An hour later, Cooper and Catalina finally escaped the debriefing from hell. If anything could derail a room full of trained operatives, it was exposing them to the world of magic. For the first half-hour, members of the Prairie Winds team were solely focused on the things they couldn’t explain. One thing Cooper had learned about military hotshots, they could—and would—analyze shit to death, but in the end, they always integrated any new intel and never looked back.
As they approached his truck, Catalina reached for the door handle—again. The swat Cooper gave her was sharp enough to lift his lovely mate off her feet.
“Princess, I’ve warned you more than once. Unless we are running for our lives and those few seconds separate life from death, you wait for me to open your damned door.”
Cooper knew she was distracted and had simply forgotten. She’d given him the perfect opportunity to use the lapse to bring her focus back to the moment, and he’d taken it. He planned to fully explore whatever challenges she was facing, but he needed to get her home first. He knew Catalina Adler better than she knew herself—she was the most open when she was sexually sated. The endorphin high was as close to truth serum for the stunning shifter as anything he’d found, and he planned to ensure they both enjoyed the process.
“Yes, Sir.” Her response was perfect, or it would have been if he didn’t suspect it was edging dangerously close to contrived. Catalina was only submissive to him even then, they were continually engaged in a power struggle. Cooper had never met a sub who could top from the bottom more subtly than his Princess. If they gave out trophies for finesse, she’d have dozens lining the shelves of her suite at Adler Oil. Lifting her into the truck, Cooper stroked his fingers along the underside of her chin before fastening her seat belt.
“As much as I’d like to take you to the club and let every Dom there give you two swats, I want you draped over my knees more. I’m looking forward to watching the creamy skin of your ass cheeks bloom the first shades of baby pink. Seeing the soft shade of my handprint darken to vibrant rose before the intensity of the strokes darkens the marks to glowing a heated scarlet is hedonism at its finest. We’re both going to enjoy it—I promise. And to be perfectly honest, I’m not in the mood to share my visual pleasure.” The challenge Cooper saw flashing in Cat’s eyes was one he wouldn’t allow to go unmet.
“I’m going to push you, Princess. Are you up to it? Perhaps you’ve forgotten how much freedom you have found in submission? I promised to take you to places you’d never imagined possible.” Cooper paused, watching her as a predator studies its prey.
One of the things she’d always struggled with as an operative was patience. She tended to give up on stakeouts too soon, rushing in where angels fear to tread, as his mom used to say. When Cooper was on a mission, he was the epitome of patience. There were times she’d asked him if he was human. Cooper smiled to himself, remembering the few times Catalina had tried to outfox him and discovered it was impossible. One of Cooper’s greatest strengths was thinking several steps ahead. She’d asked him about it once, and he’d likened it to playing three-dimensional chess, the best analogy he could give her.
“The only way you are going to rest properly is if you put yourself in my hands again, Princess. I have fulfilled my promise every time you have gifted me with your trust. Give yourself to me tonight, Catalina. Tell me you want what only I can give you.”
He was right… on all counts… damn it.
She’d dated other men in the intervening years after their first scene. Cat stopped accepting those invitations when it became clear no other man compared to the one standing beside her. Cooper was both her greatest annoyance and greatest fascination, wrapped in every physical trait she found attractive. The man was the very definition of hot. Cat had seen women walk into walls and street signs because they were distracted, looking at him. When she drew it to his attention, he’d simply laughed it off.
Sighing to herself as they prepared to drive back to Austin, Catalina realized Cooper knew more about her kidnapping and injuries than anyone else. Her sister-in-law, Charlotte, learned more than Catalina was comfortable with when the magical healer hugged her. Charlotte healed Cat instantly, taking on the physical injuries Cat tried to conceal before quickly healing herself. Austin’s bride had also gotten a brief glimpse at the horrors Cat endured. Charlotte steadfastly refused to share the information with anyone else in the family, and Catalina was eternally grateful the gifted healer kept her confidence. Austin had been both frustrated with his new wife and impressed with her integrity.
