Alex flushed. “Yeah, well. I guess I’m just taking a little break. You know, some breathing space. They, uh, they have some stuff to work out.”
Anthony nodded. “I would imagine it’s very difficult to share someone as lovely and special as you. Jealousy is bound to raise its head despite the best of intentions.”
Though flattered by his words Alex felt compelled to be honest. “I wish it were so simple but it’s not really about me. That is, I’m involved, but the real issue is between them. How they can work out their relationship as a couple. I’m not sure…” She blinked away the tears that were threatening behind her eyelids. “I’m not sure there’s a place for me there. Unless I’m willing to settle for always being in the background. A toy they take out to play with when they’re in the mood.”
“And you want more.” Anthony’s eyes hooded though he continued to smile. She nodded. “Naturally,” he went on smoothly. “You want to be the subject, not the object. You want to be both controlled and adored. Both claimed and loved by the man who has the courage to harness your fiery spirit and take possession of your body, heart and soul.”
Alex wanted to make fun of Anthony’s lofty speech, at least in her head, but she found she couldn’t. Yes. Yes, she did want that. Harnessed, possessed, adored, loved…
He put his finger beneath her chin and raised it, forcing her to look at him. “I sense a potential in you ripe for exploitation. Let me show you what it is to truly submit to a real Master. No games. No pretense. Stripped bare and completely exposed. It’s what you need. I knew it the minute I saw you. We don’t know each other well yet, not in the traditional way of exchanging life stories and making endless small talk.
“But between Master and slave, such exchange is superfluous. We already know each other, you and I. We were born knowing each other. I know what makes you tick. I know how to break you down and rebuild you, bone by bone, muscle by muscle into my perfect slave.”
Alex drank her wine. Who the fuck was this guy? She wasn’t sure she wanted to be broken down and rebuilt or whatever the hell it was he was saying. Yet, even as her mind rebelled, her body was responding. Her nipples ached and there was a throb between her legs. What would it be like to spend an hour or a day submitting to a man like this?
“Talk to me.” It was a command to which her submissive nature responded. “Tell me about what you learned during your brief stay with those worthy gentlemen. Was that your first submissive experience?”
“No. I mean, yes. That is, I played around before but I never lived it. I never had the formal training they offered. It was my first real 24/7 experience.”
“And what did you learn? Can you take a whipping with grace? Can you service and pleasure a man without regard to your own desires? Did they teach you proper slave decorum and positions? Did you have a signed contract?”
“A contract?”
“Yes. A contract negotiated between Master and slave so you know your place and what is expected and required. I think it’s a good idea. Then you know what you’re getting into. It isn’t some nebulous arrangement where you don’t know where you stand.”
“Huh.” Alex thought this over. Maybe if she’d had a contract with Daniel and Liam, they wouldn’t have ended up so muddled and confused, with differing expectations and desires.
She looked down at the pretty silver bracelets on her wrists. How happy and proud she had been to accept them, foolishly believing they meant something. They do mean something, a voice whispered inside her head but she shook the words away.
Again she felt Anthony’s dark eyes on her and felt compelled to look at him.
“Stand up,” he ordered.
She stood, aware the wine had gone to her head. He stood as well. Lowering his head, he kissed her mouth.
At first, he just touched her lips with his. Then he pressed the tip of his tongue between them. She parted her lips and closed her eyes, her heart dancing in her chest, her knees weak. He took her into his arms and held her as he probed her mouth. He pulled her close, crushing her breasts against his hard body. His arms were tight around her and she could barely catch her breath.
When he finally let her go, she stumbled back. He reached for her and helped her regain her balance, half lifting her back onto the stool. Her nipples were stiff against her bra and her panties were wet. She knew she was flushed by the heat in her face and neck. She licked her lips, still feeling the imprint of his kiss.