She wanted to deny it. Refute the claim but the evidence wasn’t in her favor. She cleared her throat. “How did you go from her submissive to being…what you are?”
“What I am, huh?” The corners of his eyes crinkled. “’Rissa pretty much beat it out of me.”
Anna gasped. “That’s horrible.”
He chuckled. “Not in a bad way, sweet girl. She’d known all along what my true nature was and she pushed me until I took ownership of it. Then she turned around and taught me everything there is to know about being a Dom.”
“Do you still…” Anna trailed off, unable to voice the words. Afraid of what she’d learn and what it would mean to her future with Mason.
“Fuck her?” he added helpfully and Anna scowled at him, crossing her arms. “Not since I met you. I haven’t had sex with anyone or stepped foot into a club since we met.” He sighed and brushed her hair off her shoulders. “Have we played together over the years? I’d love to say no as I know it would ease your mind, but yes, I’ve played with her many times.”
Anna bit her lip and looked away from him, feeling hurt and confused and generally unhappy. “What does that mean? Play together?”
He gave her a gentle smile, so reminiscent of the man she’d known she wanted to weep from it. Everything had seemed so simple then.
His thumb brushed the line of her jaw. “It means we’ve done scenes with her sub, my sub or both. Sometimes that includes sex with each other, sometimes it doesn’t. But I don’t show up for dinner at her house and sleep with her. Those days were over long before I ever met you.”
Her stomach dipped, heated instantly, recalling some of the scenes she’d read in the book that included multiple people. She shook her head. She had to draw the line somewhere and his seemed as good as any. “I’m never going to do that, Mason.”
His head tilted as he studied her quizzically. “Is that so?”
Her chin raised in defiance. “Yes. I’m not sharing.” She squirmed, ignoring the way her nipples tightened in interest.
And just like that the air shifted between them. His lids became heavy and that unmistakable dominance slid over his features, hardening the planes of his face into something sinful and dangerous. Lethal. Capable of making her do god only knew what.
She swallowed. He adjusted her slightly and she instinctively pressed her thighs together even as her heart pounded hard and her blood raced fast.
“Open.” One commanding word and her thighs spread for him like the parting of the Red Sea. “Good girl.”
Pleasure bloomed in her chest and her head fell back as those strong fingers stroked along her slick folds. He peered at her thoughtfully and her cheeks flushed under his scrutiny. He nipped her bottom lip and circled her clit.
Oh yes. How did he make that feel so good? She tilted her hips, seeking that pressure as need coiled tight and fast in her belly.
“I can see you’re appalled by the very idea.” The smug arrogance in his voice made her burn hotter and she tried to contain the quickening of her breath.
“I am.” How did a change in tone and demeanor cause such an extreme reaction in her?
“Just as you abhor the thought of being tortured and punished.”
Her body betrayed her as her inner walls clamped down, needing to be filled as wetness slicked her inner thighs. “I do.” Not sounding remotely convincing.
“You know, you’re not supposed to lie to your Dom.”
A sense of rightness filled her. Yes, he was hers.
She bit her lip, her vision going a bit hazy as he sank into her depth. Thumb swirling over her clit, he circled over and over as he ruthlessly thrust hard and high inside her. Thinking was impossible. All she could manage was a soft whimper as he owned her body. Her hips started to rock, desire took over, consuming her. The first swells of a powerful orgasm threatened, looming large. So close, so fast. She didn’t know how he did it but—
Mason pulled away, leaving her hanging once again on the very edge.
She glared at him, shifting closer, trying to get him to move in that way again. “Don’t stop!”
The one menacing brow rose. He smacked her fully on the pussy.
Shock and excitement roared inside her as tingles exploded over her swollen, needy flesh. Her breath stuttered and she looked at him with pleading eyes, unable to say the words hovering in her throat.
Please, do it again.
A satisfied smirk. Another hard smack.
It stung. Pain and pleasure crested in waves radiating from her very core. Her muscles contracted just once, just enough to let her know orgasm was imminent. Dear god, she was depraved.
Again, again, again.
