a situation like that? To hand over control to every part of your life? From your haircut, to your clothes, to whether or not you could have lunch with your girlfriends when you wanted?”
“I don’t know, Sir.”
“There are Master/slave couples who don’t use safe words.”
He spoke it simple and matter-of-factly, but it had the intended impact. She sucked in a breath and swallowed her panic. Her voice gave no hint of fear when she replied, “Everything’s still negotiable. I wouldn’t enter into any relationship without a safe word. It’s a hard limit.”
“And I would applaud you for that. However, I won’t train you to be my slave. I don’t mean to be cruel, but you’re not mentally prepared to take on such a role.”
She balled her fists so her nails dug into her palms. “I don’t want to be your slave, Sir. That’s not why I wrote that.”
The air behind her moved as he stood. “Then what was your purpose?”
“I want you to give me some training, just a little taste, in full-time slave service.”
“No.”
She took a deep breath, his response exactly what she thought it would be. She knew arguing wouldn’t change his mind. In all likelihood, it would only make him angry. “May I propose a compromise, Sir?”
“A compromise?”
“You know, that thing where we both budge a little to reach a mutually satisfying arrangement?”
His voice was terse and unamused. “No, can’t say I’m familiar with the concept.”
“I agree I’m not ready to serve as a slave right now or even train as one. But can we relook at the idea in a month or so?” There was only silence behind her. “Please, Sir?”
For several seconds, he stood and then he slowly walked away from her. Toward the window, she believed. She heard his sigh from across the room.
“Very well, a month it is. And to give you a little taste, you’re not allowed to wear knickers for the next month.” He smirked at her gasp of shock. “And rest assured, I’ll be checking.”
• • •
Friday afternoon, Cole sat in Daniel’s kitchen while his friend prepared steaks to grill.
“You sure you don’t want to stay for dinner?” Daniel asked, washing his hands. “I have plenty.”
“I’m sure. I have a phone interview with a source in about an hour.” And he was starting to feel like a third wheel, staying on Daniel’s property. Eating with him and Julie would only make it worse.
“If you change your mind . . .” Daniel let the offer hang in the air.
“Thanks, but I think I’ll let you and Julie enjoy your Friday night alone this week.” He didn’t miss the look of anticipation that crossed Daniel’s face. Cole snorted. “Obviously, you have plans for the evening.”
“Hell, yes!”
“I guess that means—”
His talk with Daniel was interrupted by the sound of feminine laughter coming from the front door. He recognized Sasha’s voice immediately. She sounded carefree and happy and he smiled in response. She needed to laugh more.
“We’re in the kitchen,” Daniel called out, and Sasha’s laughter stopped.
Seconds later, Julie entered the kitchen followed by a now subdued Sasha. Julie made her way to Daniel, who pulled her close and gave her a welcome home kiss. All the while, Sasha stood in the kitchen doorframe, hands behind her back, and her eyes anywhere except on the kissing couple.
“Sasha,” Cole said.
She moved her gaze to him. “Sir.”
Her voice was breathy and her cheeks slightly flushed. He wondered if she was wearing panties.
“Did you and Julie have a nice afternoon?”
“Yes, Sir.”
He locked gazes with her, wanting to ensure she understood his next comment. “How fortunate then you had nothing to take priority over your outing.”
She didn’t look convinced, her lips pressed together and she stood straighter. “I suppose.”
She shifted her weight, which told him she was doing one of two things. Either she was wearing panties and being around him made her feel uncomfortable due to her disobedience or she wasn’t wearing panties and she felt the weight of his Dominance just being in his presence.
“Daniel, you and Julie will have to excuse us for a moment. I need a private moment with Sasha.”
Julie wrinkled her eyebrows, but Daniel only nodded. “The house is yours.”
“Thanks.” He turned his attention back to Sasha. “Come with me, little one.”
There was a large guest room down the hall from the kitchen. He led her there and into the roomy bathroom attached. Once there, he opened the door and bid her enter first. He closed the door behind them.
“Kneel,” he commanded and she went to her knees. “Have you been a good submissive, Sasha?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Thank you, I believe you, but since I told you I’d check, I’m going to check. I want you to stand up and take the shorts off.” He let that sink in for a minute. If she had followed his directions, this would be the first time he saw her naked. “If I like what I see, you’ll be rewarded.”
Ever so slowly, she stood to her feet and unbuttoned her shorts. He held his breath as she inched them down, revealing only bare skin. She was shaved, but the shorts had been on the snug side and left red marks on her skin.
“Good girl.” He moved to stand behind her. In that position, he could see them both in the mirror. “Tell me what it was like, being panty-free.”
“It made me aroused, Sir. And every time I thought about how turned on I was, you always came to my mind.”
“Exactly what I wanted. Are you aroused now? Standing in Daniel’s loo, half naked, with your pussy exposed to me?”
She sucked in a breath. “Yes, Sir.”
“For being such a good girl, I’d normally bring you to orgasm. But I don’t think you’re ready for me to touch you like that, so you’ll have to be my hands.”
“Sir?”
“You’re going to pleasure yourself for me.”
She moaned and he met her eyes in the mirror, gave her a smile.
“Spread your legs more,” he ordered. When she’d widened her stance, he added, “Start at your waist, brush your skin lightly, tease it, think about where your fingers are going.”
She closed her eyes and her fingers drifted to her waist. Her lower lip was sucked into her mouth in concentration.
“Let your fingers brush lower, but don’t touch your clit.” The color in her cheeks deepened at his words. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
It seemed she found it easier to talk with her eyes closed. “I’m thinking of your fingers, Sir. About how they’d feel.”
“How would they feel? Tell me whilst you play with your cunt.”
She licked her lips. “Good, they’d feel good, Sir. You’d start by seeing how wet I was.”
“How wet are you?”