Page 14 of Wicked Christmas Eve

He studied me for what seemed an eternity, his gaze raking me from head to toe before he finally spoke again. “Do you have any experience with a place like this? This isn’t exactly beginner’s night.”

“Only a little, but I’m a quick learner with an open mind. And I know how to use a safeword.” My voice shook. I didn’t want to get into the explanation of that one wild year in college.

“Define a little. I can’t proceed without more information. Have you played before or are we talking about you’ve seen it in a movie or read about it in a book? There’s a big difference.”

I took a quick shallow breath, hoping to even out my voice before I continued. “I’ve visited the famous Purgatory Club in Charlotte not far from where I live and participated in a few non sexual scenes.”

“Ever been collared?” he asked, his eyes studying me intently.

I shook my head. I couldn't voice how the image of that made me feel right now. Not with the heat of excitement sizzling across skin.

“Such a shame and yet perfect.” He reached forward, wrapped his fingers around my throat, and gave it a light squeeze. “You would look amazing with a thick piece of my black leather attached to your regal neck. Maybe a leash too.”

I swallowed thickly behind the firm grip of his fingers still wrapped around me. I didn’t know what to say. Should I be appalled? If so, then my body would make a liar out of me. The heat pulsing through me had ratcheted to an all-time high just thinking about such a thing.

Just to be clear I didn’t think we were talking about a necklace. No, this sounded more like a declaration of ownership. Question after question began flitting through my mind, but only one came out on a rush of breath.

“Do you have a collared submissive?” The air inside my lungs refused to move as I waited for his answer.

Please say no. Please say no. Please say no.

I could never take that risk again.

Immediately the energy between us changed. His eyes narrowed, and his mouth pursed. “Not at the moment. Hence my overzealous friend surprising me with a visit from his.”

My gut clenched. I could tell there was a lot more story there, but that it was also not up for discussion. Surprisingly, I was okay with that. Any other time I would have prodded until I learned more, but maybe I needed more than just a holiday vacation to get my head on straight. This wasn’t the beginning of a relationship, it was a—what had the bartender said? A play session.

That was cool.

It was time to focus on something fun without having to analyze it to death. If Cyrus had a former submissive in his proverbial closet who was I to question that? Don’t we all have skeletons? I didn’t see him grilling me about any of my exes.

I pushed thoughts of my disastrous one night stand with my former boss out of my head and refocused on the gorgeous man standing right in front of me.

“Submissives aren’t allowed to wear clothes in there. At least not tonight.”

I bit at my lip. Was he saying yes? Or was he trying to intimidate me? I hated to burst his bubble, but I wasn’t about to let a little self-consciousness about my body stop me from a night of fun, right? I swallowed thickly. Was I really going to do this?

“I understand.” The words tumbled from my mouth before my brain could stop them. Guess I was ready after all.

A deep chuckle sounded from his chest. “Hmm. We’ll see about that.” He took the empty shot glass out of my hand and placed it on the bar. Without taking his gaze from mine he spoke to the bartender. “How many of these has she had?”

“Within limits.”

“Good.” He bent down, nuzzled my face to the side and bit my lower lip. “Stand up and take off your skirt.”

---