MasterofVelvet (8 page)

All of a sudden Beth knew what was wrong—she needed to take
a look at Adam just to reassure herself that this wasn’t all a dream, one of
her erotic fantasies come to life. She could sneak out there for a quick peek
without waking him.

What she didn’t expect was to see him standing by the
floor-to-ceiling windows on the far side of the room, just standing there
looking out over the city. With no lights on he was in silhouette against the
backdrop of the city lights but she could still just make out the scars on his
back in the subdued light. All of a sudden she just wanted to be with him.
She’d only taken a step or two when he turned toward her. At that moment, she realized
that he was completely naked.

“Beth.”

His voice was little more than a hoarse whisper and as she
drew closer Beth caught a glimpse of the harrowed expression on his face, an
expression she guessed she wasn’t supposed to see judging by how quickly he
turned away from her. Questions tumbled through her mind.

“Adam, what’s wrong?” She laid her hand on his arm. In spite
of the ambient warmth his skin felt chilly.

“It’s nothing. Go back to bed, Beth.” His tone told her that
he expected immediate obedience. “I mean it.”

If he expected blind subservience every time he gave her an
order he was in for a big surprise. She wasn’t having any of it—not this time.
They weren’t in the office and she was sure that any sub would rebel when it
came to her Master’s welfare, never mind a novice like her.

“No. You’re going to talk to me, Adam. Tell me what’s going
on.”

“Beth. Bed. Now.”

She pulled herself up to her full height. No match for him
of course, but it gave her the confidence to face him down—or at least try to.
“Adam Granger, something’s not right and I am not going to waltz off to bed and
leave you like this.”

“Then take me with you,” came the direct, husky challenge.

Oh God.
“If that’s what it takes.”

Although shaking with nerves inside Beth offered him her
hand, her eyes locked with his. Whatever would be, would be.

“Beth, no. It’s the alcohol talking and I am not taking
advantage of that.” He looked away from her again.

That was the honorable man she’d always seen at the office.
“I may well fail a breath test Adam but I’m sober enough to know what I’m doing
with you.” Again, she offered her hand, determined that he wouldn’t brush her
off. “You’re not sleeping alone tonight.”

The haunted look became slightly less intense. “Beth
Harrison, a sub isn’t supposed to be bossy.”

She raised an eyebrow at him, feeling bolder by the second.
“So spank me. A Dom should have more sense. I’ve done a lot of reading and as
far as I can see it’s part of a sub’s role to take care of her Master. And even
if it isn’t I’m making it part of my role in your life.”

Fire flared in his eyes. “You do realize what you’ve just
admitted?”

Beth nodded. The words had come out without conscious
thought—if ever there was a case of fools rush in this was it.

Still he resisted. “And you want to share a bed with a naked
Dom?”

“You don’t have to be naked but I wouldn’t have any
objections,” she said brazenly, almost drooling at the thought of being close
to that magnificent body. She pushed that thought to one side. Right now whatever
was bothering Adam so much had to take priority. “It’s a large bed—I’m sure we
can avoid one another completely if that’s what you want?”

His bark of laughter was totally without humor. “You really
think I’d get you into my bed and then avoid you? You’re mine now, Beth, now
more than ever and there’s no way I wouldn’t touch you. After all, what would
be the point in taking me to bed with you, if we’re not going to touch?”

Beth took a deep breath. “The point is that you wouldn’t be
alone.”

For the third time, she offered her hand. This time he took
it and together they went to the bedroom.

It was obvious that Beth had been sleeping to one side of
the bed. She headed for that side while Adam went to the other. At the movement
of the mattress as he got in beside her, she felt a little of her bravery
evaporate—maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

Although she was lying on her side with her back to him, she
was waiting for Adam to close the distance between them, to touch her as he had
declared he would. And why not, she was his girlfriend, his woman, his sub—it
was only natural that they’d make love or whatever a Dom did with his sub when
she was totally inexperienced. He might even just want to talk.

“Would you like to tell me what’s bothering you?” she
offered.

“Not particularly.”

“Then is there anything else that would help?” She asked the
question in spite of knowing what she could be letting herself in for. Or was
that because of rather than in spite of?

“I already told you.”

He shifted position and all of a sudden the heat of his body
was at her back as he fitted himself to her, his arm coming over to anchor her
to him. She should have been scared. Instead she felt like she was where she
belonged. And judging by the erection pressing against her bottom, where she
was wanted.

“Tonight we’re just going to sleep together, Beth,” he told
her softly, his voice a warm caress. “We’ve both had too much alcohol to play
safely now but make no mistake—in here, I’m in control.”