“You have to say the words, Cat.” Once again, Cooper’s fingers slid slowly down her cheek, leaving a trail of blazing heat in their wake. They weren’t formally mated, so she was shocked to her toes to hear his voice float through her mind.
I want to collar you, baby. Damn, I wish you would agree to be mine.
“Please, I need you.” Four simple words choked around the lump in her throat, but they were enough. Cooper closed the door, stalked around the truck, and they were on their way before Cat could sort out the deeper meaning of what she’d said. Catalina had always known she was a conduit for the other side but was still shocked to hear her mother speaking so clearly, she turned to see if Cooper could hear her as well.
Darling, girl, why are you afraid to admit Cooper holds your heart? Your magic will unlock his, and Cooper’s love will amplify yours. Be brave, my sweet risk-taker. History isn’t made by those who live in fear.
Cooper doubted Catalina knew how much she’d revealed when she admitted her need for him. The darned woman’s line between annoyance and anticipation was microscopically narrow, and Cooper was the only one who could ride the razor’s edge with any measure of success. When he’d learned she tried dating after he’d introduced her to Dominance and submission, Cooper had remained patient. His prediction had been spot on—damn it. She’d never seen the same man more than twice and hadn’t slept with any of them.
Stepping back had driven him crazy, but he’d known she needed time to come to terms with what happened between them. He was convinced once her sexual identity had been challenged and expanded, it would never be the same. Biding his time tested his patience on too many levels to count. They’d worked with each other several times recently, their rapport growing as the snark settled to a manageable level. Cooper suspected the sass would return in spades the first time he tried to rein her in. Bring it, Princess!
His phone vibrated in his pocket, signaling an incoming message. Cooper grimaced when he saw the text was from Cameron Barnes. Cam was many things—kink club owner, Dom, husband, father, loyal friend. The man was one of the best operatives the Agency ever produced, and for that reason, the powers that be were reluctant to let him go, so retirement remained elusive. Random was the one thing Cam was not—if he was contacting Cooper, there was a reason.
I saw you leave, and if I’m reading your body language right, your sub is in for a long night. Start in the garage. I’ve instructed the Adler Oil building’s security team to cut the feeds from your parking area to the entrance of Catalina’s suite. You have thirty minutes from the time you punch in your code to open the gate.
Cooper smiled to himself. Cam’s ability to be in the right place at the right time was uncanny and handy as hell in this case.
“Should I be worried about that message?” Cat tried to modulate her tone to sound casual, but he knew her too well to fall for the ruse. She was curious and more possessive than she would ever admit. It didn’t matter that she was facing the other way, Catalina was as well trained as any operative he’d ever worked with. Her environmental and situational awareness was so good he’d often assumed she was using magic.
“Probably.” He let the word linger for several long seconds before continuing. “It seems I’m not the only Dom who thinks you’ve earned a punishment.” He didn’t hear a sharp intake of breath, and she hadn’t moved a muscle, so Cooper had no idea what she was thinking.
“Cam always has his nose in everyone’s business.” When he flicked a glance in her direction, Cat shook her head and chuckled. “He was standing among the ornamental pampas grass near the back corner of the house.” This time he heard the fatigue and resignation in her tone. “I’m a shifter, Cooper. It’s humbling to realize you know me so well in many ways but continually forget about one of the most significant aspects of… well, what makes me, me.”
Son of a fucking bitch, she’s right. She hadn’t made the comment to knock his arrogant ass off his high horse, but damn if she hadn’t dished up a healthy serving of humble pie.
“You are right, Princess. There are so many beautiful layers to your personality. I could peel back one, only to reveal another every day for a millennium and never learn all your secrets.” Her shoulders relaxed, and he saw rather than heard her sigh. She’d told him once she often felt like an outsider in her own family—the comment shocked him at the time, but after spending a considerable amount of time with the Adlers, he’d seen how it was possible.
