“Bonds is right. They’re spectacular.”
She’d given Jacob her trust, and he’d honored it.
“You should consider it.”
Her hand trembled as she accepted the chardonnay. “I have line drawings of course. But painting actual portraits? It’s time-consuming, and that’s something that’s in short supply right now. Maybe after my parents get back from Ireland.” And life returned to normal. Whatever that was. “And I’m not sure any gallery would actually display them.”
“Why not?”
She scowled at him. Was he dense? “In case you haven’t noticed, they’re more than a little risqué.”
“And tasteful. There’s nothing overtly sexual. In fact, they’re more intimate than anything.”
Her mouth fell open a little at his observation. That was exactly what she’d been hoping to convey, but that he’d gotten it made her heart soar.
“That makes them perfect for collectors and lifestyle connoisseurs. I’m sure there are online options for sales as well.”
“Honestly, I’d never considered it.”
“If Bonds believes there’s an opportunity, there is. Or he’ll create one.”
“I appreciate your feedback.” She took a long, fortifying sip to cover her nerves and embarrassment.
“Are they inspired by real-life events?”
She choked on her wine. Of course he was curious. But wanting to avoid this type of prying question was one of the reasons she’d never shared her art. “Let’s just say I have an active imagination.”
“Do you now?” He tipped his head to the side—seeing through her half answer?
He didn’t pursue his line of questions, which should have relieved her. Instead, disappointment churned through her. For the first time in over a year, she wanted to be pushed.
Jacob appealed to her on so many levels, and every feminine instinct hummed with awareness. She longed to be in his arms, once again crumbling beneath the demand of his kisses.
“Is everything okay?”
“Fine.” She shook her head to vanquish her absurd thoughts. “Yes. Of course. Why?”
“Do you have any experience?”
“Uhm…” He couldn’t possibly mean what she thought he did. Could he? “With?”
“BDSM.”
Her pulse skittered to a stop before racing on frantically. Maybe she wasn’t ready for this after all.
As if he had all the time and patience in the world, he widened his stance, then folded his arms across his chest and regarded her.
His actions were so perfectly Dominant that instinctive arousal crashed through her.
The silence dragged while she squirmed.
As she’d guessed, this man knew exactly who she was, what her needs were. If she wanted, she could change the subject or refuse to answer. Or she could take a chance and see where things went. With a nervous sigh, she told him the truth. “Yes. I have some experience.”
“And are you planning to ask me to give you what you want?”
Her tummy plunged into a terrifying freefall. “I’m…” Heaven save her from this man and the way he so perfectly read her. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“No? I think maybe you’re deflecting, Elissa. And when you’re ready, it’s safe to tell me the truth about who you are.”
Chapter Four
Jacob was taking a gamble. A big fucking one. But the military and life-and-death black ops situations had honed his instincts and taught him to respect his hunches.
And the beautiful woman with wide, unblinking eyes and with her mouth slightly parted in shock was a submissive. Even if instinct hadn’t told him that, her stunning art would have.
Elissa was capable and resourceful, no doubt. Strong enough to live her life on her own terms. While he was at her family’s pub, he’d studied her. She managed the place well, took care of the customers, and had been polite but direct when she told him it was time to leave. And then, outside, she’d been resolute in her determination not to go with him.
In addition to being attracted to her, he respected her. And there was no mistaking the fact that the male subject in the image she was working on resembled him.
The kiss last night had proven that she was interested in him. The question was, what were they going to do about it? He wasn’t inclined to ignore it, but getting involved with a client was beyond stupid. He didn’t take unnecessary risks. Or hadn’t, until now. Elissa was no ordinary woman, and he’d never had a reaction to a woman like he did to her.
He continued to wait, wondering if she’d go on. If she didn’t, that was answer enough, and he would respect her boundary.
The next move was hers entirely.
“You’ve already seen more than most people.” Ambiguity hedged her response, and she knitted her fingers together around her glass, maybe to disguise her nervousness.
“I appreciate your belief in me.” There was no gift more valuable.
“But for me, I guess the question is, who are you, Jacob? Beyond someone Hawkeye trusts with my life? A man who lives far away from the world, in his own private fortress? Someone who gets what he wants?” She tilted her head back to look up at him.
On some level, the fact she remained where she was and he stood so near, towering over her, was the first step in the dance that might culminate in a D/s experience. “Are you asking if I understand what I’d need to do to satisfy your need to submit?”
Her breath whooshed out, and her face turned a charming shade of scarlet. There was no artifice about her. Because of the life he’d lived, he appreciated that as much as a cool summer breeze. Jacob couldn’t get enough of her.
“That’s not exactly what I meant. I wouldn’t have put it in those words.”
“So how would you have put it?”
“I wanted to know about you and your experience.”
It was a fair question. “On some level, I was always aware that I was a Dominant. When I was in college, I attended a club in New Orleans and mentored under the owner. Once I’d explored the dynamic, I understood why none of my attempts at dating had progressed into something more permanent. The most important thing about BDSM is the amount of honesty it requires.” He studied her expression as he raised an eyebrow.
Clutching her glass even tighter, Elissa nodded.
“Would you like me to be blunt?” He waited for her nod before going on. “I think I’m right about you.” He shrugged. “But that’s for you to admit when you’re ready. I’m interested in pursuing this conversation—and you—but only if you’re willing.”
“That’s…” She took a sip of her wine. For courage? “You’re definitely direct.”
“As honest as I can be. You deserve that. So whether you tell me I’m wrong and we pretend this—and your reaction to my kiss last night—never happened is totally up to you.”
“You’re not wrong, but I wasn’t expecting this. It feels a bit surreal.”
Her soft admission meant a lot to him, but they would proceed at her pace. “We can always address this again at another time.”