Page 25 of What About Love

“I’m sorry, Angie. That comment was out of line.”

She blinked up at him in surprise, clearly not expecting an apology.

“Here’s the problem with this mission. For this to work, things are going to have to get intimate between us.” He stepped closer, his free hand sliding around her waist. Pulling her front tightly against his, he used his strength to keep her still as she stiffened and leaned away. “For us to be effective, we need to be believable. A willing submissive will crave a dom’s touch and lean into it, not flinch or avoid it, as you just did.” His hand rose to her cheek, fingers lightly tracing her exceptionally soft skin. As he changed angles, his thumb glided over her lower lip, down her chin, and along her throat. “I’ll need to touch not only your face but your body as well.”

Dropping her safety gear to the mat, his other hand moved up her back. Its goal, the high ponytail that held her gorgeous mass of hair away from him. Grabbing hold of the band, he pulled it free and tossed it.

“I’ll need to handle you gently sometimes, more firmly at others. I’ll put you in restraints, play with and punish you. All of that will be expected. To get you used to me and my touch, we’ll need to practice. Until we arrive, I’m going to caress you, put my mouth all over your gorgeous skin, and yes, darlin’, I’ll spank you, too. But I’ll respect your limits. Never doubt that.” He dipped his head, his lips finding her neck as he whispered, “Unless you ask me for more.”

As he stroked a hand through her silky hair, he brushed it behind her shoulder, giving him access to more. Her scent surrounded him, light and clean, faintly fruity, most likely from her shampoo. Inhaling deeply, he was pleased she didn’t reek of cloying perfumes—very nice.

Not flinching and drawing away any longer, her head fell back. This arched her back and her breasts brushed his chest. In the stretchy clinging top, she couldn’t hide the fact her nipples had pebbled into hard little points. His tongue slipped out and licked up her throat to her ear, tasting her for the first time.

“I’ll have no trouble with any of this,” he murmured, “because I want you. The real question is canyouhandle it?”

He lifted his head and stared down into her half-lidded eyes, which had already turned hazy with passion. She didn’t respond, not verbally at least, though her body hummed with desire. For all her vibrato about a different trainer, she wanted him, too.

“Answer me. Can you handle being this close and not losing your heart? If not, say so now and I’ll go to bat for you with the boss.”

She stiffened, trying to pull away. He wouldn’t let her.

“There’s no shame in wanting. Lord knows I’ve wanted you for a very long time. But a word of warning, Angie. I can’t offer you more than this.”

“Yes, you’ve said so,” she replied, her voice raspy.

“I want to be clear. It’s not you. It’s just not in me to give.”

Her hands moved quickly, pushing against his chest as she arched away. “You’re mighty full of yourself. This is a job.”

“So say your lips.” His arms tightened, his hands sliding along her spine as he pulled her against him, molding her soft breasts to the unforgiving hardness of his chest. “Your body tells me otherwise. You want me, too, Angie. Admit it.”

She twisted, struggling to be free of his hold as surely as she fought the urge to succumb. The hitch in her breathing and the rock-hard tips of her breasts telling a different story than resistance.

Her voice squeaked when she blurted out, “Shouldn’t we get back to work?”

“We are working.”

He bent his head, giving her throat one more brush of his lips before dropping his arms and stepping back. She was flushed, her respirations elevated. He didn’t need to touch his fingers to the flutter visible in her throat to know her heart raced. And he was sure if he slipped his hand between her thighs, she’d be wet. Stubborn woman, she wasn’t about to admit it.

“Okay. We’ll play it your way. It’s a job. We have our roles set. Within the walls of Club Decadence, here, and when we get to LA, I’m your dom and you are my submissive. You will submit to my commands, within the limits you set, and have your safewords as a safety net. Everything in between is fair game. Agreed?”

Despite her arousal, her brows furrowed. He knew exactly what part of his speech bothered her. He dropped his head and caught her mouth in a slow, gentle, exploratory kiss. By the time he lifted his head, she was breathless.

“Yes, Angie. That was a taste of fair game. Now, answer me. Are we agreed?”

With lips parted and her skin flushed and glowing, she was the image of a beautiful, sexually aroused female. But her hazel eyes flashed as the brave woman inside her rose to the challenge.

With a nod, she echoed his words huskily, “Yes, we’re agreed.”

He nodded, and with the worst part dealt with, clapped his hands, rubbing them together eagerly. She jumped the tiniest bit at the unexpected noise. Grinning, he widened his stance and held his arms out in invitation.

“Okay, little trainee, show me whatcha got.”

Her mouth fell open, her eyes darting to the door and the empty observation bay before cutting back to him. “Here? Now?”

“Yeah, come for me.”

Her brows shot up, her hand coming up to rub her left earlobe. A sign of uncertainty he’d picked up on already. “Wait, what?”

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