She grinned. “I didn’t think they were.”
“I want to spend the night with you, pet. I want to explore every inch of you.”
“I want the same thing, Master.”
Unable to resist, I kissed her again, savoring the soft moans that rumbled against my lips. The woman was as eager as I was.
I lost myself in her kiss for a moment, then gave in to my urges, pulling back to meet her hooded gaze. “Stand up for me, pet.”
Taking her hand in mine, I shifted positions when Clarissa easily got to her feet. I widened my legs, allowing her to stand between them. Her gaze dropped to the floor again.
A true submissive she was.
I knew for a fact she’d undergone submissive training. Perhaps not formally, but certainly from a Dom who had specific preferences. She’d been under Shane Gibson’s watchful eye for quite some time. Although I wanted to punch him for touching Clarissa, I still considered Shane a friend, albeit not a close one. I’d harbored a small amount of ill will toward him for his relationship with Clarissa alone. However, I knew he was a good Dom, one who put his submissive first.
“I don’t want to rush you, Clarissa,” I admitted. “If you tell me to slow down, I will. I’m certainly not in any hurry.”
Her eyes were glazed when she looked back at me. “No, I don’t,” she whispered. “I don’t want you to slow down. I’d like you to … touch me.”
“Where, pet? Where do you want me to touch you?”
“Everywhere.”
Ah, Christ. This woman was going to be the death of me.
“Strip for me, sunshine.”
There was a second of hesitance, but then Clarissa slowly worked the buttons free on her blouse before allowing the black silk to slide down her shoulders. She grabbed it and placed it on the table behind her. I watched the striptease, admiring all the smooth skin she uncovered as she went. She truly did have beautiful breasts. Not big, but enough to fill my hands.
When she reached for the zipper on her skirt, I stilled her with a brief touch to her arm.
“Let me admire you first.”
Clarissa straightened her stance, her breasts jutting forward, hands clasped behind her back. It was a perfect demonstration. Almost too perfect.
The only time she nearly lost her composure was when the back door opened and Zeke stepped inside.
“Look at me,” I commanded Clarissa. “I am the only person you should be paying attention to.”
“Yes, Master,” she whispered, her back straightening as she locked her eyes on my face.
I met Zeke’s gaze and he nodded before leading Tank through the living room and down the hall.
“When was the last time you scened?” I asked when we were alone again.
She swallowed hard. “It’s been a while.”
“How long’s a while?”
“Nine months.” It was obvious that was hard for her to admit.
“Why so long?”
“I’ve been … busy.”
“Too busy to indulge in the lifestyle you crave?”
Her eyes lifted to meet mine. “I’ve wanted to play. I just … haven’t. And when I did, it was only with Xander and Mercedes.”
“Not Shane?”
She shook her head.
“Why not?”
Several seconds passed as she stared back at me. I could tell she was weighing her answer.
“Tell me.”
“You,” she said on a rush of air.
“Me?”
“Yes.” She swallowed hard, but I was proud of her for not looking away. “I didn’t play with any other Doms because … I wanted you.”
I liked that she hadn’t.
“Remove the skirt.”
A little less hesitant than before, Clarissa unzipped the skirt and lowered it down her legs before folding it neatly and setting it on the table. Because she’d removed her panties and bra earlier, she stood before me stark naked and so fucking beautiful.
Although I appreciated the fact that she followed my instructions so dutifully, I wasn’t sure I liked how trusting she was. Or how well-behaved. It seemed Xander was right. Clarissa and I didn’t know each other all that well, and truth be told, she had absolutely no reason to trust me. Yet here she was, naked before me.
“Look at me, pet.”
Her eyes lifted to mine and I saw a flash of heat.
Perhaps my instinct was right and we knew each other better than we thought.
I took a few moments to admire her from head to toe, ensuring she saw my appreciation for her beauty before I met her gaze once more. “We’ll go over more rules in the near future, but for now, I only have a couple.”
Her eyebrow arched as though she was curious.
“From here on out, you do not have permission to wear panties when you’re around me. Understood?”
“Yes, Master.”
“And you are not allowed to masturbate without explicit instruction from me.”
She sucked in a sharp breath but nodded her agreement.
I sat there for a moment, watching her. I was looking for any signs that she was uncomfortable. Being that she’d been immersed in this world for so long, it didn’t surprise me that she had it down to an art form. She knew just when her eyes should lower to the floor, the perfect stance to remain in for her Dom’s pleasure. All her actions were choreographed perfectly.
