been after he’d spanked her. “Well, no. But everyone was nice.”
His mouth curved slightly. “I don’t think you’re looking for nice, lass. Come with me.”
Tingles of excitement raced across her senses as he led her to a couch, set his bag down, and sat beside her. “Normally, with a new member, a Dom would be able to pull up her file.”
At her horrified stare, he grinned. “Those files don’t include private data like addresses or phone numbers, no more than information about medical problems and a soft-and-hard limits list. Information about what you like or want to try—or never want to do. It’s a place to start when negotiating a scene.”
“Oh.” She stared at her lap, unsure what to say.
“With you, we’ll start from scratch.” His hand closed over hers, warm and strong. “I know you like being spanked. Are you interested in doing a scene where we’d take it a bit further?”
How could she possibly explain to him her liking for pain depended on—
“Hmm.” He ran a finger down her cheek. “There’s usually only one thing that turns a submissive this color of red. You get aroused by pain and want to explore it as well?”
Her mouth dropped open, and she sputtered. “How can you just say such things?”
His deep, masculine chuckle resonated in her bones. “Between the military and the lifestyle, I don’t have much modesty left. Although I don’t mind handing out pain alone, I prefer when sex and pain are inextricably combined. Are you open to having that kind of experience with me?”
Oh, she did love intelligent men who could say words like inextricably. “Um. Yes. Yes, I am.”
“In that case… Since we don’t know each other well, how about sticking to the basics for a first scene? Maybe an erotic spanking where I can strip you down and use my fingers. Fingers only, and we’ll go to what’s known as third base.”
She laughed and relaxed, even though the room was growing steadily warmer. “That sounds like it’s something I’d enjoy more than you would.”
“This time, you will.” He tilted her chin up, his gaze level. “If things continue, rest assured I will take my pleasure when the time comes.”
The sheer self-confidence in his tone made her shiver.
“Any triggers or fears or injuries I should be aware of? Any blood-thinning meds?”
“No.”
“Do you like being restrained?”
Her breathing caught, and deep inside, the quivery anticipation heightened. “Yes,” she whispered.
“Have you ever had a problem with being tied up?”
“No. It’s only been a couple of times and only my arms.”
“Excellent. I can see we’ll have some new experiences for you.” As he ran his hand down her arm, his gaze stayed on her face. “Since we don’t know each other well, you can choose whether to play in public or private. Some people feel safer down here where there are people, but others, especially when new, don’t like getting off in public. The rooms upstairs are private, but monitored, so if you shouted the safeword, ‘Red’, a DM would come running. If we use an upstairs room, I won’t use any restraints you can’t get out of with a bit of work.”
The way he carefully considered her fears and laid out her choices was amazing. Wonderful.
So…private or public. She considered the nearest scene area and thought about being touched intimately where people could see. Thought about possibly being seen by Barry or Kahlua. “Private.”
He curled his fingers around hers. “All right then.”
She tensed, expecting him to rise and pull her toward the stairs.
Instead, he just…studied her. After a few seconds, he lifted her hand and kissed her fingers. “Lean forward for me, please.”
Frowning, she obeyed.
“Put your arms behind you with wrists crossed above your ass.”
“But—”
At the slight tilt of his chin, she followed his directions.
When she looked at him, he slowly pressed her shoulders back against the couch cushions until she was leaning against her arms. It was a type of unbound restraint, she realized.
“As it happens, Professor, I’m not only a sadist, but also a Dom,” he said softly. “I’m quite pleased you’re submissive. Are you comfortable giving up control to me tonight?”
She was submissive. It was simply the truth. And the command in his voice reduced her to helpless jelly. “Yes.”
His finger ran over her cheek, leaving warmth behind it. “Did you learn any languages when you were in the Middle East?”
There was an odd detour. “Yes, a couple. I’m fluent in Arabic with some Persian-Farsi.”
“Well, then.” As his finger traced down her jawline, under her chin,