After Catalina’s confession about feeling disconnected, Cooper made a concerted effort to call his little sister more frequently and truly listen to what she had to say. Six months ago, the two of them had been enjoying a glass of wine and watching the stars twinkle in the moonless Texas sky, and Lakyn asked him what prompted the change. She confided what a huge difference it made in her life and subsequently, their relationship. When he’d explained what happened, Lakyn advised him to use the lesson wisely, applying it to the relationship he was building with Catalina. My sister is wise beyond her years.
“Tomorrow morning, you and I are going to eat breakfast on your deck.” Cooper smiled to himself when Cat’s brows drew together in confusion.
“Isn’t it supposed to rain all day tomorrow?” She was trying to bait him. The little minx knew exactly how far she could push him.
“It is, but it’s also supposed to be unusually warm, so it won’t stop us from enjoying the small, covered space. We have things to discuss, and I don’t want to run the risk of someone interrupting us.” He’d considered using the rooftop terrace, but it was a popular retreat and used by too many members of the Adler family to ensure their privacy.
Asia Adler had talked her brother into relinquishing a large portion of the top floor, and she’d used an equal share of the second floor. Combined, the square footage created a two-story outdoor living area, unlike any other Cooper had ever seen. The entire family used it as their own, but he needed a much more intimate space for the discussion he had planned. It was time to begin pushing his feisty sub, keeping her off base until her head recognized what her heart already knew—they belonged together. Since they were getting close to Austin, where they’d be driving under regularly spaced streetlights, it was time to challenge her.
“Lift your skirt out from under you, Princess. I want your bare ass on the leather seat.” He heard the hitch in her breathing and could already predict what her protest was going to be, so he decided to head it off. “Your wet pussy is not going to stain the leather.” When she reluctantly complied, he gave her an approving nod. “Good girl. Now, pull the dress to your waist and spread your knees as far apart as you can.” This time she didn’t hesitate as long, and he rewarded her with a sexy grin.
“I can smell your arousal, Catalina. Knowing you are slick, your body readying itself for my possession is fucking hot.” The earthy scent of her pussy intensified to the point, Cooper was having trouble focusing on anything else. “Lean your seat back a little, Princess.” He heard the small electric motor beneath the passenger seat whine for several seconds and smiled when she automatically tilted her hips, giving him the view he wanted. “Jesus, Joseph, and sweet Mother Mary, you are a fucking goddess.”
Cooper knew Cat had designed an extensive line of jewelry for Doms who wanted to decorate their sub’s pink bits—her words, not his. Personally, Cooper didn’t find the word cunt offensive. Hell, it was a reasonable term to use when describing where an exquisitely crafted piece of jewelry would be located. He could still remember the fire flashing in her eyes as she informed him the word wasn’t acceptable for marketing for too many reasons to list.
Cooper helped himself to several pieces from her inventory before they left for the magical ceremony at her brother’s lakeside home. Cooper suspected the sparkling jeweled clips, which didn’t require piercing, were going to sell faster than she could produce them. Cat would need to hire a battalion of artisans or become more automated at some point in the very near future.
Cat didn’t have a playroom in her suite yet, but over the past couple of days, Cooper had managed to add a few concealed enhancements to her bed, and he was looking forward to revealing them. Once she was bound for his pleasure, he’d spread the lips of her labia wide and use the pieces he would pay her handsomely for. When all her secrets were exposed to his view, he would bring out the new toy he’d bought for her before her kidnapping. The small, low-voltage ultraviolet light would provide the perfect edge to send her soaring.
Reaching over, Cooper trailed the tips of his fingers over the smooth skin of her mound before letting them slide into the wet folds. Goosebumps raced over her skin, but she didn’t move.
“Perfect. I love how responsive you are, Princess. Seeing you struggle to stay still when I know how much you crave a firmer touch pleases me more than you know.” Removing his wet fingers from her pussy, Cooper brought them to his mouth to suck them clean. “You taste so sweet. I’m anxious to get the first part of our scene over with, so I can enjoy lapping the sweet cream coating those smooth pussy lips.”
