Seductive Affair (Bend To My Will #2) by Emily Jane Trent Page B

Then he headed down the drive and onto the tree-lined road. The drive was very pretty. Vivienne spotted vineyards with old stone huts, and an ancient bridge that Jacob said was Roman. He enjoyed driving the sports car, so took a scenic route.
    The town of Aix-en-Provence was just as picturesque. Once they arrived, Jacob took Vivienne’s hand and they strolled along the winding streets. There were numerous sidewalk cafés and open-air markets, along with many shops and restaurants. Vivienne imagined the locals buying fresh farm produce from the markets to prepare for a leisurely meal in the garden.
    They decided to have lunch at a restaurant on a quiet side street. The table was on the sidewalk, partly on the street, which had very little traffic. The menu was written on a chalkboard and had to be translated. They sipped on a local rosé while waiting for the shrimp salads to be served.
    Jacob broached the subject that had been on Vivienne’s mind. “Yesterday, I told you that I’m a dominant. We should talk about that.”
    The subject wasn’t completely unfamiliar. “I have heard of it before, read about it, I guess. But I don’t know enough,” Vivienne said, wiping a fingertip over the side of her glass.
    Jacob seemed comfortable discussing it. “It’s a sexual preference. I want you to submit to me, obey me. But it is not one-sided at all. The experience for you will be very pleasurable, if laced with discomfort, even pain. But it will not be too much for you. Nor will I do anything you don’t want me to.”
    A part of Vivienne nagged her to say no. But it was too late for that. She’d had a taste of it, and like an addiction, she craved more. “How much pain?”
    “That will be up to you,” Jacob said. “We will agree in advance what activities you are willing to participate in, and the ones you won’t, which we call hard limits. Then there are soft limits, things you are willing to try under the right circumstances.”
    The way Jacob talked about it, the idea turned her on, but she was disappointed. “Why do I feel, once again, like this is a negotiation, a business arrangement?”
    Jacob took a sip of wine before answering. “In a way, it is,” he said. “We agree on what you will and won’t do. But even then, you will choose a safe word, so all you need to do is say that word. At that moment, the activity will cease. I will stop immediately. So you are in control.”
    “But it seems like you are,” Vivienne said. “You want to command me. It seems that you have the power.”
    Jacob’s blue eyes melted her. “I have only what you give me.”
    Vivienne twirled her glass. “I don’t know what you have in mind,” she said. “From what I saw in the playroom, you take a lot of liberties.”
    “Yes. True.” Jacob held her hand. “You will like it, Vivienne. From that first time…in your shop, I knew.”
    “What did you know?”
    “That you are submissive.”
    “I find that insulting,” Vivienne said.
    “No. You don’t.” Jacob looked into her eyes. “You find it enthralling.” He held her gaze. “It’s all new. I understand that. But give me a chance.”
    Vivienne swallowed.
    Jacob leaned closer. “Have I hurt you so far?”
    “No, just the opposite.”
    “Then trust me, baby.” Jacob subdued her with his commanding tone. “I crave you. I’m beyond letting you go. That wasn’t possible before. And it isn’t now. Besides, you said you didn’t want me to turn away.”
    Vivienne trembled. “I don’t.”
    “Then I want you to consider being my submissive,” Jacob said. “It would be on the weekends. I know you have your life, your career. During the week, you’d have your independence. But from Friday night to Sunday afternoon, you’d be mine .”
    You’d be mine . It was what Vivienne wanted. The urge to have Jacob take her, to bend to his will, was strong. It was too powerful to resist. Still she hesitated. “Let me consider it, okay?”
    “Of course.” Jacob