Gentle but Controlling

SHAY

Zane disappeared into the shower, tucked away behind an arched doorway. The sound of water hitting the tiles echoed back to me. He reappeared, his gaze landing on me.

“You still haven’t learned your lesson from the pants incident, huh?” He started towards me, but halted when he saw me retreating into the corner. “What’s wrong?”

“I’ve never been ordered around like this. I’ve never seen a man fully naked, and it’s a bit scary. I’m not perfect, Zane. I’ve got a past that’s far from pretty.

“Dominant men frighten me. I can hold my own, but when the force gets too strong, I—”

He moved towards me, his steps slow and measured. His arms wrapped around me gently. “Who did this to you? What happened?”

Tears welled up in my eyes and spilled over. I felt his body relax slightly as he lifted me and carried me to the couch.

“Shay, I’m going to ask you something, and I need you to be honest with me.”

I looked up at him, tears streaming down my face. I knew what he was going to ask, and the thought of telling him terrified me. Would he see me differently? Would he throw me out?

“Did a man ever force himself on you?”

I couldn’t hold back the tears.

As he held me, I felt his body shake with anger. “~Who?~”

“It was a long time ago. I’d just turned eighteen and was at a party with some friends.

“It was a pool party. Drinks were flowing, people were getting drunk. My friend, who was supposed to drive us home, was wasted. Some guys took her keys, saying she was too drunk to drive. I was the only sober one, and I begged them to let me take her home. They refused, insisting we stay the night.

“I knew my parents would be furious, so I decided to walk home when the party started winding down.

“It was about a thirty-minute walk. I got dressed and slipped out the back door, heading home. My phone was locked in my friend’s car, so I couldn’t call anyone.

“I’d been walking for about ten minutes when two guys from the party pulled up beside me in their car.

“They weren’t drunk, but they weren’t sober either. I tried to ignore them, but they kept driving slowly next to me, insisting they’d take me home.

“I kept walking, but one of them jumped out, grabbed me, and forced me into the car. I tried to fight him off, but he pinned my arms behind my back.

“They took me to a hotel down the road. They held a small gun to my back and told me to stay quiet, not to scream.

“I had no choice but to go with them to their room, where they raped me. One would hold me down while the other... and then they’d switch.

“I’d never been with a man before, and they were anything but gentle. The next morning, I woke up alone, in pain. I called a cab to take me home.

“My parents were livid, but I didn’t know their names, so we couldn’t find them. That’s when my training got more intense, more rigorous. I wanted to be able to fight back if it ever happened again.”

Zane lifted me up and carried me back to the shower.

“I would never hurt you, Shay. Please believe me. Go take your shower, and I’ll find you some clothes.” He kissed me and left the bathroom.

I was still crying, still shaking, as I undressed and stepped into the shower.

I scrubbed my skin until it was raw, trying to wash away the memories. I leaned against the cold tiles, taking deep breaths, trying to push the memories out of my mind.

Suddenly, I felt arms wrap around my waist. I tensed.

“Easy, Shay,” Zane whispered. “It’s just me.

“I’m sorry for bringing up those memories. I just had to know. When you cowered in the corner, I knew something bad had happened. I needed to know what it was.”

I turned to face him, my gaze falling on his chest. He lifted my chin, forcing me to look at him. He was smiling gently as he leaned down and kissed me, softly, passionately.

He didn’t force the kiss, just moved his lips gently against mine. When we pulled apart, I was breathless.

“I’m not scared of your dominance, Zane. It’s when it becomes forceful that I get scared, that I get nervous.

“I do feel safe with you, even though you can be intimidating.”

“Shay, I told you I would never hurt you. I need to remember your past with men, to be gentle with you.

“If you’re not ready for anything, I won’t pressure you. Deal?”

He smiled at me, water cascading down his hair, his face, his muscular chest.

I stopped at eye level, not daring to look any further down. I could feel his arousal against my stomach. He lifted my chin, forcing me to look into his dark eyes, which were starting to make me weak.

“If you let me take things at my pace, I’ll be okay with this relationship. Just don’t force anything, and take things slow, please.”

Zane lifted me up and sat me on a small shelf on the wall. His large hands held my hips in place as he stepped closer.

He traced a finger down my face, his smile genuine.

“I’ll let you set the pace in the bedroom, okay? But as for kissing you and touching you, I get to do that whenever I want.

“Just touching you is enough to calm me down, to keep me from taking what I want. When you’re ready for that big step, you let me know, and I’ll be more than happy to oblige.”

I moved in closer, pressing my lips to his in a slow, lingering kiss. His hands cradled my waist and head, pulling me deeper into the moment. My body was practically begging for him, but a small part of me was still holding back, still unsure.

I could feel him against my thigh. He was bigger than anything I’d experienced before. He was large, solid, and incredibly hard. I pulled away slightly, brushing his damp hair from his face.

“Zane, what if I told you I’m ready to take that step?”

His eyes met mine, a storm of emotions swirling within them.

“Sweetheart, we can wait until you’re absolutely certain. I won’t take advantage of you just because you’re caught up in the moment.

“Do I want to? Hell yes, but not if it’s going to push you away. Trust me, I can wait a little longer. Think it over, and if you’re ready by tonight, we’ll take it from there.”

He lifted me gently, setting me down on the cool tile. He leaned in, pressing kisses to my neck, my cheek, and finally my lips. He gestured towards the shower entrance.

“Your clothes are hanging up right outside. Go dry off, get dressed. I’ll clean up here, then we can grab some dinner. It should be ready soon.”

I stepped out of the shower, glancing back at this man who could easily snap a person in half if he wanted to.

His back was turned to me, and I let my eyes wander down his body, admiring each muscle as it flexed and moved while he rinsed off. He must have felt my gaze—he turned his head to look at me.

“Enjoying the view?” he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Actually, yes. Your body looks like it was carved by the gods. I was just admiring it.”

He chuckled, turning back to his shower. “Get dressed, sweetheart. I’m almost done.”

I stepped out, toweling off and pulling on the jeans, top, and underwear he’d laid out for me. I was just pulling my top over my head when he emerged from the shower, a towel slung low around his hips.

I couldn’t help but let my tongue dart out to wet my lips as my eyes roamed over his body.

“Ahem! Enjoying the view, are we?”

“I can’t help it—you have the best body I’ve ever seen.”

I walked over to him, tracing a finger from his chest down to the edge of his towel. He sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes darkening.

“Careful, sweetheart. Play with fire and you might get burned.”

“Maybe I want to get burned?”

He grabbed me, pressing me against the wall. His lips found mine, hot and demanding. He lifted me up, my legs wrapping around his waist. A growl rumbled in his throat as he pressed himself against me.

“Only if you’re ready, sweetheart. Not a moment before.”

In response, I ground my hips against him. He grunted, carrying me into the bedroom and slowly undressing me, piece by piece.