Page 17 of Beautiful Disaster

I nod, needing something stronger, so I stand, open my liquor cabinet, and pour a finger of whiskey, tossing it back like a shot. “It didn’t work out,” I say, pressing the back of my hand to my mouth as the liquor burns going down. “He’s the reason you’re here right now. You… remind me so much of him.”

“He died?”

Damn intuitive, that one.

“Yes. It hurt enough to move across the country and to live alone for all these years.”

Like me, Jinx doesn’t approach or console me. I just pray he doesn’t make me elaborate. Before he does, I say, “This will be a symbiotic relationship if you wish to proceed. You also have the choice to walk out that door and never see me again, or to stop it at any time. Consent is everything. Do you understand?”

When I’ve gathered my emotions, I turn to face him. He nods and swallows. “Okay.”

“I want this to be as fulfilling and rewarding for you as it will be for me. But there will be rules.”

“So… let me get this straight. You’ll be my Dom, and I’ll be your sub?”

“Yes, Jinx. But it could be so much more than that if you let it. For it to work, it will have to be built on absolute trust, and as I said, honesty.”

“Why me again?”

His intelligent, cold blue eyes watch my every reaction. “Connection? Something about you called to me, hiding between your rants and attitude. Those eyes… As I said, you remind me of my last sub, my lover…” My everything. “You’re very beautiful, too. Do you find me attractive?”

“Yeah, you’re hot.”

Jinx stands and heads over to me, but instead of touching me or saying anything, he reaches behind me and grabs the bottle of whiskey. He pours a shot’s worth into my glass and drinks it down, and I don’t stop him. Only once we’ve reached an agreement will I lay out the rules.

He stands on his toes, being at least seven inches shorter, and kisses me. It’s just a peck. Nothing with tongue. He then pinches my chin and kisses me deeper. I let him have his moment. This need to show he’s not afraid. He tastes of whiskey and fucking risk.

“Are you ready to hear the rules? Again, if you don’t like them, you can go home, and I’ll leave you alone.”

“I think I want this,” he says, resting a hand on my chest, tilting his head as he looks up at me. Is this the former sex worker Jinx? Or the real Jinx?

“Don’t think. Know.”

He shrugs and grins. “How can I, if I don’t know the details yet?”

“You already know this will be a Dom/sub relationship. You will do everything that I say without question. If you do them perfectly, I’ll reward you.”

“Are we going to have sex tonight?”

“Not tonight.”

“But I prepped.”

“Sex is part of a reward system, and only if you want it.”

“Oh.”

I tilt my head at him. “Do you think you’ve earned sex tonight?”

He’s still standing on his toes, both palms on my chest. “Not really. Can I make suggestions?”

“You may. This is a two-way street, Jinx. As a sub, you hold a lot of power, most of the power, believe it or not. Would that feel good to you?”

He huffs a laugh. “Yeah, it really would.”

Before his mouth reaches mine again, I grab a handful of his hair and pull him back. “Kisses are also rewards. The first one was free.”

“And what happens if I’m bad or don’t do what I’m told?” he asks, a teasing glint in his eyes. Any residual fear he had when we first met has completely vanished. Oh, he’s going to be so much trouble; I can feel it. He’ll push my boundaries frequently. After hearing his story, I understand why.