Page 57 of Relentless Pursuit

“I’m sorry if I overstepped when I introduced myself. It just seemed appropriate.”

“You did it because you thought you should?”

He saw the disappointment in her eyes. He hated that look. He hated it even more knowing he was the reason it was there.Damn it!This was why he should have left her alone. He should have insisted Blake revoke her membership and ask her not to return. Why didn’t he do that? Because he was selfish. He saw in her a chance. An opportunity for something different. He didn’t send her away, because he couldn’t bear to see her walk away.

“I said it because I wanted to.” Did she need any other clarification? “I don’t do anything I don’t want to do.”

“Okay.” She smiled at him.

The spark hadn’t returned to her eyes yet, and that only solidified what an asshole he was.

“Remember when I relinquished the control for a few minutes the other night?” he asked.

“Of course. That was a big deal for you.”

A very big deal.“I did that because I wanted to, but I can only work in increments. Does that make sense?”

“I think so.”

“I’m a planner, Kayla. A place for everything, and everything has a place. I didn’t see you coming. I wasn’t prepared for what’s happening.”

“I’m throwing your balance off.”

“Yes.” He couldn’t have said it better himself. “It’s unsettling.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I didn’t say that was a bad thing.” He leaned into her face, tilting her chin. “I just need time to figure out what your place is.”

“I’m not who you thought I was.”

“Not at all.” He had fully expected her to run away from him by now. There were times when even he was shocked she had returned to the penthouse.Why hasn’t she run yet?

“Maybe surprises are good.”

“I’m starting to believe they are.” He pressed his lips to hers. “I know I have no right, but can I ask for your patience?”

“Yes.” She took his face between her hands. “I can be patient.”

Chapter 14

Julian had thought long and hard about introducing Kayla to his spare room. Was she ready? Would the items in that room scare her away? He didn’t invite every woman he dated into that room. It was reserved for those who understood the dynamics of the type of relationship they had entered into.

There was no denying Kayla wasn’t like those women. For a few reasons. While she had proved herself in a submissive setting, she wasn’t a submissive. He still wondered why she’d come to a club to seek such an arrangement. The other reason he was apprehensive to introduce her to his private room had more to do with him than her. She wasn’t, and had never been, the kind of woman he could play with for a few hours and send home. There had been other women over the years who had no issues with having a few hours of intense sex and then leaving to meet friends for dinner. He’d preferred those women...until Kayla.

There were so many visions and ideas he had when it came to playing with her. She was new and eager to learn what he had to teach her. They’d only scratched the surface. Slap and tickle, some would say. There was more. He wanted to introduce her to other activities that he knew she would enjoy. Some of those things were behind the door of the room down the hall.

When he entered his bedroom, she was waiting. Stripped down to her panties, sitting in the center of his bed, watching his every move. He’d usually walk to the chest in the closet and take his time. Not because he was deciding what to do with her. No, that was always carefully planned out before she arrived on Friday evenings. He took his time to give her a few moments to calm herself. To get used to his presence.

“I’d like to try something different tonight.” He held out his hand. “There’s a room I want to show you.”

“Oh.” She scrambled off the bed. “Should I get dressed?”

“Absolutely not.” He grinned as he took her hand. “Where we’re going, you won’t need your clothes.” He kissed her, taking his time as he twisted his fingers in her hair. “Tonight, we’re going to work on your submission. Do you think you can clear your mind and relinquish everything to me?”

“I’ve been trying to do that.”

“You’re doing a very good job, but this session will require more focus. You’ll have to follow my directions and allow me to lead. If you don’t think you can do that, then I’ll have to change our plans for the evening to something less intense.”

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