Chapter One
Aspen, Colorado
The snow seemed endless, a blanket of white falling from the sky. Jessica peered through the window of her sedan. The wipers were working overtime. The thud sound was the only rhythm that mattered now. She’d turned off the radio, unwilling to be distracted by anything. Mountain driving was turning out to be a nightmare.
It was far more stressful than city traffic on a Friday afternoon. She was a sea-level girl. Mountain driving would have been anxiety provoking even in the best of circumstances. She was driving up the mountain in the middle of a snowstorm. It was her first trip to Colorado, and she feared it might be her last.
Stay calm. Everything’s all right.
If she concentrated and went slow, she would make it. Reid had been explicit in his instructions. She was in the vehicle Reid had left at the airport for her. It had snow tires and she was inching along. The Aspen Retreat was only a mile away.
She was going to be okay.
She told herself that far too often these days. Okay. It was all she could aspire to.
Jessica let her mind wander even as her eyes stayed glued to the road. Unfortunately, her mind drifted exactly where she didn’t want it to go. Though her eyes were on the road, she was back in that place, in that moment that wouldn’t let her go no matter how hard she tried to forget. Images of that night six months before flashed through her mind.
Gideon’s hands in her hair.
Gideon tying her to the headboard of his bed.
Gideon taking her roughly and demanding that she enjoy it.
Gideon telling her to leave.
She shook her head and tried to concentrate on the road. She wasn’t going to think of Gideon. She’d lost too much of the last year loving that man, and she wasn’t going to waste another minute. Except she couldn’t help it. The memory was always there…
“Lick the head,” Gideon had commanded, pushing the plum-shaped head of his cock toward her.
Her tongue had obediently shot forward. God, she’d wanted that taste so badly. She’d dreamed of him from the first moment she’d seen him. She’d whirled her tongue around the bulbous head of Gideon’s cock, for the first time in twenty-seven years understanding the inclination to swallow a man down. He’d tasted like salty heaven, and she knew what had been wrong with her previous sexual encounters. They hadn’t been with him.
“That’s right, sweetheart. Just like that.” His praise had gone a long way in helping her shed her inhibitions. “You’re very submissive. Open wider. I want to fuck your mouth, Jessica. You’re going to let me fuck your mouth, aren’t you?”
She hadn’t answered. She hadn’t felt the need to. She’d merely done as he asked and opened wide. He’d taken immediate advantage, shoving his cock deep. She’d tried to steady herself against his thighs.
“Hands back, Jessica,” he’d ordered roughly. When she’d faltered, he’d made himself more clear. “Behind your back. Clasp your hands behind your back. Thread your fingers together. Use only your mouth on me. I’ll tie you up later. Right now, just obey me.”
He’d fucked her mouth. He’d held her hair and shoved his cock in and out of her lips. The whole time he’d told her how beautiful she was, how much he enjoyed her. Her jaw had ached because of his size, but she’d never even thought of complaining because Gideon told her he was crazy about the way she sucked him. When he hit the back of her throat, she’d swallowed around him. He’d thrown his head back and filled her mouth.
The ground beneath her was suddenly unsteady, and Jessica came out of her reverie. Gideon Michaels was going to be the death of her. Even six months after she’d walked out of his life, the memory was still there, still an aching wound.
She cursed as she calmly righted the car. She had to concentrate, or she was going to go over the edge. She wasn’t about to die. Not when she was finally going to head down the right path.
She wasn’t in Colorado for her health. She had come here to find herself. To let go of the past and start on her future.
The soft trill of her cell phone was a welcome sound. She slowed down. She was glad she was the only one on the winding road.
“Hello?”
“Jessica, are you all right?” She heard Reid’s worry over the speaker. It warmed her.
Through it all, he’d been her friend. He was still Gideon’s partner, but he hadn’t deserted her. He’d shown up the day after her debacle with Gideon. He’d held her while she cried. He’d been her anchor. She didn’t know how she would have made it through the last few months without Reid’s steady hand to guide her.
Reid had been the one to help her find a new job.
“I think I’m almost there. It’s hard to tell. Everything looks like mountains.” There was no way to disguise the shakiness in her voice. “But get a martini ready for me. I’m going to need it. I’m never driving up a mountain pass again.”
“I’m sorry, darling.” Reid’s tone was smooth as glass. She loved the sound of his voice. It was rich velvet and rolled over her like a blanket, making her feel safe and loved. “I wish I’d been able to pick you up. I’ll make sure you have exactly what you need. Vodka martini, two olives coming up. I’ll let the bartender know how little you like vermouth.”
She laughed. “Yes. Just a kiss of vermouth, and not an open-mouthed one.”
His chuckle vibrated against her ear. “I’ll have a kiss for you when you get here, pretty girl. I’ve got your room ready. It’s one of the best in the whole hotel. You’re going to love it.”
She smiled at the thought. She was sure it was perfect. Everything Reid did was absolute perfection. He was a man who paid attention to the details. He would make the perfect boyfriend, if only she was his type. His type. The phrase itself made her angry. Damn it, she wasn’t going there. “I can’t wait.”
The idea of a lush suite for a whole week nearly brought tears to her eyes. Reid had made it possible. Reid was making all of this possible. She was going to get over Gideon. She was going to find herself. It was her time to explore and play and enjoy the world again. Reid was a big part of that.
“All right, love,” he said over the phone. “I’m watching for you. Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
She groaned, unable to stop. They had discussed this endlessly. “I know what I want. I can’t help it. It’s who I am.”
He sighed. “I wasn’t judging. You know I would never judge. You’ve met me. Lightning would strike and quickly. I just…I love you, Jessica. I want you to be sure.”
Tears crowded her eyes. She took a deep breath. “I love you, too. I know what I’m doing. Gideon showed me what I am and what I want. Just because he didn’t want me doesn’t change the fact that I’m a sub. Don’t be worried. Be excited for me. I’m done mooning over some man who can’t love me. I’m ready to explore. Tell me there are some superhot Doms there looking for a sub to train.” She felt herself flush as she said it. She was putting a lot on the line. What if no one wanted her? What if she spent the whole week in a corner somewhere?
“Stop. I can hear you panicking from here. They’re going to love you, but I get first dibs. You know you’re my sub for the first few days. This is a training seminar, and you’re my guinea pig.” As always, he knew how to calm her fears. It seemed to come naturally to Reid to always know the right thing to say.
She inched forward. Finally, in the distance, the Aspen Retreat came into sight. It was a gorgeous piece of Western architecture. The ski lodge was a magnificent work of wood and glass rising from the snow. “I don’t know why you chose me, but I’m glad you did. I could never afford this seminar on my own. I thank you for choosing to use me as a guinea pig over some superhot boy.”
Reid snorted. He did it often, though he would never admit it. Jessica found it hopelessly endearing. “Honey, if I used a superhot boy, I would never be able to teach. Get that sweet ass in here. I’m waiting, Jessica.”
He hung up with a decisive click. She shivered, and it had nothing to do with the cold. Reid had used that voice on her. It was his Dom voice. She groaned as she made the final turn. Gideon had shown her a whole world and then told her she didn’t belong there. Jessica looked at the imposing Aspen Retreat and knew she was about to find out if his words would prove true.
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