The way Knox kept touching her was wonderfully distracting. She grabbed his wayward hand, holding it between hers. “If we’re going forward with this, we need to be on the same page.”

“You are such a rule follower, She-Cat,” he murmured against her neck.

He lazily flicked his tongue over the pulse beating at the base of her throat. She had no doubt this man could make her body sing, but he needed a reminder that she got to pick the song. Shiori reached up and wrapped her hands around his throat.

Knox immediately backed off. But he didn’t drop his gaze. He didn’t speak either, which earned him points.

“I’m serious, Knox.”

“I know you are.” He closed his eyes. “Last night was . . . not what I expected. What if it was a onetime fluke?” Those gorgeous blue eyes opened and were clouded with concern. “What if I can’t do this?”

“Be submissive?”

He nodded.

Oh sweet, sexy man, I’ll wipe away all of that doubt if you’ll let me. She slid her hands over his strong, masculine jaw and framed his face. “I think you’re more afraid that you can do this.”

He said nothing. Just stared at her.

She let her hands fall away. “Here’s what I propose. Let’s each make a detailed list of what we want from this”—relationship seemed too intimate a word and contract sounded too businesslike, so she settled on—“arrangement. Also what we don’t want and the concerns about how it’ll affect our working together.”

Knox groaned. “You’re giving me homework? There’s no doubt you’re a Domme, because that is pure punishment.”

She laughed. “Luckily, I grade on a curve. But this is important, so don’t skimp on specifics.”

“Fine. When did you want to exchange notes?”

“We could meet for dinner Friday night. There’s a great restaurant—”

“No. We’re not discussing this where we could be overheard. And knowing us, I’m betting our negotiations will get a little heated.”

“True.”

He clasped her hand and kissed her knuckles. His affection delighted her because it came so naturally to him. “Since we’re closed to classes due to the holiday, how about if you come to my house tonight and I’ll cook for you.”

Shiori didn’t hide her surprise. “You cook?”

“Not healthy gourmet stuff like your brother, but I know my way around the kitchen.” Knox kissed the inside of her wrist. “When was the last time someone cooked for you?”

“Every night, because I’m a lousy chef.”

He bit the base of her thumb. “Smart-ass. I meant when have you had a home-cooked meal, prepared by someone who wants to feed you but isn’t getting paid to do so?”

Never. Not a lover anyway. Ronin and Amery had invited her over a few times, and she’d loved that. In Japan she and her friends went out to eat—dinner parties at private residences were rare. “All right. You’ve convinced me. But no—”

“Funny business. I get it. No Barry White playing in the background, no candlelight, no sexy finger foods to feed each other. I won’t even change my sheets in hopes that I’ll get you between them.”

“Very accommodating. But who’s Barry White?”

Knox laughed. “Never mind. What time should I pick you up?”

“Give me your address and my car service will drop me off.”

“I don’t mind coming to get you, Shiori.”

“I know. But it’s just better this way.”

He didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t argue.

“What should I bring?”

“Just yourself. I’ll text you the address. Show up around six.” Knox kissed the back of her hand and retreated. “Now I’m leaving you to lock up since I have to hit the grocery store.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

KNOX had everything ready ten minutes before six.

He wasn’t nervous, just impatient. He wanted to know what Shiori’s expectations were if they agreed to continue this . . . whatever this was.

This is you agreeing to get on your knees, show your throat, and give her your balls.

Fuck. He smacked his hand into the counter, wishing that voice of doubt would just shut the fuck up, because he had no goddamn idea where the voice was coming from. He’d always been secure in his masculinity and his sexuality—how other people lived their lives and how they made their choices was no reflection on him. That was part of what’d appealed to him about Twisted. Embracing the different strokes for different folks philosophy.