“Yeah, well, he had to give you some kind of token since he left me in charge of the dojo.”

“You are such a dickhead.”

“Yeah? Baby, you’ve taken bitch to a whole new level.”

Shiori leaned closer. “I wish we were on the mat right now, Godan, because I’d pound that smug fucking face of yours into the ground.”

Knox’s big hands circled her wrists and he got nose to nose with her. “You have that backward, kitty-cat. I think you’d like me pounding your hot little body into my mattress—not the training mat. And I’d be more than happy to oblige you, but I’d probably have to gag you first.”

“You’d have to pin me first,” she shot back. “And we both know who’s got the better skills when it comes to takedowns.”

“Don’t tempt me to prove you wrong.”

They were so close they shared the same air. Fire danced in his eyes, and she could smell the heat of his skin. The embers that’d been smoldering between them ignited.

“Knox.”

He didn’t answer; he just brushed his mouth across hers. Once. Twice. “Is this what you missed, kitten?” he murmured against the corner of her mouth.

“Yes.”

“Me too.” He angled his head and ran his nose from her temple down below her ear. “What are we gonna do about it? Because right about at this point in the conversation is where you’d walk away.”

“If I walk away this time, will you follow me?”

“Without a doubt.”

She nuzzled his cheek, breathing in the scent of aftershave and arousal seeping from his skin. “Do you have a condom?”

“Since fucking you is now a reality and not a daydream?” He planted a hot kiss below her ear. “Baby, I shoved a whole box in my bottom drawer.”

“Hoping I’d fuck you in the dojo, Shihan?”

“Always.” His lips followed the shell of her ear. “Since we are in the dojo, which is my domain, Mistress rules don’t apply. So get your ass in the supply closet and wait for me.”

Here was a test. Technically, Knox was right; he called the shots at Black Arts. But since this was about sex, it should be her show.

Isn’t it your show? You made him act a scene out with you. This is the result. You letting him have control and making sure he knows it’s only because you allowed it adheres to the Domme-sub rules you’ve established and isn’t him pushing boundaries.

When Knox whispered, “Play along,” her internal debate ended.

Shiori sought his mouth and kissed him hard. Reminding him who had the power and she’d exercise it whenever it suited her. Then she pulled away and crossed the room to the small supply closet in the corner without looking back.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

KNOX rubbed his hand over his mouth as he watched her walking away.

That ass. Jesus. It called to him like the gravitational pull of the moon.

The second the supply-closet door closed, he yanked open the bottom drawer and ripped off a single condom package.

He forced himself to wait another minute before he chased after her, which gave him a chance to plan how this encounter would play out. He understood the leap of faith she’d taken, offering him the chance to take charge—he sure as fuck didn’t want to blow it.

Shiori’s role-playing game had gotten him all kinds of worked up. It reminded him of the months they’d gone back and forth nearly every day. And he was man enough to admit it’d gotten him hot then too.

The minute was up.

As Knox crossed the room, he wished his shoes made more noise on the wooden floor so she could hear him coming for her. The hinges squeaked on the door when he opened it slowly. He closed it behind him and locked it, then took a moment to study her, building her anticipation.

Shiori stood in front of the window. With the way she’d angled her head, the sun shone on her ebony hair, and a section reflected as fiery red. When he started toward her, he saw her hands tighten on the ledge.

Two floor-to-ceiling shelving units flanked the room on both sides. Since this was an old building, the ceilings were high, as were the windows. He’d always thought using this as a supply closet was a waste of good space—until now.

Knox moved in, pressing his body to hers. He reached beneath her arms to begin unbuttoning her blouse and rubbed his lips against the back of her neck. Her scent teased him—warm skin with the hint of spice. After he’d managed the buttons, he stripped off her blouse and her bra.

He groaned at feeling her soft, bare skin beneath his hands. “I love touching you.”