laughed out loud and marked that as a hard limit. “Not at all, sweetheart. That’s exactly what it sounds like, and neither one of us is going to engage in that. Doms have hard limits, too.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “And puppy play? Pony play?”
He was going to have to convince her of that. “It’s just a little role playing, sweetheart.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think I want that.”
And it was his job to make her change her mind because he definitely wanted to play with her. “Let me give you a scenario. It’s a little game where, just for a while, you’re my soft, sweet little pet. You eat from my hand, little treats I’ll have to reward you for good behavior. You’ll sit at my feet. If I decide you’re a good little puppy, I’ll pull you up on my lap and lavish you with affection. And everyone loves a good little puppy. Everyone would want to pet you. All those hands, rubbing across your body. Under the watchful gaze of your Master, of course. But a good Master knows a puppy needs love.”
“You’re evil,” she said with a little grin, but he could see her flush had changed from embarrassment to arousal. She was starved for affection. Puppy play was an easy way to get many hands on her without having to share her in a sexual way. He wasn’t sure he could do that. Not with strangers.
He’d spent too much freaking time in Bliss.
“That’s my job, sweetheart. Let’s give it a try. There is nothing you can’t stop. I know I’m the Dom, but you’re in control.”
She put a hand to her mouth and laughed a little. “Yes. Oh my god, I just agreed to be a puppy.”
“Yes, you did, but that’s a little down the road.” He would ease her into rougher play. “For tonight, we’ll watch and see what intrigues you. Let’s talk about contact. At this stage, I think it’s best if we agree to no intercourse, but I would like the opportunity to touch you, to bring you to orgasm, to teach you pleasure.”
Her face turned bright red, and he was worried for a moment that he’d pushed too far, but it was important. He wouldn’t take anything for himself, but he needed to teach her to equate chosen submission with pleasure.
“Yes.”
“Excellent.” It was a good first step. He couldn’t wait to get started. “Then we’ll start tonight. We’ll go into The Club together, and we’ll play it by ear. No pressure. We’re just going to come in and have a nice meal and then watch some scenes and talk. I’ll have clothes sent to your room.”
“I have a townhouse,” she said. “I decided to go for broke and move up here. Dallas is going to be my home from now on.”
That worked for him. Dallas was going to be his home if he could make things work. He was ready to settle down. Roots. A man needed roots. He’d spent most of his adult life jetting around the world on missions. If that part of his life was over, then he wanted a real home. “Give me the address, and I’ll pick you up. Dress casually. I’ll have clothes waiting for you in The Club’s locker room.”
Her hand came up in a flighty little wave. “Oh, I can take the train. No problem.”
He stared at her.
“Or you could pick me up,” she said quickly. Excellent. She was learning.
“And you will wear the clothes I select for you.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes.”
“Then I will see you at eight this evening.”
And then the real fun would begin.
Chapter Four
Leo tried to let the tranquil sound of his wall fountain soothe him, but for once it was failing.
His stomach was in knots. He’d stood behind that glass with his rat fink bastard boss/ex-friend and watched as his brother made a very visible connection to Shelley. There had been that one glorious moment when she’d tried to dismiss Wolf. Leo had found himself unaccountably happy until he realized she was threatening to not accept him because Wolf was so damn attractive.
Awesome. Great. She was drooling over his brother.
And then
Jeannette Winters
Andri Snaer Magnason
Brian McClellan
Kristin Cashore
Kathryn Lasky
Stephen Humphrey Bogart
Tressa Messenger
Mimi Strong
Room 415
Gertrude Chandler Warner