Lila’s eyes widened.
“I wonder if Saxon would let me borrow some restraints.” He glanced around, his gaze settling on the wall where an array of whips and paddles were hanging. “And a paddle. I think I’m going to need them.”
“Gavin,” Lila squealed as he took her hand and led her over to the wall, selecting a medium-sized paddle. Lila looked back at him, her gaze showing her nervousness.
“Well, seems like those two are being well and truly taken care of,” Duncan said in a dark voice. “Now what to do with my naughty sub?”
Laken swallowed heavily. “I’m not your sub anymore.”
Duncan raised a brow. “You know, Saxon just asked me to think about why you came here tonight. Why would a woman who claimed she didn’t want to be involved in this scene anymore come to a BDSM club? Why would a woman who told me she didn’t want my dominance or discipline, do her best to rile my dominant side?”
He crowded close and suddenly it became harder to breathe.
Reaching out, he cupped her cheek. “I’ve been letting you call the shots because I was scared of losing you. I let my fear of losing you overcome my good sense. Because, baby, it’s my job to give you what you need, not necessarily what you want. You need this. That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? This is your way of asking me to take charge.”
Duncan looked down at his nervous sub, glad to see there was no real fear in her eyes. Tonight, he was determined to get to the bottom of what was going on. She was screaming out for help, but it was obvious she couldn’t ask for what she needed.
“Present yourself.”
She took in a sharp breath but sank gracefully to the ground. Her hands rested palm up on her spread thighs as she kneeled before him, face down, spine straight.
“So beautiful.” He ran his hand over her head. “This is what you need, isn’t it, sugar?”
She moved into his touch and his heart clenched. God, he’d missed this. He glanced around and saw a free station. Holding out his hand, his skin sizzled as she clasped hold.
He helped her stand. “Look at me,” he demanded.
She gazed up, her eyes slightly clouded, her brain obviously working hard. Reaching around, he popped her once on the ass.
Jumping, she glared at him, reaching around to rub her butt. “What was that for?”
“Attention on me. You’re not to think, understand me?”
“You can’t just tell me not to think. What do you expect me to do, switch my brain off?”
“Yes,” he told her calmly, leading her over to the free area. Two leather cuffs attached to a long chain that hung from the ceiling. Perfect.
She snorted, then muttered, “I can’t believe that out of a hundred thousand sperm, you were the quickest.”
Duncan stopped, and then turned. “Want to repeat that?”
She gulped. “No, Sir.”
“Good. Strip.”
Her eyes widened, a tiny hint of fear shining through.
He cupped her cheek, feeling her tremble. “Laken, eyes on me.”
She raised her gaze.
“Who am I?”
“Duncan.”
He ran his hands down her arms, partly to soothe her, partly to reassure himself that she was still here.
“Who is touching you? Say my name.”