“Tell me, Marlena,” he began, licking his lips.

“Yes?” She breathed. “Were you scared tonight”

“Yes.”

His lips drew almost touching hers, his breath smelled from the whiskey he’d drank at dinner.

“I know, and I’m sorry baby, this was not what I had in mind when I saw you tonight at the restaurant” his fingers trailed a line across her cheek.

“What scared you the most?” Her eyelids fluttered closed, the heat, the fire, the burn of his mouth so close to hers causing desperation to wash over her. She needed him to kiss her, to feel his hands on her flesh, to surrender to him completely —her body, her heart, her love.

“When he kissed me.”

“I’m sorry, Doc... I couldn’t let him know we know each other. He is a very dangerous man” He released his hold on her chin, his motions quick as he gripped her hip, spinning her around so she faced away from him. She wanted to turn back and gaze into his blue eyes, so she could feel his lips on hers again, so she could rake her fingers through his hair. He pressed his hand against her stomach, forcing her into him. “It nearly killed me seeing him touching you...kissing you...I wanted to kill him. I kept looking in your eyes, making sure you knew you’re not alone”

“I know, and the look in your eyes told me just how scared you were, and how  much you want me.”

“Not want, Marlena.” His lips met the crook of her neck and she gasped. “Need.” His grip on her tightened, arms pulling her even harder against him as his teeth grazed her skin.

“Just like you need me.” She smirked.

“More” He reached up, his hand lightly clutching her throat. The heat of his skin on hers, coupled with the slight pressure he applied, caused her pulse to soar.

His hand floated from her neck, smoothing down her collarbone, then landed between the valley of her breasts. “But Marlena, baby”

She hummed in response.

He grabbed her nipple between his fingers, tugging, forcing a yelp from her. It didn’t matter that her dress acted as a barrier between her flesh and his hands. The ache was still as pronounced as it would have been had she been naked. He lowered his mouth back to her neck, clamping down with his teeth. He made no move to be gentle, to be loving, to be merciful. He was the John she’d met on the plane. The John who slammed her against the sofa in the airplane when she knew nothing but the fact she wanted him so badly. The John who recklessly fucked her in the conference room at ‘Titan’.

She loved the gentle, loving John. But damn if she didn’t crave the erotic, desirous version.

 

“One thing is certain…” she could almost hear the smile in his tone.

“What’s that?” She panted, his hold on her nipple only tightening. She reached behind her, scraping her hands through his black hair, needing something to hold as she struggled to breathe through the delightful throbbing.

“I own you,” he breathed.

She swallowed hard, moaning. The old her, the one she was before she met him, would have thought that was so repressive, so barbaric, so low. But this sensual version of her, didn’t.  She knew John loved her, respected her, admired her.

She also knew he had a carnal need to claim her as his. She’d realized that about him from the very beginning. And she wanted to be marked by him, wanted his mark left on her, inside and out.

 

“Say it.” His hand shifted to her throat once more, his lips skimming her neck. She felt lightheaded, her chest heaving as she struggled to make sense of the need filling her. She was desperate to feel John’s skin on hers, to kneel before this man and make him feel as admired as she had all the time when she was with him.

 

“You own me,” she murmured.

When he loosened his hold on her, she used the opportunity to turn around and face him. She grabbed his hand in hers, placing it over her heart. “You own this. You have since the very beginning.” The animalistic craving in his gaze wavered momentarily. She stepped away from him and reached behind him, slowly lowering the zipper on her gown, shrugging out of the straps and allowing it to drop at her feet. She stood in front of him, wearing nothing but the jewelry he bought her a while ago and her shoes, her panties were taken off before she arrived to meet him tonight, when she wanted to surprise him. Approaching him once more, she took his hand in hers again. She moved to bring it back to her breast, then caught him by surprise when she forced it between her thighs instead.

 

“And this… This is all yours.” His eyes darkened with pure unmatched hunger, a greed unlike any she’d seen consuming him.

