“Yes, Master.”

“Sit on the third step.”

As she settled herself on the stairs, I lazily stroked my cock.

The stairs had not been my plan, but that was okay. Plans could change. Change was good.

Especially when that change meant taking Abby on the stairs.

“Put your feet on the second step and lean back on your elbows.” My hand flew over my length, stroking faster. Fuck. This wouldn’t be slow. Maybe round three would be slow. Round two would be hard and fast on the stairs.

I lowered myself, careful to keep my weight off her. “Do you like this?” In this position, her chest was pushed out—bare and vulnerable. “Do you want me to take you on the stairs?”

“I want only to serve you.” Her eyes were dark and veiled. “In any way you wish.”

“Be still.” I cupped a breast and flicked her nipple. Her body tensed, but she remained motionless. “Serve me on the stairs, then.”

I could have feasted on the sight of her spread for me for hours, but I was hard and ready. I knew it wouldn’t take long before she was just as ready as I was. I played her body, using everything I knew she’d love—starting with light, tender touches and eventually moving to rougher caresses and strokes. I tasted her—from the salty flavor of the curve of her br**sts to the faint metallic taste of her neck. The entire time she held still—breathing heavily, though, and heart pounding.

I finally lowered my weight onto her and gathered her wrists in one of my hands. “Relax, Abigail.” Her body stretched under mine. “Move as you wish.”

Her legs wrapped around my waist and drew me close.

“Are you ready for my cock?”

She swallowed and answered in a small voice, “Yes, Master.”

But I wanted to tease her a bit more. I ran my free hand over her ass. “One day soon, I’ll introduce you to my flogger.” Her breath hitched, and I pinched her other cheek. “You’ll love it. I guarantee it.”

I released her arms and brought my elbows to rest on either side of her head. I shifted my h*ps and felt her wetness on my length. “Take my c**k and place it inside yourself.”

Her hand slipped between us and her warm fingers wrapped around me, her thumb rubbing over my tip. She wasted no time guiding me into her, and we both moaned as she lifted her h*ps to take me inside.

“Yes,” I said. “Just like that.”

I loved being inside her, but I forced myself to hold still. “Work yourself on me. Show me how much you want my cock.”

Her h*ps lifted in response, taking me deeper, and she started a quick rhythm. I dropped my head to her neck and inhaled her scent as she worked her wet heat over me.

Finally, I couldn’t remain still. Over and over, I pounded into her. Her legs fell from around my waist, and as she braced them against the stairs, I knew I wouldn’t last much longer. I dropped a hand between us and rubbed her clit.

“Come hard for me,” I said, and she tightened around me. “Fuck. Now.” I pinched her cl*t gently, setting off her orgasm.

I pushed inside her once more and allowed my release to overtake me.

She threw her head back onto the stairs, and her body clenched around me for a second time.

I drew her close to my chest as our breathing slowed. “Can you stand up?”

She straightened her legs experimentally. “I think so.”

I massaged her h*ps and ran my hand down to her knees, wanting to ease any discomfort.

“Come on.” I stood up and held out a hand. “Let’s go upstairs. There’s something I want to try.”

I kept my hand on the small of her back as we walked up the stairs, enjoying the way her h*ps swayed. When we reached her room, I turned to her.

“Take a quick break. Meet me in my bedroom in ten minutes.”

While Abby used the bathroom, I set up my bedroom—lighting candles, pulling the sheets down. I went down to the foyer and gathered our clothes, putting mine in the laundry room and setting Abby’s on her bed.

I wanted to take this next round slower—for us both to enjoy and relish each other. I wasn’t sure how much time we had together, but if our time ended, I wanted Abby to have pleasurable memories to look back on.

Some part of me desperately wanted to keep her in my bed all night, to sleep with her in my arms, but I told myself not yet. If, after two weeks, she stayed, then I’d invite her to stay in my bed all night.

She didn’t look uncomfortable at all when she walked into the room. She saw me standing there and dropped her eyes to the floor.

“I have pillows on the bed,” I told her. “Come get on your hands and knees.”

Without a second’s hesitation, she walked to the bed and climbed on top.

“Lean your head into the pillow,” I said.

She followed my instruction, situating herself with her head sideways and her forearms on either side of her head.

I reached under the pillow. “Do you know what I have hiding under here?” She didn’t say anything and I slid the toy out. “The riding crop.”

Her skin broke out in gooseflesh.

“Mmmmm.” I ran the crop down her spine. Lightly. Just so she’d know it was there. “Remember what I said in the foyer?”

Again. Silence.

“All Wednesday night, all day Thursday, and for most of the day today, I’ve been worried.” I trailed the crop back up her spine. “I think you deserve a spanking for worrying me so.” I slipped the crop between her legs. “Spread your knees wider.”

She moved her legs apart and grabbed the pillow with both hands.

I lightly tapped her thighs with the crop. “Such a naughty girl, making me worry so.” I brought the crop up to her ass and hit her a bit harder. She moaned and closed her eyes. “You like that, do you?” I brought the crop down again and she bit the pillow.

