Page 98 of On His Terms

“Hi.” Struggling to find her equilibrium, she propped herself on her elbows and acted as if everything were normal when it was anything but. “Are both of those for me?”

“They could be. But I was hoping you’d share.”

“If I’m feeling generous.” She scooted to a sitting position, dragging the sheet with her, and rested her shoulders against the headboard. After accepting a cup, she inhaled deeply. “Thank you.” The first sip—all creamy and tasting of sweet vanilla—was heaven. “Perfect, Sir. If you spoil me like this, I might never leave.”

“What makes you think I was hoping you would?”

Oh Jesus. Her heart stopped. He couldn’t have said that. Couldn’t have meant it.

Their gazes locked.

“Sir…” She looked away first. She had a goal. And she needed to focus on it.

As if he’d been kidding—and maybe he had—Master Alexander cleared his throat and went on. “I’d like to leave for the Den by five o’clock,” he said. “Do you mind meeting here since I’m closer?”

“That’s a good idea. Uhm…” Then, desperate to restore some normalcy between them, she peered at him over the rim of the cup. “I know I mentioned it last night, but the mountains are a perfect place for a photo shoot.”

“As I’ve told you, I have a PR company.” Finality rang from his statement.

So this really did mean that their time together was almost over. “Is there any way to convince you to reconsider?”

He stood. “Would you like to shower here?”

His abruptness sent her emotions reeling. Suddenly uncomfortable, she brought her drink closer to her mouth. “That’s a nice offer. But I’ve got a lot to get done, so I think I’ll get going.”

“Understood.”

In less than five minutes, her beverage almost untouched, she was dressed, with her purse slung over her shoulder.

He walked her to her car then paused once she was behind the steering wheel.

Neither of them spoke, and his eyebrows were knitted into a serious line, as if he had something to say.

Words failed her.

And she was afraid that if she said goodbye, she might cry.

“Five o’clock.”

“Yes, Sir.” She gave him a brave nod.

After closing the door, he rapped on the hood and walked away.

Concentrating on what she was doing, she pulled onto the road and didn’t relax her shoulders until she stopped at a traffic signal. What happened back there?

Was the distance between them because she’d asked again about the photo shoot?

Or something else?

For a moment, when he’d suggested that he didn’t want her to leave, she’d wanted to believe he was serious, and immediately she’d dismissed the idea. After all, he’d changed the subject right away.

Being in her apartment didn’t settle her, nor did the hour-long soak in the bathtub.

Weeks ago, when she’d approached Master Alexander, she’d been so confident, and her plan had all seemed so easy. He’d train her. She’d land Master Evan C as a client and Dom. Another success in her business and her life.

Yet here she was, having fallen for her trainer. They’d scened for the last time, made love for the final time.

And the rest of the day loomed in front of her—long and lonely.

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