“Say it again,” he demanded as he played with her center, spreading her wetness around. “It’s yours.”
“What is?” He pushed a finger inside, setting off sparks as he fucked her with his finger. It wasn’t gentle or restrained by any stretch of the imagination. He was a man on a mission.

A mission to make her come as fast and as hard as he could, to rip her orgasm from her, to make her surrender completely to him.

“My pussy,” She breathed, closing her eyes as her brain thought about one thing and one thing only… the way John had the ability to bring her so much pleasure with just a few carefully measured strokes. Her insides warmed, her legs becoming weak. The only thing keeping her upright was John’s hand glued to her back, pinning her body to his. “That’s a fact,” he hissed. “I’m the only man who will ever fuck you ever again.”

“Yes,” she moaned, the increased frenzy of his motions pushing her higher and higher.

 

“What were you thinking about tonight?”

“How I wished we weren’t there.. how I wished  we could have a repeat of the last time I wore that dress.”

“The night after our engagement party?” he asked coyly. All she could do was nod, her body wound tight. Her body hungered for its release. “Did you like it when I bent you over and fucked you?” His motions slowed, and she groaned, desperate to feel him harder, faster, deeper. “When I licked you all over?”

“Oh, God, yes....” She moaned, his rhythm decreasing even more. She pulsed against him, but he tightened his grip on her, holding her orgasm captive. It was his way of reminding her who was in charge. And she was all too happy to relinquish complete control to him.  Nothing mattered right now.
Not the unanswered questions of his past. 
Not what happened tonight.
All that mattered was the present, being here with John, surrendering everything else to him. “Thinking about that just made you wetter, didn’t it?” She nodded.

“Why? What did you like about that?”

“Everything.” His fingers lingered between her legs, but were now barely touching her. She racked her brain, trying to come up with something, anything so he’d touch her again, so he’d make her come again. “What specifically, Marlena? Tell me.”

“Just… Just everything, John.” A chill washed over her, the warmth no longer between her legs as John pulled his hand back. She opened her eyes, watching as he raised his hand to his mouth, slow, torturous, agonizing. He darted his tongue out, about to taste her arousal on his fingers when he suddenly changed course, bringing them to her lips.

 

“Suck,” he ordered.

Holy shit.

Her adrenaline spiked as she kept her eyes glued to his. She brushed her tongue against the tip of his finger, barely touching, the contact light. Then she wrapped her lips around them, tasting her and him, the combination making her burn, making her want to crawl on top of him, their two bodies fusing together, never to be parted. She eagerly swirled her tongue, sucking it deeply, fully, wanting every last drop.

 

“Stop” his gruff voice cut through the silence as he ripped his finger from her mouth.

“John?” She peered up at him through coquettish eyes. Lowering her hand to his waist, she palmed his erection, the bulge in his pants unmistakable. “I thought we were just getting started, John.” He clutched her wrist, preventing her from teasing him any further, and tugged her against his hard body. Before she had a chance to catch her breath, he grabbed the back of her neck, his mouth bruising hers.

 

His kiss was rough, jarring, turbulent, piercing her soul and penetrating her heart with the way he devoured her, the way he held her, the way he needed her. Desperate for more of him, she tore her lips away and reached for his belt. Again, he caught her hands, stopping her. “What do you think you’re doing, Marlena?”

“Undressing you.” She was a mess of hormones, blind to everything else. “I need to feel you. Inside me. Above me. Below me. However you want it. I don’t care. Just let me feel you,” she pleaded. This man could make her beg without asking, make her burn without lighting the match, make her submit without demand.

“Not yet, baby” she knew those words were coming, but she didn’t want to hear them. She’d never felt so reckless, so rash, so… unlike herself. Her lungs burned to breathe him in, her throat ached to moan his name, her insides heated with the promise of what was to come.

