Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 21157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Cameron dropped the cane and moved closer to her. He gently stroked her face as he murmured in her ear. Jess didn’t move a muscle or make a sound. A kind of deep peace shimmered around her, almost palpable in the air.
At a nod from Cameron, Brandon at once crouched to release her ankles, while Cameron freed her wrists. As Jess fell forward, Cameron gathered her into his arms. Cradling her against his chest, he brought his mouth to hers. She circled her arms around his neck as they kissed. The lingering onlookers burst into spontaneous applause, and even Dahlia sighed happily.
As he watched the pair, so obviously in love, Hayden experienced a sudden spasm of pure jealousy that was new to him. As powerful as BDSM was for him, he’d never felt that kind of connection with anyone.
He’d never wanted that kind of connection, he reminded himself. That was a huge part of why he’d worked himself up to the rank of Head Master. He got his pick of every lovely slave girl and sub who crossed the threshold. Why limit himself to just one woman, when there were literally dozens ready and eager to submit?
Anyway, this evening wasn’t about him. Far more important was Dahlia’s reaction. It was evident she’d been strongly affected by everything she’d seen. He was convinced now, more than ever, that she was a natural—a submissive diamond in the rough.
“Let’s take a break,” he suggested, placing an arm around her shoulders.
“Yes,” she agreed with a small laugh. “All I did was watch, but for some reason, I’m wiped out.”
“It’s a lot to process,” Hayden agreed as they made their way to a quiet corner where a privacy screen had been set up. Dropping his arm from her shoulder, he reached back and untied the satin ribbons that held his mask in place.
“It’s okay as long as we stay back here,” he said. “You can take yours off, too.”
With a nod, she untied her mask. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright. Her lips glistened in the soft light, the tip of her pink tongue just visible on her lower lip. He was excited to hear in her own words how strongly the scenes had affected her. Maybe she’d even ask him, then and there, for a scene of their own.
“So,” he said, keeping his tone light, “what do you think so far? Pretty powerful stuff, huh?”
“Holy cow,” she blurted, charming him with the old-fashioned phrase. “It was something else, all right. I had no idea this kind of thing actually happened in real life, and on such a scale. I admit, I’m fascinated and more than a little intrigued.”
“All good,” Hayden replied, encouraged by her words.
But then she wrapped her arms around her torso, some of the light leaving her eyes. Looking past him, she said, “I really appreciate your letting me get a glimpse of your world. But it’s not for me.” She tossed her hair, meeting his eyes, something like defiance in her face. “No,” she said, a sudden quaver entering her voice again as her eyes skittered away from his. “Definitely not for me.”
Hayden stared at her, taken aback by her abrupt about-face. What the hell…?
Then he grinned, getting it. He was genuinely amused at her denial in the face of such overwhelming evidence to the contrary. But no way in hell was he going to let her get away with it.
“You’re lying, sexy girl.” As he said the words, their truth resonated in his bones.
“Oh, yeah?” she retorted with a saucy toss of her hair. But not before he saw the sudden flash of longing in those beautiful eyes. It was as if she were silently begging him to break through her defenses once and for all.
Hayden reached for Dahlia, cupping the back of her head with one hand and circling her waist with the other. He dipped his head, bringing his mouth to hers. With a sigh, she parted her lips, and their tongues met. As he pulled her close, she melted into him, her nipples poking hard against his chest. She tasted sweet, like champagne with a hint of orange. Her skin smelled of jasmine and pure animal lust.