Page 40 of Saving Sophia

She pushed at a stray strand of hair, like she regretted her words. “That sounds terrible, doesn’t it? Like a pathetic puppy without a mind of her own.”

I shook my head. “It sounds like you know your own mind pretty well. That’s self-reflective, not pathetic.”

She tilted her head, considering. “Something tells me you always lead.”

“Does that sound terrible?”

“No.” She sounded wishful. I could see the tiny pulse in her throat. “Is that the kind of relationship you …” Her words faded away.

“Yes.” I leaned forward, encouraged when she didn’t pull back. “When I’m with someone, I take the lead. Does that bother you?”

“No.” She set her glass next to mine and stared at me with those deep, dark eyes.

“I’m a Dom.” I decided to put my cards on the table. “Do you know what that is?”

She took a breath in and nodded. “You said you weren’t looking for …”

“A relationship? I wasn’t. My plan in coming here was to focus on the resort.” My family needed something to pull us back together after Uncle Joe died. That was my plan. But Sophia wouldn’t stop that. I could do both. “Sometimes coincidence has other plans. I’m okay with that.”

I watched her reaction. She didn’t flinch about me being a Dom, which was good.

“So the problem is … you want a …” Her mouth twitched, shaping and reshaping like it couldn’t quite form the word. I let her sit with it. She needed to be able to talk about things. “Submissive?” She finally let it out in a breathy little whisper that sent a thrill through my gut.

I nodded. “A special kind of submissive. Someone I can care for and lead.”

“I’ve never …” She trailed off like she was afraid of the questions forming in her head. “I don’t know what kind of … anything … I am.”

“Are you curious?” I sat up toward the edge of the couch but kept my eyes on her.

“Yes,” she admitted. She was clearly nervous, but there was excitement in the way she licked her lips and tried to keep her breathing steady.

“That’s the first step.” I shifted so my knees slightly separated. “Come to me.”

“What?” Her eyes filled with alarm … and something else. “I don’t … what should I …” Her words stammered, but she stood up, stepping carefully in front of me.

“Good girl. Now, get down on your knees.” My voice took on the weight of command, and I relished the cascade of emotions it brought across her face. She let out a little sound, and her hand flapped opened and shut at her side, while the other slid up to clutch her locket. “You’re safe. Don’t overthink it. I won’t hurt you. That’s a promise.”

She glanced over each shoulder quickly, as if someone might be watching, then dropped so quickly her knees smacked on the wood floor. She winced. “Sorry,” she mumbled. “I don’t know what I?—”

“Shh.” I eased her body between my legs, guiding but not closing her in, placing her hands on top of my knees. Her eyes stayed glued to mine, her chest rising and falling with the heat of her breath. I waited, letting her work through the nerves. “You always have the choice to stop anything that scares you or pushes you too far. You have control. Understand?” She nodded. “That’s what the safeword is for. Remember yours?”

She dropped her eyes self-consciously. “Sandwich.”

“Good girl.” That shy smile met me back, and I loved it. Loved the way she looked, breathless and scared and excited between my knees. “Are you frightened?”

She ran her tongue against the edge of her front teeth and looked down, trying so hard to be brave. I could almost hear her thrumming heart.

“The number one rule is honesty. That’s crucial.” I tipped her head up. “You must be honest with me, always. And I’ll be honest with you.” Her hands tightened slightly on my knees. “Now, are you afraid?”

“A little.” Her voice was so small.

“Are you excited?” I asked. Her cheeks took on that delicious, rosy glow, her lips parted slightly as she nodded.

“Me too,” I said.

Her eyes widened. She hadn’t been expecting that. Her eyes dropped from my face to my lap, and she sucked in a breath when she saw the tight bulge in my jeans.

“I’m sorry,” she squeaked.

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