Twice the Touch by Cara Dee

decided to try the St. Andrew's Cross." And look how that turned out. "That DM, Master Hill?" Simon . "He interrupted—paused the scene to get someone who could guide us through it properly." That someone turned out to be me. "When he came back, he mentioned a few things about what we were doing wrong, and then he said, 'Master Cooper will assist you. You'll refer to him as Sir.' Then he checked my bindings and left right before you entered." She swallows, her words coming slower, as if the urgency has left her. "There was barely any time for me to react." Her eyes turn beseeching, tugging at me uncomfortably. "He said Cooper—Tess's last name, your last name—and I nearly freaked."
    Averting my gaze, brows knitting together, I do recall the almost panicked look in Evangeline's eyes when I entered their stall.
    "But you came in right after," she adds quietly. "I didn’t know what to do, and…to be honest, I was selfish." Her shoulders slump. Defeat, perhaps. "I wanted this so badly—Brayden did, too."
    Well, I appreciate her honesty. I just wish it'd come sooner. A lot sooner. With an absent nod from me, I acknowledge what she's said, but I don’t really know what to say in return. Like I've mentioned, this isn't the time or place. Plus, we all fuck up at times, right? The anger drains out of me; I sigh, not really thinking, either. But I still detest dishonesty.
    One glance at the timer above the stove tells me we only have another three minutes and thirty-four seconds before dinner is ready.
    "I'm so, so sorry, Mark," she whispers. "What you gave us exceeded our wildest dreams, and then I just chickened out. I should've told you. I'm sorry—"
    "Enough , Evangeline," I say with a tired chuckle. "I believe you." That’s the truth. And while I have a question or ten, I don’t want to ask them at my brother's house. "You can stop apologizing now." I reach out and squeeze her shoulder gently, lingering. The relief rolls off her, causing the wryness in my smile to vanish. More genuine. "You little troublemaker."
    Her round, dark eyes brighten. "I want you to know that Brayden and I are willing to take your punishment. Anything to make you forgive us."
    Oh, is that a fact? That amuses me for sure. It also intrigues me, lures me in, and turns my thoughts into something far less than proper. Downright indecent. There's no end to the possibilities. Having been in the lifestyle since I was nineteen, I'm pretty fucking creative.
    "You're very naïve, kitten—you know that?" I murmur and pull her close to my body. Her breathing hitches, eyes widening in wonder and ex citement. A pinch of fear, too. Perfect. "So eager to throw yourself into the lion's den. Some would call that stupid."
    She gulps.
    I lean down and slide my nose along her jaw. "Do you even have the slightest idea how I punish my subs?" I whisper in her ear. My fingers curl around her wrists, tightening swiftly. Like cuffs . Some think that just because I'm a boisterous and carefree bartender, I'm one of the nicer Doms. Big mistake. "Remember when we talked about edgeplay last night?" Like she'd ever forget. A shallow breath, a quick nod—yeah, she remembers. "That’s my game, kitten." Fire play, erotic asphyxiation…intense scenes that last for days, humiliation, pushing limits fearlessly. "It's what I do." Not with a newbie; that goes without saying. But it's what I ultimately want. Alexa allowed some of it—not most of it. It's all about making compromises. "But you don’t like pain, do you?" Now I'm taunting her.
    "I—" She's all breathless now. I fucking love it. "I d-don’t know enough about it."
    Good girl. She was listening to what I said last night. With her reply, she's also saying that she's open to try.
    "So, you'd let me punish you?" Gripping her hips forcefully, I push my hardening cock into her soft stomach. The timer says I have one minute left. But that’s enough to envision two willing bodies at my mercy—much like I dreamed about last