His Contract: Legally Bound, Book 1 (24 page)

Chapter Thirty-Two

Back in Jack’s car, the doors shut tight in the dark shadows of the garage, Lilly closed her eyes as he wound her hair around his fingers and tugged.

“Don’t think about work now. It’ll be there tomorrow,” he said. “We’re going to my house. We will go to the playroom. And you will forget everything but me.”

She sank into his voice, his touch. The feel of his fingers in her hair. She didn’t care that it was a weekday or that this went beyond the limits of their contract. She’d broken that boundary long ago.

“Yes, Sir.”

The drive back to his place felt endless. When they finally stepped inside the playroom, his stare was full of lust and hunger.

“Strip.”

Lilly shed her clothes. Her skin tingled as she pulled off each layer, her body aching for his touch.

“Kneel.”

She dropped into position. Head down, she heard the sounds of Jack undressing. The click of the armoire as it unlocked. His footfalls as he came back to her.

“So beautiful.” His fingers trailed down her throat. “Tell me your safewords.”

Her response came easily, the words so familiar now. “Red, yellow and green, Sir.”

She felt almost boneless when he pulled her up and guided her toward the mirror. He took his time touching her—a sweep along her shoulders, a squeeze at her hips. His fingertips mapped her spine, scraped against her nipples, drawing out the delicious anticipation that sent blood racing to the ache between her thighs. His touch smoothed over her bottom, and she pressed backward, seeking more.

“Always so eager.” Jack reached around to clasp her chin, tipping her backward until the back of her head met his chest. She let herself be pulled, trusting him completely.

“Mine,” he whispered fiercely.

“Yours, Sir.” She was. All of her was his.

“Are you ready to play, little girl?”

“I am, Sir.”

“Then close your eyes.”

She complied, feeling him gather her wrists behind her, binding them together with the decadent clasp of his leather restraints. The silky coil of rope around her arms came next, knotted and looped so her elbows met. Then his hands were at her ankles, nudging her legs apart and closing a leather cuff around each one. The heavy scrape of metal clicking into metal sent a thrill through her as he locked her into the spreader bar.

He palmed her breasts, thumbs thrumming over the stiffened peaks. “You have no idea how incredible you look right now.”

“More, Sir.” His touch was soft. Too soft. “Please.”

“You’ll have more.” He pinched her nipples, sending a jolt through her. “Keep those eyes shut.”

His mouth met the tip of her breast with a wet tug, a sharp pleasure-pain she could feel in her clit. He switched to the other while fondling the nipple he’d just suckled, and she was so lost to the sensation she barely heard the tinny rattle of his clamps. He pinched one shut, and the sting only made the throb between her legs that much stronger.

“Fuck, yes,” she whispered, then quickly, “Sir.”

Jack chuckled and fastened the other clamp. “I knew you’d learn to love this.”

The dirty tease in his voice made her smile, but then he pulled on the chain. Lilly’s mouth dropped open, her legs nearly giving out. The wide spread of her legs drew her attention to how embarrassingly slick she was between them, her clit so stiff and swollen and begging to be touched. She wanted him with a desire so raw it was razor sharp, wanted the weight of his body on hers, his teeth at her neck, the brand of his slap. She needed him primitive, for him to use her. Mark her.

Own her.

“Please touch me, Sir.”

He palmed her belly, fingers spreading lazily over her pubic bone. “I know what you want. But do you know what
I
want?”

“No, Sir.”

His lips met her ear. “I want everything, little girl.”

Jack slipped his hand down to tease her wet flesh, two fingers sliding inside. Lilly moaned, her head sinking back in relief.

“I want to watch you react to my flogger, hear the sounds you make. See you tremble as I roll the wheel up your back, my crop between your legs. I want you to come all over me.”

He was setting a fuse, his words the catalyst to her pleasure, and it wouldn’t be long before she exploded.

“But there’s something else I want first.”

