So you want me to be your mindless sex slave? That I’ll do anything to feel like that again and again?

“You were magnificent,” she repeated. “Strong, sexy. So hot, giving your will to me, that when you started to come, I did too.”

He lifted his arm, wanting to touch her face, but he realized his hand was sticky. So was his belly. So was his cock. Time to clean up, take a step back, let his big head take back control. Hopefully his legs wouldn’t fail him when he stood.

She put her hand on his arm. “Where are you going?”

“To wash up. I’ll be right back.”

Her fierce eyes locked to his. “I didn’t say you could move.”

“Shiori—”

“Mistress,” she snapped. “Are you even aware your body is shaking?”

Knox glanced down and saw his knee bouncing. “Shit.”

“Stay fucking put. And yes, that’s a goddamn order.”

She left the couch and walked to the kitchen. Water ran. Then she returned with a handful of paper towels.

When she began to clean him up, his cheeks burned with embarrassment, and he snatched the wet paper towels from her. “Stop. I’ll do it.”

“You are the most stubborn man.”

He cleaned his right hand with his left. Then he took another paper towel and wiped his belly. “Isn’t cleaning jizz off your sub beneath you, Mistress?”

Lightning fast she wrapped her hand beneath his jaw and jerked his face up. “Taking care of you is my responsibility, Knox. That includes commanding you to get turned on, getting you off, cleaning you up, and making sure you don’t do something stupid in the aftermath.”

“Like pissing off my Mistress because I don’t know how the fuck I’m supposed to act after . . . whatever that was?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry.”

She dropped her hand but remained right there in his face. “I know. How is it that whipping your butt with a switch didn’t freak you out but an orgasm that sent you straight into subspace . . . did?”

Fuck. “I don’t know.”

She stood. Then she reached for her bra and shirt and put them on.

When Shiori started cleaning up the popcorn bowls, the candy boxes, and the paper towels, he didn’t protest because he’d probably catch hell for it.

After she disappeared into the kitchen again, he closed his eyes.

When he woke up, his house was completely dark. A blanket covered him, but he was naked beneath it. As soon as he pushed upright from his prone position on the couch, he knew Shiori had gone. The only thing he didn’t know was what had chased her away without a goodbye.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

SATURDAY night Shiori showed up at Twisted an hour before the scene with Master Mike and his submissive was scheduled and sat at the bar. She hadn’t been in since the night Knox had played bartender, so she didn’t know anyone besides Merrick, Greg, Knox, and Dex.

Speak of the devil . . . She glanced down and saw Dex on his knees beside her chair. “Dex. What lovely form.”

“I aim to please, Mistress.”

“What can I do for you?”

“If you haven’t picked a sub to receive your attentions this evening, I’ll humbly offer myself.”

She reached for her Coke and sipped. “In what capacity are you offering yourself?”

“In any capacity that you choose.”

“That’s very vague, and dangerous, Dex. What if I demanded needle play?”

He swallowed hard. “I’d . . . consider it with you.”

Bullshit. “And what about fire play?”

A shiver worked through him. “I’ve never tried it.”

“But you’d be willing to feel the burn . . . for me?”

“Yes, Mistress B.”

Shiori put the toe of her shoe on his sternum. “You need to learn limits, Dex. You’re not getting what you need by offering everything just so a Dominant will play with you.”

He didn’t look up.

“So let’s try this again. And be honest. Respect your boundaries or no one else will. I’m interested in needle play.”

His mouth opened. Then closed. “Sorry, Mistress B, but I’m scared of needles.”

“Good boy, Dex. Now, how about fire play?”

Another shudder. “No. No fire. Ever.” He started to hyperventilate.

She dropped her foot from his chest and leaned over to place her hand on his head. “Breathe, Dex. You’re all right.”

He nodded.