. “Really?”

  “Any of those, um…stand out for you?”

  She rolled her eyes. “You’re incorrigible. I’m not answering that.”

  “C’mon. The limp one at the top is pretty pointless, but this one…” He pointed to the most sizable erection, complete with copious veins raised along the shaft. It resembled the one now throbbing against his zipper. “Have any thoughts on it?”

  Heavenly darted a curious gaze at the particular cock and lowered her lashes. “That one looks capable of…whatever.” She glanced into the next room. “So what’s over there?”

  Holding in a laugh at her abrupt change of subject, he followed her as she moved to investigate a particular bronze sculpture illuminated by a spotlight in an otherwise shadowy room. A naked woman lay across a pedestal with her dangling legs spread wide, breasts thrust up in ecstasy. She cupped one, thumbing the nipple, as a man gripped her hips and knelt between her thighs, burying his face in between.

  Heavenly froze, stared, lips parted, not breathing for long moments. Finally, she let out a shuddering breath. The musky scent of her arousal rose in the air.

  Saliva pooled in Beck’s mouth. He closed his eyes to savor her for a guilty moment. Then he bit back the promise that he’d eat her pretty pussy until she came hard and often. It would be so easy to whisper that against her ear and let the chips fall…

  But he said nothing. Not in public, not before he’d had time to analyze tonight’s findings. Not until he was certain they could be as compatible in bed as the date at Disney had convinced him they were out of it.

  Another shiver rippled through her. His blood pumped hotter and harder, further testing his control. His brain burned with images of tumbling her into his bed, sliding his tongue up her thighs, and teasing every slick fold. Then he’d suckle her swollen nub for the sheer pleasure of hearing her keen his name just before he latched his mouth over her untouched pussy and drank in all her hot virgin cream.

  Beck opened his mouth to break the tension between them—no idea what to say since his hunger to claim this girl was quickly approaching desperate. Instead, Heavenly’s stare remained riveted on the statue and she let out a soft, wistful sigh.

  Tamping down another frustrated growl, he glanced around the room for a distraction—and found Pike standing in the doorway. The cocky, tattooed DM from Shadows wore a mocking grin as he all but undressed Heavenly with his stare.

  Beck’s temper flared. Rolling his shoulders back, he curled his hands into fists, drew in a deep breath, and shot the prick a glare. Pike merely smirked, gave him a mocking salute, then strolled away.

  “Who was that?” Heavenly asked. “He looks familiar.”

  He couldn’t out Pike—or himself. “Nobody you want to know. You want to talk about that?”

  When he gestured to the bronze couple, she shook her head, a rosy flush still hueing her cheeks. “Let’s move on.”

  He fisted his shaking hands as they ambled into an adjoining, well-lit room filled with Joshua Lars’s stunning collection of statues.

  They both stood silently awed at the elaborate detail and lifelike expressions of each piece. The snow-white sculpture of a sub kneeling on a pillow, bound in ropes, and wearing a bright red blindfold especially captured Heavenly’s interest. Her breathing fell shallow. From this angle, he noticed her nipples draw tight as she fidgeted restlessly.

  Beck almost lost his composure and restraint.

  Her reaction was much the same when she spied a sculpture depicting a sub lying across an ornately set dinner table, arms bound above her head as if she was the meal. Above her, someone dripped fresh drops of red wax across her breasts.

  To the right of that piece, they found a two-toned statue of a sun-kissed man behind a pale woman who bent forward on her knees, arms bound behind her back. He clutched her hips, thumbs sinking into her round ass as he buried himself balls deep inside her, head forever tossed back in ecstasy.

  The kitten-soft moan that slid past Heavenly’s lips almost undid Beck. Somehow, he managed not to reach for her, but sweat beaded his brow as the fantasy of taking Heavenly the same way spooled through his head. He’d barely absorbed the fact that she seemed all too open to being dominated and fucked when she tore her gaze to the right and stared slack-jawed at another piece hanging on the wall.

  The stark black-and-white photo held a gut-punch far more visceral than any image he’d seen all night.

  A naked woman stood against a post, hands tied above her head. Behind her, a fully dressed man reached around her body. The fingers of one hand sank into her breast. The palm of the other silenced her by pressing tightly against her mouth. A startled mixture of pain, fear, and ecstasy filled the woman’s eyes.

  The image screamed that she was helpless at her Master’s mercy.

  Beck scrutinized Heavenly’s slightly dilated pupils. She seemed transfixed, the pulse point at her neck thrumming wildly.

  “Will he hurt her?” she asked softly.

  “He might, temporarily. Do you think she’s afraid?”

  “No. Her body is…almost relaxed. She wants this.”

  For him to play rough. To surprise, startle, and maybe even scare her. “Very observant, little girl. Everything they’ll do is consensual.” He mulled his next move and took a calculated risk. “You like this one.”

  “I-it’s intriguing.”

