bathroom, Knox. I love it.”
He moved in behind her. The walk-in shower was big enough so he could stretch his arms out and not touch the walls. He’d had a teak bench put in so he could sit and enjoy the sauna option he’d added. His mother had joked he had more water jets in his shower than a carwash. But he hated freezing his ass off, and with so many adjustable showerheads, water hit every part of his body.
“So plain white tiles, huh?” she asked.
“It was cheaper. I put the money into the plumbing fixtures.”
“It’s nice.” She faced him and smiled. “But no place to take bubble baths?”
He snorted. “Do I look like a bubble-bath guy? I’ll show you the backyard.”
They backtracked to the kitchen and exited out a side door. He led her up the set of wooden steps to the deck he’d built the first year he’d lived in the house.
“You have a lot of yard space.”
“That’s the main reason I bought this place. You can’t find lots like this in metro Denver anymore.”
“There’s room for expansion after you get married and have a couple of kids. It’d be easy to add on bedrooms, a family room, and a mudroom for the dog. Back by the trees would be a perfect place for a swing set and those jungle-gym forts.”
He stilled. She’d voiced his thoughts perfectly.
Then she remembered herself. “Enough with the show-and-tell, Godan. Feed me.”
“With pleasure, Mistress B.”
She whacked him on the ass.
Inside the house, he said, “Have a seat at the breakfast bar and I’ll serve you.”
“That could be taken a couple of different ways.”
Knox leaned across the counter and let her see the heat in his eyes. “You say the word and I’ll offer whatever services you desire.”
“Let’s satisfy our appetite for food first,” she murmured.
He pulled the roast out of the slow cooker and set it on a plate, happy that the meat separated easily with just his fork. He scooped the potatoes, carrots, and onions into a bowl, then filled the gravy boat with the meat juices. “Help yourself. What would you like to drink?”
“Any flavor of soda is fine.”
After pouring her a Coke, he took the rolls out of the warmer and dumped them in a basket. When he glanced up, she hadn’t touched anything.
“What’s wrong? You don’t like pot roast?”
A sheepish smile appeared. “I don’t know since I’ve never had it.”
Knox forked meat onto her plate. Then potatoes and carrots. He smashed the vegetables down and poured the clear, flavorful juices over everything on the plate. “There. And you use the dinner rolls to sop up any extra bits.”
Shiori took a tentative bite and then closed her eyes. “God. That is so good.”
“Thanks. My mom’s recipe.” He loaded up his plate. That they didn’t talk during the meal didn’t feel awkward. Especially since she ate two plates of food.
She set her napkin down. “I’m done.”
“So no room for dessert?”
“Maybe later. Right now I’ll waddle to the couch and hope I don’t fall asleep during our talk.”
“While I’m hoping we don’t yell at each other, I don’t want you nodding off on me either.”
She touched his cheek. “I won’t.”
“Good. Go on. I’ll put the food away.”
“You need help?”
“Nah. I’ll just dump it all back in the crock and shove it in the fridge.”
When Knox walked into the living room, he noticed Shiori had taken her boots off. She had her hands in her back pockets as she stared out the bay window.
In that moment she didn’t look like a Domme; she looked small and fragile and maybe a little lost. Sometimes it was hard for him to see past her various personas—the high-powered business executive, the billionaire heiress, the martial-arts master—to the woman beneath.
He moved in behind her. “Do I need to ask before I put my arms around you?”
She looked over her shoulder and said, “Never.”
Knox enfolded her in his arms. He had to bend down to rest his chin on the top of her head. She held such power in a small package.
After a bit she kissed his biceps and wriggled free. “You ready to go over your homework?”
He chuckled. “I’ll warn you, I’ve always been a C-minus student.”
She sat in the corner of the couch and pulled her knees to her chest.
Her protective posture annoyed him. This conversation would be easier if she sat on his lap and he could touch her. He mirrored her pose on the other end, but he stretched out his long legs so they encroached on her space.
Already testing her boundaries?
“Let’s go over the problem areas. First, we work together. You’re in charge at the dojo. I’ll respect that. When we’re alone together outside the dojo, you’ll defer to me.”
