Reaction Time (11 page)

Adam’s words, “the sub is always in control,”
echoed through her mind and helped to loosen the fist squeezing her lungs. The painful pounding of her heart began to slow and her breathing became more normal.

You can stop at any time. You have a safeword.

She could do this. She could trust Adam. If she panicked and needed him to stop, he would. They were only having sex, it wasn’t a life or death situation, everything would be fine.

Under control again, she opened her eyes and found Adam standing in the kitchen, watching and waiting. He’d obviously been watching her work through her panic attack and, while his expression remained neutral, his eyes were warm melted chocolate filled with concern.

He wore black dress slacks, a grey button-down shirt, black loafers and carried a small overnight bag. He looked sexy as hell, tempting as sin and as loving as a true partner.

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He set the overnight bag on the floor then walked into the bedroom. Stopping in front of her, he extended his hand and greeted her with a warm and caring smile. “C’mon, let’s go sit out there.”

She gave a sigh of relief, thankful for the opportunity to go to the living room where she’d feel far less intimidated. She felt the heat radiating from him before she even made contact. The second she slipped her hand into his everything inside warmed and the jumbled puzzle pieces slipped into place. She knew, with every fiber of her being, he’d never harm her, nor would he ever let anyone else. She shifted her gaze to his face. All the tenderness he’d shown before was shining through, as well as something that looked a lot like love.

He sat on the sofa, then pulled her onto his lap. She stiffened and felt herself begin to blush with memories of the last time she’d been sitting on his lap. Slightly uncomfortable, and unsure of what to do with her hands, she linked her fingers together and laid them in her lap.

She almost snorted at her prim and proper posture, but Adam began rubbing her back and all she could do was close her eyes and relax into his touch. All this drama was ridiculous. Of course she’d rather be the one in control, but instinctively she’d known from the beginning it wouldn’t work that way with him. Which was the reason she’d spent an enormous amount of time and effort avoiding him. He rested his other hand on her leg and absently swiped his thumb across her knee. The heat from his hand seeped through her jeans and, between the casual stroking and caressing, she relaxed to the point of nearly melting.

“I hear you did well this weekend. Congratulations.”

She slowly opened her eyes and turned her head to face him. “Yeah, I’ll take second.

Especially here. Thanks.”

He tipped his head to the side and smiled. “I really do want to watch you race.

Maybe I can go with you another time.”

“I’d like that,” she said, shocking herself first by saying it and second by realizing she meant it.

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His eyes twinkled and his smile grew mischievous. “You’ve missed me.”

Her breath hitched and her stomach tightened. When his smile spread from his mouth to his eyes he was one of the most handsome men she’d ever seen and he became irresistible. Still unwilling to fully succumb to his charm, she rolled her eyes. “Yeah. It was a real struggle. No one here to harass me. Nobody telling me what to and what not to wear.”

His eyes darkened and grew hooded as the playful smile turned rakish and menacing.

“You want it, don’t you?”

She crossed both arms protectively and stiffened. “Want what?”

He held her gaze as the air crackled with sexual electricity. “Your punishments.”

She froze. Did she? Is that why she brought up the yellow shirt?

His hand had slipped under her shirt and, as his fingers stroked her skin, it was like fire being trailed up and down her spine. Everything inside her erupted into a ball of flames but, despite the heat emanating from the inside out, she began to shiver.

“Why are you shaking?” he asked, his tone soft and low. She tried to look away but he caught her chin in his fingers. “Don’t turn away from me. No hiding, remember?”

Yeah, she remembered he’d said that but she’d never agreed. “Because…” She bit down on her bottom lip. Too ashamed to admit she got turned on simply thinking about what he might do to her, and the trembling came from nervous anticipation, she went with a partial truth. “I don’t know what to expect.”

The corner of his mouth tipped up. “That’s part of the fun. But, I promise, you don’t need to be afraid.” The sparkle in his eyes twinkled as he added, “And there’s no need to wait any longer.”

