“I’m sorry, I must sound like an idiot,” I tell him, sighing as I sit back and regard Gideon. I feel out of my depth. I don’t know why if I was with him in a sex club. Well, a BDSM club, which isn’t as seedy as it sounds.
“You don’t. Honestly, I’m fairly nervous as well,” he admits, looking at me over the rim of his glass. His lips suck in the alcohol, and I’m mesmerized by the way they remain wet. His tongue darts out of his mouth to lick at the moisture, which causes me to squirm in my seat.
“You can’t be nervous. I’m sure you’re an expert at this sort of thing,” I tell him, waving my hand around me. “I mean, you’re a tad older than me.”
“Granted, I am a few years older, but I don’t date often. My job keeps me busy, and normally I just go to Temptation to get the edge off. Other than that, my focus is work.”
“You sound like my father,” I tell him honestly. “But you don’t seem as cold and aloof as he is.”
“I can be aloof and noncommittal at times.” Gideon takes another sip of his drink before he sets it down. “But mostly, I like to enjoy my time with the people around me. I believe that time is precious.”
“It is. And I like that you think like that.” It’s my turn to take a sip of wine, and the cool liquid slips down my throat with ease as the flavors burst on my tastebuds. “So, there’s no wife or girlfriend?”
“No. I’m not averse to it, but I just haven’t met someone I clicked with. What about you?” he asks.
“I’m still figuring out what I want. I enjoy the scenes, and things like that, but I haven’t found a partner I’ve trusted enough to really explore my kinks.”
Gideon nods as he considers my response. “Trust is the most important thing about any relationship, but of course, for one with limits being pushed, you need to be with someone you feel safe enough to put your life in their hands.”
I never thought about it that way before, but he’s right. Nodding, I smile. “That’s very true. Although I hope I’ll be able to find someone like that soon.” When I say this, I meet his intense brown stare that seems like he’s trying to read my thoughts by just looking at me.
“Perhaps you already have,” he counters, tipping his wine glass against mine, and I can’t help but smile at his confidence.
“I don’t doubt that I would like to scene with you again,” I admit, setting the glass down. This is the man who’s already watched me orgasm, and he’s listened to me sing. Nothing I can tell him now will change that I want him.
“Then I suppose I better make that happen.” With a wink, he refills our glasses, and a waiter appears with two large platters. One with a selection of bread and cheeses, the other with cold cuts and dips that look so appetizing my stomach grumbles once more.
The waiter leaves us with an order from Gideon to bring another bottle of wine. He then turns his attention back to me before gesturing to the table.
“Please, help yourself. I wasn’t sure if you’re vegetarian or not, so I just ordered two platters.” The smile he gifts me makes my stomach flip-flop.
“Thank you. I pretty much eat anything, except for pineapple on pizza,” I tell him, scrunching my nose, which earns me a chuckle from the man sitting across from me.
“Oh? What other pet peeves do you have?” He rests his chin on his fingers, which are threaded together.
“Mm, I love rain but hate snow. I don’t like waiting on something. I’m much more of an instant gratification type of girl.” As the words fall from my lips, I realize how it must sound to him. “Oh God, I didn’t mean—”
“Well, that certainly will be a fun experiment for me to try with you.” Gideon laughs, tapping his lips with his index finger as though he’s pondering all the ways he’s going to torture me with sex.
“I really didn’t mean it to sound like that,” I tell him, but I can’t stop laughing at myself. My face feels like it’s on fire from embarrassment.
“I’m teasing you, sweetheart,” Gideon tells me. “But I really do like the thought of edging you until you’re begging for release.” His voice grows husky as he speaks, and the panties I’m wearing are now wet, and my body is aching for him to do just that.
“I haven’t ventured too far down the rabbit hole of a relationship in the lifestyle,” I inform him. “So, I mean, I could possibly be open to trying it out.” This time, I know my cheeks are aflame because when Gideon reaches for my face and brushes his knuckles along the skin, the coolness of his hands makes me shiver.
“Then I’ll teach you anything you want to know.”
The rest of dinner goes smoothly, and as Gideon’s town car weaves toward my home at the end of the night, I can feel the tension radiating from him. When we finally pull up to the apartment block, Gideon exits the car with me, walking me up to the door.
“Tomorrow night, I’m taking you back to Temptation for a scene,” he informs me then presses his lips to mine before I have time to respond. When we break apart, he winks at me. “Go inside, don’t touch that pretty pussy. It’s mine and only mine.”
I’m not sure how I find my way indoors, and into my apartment, I’m so turned on. But by the time I slip into bed, I’m exhausted from emotions, desire, and excitement.
Chapter 9
Clover
Gideon told me he’d pick me up at seven, and it’s almost time. I’m wearing a dress as he requested, and the underwear he bought for me. Thankfully when he told me he wanted me in heels, I took a breath of relief because Chelsea was always on me to get used to walking in heels. She bought me a beautiful pair of black strappy shoes for my previous birthday.
The doorbell rings, alerting me that my date is here. My heart does a nervous flutter when I make my way through the condo to the front door. Peeking through the spy hole, I see Gideon on the other side of the door.
He looks dashing from what I can tell, but it’s only when I open the door, I realize just how incredibly handsome he looks in a midnight black suit, crisp white shirt, and black tie. His shiny black shoes complete the outfit, taking my breath away.
His dark hair is slightly tousled, making it look like he’s just gotten out of bed. His deep brown eyes are sparkling with mischief as I drink him in like a fine wine.
“Good evening, Miss Brassington,” he says with the corner of his mouth tilting upward, making my stomach flutter wildly. “You’re looking,” his gaze tracks every inch of me, taking in the outfit he commanded I wear, and a smile curls his lips. “Exquisite.”
“Good evening, Mr. Hale. Thank you,” I respond with a shy smile, lowering my lashes and focusing on the floor. He makes me feel nervous, especially when he’s dressed up like a model about to take the runway.
He reaches a hand to me, and I accept the gesture, my purse hanging on my shoulder, my keys in the other hand. Our fingers tangle, as I pull the door closed behind us.
He leads the way, only stopping when the elevator door opens, and like the gentleman he is, he allows me to enter first. Even just standing beside him makes my body respond, my thighs squeezing together instinctively when his fingers find the base of my spine. It’s a possessive gesture, but gentle at the same time.