ric’s POV:


    Watching Meadow in that pool fucking did it for me.


    The way her hair floated around her like she was a goddess, the way her body had jerked in tune to her fingers, the way she had looked over at me right as her orgasm was impending.


    The words she had said to me: ‘I want you to show me how intense things can get.‘


    She wanted me to stop holding back on her and stop telling her she wasn’t ready.


    And I was going to grant her request. I walked out of that pool room in hopes that she would follow me angrily. And she did. But by the time she burst into my room, I already got what I needed. And my mind


    was made up.


    I was going to give her a chance to prove herself.


    “U–under your terms?” she stuttered, clearing her throat. Her face flushed, the streaks of blood on her


    cheek causing my cock to stir.


    Meadow was innocent, and this proved it. She didn’t deserve to have my blood tainting her, but something told me she wanted it.


    Craved it, even.


    My mouth curved as I tossed the bar onto the bed, bringing my hand back to her small waist while the other remained around the back of her neck, knuckles still bloodied. “You want me to take you in the tether room,” I murmured, nodding toward the door. “You’ve been dying to see it, haven’t you?”


    Her eyes widened. “Tether room? Is that what you call it?”


    My jaw ticked and I brought my hand down on her bare ass with a loud smack. Meadow yelped, but her eyelids fluttered and then she bit down on her bottom lip.


    My gaze dropped to her full breasts which were pushing against my chest, her nipples hard.


    Meadow was a fucking goddess.


    My hand on her neck slid into her hair and I tugged it back<b>–</b>not enough to hurt, but enough for her head to tilt back and expose her neck to me. I leaned in, pressing a kiss to the delicate skin.


    “When I ask you a question, you answer it, Meadow. You don’t ask one back.”


    “Yes,<i>” </i>she gasped softly, squirming under the feel of my lips. She reached for my forearms and my eyelids fell shut as I reveled in her touch. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to this.


    Meadow touching me.


    <b>“</b>I want to see it,” she finished.


    I hummed, tracing my other hand up and down her spine, enjoying the way she arched into me, her nipples pressing against me even harder now. My cock twitched again, aching for her.


    Aching to be inside her.


    “Then you’re going to earn it,” I replied smoothly, pulling back to look into her eyes. I traced my hand up her sides, pausing to circle my thumb around her nipple before I reached for her bottom lip.


    They parted for me so easily, her own eyes falling to my mouth. Warmth spread throughout my body, and before I could think it twice, I crashed my mouth onto hers, slipping my tongue into her mouth almost immediately.


    Fuck.


    I had been dying to do that ever since I got back.


    Meadow kissed me back feverishly, her body shivering beneath my touch. I supposed she’d been dying to do that too. She moaned as I nibbled on her bottom lip, pulling it gently between my teeth.


    Meadow raised one thigh to my waist, opening herself to me, and I didn’t hesitate to slide my hand down to her pussy, running my middle finger through her folds.


    Her very wet folds.


    “Baby,” I breathed against her mouth. “You’re fucking dripping for me.”


    “Mm hm<i>,</i><i>” </i>she moaned, leaning even more forward so she was pressing herself against me. My pants were still damp from the pool, probably cold against her skin, but she didn’t care. “I hated you being gone, ric,<i>” </i>she admitted as my lips moved down her jaw to her neck. “I missed you so much.”


    I froze for a second against her neck, my chest tightening.


    “I couldn’t fucking stand being away from you.” My voice was a murmur against her skin.


    She sighed almost dreamily, like she was relieved. “Then tell me,” she whispered. “What is it I have to do to earn your trust?” She reached for my hand, taking it between her thighs again. “What do I have to do for you to fuck me? I need you, ric. So much.”


    I slid my finger up and down her folds and she whimpered breathlessly. “I need you,” she repeated.


    That was my undoing. Something inside me snapped at the desperation thatced her voice. At the want


    the need I saw in her eyes.


    …


    I carried her into my arms and she wrapped both thighs around my waist instantly, moaning as my


    mouth moved to her neck again.


    “I know,” I rasped, gently cing her onto the bed and capturing her lips with mine again. She was addictive. Her mouth, her body… everything about Meadow was so fucking addictive.


    She was my drug.


    “And I’m going to give you what you want,” I said when I pulled back.


    I brushed my thumb across her cheek, the blood already dry on her skin.


    “My terms are simple,” I said slowly and firmly, letting the words sink into her. “Tonight, you’re going to do exactly as I say. No hesitation. No questions.”


    Meadow’s eyes widened slightly, her chest rising and falling faster. Her lips were parted but she didn’t speak.


    “I’ll give you a safe word,” I continued, keeping my tone low. “One word that will end everything if you feel like it’s too much or just want me to stop. And I will, immediately. No exceptions.”


    She nodded, her eyes stirring with lust.


    I got off the bed, walking over to my desk and opening one of the drawers. Once I found what I was looking for, I turned to face her again.


    “If you get through tonight without using the safe word, then I will let you see the tether room. Because I’ll know you’re ready.”


    Meadow rose up to her elbows, her brows pulling together as her eyes zoned in on the items in my hand. Two small foam plugs and a folded strip of ck silk.


    Earplugs and a blindfold.


    She swallowed. “And <b>if </b>I don’t?”


    I smirked, stepping toward her. “Then you will wait until I decide you’ve earned another chance. Could be days. Could be months.”


    A gasp escaped her lips. “But-”


    “Are you scared, baby<b>?</b><b><i>” </i></b>


    “No,” she replied quickly. “I just… what are you going to do to me?”


    “It’s a sensory deprivation test,” I answered smoothly, picking up the spreader bar. “If you pass, I’ll show


    you the room tomorrow, or whenever you want. But if you use the safe word… I won’t. But don’t worry.”


    I lowered my voice, pulling her legs swiftly to the edge of the bed. Meadow let out a loud gasp.


    “Whatever the oue is…” I continued, cuffing one ankle and reaching for the other. “…I’m still going to fuck you.”