Her breath hitched while her heart tripped over itself. “What?”

He slipped his hand out from under her shirt and dropped his other hand to pat her knee. “It’s time. Stand, right here in front of me.”

It surprised her to realize she did want this with him. She wanted to know what he did to his subs, she wanted his hands on her and she wanted more of what he’d given her before.

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But instinct caused her to bristle at his commanding tone and she glared at him with her pissed-off-bitch look. “Excuse me?”

He met her glare with a slightly amused expression. “You knew what to expect if I stayed. Every time I have to repeat myself, or you balk when I tell you to do something, additional punishments get tacked on. Now stand.”

She blew out a puff of air. He was right. By letting him stay she’d effectively given her consent he’d be in control, at least for tonight, and she’d stand by her agreement no matter how difficult. But before she went any further she still needed to know one thing, and he could kiss her ass if he had a problem with her asking the question. “Are you involved with someone?”

He pulled his head back and studied her closely. After a few heartbeats, he grinned.

“That’s what set you off the other night, right before your mother arrived, isn’t it?”

She refused to allow him to skirt around the issue by asking another question. But when she only glared and didn’t answer he cocked an eyebrow and gave her a look that said,
I’m waiting and I expect an answer. Now.

She huffed. She would never win with him. “Fine. Yes, that’s what set me off. I told you I’m no good at sharing. Nate said you don’t have a girlfriend, but you told me you had a hot date. What’s the truth?”

He appeared pleased with her answer and began absently playing with her hair.

“There is nobody else in my life, and there hasn’t been for a while. Since the moment I saw you, all I’ve wanted is you. Yes, I’ve had play partners and I’ve trained a few submissives, but I haven’t been involved with anyone in over a year. And there’s a big difference for me in playing with someone, and being involved with them.” He took her chin in his fingers again and held her in place. Locking gazes he clarified, “I don’t want to only play with you. I want you in my life completely.”

Her stomach and throat tightened with emotion. She never would’ve believed Tight Ass capable of making such a declaration, but before she caved completely she still had one more question. “What about the hot date you had the night before we left? Were 80

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you—” her stomach heaved with the thought but she forced the question, “—training a submissive?”

A huge grin lit up his face and he laughed. “No. I was having dinner with my daughter.”

She never saw that one coming and if he hadn’t been holding on to her she might have fallen off his lap. “You have a daughter?” How did she not know this? “What’s her name? How old is she? You were married?”

Love and pride emanated from him. “Her name’s Megan and she’s ten. Her mother and I divorced when she was six. She stays with me every Friday night and since I wouldn’t be home this past Friday, I took her to dinner on Tuesday night. I don’t miss my time with her unless it’s for something pretty damned important.” He ran his fingers through her hair and stopped when he had a handful. Tugging slightly, he added, “I decided you were worth it.”

A giant fist squeezed around her heart.
Nikki, you can be such a bitch sometimes.

She’d been thinking terrible things about him, cussing him for being a jerk, and he’d been having dinner with his daughter.

“Are you satisfied, now?” he asked, a slight smirk playing on his mouth.

No, she wasn’t satisfied, not even close. She’d fallen for him even when she believed him a domineering jerk with a kind streak. Now she knew the truth. He was a kind, compassionate and loving person with a dominant streak.

And she was in deep shit.

She smiled and gave a slight nod. “Thanks for your honesty.”

“You will get nothing less than complete honesty from me. And I expect the same from you. Understood?”

“Understood.”

She couldn’t ask for more. She also couldn’t delay the inevitable any longer, and she didn’t want to. She wanted to know what Adam would do to her. She wanted the experience of turning herself over to him, someone she
knew
she could trust. Mostly, she wanted Adam.

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She took a deep, fortifying breath, rose to her feet, turned and stood directly in front of him.

Ready.

Willing.

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Adam appeared too overwhelmed to speak. She watched his throat work as he swallowed hard and his jaw muscle tightened then released. Emotion glistened in his eyes and was equally evident in his voice when he said, “I want you on your knees, right here in front of me.”

