Slowing down gave him a breather and allowed her to grind the way she needed to. She rocked against him, driving herself toward the edge, pushing harder when her midsection tightened. Finding that sweet spot, she started to come for the third time. It wasn’t as intense, but she loved having his cock filling her as her cunt muscles spasmed around that hardness.

When Shiori blinked away the white fog and looked down, Knox said, “You’re so beautiful and fierce when you come.”

She kissed his lips like she could suck the words into her soul. Before she released that tempting mouth completely, she whispered, “Come whenever you’re ready.”

“Thank you, Mistress.”

They stared into each other’s eyes as she rode him. When he arched his neck and turned his head away, she didn’t falter in her rhythm. Their bodies were slick with sweat as they moved together, and Knox came with a hoarse cry.

He looked pretty fierce himself.

Shiori stretched out on him completely, nestling her face into his neck and sighing deeply.

His hands left her hips and trailed up and down her back, creating those delicious goose bumps.

They remained like that until the sweat on their bodies started to cool after one last kiss to his neck; then she rolled up and let him slip from her body. She stood and gathered up her clothes.

For some reason Knox didn’t get up. He remained sprawled on the bench, staring at the ceiling. He didn’t even acknowledge her when she picked up the toys he’d swept to the floor.

Finally she said, “Knox? Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Just wrung out.”

But that wasn’t it. Something else was going on with him. “Are you sure?”

“Jesus, Shiori, let it go. I’m fine.”

Since they’d finished this scene or whatever it was, she ignored his use of her name. But she knew if she stayed in here with him a moment longer, they’d end up in a fight. So much for them continuing the fun and games for the rest of the weekend.

Every time it felt like she’d made progress with him, something had him pulling back.

Feigning confidence she didn’t feel, she swung the pillowcase over her shoulder. Without looking back she said, “Clean up the room before you take off,” and walked out, leaving him to his regret, because she suspected that was what he was feeling.

*   *   *

AFTER leaving the club, Shiori went home.

She poured herself three fingers of scotch. Rather than sitting in the stark living room with the incredible city view, she headed straight to her bedroom. She stripped and flopped on the chaise lounge. The plush sheepskin covering felt absolutely decadent on her bare skin. This was the only piece of furniture she’d bought—the penthouse had come furnished—and she loved every freakin’ inch of it.

The smooth, smoky scotch did nothing to soothe her jangled nerves. She didn’t know where to begin dissecting what had gone wrong tonight.

Maybe you don’t need to.

No. She had to figure out where she’d made her missteps with Knox—because it was obvious she’d stumbled.

He’d submitted in every way she’d asked him to. Kneeling. Asking her permission. Waiting for her signals. Last weekend when she’d taken two hours building his lust and his stamina before she’d rewarded him with a hand job, after he’d come, he looked at her like she was everything.

That’s what she needed from him. His understanding and acceptance that taking him to his own blissful headspace was her joy, maybe even more so than his.

But he hadn’t allowed her to reach that part of him tonight. How could she convince him to let go every time?

Maybe it wasn’t Knox’s issue but hers. She’d never had to break down a sub before. So how did she go about breaking down Knox’s walls without breaking him?

Frustrated with her lack of insight, Shiori grabbed her phone and checked the time. It was just before noon in Tokyo. She scrolled through her contacts and selected the name.

The phone rang almost a dozen times before it was picked up. “This had better be an emergency,” the gravelly voice warned.

“It is. I promise.”

“Shiori-san! Is that really you?”

She smiled. “Yes, Mistress Keiko, it’s really me.”

“While I am happy to hear from you, I would prefer a call later in the afternoon.”

“I’ll be sleeping by then.” Shiori sipped her scotch, savoring the delicious spread of warmth down her throat. “I’ll get straight to the point so you can return to your beauty sleep.”