More than a Dare (Masters Club 4)

Normally those words—falling in love—would have sent him hurtling to the nearest exit. But this time, they made his heart leap with hope and happiness. Yet, her point wasn’t without its merit. If anyone had told him just a month ago that he’d even consider a relationship with a newbie to the lifestyle, he’d have told them they were nuts. He’d always believed that if/when he eventually settled on one woman, it would be in a full-on Master/slave relationship.

“I get it that this is all new for you,” he said. “And, yeah, the L word can be pretty scary. But, even taking that out of the equation, look how far you’ve come in an incredibly short time, Dahlia. You’re a true submissive with a delicious masochistic streak we’ve only just begun to explore. I don’t want to stop now, and I don’t think you do, either.”

He leaned over the small table so that their heads nearly touched as he looked into her eyes. “I’ve loved every minute we’ve spent together. I feel a kindred connection with you that’s new to me. I think I might be…” he trailed off, the words blocked by the sudden lump in his throat.

But she’d been honest with him, and she deserved the same.

“I think I might be falling in love with you, too.” He held his breath as he waited for her response.

“Oh,” she said softly, her hand fluttering to her chest, her eyes shining.

Hayden reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. Turning it over, he kissed her palm. “We don’t have to figure everything out right now. How about we just keep taking it one day at a time?”

She smiled. “It’s a deal.”

“Now,” he said, his cock stiffening in anticipation, “finish your pizza before I ravage you right here at the table.”

~*~

An hour later, Dahlia rested her cheek against Hayden’s chest. His arm was around her as she curled against him, deeply content. Their lovemaking had been intense and passionate—mostly vanilla with a spicy dash of BDSM thrown in.

She’d been so turned on when he’d flipped her over and entered her from behind, one hand between her legs, the other tightly gripping her hair. As he’d moved inside her, he’d murmured into her ear about all the dark, delicious things he planned to do to her when he had her back in his dungeon.

While they hadn’t really resolved anything in terms of the parameters of their relationship, she felt more relaxed than she had in several days. He was right—it was crazy to let fear and uncertainty get in the way of whatever was happening between them.

She thought about the various men in her past, and how little she’d let them into her interior life. She’d trusted Hayden with secrets she’d never shared with any man. Not only had he not judged her—he’d embraced and even brought her fantasies to life. Though they’d been together such a short time, she felt more known than she ever had in her life. It was an exhilarating, freeing feeling.

“Tell me the truth about that Dark Confessions book,” Hayden said, startling her from her reverie. “We both know it’s not just some random book you found stashed in the back of your closet. From the little I had a chance to read, it’s a powerful story of a 24/7 BDSM slave with a harsh Master—perfect reading for a dirty little girl like you.”

He reached for her breast with his free hand, finding the nipple and rolling it between his thumb and forefinger.

“Admit it, Dahlia. You’ve got a slave fantasy.”

When she started to protest, he tightened his grip on her nipple, twisting it until she winced.

“Shh,” he said. “Don’t try to deny it. Don’t say anything at all. Just listen.”

Her heart kicked into gear at his words and dominant touch. Though she was still recovering from a series of powerful orgasms, her body tingled with renewed desire.

“I can visualize it now,” he continued, his voice deep and sexy. “I would keep you naked and in chains, and only I would hold the key to your slave collar. You would be my property—to use, to whip, to cage, to fuck, to control. Each day, I would choose a new passage from Dark Confessions and bring it to life. If you pleased me, you would sleep in my arms that night. If not, you would sleep bound at my feet, pondering the punishment you would receive the next day.”

His powerful, dark words at once frightened and thrilled her.

Releasing her breast, he moved his hand down between her legs, pressing a finger inside her and sending a shudder through her. He chuckled softly. “You’re soaking wet, dirty girl.”

She pulled away from him, embarrassed and confused. “Just because I have that book doesn’t mean I want to be a sex slave,” she said hotly, annoyed to hear the tremble in her voice.