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  Each time he pounded deep inside her the ropes holding her arms went slack, then tightened again as he withdrew. His cock was stretching her, filling her completely as she rocked her hips to meet his every stroke.

  Sean leaned forward, making contact along her clit as he squeezed and pinched her nipples.

  “Oh God, Sean.” She screamed his name as the orgasm of her life ripped through her. Over and over, the sensations flooded her. She was pulling on the ropes that bound her wrists as she rocked from side to side, unable to handle the feelings swamping her. Knowing she was restrained, that she couldn’t move her arms, couldn’t get free, had her arousal peaking again. “Sean,” she begged.

  Sean continued to take her higher. Refusing to have mercy on her, he reached down with his thumb and stroked her clit, once then twice.

  Michelle’s scream mingled with Sean’s as they came together—so perfectly she floated away.

  Sean untied her as quickly as he could. He needed to cradle her and keep her there forever. He’d never had such an experience in his life. Brushing the tears away from her face, he knew he’d pushed her too hard. She wasn’t ready for that kind of sex. Too young, too innocent. Hell, he hadn’t been prepared for the emotions she’d brought out in him. So intense. He felt something on his cheek and fisted it away, refusing to acknowledge they were his own tears.

  Leaning against the headboard, he took her in his arms and rocked her back and forth as he whispered in her ear. Red abrasions along her wrists caught his eye. Fuck. He cupped her hands in his and kissed the marks away. He needed silk rope. Before he’d never bothered. Hell, a little bite to the rope added to the experience. But not with Michelle. The indentations along her skin were sexy, an erotic reminder, but not the abrasions. He never wanted to hurt her.

  When she opened her eyes and looked up at him, he felt ten feet tall.

  “Sean, I…that was…”

  He kissed her cheek. “Yeah, for me too.” They both started laughing as he rested his chin on the top of her head and drew the covers around her.

  He knew she’d fallen back to sleep when her breathing slowed to a steady, even pace. There were so many things they had to find common ground on. It scared the hell out of him to think he could lose Michelle. She’d been so uncomfortable at the club and her refusal to scene publicly could get awkward. If it came down to it, he’d sell the club if it was the only way to keep Michelle—but then what would he do for a living?

  Shaking his head, he pushed the worry from his mind. He was getting ahead of himself. As usual, he wanted it all. They’d find a way to make it all work. This was too important not to.

  “Come on, sleepyhead. If we don’t get you into a bath, you’re going to be sore.” Maybe there they could begin to sort through some of this.

  “I’m comfy here,” she murmured into his chest with her delicate hand pressed over his heart.

  He drew her hand to his mouth and kissed her. “Okay, honey, you sleep a little bit longer while I run the water.” Sean laid her head on his pillow and tucked the covers around her. She was so beautiful with her auburn locks splayed out across his bed. He leaned in and gave her a kiss on her temple before he dragged his butt into the bathroom.

  Sean started filling the bath, then went to the vanity and pulled out some eucalyptus and spearmint salts. The scent was refreshing and soothing. As Sean entered his room, he paused to look at Michelle. The sun glinted off his collar around her neck and his heart skipped a beat. He vowed then that she’d wear it for all time.

  He bent down, wiped off the paddle and placed it back in his toy bag. A fine layer of dust covered the outside of his satchel. When had he last used it? In his closet at the office he had the one he used for demos and training at the club. He made a mental note to talk to Brian about a few special toys just for Michelle.

  Ropes were lying everywhere. He smiled, remembering how quickly she’d relaxed and enjoyed the play. She’d been teetering on rope space and he couldn’t wait to explore it more with her. As soon as he had a moment, he’d place an order for silk rope. He didn’t trust it for suspension, but for floor or bed play it would be perfect.

  Careful not to disturb Michelle, he began winding the rope back into bundles.

  How could he learn what aspects of D/s enticed her when she wasn’t comfortable sharing her fantasies with him? That was the first thing they’d need to work on. Open communication was a must in D/s. If she’d tell him the titles of the books she’d enjoyed, he’d read them. That would work.