* * * * *

The warmth and the closeness of a very male human body were
what woke Beth sometime later—something she hadn’t experienced for too long.
Adam.
If he hadn’t been there she’d have been tempted to think that last night had
been a dream.

The arm around her was very real, though. She remembered
that it had started off resting on her stomach over the t-shirt. At some point
during the night, it had found its way under the garment and right now, a large
male hand was splayed possessively across her belly. It wouldn’t have to travel
far south to find its way between her legs and discover that she’d woken up in
a state of arousal and need.

His low, even breathing told her, however, that Adam was
still asleep—there was no need to wake him up just yet.

A sexual Dominant, he’d said. Now that she was faced with
the fact, in what would soon be the cold light of day, all sorts of worries
made themselves known. Yes, she’d admitted she wanted to be his submissive but
what if she discovered that that sort of relationship wasn’t for her? What
would happen then? Was it an irreconcilable difference? Was there any feasible
compromise?

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, Beth, but stop it—it’s
making you frown and I don’t want my woman frowning.”

He was behind her. How in the name of heaven could he
possibly know she was frowning?

“I can feel it,” Adam said in response to her unspoken question.
“Why don’t you turn around and we’ll see what we can do to take that frown
away.”

This was it—now or never. Beth inhaled slowly then turned
within his embrace. The sight that met her scored a bull’s-eye on her stomach
again. He looked every bit as roguishly attractive as he had when she’d woken
up next to him yesterday. He was lying on his side, his dark, mesmerizing gaze
unwavering as he looked at her— devoured her. The duvet was low on his hips,
revealing that chest of his. Actually, not so much a chest as a lethal weapon,
she thought abstractly. That chest was doing crazy things to her common sense.

And the hand that had been resting on her stomach was now
curved possessively over her hip, drawing her inexorably toward him.

“Now Beth, you know we have to talk. Don’t be afraid.
There’s nothing you can say that will shock me.”

She laid a tentative hand on his chest, feeling the crisp
hair beneath her fingertips, as real as the rest of him, as real as what he
was. She wanted him but could she be what he wanted?

“Shall I start?” he asked, his voice low and gentle. “You’re
wondering if this really is what you want. I know you’ve fantasized about
submission, Beth. You know that I’m a Dom but now that you have the
opportunity, now that you’ve admitted it to yourself and to me, you’re scared.
There’s no need to be scared, love. I’m right here with you.

“You know I want you and it’s fairly obvious—given our
current situation and the fact that you’re in no hurry to move away from me—that
you are attracted to me. We all have our comfort zones—I don’t want yours to
become your prison. It’s time to explore who you really are and you can do that
with me. I’ll keep you safe, I promise.”

“Adam, I’m afraid,” she admitted, her voice a moment away
from disappearing into the pit of her stomach. “I’ve said yes but I’m still
scared about what would happen if it all went wrong.”

“Come here.” He gathered her to him. “I won’t let it go
wrong. I know that’s what you’re afraid of, but I will not let it go wrong.”

“It’s not just that, Adam. You’re a Dom. Even if I think I
want to be your sub, what would happen if I found I’d made a huge mistake and
I’m not submissive after all? What would happen then?”

“Don’t worry about something that isn’t going to happen.
Trust me, Beth.” He stroked her hair from her face. “Don’t be afraid of what
you want. Put yourself in my hands. I won’t let you fall.”

The heat of his palm on her cheek warmed her through. It was
so easy—too easy—to imagine giving herself up to this man, being his in a way
that most people probably wouldn’t understand, trusting him with her safety…with
her life. She thought about the previous evening and how it felt to be close to
him right now, about the fantasies she’d written about, wanting the reality but
being too scared to go looking for it.

Instead, that reality had found her.

And her stomach went into free-fall.

Adam watched his gorgeous new sub close her eyes as a
variety of emotions chased one another across her adorable face, making a
mental note to work on teaching her not to conceal her eyes from him. They were
too beautiful to be hidden away.

He pondered the idea of taking her to the club, as he’d
thought of doing a little over a week ago. Adam would never share her—some subs
thrived on being shared, but he knew that Beth would never be one of them, for
which he was extremely grateful, and while he would never challenge that limit,
there was something inside Adam that was strongly attracted to the idea of…what?

Christ. It was the idea of demonstrating his ownership of
her, he realized—not just showing her off but proclaiming to everyone that she
was his. When fully trained, Beth would be a sub any Dom would be proud of—and
he, Adam, wanted to show her off but only when she was ready and that was a
long way off yet.

His first hurdle would be convincing her to move in with him—proof,
if any were needed, of how different she was from every other woman who had
passed through his life. Common sense dictated waiting but when he looked at
Beth, Adam knew that his common sense had long since flown.