His fingers slipped free, and she groaned, empty and aching. Then she felt Jack’s hands at her face, followed by the light pressure of a blindfold over her eyes. She gasped and flinched, her shoulders rising up to her ears.

No, please not that.

Lilly’s mouth went dry, too dry to safeword. Terror drove the air from her lungs in a full out panic.

“Breathe,” Jack said gently. “Do you know why I want to blindfold you tonight?”

Heart racing, she managed to whisper, “Why, Sir?”

“Because, I told you when it was time, you’d be ready for it. You’ve faced every fear you’ve had and overcome them. You’re ready for anything, my beautiful, strong, little girl.”

She shook her head, but Jack didn’t waver.

“Yes, you are. I know you. Trust that. Trust me.”

The bubble of dread rising in her chest halted, his words of confidence deflating her fears. Her breathing settled, her anxiety dissipating with each exhale, and she realized she didn’t need to safeword. Blindfold or not, she’d never been safer than she was right now.

“What color?” he asked.

Lilly inhaled a deep, slow breath. “Green.”

“Good girl.”

He fastened the blindfold, then held her for a moment before moving away. He chased the deerskin flogger over her ass, belly and thighs, and the lack of sight heightened every sensation. The crop between her thighs came next, and Lilly’s skin grew hot, hips arching, legs shaking, every stroke making her crave another. She’d stopped thinking entirely by the time he rolled the wheel up her spine. Her need was magnified by the knowledge that she was doing as he’d asked, her hunger mixing with a floating serenity that made her mind go quiet.

Jack stepped behind her and stayed silent for a long moment.

“I blindfolded you tonight because you’re in the dark about yourself,” he finally said. “You hold back, because you don’t see yourself as you are. But it’s time to change that.”

He unfastened the blindfold and pulled it free.

“Open your eyes. Look at yourself in the mirror. See what I see.”

Lilly obeyed and took in the sight of her body restrained, bound by rope, leather and metal. Skin flushed, she was sex personified, but her fears and doubts reflected back at her, shining in her eyes.

Her lip quivered. “What do you see?”

“I see someone I’ve watched blossom from a scared girl into the amazing woman before me. You’ve been hurt. You have scars from a man you trusted, who destroyed your faith in yourself, but you’re so much stronger than you realize. I’m in awe of how courageous and brave you are.”

Lilly started to tremble so hard she could hardly stay standing. Jack brought her body flush to his, letting her lean on him, his strength holding her up.

“You submitted to a man who wasn’t worthy of you, who treated you badly, but your vulnerability doesn’t make you weak. You have to be strong to survive that kind of pain.”

The tears swelled, but then he kissed her neck, sweet and soft, palms settling below her belly. Lilly’s eyes fell shut as he pressed down gently with the heel of his hand, putting pressure in just the right spot until her hips started to swivel and her head sank back onto his shoulder.

“And even after all you’ve been through, you’re brave enough to admit that you’re a submissive. That this is who you are.”

Jack dipped a finger down to her heat.

“God, please, Sir.”

“See how you beg me now? How far you’ve come?” He traced her slippery lips, grazing her clit.

“Yes—oh, fuck…please, Sir.”

He gave her what she needed, one finger rubbing over her in a rapid, wet swirl. She cried out loudly, feeling like his plaything, but also like she was the center of his universe, used and treasured and adored.

It was how a submissive was supposed to feel.

“I’m amazed by you, by both sides of you. By the woman who has rebuilt her life, and the one you become in here. You feed my passion with your begging and your pleading, your whimpers and your moans. Every time you submit to me, your hunger to give yourself over excites me. It empowers me. You heal me.”

“Oh God.” Tears welled in her eyes, so many words bubbling up inside her, but pleasure put her on lockdown, stealing any hope of reply.

“I see your admiration, your desire, your lust,” he said. “It intoxicates me. Feel the same thing from me now. Feel how much I want you, crave you,
need
you when you’re like this. When you’re mine.”

