BDSM Checklist: A, B, C

Mae closed her eyes, competing feelings of relief and anger warring within her. Relief from having him in control and anger for this heartless charade he’d put her through.

“Look at me.”

Mae met his gaze, and there was something in his eyes that seemed to echo what she was feeling. He tipped her head back a fraction, gaze hardening until his eyes were as unreadable as his masked face.

“You will submit. You will behave.”

“Yes, Master Xavier,” she murmured.

“Good.” Xavier released her.

James was rubbing his jaw and looking at her in a decidedly unfriendly way. “Mae was always a bit bratty, but this is new.” He looked from Xavier to her. “You two need to talk. I have this room reserved for the weekend. You’re welcome to it until this evening.”

The other Dom clapped Xavier on the shoulder before leaving and closing the door behind him.

Now that she was alone with Master Xavier, Mae didn’t know what to say, what to feel.

Their gazes met once more, and she had this strange feeling that Xavier was just as much at a loss as she was. She’d never even spoken to him until twelve hours ago, and yet the idea that he’d dismissed her by passing her off to another Master had shredded her heart. That he had the power to impact her so heavily was beyond worrying. It was terrifying.

“I didn’t mean to upset you.”

to keep the emotion out of her voice, to match his level tone. “How did you think that would make me feel?” She wasn’t succeeding—pain leaked into

don’t own you. I couldn’t give you away, even

thought…” Mae blinked to keep tears

of Dom you like.

rid of me this way? Then you could have a sub who won’t ever talk back or be scared.” Mae spat each word,

grabbed her hips, jerking them against his. For the first time she felt the hard length of his erection. The evidence of his

Xavier’s face was only inches from hers, his voice a

what?” she

really wanted to

as Mae reached for him only to be brought up short. “How could you doubt

thumb was poised at the bottom swell of her breast. “They’ll do things like

than they had last night. “What James said was true—you’ll be completely at my mercy. I told you that I’d push you. I did, and I will, because there’s something inside you begging to

it was a bit more complicated. They’d spent only a few hours together and

It was the simple truth, and Mae hoped it was enough. “I want you to

contact he would give her. She moved her hips side to side, rubbing his

head back. “Did you just bite me,

an accident, Master.” She was half distracted by the nickname, but the intensity of his stare

to be an accident.” He smiled darkly. “Good of you to remind me that we have checklist items yet to complete.

one knee, his

“Spread your legs, Mae.”