Keying in his personal code to open the gate of the secured underground parking garage, Cooper bit back a smile when he saw her muscles tighten. He knew she was worried about the security cameras—a reasonable concern since she didn’t know the feeds were down for the next half hour. Pulling his truck into one of the parking stalls reserved for the Adler family, Cooper gave Cat a pointed look, making certain she remembered to stay put until he opened her door. Watching her through the windshield, he saw her pull in a deep, shuddering breath. Catalina might think she was bracing herself for what was to come, but he knew she was already spinning out of control.
He didn’t bother holding out his hand and letting her step down from the truck on her own, slipping one arm behind her bareback and the other beneath her knees. Lifting her from the truck, Cooper sent up a silent prayer of thanks the dress he’d bought her was a halter. Feeling the warmth of her bare back and legs cradled in his arms ramped up his desire when he wouldn’t have thought it possible. Once he’d set her on her feet, it only took one quick move for the front of her dress to drift down to her waist. She instinctively moved to pull the flimsy garment back into place, but his sharp command to stop froze her in place.
“You have put yourself in my hands before, Princess, and it opened up a whole new world for you.” The spark of fire in her eyes assured him the observation was dead-on. “Hell, you’ve put your life in my hands on numerous occasions. I’m asking you to trust me once again. Trust me to know what you need. Trust me to keep you safe and to never put you in harm’s way—either physically or emotionally.” He hoped the repeated phrase would drive home her need to put herself in his hands without reservation. Trust was the key.
Physically, Catalina was fully recovered, and from what he’d seen, stronger than ever. Emotionally, Cat was still fragile. In many ways, Cooper worried she was edging close to shattering, and he hoped tonight would give her the outlet to release some of the turmoil battering her from the inside. Damn, brilliant women always amazed him. They were usually too strong for their own good.
It was damned frustrating to know Catalina still blamed herself for her kidnapping, claiming she should have been more aware of her surroundings. Logical arguments weren’t getting him anywhere. Cam Barnes was equally frustrated with Catalina’s insistence that everything was fine when it was clearly not. Watching her now, uncertainty reflecting in her gaze, Cooper resisted the urge to pull her into his arms and assure her everything was going to be fine. He refused to patronize her with platitudes he had no way of knowing were true. He could assure her he was in it for the long haul, but he doubted she was ready to hear it.
No, now wasn’t the time for a heart-to-heart chat—they would both be better served if he’d follow through on his original plan. Catalina must have sensed the shift in the direction of his thinking and known he’d refocused his attention on her. Letting his eyes track over her in a slow slide, he smiled when her nipples peaked so tight against the flimsy fabric of her dress, they probably ached.
“Hand me the dress, Princess. I’m going to save it since it’s become one of my favorites.” He watched her, wondering which force was going to win the battle he saw raging in her eyes. Would she trust him or let her insecurity and fear trump his command? Cooper let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding when she let the dress fall, grabbing it easily before it hit the concrete floor. Cat handed the delicate piece of clothing to him, and he saw the effort it took for her to release her grip on the fabric. “Thank you, Princess. Your trust is a gift I treasure.”
Catalina kept her eyes on him. He knew she was struggling not to scan the area around them. As a trained operative, it would be difficult for her not to succumb to the need to assess any potential for danger. Keeping her focus on him was a huge compliment, one he made a mental note to comment on later.
“Turn around and spread your feet slightly more than shoulder-width apart, then bend at the waist and grasp your ankles.” He’d planned to give her a few swats before they entered the elevator but decided to reward her compliance with a little teasing instead. Once she was in position, he smoothed his hands over the globes of her ass, doing his best to ignore the fading pink scars. Every time he saw the remaining evidence of the time she’d spent in the clutches of evil, his gut churned. “You have a spectacular ass, baby.” He grinned when she gasped. Since he rarely called her anything other than Princess or her name, he knew the endearment was unexpected. “Toned muscles under the creamiest skin in the entire world. Perfectly rounded handfuls just right for grasping when I’m fucking you.”