 

“Please.” Her hands landed on his wide shoulders, tugging the suit jacket down his arms. “I’ll do anything, John. I just…” her eyes floated to his, passing him a demure look. “I need you to fuck me, John.” Her fingers trailed along his bowtie, her lips sensually kissing that sweet spot between his neck and shoulder. When he seemed to lose himself to the moment, she yanked the tie from his collar before unbuttoning his shirt. She’d only gotten through three buttons before he stopped her. “Marlena,” he said through a tight jaw.

“Yes?” He studied her for a prolonged moment, both of their chests heaving in near unison.

 

“Go to the bedroom. Grab the eye mask from the nightstand and put it on. Then lie down and wait for me. Don’t get off that bed. Do you understand?” His tone was even, at complete odds with the way her heart pounded in her chest. She remained motionless for a moment, then he commanded,
“Go on.”

“Yes,” She spun from him, doing as he asked, as he demanded. Slipping into the bedroom, she found the mask, then turned down the covers and settled onto the mattress, pulling the mask over her eyes so she couldn’t see anything. Her skin ached with a slow throbbing. She found herself constantly squeezing her legs together to get some relief. A part of her thought about touching herself to ease the pressure that was ready to explode, but she didn’t. She wanted John to have her orgasm, to own all of them, just like he owned her.

 

The minutes ticked by, her racing heart a timebomb as she waited.
And waited.
And waited.
When she was about to storm into the living room and berate John for being an unbearable tease, she felt the bed dip, a warm body slithering up hers. She moaned, her muscles relaxing as teeth grazed her skin, licking, sucking, admiring. She couldn’t see what he was doing. Didn’t know where he was looking. Didn’t know where he would touch her next. But she didn’t need to see his eyes to know they were cloudy with lust, his pupils dilated with anticipation.

“Good girl,” he said as she arched into him, his mouth clamping over her nipple. “You follow direction very well. Just as you did tonight .” He dragged his tongue across her breast, taking his time, savoring the taste of her skin.

“Did you think I was going to make you wait for me all night?”

“I hoped not,” she answered. “I was about to drag you in here.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, Marlena. That would be breaking the rules,” he said coyly. “I asked you to come into the bedroom and stay here. Not stay here until you couldn’t take it anymore, then come get me.” The heat of his breath hovered close and she craned her head, aching to feel his lips on hers. But he remained just out of reach, the pressure becoming unbearable. “Do you know what happens if you don’t follow the rules?”

“What?” she swallowed hard, her throat becoming dry. “You’ll be punished.” His fingers found her nipple and he squeezed, causing her to scream, more out of surprise than pain. It didn’t hurt, not like it had the first time he’d done this same thing tonight. Now, it was incredibly pleasurable, even satisfying, as if it quenched a hidden yearning that had been suppressed for years.

 

“Now, Marlena,” he continued, releasing his hold on her, leaving her a panting, unhinged web of need. Her brain had turned into complete mush. Her sole motivation was to do anything she had to in order to get him to keep making her feel, to keep propelling her higher, to keep pushing the limits of how far she could take this. And she wanted to take it all the way. Maybe it was that blonde man. Maybe it was the ambience of the evening. Maybe it was being in Lugano with him. Whatever the reason, she wanted John to dominate her. She wanted him to control her. She wanted him to punish her. Despite all her preconceived notions of power exchanges, giving this to him made her feel powerful, fierce, commanding.

 

“What do you think a good punishment would be?”

“Whatever you want to do to me,” she replied in a barely audible voice.

“Do to you?” A lithe finger snaked from her collarbone down her sternum, stopping just above her waist. Her muscles clenched, anticipation of what was to come keeping her on edge. The instant she felt him between her legs, she feared she would shatter into a million pieces, unable to find all of them to put herself back together again.

Maybe she didn’t want to be put back together. Maybe she needed the missing pieces. Maybe John was her missing piece. “But you haven’t misbehaved, you were absolutely impeccable tonight” He lowered his mouth to her stomach, his tongue circling her navel.

“Maybe I want it anyway.”