Her body bowed, so close to release, and Jack helped her chase the feeling, stroking the same spot with a quickened motion of his fingers.

“Come for me now, but open your eyes first. See how breathtaking you are.”

Lilly tried to obey, catching their reflection in the mirror, but her eyes squeezed shut again with the force of her orgasm. Jack locked an arm around her, keeping her standing as her legs buckled, whispering words of approval in her ear. When the last spasms left her shuddering, he eased her from his grip and unclasped the cuffs, then the ropes. He bracketed her hands against the wall for support as he released her legs from the spreader bar. Then his hands were on her again, guiding her to sit on the edge of the bed.

“Deep breath,” he encouraged before removing the clamps, one at a time. She hissed as the blood rushed back to her skin, and Jack soothed her by kissing the tender flesh. It was too much. She started to cry, needing him inside her. Around her. Above her. Protecting and taking her, blocking out everything else, making her whole again.

“Shhh,” Jack murmured, laying her down until he hovered over her and parted her legs with his knee. “I’m here. I’ve got you.”

He slowly sank inside, letting her acclimate to that exquisite burn and stretch until he was seated, deep and perfect, then clasped their hands together. There was no bondage, nothing chaining her to him but her heart to his, every thrust and retreat bringing her closer to him.

It wasn’t close enough.

She clutched his hands. “Need you. Please, Sir.”

“I need you too, sweet girl.” Jack pressed his lips to her throat, kissing the words into her skin. “You may be mine, but I’m yours too.”

He was hers. The simple words were so beautiful, made more so by the connection of their bodies. She wanted to tell how much the sentiment meant to her, but her words got lost on a moan of surprised pleasure as another release started to crest.

“I can feel you coming,” he rasped. “Give it to me.”

She crumbled beneath him, and Jack lost his rhythm too, his thrusts turning to quick, jerky movements. He shuddered and cursed, groaning into the sweaty hollow between her shoulder and neck. After a few quiet moments, he pulled out and checked her over, fingertips at the places he’d bound and flogged. Jack curled himself around her, and Lilly grew drowsy. The words she’d tried to say floated outside her grasp, sleep taking her.

When the first pink slivers of daylight streaked across the room, Lilly stirred and reached for Jack. He was still asleep, and she turned to watch his face, so peaceful in slumber. She felt rested, the anxious jerk to consciousness that usually that tore her from her nightmares completely absent.

Lilly sat up, searching her memory. She hadn’t had a nightmare that night. In fact, she couldn’t recall having a single one since the night before Jack’s birthday.

Another liberation, and maybe the last shackle chaining her to her past coming free.

With a faint smile, Lilly got dressed and cleaned the playroom as quietly as she could. She picked up the blindfold, amazed at what Jack did for her—how he kept her in the dark only to let her truly see herself. Now she was ready for anything, ready to go to work, to tell everyone what she’d found, and to show Forrester her worth.

Ready to tell Jack how she felt.

She was going to tell him she loved him.

Chapter Thirty-Three

At the end of a long day, Jack locked his office and took the stairs two at a time, eager to get home. His afternoon had been full of appointments. Two weeks left before the end of the semester meant meeting with frazzled advisees worried about their exams, and for some, the bar in July. He’d counseled and given advice, but he’d been distracted the whole time, wondering how Lilly was doing.

He pulled into his driveway and closed his eyes. Every time he had a moment to himself, the guilt over what had transpired in the aftermath of her punishment tugged at him a little more, like a ripping thread in a piece of clothing. He felt awful for how upset she’d gotten, but how could he have known that would happen? If she’d been honest with him about Damien’s treatment, he never would’ve left her alone like that.

Then again, he wasn’t exactly being honest with her, either.

Jack rubbed his eyes and put his face in his hands. He’d nearly had a slip of his own that night, coming close to divulging Eve’s final wish.

