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.”

those are all that kinky, Sable, but what do you

I’d love a seduction

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

“I

have thought about it?

champagne, and flowers. Purple satin sheets, and our naked bodies—” She broke off,

out your fantasy in detail and present it to me by tomorrow evening, before we go to dinner

embarrassing to tell him, but it would be so much easier to write it out instead of saying it. She was eager to move on and answered the rest of his questions without stumbling.

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

ask you some questions?” She held her breath, wondering if he would permit the request, or if it

it. A second later, the blindfold came off, making her grateful for the dimmer illumination

bare arm. When she reached for her shirt, he intercepted her hand, taking it in one of his larger ones to

why, but didn’t. Was she 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 attraction to him under

would you like

me about your family and childhood

together after forty-three years. As far as I know, they’re all vanilla, and I’m the sole freak of the family.” He smiled to

you

I’ve always liked to be in control. I was the bossy one on the playground, but the other kids listened. In my teens,

of the intimacy of the gesture until the silken strands

I straightened out. Sergeant Stark made me