  She whispered the words as if afraid of her own desires. All the while, her nipples pebbled even more, jutting beneath the fabric of her dark dress as her chest rose and fell raggedly. The pungent scent of her arousal strengthened, nearly knocking him to his knees.

  Heavenly had wicked fantasies of being taken and used and made to perform at a Dominant’s command.

  Jesus, they needed to skip the fucking dessert he’d planned so he could take her home, tie her up in pretty shibari knots, and awaken this innocent virgin.

  But it was far too soon. None of what he wanted from her—and what she seemingly wanted from a man—would work without trust. He had to know how much she would extend to him before they went any further.

  As they left the gallery and walked to his car, Beck held her close to his side. “What did you think
of your first art exhibit?”

  “It was…amazing. And surprisingly educational,” she said with a laugh. “Some of the pieces icked me out, but most were…I don’t know. Sensual. Intense. Provocative.”

  I’d love the chance to make you feel all of that under me, little girl.

  The invitation burned the tip of his tongue as he held the car door open. She slid in, lowering her lashes shyly.

  Wishing the January night were cold enough to soften his erection, Beck jogged around the vehicle and hopped behind the wheel. “Where would you like to go next? There’s a great bistro that serves a mean crème brûlée down the street. We could—”

  “I’d love to, but I need to get back to the hospital by ten.”

  “Why?”

  “A classmate who volunteers every other weekend promised to meet me so she could return one of my textbooks. I need it for class on Monday.”

  “Okay. We can head over there now, then decide if you want to go someplace else or—”

  “Actually, she’s going to give me a ride home. We live pretty close.” A painful smile tugged her lips. “I hope you don’t mind.”

  He stifled his disappointment. “If that’s what you need…”

  It hadn’t escaped him that on both of their dates, she’d refused to let him pick her up or take her home.

  “I really had a great time tonight.” She brushed warm fingers across his forearm. “Thank you for inviting me.”

  “No need to thank me. I like being with you.” That was true, and if he was only going to have her for another few minutes, he needed to bank his surly mood and enjoy her. He threaded his fingers through hers. “Now that you’ve experienced Disneyland and your first art gallery, I have another adventure I’d like to share with you.”

  Sex. Lots and lots of sex!

  Beck shoved a ball gag in his pubescent subconscious.

  “Adventure?”

  He nodded. “You game next weekend? Or do you have to work?”

  She smiled shyly. “I’m off Saturday.”

  “Excellent.”

  Scoring a third date filled him with hope…not enough to bank his frustration at having their time together cut short. But on their next date, he’d find out exactly how much she trusted him and start building from there.

  And if Heavenly put herself in his care? Oh, he’d make her his a hundred times over.

  Beck pulled into the familiar circle drive in front of the hospital and killed the engine. “I’ll walk you up.”

  “Thank you.”

  Beck took her hand. At this point, he didn’t give a fuck if everyone saw their public display. When they reached the door, he drew her to face him. “I had a wonderful time with you, Heavenly.”

  “I enjoyed tonight.”

  He felt her warm breath close to his lips and gripped her tighter. The inviting bow of her mouth was just under his. She nestled closer to him, her eyes big and blue and filled with invitation. Fuck it, he wasn’t waiting another second to taste her.

  As he took her face in his hands and leaned in, the door beside him slid open.

  “Well, isn’t this the coziest little picture?” Kathryn drawled. “What happened to your rule about dating co-workers, Dr. Beckman?”

  Heavenly blanched and jerked back. Beck cursed the bitch for interrupting. And when Heavenly scrambled away, wrapping her arms around her middle, he cursed Kathryn again for making his little girl self-conscious.

  Sliding her behind him, he turned to the interloping shrew. “The rule only applied to you. Next time, take a hint.”

  With a pinched mouth and a vengeful glare, she stomped away. Beck refused to waste another moment on her. He turned his attention back to Heavenly.

  “What was that abo—”

  He pressed his fingers to her lips. Damn it, he should have been kissing them instead. “Nothing important. If, for any reason, your classmate can’t give you a ride home, call me.”

  At his commanding tone, Heavenly’s eyes widened. A tremor shook her as he reluctantly lifted his finger from her mouth. She licked her lips and darted a self-conscious glance around as other employees filed out the door.

  “I will.”

  Well aware of their audience, he sent her a tender smile. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

  “Good night, Beck.”

  He kissed her forehead softly. “Good night, little girl.”

  It was a quick drive home, one he wished he didn’t have to make alone. The more time he spent with Heavenly, the stronger his attraction to her grew.

  After parking in his garage, he strolled through the kitchen, tossed his keys, and climbed the stairs to his bedroom. He peeled off his clothes, flopped into bed, and stared at the ceiling. His date with Heavenly flooded his brain. And his cock stirred, as it did every time he thought of her. But now he knew the heady scent of her arousal—and he’d fantasize about it. Obsess over it. Though he was miles away from her, it still lingered in his nostrils, permeating his senses and engorging his cock.

