Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
I studied the chair.
I eyed the rope.
It’s art.
I imagined it pressed against my skin.
I imagined him watching.
“No. I want this.”
“Then go get it,” she stated with a wide smile, passing her untouched glass to me.
“Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we will be demonstrating a new toy that has the capabilities of making the most stubborn of submissives orgasm,” Corbin announced from the stage. “And one of our very own guests will be acting as our submissive tonight. This is her first time in front of a group, so please be respectful.”
With that, he stretched his hand out to me, silently ordering me to come. I stood tall with my chin lifted high and my best attempt at the icy mask Lucian accused me of wearing. With each step closer to the stage, I scanned the room, looking for him. It wasn’t until I reached the stairs that I saw him sitting at a table right in front of the stage.
What the fuck was he doing there? He was supposed to be in the back, in the shadows—out of my line of sight so I could focus on the other man. How was I supposed to block him out when he sat at the edge of the spotlight—so close to intruding? What if I couldn’t ignore him, and I came? I’d never know if it was him or the man?
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
My feet faltered at the foot of the stairs.
No. I can do this. I want to do this. I want the excitement Rose explained. I want it.
I inhaled as deep as I could and slowly let it out, shoving aside my doubts with the promise I wouldn’t look away from the other man.
Corbin met me at the side of the stage with a firm gaze. “Are you ready?”
I nodded, but remembered the questions I should have asked beforehand. “What are the requirements? Like…do I have to be naked? Am I expected to do …things…?”
He smiled, the creases around his eyes comforting. “The requirements are at the dominant’s discretion. However, a good dominant always respects his submissive’s limits. Since you haven’t discussed your limits, he will be watching you carefully for signs of pleasure or distress. He’s very adept at observing reactions. And of course, you can always stop at any moment by saying red. The most important thing is that you feel safe.”
Submissive.
Two parts inside me pulled in opposite directions at the word. One screamed that I was no one’s submissive. Another part reached for it.
I shook my head. I could unpack every thought, feeling, and emotion later. I would pull it apart and analyze it piece by piece…later.
“Okay. I’m ready,” I told him.
Corbin guided me to the center of the stage, and I looked anywhere other than the front table. He didn’t exist. I would not let him distract me.
“We have one more surprise for the evening,” Corbin announced. “Our Dominant for the evening will be Lucian Daire.”
My eyes almost fell from my head as I looked toward the one place I said I wouldn’t.
Lucian stood from his chair with the most devious smile that stretched beyond his lips. It moved beyond his eyes, sinking into his skin. He approached slowly, embodying every sin at once and more.
How was I supposed to survive the devil himself?
A manic giggle threatened its way up my throat.
At least I didn’t have to worry about him distracting me from the front row.
Because now he was going to be distracting me face to fucking face.
CHAPTER 14
LUCIAN
Shock.
Confusion.
Frustration.
Excitement.
Desire.
Innocence.
Fear.
I’d never seen a more intoxicating combination of emotions swirling in a woman’s eyes. And the thought of anyone else on the receiving end of that warm, caramel gaze created a primal pulse deep in my bones. As if a long-lost pre-historic drum beat through my veins that urged me to not let another man—another dominant—play with her.
“I didn’t get the impression she liked you much when we talked earlier,” Corbin stated when I approached him with my idea.
“Either way, I think she’d still appreciate not having a stranger with her on stage.” Corbin stared, calling bullshit. “If she doesn’t want me to do it, then she can always say so.”
Thankfully, he kept his doubt to just a stare and didn’t push me to defend my choice. I didn’t want to know what would come out of my mouth to make sure it was me on that stage with Aspen.
With each step closer, my muscles relaxed into the comfort of the dominant role, while also pulling tight with anticipation.
Corbin made his exit with a nod and a pat on the back, leaving me standing only a few feet away from Aspen. I held my breath, waiting for her to object or run or demand another man.
But she did none of that.
She held her ground, her body stiff, as if braced for battle. The juxtaposition between her body and the torrent of emotions playing in her gaze pulled me in.