I slid a finger around the outside of her entrance. “So naughty, Abigail.” I licked her wetness off my finger. “Getting turned on by a riding crop.” I tapped her with the crop. “You want me right here, don’t you?”

She still had the pillow in her mouth.

I chuckled and slapped the crop against her pu**y a few more times. She mumbled something; I couldn’t make out what it was through the pillow. I dragged the crop up over her ass and hit her there a few times. Just enough to leave a faint pinkish mark. Just enough to bring her nearly to the edge.

Then I put down the crop and stepped back. Gave her a few seconds to realize I’d stopped. When her breathing slowed, I got in place behind her and leaned my body over her.

“Tell me, Abigail,” I whispered. “Has anyone ever hit your G spot before?”

She shook her head.

“Answer me.” I cupped my hands under her br**sts. “Would you like to see if I can find it?”

“Yes, please.”

I slapped her ass. “Yes, please, what?”

“Yes, please, Master.”

“Mm.” I moved my hand to skim her bare entrance and my c**k grew even harder. “Right here, you think?” Nothing. I slipped one finger inside. “How about here?” Still silence. I added another finger. “Here?” Nothing. I hooked my fingers and pressed them deeper. “Right here?”

Her h*ps bucked back against me and she let out a small squeal.

Ah, yes. Right there.

“I think I found it.” I stroked the spot with my fingers again and she nearly came off the bed. I took my fingers out and replaced them with my cock. “Let’s see if I can find it again.” With one stroke, I thrust into her deeply.

She gave a sigh of contentment.

It took everything I had not to pound into her repeatedly, but I wanted this time to be slow. To take it easy. To make it last.

I pulled back slightly and ran my hands over her back. Spread my fingers over her delicate shoulder blades and dug into the hair at the nape of her neck. “You feel so good under me.”

She pushed back against me.

“So greedy.” I palmed her br**sts. “And we have all night. All weekend.” My hands slid to her waist. “I want to memorize every detail of you. To touch every part. See every inch.”

I held her h*ps and started a slow, even pace, making sure I hit the delicate spot deep inside her. “Is that it?” I asked when her h*ps bucked in response. “Did my c**k find it?” I angled my h*ps and thrust into her again; she mewed at me. “Ah yes, I think I’ve got it now.”

My balls ached and my c**k begged for relief, but I kept my movements slow and steady, hitting her with just enough force to drive her to the edge, but not enough strength to push her over. We both teetered there precariously.

I kept the rhythm up for several long minutes, but I knew we both wanted more. I built up slowly, going only slightly faster, pushing only slightly harder. But it didn’t take long before both of our bodies took over and I was thrusting into her with all the force I could muster.

And poor Abby. I’d worked her too long and too hard with my previous teasing. Her body tensed and trembled under me, and her head jerked off the pillow.

“That’s it,” I said, reaching down and pulling her hair as I continued thrusting. “Come hard for me.”

Her body responded and she cl**axed immediately, her tight muscles setting off my own orgasm. I pulled her head back as I came hard and deep inside her.

This woman, I thought as we both tumbled to the bed. This woman will be my undoing.

Her confidence grew the next day. I watched her become even more comfortable in her body as she walked around the house. Late Saturday morning, I wrapped her in a thick fluffy bathrobe and took her outside to soak in the hot tub. We sat relaxing in the warm water. The sky looked odd—hard and gray—and it was bitterly cold, but we were too wrapped up in each other to care.

That afternoon, pleased with the way she’d handled herself, I gave her another robe and told her she could spend some time in the library. For the next few hours, she read, curled up on a couch with her toes peeking out of the warm bathrobe. I joined her later, played a bit of piano, and we spent the afternoon in a world of our own.

My cell phone woke me up the next morning. I blinked a few times, rolled over in bed, and picked it up.

“What?” I asked, not even checking to see who it was.

“Tell Abby I picked up Felicia.” It was Jackson. “She’s with me.”

“What?” Damn, I needed coffee.

He sighed. “Tell. Abby. I. Picked. Up. Felicia.”

“Jackson.” I sat up and rubbed my eyes. “Why the hell are you calling me at”—I glanced at the clock beside my bed—“five thirty on a Sunday?”

A long sigh came from the other end of the phone. “Unless it’s slipped your attention, New York’s just been hit with the worst blizzard in recent history.”

I jumped out of bed and stepped to the window. “What?”

“Happened overnight. Caught everyone off guard.”

White. As far as I could see, there was nothing but white and more white falling.

“When . . . What?” I stuttered.

“Didn’t you watch the news yesterday? They were predicting snow, but nothing like this.”

No. I had not watched the news. I had not logged onto the computer or checked my e-mail. I had been too consumed with Abby.

Fuck.

Well, yes. That too.

“Hello?” Jackson was saying. “Nathaniel?”

I rubbed my eyes again. “I heard you. Yes, I’ll tell Abby.” My head started to pound. “She’s still sleeping.”

“Okay. Have her call Felicia when she wakes up.”

“I will. Thanks, Jackson.”

I slipped into fresh clothes and went downstairs to the kitchen to make the coffee. Snow was piled up against the window—about four feet high—and still falling.