I had in London with the European GNSS agency about their Galileo Satellite Navigation. I’m hoping we can incorporate their service into Barney’s solar tablet. I answer her queries, surprised that she didn’t ask me all this earlier.
“Thanks. I’ll let Marco know,” she says.
“You know, you could have e-mailed me.”
“I will next time. Barney’s persistent. He’s just sent me another e-mail about this. You know.” She laughs, a little embarrassed, I think.
I chuckle in response. “He’s eager. I know. That’s why he works with us, thank goodness. Is that it? Because I’d really like to get back to my wife.”
“You do that, Christian. Thank you. I’ll try not to bother you again. Good-bye.”
I turn my attention to Ana, who’s sipping her gin and tonic and staring at the coastline with a faraway look. She’s deep in thought.
What is she thinking about? Going topless? Punishment fucks? My wealth? Our wealth!
I hazard a guess. “You will get used to it,” I say as I sit down beside her once more.
“Used to it?”
“The money.”
She shoots me an unreadable look and pushes the dish of almonds and cashews toward me. “You’re nuts, sir.” I notice her half smile. She’s trying not to laugh. At me. Again.
My plan crystalizes in my mind. “I’m nuts about you.”
And that’s the truth.
I take a cashew as I recall that night after her bachelorette party: Ana in bed, naked, holding out her hands to me.
“Are you going to punish me?”
“Punish you?”
“For getting this drunk. A punishment fuck. You can do anything you want to me.”
The thought stirs my blood. She wants punishing. It would be rude of me not to oblige. “Drink up. We’re going to bed.”
She gapes at me.
“Drink,” I tell her, quietly.
Ana raises her glass to her lips and drains it in one long gulp.
Wow. Without hesitating, my courageous girl has picked up the gauntlet.
She never backs down.
Game on, Grey.
Standing up, I lean over, resting my hands on the arms of her director’s chair, and murmur against her ear, “I’m going to make an example of you. Come. Don’t pee.”
Her gasp is gratifying, and her face is a picture of shock.
I smirk, knowing where her mind has gone.
No, Ana, don’t sweat it, that’s not my scene.
“It’s not what you think.” I hold out my hand. “Trust me?”
Her lips lift in a come-hither smile. “Okay.” She places her hand in mine, and together we make our way to the master cabin.
Once inside, I release Ana and lock the door. We don’t want to be disturbed. Quickly, I strip out of my clothes and remove my flip-flops, which I shouldn’t be wearing anyway, but the crew are too polite to tell me.
Ana is watching me, wide-eyed, unconsciously chewing her bottom lip. I grasp her chin, freeing her plump lower lip, and skim my thumb over the little indentations her teeth have left. “That’s better.”
From inside the armoire I retrieve my bag of toys and produce two pairs of ankle-to-wrist cuffs, the key for them, and an eye mask. Ana hasn’t moved. Her eyes are darker than before.
She’s turned on, Grey.
Let’s blow her mind.
“These can be quite painful.” I hold up a pair so that she has a better view of them. “They can bite into the skin if you pull too hard. But I really want to use them on you now. Here.” I step toward her and hand her one set. “Do you want to try them first?” I keep my voice gentle, while trying to keep a grip on my libido.
I want this.
Big-time.
Ana examines the cuffs, turning the cold metal over in her hand. The sight of her handling them is erotic enough. “Where are the keys?” she asks, her voice wavering.
I open the palm of my hand, revealing the key. “This does both sets. In fact, all sets.” She looks from my palm to my face, her eyes full of questions, full of curiosity…full of yearning. I caress her cheek with my index finger, trailing it down to her mouth and across her lips. Leaning in, as if to kiss her, I breathe, “Do you want to play?”
“Yes,” she answers almost inaudibly.
“Good.” I take a deep breath, inhaling her unique scent: Ana and a hint of her arousal.
Already!
Closing my eyes, I pour my gratitude into the gentle kiss I plant on her forehead.
Thank you for this, my love.
“We’re going to need a safe word.”
Ana shoots her eyes to mine.
“Stop won’t be enough,” I continue hastily, “because you will probably say that, but you won’t mean it.”