Nearly. Thank God he hadn’t. You don’t tell the woman you’re naked in bed with that your wife’s dying request was for you to fall in love again, especially when you don’t harbor those feelings for her.

He didn’t love Lilly. He couldn’t.

Jack went inside and began the motions of preparing dinner. His kitchen was stocked once again, so different from the barren wasteland it had been before. He was so much healthier now, and it was all because of Lilly. But he couldn’t continue to keep her, to hide her from the world when she was just learning how to shine again.

He slammed the fridge door shut. Why did he keep making so many mistakes? When they were in role, everything made sense. But whenever he tried to figure out this non-relationship they were in, he kept screwing up. He’d already crossed so many boundaries—sex in his bedroom, sleeping together in the playroom. When was he going to stop being so selfish, and do what was best for her?

She needed to be in a healthy, complete relationship. One with someone who could give her everything she wanted.

And that person wasn’t him.

Jack braced his hands on the counter, forcing himself to face the truth. He could fulfill her sexual needs, but that would only keep her happy for so long. The things she needed the most to heal were things he couldn’t give her. And even if he could, even if he could find a way to put his peers’ and family’s opinions aside, eventually their age difference would become an issue.

She deserved better than that.

When their contract was up, he’d suggest they end things. A simple conclusion to the term of their agreement, nothing more. She’d understand it better that way. He wouldn’t hurt her—they’d simply come to a mutual understanding after he’d made her see how far she’d come. They’d have enough time to talk about it so they could move on, even be friends afterward.

His phone rang. Lilly’s name came up on the screen.

He heaved a deep sigh and shoved his thoughts onto the back burner. She’d had a big day. “Hey there.”

“I did it! I told Forrester.”

Jack laughed, happy to hear the exuberant sound of her voice. “That’s great.”

“Sorry I didn’t call earlier. I’m just getting home now. I know you’re going to say that it’s late and I’m alone, but it’s fine. The streets are well-lit and safe. And besides, you’re on the phone with me. You’ll hear if I get attacked.”

“That’s very reassuring,” he replied dryly. “All right, hotshot. Tell me everything.”

She recounted her day, starting from how she’d walked into her boss’s office and told him what she’d found, to them subpoenaing the software company for a backup of the database, hoping to find the original tampered entry. Jack heard the jingling of her keys as she talked, the sound of her door closing and Rumbles’s meow. The part of his brain that instantly relaxed made him wonder how he was ever going to be able to let go of her when he needed the nightly confirmation that she was home safe.

“Do you think Brady would be willing to be called as an IT expert?” she asked.

“I’m sure he’d get a kick out of that.”

“Good, but wait—I saved the best part for last. Forrester came to my desk on his way out. He said if we win this, there’s an associate position waiting for me once I pass the bar.”

“Congratulations, I knew you could do it,” he said, beaming. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Thank you.”

Jack could hear the word “Sir” hanging from her reply. He wanted to hear her say it, wanted to strike a match to the hunger between them that never seemed to burn out, but he couldn’t. He needed to stick to the contract.

“Anyway, I’m beat. For some reason, I didn’t get much sleep last night,” she said, coyness in her tone. “I’d better get to bed.”

“Yes, you need your rest.” There was nothing in the contract against encouraging her to sleep. Or in a bit of harmless flirting. His voice was gruff when he added, “For the weekend.”

She hummed in agreement. “Oh, about tomorrow night. Nick is acting funny. He wants to be sure I’ll be at the pub. I have no idea why. Is that okay?”

“Of course. I think I’ll pass, myself. I’m old. I need my rest too, you know.”

She giggled. “You’re not that old.”

Jack’s phone pinged, signaling the arrival of a new email. If it was more of his students with frenzied questions, he might have to start reviewing his retirement plans.

“We’ll meet here afterward,” he added. “Get to bed.”