  Michelle rolled over and gave him a shy smile. Damn, his gut clenched just looking at her.

  “Hey you.”

  “Hey you. Are you ready for that bath?” He knew he was wearing a goofy smile. What the hell happened to his stoic Dom face? Shit, this girl was ruining him.

  “If I gotta.” She looked at the clock then hit herself in the forehead and sank back onto the bed. “I’ve got an essay due at midnight. F-me.”

  “Midnight? What the hell kinda school are you going to?”

  She laughed. “One where the assignments are turned in online so they can make sure they aren’t plagiarized. It’s as paperless as possible.” She shrugged. “Better for the environment.”

  “Okay, I’m feeling old now. Thanks, Michelle.” Jumping on the bed, he started tickling her. Michelle grabbed a pillow and retaliated. As she tried to squirm away from him, her head and shoulders swung off the bed. Holding onto the sheets and slipping, Sean slid his arm around her waist and pulled her on top of him. “You’re dangerous, girl. You could have fallen.”

  “Worse things could happen.” She shrugged and kissed his cheek. “Thanks for saving me.”

  He rolled his eyes, picked her up and carried her to the bathroom. After setting her in the middle of the tub, he joined her.

  “Oh, I like that scent.” She cupped her hands and brought the water closer to her face. As the water spilled through her fingers, she took a moment to look around.

  “I’m glad. It’s one of my favorites.”

  “You have a gorgeous view.” She sank a little farther into the tub. “But please tell me your windows are coated or something so people can’t see in. Otherwise, we put on a helluva show for anyone on the water.”

  Most of the east side of his house was glass. The view of the lagoon was too beautiful to hide.

  He shook his head at her overactive modesty. “People would pay good money for entertainment like that,” he teased her. When her eyes got to be the size of saucers, he let her off the hook. “The glass is one-way only in the bedroom and bath area.”

  “A girl could get used to this, Sean. You’re totally spoiling me.” She snuggled against him.

  The brushing of her ass cheeks across his cock was breathing life into him again. He tried to push the sensations from his mind. It was too soon to take her again. “Oh Michelle, I’m just getting started.”

  “Sean…”

  He wrapped his arms around her and just waited, hoping she would share what was on her mind.

  “You realize you’re so far out of my league I can’t even compete, don’t you?”

  “I don’t want to compete with you. I think we should complement one another, not be on opposite teams.” If she focused on their differences they were sunk. He felt her pulling away. Not physically, but emotionally.

  “We live in different worlds. You’ve moved beyond mine and I don’t think I can survive in yours.”

  Sean’s stomach knotted and he locked his arms even tighter around Michelle without realizing it. “What do you mean?”

  Michelle wiggled and he loosened his grip ever so slightly. “The money is a part of it. I don’t live like this. I have a cramped studio apartment, but it’s mine and I’m comfortable there.” She shrugged. “As much as the money thing bothers me, it’s small potatoes compared to the club. Sean, I know you’re going to be mad, but I don’t think I can do it. I just don’t think I can work there.” She bowed her head as if she expected him to lash
out at her.

  “Anger isn’t the emotion I’m feeling right now, Michelle. Desperation maybe, but not anger. Talk to me about the club. If Stella is the problem, believe me baby—you say the word and she’s gone.”

  “She’s definitely part of it, but she isn’t the problem. Will you tell me about your relationship with her?”

  Sean could feel the tension running through Michelle. “Stella’s an employee, she’s a submissive and she’s on my shit list. What else can I tell you?” He was getting angry now, pissed beyond all reason that he hadn’t fired Stella.

  “That didn’t answer my question.” There was a definite distance in her voice.

  “Michelle, I’ll answer any question you ask me, but I don’t know what you want me to say. The only relationship we have is work. I’ve never seen her outside the club, never wanted to. She’s my employee…at the moment.”