“That’s not the way the game’s supposed to be played.” Marlena arched her back, pushing her pelvis toward him as his mouth slowly trailed a blazing path down her stomach, hovering so close to where she needed him the most. Blinded by lust, her need to feel possessed by him, ruled her actions. Reaching down, she ran her fingers through his dark hair, a tiny moan of enjoyment rolling from his mouth.

 

“Do I need to tie you up, too?” he mused, firmly gripping her wrist. A rush of adrenaline coursed through her at the thought of being bound, unable to move, to see, completely at John’s mercy.

“I wouldn’t complain,” she said with a sexy smile, twisting as the heat of John’s mouth grew closer and closer to her center. She held her breath, waiting for that first flick of his tongue, that first drag of his fingers.

 

But it never came.

 

“John…”

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“What are you doing?”

“Admiring you,” his deep baritone answered, the heat of him still so close to her.

“Please, John.”

“Please, what?”

“You know what.”

“Yes, I do.” His hands gripped her thighs, bruising, marking, claiming. He raked them down her legs, his hold only becoming more severe, more greedy, more agonizing. Slow. Tedious. Torturous.

“Marlena…” His voice was almost a growl as he reached her feet and carefully slid them out of the heels she still wore.

“Yeah?”

“I’m going to grab your hand and help you up.”

“Up? But—” Before she could utter another syllable, his mouth was over hers, swallowing her words, capturing her protest with his hot lips. She stiffened momentarily, then melted into his welcome assault, deepening the exchange.

His kiss stole her breath and arrested her heart. “Remember the game,” he murmured against her lips.

“Yes, John,” she answered. She would agree to anything he wanted if it meant he’d kiss her like that again, leaving her shattered, motionless, thoughtless.

“Good.”

 

She felt the bed dip, then he grabbed her arm, helping her to her feet. Her breathing increasing, he led her a few steps, then stopped. Based on what she remembered from the layout of that hotel room, unless her direction was incredibly off, they were probably standing right in front of the French doors leading to the balcony. She could almost see the shimmering lights of Lugano twenty floors below them. His hand pressed against her lower back and he crushed her to him, his body still covered in his tuxedo. A heat spread on her lips and she held her breath, anticipating his kiss.

 

“Do you trust me?” he murmured, ghosting his mouth over hers. Without hesitation, she answered, “Yes. Of course I do”

“If it's going to be too much, just tell me. Just say-stop.” she swallowed the lump in her throat.

“John, are you giving me a safe word?”

“I suppose.” He ran his thumb across her lips. “Why are you just using it with me now?”.

A seed of curiosity planted in her brain. “Because I don’t want you hurt. You had a rough night already and tonight might get out of control and I need to know you’re ok with it all.” Her expression fell slightly. A soft chuckle sounded from his chest and he pulled her tighter against him.

 

(Would you mind - Janet Jackson)

 

His lips found her neck, his motions tactful, gentle, loving. “From the minute I first saw you, Doc, my heart knew you were so much more than a woman who would care for me back to health, who would help me deal with all the things in my life I had no control over. You make the past not hurt as much.”

“Then why—” He pressed a finger over her lips.

“This is for you.”

“For me?” she shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

“Do you trust me, Marlena?”

“Of course.”

“Then trust me when I say this is all for you, to make you feel the sexiest woman alive.” He released his hold, a chill washing over her.

 

Then the French doors opened, the chill becoming even more obvious as the crisp October air hit her naked flesh. John’s hand found hers and she made no move to protest when he led her onto the balcony, completely bare and exposed to the world below them.

 

John was right. Something about this did make her feel bold, courageous. She could only imagine how she would feel after whatever he had in store. When his lips whispered against her temple, her breathing grew ragged; “Get on your knees, baby.” His voice sounded demanding once more. Without questioning, she slowly lowered herself to her knees, John helping her. Her long creamy legs were a little shaky, nerves filling her. She had a million questions on the tip of her tongue, begging to be unleashed. But that was not the time. She needed to know exactly what would happen. As her knees hit the balcony floor, she was surprised to be met with a soft cushion instead of the cold cement. She couldn’t see, but she could visualize her surroundings. John’s fingers traced the curve of her face, and she drew in a shaky breath, every muscle in her body tightening.

