for her to take, and Domi slipped her fingers into his.
She almost swore she could hear Rae’s inaudible groan.
Yup, I’m over here making poor choices. You can scold me later. Right now, I’m gonna go get laid.
Turning, Master Mitch pulled her into position along his side, wrapping her hand around his arm like an old-school gentleman. Domi couldn’t help but giggle.
“Let’s see what’s open in the Dungeon,” he said with a wink, walking toward the stairs. No, walking wasn’t the right word. He was strutting, and Domi couldn’t keep the grin off of her face.
He might be terrible at dating—probably would be—but he wanted to try. That meant something to her. Wasn’t it at least worth trying? Not that she was going to give him a yes right now, but they could at least scene together. She’d give him her answer after she’d had some time to think about it.
Even though she was already pretty sure she was going to say yes.
Chapter Ten
Mitch
Thankfully, one of the nooks along the far wall of the Dungeon was open, with hanging chains and cuffs, providing all sorts of fun possibilities once he got Domi restrained. Leading her over to the nook, he dropped his play bag on the bench beside it and smiled down at her. She looked back at him, bemused since he was escorting her like they were on their way to the theater or something.
“What kind of scene would you like to have?” he asked. Domi raised her eyebrows. Usually, he took the lead, but tonight, he wanted to make sure she got what she needed, but she didn’t seem to understand why he was asking. “Is there anything special you need after yesterday?”
Comprehension flashed in her eyes.
“Stress release.” She made a face. “I know I shouldn’t feel guilty about Ana being hurt, it was an accident, but…”
Domi was the type to take the blame for things outside her control. Must make being a single mom difficult. He wondered who took care of Ana when Domi was at Stronghold… Not his business, though he hoped they’d be able to talk about their actual lives soon. Maybe when he took her out on their first date.
This wasn’t the time to ask. She needed time and space to be herself and have her own needs met. Stronghold was a place to escape reality for a little bit, not sit and talk about it.
“You were not at fault,” he said firmly, reaching up to grip her hair and pull her head back, forcing her to look up at him. Her lips tightened, her expression turning mulish, and he knew she wanted to argue with him. “Accidents happen all the time, especially to kids. I see the aftermath of it all the time at work. It means the kid is actually living their life, which is a good thing. So, I’m not going to punish you for Ana getting hurt. I am going to punish you for blaming yourself.”
Domi’s eyes widened, and Mitch grinned, leaning down to plant a firm kiss on her lips.
Was it just him, or did it feel different this time? Her lips hadn’t changed—they weren’t any softer, she tasted exactly the same—but somehow, it felt like there was more to it, as though he felt more.
Sweeter. More intimate. More meaningful.
It was their first kiss after he’d told her he wanted her—the first kiss after he’d admitted his feelings for her. He hadn’t expected anything would really change, but it had, even if he couldn’t describe it.
When they broke apart, he couldn’t tell if she felt the same way. He hoped so.
“Alright, Domi Darling.” Reaching up, he tugged a curl, then trailed his finger down her shoulder to the center of her breasts, giving them a quick tap. “Let’s get you out of these clothes.”
Domi
Something had changed between them. Scenes with Mitch had always been satisfying, always hot, but now it felt like something more. There was tension between them, in a good way, that hadn’t been there before.
His hands felt the same as he smoothed out the lines the corset had left on her skin, but his gaze was more intense. More intent.
Though she kind of wanted to kick him for why he was going to punish her. They both knew this wasn’t going to be a real punishment scene, but it still meant something.
Being punished for blaming herself. Argh.
He has a point.
Not that she would have long to dwell on it.
Tugging the hanging chains into position, Mitch secured Domi’s