Sculpt-Paige_Michaels-Becca_Jameson by Becca Jameson and Paige Michaels Page A

do. You want it now. But when we’re done. When you let go completely and understand how valuable you are, you may also realize that you don’t need the pain. It may become too much.”
    She couldn’t wrap her head around what he was saying. She’d always wanted it. She couldn’t imagine her life without the pleasure of pain. Even as a kid, she’d worn rubber bands around her wrist and snapped them throughout the day just to feel the bite of pain.
    “It won’t be. I’ll take whatever you give me. I promise, Master.”
    ∙•∙
    She didn’t understand, of course. She didn’t understand that she’d been carrying a desire for pain around a long time because she thought she’d earned it. Punishing herself for not being a good enough daughter. And now punishing herself for what she’d done to Julian and Morgan. It was all wrapped together in an intricate tangle of knots, and Theo knew he was capable of untying her, but he also didn’t know what he’d find on the other side.
    Masochists frequently craved pain because of the crippling self-doubt and unworthiness they felt. But Theo couldn’t be sure if giving her back true confidence would lead her to a place where she wasn’t the right submissive for him anymore. If his brand of dominance would start to frighten her.
    “Let me take a look at your cuts,” he said, drawing her from the bed into the bathroom.
    She let herself be led, and he wondered if she was still working through his words. He removed the T-shirt and pants, but stopped himself from touching her, though she was nearly impossible to resist with all his marks on her gorgeous skin. He peeled the tape on her arm bandage back and smoothed more Neosporin over the cuts. He hadn’t gone deep, but still he didn’t want to risk infection.
    “I don’t think Julian and Morgan will ever forgive me,” she said in a near-whisper.
    He shrugged. “Maybe not. They seem to be doing fine.”
    “Not because of me, though.”
    He studied her face. “You’re right. It was a reckless thing to do. But we’re done with that now. You’ve paid for it. I cut it out of you. Do you understand?”
    She nodded, eyes slightly glazed. “Yes, Master.”
    “Good.” He would talk to Julian. Get his take on what had happened. Lucinda was wrong and clearly felt awful for it. But it’s not like Theo hadn’t done his share of stupid stuff when he was a teenager, before he met his sensei and started going to the dojo.
    “I need to go to work soon. I told Camille I’d be in late, but I need to take care of a few things. Are you working?”
    She shook her head. “No classes today.”
    “I’d like to give you a series of tasks to do today. Would you agree to that?”
    “Yes, Master,” she said. He ripped the tape on her hip off, and she shivered, her nipples pebbling. He reached his hand up and pinched her right nipple as he slathered more ointment on the cut at her hip. She released a breathy sigh, and he tugged and pinched harder. Her legs shifted open and he chuckled.
    “I don’t have time to address your needy cunt this morning, brat. But I promise when I return, I’ll give you what you need. Can you wait?”
    “You’re asking me?”
    He chuckled. “Yes, brat. I’m asking. You can either quickly get off right now, or you can wait until I get home where I will spend a long time indulging you. Your decision.”
    She gnawed at her bottom lip, and Theo could almost hear the wheels spinning. His greedy girl needed to learn the value of patience instead of immediate satisfaction. But he wanted her to find it herself, not force it on her.
    “Tell me my tasks first, and then I’ll decide.”
    He dropped his hand from her puckered nipple. “Nope. Decide first.”
    She huffed. “Fine. I’ll wait. Now, what are my tasks?”
    He grinned and replaced the bandage at her hip before he grabbed both nipples so hard she squeaked. Her hips tilted as if her pussy was seeking him, and he laughed again. “I want you to take