Page 12 of Claim

I thought for a moment about what I knew of the kink world. “No blood, knives, the rest, I’ll say, if we cross it.”

He nodded. “What is your safe word?”

“Marriage,” slid from my lips before I gave it a second thought.

He cocked his head to the side, studying me. I wanted to respond, defend my choice, and tell him not every girl had dreams of white picket fences and two-point-five children, but I kept my thoughts to myself.

Then as if he accepted my choice, he gestured to the table in the center of the room. “Have a seat on the end. We have to finish our conversation.”

Immediately my pulse jumped, but I found myself following his command. Once situated on the table covered in plush leather, I waited.

He approached, setting a hand on either side of me. “Only Sophia, don’t look so worried. I’m not a tyrant. All I expect is honesty at all times. Never take more than you can bear. Your safe word is there for a reason. Do you understand?”

“Yes.” Then I asked, “What do I call you?”

“I thought you said you weren’t a submissive?”

I frowned. “I’m not. I’m exploring. And there are still rules.”

His face loomed closer to mine, and I couldn’t help but sway closer. “Well, Only Sophia, the explorer. You call me Damon. I’m not one for honorifics.”

“It can’t be that simple. You have to have other rules.”

He smiled, sending a flutter into my stomach, then listed things he expected, all of which were standard in the world of kink.

However, when he said, “And each time you don’t listen, expect consequences.”

I asked, “What do you mean by consequences?”

Though the thought of the unexpected intensified the throbbing between my legs.

“You’ll find out soon enough.” He leaned forward. “Now to the most important rule.”

My breath grew unsteady as my nipples beaded.

“You can’t come unless I give you permission.”

He’d lost his mind if he believed I had any control over it.

As if reading my thoughts, he answered, “Oh, you can do it. Remember, the reward is well worth the wait.”

I licked my lips and swallowed, trying desperately to ease my now parched mouth.

“One last question before we begin.”

I knew what he planned to ask. I sensed it deep in my bones. If I agreed, he’d know the first of my secrets: I lived a lie. But then again, someone would know I wasn’t what everyone believed.

“Intercourse. Yes or no?”

I stared at him, my breath growing unsteady, uncertainty warring with desire for this stranger.

He traced a finger along my jaw. “There is no right or wrong answer. I don’t need to come to make you come. This is about you. In a power exchange, the submissive holds the true power.”

I opened my mouth to argue and remind him I wasn’t a submissive, but I found myself saying, “Yes.”

“Now we begin, Only Sophia Morelli.” He brushed a soft, caressing kiss over my temple, a gesture I hadn’t expected. “Let’s explore your very submissive side.”

As he stepped back, he brought an eye mask into view and slipped it over the one I already wore. “I believe it’s better for you to feel rather than see.”

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