“There’s something bothering you, Beth,” he observed. “What
is it?”

“I know I said yes, and I mean it, but…what will you expect
from me?”

He lifted her chin so that he could kiss her, a kiss meant
to convey care, reassurance, safety. “I will expect you to be Beth—outside this
room.” He gestured around the bedroom. “In here, in any bedroom we share and
when we’re scening, I will expect you to obey me at all times. I will expect
you to give up control so that I can show you all the pleasure your body can
give you.”

He kissed her again. “In here your body is mine and your
mind is mine. You will deny me nothing, Beth—you’ll have your safeword but I
promise you’ll never need to use it.”

He brushed the back of his fingers over her cheek. “I’ve
made that sound very one-sided, I know—but in return, you will have my
protection at all times. The gift of your submission will be an honor, and it
will be treasured and cherished, as you will be treasured and cherished.”

Adam couldn’t resist the lure of her mouth. He had to claim
it again. This time her response was electric as she pressed herself against
him, rubbing her hips against his erect cock. If she’d been his sub for longer,
he’d have spanked her for that, turned her over his knee and paddled her bottom
until it was glowing pink. Beth was passionate all right—it would be a
delectable challenge to teach her and an infinite reward to see her develop.

“My beautiful Beth, you have a lot to get used to.” He
looked at her face. His stubble had burned her cheek a little, branding her
temporarily with his mark. “Go and get a shower and see how you feel about it
when you’re not on your back in my bed.”

* * * * *

Beth let the water flow over her like a tropical storm,
clearing her mind and her senses of everything save Adam’s kisses and how it
had felt to lie beside him. She thought about all the time she’d spent around
him over the years. There was more than one reason why she’d modeled her
fictional Dom on him. Yes, he’d displayed Dominant characteristics on occasion
but it was more than that. She had a tremendous respect for him. He’d always
behaved with the utmost honor and integrity in his business dealings and around
his staff. He’d always done the right thing even when it wasn’t the easiest
thing. She knew without doubt that he would keep her safe—that she had nothing
to fear.

All cleaned up, she wrapped herself in one of Adam’s huge
fluffy towels, leaving the robe for him. Now for the hard part. Hard, because
she had no experience of a relationship such as this and she had to learn what
to do.

Adam was sitting on the edge of the bed by the time she
emerged from the bathroom, his back toward her. He was so—everything. Beth took
a deep breath. When she’d last gone to sleep in the loneliness of her own bed
she’d had no idea that she was in love with Adam Granger.

Understanding didn’t come on a bolt of lightning—it came
with the warmth of an embrace, enfolding her slowly in a comforting blanket of
promise for the future, however limited that future might be. There could be no
fireworks for something that had been growing slowly but surely over time. He
was what she wanted. For now. Forever. For however long he wanted her.

And whatever price he came with he was worth it.

She dropped the towel, slightly anxious about her nudity
although he’d seen everything yesterday and seemed to like it.

Her stomach rose to her chest as she took up a position in
front of him and his eyes met hers. On instinct she knelt in front of him,
feeling self-conscious and clumsy. All the while, a part of her mind was almost
screaming at her, asking her what she was playing at—telling her she was making
an almighty fool of herself. Her heart was racing now.
Please let me have
the courage and the trust to do this. Please don’t let him laugh at me.

“I don’t know exactly what I’m supposed to do,” she admitted
hesitantly, “but this feels right, Sir.”

Adam looked down at her. She was a truly remarkable woman.
What she’d just done took courage and character. There was no way he was going
to reject that bravery.

“First of all, call me by my name for now no matter where we
are. It’s taken me three years to get you to use it and I kind of like the way
you say it—but for future reference, there will come a point where I’m ‘Sir’ in
here. Unless of course,” he added, his eyes full of teasing humor, “you give me
a reason in here to have you call me ‘Sir’ out there.”

He looked at the woman kneeling before him. Eyes downcast,
she only needed a little guidance regarding her posture. Pride in her gave him
a warm feeling around his heart.

“Widen your knees, Beth. More—that’s better. Just lower your
eyes, not your head—you’re not a slave. That’s right, it shows respect. Rest
your hands on your thighs, palms up. Good. Now, how does that feel? Could you
hold that position for a few minutes without pain?”

“Yes, Adam.”

He sensed that she was a little confused by the question.
“D/s is not about inflicting pain to the point of agony, Beth,” he explained
patiently. “I’m not a sadist and I don’t expect you to be a masochist. Yes, you
will be subject to discomfort and there will be brief—I stress, brief—spells of
pain which you will come to love because of what happens after the pain but
it’s not in my interest or yours to force you to assume a pose that leaves you
hurting.