“Greedy girl,” he said, his voice a low threat that made her shake all over. “Let’s get you occupied on something other than your own pleasure.”
Teeth gritted, she bit back a moan of annoyance.
He gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “On your knees, girl.”
She started, straightening and squirming as the desire abated and unease took its place. She licked her lips. “Um…”
He pressed a finger to her mouth, shocking her with the unmistakable scent of her arousal. “No talking, no asking questions, just do as you’re told.”
She curled the blanket around herself protectively. She knew what she’d have to do once she got there. Put him in her mouth. It was silly, the fear buzzing like a hornet inside her, but she’d never done that before. She was sure to make a fool of herself.
“Now. Anna.” That tone made her snap to attention, calling to something deep inside her she couldn’t even begin to name.
Ungracefully, she twisted off his lap and fell to her knees on the floor with a soft thump. She looked at him, waiting.
His lips curved and he stroked a finger over her cheek. “Unzip my jeans.”
Pulse racing, she slowly, carefully unbuttoned his pants and slid the zipper down. He wasn’t wearing any underwear and his large erection sprang free. Long and thick, it touched his stomach, looking impressive. Imposing. It startled her to realize she’d never seen him this close. Never studied him. Had barely even touched him.
The few men she’d had sex with always treated her like a fragile flower and in turn she’d been shy. Timid. Not daring to explore outside the boundaries they’d provided. None of them ever pressed for this and she’d never taken the initiative. Now here she was, twenty-eight years old with no idea how to go about pleasing him.
“I-I don’t know what to do,” she admitted, hanging her head.
He tilted her chin. “You have no responsibility other than to do as I tell you.”
Relief at the pressure being off, some of the worry lifted from her shoulders. “Okay.”
His lids went heavy again as he peered down at her with unmistakable hunger. “Use only your tongue and taste me.”
Chapter Seven
Mason bit back the moan as Anna’s tentative pink tongue moistened her bottom lip.
Big, wary eyes pleaded at him. Begging him without any words.
His chest squeezed with hope and fear.
She’d looked so gorgeous in all her needy, greedy exploration. Beautiful in her tears. Heart-stopping as she kneeled before him.
He wanted desperately to unleash her passion and darkest desires.
The question was would she take it? Would she put aside everything she’d learned and understood about a normal relationship? He saw her need. Her hidden lust. She liked when he controlled her. She’d never come as hard or as quickly.
But the fear lurked too. As did her shame.
She put her hands on his knees, her gentle touch pulling him away from his thoughts. He shook his head. “Put your hands at your sides and use only your tongue until I tell you otherwise.”
The air charged with electricity. Her face tilted up to his and something indefinable shifted between them.
A slight nod then soft hands slid from his legs and fell to her sides.
It was time for her to discover the other, less gentle parts of him.
“Drop the blanket. I need to see you.” Power roared through him as she followed his instructions and the fuzzy red cotton pooled around her. It had been so long, he was as greedy as she’d been for that orgasm.
Helpless, she stared at him, making his heart melt. He nodded his encouragement.
She took a deep, stuttered breath, leaned forward and flicked her tongue over the tip. That small little lick was like a match to flame, igniting his blood in an inferno of need.
She sat perfectly still. Down on her knees. Ready and waiting for his every command.
In his element for the first time since he’d met her, he welcomed it like a long-lost lover and twined his fingers in her hair. “Swirl your tongue around the head.”
She nibbled her lower lip and studied his cock, pensive, shifting around on the floor trying to find a place where her nerves wouldn’t get the best of her.
Cock growing impossibly larger, he hardened his expression. “Sit. Still.”
She froze, her chest rising and falling as her nipples peaked.
Damn, she was responsive. How had he failed to be so blind to what ’Rissa had told him for months? He blanked his mind and let the instincts he’d ignored for too damn long take over.
He narrowed his gaze. “This isn’t about your comfort, girl. This is about pleasing me. Understood?”
Another sharp, uneven breath. “Yes, Mason.”
“Good girl.” He glanced pointedly at his erection. “Don’t think. Just do as you’re told.”