“Don’t be nervous, Doc.”

“I can’t help it.” she giggled apprehensively. “I don’t do well with the unknown, as you know.”

“Which is exactly why I want to do this with you. You may kneel before me right now, baby…” He cupped her cheek, the feeling of his flesh on hers warming her, “but I adore your very presence. You are my wife, my goddess, my confidant. Never forget that. All of this, what we’re about to do, is for you. You are in complete control, not me. Okay?”

“Alright,” she breathed, darting her pink tongue out to moisten her lips.

“Good.” He dragged his finger down her neck, across her collarbone. The fire in his touch lit a blazing path down her arm. He grabbed one wrist, then the other, pinning them behind her back. Her heart drummed in her chest, the sound deafening, piercing, powerful. If she could hear it, surely John could, as well.

 

Instantly, he was behind her, his front to her back, his arousal noticeable against her. He must have been kneeling now, too. “From the moment I laid eyes on you…,” he began, his voice deep and fevered. A soft silk material looped around her wrists, her breathing increasing exponentially as she pictured what she must look like right now, kneeling on a cushion on a balcony of this luxury hotel, blindfolded, bound, completely at the mercy of her husband. Somewhere down below was Fernando, probably still looking for her.

 

“I knew you were dangerous.” His hand found her neck and he forced her head back, cutting her train of thought, his fingers digging into her skin. She panted, his tone a mixture of predatory and kind at the same time.

“Dangerous?” she struggled to utter.

“Yes. Dangerous. I knew once I heard your voice, peered deeply into your hazel eyes, allowed myself to fall into you, I’d never be the same man, whoever he was.” He released his hold on her throat, his hand skimming down her body, growing closer to her breasts. “Like you tonight, Marlena, I had a plan. And you were not supposed to be a part of that plan.” His fingers lightly squeezed one of her nipples, as he remembered how that blonde man touched her, kissed her. The pink bud pebbling under his touch. It wasn’t rough or hard as she expected it would be.

“Harder,” she pleaded. The slightest hint of a groan growled from his throat, as if he was at war with himself, as if he wanted to prolong the game, but at the same time, bury himself in her, mark her, claim her, brand her, do whatever he had to in order for the world to know she belonged to him, and he to her.

 

“This wasn’t supposed to be my life...” She said softly.

“What?”

She arched into him, throwing her head back as he ran his hand down her stomach. “I wasn’t supposed to fall in love with you, John.”

“Then why did you?” She could hear his breathes on her ear.

Her voice was breathy, husky, full of need when she spoke; “Because of fate. Because I knew I needed this. That I needed to love again. That I could have everything I’d ever dreamed of in you.”

“Do you know what I want?” He asked, huskily

“What’s that?” She swallowed hard, a hint of unease seeping into her brain, a tiny voice reminding her that she wasn’t as adventurous as John. When she was with Roman, she’d never even been on top during sex, let alone kneeling, blindfolded and tied up.

“You, Marlena. Now and forevermore.”

“Even if I need to end this game of yours?” she asked in a soft voice. With haste, he removed the mask from her face, scrambling in front of her so he could gaze into her eyes, questioning, concerned. “Is it too much?” He searched her face, frantic. “I never—” she pressed her mouth to his, ripping his words from him. His body froze, confused. She ran her tongue along his lips, coaxing them open. Finally, he melted into her, their kiss sweet, soft, tender. She pulled away so he could see the determination in her gaze. “Put it back on, John.” Then she lowered her eyes, portraying a more submissive version of herself. When he made no move to slip the mask back over her face, she lifted her gaze to his.

“Please, sir,” she added, then lowered her head even more. He remembered how she used that word when she talked to Fernando, and with a groan, he raised the mask, returning it to her face, her world dark again.