“In all things? You dictate where we eat, what we do, what movies we watch?”
Shiori frowned. “Okay. Back up. I’m talking about sexual submission. So we won’t be doing any of the normal-couple things like if we were starting to date.”
Knox said, “Then I’m not interested.”
That startled her. “I’m confused.”
“Yes, ma’am, you are. I’ve never been in this type of relationship, and I don’t know your rules, but I do know mine. I like you. I want to spend time with you. Outside of the dojo and outside of Twisted. That means we do couple things together. We watch TV, we share meals, we get to know each other. I’m willing to let you direct our intimate relationship, but the key word there is relationship. I’m not interested in you calling me to show up at your penthouse when you’re feeling horny and need a man to service you. There are places that cater to that type of need. Or you can just hold off and get what you need from one of the male submissives at Twisted.”
Her eyes flashed. “How are we supposed to have a relationship? We can’t let anyone at the dojo know we’re involved.”
“Why not?”
“I have no idea how Ronin will react, and he should hear about it from us, not thirdhand gossip from Katie.”
“It’s none of his or anyone else’s business.”
“Wrong. Black Arts is his business. He made us assure him that we wouldn’t kill each other while he’s away. His worries wouldn’t be any less if he knew we were involved. So we’d have to keep it strictly between us.”
“Basically, we’ll be sneaking around,” he stated.
She cocked her head. “You’re trying to rile me on purpose?”
Fuck. This was not how tonight was supposed to go. He leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling for ten counts before he looked at her again. “Fine. If we’re keeping this on the down low, then that means no signs we’re together at Twisted either.”
“You can’t make that determination.”
“Yes, I can. If I can’t claim you in public, then you can’t claim me either.”
Shiori set her chin on her knees and considered him. “Is this your manipulative way of being my submissive without having to learn what it means to be a submissive?”
Knox shook his head. “I am learning; keep that in mind. Is public approval of club members important to you as a Domme? Do you need it to prove your dominance over me?”
No response, but he knew he’d touched a nerve.
“You can teach me to be what you want and need in ways public humiliation never will. Any type of humiliation in any setting is my hard limit.”
“I’d never do that to you,” she said softly.
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
“Be warned—if it ever happens, I will walk away.”
Annoyance briefly flashed in her eyes. “I get it.”
“Good.” He refocused the conversation. “Have you ever had a submissive of your own before?”
&nbs
p; “I had one guy in Tokyo whom I used more than others. But no, I’ve never brought a sub to my place to play.” She smiled. “Or had a sub cook me dinner. So this is all new to me.”
“We can figure this out, ma’am.”
“Call me Nushi.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “What’s that mean?”
“Master, lover—it’s the simplest Japanese word for it.”
“Nushi,” he murmured. “I like it. It’s more personal.”
“I hope so, because you’ll be saying it a lot.”
There was his cocky woman.
Shiori studied him. “Your hard limit is public humiliation. Any others?”
“No other players. Specifically, no one else in bed with us and no play with others at Twisted.”
“Define play. Because you dish out pain at the club upon request, and that is play for those members.”
Knox shook his head. “Not if you don’t become aroused by it.”
“I disagree. But here’s where I’m willing to compromise. I’ll be in the room with you when you’re doing another Master’s or Mistress’s bidding.”
That could actually be really hot, having her eyes on him as he worked a submissive over. “Deal.”
“But . . .” She gave him a cagey smile. “You don’t get to lie about our relationship. If asked why I’m observing, I get to answer that it’s your Domme’s prerogative.”
Knox knew part of her wanted to lay public claim to him. But he had the right to demand the same thing. “Agreed. But for every Master or Mistress that you tell I’m your sub, I get to take you out on a real date. Where I pick you up and pay for the night out.” He lightly bit the tips of her fingers before kissing them.
“You are awfully damn demanding, sub, but I’ll agree. As for when we get to the stage where we’re having sex, we’ll use condoms?”
“Fine. Can we get tested so down the line we don’t have to use them?”
“Then what would we do for birth control?”
His eyes narrowed. “You’re not on the pill?”
“No. And it’s not something I’m interested in going on.”
