At least until his fingers pulled down the zipper on the front of her dress. His hand slid under her bra and closed over her left breast.

“Wait.” She tried to pull away, but his other hand gripped her hip, holding her in place. God, she'd forgotten how strong he was, how big. Her insides quivered as her breathing increased.

“The restrictions for a beginner's first night are gone, Kari,” he murmured, his thumb stroking her nipple to a hard peak, the controlled power of his grip making her shake. “Tonight, I can—and I will—take you, with my hands. My mouth. My cock. Any way I want. As many times as I want.”

With his hand on her breast, he could undoubtedly feel her breathing increase, her pulse speed up. “Your body likes that idea,” he whispered. “Your body is mine to play with, to restrain, to show off. Your only response to anything I want will be, 'yes, Sir.'”

Need clawed into her as her insides turned liquid. She dampened.

As if he could tell—and he probably could, the jerk—he whispered, “Are you wet for me now, little sub?”

Her body didn't feel like her own anymore. Yes, she'd wanted to explore sex here, but this was too fast. Too much.

When she didn't answer, he removed his hand from her hip and tilted her head to meet his gaze. His eyes crinkled as he studied her face. “You're flushed. Your pulse is hammering. Your breathing is fast. Kari, either answer my question, or I will check for myself. Right here.”

She gasped and closed her legs tightly at the thought of his hand under her skirt, right in the center of the room. This wasn't at all like that isolated spot he'd found for them last time. Didn't he understand anything about privacy? Discretion? Politeness? She pushed at his hand and gritted out, “Fine. I'm wet. Okay?”

The minute the words left her mouth, she remembered his response the last time she'd snapped at him, and her world tipped sideways.

His eyes went cold. “No, that answer is as far from okay as it can get. Open your legs for me now.”

“I will not.” She tried to move from his lap, and his grip tightened.

“Since you like multiple choice, here you go. A: You can be an example for the other subs when I drag you to the bondage table, strap you down, and let everyone see how wet you are.”

Her breath choked in her throat as horror filled her.

“Or B: You may apologize for your tone, and I'll let you open your legs for me here.” He gave her a hard look, and she knew he'd do just what he said. “Which is it, little sub?”

“Here,” she whispered. “I'm sorry, Sir. Please stay here.”

He pulled her dress up to her knees, set a hand on her bare leg, and waited.

She tried to look around, to see if anyone could see her.

“Do it now, sub, and keep your eyes on me,” he ordered in a glacial voice. His command sent disconcerting heat washing through her.

Biting her lips, she eased her legs apart. His right hand stroked up between her thighs, forcing her to open farther until his palm pressed against her mound. She glanced down and turned red. Her dress was pushed up, barely covering her, and anyone could see the location of his hand.

People walked past the couch. A woman in a black bustier, fishnet stockings, and high heels glanced over and grinned. Over by the spanking bench, Buck stared at Sir, his mouth twisting into an ugly line. Then there were Master Raoul and Master Cullen at the bar…

With a low moan, Kari shoved at her skirt.

Master Dan sighed, lifted his left hand from her hip. “Give me that hand.”

Darn it, she knew what he planned—one arm pinned against his chest, the other in his grip. She'd have no choice but to let him do what he wanted.

He chuckled. “And that just made you wetter.” Oh, God, he had his fingers pressed into her crotch.

“Hand, Kari.”

Giving up, she set her hand in his. He closed his fingers around her wrist and set both their hands against her hip, holding her wedged in one place. She had a moment to feel her helplessness, and then he slid under the edge of her panties and pushed a finger inside her. Her hips jerked at the suddenness of the entry, at the flaring arousal that soared through her.

“Yes, you're very wet.” His finger moved inside her, sent jolts of sensation through her. “Makes me want to bend you over the couch and bury myself in you.”

He could undoubtedly feel the way her vagina clamped down as well as she could. Oh, God.

“But I think we'll go upstairs so I can take my time exploring your body.” His eyes crinkled. “You like that idea too, don't you? Answer me, sub.”

“Yes, Sir.” His finger moved, stroked the walls of her vagina in erotic circles.

“Afterwards, I'll bring you back down here.” He glanced at the St. Andrew's cross. “I could strip you and bind you up there.”

