She stared up into his green eyes miserably, her shoulders slumped.
“Hey, what’s with the sad look?”
“I don’t want to mess up.” She didn’t want him to figure out that she was more trouble than she was worth.
He gripped her chin firmly. “I don’t expect you to be perfect. Even though we’ve done a little playing, it’s nothing like this. You’re going to make mistakes. All that means is I get to paddle you as punishment.”
She had to smile a little at that.
“Remember, your one job is to do what I tell you to do. Do that and you will please me greatly.”
“And if I can’t do something that you want me to?”
“Then we’ll stop and talk about it.”
“You won’t be mad at me?”
“I won’t be mad at you,” he said firmly. “Communication, honesty, and trust, remember? Something upsets you, scares you, or hurts you, you tell me. Now what is it about the collar that worries you?”
“You won’t leave me, will you?”
His eyes cleared of confusion. “Ah, I see. No, I am not going to leave you. However, sometimes things happen, and I prefer to err on the side of caution. Especially when it comes to my sub’s safety.”
His sub. Happiness danced through her stomach.
“Safety?” Was she going to be in danger?
“Easy, pet. All of the unattached subs wear a collar like this one to show that I’m watching out for them. It gives them the security to be able to enter a scene with a Dom who might be unknown to them. Knowing that they have my protection. Also, that there are monitors watching out for them. It’s just an added layer of security.”
Right. So she wasn’t special. That was a blow.
He put the collar around her throat then ran his finger over it lightly. “Although, I must admit, I’ve never been as affected by placing a collar on any of them as I am as seeing it on you. You do bring out the possessive side of me, pet.”
Her stomach settled and she smiled up at him. “Thank you, Sir.”
“You are most welcome. Now, come, it’s time to further your education. And for me to have some fun.”
The smile he gave her wasn’t reassuring and she shivered.
He threw back his head and laughed. “The sight of a trembling, worried little subbie does warm a Dominant’s heart. Come.”
He was so twisted. But she couldn’t help but smile at his laugh. He didn’t smile or laugh often, but when he did, well, she might just start to worry she really was falling in love with him.
Had he ever enjoyed showing a sub around the dungeon more?
The way she cringed as they came upon a whipping scene told him what he’d already known. His sensitive little subbie had pressed her face against his chest as a thin line of blood appeared on the male submissive’s back.
“Josh is a pain slut,” he told her as he pulled her close, running his chin over the top of her hair. The scent of strawberries hit him. Damn, she smelled good enough to eat. He smiled. Later. “A masochist.”
“What?” She looked up at him in shock.
“He enjoys pain. Gets off on it. The Dom whipping him is a sadist, but isn’t into men. Did you notice the other Dom watching?”
She turned, spotted the slimmer built Dom watching closely from where he stood by the wall.
“That’s Josh’s Dom. He doesn’t like to inflict as much pain as Josh needs. So Jardin whips him, gets him all hot and needy, then he’ll hand him off to his Dom.”
Jardin was fairly new to the club, but he was Alec Malone’s cousin and Malone had vouched for his cousin. Saxon had done some research into his past. He’d been a well-respected sadist at his old club and he was fitting in well here.