Shelby - Mandy Harbin Page 0,38

then she was free of everything except the blindfold. He pulled her into his lap before allowing her sight again, but with the first look in his eyes, she wished for the safety of the blindfold back. God, he looked so open. Emotions flew in his eyes as he searched hers. She felt a need to kiss him, but why she didn’t know. Instead, she licked her lips and asked, “Did I pass?”

He blinked and the open window into is soul was shut again, but he smiled. “Yes, pet.”

She missed the true openness as quickly as she’d feared its revelation, but she didn’t have time to analyze that. This wasn’t about her or him. Not really. It was about information. No matter how much her needs screamed otherwise, she knew her duty, and she would follow through. “And I’ll be staying the night?” She knew that was what he’d wanted, but she wasn’t going to assume that was still the case.

“Unless you safe word out.” He stroked a piece of her hair behind her ear. “Although, I have to tell you, I’ll do everything in my power to keep that from happening.”

He didn’t have to worry about that. Not yet anyway. “Good.” She glanced at her bag of massage oils and then back at him, but she could tell his eyes never wavered from her face. “Then it’s my turn to please you.”

“It seems that requires minimal effort from you,” he whispered so softly that she wasn’t entirely sure it was meant for her ears. Though her heart pounded as if he’d shouted it from the rooftops.

This assignment scared her. She’d known that from the moment she’d agreed to it. But this was the first time she’d been really scared of what could happen with this man…and her feelings toward him.

Chapter Ten

“Follow me,” Mason said once Shelby was finished putting her sexy as hell dress back on. He still couldn’t believe she’d thought ahead to wear something like that. No woman had ever grasped any foresight into what he’d like without being told first. It wasn’t so much that he liked role playing, but the effort she’d put into pleasing him.

Besides the fact that, before Shelby, he wasn’t one to be surprised. It was a development he rather liked…with a woman he was growing attached to. It wasn’t smart, not with everything going on at the firm, but maybe spending some time with her would help keep his sanity. He’d do well not to overthink this. God knew his brain was already stretched to the max with other, less desirable thoughts.

“Where are we going?” she asked once they reached the stairway to the next floor.

He rubbed her back and kept his hand there to guide her up the stairs. “To the private rooms. We each have our own in case we don’t want to drive home for whatever reason.”

“Oh, that’s good. I guess.”

He didn’t miss the shiver that danced along her back as he rubbed her there. She was so fucking responsive. If he wasn’t careful, he could easily lose himself in her.

What do you mean could? You’ve been panting over memories of her all week. Wasn’t that the damn truth. He’d laugh at himself if he could find the real humor in falling for a woman who wasn’t in the lifestyle. Yes, she was submissive, but having those tendencies did not a willing sub make. He’d always known he needed to exert his dominance in the bedroom. He never cared for it outside. Everyone’s needs were different, but his attachment to the life was purely sexual. A full-time sub was more work than he’d ever want to give. But with Shelby, he felt he was learning more about himself, too. With her, anything could be possible. There was so much to domination and submission that even with these four scenes, they wouldn’t scratch the kinky surface.

And if she did go through with them all, then what? Would she walk away? Want more?

Would he?

She opened her mouth as if to ask something else, but shut it with a slight frown. Interesting. Why was she holding back her question? She obviously wondered about something. He hadn’t told her she couldn’t speak unless spoken to. Some Doms got off on that.

Mason didn’t.

No, he rather liked it when a woman was free to express herself. Unless in the bedroom…then all bets were off. He needed total control in that area, couldn’t afford to let that go.

Then why are you letting other Master Doms