After they said good night, Jack went to his laptop and checked his inbox, finding Facebook comments from Brady and Josh. He’d been tagged in a status of Brady’s from the night before at Fenway. Josh had left a comment that said “Go Dodgers”, followed by Brady’s response that he’d gone over to the dark side. Jack laughed and added a comment of his own:
“Didn’t the Sox just lose to the Yankees?”

A second later, Brady called.

“I know you didn’t mention The-Team-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named.”

“Unfortunately for you, it’s true.”

“Disrespecting the Sox. And you call yourself a New Englander. At least you finally got your ass back online, instead of giving me shit about it.”

Jack drew the mouse around Lilly’s name on the screen. “Things change. So what’s up?”

“I’m just spreading the word. Nick wanted to make sure everyone would be at the pub tomorrow night. Some kind of surprise for Lilly.”

Jack’s hand stopped moving. “What kind of surprise?”

“Dunno. Nick wouldn’t tell me. You coming?”

Jack frowned, the instinct to protect Lilly from the unknown kicking in.

“I’ll be there.”

There was no parking outside Barrel ’n’ Flask on Friday evening. Jack had to find a space a few blocks down, passing Lilly, Gabe and Cassie as they walked up from the T. She wasn’t expecting him tonight, and he was hoping for a few seconds alone with her before this “surprise”. He quickened his pace to catch up with them. They were almost at the pub when Lilly glanced over her shoulder.

“Hey,” she said, her eyes lighting up.

Gabe turned around and grinned. “You got roped in tonight too, huh?”

“Looks like.”

Lilly elbowed Gabe. “Don’t bother asking this guy what the surprise is. He says he doesn’t know.”

“I don’t. I swear,” he insisted. “It’s actually kind of disconcerting how good Nick is at keeping secrets.”

“It’s not your birthday, is it?” Jack asked, ashamed to realize he had no clue when it was.

“No.” She smiled, flags of color rising in her cheeks. “It’s in September.”

“I’ll make a note of that.”

They started walking, Cassie and Gabe ahead of them. Lilly looked at Jack and mouthed the words, “Play along.”

“Crap, I think I dropped my headphones,” she announced. Cassie and Gabe paused, but Lilly waved them off. “I’ll go back and look. You guys go ahead. I’ll be right there.”

It was a ruse to give them some time alone together. Jack suppressed a grin as Lilly took a few steps back, pretending to survey the ground. Gabe shrugged and walked on, but Cassie hesitated.

“I can wait for her,” Jack offered.

She didn’t respond and eyed him with a wary expression. It almost felt like some kind of standoff until she nodded and turned, following Gabe into the pub.

Lilly hopped closer to him, a goofy smile on her face. “I didn’t think you were coming.”

Dismissing Cassie’s strange behavior, Jack focused on Lilly. He wouldn’t have her to himself again until much later. “Blame Brady. Apparently this surprise is too good to miss.”

“I’m sorry. I have no idea what’s going on.”

“Don’t apologize. There’ll be plenty of time for us after.”

Her smile went wider, her eyes glazing over, a soft
Mmm
escaping her. God, it was such a high to bring out the sexual side of her, then to watch her struggle, trying to contain herself.

“Later,” he promised.

They went inside, finding their gang around a large table. Seated in the chair next to Nick was someone new—a man whose back was to them. The entire group seemed to be fawning over him.

Brady looked up and called out, “There she is.”

The stranger turned around. He had hazel eyes, surrounded by creases that lifted when he smiled. Jack recognized him instantly.

“Dad!” Lilly shouted, rushing toward him. The other man stood, pulling her tightly into his arms. “What are you doing here?”

“Surprise,” Nick said. “I flew him out for the whole weekend.”

“You flew me?” her father asked. “I think I paid for the ticket.”

“Well, I made the arrangements.” Nick turned to Lilly. “You’re surprised, right?”

“Completely.” She looked so incredibly young all of a sudden, nestled deep in her father’s embrace.

Jack tried to hang back, to let her enjoy the moment, but then Brady said, “Jack, come on over and meet Lilly’s dad.”