She looked at his cock the way someone looked over the edge of a cliff before diving into the water below. The continued patience was excruciating but it was hot as hell and he was loving every minute of her.
Finally, she leaned forward, her breasts swaying slightly with the movement. Her nipples brushed his calves. He opened his legs wider.
She took a perfunctory swipe.
Laughter rumbled in his chest but he pushed it back, keeping his expression stern. “Is that your best effort to please me? Because you have to work a lot harder than that.”
Those eyes darkened to navy, flashing with a hint of anger. A spark of unease. Her forehead wrinkled as she tried again. Another nervous lick that reminded him of a scared little puppy uncertain they faced friend or foe.
He steadied himself, working past his worry about scaring her to focus on what his gut screamed she needed. He moved with a swiftness that had fear flashing in her face. Before she could evade, he pinched her nipples between his thumb and forefinger and held. “I believe I told you to stay still.”
Pupils dilating, she instinctively covered her hand over his.
And now the true test began.
He lowered his voice. “Do you have a problem with cock sucking?”
She shook her head. Pleading. “But I—”
“Enough,” he said coldly. “I’ve seen you lick an ice-cream cone. I expect the same enthusiasm.”
“Why are you being mean?” Big eyes implored him to be reasonable.
“Why aren’t you doing as you’re told?” he countered.
Her breath increased. He rolled her nipples, squeezing hard enough to cause a distinct bite of pain.
She blinked rapidly. “But I don’t know what I’m doing.”
He released the buds and cupped one swollen breast before roaming down her body to dip between her legs. He inhaled deeply at how very wet she was. He circled her clit and brushed his thumb over her nipple.
“Oh,” she said on a soft, wonder-filled sigh. Her hands rested on his knees to keep steady.
Pressure featherlight, he played; learning from his past mistake, he didn’t give her nearly enough to push her over the edge. Her hips became insistent. Rocking. Needy. She dug her nails in his skin as she fought to deliver what she craved.
He snapped his fingers against her cunt. She started, her whole body going rigid. She looked at him, mouth swollen and lush, begging for relief.
He shook his head and tsked. “Greedy girl. And a bit of a pain slut.”
“I most certainly am not.” Her tone appalled. Indignant.
His answering chuckle was pure menace. “I think you need more motivation.”
Fear tightened the corners of her mouth but he felt her pussy contract in obvious anticipation. Without a word, he stood and moved around her, walking to the large armoire that kept most of his equipment. He hiked his jeans up his ass but left them undone, opening the door.
He grinned at the gasp of surprise behind him as she took in a small portion of his many toys. He opened one of the shallow drawers and quickly found what he was looking for. Then, just because it amused him, he left the door partially open and returned to his seat on the chair.
She stared at the cabinet as though her worst nightmares had come true. He snapped in front of her face. “Eyes on me, girl.”
Her attention flew to him, a frown formed on her pink, full lips when she caught sight of what dangled in front of her.
“These are nipple clamps.” He squeezed them like tweezers between his thumb and forefinger, grinning as her frown deepened. “You and I are going to play a little game.”
She nibbled her bottom lip and he could practically see the wheels spinning.
He tucked a stray blonde curl behind her ear. “You remember your safeword?”
Confusion darkened her face and Mason couldn’t help being pleased it wasn’t something she’d even considered.
She licked her lips. “Stop.”
He nodded. “Here’s how we play this game—every time Anna doesn’t do as she’s told, we’re going to add a little toy to facilitate her concentration.”
She twisted her hands in her naked lap, squirming and shifting on her knees. “No. Please. I promise I’ll be good.”
His lips quirked. “I know you will. I’m not giving you any other choice.” He held the metal clamps and pinched them. “You’ve already earned the clamps. Cup your breasts and raise them to me like you’re offering a present.”
A deep, scarlet flush stained her cheeks. “Mason, no, I—” The words died on her lips when he lifted one brow.
A long, exaggerated you’re-the-most-unreasonable-man-in-the-world sigh. Glaring at him, she cupped her breasts, raising them high for his inspection.
“See, we just need to motivate you in the right direction.” He ruffled her hair and she looked at him as though she wanted him dead.