She dropped to her knees as he leaned over and unzipped the overnight bag
. Oh fuck!

It wasn’t filled with clothes and a toothbrush as she had assumed. It was filled with…stuff. She watched, wide-eyed and silent, as he pulled out a silk scarf followed by a pair of leather cuffs. When he pulled out a hairbrush and leather strap, she began to tremble. When the small paddle appeared, she gave thanks for being on her knees because, otherwise, they would have buckled.

Once he had everything lined up next to him, he leaned back, stretched his arms along the back of the sofa and looked at her with a scorching gaze.

Her blood turned molten under his stare and when he commanded, “Take off your shirt and bra,” she became volcanic.

Nervousness, excitement and anticipation all bubbled up within her. Her fingers shook as she undid the buttons on her blouse, sometimes taking two or three tries before getting them undone. She pushed the fabric off her shoulders and let it slide down her arms to the floor. Her bra had a front-clasp fastener and with a flick of her fingers, she flipped it open.

His eyes grew impossibly darker and became hooded as he focused on her breasts.

Her nipples peaked under his scrutiny as she slid the bra off and let it drop to the floor with her blouse.

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“I love the way you respond for me,” he murmured. His hungry gaze wandered down to her stomach then back to her eyes. “Now, undo your jeans and push them down as far as you can without standing.”

She swallowed hard while her stomach pitched and rolled. Curiosity, excitement, dread. What a strange combination of emotions. If he would tell her what he planned to do it wouldn’t be as disconcerting. She could be prepared. But he’d already made it clear that wasn’t going to happen so, as she struggled to undo the button of her jeans, she became a victim to her wild imagination.

Finally, the button slipped free and she hooked her thumbs into the waistband of her pants, wiggling her hips as she worked the tight material down her ass.

Was the fabric this rough and scratchy a few hours ago?
With every sensation magnified, even rough and scratchy was stimulating. She was so aroused she might be able to come from nothing more than a strong breeze.

Or a soft touch.

As if reading her mind, Adam stretched toward her, but didn’t touch her where she most wanted. Instead, he brushed a finger down the middle of her breasts, stoking her fire and causing it to flare even hotter. In a barely there touch he circled her left nipple then gave a gentle squeeze. “Keep your eyes closed.”

She did as he asked, listening as he moved things around on the sofa. With her eyes closed, she became more aware of her surroundings and for the first time, she noticed his scent. It wasn’t a strong aftershave or cologne but more like the fresh smell of soap and shampoo. It grew stronger, as did the heat from his body, when he leaned in close and wrapped the cool silk scarf around her head. He tied it at the back and adjusted it to make sure her eyes were covered.

“The blindfold will help you concentrate on my voice, the feel of my hands and make you more sensitive to touch. Does it feel okay?”

She nodded slightly. “Yes.”

“Sir,” he prompted. She didn’t immediately respond but instead chewed on the inside of her cheek. Adam’s fingers gripped her chin and tilted her head up. She didn’t know 84

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why, because of the silk scarf she couldn’t see him, but she supposed it allowed him to see her face more clearly.

“It’s not an ego trip like you think it is. Yes, calling me Sir shows you respect my position as your Dominant, but it also sets the mood and the tone.” He didn’t sound angry, only firm. “It helps put you into sub-space quicker.”

She didn’t know what sub-space was but it seemed important. And wanting to please him, she took a deep breath and acquiesced. “Yes, Sir, it’s fine. Thank you.”

“Good girl.” She heard the approval in his voice and a warm rush of happiness washed through her. “Now, clasp your hands together and hold them out in front for me.”

He wrapped the first cuff around her left wrist, slid the strap through the buckle and fastened it. She’d expected the leather to be stiff and to dig into her skin. But, as she moved her wrist in a circular motion, getting used to the feel of the leather against her skin, she found it to be soft and, actually, quite comfortable.