  The night had also given Beck hope. The images at the gallery had touched Heavenly on a deeper level than he’d imagined. Beneath her surface lay a sleeping submissive; of that he had no doubt. Thankfully, he knew how to awaken her. He’d have to go slow, of course. But the idea of corrupting her innocent soul with his wicked urges…

  Groaning, he wrapped a fist around his shaft and slowly stroked the all-too-familiar ache, imagining how good it would feel to have her on her knees before him as he gripped her pale curls in his big hands and slid his cock in and out of her slick mouth. In his imagination, she’d stare at him with big eyes filled with the longing to please.

  Fuck.

  Thinking of her draped over his lap while he spanked her sweet backside didn’t cool his libido any, especially when he thought about squeezing the supple orbs and feeling the warm sting of her flesh heating his palm.

  Now fisting himself faster, he imagined the heat pouring from between her legs as he worked his fingers deep inside her dripping, clutching core before teasing her clit until she spilled onto his pants, breathless, writhing, and clutching at him as if she sought a savior. He’d only fill her with more lust and sin.

  Sweat beaded Beck’s forehead as he continued to punish his cock. The image of Heavenly tied and spread across his bed, all lovely and helpless, ramped him up even more. She’d be drenched and puddling on his sheets as he whispered every dirty thing he intended to do to her before he proceeded to part her pretty pink folds with his thumbs and feast on her cunt without mercy. Then, when he’d explored her every curve and crevice, when she was begging him to fuck her, he’d finally align his fat crest to her tiny, innocent opening.

  His balls were churning, his cock a rod of blazing fire as Beck continued to stroke his fist up and down in a hard, jerky rhythm. His limbs grew numb, and he squeezed his eyes closed, picturing himself hovering over Heavenly.

  “Do you want me to fuck you, little girl? Make you mine?”

  “Please!” Her voice would ring with desperation while she stared up at him, eyes brimming with trust as he aligned his crest with her untouched center and his cock nudged her virgin barrier. He’d slide a hand between them and stroke her clit, prepare her as well as he could, all while damning himself for ruining her simply because he couldn’t stop himself any longer.

  An instant later, he imagined baring his teeth, pressing his lips to hers, and swallowing her cries…and shredding her innocence as he claimed Heavenly for himself.

  Every muscle in his body tensed. His hand was a blur now as he pounded his flesh. Tingles burned up his shaft. His balls drew up tight. Then, with a feral roar, thick ropes of semen splattered his chest and belly as he pumped and growled to oblivion.

  Slowly riding his orgasm back down, Beck gasped in ragged breaths and continued to milk himself dry. Once he’d stopped, he opened his eyes. Disappointment dashed any hint of satisfaction.

  He was alone. No Heavenly to hold against him. To touch, to command, to cherish
. Just him—and his fist.

  With a curse, he grabbed his shirt and mopped up, then jackknifed to his feet. Jesus, soon he hoped he could stop jacking off like a kid, earn her trust, and finally be her man.

  “Then, little girl, I will drink in every one of your whimpers and cries…”

  Six o’clock came way too early for Heavenly, who’d waitressed until two a.m. But across their little studio apartment, she heard her father stirring. He’d need a trip to the bathroom soon, then breakfast so he could take his morning medicine. She’d have to settle him comfortably so she could study for her first exam of the semester, which had to be completed online by noon. Then hopefully, she could sneak in a nap before Beck took her on another date—for the third Saturday in a row.

  He liked her. He was going to kiss her; he’d promised. And the art exhibit he’d taken her to had opened her eyes to both a whole new world and a whole new side of the man who fascinated her. Fantasies of him tying her down so he could admire her, blindfolding her to whisper in her ear, tasting between her legs, or taking her from behind—just like the images from the gallery—had been running unchecked through her head for days. She’d worked herself into a hot frenzy a few times late at night. Orgasm was still elusive…but getting closer. The thought he might finally be the man to give her one put a smile on her face.

  Once or twice, she’d imagined Seth doing such things to her, too. Foolish, wishful thinking. The man was gone. But that didn’t stop her from wanting him, from getting so intoxicatingly aroused by the thought of him…

  “Boo?” her father croaked from his bed, barely audible over the rustling of sheets.

  “Coming, Dad.” Biting back a groan, she rolled out of bed.

  When she stood, the sound slipped out. Crap, her feet still hurt from last night’s double shift at Bazookas. At least the tips had been good. Unfortunately, the customers had been extra handsy. They were mostly rich frat boys and single young suits, all looking for an easy lay. She was getting better at smiling and flirting and making them feel important while keeping her distance. Best of all, she should have a little money left after paying the rent if she remained careful with other expenses. That meant no indulgences, like the kind Seth had bought her that terrible day at the grocery store.