“From now on, that is your first position. You will assume
it when told and you will also learn when to assume it without being told
explicitly. And should this or anything else ever cause you real pain, you will
tell me immediately. Understood?”

“Yes, Adam.”

“I also want you to understand this—you will come to me, as
your Dom if you have any problems or issues of any kind. You will tell me about
anything and everything that bothers you or makes you happy, no matter how
small or insignificant you think it might be. Inside the bedroom and out of it,
I’m the one you lean on now. I’ll always protect you and support you. No arguments.”

“Yes, Adam.”

He nodded, his keen eyes scrutinizing her appearance in fine
detail. For a beginner, she was really doing quite well. “And before we go any
further, your safewords will be red to stop immediately, yellow to slow things
down and discuss them and green if I need positive confirmation from you that
you wish to continue. I know I said that I didn’t expect you to need to use a
safeword but don’t ever let that stop you if you feel you need to.”

He could sit here and watch her all day, except for three
things—her hair was wet, her ankle hadn’t yet healed fully and he needed a
shave and a shower.

“That’s settled then. Beth, stand up. Gracefully. Take your
time, remember— everything you do now is to please me and it pleases me to
watch you move with poise and grace.” He offered her his hand.

All things considered, she managed fairly well. Her balance
was a little off but that was hardly surprising with the problem with her ankle.
He noted that the bruising was healing quite well now, if colorfully. “Stand up
straight, hands behind your head, eyes lowered, feet shoulder-width apart. That
will be your second position. Does your ankle hurt?”

“A little, Adam.”

Probably more than she was admitting to, he decided. That
was a habit he was going to have to break in the interests of keeping her safe.
“I’m going to get cleaned up now, Beth. While I’m attending to that I want you
to sit here and dry your hair. If your hair isn’t dry by the time I’m done,
I’ll finish it off for you. And do not dress. I thought that later, we’d go for
a stroll in the park. Not far, just for some fresh air. And while we’re out
we’ll get some lunch.”

The bathroom door closed behind him. At that point Beth stopped
holding her breath. So far, so good.

More than good.
Involuntary warmth flooded through
her at the memory of the way he’d touched her before heading for the bathroom,
his hands gentle, his touch tender as he’d caressed her arms, almost as if she
were the most precious thing in his life. His eyes had roamed over her face and
body, igniting color in her cheeks before he’d lowered his head and claimed her
mouth with a kiss that promised heaven.

She went to the drawer where Adam kept the hairdryer. He’d
promised to finish off drying her hair for her if she hadn’t completed the task
by the time he’d showered so she’d better get a move on. Her equilibrium went
haywire as she remembered the fireworks he’d set off when he’d done that for
her yesterday.
Just concentrate on drying your hair.

She didn’t know why but it seemed like nothing—not her hair,
not the dryer itself—was going to cooperate. In next to no time, the shower
stopped—and moments later the bathroom door opened.

Adam sat behind her again, his legs framing hers. The brush
and hairdryer were taken from her and that delicious feeling ripped through her
again as he began to dry her hair—taking care with each section, brushing it
gently, the heat and speed of the hairdryer turned down so as not to damage the
lustrous waves.

Oh, God. Oh God, oh God, oh God!
He was barely
touching her and she was turning into a wreck.

“Sit up straight, Beth. Good girl.”

The tone of his voice…to call it masterful would probably be
too much of a cliché but that was what it was and it melted Beth’s bones—did
something she couldn’t begin to describe to the pit of her stomach. All she
knew was that she loved it and wanted more. Adam was talking directly to a
place inside her that was so secret she’d hardly been aware of its existence—the
part of her that craved the surrender of all control.

A few minutes later, the hairdryer was switched off. Beth
sensed Adam’s movements as he put it to one side. She was expecting him to tell
her to stand up but no, he said nothing. All she could feel when he swept her
hair to one side was the gentle caress of his breath at the nape of her neck.

“You’re beautiful, sweetheart,” she heard him murmur
eventually and then his hands were on her shoulders. “Keep your back straight,
look straight ahead. I want you to remain absolutely silent.”

The sensation of his hands stroking down her back was
exquisite, as was the moment when his arms came around her and pulled her back
against his chest. His right arm pinned her to him, while his left hand began a
sensual exploration of her breasts and nipples. A fierce, pulsating ache
started up between her legs. Almost immediately, a soft moan escaped her lips.

“Hush, Beth,” he remonstrated, his voice both stern and
sensual. “Did I give you permission to make any sound?”

She was about to answer but shook her head instead.