She retaliated, cracking the whip and connecting with the baggy part of his jeans on the outside of his thigh. She smiled at his lifted brow.

They worked sub Mike until Master Mike said to stop.

Master Mike tipped his sub’s head back and saw that he’d reached that dreamy-eyed look of subspace. He looked over his shoulder and smiled at Knox and Shiori. “You two are a helluva team. Thank you. This is exactly what he needed.”

“Happy to help.” Knox put the cat and the flogger on the table. “Anything else you need, Master Mike?”

“No. We’re good.”

“Very good,” sub Mike said.

Knox followed Shiori out of the room. He slumped against the wall outside the door. “Look. I don’t want to be a buzz-kill, but—”

“I know ‘providing your services’ doesn’t turn you on.”

“Did it turn you on?”

“Watching you was hot. But I get hot watching you move in class, so I’m a bit of a whore where you’re concerned.”

He smiled. “Works for me.”

“I want to try something with you.”

Knox waited.

Shiori slid her hands over his chest, loving how the damp material of his shirt clung to his musculature. She took her time touching him, especially at his neck and shoulders where the muscles were tight with tension. “I’m taking you to my masseuse next week to get some of these kinks worked out—and there will be no arguing.”

“Yes, Mistress. But I hope she doesn’t work all the kinks out. I’m kinda fond of kink.”

Her eyes met his, and she smiled at the devilish twinkle she saw there. “Me too. And especially kink with you.” With her hand on the back of his neck, she pulled his mouth down to hers. The kiss sparked her need to make something else out of this night. Something good. “Come into my lair, my sweet,” she murmured against his lips, “and we’ll have us some kinky fun.”

Knox eased back to look into her eyes. “Okay. Seems I’m a bit of a whore for you too.”

“Go into the room and get ready for me. Mistress rules. I’ll be right there.”

He walked down the hallway.

Shiori tracked down the closest security guy and asked where she’d find the items she needed. He directed her to the empty pleasure den—a room she’d never been in. She briefly explored the space and wished she could bring Knox in there, but the room had a large viewing window that couldn’t be closed off.

She shoved the things she’d found in a satin pillowcase she’d liberated from the bed and returned to the private room. She pulled in a deep, calming breath before she walked inside.

Knox sat with his back to the door. He’d taken off all his clothing except for his boxer briefs. Her rush of excitement stemmed from the sight of his nearly nude body, not just his submissive position. Still. She had to wonder if this was the first time he’d been in that position in the club.

After setting the sack of toys close by, she placed her hand on the back of his neck. “Takes my breath away to see you waiting like this for me. Thank you.”

He didn’t respond.

“Stand and face me, please.”

Knox rolled to his feet and turned toward her.

“We haven’t established a safe word. Would you prefer a word besides the universal club word red?”

“No, Mistress. But I have to ask why we need a safe word at all.”

“So you have a choice in what I plan to ask you to do.”

His eyes darkened.

“Pick up the bag beside you. Take everything out and line up the items on the bench.”

He kept his back to her as he took out each item.

Shiori stood beside him and examined the offerings. A set of nipple clamps. A vibrator with remote control. Fur-lined handcuffs. A flogger comprised of buttery-soft leather pieces and strands of fluffy feathers. A blindfold. A paddle lined with rabbit fur.

When she touched his arm, he flinched. “Sorry. Just seeing this stuff makes me jumpy.”

“Why? I’m not going to use it on you . . . You’re going to use it on me.”

Knox’s head whipped around. “Excuse me?”

“We’re mixing it up tonight. So of all the items on the bench, you get to pick one to use on me, and I get to pick one for you to use on me.” She kissed his biceps. “I’ll even let you go first.”

He didn’t hesitate in his choice. He picked the nipple clamps.

She smiled and walked to the other side of the bench, deliberately picking up every item although she’d made her choice earlier. She curled her hand around the feather flogger and lifted it. “This one.”