Submission

With a sigh, she subsided, doing her best to answer his questions honestly. The next several were inconsequential, followed by one that made her freeze.

“Tell me a fantasy.”

Sable bit her lip, unable to reply.

“Sable, what’s one of your fantasies?” He punctuated the question with something stinging against her skin, along with a snapping sound. It didn’t hurt much, but it was startling. When she shook her head, he swatted her again with it, this time a little harder.

“Answer me.”

“I thought you said no pain.”

The stinging tendrils hit her again. “This isn’t pain, Sable. This is motivation.”

“It sure as hell feels like pain.” She winced at the petulant note in her words.

Julian laughed, a warm sound that made her stomach flutter. “You’re a lightweight. This is the smallest flogger in my collection.”

Shuddering, she said, “I don’t want to meet the rest.”

“Answer me then.” He sounded husky. “I won’t judge you. This isn’t for my titillation. I’d just like a glimpse inside your desires.” The flogger touched her skin again, this time in a soft stroking motion that made her nerve ends tingle. “I’ve heard probably everything. More than likely, I’ve done it, whatever it is. Threesome, lesbian, or rape fantasy, perhaps?”

She shook her head. “Nothing that kinky.”

all that kinky, Sable,

someone to want me so badly that he’d do anything. I’d love a seduction

vanilla?” He caressed her with the flogger again, and the strands tickled her stomach.

“I don’t

must have thought about it?

our naked bodies—” She

you not to hold back. However, I understand your discomfort. You will write out your fantasy in detail and present it to

of saying it. She was eager to move on and answered the rest of his questions without stumbling. Her last reward was another piece

as he drew back from putting the chocolate on her tongue.

her breath, wondering if he would permit the request, or if it was supposed to be

course. You can have the chocolate too.” He placed it on her tongue when she extended it. A second later, the blindfold came off, making her grateful for the

her, his skin pressing against her bare arm. When she reached for her shirt, he intercepted her hand, taking it in

imagining the trace of desire in his expression? Trying to appear casual, she glanced down and saw evidence of his arousal pressing insistently against his jeans. The sight made her mouth water and heat flare between her thighs, though she wouldn’t have admitted to an

would you like

me about your family

and my parents are still alive and still together after forty-three years. As far as I know, they’re all vanilla, and I’m the sole

you

I was the bossy one on the playground, but the other kids listened. In my teens,

without thought of the intimacy of the gesture until the silken strands were between

a no-nonsense drill instructor to get my attention. He earned my respect, and I straightened out. Sergeant Stark made me responsible for myself and others, teaching me accountability in the process. By the time I was out of the