an. Not when you’re so f**king clo

just looked . . . right. In his house, wearing his clothes, still slightly rumpled from just coming from bed, even w

eno

her, watching her eyes widen,

te,” she s

ou anything else? Waffles with lots of butter and even more

hem but I can’t indulge

n. “There isn’t a thing wrong with the way you look, Joss. Utter perfection fr

oing a shade of pink that

onship. I’m off balance. Just yesterday I was planning to let

bewilderment and let

me, honey, but I’m not going anywhere. I would have waited for as long as it took, bu

tion. As though she was still trying to understand everything he’d dumped on her in the last twent

hing else. Artlessly. No self-consciousness. She was a woman unafraid to show her pleasure over even the simplest things. And he in

how this works. What exac

way to her mouth. Then she lowered

. I told you the things I wanted, but you haven’t told me what you want. H

magining all those things he’d do to her. And that those

is, what do you want

r eyes, an emotion he w

play games with me.

utterly serious. He leaned for

for a minute. What I feel for you, what I want

t without a road map. I need your honesty. I need to know what

our relationship, I’d prefer to do it in the living room where I can at lea

don’t know what

laim what he wanted and had wanted for a damn long time, she needed delicate handling and all the reassurance he could grant her while

doesn’t mean that things change. If anything, you should be much freer and without inhibitions with me. I want to know every

ousness. “Then let’s do it. I want to know.

the moment she’d entered his kitchen. He caressed her cheek and watched her eyes go warm with pl

e pulling her down and into his arms. She stiffened for a moment and he simply w

He liked his scent on her. If he had his way, she’d smell like him all the time. His. He closed his eyes, savoring the moment—and the thought—

g in those gorgeous blue eyes. Anticipation licked up his sp

er fingertip over his jaw. It was as soft as a butterfly’s wing and yet he felt it all the way

to you? What do you expect of me? I need to know these things.

of the word. Mine and no other’s. I will take care of your every need. Provide whatever you could possibly want. In return for

some deal for me. But what abo

nd believe me when I say that’s enough. I

She hadn’t exaggerated. She’d been as lonely an

u exert your dominance? And do you want my submissiveness

?” he asked, turning t

you what I wanted. It’s time for you to give me an idea of what you have in min

room. I’ll call the shots. You might think I’m caging you, but honey, it will be the most gilded

her breath, he

ou want to know relates to the more physica

turning that delightf

It’s an honor, and I don’t say that lightly. A woman can give her body and never share her heart, her mind, her very soul. But a woman who gives freely of both body and mind is the most precious of gifts to receive. I don’t fo

eyes reflecting a myriad of emotions. Then he touched her, much like she’d touched him, running h

pankings, there are no limits. I like to inflict pain, pleasurable pain. Pain can be the sweetest of pleasures if given in the right manner. There is nothing more that I wish than to see my mark

rt of her. Every single thing she’d fantasized about, she’d dreamed about and ached for, he

rve of her neck until it rested

urrender. I want your gift of submission and I’ll cherish it as I cherish you. I’ll res

ws. “How did you know? How could you know, Dash? How can you see what I’ve only be

round and then up and down her back, reveling in

her promise. I won’t rush you. I won’t overwhelm you. We have all the time in the world. Yours will be a

ve already made my de

n you walked into my kitchen this morning, and it was all I could do not to do a fist pump or something equally adolesc

nd Kylie. Especially Kylie. She’ll b

and she glanced frantically a

ised I’d call them. They were worried. Chessy said if she didn’t h

hem later. But for now put them at ease. I’m glad you have such loyal, devoted friends. Our friends,” he

rushed through his veins unlike anything he’d ever known. He allowed her free rein, held himself back and let her do

ction. The blinders had come off, and she saw him, not as a friend,

e want

that he harbored any idea that it would be easy and that they wouldn’t have obs

d yes, I’ll explain everything to them later. They’ll want to know. For now I’ll just t

s about you

said painfully. “She didn’t want for me what she had to endure for al