“I wasn’t supposed to be there, was I?”

Shiori looked at him, and he mouthed, Merrick.

“No. I’m calling to ask if you’ll be around next weekend.”

“I hadn’t planned that far ahead. Why?”

“Master Mike has requested an hour of your time.”

“You need to know now?”

“Yes. Those private rooms fill up fast.”

Knox opened his mouth to say yes—until he remembered Shiori’s demand to be present during the scenes he participated in. “Hang on a second.” He hit mute and faced her.

“What?”

He explained the situation and felt resentful when she demanded to talk to Merrick. Jesus. He hated how this felt like Shiori was his mommy.

You willingly signed on for this.

Reluctantly, he handed the phone over.

Shiori unmuted the call. “Merrick. It’s Mistress B. I’m fine, thank you.” She sent Knox a hot look. “So far he’s done very well.”

Why did her praise take the sting out of needing her permission to do what he’d been doing at the club for years?

Because you are submissive. Try to accept it and quit fucking whining.

“As far as Master Mike? Are he and his sub good with me observing? Yes, I’d appreciate it if you’d get confirmation on that. And from now on? As long as Knox is with me, he won’t be doing solo scenes with couples.” She laughed softly. “Very fit to be tied. But he agreed to the terms.” She paused. “No. We’re not to that stage. Thank you. Let Knox know what Master Mike decides.” She groaned. “Your Japanese sucks. Stick to English, Master Merrick. Goodbye.” She ended the call and handed his phone back. “Does Merrick always ask your permission about scenes?”

“I told you I have a say in whose scenes I help out with.”

“That makes me happy.” Then Shiori set both of their popcorn bowls aside and straddled him.

Instant erection.

“But you know what makes me really happy?”

“What?”

“That you deferred the situation to me.” She swept her thumb across his bottom lip. “If I punish you when you’ve broken a rule, then I should reward you when you uphold one.”

“Okay. What’s my reward?”

“You can either have my mouth on your nipples while I jack you off. Or your mouth on my nipples while I jack you off. Choose.”

“I want my mouth on you.”

That catlike smile curled her lips. “Excellent choice.” She stood and whipped off her shirt. “Ditch the underwear.”

Knox had them on the floor in no time.

She perched her ass on his thighs and circled her hand around the base. “You want lube?”

“Just your hand.”

“Can you reach me?”

He tipped his head down and sucked on her nipple.

“Guess that answers that,” she murmured.

She hadn’t indicated he couldn’t use his hands, so he cupped her tits and drew circles beneath one nipple as he sucked on the other one.

“Let’s test your stamina.”

Fuck.

Knox suspected test his stamina was code for cock and ball torture.

Shiori stroked him so fast he wondered if he’d have friction burns on his shaft. Right when his balls were about to spew, she made her fingers into a cock ring and stopped him from coming. How she’d known the exact moment boggled his mind.

Not that he was thinking clearly. His chest heaved, his jaw was tight, and he had to drop his face from her view or she’d see his frustration.

Next she took his mouth in a sweet kiss he’d almost believe was somewhat apologetic if he hadn’t feared this reward was a double-edged sword.

When she returned to sitting beside him and said, “Start the movie,” he wanted to ask, What the fuck? What about that hand job?

Fifteen minutes later, after his cock had gone soft and he’d become invested in the movie, Shiori trailed her fingers down his chest to his groin and toyed with his flaccid cock. Which didn’t stay flaccid for long when she expertly started to work him over with those magic fucking fingers.

At least she hadn’t gotten him close to orgasm that time before she stopped.

He couldn’t even focus on the movie because she’d set her hand on the inside of his leg and he’d think, Here she goes again. But she’d just gently stroke his skin, not caring that his cock rallied for her attention at the slightest sign she might touch him.

They didn’t speak beyond Shiori asking him to put his arm around her. At least he had that as a distraction, drawing circles on the ball of her shoulder or twining a section of her hair around his fingers.