Free Under His Command (Six-Alarm Sexy) by Kristine Cayne

lowered them, he asked, “Had you ever done anything like that before?”
    “I wasn’t a virgin .”
    “What we did wasn’t vanilla, and you know it. Was it the first time or not?”
    “Yes. Okay? Yes, it was. So what?”
    “You were young, naïve, and horny. A very combustible combination.” He smirked. “You experimented, let yourself go because you never expected to see me again.”
    Ever the hero. Always taking the blame. “You didn’t force me to do anything, Jamie.”
    He raised his brows. “I never gave you much choice.”
    “Listen. First time or not, if I hadn’t wanted to do the things we did, I wouldn’t have. I stopped you today, didn’t I?” There, that ought to be clear enough, even for him.
    “Yes. Let’s talk about that.”
    “Gah! Are you really this dense or are you just being difficult?”
    “Use real simple words,” he said, his jaw tight.
    “You are such a frustrating man. Let me be very clear. I stopped you because you were being too nice. I might like fine china, but that doesn’t mean I want to be treated like it! I like sex a little rough, a little bit”—she swallowed and decided to use Dani’s word—“kinky. Deal.”
    Jamie pushed his chair back and stood, looking at her like he didn’t recognize her. “I don’t fucking believe this.”
    Erica watched, utterly bewildered as he turned his back on her and marched inside the cottage, taking her heart and her hope with him.
     

     
    Of all the things he could have imagined, hearing Rickie say she liked sex a little rough, a little bit kinky , was dead last. In fact, it wasn’t even on the list. After that first night, every time he’d acted the least bit dominant with her, she’d stiffened and fear had crept over her features, making him feel like a goddamn rapist. And now she was telling him she liked it rough? Liked it kinky? Fuck.
    He strode into the bathroom and locked the door behind him. Kinky . As soon as the word had left her lips, his cock had instantly given her a salute. A movie reel of all the adventures they could have shared over the years played in front of his eyes, making him pant. Sweat beaded his forehead and a most incredible sensation wound in his belly, a building pressure that signaled he was spiraling out of control. Take it down a notch, Caldwell .
    His hand drifted down to the bulge in his shorts. He needed to rub one off right now before he burst through the door and drove her into the mattress.
    A knock on the door.
    “Jamie? Are you okay?”
    Like a teen caught charming the one-eyed snake, he dropped his hand to his side. “I’m fine,” he said, his voice rough. Guilty.
    “Are you… um… coming out?”
    Hell yeah, he wanted to come out. In. So deep inside she’d feel him push against her heart. “Give me a minute. I’ll be right there.”
    After listening to her walk back to the sitting area and switch on the television, he opened the tap and splashed cold water on his face, willing his loose jimmy away. He took his time, even used the toothbrush and toothpaste provided by the resort. He’d been so anxious to have Rickie, and then after she left, he hadn’t felt like unpacking. All he’d wanted was a beer and time to think. He’d resolved to follow his mother’s advice—tell Rickie how he felt about his own responsibility, beg her to give him another chance, and try to rediscover who he was. Who he’d become.
    Kinky . With that one word, Rickie had thrown a Halligan bar into his carefully thought-out plans. With that one word, who he was, the man he was—it all became crystal clear. She’d set the stage and he needed to act. If he went about this the right way, he could have everything he’d always wanted.
    He had to take it slow. Draw her in with care. His poor wife had no idea what she’d set in motion, but he’d make sure she never regretted it.
    His face dry, his dick in its place, he rolled his shoulders and opened the door. With a few steps, he was in the sitting