The force of his reaction stunned her. The men she played with were happy to scene and then go back to their regular lives. She hadn’t expected him to be any different.
“Those are my terms.” He paused to study her. “Now it’s up to you. Do you still want to play?”
Chapter Five
Fighting for equilibrium, Elissa took a breath. She’d never really had to negotiate in this way before. Generally she told a Dominant what her limits were and informed him of her safe words. That there wouldn’t be a relationship later was understood. At the end of the scene, they each went their own way.
Until now, she’d never had to be concerned with what her Dominant wanted. She was now navigating unfamiliar territory. “Can we agree that whatever we share stays here? Let’s make no promises about what happens after this is over.” Why did that thought cause a pang of grief? “It doesn’t need to be complicated.”
“Elissa, you were a complication before I met you.”
She attempted a grin but then realized he wasn’t joking. “I don’t know what you want here.”
“Every damn thing you have to offer. Hold nothing back. I want to hear your moans. Your whimpers. Your pleas. Your screams. And I fucking want to know I’m not some random Dominant who you’ll forget next week.”
After swallowing the sudden lump in her throat, she told him the truth. “I think you know better. Believe me when I say you’re unforgettable.”
“Good. Otherwise we’d be done here.”
“We’re getting somewhere.” She exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “So, can we at least agree that we’ll part ways without looking back?”
“No.”
“No?” She blinked.
“I respect your need for rules, but this isn’t something I am flexible on. I’ll always be honest with you—that’s a promise. There will be no manipulation. But when the mission is over, if either of us want to discuss the possibility of continuing a relationship, we should be allowed to.”
Maybe he was braver than she was. She wasn’t sure she was ever capable of confessing her feelings like that. “But—”
“Maybe neither of us will want it. But I don’t want to play guessing games with you. Can you at least attempt to be equally transparent with me? If you want me at the end of our time together, I need to hear it.”
“I…” They were two different people from two different worlds who’d never chosen to be thrown together.
“Try.”
The level of transparency he demanded was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. And it was as scary as hell.
“It’s not that difficult.”
Elissa always waited for a man to express his desire for a relationship first. At a club, she was different because a scene there didn’t have the kind of meaning that one with Jacob would. “Terrifying.”
“But you accept my terms.”
Finally she nodded.
His smile was her greatest reward.
“And now… Would you like to submit to me?”
“Yes.” Every part of her ached for what he offered. Without conscious thought she looked away, but then dug for courage. “I want you to dominate me, Jacob.”
He placed his palms on the sides of her face and tipped her head back for a gentle kiss, one that conflicted with the untamed hunger burning in his eyes.
“In that case, Elissa…” He stood and offered his hand.
Her whole being trembled as she accepted, sliding her palm against his. The blanket tumbled to the ground as he drew her against him.
“I’ll be worthy of your trust.”
He released her to extinguish the fire and straighten the area, gathering their wineglasses.
“Now, like a good submissive, I want you to precede me into the house.”
His voice contained an unfamiliar note of command. She was no longer a client, and he’d masterfully started the scene. Adrenaline flooded her, and she took a breath to steady the onslaught of nerves.
He nodded almost imperceptibly toward the house. Obediently, now on familiar footing, she walked across the patio and into the living room. Once there, she stood patiently, head bowed, trying not to fidget as she waited for him to lock the door and load the stemware into the dishwasher.
“Very nice.”
The purr of his approval flowed through her, replacing nerves with confidence.
After engaging the alarm system, he crossed the room to stand in front of her. “I’m going to kiss you again.”
“Yes.” She met his eyes. “Please.”
He hadn’t said just how passionate he’d be. He tasted of rich red wine, and he claimed her mouth like a man dying of thirst. Her surrender wasn’t enough, and he plunged deeper, one palm pressed against the middle of her back and the other cradling her head as he coaxed a response from her. He wasn’t allowing her to be passive—he demanded her active participation.
At the club, no Dominant had kissed her.
Once again, Jacob proved he was no ordinary man.
He pulled away for a moment. Reeling, she blinked as she looked up at him. “Open your mouth wider for me.”
When he’d said he wanted everything she had to offer, he meant it. She leaned against him, curling her hands around his neck as he devoured her.
By the time he eased back, her breathing was ragged, and the world was unsteady. He continued to hold her close; then he gently tipped back her chin.
“You’re exquisite.”
Ordinarily a compliment like that might have embarrassed her, but the sincerity radiating from his eyes spoke of authenticity. From him, it wasn’t some meaningless platitude.
“Now I’d like you to follow me.”
She nodded. Already she would follow him anywhere.
“I’d prefer to hear your answer aloud, please.”
“Yes…” For a moment, she paused and frowned. “How should I address you?”
“Thank you for asking. Sir or Jacob. I’m fine with either.”
“In that case, yes, Jacob.”
“I like the sound of my name on your lips.” He removed his finger from beneath her chin.
Quickly and effectively, he’d established a boundary, and she slipped a little deeper inside herself, to a place where the noise stopped. Sometimes that didn’t happen until later in a scene, after impact play had begun.
He led the way to his wing of the house and stopped outside the closed door that she’d noticed last night.
“Is this the room you were talking about? The one you said I wouldn’t like?”
“My dungeon? Yes.” He flashed a quick, wicked grin. “At this point, I’m thinking you’ll find it to your satisfaction.” After the biometrics disengaged the lock, he turned the knob, pushed open the door, then turned on the lights before looking at her.
Giving me a chance to change my mind?
“After you.”
Wanting this, wanting him, she entered slowly, then turned in a slow circle, taking in the space. It was a submissive’s dream, with lots of mirrors, a spanking bench with lots of rings, as well as siderails for her knees, a rather large, uncomfortable-looking straight-back leather chair fit for a Dominant, and a beautiful wood Saint Andrew’s cross with a small vinyl pad in the middle to make it more comfortable. That, she would appreciate. But what captured her attention was a metal structure. It had two upright poles and another that went across the top. It made her think of a high bar used for gymnastics.