More than a Dare (Masters Club 4)

Maybe it was the conversation with Naomi, or with the girls at the gallery, or her growing comfort with him in the bedroom. Whatever it was, he sensed she was ready to resume a more intense exploration of submission.

It was time to take off the kid gloves. She wanted more, and he planned to give it to her, in spades.

Once the elevator doors slid closed, he reached for Dahlia. Gripping a handful of her thick hair, he used it to yank her head back as he lowered his mouth to hers.

As they kissed, he wrapped his other hand around her waist, pulling her close. When the doors opened, he let her go. She was breathing hard, her eyes bright, her cheeks flushed pink.

Placing his hand on the back of her neck, he guided her down the hall to his apartment. “When you’re better trained,” he growled softly into her ear, “I might make you strip naked before letting you inside.”

He would actually do no such thing, as he would never put her in that kind of potentially compromising public situation, but his words had the desired effect. She shivered and hugged herself, her eyes wide with both apprehension and excitement. Her reaction pleased him. He had her right where he wanted her.

Once they were in the apartment, the door closed behind them, he fixed her with an intent gaze. “Before we go any further,” he said, letting a little steel enter his tone, “I have a question for you. You will answer with a simple yes or no.”

“Oh,” she said a little breathlessly. He saw both fear and desire in her eyes.

“Do you trust me to take you deeper into your submission tonight?”

She hesitated a fraction of a second, during which he was forced to admit how very much he wanted her to say yes. Because if she said no, or prevaricated in any way, he would have to change his plans, and his expectations.

She lifted her chin, meeting his gaze. “Yes.”

His heart, which had temporarily forgotten how to function, resumed its beat. He allowed himself a small smile. “Good. For the next hour, we’re going to leave the confines of safe, sane and consensual. You’re going to give yourself fully to the fantasy I will paint for you, drawn from your own desires.”

He placed his hand lightly on her throat, stroking the soft skin with thumb and forefinger. “You will not speak unless I ask you a direct question, or unless you feel compelled to use your safeword. As I’ve said before, there’s no judgment or recrimination if you use it, but remember it’s not something to be used lightly. The scene will end—no going back. Understood?”

“Yes, Sir,” she whispered.

“As long as we remain in the scene, you will obey me without hesitation, even if what I demand of you frightens or embarrasses you. Right now, you still have the right to refuse. But if we do this, we do it all the way. Nod if you understand and accept this.”

He felt her swallow beneath his hand, a look of genuine fear flickering in her eyes, along with undeniable desire. She nodded slowly, her eyes wide as plates, her lips softly parted.

“Good girl,” he murmured, a thrill of power surging through him. “We begin.”

He reached for the zipper of her jacket and drew it slowly down. When she started to raise her hands to help, he stopped her with a shake of his head. “Stand still. Anticipate nothing. Your only job at this moment is to submit.”

Dahlia let her arms drop back to her sides.

Hayden peeled off her jacket, dropping it to the floor, along with his own. He unwound the scarf from her neck, adding it to the pile. She wore an oversized cashmere sweater over a knit top. “Lift your arms,” he directed.

As she obeyed, he reached for the hem of both the sweater and top, pulling them together over her head and tossing them aside. Her nipples were straining against the lacy cups of her bra. The bra’s clasp opened in the front. He released it and gently pulled the bra away. Her nipples were like red cherries on the firm globes of her breasts.

“Now, place your hands on top of your head. Keep them there until I say otherwise.”

Dahlia drew in a slightly tremulous breath, but she obeyed, lacing her fingers together on the top of her head. She was fucking gorgeous, her vulnerability coupled with obvious desire a powerful aphrodisiac.

Hayden bent down to suck one perfect nubbin into his mouth. She moaned softly. His mouth still on her, he rolled the other nipple between his thumb and forefinger, and then gave it a sharp twist.

She gasped, the breathy sound moving like a jolt of electricity along his cock. She didn’t pull away. Pleased, he shifted to suckle the second nipple, while giving the first its own sharp tweak. Her breath came faster. Her nipples were hard as marbles.