I sniffle. “Yes, Sir, but…”
“No buts. You played your card when you called me Sir. Now I’m playing mine. Maybe it was a Freudian slip. Maybe not. But some part of your conscious mind intentionally revealed your submissive tendencies. Since you’re so reluctant to share, let’s start with my secrets.”
Chapter Six
Mace
* * *
Fuck, she feels good in my arms. Yes, she startled me when she revealed she has no actual hands-on experience with BDSM. It makes sense, though. I should have considered that possibility.
Anyone can do some research and learn their preferred kinks without interacting with other people. Romance novels will work, too. It just surprised me.
Perhaps if I tell her where I’m coming from, she will relax. “I’m a Dominant, Autumn. Apparently, you know what that is.” My arms are tight around her, and I’m not letting go.
She’s stiff in my embrace, but she isn’t fighting me.
I keep my lips on her ear because I like the way it makes her shiver. “I’ve lusted after you from the day I met you, Autumn.”
She gasps and holds her breath.
“That’s right, sweetheart.” While stroking her arm with my thumb, I continue, “Something about you called to me from the first moment I saw you. Maybe my soul recognized a kindred spirit. I had no idea that you were submissive, nor would I have ever made a move on you out of respect for your father.”
Autumn grips my forearm with her fingers. “Mace…”
I nuzzle her ear, loving the little tremors and soft noises that come from her. My God. This is happening. I can’t believe it.
“Turns out your father was more astute than I gave him credit for. He knew.”
She jerks her head around so she can face me. “No.”
I smile and nod. “Yes. It was in the letter. You can read it for yourself. He knew about your feelings, too.” I wink at her.
Her cheeks turn pink. “Ohmygod.”
I chuckle. “I don’t think you need to be embarrassed. I’m not.”
A hand comes to her face, as if she can hide her feelings from a man who is no longer with us.
I whisper in her ear again, “You’ve had feelings for me, too.”
She slumps against my chest. “Mace…”
Unable to resist, I kiss her neck. “Relax. I’m only saying this to avoid a giant elephant in the room for no reason. Laying out the facts. I’ve got feelings for you. You’ve got feelings for me. I’m a Dominant. You’re submissive. In the coming days, we’re going to explore what this means for us. That’s all. Are you with me, Baby girl?”
When she squirms, I loosen my grip, uncertain whether she wants to flee my embrace and hide in the bathroom or what. But I need to let her go. I realize she hasn’t answered my most pressing question—how many men has she slept with—but I’ll let it go for now.
She surprises me by turning in my arms and burrowing into my chest. Her hands smooth around to my back, and she hugs me close. “Okay.”
Thank fuck.
I flatten my palms on her and hold her even tighter, enjoying the feel of her body against mine. I have a fucking hard-on I can’t hide; nor do I care to. She needs to know that I’m fucking attracted to her in every way. We’re not going to pretend otherwise for days or even weeks. It would be futile.
After threading a hand in her soft hair, I eventually tug her head back so she’s forced to look me in the eyes again. I smile at her, hoping to reassure her everything will be okay. “You need to eat, Baby girl. I bet you haven’t had a single bite in over a day.”
She nods.
“What’s your favorite comfort food?”