  “But you’ve had sex with her. This is what I mean, Sean. We live in different worlds. I can’t fathom having sex with someone just because.”

  She fed him a little bit of hope. She had to have some feelings for him. “I’ve never had sex with Stella. I’ve told you that. From time to time, she’ll sub for a demo.” He ran his hand across his face, wishing he knew where this was going. “That’s it.”

  “One of the members—David, I think his name was—asked you something about a scene you had with Stella last week. I didn’t hear what the question was. I walked away. I didn’t want to hear about you and another woman and I still don’t. Not like that. Just thinking about it makes me want to…” She shook her head. “I don’t even know what. I don’t like it and I won’t be in a relationship where I feel like this.”

  Her body language was screaming hurt. He remembered Stella coming over to talk to him and after that Michelle had started flirting with Luke and David. Now he understood why. No, he doubted she meant it that way. She really didn’t seem the type to play those stupid games. But at the time, he’d thought she was trying to make him jealous. And it had.

  “That didn’t come out right.” Michelle sounded frustrated. “I have no business being upset about something that happened before we—” She threw her hands in the air. “I don’t even know what we’re doing. Are we dating? Hooked-up? God, this is what I mean. You’re out of my league.”

  “Stop saying that, Michelle. We have a few bumps in the road. We’ll get past them. You need to relax and tell me what’s on your mind.” He was trying to stay calm when he felt anything but.

  Michelle pulled her legs up and tried to stand. “I can’t relax. I need to walk.”

  “You’re not walking away until we’ve talked this through. You mean too much to me to give up without even trying.” Hurt and anger were in his voice. He wasn’t going to let his pride keep him for telling her how he felt.

  Michelle’s body was rigid for a few moments. Then she took a deep breath and relaxed back against him. “I didn’t mean it like that, Sean. When I’m tense, I pace. I have to walk around.”

  “That I can do.” He reluctantly let go and allowed her to stand. She surprised him by going to the shower and turning it on. Sean pulled the drain, wrapped a towel around his waist and joined her. “Didn’t we just take a bath?”

  A pink blush colored her cheeks. “Yes. The dirt washed off us and went into the water, water that we had swirling all over us. Thus, to get the dirty bath water off, you need to shower. When you wash your dishes, you rinse them, don’t you?”

  Sean was trying hard not to laugh. “I suspect my dishwasher has a rinse cycle, but I’ve honestly never looked before.”

  “And you say I need a keeper. Sheesh. Get in here and rinse off.”

  “Are you trying to top, subbie?” That was another issue he wanted put to bed in her mind. She was a submissive. Period. If he’d had any doubt before, this morning put that to rest for him. He threw the towel on the counter and joined her.

  “Some of the outfits the Dommes were wearing looked a little more my style. Although stilettos suck to walk in.”

  “You’d miss the feel of my rope holding you tight.” He traced his hands along the path he’d taken with the chest harness he’d used on her at the club.

  She tipped her head back and let the water spill down her hair. “That’s a true statement.”

  “Everything I say to you is the truth.” He touched the tip of her nose with his finger. The smile vanished from her face and he wondered what she was thinking about. He hadn’t lied to her, but it was pretty clear she thought he had. After pouring some shampoo into his palm, he massaged it into her hair.

  Her coos made him feel better. At least he had that going for him—she enjoyed his touch. He could build on that. Hell, he’d use everything in his power to tie her to him. “I’m sure you have your own shampoo somewhere in that purse of yours but hopefully, mine will work for now.”

  “My shampoo is whatever’s on sale. I’m not picky. If you ever get tired of owning the club you could always become a cosmetologist. I’m sure the women would still flock to you, maybe not naked or kneeling at your feet, but it’s an option.”

  Ahh, he was seeing what part of the problem was. His first inclination was to tell her it didn’t mean anything and to get over it. Instead, he held his tongue while he rinsed her hair and applied conditioner, buying himself a few minutes to think it through. When she’d patted Luke’s hand and chatted with David, he’d felt a few ugly emotions himself. It was a little different though, since those women approached him, not the other way around. He didn’t do anything to encourage it. Pointing that out, though, would only start a useless argument. “How would you like me to handle it when a sub approaches me?”