 

It was quiet on the balcony, the only sound that of her breathing pierced with the occasional car whistling by at the late hour. Encouraged by his love, concern, and her desire to be able to live up to what he needed, she murmured, “I want to taste you.” Her muscles tightened as she licked her lips, desperate to please John, to make him experience the same high she did every time he drove into me.

 

He cupped her cheek in his rough hand. She melted into the contact, the warmth like a soothing bath, easing all her worry, washing away her fears.

“Thank god I have you, sweetheart.” His thumb ghosted against her lips and she opened eagerly, her tongue darting out to taste his skin. She heard him draw in an unsteady breath, even the muscle in his finger tightening as she sensually sucked on it, giving him a preview of what he could expect.

“I thank him for your love…” she heard the faint rustling of clothes, a zipper lowering, causing her heart to soar in her chest. Then he removed his thumb from her mouth, leaving her gasping for more.

“For your devotion to me…” The sound of fabric hitting the balcony made its way to her ears. “And for this beautiful, beautiful fucking mouth.” He pressed his erection against her lips. She was all too eager to open for him. When she did, his hips thrust with a fevered rhythm. The sudden motion caught her off guard, her body stiffening as she struggled to keep pace. He ran his finger down her cheek and jaw. “Relax your muscles, baby...” she drew as deep a breath as she could, doing her best to follow his instructions. He wrapped his hand around her golden hair, guiding her on his length.

“Yes,” he hissed. She could almost picture the rapture and ecstasy rolling over his face, his eyes closed, his jaw clenched. “Just like that.” He continued pushing into her, driving a little deeper each time. She relaxed her fists, the rest of the muscles in her body following. With his next thrust, he hit the back of her throat, the growl coming from him making her feel more alluring, more alive, more complete than anything else in her life.

 

“Shit, Marlena,” he groaned, his erection becoming rigid. He slowed his motions, but she continued, finding her rhythm, relaxing her throat with each drive to take even more of him as he grew bigger and harder, in her wet mouth. He released a strangled cry, then quickly let go of her, stepping back. A chill washed over her.

“John?...did I do something wrong?” she asked softly, trying to catch her breath.

She was desperate to feel him, to taste him, to please him. Apart from his heavy breathing, it was silent. Then she felt his lips on hers, his tongue plunging into her mouth, exploring with haste, with need, with unmatched hunger. He pulled away, panting. “Quite the opposite. I was about to lose it, Marlena. And as much as I want to come down your throat…” There was a brief pause, “I’d rather come in here.” His hand rested on her stomach, then traveled past her hip bone, her muscles clenching as he caressed her folds, spreading her wetness around. Licking her lips, she carefully shifted her legs farther apart.

 

“Then what are you waiting for?” Before she knew what was happening, he grabbed her elbow and helped her to her feet. He quickly loosened the silk material binding her wrists behind her, then re-secured them in front of her. He raised her arms, hooking them around his neck, and lifted her, carrying her. She counted his steps. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. She couldn’t tell which direction they had walked. All she knew was they were still outside. With her surrounded in his secure embrace, he nuzzled her neck, inhaling a long breath.

 

“Do you trust me?”

“Honey, why do you keep asking me that?”

“It’s very important that I keep hearing you do. That’s the only way this will work.”

“I trust you, John. Always”

He carefully lowered her feet before gripping her hips and placing her on a smooth surface. She would have given anything to be able to feel around to see where she was.

She could have been on the dining table.

The bar.

One of the tables.

The wide ledge of the balcony.

God, she hoped she wasn’t on the ledge. Her heart rate picked up, her entire body tightening. “Don’t let go, no matter what.”

“John…” she couldn’t mask her panic. “I love you, Marlena. I would never do anything you couldn’t handle, anything that would put you in harm’s way. I need you to understand that everything I’ve done since you walked into my life, every decision I’ve made, has all been to keep you safe.” She opened her mouth to reply, his words laced with a thousand hidden meanings.

