Page 12 of Betrayed

Chapter 6

“YOU’VE AVOIDED ME ONprevious visits. Why?”

She stiffened beneath the hand that rode low on her back as he guided her to the reserved station.

“I haven’t.”

“Even if this is our one and only scene together. Let’s keep it honest, shall we?”

He caught a flash of azure-blue eyes as she cast a sidelong glance his way, but when she found him studying her, she hid them behind her long, midnight lashes. He was looking forward to their scene for several reasons; primarily he found her extremely attractive. Her above-average height suited his taller frame perfectly; he wouldn’t have to bend in half to speak in her ear or kiss her, and her head would tuck in just right beneath his chin. She was also all curves and softness. Although he loved women of all shapes and sizes, hers was the figure type he preferred.

The sadness in her eyes and the history Dex had relayed were of concern. After three years spent alone, she hadn’t assimilated into the active group of subs at the club. She didn’t socialize before or after play, never left with a dom for the night, or with anyone else for that matter, and as far as he knew, had no contact with any of the members outside the club. She was a loner, isolative, and as such, lacked the support a BDSM community could provide.

When Dex approached him to work with her this evening, he readily agreed. But this was more than a simple scene with a lonely submissive. The owner’s purpose in linking them wasn’t solely to be a replacement; it was more specific. As a sadist, he could provide what she needed, but also as an intelligence expert, he could use his skill to learn more about what was going on inside this beautiful yet very private and closemouthed submissive. That suited his own agenda for the evening, perfectly.

Arriving at their station, Arturo led her behind the velvet ropes, coming to a stop in front of the tall, imposing St. Andrew’s Cross. Touching her, he felt more than saw the tremor that ran through her body as she stared up at it. A small smile tipped the corner of his mouth. A bit of fear was perfect for a scene he had planned for her. Next, he’d see how she responded to gentle interrogation while under dominant intimidation.

With one index finger, he tipped her face his way. As he searched her deliberately serene expression—a mask she’d perfected over time, no doubt—he made his expectations clear. “I tire of having to repeat myself, sub. I expect prompt answers to my questions and obedience. Is that clear?”

She blinked up at him, her cloudy-eyed expression revealing how much his stern directive affected her.

“Yes, sir,” she replied softly.

“Très bien.Let’s begin anew. Why have you been avoiding me, Mari?”

“I wasn’t—”

His warning frown stopped her. “Consequences for disobedience in your experience include what?”

“Punishment, sir.”

“And how was that carried out?”

“Withholding pleasure, most often.”

He arched a brow. “That is quite harsh. Were you not spanked?”

She flushed prettily as she nodded.

“I require hearing your lovely voice when you answer me.”

“I was spanked, sir, but rarely as punishment.”

He smiled slightly in full understanding. “You enjoyed it too much. A masochist would. Still, you have limits, I’m sure.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Some of which we will explore tonight.”

“No!”

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