those he pairs t ogether are a suitable match.” He brushed a stay strand of h air back from her face. “ For what we are about to do—especially to take you to levels you’ve never reached before—there must be complete and absolute trust. I promise you that you have nothing to fear from me. Y ou can trust me only to satisfy your desires and to stretch your limits , but not push you beyond them if it becomes too much for you. Do you understand?”
She nodded.
“I want you to tell me exactly what it is you’re seeking tonight. I want to hear it from you.”
Risa swallowed. She forced herself to keep her gaze on him while s he answered.
“I have discovered that I want to explore greater levels of pain, t o reach that point where the pain itself is a pleasure. To be helpless , except to do as you command me. To achieve the intense orgasms possible at that level. I—I’ve discovered that pain increases my pleasure, that it takes me to a place where thing s could be ever to o much. And to p lease you because of that.”
His lips twitched as if he was holding back a smile. His gaze softened but there was still hunger flaring in his irises . Risa’s breath caught as the heat of his gaze seared her, sending shivers skating over the surface of her skin. She’d only wanted this one night , but suddenly she wanted much more than that. From him. With him. And the intensity of her need frightened her. She’d s p ent her entire life being careful not to let her emotions rule her mind , so how had this even happened?
“I have been a Dom for many years, Risa. I like to think I have pleased my s ubs, given them what they want ed , and that I d id it well. That is the reason Ruelas selected me for this evening. I will never, ever take a sub to a point where it would be emotionally harmful. Give me your trust, Risa, and I will give you what yo u need. So I ask you now, are you ready for this evening?”
“Yes, Master.”
“Then before we begin, I must have your safe word.”
She had always used stoplight, figuring the significance of the word itself would help convey her meaning. But for tonight she’d chosen something else.
“Nightbird.”
T onight she expected to fly.
Master J. tilted up her face with one finger beneath her chin. Something like humor momentarily flashed in his eyes.
“Then I will make sure you fly tonight.” He released her chin. “You know the rules. You will address me as Master or Master J. You may not ask questions unless I give you permission. You will speak only when spoken to except to use your safe word, which you will use only when you are certain you want me to stop. And you will obey my every command. Understood?”
“Yes, Master J . ” H is name sensuously rolled off her tongue.
Apparently satisfied with the atmosphere in the room, Master J took up a position in the center of the floor, legs apart, arms folded across his chest.
“Submissive pose, g irl,” he ordered.
Risa obediently dropped to her knees before him, eyes downcast, head bowed, hands behind her back.
“Excellent. Rise and remove your clothing, everything except your shoes.”
Risa rose to her feet . Still keeping her gaze on the floor, she unfastened the halter-top and dropped it beside her. Trembling with anticipation she slid down the side zipper on her micro skirt, stepped out of it and let it fall on top of the halter. She hooked her thumbs into the thin elastic straps holding the thong in place and eased it down her legs, awkwardly balancing herself on her stiletto heels as she stepped out of it. But when she would have added it to the other items , Master J took it from her hands and pressed it to his face.
Closing his eyes, he inhaled.
“Exquisite. And so wet. I’m pleased that you are already so aroused.”
Risa just stood there, hands behind her back, thrilled that her scent pleased him.
“Turn around,” he commanded. “Slowly. I want to see every inch of you.”
She had only moved
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