Stepping to the side, so his leg braced her shoulder, Cooper gave her two sharp swats before slipping two fingers into her vagina, pressing against her G-spot. Cooper wasn’t surprised when the walls of her sheath pulsed around his fingers. She’d been strung tight all evening, and he’d done his best to keep her on edge. When he felt her tipping closer to release, Cooper pulled his fingers free and helped her stand. Weaving as the blood that had pooled in her head drained quickly back south, she looked dazed for several seconds. He understood the feeling. His brain was frequently drained of oxygen-rich blood as it filled his cock anytime he thought about her. Holding her upper arms until she was steady on her feet, Cooper pressed his lips to hers in a gentle kiss meant to settle rather than inflame.
It was time to move. If he didn’t get her upstairs in the next fifteen minutes, the security system would be back up. He didn’t want Israel Adler’s team seeing more of the boss’s sister than they should. Once inside the elevator, he turned her to the wall, placing her hands against the wall.
“Spread your legs and arch your back.” The position lifted her ass into the perfect position for the heated swats he intended to give her. Once she was in place, he let the doors slide silently closed and pressed the button for her floor. The small car was so quiet, he could hear the small hitches in her breathing as she tried to anticipate what he planned to do. When he saw her eyes flicker to the security camera in the corner, he knew it was time to proceed.
“One for each floor, Princess.” Her look of confusion dissipated quickly as he made certain the slaps were spread evenly over her pert ass. By the time the elevator car passed the third floor, Catalina was lifting into his swats, her soft moans filling the luxurious space as the smell of her arousal replaced the scent of polished wood and freshly shampooed carpet.
The Adler Oil building was one of the wonders of the universe, in Cooper’s opinion. The damned place was always pristine, but no one ever saw the cleaning crew. He had no idea how they managed to do so much and remain virtually invisible, but it was damned impressive.
The sound of his palm meeting her bare flesh was music to his ears. Increasing the intensity of the swats made her moan, and he had to fight the urge to plunge his fingers as deep as they’d go in her tight sheath. Fucking hell, this has to be the slowest elevator on the planet. Cooper could have sworn he heard Israel laugh and shook his head to clear the strange sensation. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to hearing people speak into my mind.
When the elevators soft ding signaled their arrival, Cooper breathed a sigh of relief. If he didn’t free himself from the confines of his jeans soon, his damned dick was going to have a permanent zipper tattoo. Wrapping his large hand around her small wrist, Cooper led her out of the elevator before turning her to face him.
“Are you wet, Princess?” She didn’t waste any time confirming what he already knew. “I want you to turn around and walk slowly to your door while I play with you. Don’t stop, no matter what I do. Keep moving, Princess, or you’ll find sitting awfully painful for the next several days.”
“Yes, Sir.” Catalina’s tone was wary, but she’d spoken without any hesitation, so he gave her a quick nod. Before she could take the first step, Cooper pushed his fingers against the crack of her ass then slide the tips of his calloused fingers between her legs.
“You’re soaked, Catalina. Knowing you are so responsive is fucking hot.” Having his fingers buried in her sex forced Cat to walk much slower than she ordinarily did. Cooper sensed her desperation to get into her suite before losing control of her release, but he wasn’t in the mood to be accommodating.
Rotating his fingers until they pressed against the spongy spot at the front of her channel, Cooper felt her body respond a split second before she stumbled. He’d been prepared and caught her easily. Using his free hand, he encircled her upper arm, careful not to bruise the underside of her bicep. They stepped over the threshold into her suite, and he smiled when she visibly relaxed.
“Did you think I would let anyone look at what I consider mine, Princess? I would have thought you’d know me better. I’m looking forward to our scenes at the club, but allowing other like-minded people to enjoy the view is entirely different.” She spun around so fast, his fingers slipped from the warmth of her body before he could still her movement. The fire in her eyes left no doubt how pissed she was, but he wasn’t going to apologize for her erroneous assumption.