Playing Hard to Master (Masters Unleashed 2)

When he set the plate down in front of her, she looked impressed. Excellent.

“Wow! You’re good. Have you ever thought about becoming a chef?”

He’d put the place settings so close together that they almost touched, so when he sat down, his leg brushed hers. A zing of electricity shot through him, as though he hadn’t been balls deep in her the other day. He’d assumed that after they’d slept together he’d stop feeling so obsessed, but if anything, it had made it worse. The way she sassed him, yet submitted to him so thoroughly, made him want her all the more.

“Cooking is probably more fun as a hobby than it would be if it was my job.” He cut into his steak, pleased to see it had turned out perfectly even though he had no appetite. Not for food.

Everly took a bite. Her manners were impeccable, which fascinated him. Watching her put things in her mouth also fascinated him. Was she always this prim about eating? He tried not to stare, but failed miserably. The look of pleasure on her face probably wasn’t helping. It brought lewder things to mind.

“Mmm.” She picked her napkin up out of her lap and dabbed at her mouth. “Are you not eating?”

Fuck, his dick was getting hard again.

“I just wanted to see if you liked it,” he lied, skewering a bite of steak with his fork.

“This is probably the tastiest thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.” She smirked, and he leaned in and stole a kiss.

“That was the most interesting backhanded compliment I’ve ever received.”

“Well, the next best is far too big, really. Having it in my mouth makes it hard to be ladylike.”

He blinked at her, contemplating dragging her into his office by the hair, but that wouldn’t be considered romantic by most people. “You should behave yourself, miss. I will be playing with you later, so you might want to watch your mouth.”

“Oh really? But why? You seem to be doing that job well enough for both of us,” she said archly. She pop

ped another bite of steak into her mouth, but even though he’d been caught staring, he was helpless to look away.

“Woman, how on earth are you single? You’re the type I usually pine after while they have deep and meaningful relationships with some other guy.”

“I have a hard time picturing you pining.” She took a last bite of food, then smiled.

“Oh, it’s pretty much my natural state. Don’t I smell Christmassy?”

“I’ll check later.” She winked. “As for why I’m single, I want a D/s relationship, but I’m too much of a handful for most men. I haven’t been able to find anyone who likes bratting and who I have a deep connection with.”

“You don’t want to try to train your own Dom?” A visual of her looking sweet and demure came to mind.

She snorted. “I’m a handful for experienced Doms. I’m not sure I’m beginner training material.”

“Sex and relationships are complicated enough. Add BDSM and finding someone compatible gets difficult.” The warm feeling he’d gotten when he was thinking about her at the bakery came back. His feelings about her were moving too fast. Time to change the subject.

Not hungry, Ambrose set aside his plate and started to clear things away.

“So, what else would you like to do on our date? Dance? Watch a movie? Go for a walk?”

“Those all sound good. You’re not going to show me around the house first, though?”

He shrugged. “If you want.” This was going to be tricky. He was excited to show her around, wanting her to like the house, wondering if she’d sleep in his bed, but knowing she never would if she knew the place was his. Every other woman he’d dated was impressed by the house, even if Banner told him that his decorating was obnoxious and ostentatious. Not being able to use the place to his advantage, considering he wasn’t a smooth talker or sophisticated, didn’t give him much to work with. He expected to woo potential girls with expensive gifts. Of course he’d managed to find the one girl it wouldn’t work on.

Everly’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, I want.”

Such a naughty girl. He’d make her want, all right. “Come with me, then. I’ll give you the in-depth tour.”

“I think I choked on that tour the other night.”

Ambrose snorted. If she thought he’d feel guilty about that, she was sadly mistaken.

He took her by the hand and led her through the house, enjoying the way she’d pause to look at artwork here and there. Last, he showed her the indoor pool.