He took a step forward. Lilly smiled shyly at him from the crook of her father’s arm.

“Henry Sterling,” her father said, reaching out a hand.

“Jack Archer.”

“Brady’s brother, right? It’s good to meet you.”

They shook hands, and Jack studied the other man’s face. There could only have been a decade between them at most. Hadn’t Lilly ever realized that? It was a stupid thing to think, because she’d said age was never an issue for her, a fact he’d been grateful for up until now.

God, he was such a hypocrite.

“So, no Mom, huh?” Lilly asked her father.

“She had to work. Lots of orders coming into the shop. You know the drill.”

Gabe and Nick looked at one another. Her mother had undoubtedly refused to come, unwilling to acknowledge them. Jack could only imagine what would happen if she found out about him. It would drive another stake through the family, impossible to repair.

“I know.” Lilly smiled through her disappointment. “I’m glad you’re here, though.”

They all sat down, and Nick ordered them a pitcher. Jack was tempted to drown himself in it. He abstained though, and resumed the same uncomfortable silence he’d enshrouded himself in the first time he came to the pub.

“So, this big case you’re all on,” Henry began. “You guys get anywhere with it?”

Cassie raised a glass. “Yes, thanks to Lilly. Now we actually have a shot of winning.”

“I didn’t figure it all out on my own. I had help.” Lilly cast a sideways glance at Jack, then turned to Brady. “That reminds me. Can you call me at work on Monday? I’ve got something to ask you.”

“No problem.”

Lilly grinned, a more joyful expression on her face than Jack had ever seen before, her cheeks lifting, accenting the heart shape of her face. She looked so damn beautiful, so strong and confident. It was the point he’d hoped he’d get her to when he first met her.

Brady tipped back his beer. “You all got big Sterling family plans for the weekend?”

“How about a billiards marathon, Dad?” Nick suggested. “See if we can finally beat you?”

Henry laughed. “I don’t care what we do. I’m just happy to spend a weekend with my son and my little girl.”

She’s
my
little girl.

Shit. This was so fucked up.

Lilly blanched, her eyes meeting Jack’s, the term of endearment clearly affecting her as strongly as it did him. This wasn’t right. She shouldn’t be focusing on him. She needed to enjoy the time with her father. If Jack truly wanted what was best for her, then leaving was the right thing to do.

Retrieving his phone, he hid it under the table and typed out a text.

I’m going to go. Be with your Dad. Don’t worry—there will be other weekends.

He hit send and stood up. “Sorry to cut this short, but I’m beat.”

Henry turned his way, giving Lilly the necessary distraction to read his message.

“It was good meeting you,” Henry said.

“Likewise.”

Jack caught Lilly’s gaze as he walked away. Her eyes were wide with questions, but he couldn’t answer any of them.

There were no answers to give her. No easy ones, anyway.

He walked out into the night alone.

Early Sunday evening, Jack’s doorbell rang. He opened the door to the face he’d missed since Friday, her text messages since then frequent, checking in more often than she needed to. He could sense the anxiety in them, but had reassured her everything was fine.

Everything
was
fine. Things would go back to normal now, and when the contract ended, they’d talk.

“Nick took Dad to the airport,” Lilly said. “Can I come in?”

“Of course.”

She stepped past him and into the kitchen, fidgeting as she settled onto a stool. Jack sat down next to her.

“Did you have a good time with your father?”

“Yes. I missed you, though.”

“I missed you too.” She crossed her arms before folding them together on the island. She was nervous. “Lilly, whatever it is that’s on your mind, tell me.”

“You know me so well.” She laughed, but it wasn’t a happy sound. “Okay. I wanted to talk to you about the other night, in the playroom.”

Jack relaxed. This was easy. This they could talk about. “What about it?”

Her voice went quiet. “You have no idea what it did for me. Everything you did, everything you’ve
done
; it’s made me see that I can be brave. That I can speak up for what I want.”