 

“It’s all been to keep you safe,” he murmured, pushing into her before she could voice any further hesitation. All concern about what his words could refer to disappeared almost instantly, her brain and mind consumed with only one thought, with feeling, with need. One hand palmed her back, his other tangled in her hair. She had no idea where she was, whether she was somewhere safe and secure or dangling precariously off a twenty-floor balcony. But even if she were poised on that ledge, she knew she was safe and secure in his arms. She would always be safe and secure as long as she had John. She arched into him, pulsing against him with more intensity, more urgency, more everything. His fingers slowly circling her greedy nub.

 

She was close...so close. Her muscles clenched. Her toes curled. A heat burned low in her stomach. A fuse ignited, flaming her need. She didn’t think she’d ever get her fill of this man. It didn’t matter how much he gave. She would take and take, greedy, needy, ravenous. Able to read her body, he clamped his mouth on hers, stealing a kiss.

 

“Come for me, Marlena,” he growled. At the same instant, he removed the mask from her face, her eyes widening as her fear became a reality. Her grip on him tightened, pulse skyrocketing as she struggled not to watch the eye mask leisurely float twenty floors below them.

 

John grabbed her chin, forcing her eyes back to his. “Don’t look at anything else. Just look at me. Only see me.” He drove into her with hunger, need, everything, waves shattering and crashing inside her. Her body catapulted higher, any fear she’d momentarily felt leaving her as she came hard, fast, violently, her legs tightening around his waist, wanting more, wanting all of him. Moaning. Screaming. Shattering.

 

“That’s right, baby,” John grunted, chasing his own orgasm. She met his eyes, noticing the tie around her wrists had loosened from all the friction. Her heart racing, she broke free from her bindings, keeping her gaze trained on him as she clutched onto his biceps, cautiously using his arms to steady her as she leaned back.

“Marlena, what are you—”

“I trust you,” she interrupted. Her words came out breathy as she placed her hands behind her on the wide ledge. It felt like she was in another world, another life. “I want you so much.”

He muttered something, his rhythm relentless as he fucked her on the balcony of a luxury hotel in Lugano, the stars fighting to be seen among the twinkling lights of the city.

 

“You. Are. Mine.” His voice was tensed, grunting a word with each thrust.

“Say it.”

“I’m yours.”

“I. Own. You.” God, he was so barbaric, so demeaning, but so satisfying to hear those words leaving his mouth. It was true. This man owned her body. Her heart. Her soul.

“Say it!” she closed her eyes, leaning even farther back, her body on the precipice of falling over the edge with him.

 

“You own me, John...You own me...You own me..” His body tightened as he cried out her name, a warmth spreading through her. She clenched around him again, this orgasm even more intense, more powerful, more violent. Instantly, he pulled her into his arms and away from the ledge, out of harm’s way, pausing to catch his breath. She rested her head against his chest, her heart drumming in time with his.

 

Neither one of them said a word as he held her, taking a moment to allow them to come down from their high. Then he carried her back into the suite and placed her on the bed, pulling the luxurious comforter over her. Her body still tingled with the aftershocks of her orgasm, but she was exhausted, her eyes struggling to stay open. The other side of the bed dipped and John’s arms were around her once more, enveloping her small body. His fingers grazed her nape, unfastening her necklace before delicately removing her bracelet and earrings, as well. “I adore you, Doc.” He slid her hair behind her ear, leaving a soft kiss on her cheek.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” she murmured in a tired voice, a satisfied grin pulling on her lips as she melted into the mattress, sleep just a blink away. It was quiet for a moment before she said, “John?”

“Hmm?”

“Do you think Fernando would try to find us?.” she felt him harden against her. “Don't worry about it, sweetheart. Now sleep,” He pulled her even closer, his lips lingering on her nape. “I’ll keep you safe.” She briefly stalled, wanting to ask him what he meant by that, but her brain refused to tell her mouth to open, her voice refused to say the words.

Marlena drifted off to sleep in his arms.