Sawyer didn’t think it was possible for Sarah to look any more enticing than she had only moments before, but there it was – the look of complete surrender making his pulse skitter and his brain fuzzy with lusty intoxication.

As he searched her eyes, they exchanged a look, and suddenly he could feel the air in the room shift - like the way the atmosphere changes right before a fierce storm. He could feel the storm’s power twist around his heart as his fingers clenched tighter yet, causing his cock to throb and his body to ache with an intense need to control her. He wanted to tie her down and fill her roughly and nothing less than her quivering release would satiate his hunger.

Circling his thumb over her wet nub, a tormented groan escaped her lips and her eyes rolled back for a split second before focusing on his mouth. Her body began to shiver and a barely visible flare of her pupils signaled for him to free her. He withdrew his hand and Sarah’s chest heaved as she gasped for breath and screamed out, her orgasmic roar a heady invitation to give her more. And, God, how he wanted to give her more. He had entered his dark headspace, even if only for a brief moment, but this time there was one major difference – there was Sarah’s whispered voice and loyal eyes beckoning him back into the light.

Rising up, Sawyer hauled Sarah into his cradling arms, tucking her curves neatly into his contours as she continued to pant and cry from her massive orgasm.

“You’ve given me my first true taste of ultimate power, Snowflake,” his raspy, hushed voice whispered into her ear. “Stay with me tonight so that we can take the time to explore, arouse and give each other pleasure. Stay with me and teach me more.”

“Yes, Domly One… yes… yes,” she smiled up at him.

Chapter 14

While Sarah slept, Sawyer made a quick trip to a clothing store not far from his condo to pick out something for her to wear seeing as she hadn’t been prepared for her overnight stay, as well as some fruit from a local market.

Once back at home and seated in his King’s throne, he began writing ideas for Ciara’s scene. Seduced consent, albeit sexy sounding, seemed a bit deceiving.  Semantics, he laughed to himself.

Ciara had written that she had a mild history of asthma so he would have to be prepared with some kind of medication in case she was to have a flare up. Also, he needed to speak with Kerian about his past. He suspected when his past wrongdoings were made known, Kerian would change his mind about allowing him to perform something as risky as breath play with Ciara.

He had already spoken of his bloody past with Sarah, so the initial sting of having to speak about it was gone, but it was still distressing to think about having to do it again. Before he had a chance to rethink his decision, he dialed Kerian’s number.

“Mr. Morrison!” he answered. “Working hard on your homework assignment?”

“Absolutely. You’re a shit for making me do this. You know that, right?”

Kerian laughed loudly and spoke away from the phone. “Sawyer Morrison has called your Master a shit after I shared Precious’ ass! Can you believe the gall?” He coughed and deepened his voice. “I have no idea why you would say such a wretched thing.”

“Right. Anyway, there’s something I need to speak to you about. I feel this information is something that should be disclosed in order for you to make an informed decision before allowing me to test Ciara’s limits.”

“You’re always so somber, Sawyer, but, fine, speak up.”

Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes.  “I was an assassin for the CIA for many years. I… If you want me to back away from Ciara… I…”

“I see. Well thank you for sharing this information with me…” Kerian cut in.

“Let me finish. I’ll tell you the same thing I told Sarah: this isn’t a case of ‘I was a different person then.’ I’m the same man now that I was then.  I’ve also done heinous things post CIA. It’s not something I’m proud of, but it was my duty and job, and other than the regret of having to lie about my actions to my wife and the ones I care about, I don’t regret my actions. The men I killed deserved to die and if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing. There. I said it. Now, if you want me to back away from Ciara, I’ll respect your decision.”

There was a short moment of silence and Sawyer wondered if he had been disconnected or hung up on. “Are you there?” he asked after checking his phone to make sure the call was still in progress.

“I’m here. Are you finished?” Kerian asked without emotion.

“Yes, I think so.”

“Now it’s my turn. First: thank you for sharing this information with me. Second: I already knew about your past, but the fact that you shared it with me on your own only proves what I and everyone you care about already knows - you’re trustworthy and will make an excellent Dom or Master someday. Hell, you already are.”

How the hell did Kerian know? Had Young revealed his secrets to him? No, he doubted that. Young was also trustworthy.

“How?”

“I’m a man with friends in high places, Mr. Morrison, and the Dark Asylum is my life’s work. I don’t allow just anyone through my doors and I insist on very thorough background checks being done on all patrons before accepting their membership applications. I never would’ve offered you Precious, Sarah, or any woman for that matter, if I hadn’t known everything about you. And I most certainly would never have asked that you to push a trainee’s hard limits without delving into your background and knowing what kind of man you are. I’m a shrewd businessman and knowing everything about my members is not just good business but good manners, and the gentlemanly thing to do when given the honor and trust of a submissive or slave.”

Sawyer couldn’t resist a smile. Well, damn. Sarah hadn’t balked and neither had Kerian, and he felt a little ridiculous for having made such a big deal about everything.

“Precious is very special, Sawyer, and I didn’t come to the decision lightly when asking you to push her hard limits. Her training has been unusually drawn out and because of that, my cherished Julia and I have grown more attached to her than any other who has crossed our paths. She’s gifted and intelligent, and unlike any other trainee I’ve ever had the pleasure of guiding. My two beloved slaves hold a special place in my heart…” he sighed as if pained thinking about relinquishing her to another man. “Anyway, I digress,” he quickly pulled himself together. “Was there anything else you wanted to discuss about your upcoming scene?”

“Yes. Would you like to be present?”

He chuckled lightly. “Of course, but it would only hinder your abilities in breaking her walls down. When she begins to feel panicked, and she will, she’ll look to me for help and I will be unable to provide it for her in order for her to overcome her fears, leaving her feeling betrayed.  I wouldn’t be able to live with myself seeing that look of hurt in her eyes, especially knowing how abandoned by her family she feels. Having another person present is a good idea though, just so she has some sort of reassurance.”

Sawyer could think of only one person he wanted there. Sarah. Not only for Ciara’s comfort, but for his own.

“Also, does she have medication for her asthma? I will need that handy in case she has an attack.”

“Excellent idea. You’ve really been thorough, haven’t you?”

“I’m doing my best, Kerian.”

“And your best is all that I will accept and nothing less, Mr. Morrison. I’ll send over some of my thoughts and ideas via email and speak with you at the end of the week. I’m going to insist that you spend the entire weekend with her again in order to gain her full trust, if that’s possible, before scening with her on Sunday. Good night and, again, thank you for your honesty.”