Mary’s gaze softened, a sweet tone filling her voice. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
He noted and appreciated her caring, though the slow shudder she experienced as he trailed his finger over her shoulder interested him more. “Don’t be sorry. We met in high school and married too young. We grew into different people who wanted different things in life.”
His ex-wife, Kate, wanted high society, and Elliott wanted a quiet life, surrounded by those who loved him. When he mentioned divorce, Kate was more worried about what she’d be getting financially than sad that their marriage ended. She had also taken as much of his money as she was possibly able to, at that time.
He brushed his fingers over Mary’s jawline, arching a brow. “Does it bother you that I was married before?”
“No.”
“Good,” he replied with a firm nod. “How about we leave the past where it belongs, then?”
She frowned.
He understood her sorrow, though he also knew the importance of living in the present. Hearing the sensual sounds around him, he played with a stra
nd of her soft hair. “How many times has someone told you they are sorry for your loss?”
“Many times.” She sighed.
“Are you sick of hearing it?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He smiled and tugged on her hair, enjoying the way her breath hitched. “Then why would I say the one thing that annoys you?”
Her eyes searched his before the tightness in her expression vanished. “I suppose you’re right.”
“We both have pasts.” He dragged a finger over her bottom lip, relishing how her lips parted, ready for him. “When you said husband, I heard the pain that his death caused you. I don’t need to know more than that.”
While he held sympathy for her loss, he also wanted to play with this sweet woman tonight, not dwell over sadness about something that couldn’t be changed. “I suspect that tonight you came here for an escape. I’m more than willing to give you that.”
She hesitated, and then gave a firm nod. “You’re right, that’s exactly what I came here for.” Staring at him for a long few seconds, she drew in a loud breath and then glanced to the flogging scene.
A burning overcame him, like nothing he’d experienced. If he was being honest with himself, he didn’t think he’d ever felt such chemistry with a woman before. This was not something he’d ignore. There was something special about Mary. Something that made his body flare with dominance.
More than a need to fuck her, own her, make her come, he wanted to get into her head. He knew himself, and knew this instant connection needed to be explored. He kept his gaze fixed on her as she continued to tremble. Her breath was raspy as she watched the woman bound in the chair being fucked roughly from behind. At Mary’s intense shiver, Elliott grinned to himself.
Ah, you’d like that, darlin’.
She turned to him and moved a bit closer. Yearning lay in the depths of her eyes, though with a hint of sadness, too. It made his intentions tonight clear.
Free her.
A little treat had been offered to him and he planned to devour her. He slid both hands into her hair and her lips parted under his hold. “Such a pretty little thing you are.”
“I’m pleased I arouse you, sir,” she replied with pinkened cheeks.
There was the difference between an experienced sub and one new to the lifestyle. Mary was trained to speak with confidence and please her Dom, though her wide eyes and harsh breathing showed her apprehension.
She intrigued him.
He brushed his fingers over her bottom lip and pulled her up against his rock-hard cock. “As you see, darlin’, aroused might be an understatement.”
Chapter Three
Soft instrumental music followed Mary as she strode hand in hand with Elliott into the master suite. He hadn’t asked her to join him for a play session, he simply led her into the room. A slow heat flooded her at his boldness. She knew she had indicated her interest for the evening and that she was more than willing to play with him tonight.
He didn’t need more of an invitation.