Page 36 of Savage Game
He hummed and kept stroking her hair. She liked the touch and leaned in.
“Okay, so you were out of sorts when you woke. Were you thinking about something in particular or did you wake from a dream that upset you?”
She chewed her lip, and he used the pad of his thumb to carefully remove the flesh from between her teeth.
“I don’t think so. I was just… unhappy, I guess, but not for a reason.”
“Okay, what happened next?”
“I did my morning routine.” She frowned at her fists, still clutching the dark fabric of his jacket.
I should loosen my hold.
She couldn’t. “I don’t think that changed something, but when I saw today’s clothing, I went from cranky to angry.”
“Why?”
“I don’t like the corset.”
His expression didn’t change, but his hand shifted to her cheek. “Explain.” With the lightest pressure, he made her face him again.
She stiffened.
Bare her soul? Share her vulnerabilities? Vulnerabilities he could exploit.
She toyed with a loose thread on the edge of her towel and couldn’t form the words.
“Kittycat.” The rumbling growled nickname sent a shot of pleasure and a frisson of fear over her spine.
“I don’t know how to put it on.” Her answer was true and not evasive… quite.
“I figured as much.” Master sighed. “I was expecting to strap you in myself. However, I didn’t expect I was required to fetch you, or that you wouldn’t be dressed at all.”
“Oh, right.” Totally inadequate reaction. “Yes, yes, of course. I’m sorry.” One hundred percent the truth.
His index finger tapped her cheek lightly. “Now tell me what else bothers you.”
“Um, n-nothing.”
Such a bloody liar!
He didn’t speak.
Charlotte let her gaze drop to her lap, and he made the throaty sound that told her she screwed up.
“Keep your eyes on me and answer my question.” There was a hint of steel in his tone, but —to her relief— he didn’t seem mad. “I suggest you go for a truthful one this time.”
She took in a deep breath and rushed out on a long exhalation. “I don’t think I have the figure for a corset.”
He blinked. “Why not?”
She gestured an impatient hand over her body. “Don’t you need breasts for a corset? A waist? Some thighs? Doesn’t work on a stick, I think.” The last words came out far more sarcastically than she intended, and she flinched and braced herself.
Master heaved a sigh. “I don’t even know where I should begin to address the nonsense that’s currently coming out of your mouth, so I’ll do them chronologically. One, you have breasts. They are gorgeous and perky, are tipped with the most beautiful and responsive nipples, and fit in my hands like a pair of doves.”
She blinked and stared open-mouthed at him. He seemed absolutely honest and sincere.
“Two, you have a waist. Are you aware how much I enjoy the way my hands can span completely around your middle and how I love to hold you tight and secure?”