That sucked.
“What about restraints?” she asked.
“Cuffs, straps, ropes? I’m good with that.”
“Sex toys?”
He thought of the cock ring. That hadn’t been bad. “Fine. No stupid-looking fetish wear for me or breath play.”
Her nose wrinkled. “I’m not into that either. When we’re together, I’ll expect you shirtless and wearing a pair of athletic shorts until I tell you to remove them.”
Here came the demands. “Yes, Nushi.”
She touched his hair. “When I snap my fingers, I’ll want you on your knees. Immediately.”
His response was more a grumble than agreement.
“Disrespect and defiance will result in punishment at my discretion, but will not include any type of public humiliation. I’m willing to negotiate on some things, but when I say done, we’re done.”
“Understood.”
“When it’s just us, like this, alone? You are mine, Knox. To do with as I please. You’re not convinced you’re submissive, so I may push you a bit.” She paused, gauging his reaction. “Is there anything else we need to address?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Ah, but there is one thing. I’m here on a work visa. It’s unlikely I’ll get sent back to Japan before Ronin returns, but it is a possibility. So I should make you aware this won’t ever be a permanent situation.”
His gut clenched at the idea she could just . . . leave. Was he prepared to let her go?
You don’t have a choice.
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Then try not to fall for me, Nushi. It’d be tough to beat my ass for breaking your heart when you’re in Tokyo.”
She laughed—just as he’d hoped. “I was going to offer you the same suggestion, namaiki.”
“Is that a new pet name for me or something?”
Another laugh. Then her hand gripped the hair at the back of his head and she pulled. “Stand and take off your shirt.”
Apparently negotiations were over.
Knox stood and removed his shirt, slowly undoing the buttons as he tried to shift gears from playful to subservient. He let the shirt flutter to the floor.
Shiori snapped her fingers.
He lowered to his knees. She hadn’t said he had to keep his head down, but he did so anyway.
“Very nice.” She scooted to the edge of the couch and ran her hands across his shoulders and her palms flat to his pecs. “I have a thing for your chest. It’s so broad and muscular.”
Was he supposed to say something?
“What would you do if I stripped off my pants and spread my legs wide so you could see every inch of my pussy?”
“I’d do nothing until you told me to do something, Nushi.”
“Oh, you are a fast learner, my sweet. So I’ll tell you what I’m going to do. After I ditch my pants, I’ll lean back on this comfy couch and see how well you use that mouth.”
His cock went hard. He fought the urge to lick his lips. He heard fabric rustling; then her pants hit him in the face.
She pressed her bare toes against his groin. “You like this oral exam I’m giving you, don’t you?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Come here and show me what you’ve got.”
Knox bit back a growl when he saw her pussy, smooth everywhere except for a small patch of hair on the curve of her mound. So pink and hot and wet. Then he had his hands on the insides of her thighs, opening her up so he could get at every glistening inch. A hard tug on his hair caused him to look up.
“I don’t want to come fast. Tease me. Make me beg.”
He’d make her beg all right. And then he’d make her scream. He gave her a feral grin. “You gonna let me bury my face in your pussy now?”
In answer, she released her grip on his head.
Rather than diving in, he decided to take her demand to the extreme. He acquainted himself with the insides of her thighs. First, featherlight brushes of his lips. Then soft sucking kisses. He wished he hadn’t shaved so she could feel the burn of his bristle on her tender flesh.
When Knox finally forged in closer, he closed his eyes and breathed in her musk. Nothing on earth compared to that intimate scent.
Except for that first taste.
He swirled his tongue inside her pussy, letting her juices flow into his mouth. Each time he went back for another taste, he buried his tongue farther inside her until each breath he took was full of her scent. All he could taste was her. All he could hear were her soft gasps.
He explored her folds, licking and nibbling on her hot flesh. From the way her hips jumped, he knew she liked it when he painted her slit in long, wet strokes. Next time he’d do that with his thumb as he used his teeth on her clit. He hadn’t touched that hot button yet, although he couldn’t hold off much longer. He wanted to kiss it and tease it, make it swell. Feel it quiver beneath his lips.