some, but I can assure you, I know what I’m doing. And leaving you with anything other than my name on your lips, completely satiated, is the last thing I would ever do.”

He actually said satiated. A man who knew what that word meant! My heart

flipped in my chest. I put my hand over the fluttering organ and tried to talk it into calming down. Then the gist of what he said hit me. Totally satiated with his name on my lips. It conjured up all sorts of images of debauched pleasure that made heat wind from my stomach down between my thighs. I squeezed them together, but that only made it worse.

“Indeed. Then, we can move on to other subjects.” I looked him in the eyes

and waited. “What will you not do?”

“I don’t do blood play. It’s just not for me. No knives, anything like that. If you want that, you’ll have to find it somewhere else.”

“I don’t know what that is.” Obviously, I hadn’t gone as far down the rabbit hole as it was possible to go.

“Ah, I see. Some people like to be whipped until they bleed. Or cut. It’s not something I participate in.”

“No,” I said and shook my head vigorously. “It doesn’t sound like anything

I’d like either.”

“Good, then we’re agreed on that subject. No blood.”

“No vaginal penetration.” I suddenly volunteered and looked down at the perfectly nude manicure on my own hands. “I, uh, I’d like to reserve that.”

“Oh?” he asked and looked at me more intently. “Are you a virgin?”

Damn my cheeks! They burned, and I looked at him, but refused to feel ashamed. “I am. I’m not saving it for marriage or anything; I’m just … waiting.”

“I see. No, that should be done correctly. I agree, Stephanie. Alright, no vaginal penetration then.” His smile was a balm to my bruised ego, even if I could detect a hint of smug again. “I think I’ll quite enjoy giving you lessons.”

“Lessons?” I asked, not sure what he meant.

“You’ve never fucked a man before, right? Or sucked a dick. Or felt a man’s tongue inside of you, I’d have to imagine.”

“I, no. I haven’t.” My cheeks flamed all over again, but I didn’t back down.

He’d been crude on purpose, to shock me and gauge my reaction.

“Then this will be lessons, on how to do all of those, how to take what you’re given, properly.”

I had a feeling this man would test my patience, far beyond anything I’ve ever experienced before. Even with my brothers, arrogant bastards that they all were, I’d never had to deal with a man who directed that arrogance at me. I wondered what he’d do, what he’d make me do, and anticipation began to make me nervous.

“What else, Stephanie?” he murmured, and I finished my drink.

“We have to start tonight.” I gulped and looked at him, the glass now empty on the table.

“I stopped having any other plans for the night the minute I saw you on that stage.”

“Really?” I smiled softly, pleased. “I’m glad you liked me.”

“I do, indeed. I need to speak to our mutual friend, Roxie over there, and we’ll have to sign some papers, but otherwise, I’m yours for the rest of the night, Stephanie. And three more if you’d like.”

“Only three?” I asked, a little disappointed. Would that be enough?

“Only three,” he repeated, his face a mask. “I’m not in this for a relationship or for long term commitments; if that’s a problem…”

He allowed the words to trail off, and it hit me that I was about to let this man touch me in ways no other man had. He was a complete stranger, if a charming one, and I knew next to nothing about him. That made the whole thing even more naughty, and I smiled as my bravado came back to life.

I wasn’t exactly on fire for the man, I’d barely just met him, but I felt a draw to him that I couldn’t deny. “Three days would be satisfactory.”

“Oh, it’ll be far more than satisfactory, my dear,” he murmured and ran his finger down my jaw. “You’ll never forget them, I promise you that.”

“I hope you can keep that promise, Mr. Dark. I really do.” I watched his eyes as I issued the challenge and knew I was in for a lot more than I’d bargained for.

Those mysterious gray eyes went wide then narrowed down slightly before he looked away.

“Where’s Roxie at? I think we need to start you on etiquette lessons, missy.”

The words were spoken softly, but with careful control.

Oh no, was I in trouble?

9

DYLAN

I wanted to feel the burn of my hand over her bottom, I decided as the

cheeky little monkey issued a challenge to me. She hoped I could keep my promise? I’d make sure she never forgot me, that was for sure.

But it wasn’t violence that she’d remember me for. Oh no, now that I had a

distraction for the next three days, I’d make sure little Miss Innocent knew every way to please a man, herself, and to be pleased. She wouldn’t forget me, because I’d make her crave me.

I wasn’t a cruel man, however, and I wanted it known up front that I didn’t do relationships. It was too much stress and drama, both of which I didn’t need. I had enough of that in my work life; I didn’t need it in my play-time either. No, I’d found it much easier to be up front with my partners, that way there were no expectations.

I beckoned Roxie over once I caught her eye, and we went about the business end of the deal. The monetary sum Stephanie would be given as a token of appreciation, not for services rendered, was a bit high for the normal fee, but she was special. I’d already guessed she was a girl of breeding and taste, most likely educated at a boarding school with the manners and suave conversation skills that came with it. Even the way she tilted her head was practiced, controlled.

Everything about her was, though. Even now, she wanted control of the situation, to make demands, and I knew she hadn’t quite grasped the situation.

She was a sub, and in many respects, in control of me, but only in the way I

responded to that. I needed to be sure she knew that.

“You do realize, once you sign your name to that document, you are to be at my beck and call? That you will, in essence, be mine?”

She took a deep breath, blinked for a moment, and then looked at me. “I have been in control my entire life, Mr. Dark. I’ve been at everyone’s beck and call, but not a single person has given me anything in return. I want what you offer now. I’m fully aware of what it means, but I will get something out of it. I won’t be left alone, in the dark, with nothing to show for it.”