A server appeared almost instantly as Lainey took her seat across from Cooper at the small, round table, which was shaded by a large blue umbrella. The server waited while they quickly perused the menu and placed their orders.
When he’d gone, Cooper asked, “Sleep well?”
He had had to masturbate to release the pent-up lust from their intense evening together. He would have much rather made love to this sexy, headstrong woman, but he respected her decision, even if he hadn’t liked it.
“Like a rock,” Lainey replied. “You’d think a room in the slave quarters would be a mat on the floor of a cell, but that room was as luxurious as any first-rate hotel. The St. Andrew’s cross in the corner was a nice touch, too,” she added with a laugh.
“This place is pretty awesome,” Cooper agreed. “No BDSM equipment in my room, but the view of the ocean from the huge picture windows is spectacular.”
“I heard you had a little chat with Caelan in the elevator on your way up last night,” Lainey said, giving him a sidelong glance. “Apparently you gave them all plenty to talk about.”
Cooper grinned sheepishly. “What can I say? You had just sent me away, all alone. I was sulking.” He offered a mock pout.
Lainey laughed. “It’s okay. I forgive you. It actually opened up a good conversation just now with some of the staff slaves. Turns out I’m not the only one who wasn’t born knowing she was a submissive. Not that I’m a sub,” she added quickly, her cheeks turning rosy.
“Of course not.” Cooper laughed. “Unless you are,” he added, still grinning.
“Yeah, whatever,” she mumbled, still pink with embarrassment. How he wanted to kiss her.
Before he could lean across the table to do just that, she took a glossy, folded piece of paper from a pocket and spread it open on the table. “Skylar gave me this cool pamphlet. That’s actually her on the cover.”
Cooper pulled it closer and read the title. He flashed a grin at Lainey and then opened the folded page. He laughed aloud as he read the last bullet point. He looked up at Lainey. “So? How many of these fit the bill?”
“Three,” she replied promptly. “The last three. Well, and maybe the first one.”
He glanced down again at the page, silently marveling how quickly this girl had moved from BDSM-curious to identifying as a possible submissive. If she’d made this much progress in a single day, imagine if he had a week with her.
His entire body thrummed with excitement as his mind ticked through the delicious possibilities. “So,” he said slowly, running his finger lightly up her bare arm. “A majority, then.” He drew his finger along her collarbone and then traced a line lightly over her throat, delighted at the slight shudder his touch produced.
As they stared into each other’s eyes, he felt himself tumbling into emotions that were at once frightening and delicious. How he looked forward to helping this sexy, sassy girl explore her feelings regarding BDSM. He was definitely the man to take her on the journey, and he couldn’t wait to pick up where they’d left off the night before.
The server picked that moment to arrive, breaking the spell as he set platters of food and glasses of chilled juice in front of them.
“Enjoy,” he said.
“Oh, we will,” Cooper assured him. “Just as soon as we finish breakfast.”
Chapter 7
“Anything else I can get you?” their server asked solicitously.
Cooper glanced at Lainey, who shook her head no. “We’re good,” he said. “The food and service were excellent, as always. Thanks.”
“My pleasure,” the young man beamed. He set down the bill.
Cooper scanned it briefly, added a hefty tip and signed at the bottom. “Charge it to my room, please.”
“You got it.”
Once the waiter had gone, Cooper picked up the leaflet he’d set aside when the food had come. “So,” he said slowly, reading aloud, “‘You shiver with lust when your man throws you down, places his hand on your throat and orders you to obey.’”
He looked up at Lainey, delighted by the flush of pink moving over her cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes.
“I like that,” he said approvingly. “Very much.”
He glanced down again and read aloud, “‘You fantasize about being tied down, spanked, slapped, even whipped, the lines between pleasure and pain blurred.’”
“Um, I don’t know,” she said quickly, furrowing her brow. “I mean, fantasy is one thing, right? Reality another.”
Cooper nodded. “Agreed. But what better place than a BDSM resort to explore those fantasies? I took the liberty of reserving a private dungeon so we can explore them together, if you’re willing. What do you say? Want to take the leap?”
Lainey looked at him, her expression that of a deer caught in the headlights. “Gosh. A private dungeon?” She bit her full lower lip. “I don’t know.”