  “I’d rather they didn’t approach you.”

  “You’re not going to make this easy on me, are you?” He guided her back into the water to rinse off one last time.

  “You said I needed to wear the collar so other Doms wouldn’t hit on me. Isn’t there an equivalent for you?”

  She looked up at him with a small smile. He wished he had a better answer for her. “Not really. Even married Doms take on other subs from time to time.”

  “I see. And the subs are supposed to be all right with that?” Michelle opened the shower door and wrapped a towel around herself. “Where are my clothes?”

  “In the bedroom. Would you like something of mine to wear?” He was losing ground fast. Damn it.

  “Nah, I’d be swimming in them. Besides, I’m more comfortable in my own things.” She walked away from him.

  Sean knew he couldn’t let his emotions get the better of him. She had to come to him of her own free will. He would do everything he could to persuade her but he couldn’t force her. After taking a calming breath, he went after her. She was already dressed and looking at her cell phone. He gave her some privacy and went into the closet to dress. When he came back out, she was leaning on the doorframe with her hair in a ponytail and her purse over her shoulder.

  “What is this?” He felt punched in the gut.

  “I have an essay to write and a lot to think about. I’m going to head out.”

  “Like hell! We need to talk and you need to eat.” She was making him crazy. “I’m not having you walk out of here until we come to some kind of understanding.” Okay, that was not the way to handle this situation. Fuckin’ A. He needed to get a grip.

  “Sean, you can’t dictate to me. I agree we need to talk, but I don’t think now is the time to do it.”

  “Why are you running from me?”

  Michelle stared at him for at least a minute, then sank to the ground, sitting cross-legged, her purse in her lap and her head bowed. “Because I want to stay and it goes against my principles to do that.”

  Sean sat on the floor in front of her. “Why?”

  She tipped her head back against the doorframe. “I won’t be one of many, Sean. I may not believe in love, but I do believe in respect and monogamy. That’s one issue. Based on what David said yesterday, you lied to me.” She
held her hand up and clarified, “I’m not accusing you of lying, but there are some inconsistencies that I don’t understand. You talk about honesty.” She shook her head.

  “I haven’t lied to you, Michelle, and I do want us to have a monogamous relationship.” She gave him such a sad, serious look he decided to try a different tactic. “And on a much smaller scale of importance, I’d like to get off the floor.”

  She laughed, just like he’d hoped she would.

  “You’ve got a problem with floors, don’t you?”

  “I’d much rather be in the kitchen making you something to eat.”

  “Just for the record, I don’t like spicy food.”

  “I got that.” Sean stood and held out his hands to Michelle. He was pleased beyond measure when she accepted his help. “You have nothing to worry about. I think the only thing I have in the pantry is oatmeal. Not much spicy about that.”

  “I don’t like oatmeal. Is there a store around here? We could go for a walk, get some groceries and then I’ll cook us something decent to eat.”

  “Perfect. Let’s go out the back way—the scenery is nicer.” He also didn’t need her seeing the rest of his house just yet. She already had one figurative foot out the door and while his home wasn’t the nicest on the street, it was still impressive.

  As they started down the jogging path, he figured he’d better not wait any longer to clear the air. “What did David say that is inconsistent with what I’ve said?”

  “He said you scened with Stella last week.”

  “Michelle, I haven’t scened with anyone, Stella included, since right after I met you. I’ve trained a few subs and I’ve done biweekly demos and that’s it. I gave a zippers demonstration last week and she volunteered. Nothing intimate.” Walking hand in hand with Michelle—sharing the path with women jogging behind baby strollers, kids on skateboards and couples taking a stroll—felt damn good. They had to find a way to move past the little stuff.

  “I have no idea what you just said.” She rubbed her hand across her forehead. “What’s the difference between a scene and a demo?”