She stiffened, the thought exciting. Appalling.

“Ah, not quite ready for that yet, are you?” He nibbled on her ear. “Even if I left your clothes on, I could put you in the stockade, lift your skirt, and take you there.”

His finger moved within her. “Not that yet, either, although the interest is there, isn't it?”

She had no answer for him, confusion and fear and arousal so mingled inside her that she couldn't think at all. The way he had her restrained with just his body, his hands, made her feel so strange. So needy. She looked at him, unable to speak.

His smile was hard, satisfied. “I like that look on your face.” He bent his head and took her lips ruthlessly, satisfying himself. His finger thrust in and out of her below, the twin assaults swamping her mind in desire. She trembled as urgent need coursed through her.

When he pulled away, his eyes were heavy lidded with passion, dark with promise. “Let's go, sub. I have things I want to do to you.”

He gave a low laugh, and she knew he'd felt the clench of her insides around his finger.

He removed his finger, making her jerk, leaving her throbbing. Pushing her to her feet, he wrapped a hard arm around her waist. “If you talk fast, I'll let you choose the room.”

He kept her hand firmly in his as he led her up the spiral stairs in the front corner of the room. At the top, at the sight of doors running down a long hallway, she pulled back. Sex. She was going to have sex this time. This was—

“Little sub, you worry so much your head must ache.” He pulled her into his arms, and his embrace turned comforting. Warm. “You're aroused. And scared.” He nibbled on her neck, then kissed her until her knees sagged and the world spun.

Pulling back, he looked at her. “Blue is definitely your color. Let's go with that.”

Halfway down the hall, he opened a door to a small room. Candles in sconces on the gray-blue walls provided a soft, flickering light. Classical music came from speakers somewhere in the room. The room had a bed with a dark red velvet cover and a big armoire. Velvet ropes dangled from the headboard; more ropes with leather cuffs were tied to the foot of the bed. A chill crept up Kari's spine, followed by excitement. Would he really use those on her?

Placing his hands on her shoulders, he steered her to stand beside the bed. Running a hand down her front, he chuckled, realizing she'd raised the zipper. With a firm hand, he pulled it all the way down. As her dress gaped open and the air hit her overheated skin, she shivered and her nipples peaked, showing through her thin lacy bra.

He touched one breast, stroking over the hard bud. His gentle finger sent little ripples of need through her.

After a second, he nudged her dress off, letting it pool at her feet, leaving her in her white bra and panties.

“Your underwear is very much like you,” he said. “The white for sweet, sheer lace for sexy.” One hard hand held her upper arm as he ran a finger across the top of her bra, his finger warm, slightly abrasive, the touch sensitizing her skin. There was something erotic about being forced to stand still, not being able to move as a man played with her body, pleasing himself.

“Remove your bra, Kari,” he said, stepping back and watching her with narrowed eyes.

She fumbled with the catch, embarrassed, yet wanting his hands on her so badly her mouth was dry. The flickering lights weren't bright, but she still felt awfully exposed as her breasts spilled free. He cupped his hands under them, squeezing slightly, enough to make her suck in a breath. Enough for heat to flow through her. “Now the panties can go.”

Feeling awkward, she pushed them off and let them slide to the floor. His eyes on her felt hot. He smiled slowly. “You're a lovely woman, Kari. I'm going to enjoy taking you.”

The blunt words, so openly carnal, thrilled her. Confused her.

Gripping her upper arms, he raised her onto her toes and took her lips in a hot, wet kiss, exploring her mouth until her hands fisted with the need to touch him. He drew back and traced her swollen lips with his finger.

“Up on the bed with you.” He patted behind him.

Oh, God, she really was going to do this.

As she crawled up onto the bed and turned to sit, he tossed his vest on the ground, opened his leathers. Oh heavens, he was even more muscled than she'd realized, and he was…huge, his erection past his belly button. Thick and hard and… “I don't—um—You're awfully big,” she ventured.

He grinned as he sheathed himself in a condom. “We'll fit, sweetie.” Joining her on the bed, he pressed her down onto her back and covered her with his body, his heat unbelievable. She ran her hands over his shoulders, amazed at the contoured muscles of his back, how they tightened to rock hard with each movement.