Mae wanted to cry when Master Xavier left her, returning to that sinister duffel bag. The loss of his body heat made her shiver, even as her scalp ached from his hold.

She couldn’t stop thinking about what he’d said. Had she been topping from the bottom?

This time when Xavier returned he had a flogger. Mae tightened her hold on the straps attached to her cuffs. She wanted him to flog her. She wanted to wear the marks from his beating.

This isn’t you.

“There’s something we haven’t talked about.” Master Xavier rubbed his cheek just under the edge of his mask. She wondered what he looked like without it. What color was his hair? How old was he? He was fit, but had the kind of presence that made her think he might be older.

“Mae?”

“Yes, Master Xavier?”

“Did you hear what I said?”

“No, I’m sorry.”

“What were you thinking about?”

“You, Master Xavier.”

He rocked back on his heels and crossed his arms. “And what were you thinking?”

“I was wondering how old you were and what you looked like under the mask. Why do you wear it?”

“It’s not your place to question me.”

Mae dropped her gaze to the floor. “I’m sorry, Master Xavier.”

He was silent, and she thought he was angry, until he said, “Why do you think I wear it?”

“Because it makes you look like Batman.”

Xavier blinked twice, then started to laugh. He laughed so hard that he braced his hand on the wall near her. His laugh was a wonderful, rich sound. Mae found herself smiling, and wishing she could hold him, feel that joy and mirth against her body.

“Batman?”

“One of the submissives called it a Batman mask. Though no one would dare say it to your face.”

He shifted closer, bracing one forearm above her head so they were separated by mere inches. “Except you?”

“I’m not thinking straight.”

Or do you like

deny that. “Is it really such a

would have said so, but now…I think it isn’t. But you

what’s the price?” she

lips brushed her ear. “Whatever I want it to be.” Smooth leather strands trailed over Mae’s upraised

“Are you scared, Mae?”

“Yes.”

me, or of

“You.”

“Why?”

but I don’t think… I think it will be very different if you’re the one

me back to what we need to talk

some folded papers from his back pocket and flicked her nipple with them.

just flicked her nipple a few more times she might be

back. Mae nearly

do you remember about filling out

out a frustrated breath. “It

long have you

“Six years.”

him.

know you shouldn’t ask a lady

answer when a Master

“I’m thirty-one, Master Xavier.”

When he didn’t say anything, Mae had to wonder if her age changed the way he

answer my

Master Xavier, could

remember about filling out your

reading

so she could see. “You signed this list, and it’s

he pushing this issue? “Yes, Master Xavier.” That was definitely her signature—she’d used glittery

you’re bound by what you put

“I understand, Master Xavier.”

see. She recognized her own handwriting—the checkmarks and initials she’d used to indicate her level of interest in each item. Mae narrowed her eyes, wishing for her glasses. Xavier held the paper close

the “B”

yes to every single

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