Cherise Sinclair - Dark Citadel

He followed her gaze. “Beginners tend to dress conservatively. You'll see a big difference when the regular club members are here on Saturday.”

As they crossed the room, Kari spotted Buck at the bar. Her step faltered.

He noticed her, and his face lit up. Then he saw Master Dan with his arm around her, and his mouth compressed so hard his lips disappeared.

To her relief, he didn't approach. She would hate to be the cause of a scene, or even the center of attention.

Without speaking, Master Dan slid his hand up to her waist and moved her closer, his nearness comforting.

Once past the bar, he found an unoccupied sitting area. Taking the very center of the couch, he pulled her down beside him. He smelled of subtly dark cologne, of soap…of man. And she was way too close. She tried to shift away, only to realize he'd wedged her between him and the arm of the couch.

“Does it bother you to sit beside me?” he asked, leaning back and studying her. His leg against her thigh was hard, ungiving.

Did he expect her to be rude? “Um, no, of course not.” Trying to ignore the feeling of being crowded, she tipped her foot up, wiggled her toes. Why was she barefoot anyway?

“Look at me.” He put gentle fingers under her chin, forcing her to meet his level gaze.

“Kari, part of the adventure is being honest with each other. When I ask you a question, I want an honest answer, not a polite one.” He smiled slightly. His fingers were warm as his thumb traced little circles on her cheek. “Let me show you what I'd like.”

He pitched his voice a little higher and said, “Master Dan, when I realized I was between you and the couch arm, I felt trapped. Like I can't retreat if I want to.” His voice returned to its natural subterranean deepness. “Is that about right?”

How did he know that?

He kept watching her with those intent eyes, and each stroke of his thumb across her skin left heat in its wake. He lifted his dark brows. “Kari?”

“Yes,” she said almost inaudibly. “That's how I feel.” The admission left her feeling as if she'd undressed in front of him, and she tried to look away. He tipped her head back, let her see the pleasure on his face.

“Good girl. I can tell that wasn't easy for you.” He brushed a kiss across her lips.

Her lips tingled although the touch had been fleeting, a tiny hint of pleasure.

Dan studied the little newbie. Nervous as a burglar who'd tripped an alarm. And so polite. Her hands lay in her lap, laced together.

“May I ask you some questions?” He massaged her cold little fingers as he waited for her reply.

“Of course. May I ask questions also?” She fidgeted. He watched her fidget. His deliberate intrusion into her personal space definitely set her off balance.

“I hope you will since that's my job tonight, being an instructor. So what do you do when you're not in a wicked house of sin?”

“I'm a—” She hesitated, stiffening a little.

Smart girl, not blurting out too much personal information. Caution wasn't a bad thing. “Ah. Never mind that. Why don't you tell me about the assh—about Buck? I'm assuming he's not your husband.”

“No!” Obviously horrified, she frowned at him. “I wouldn't have gone with you if I were married.”

“Good to hear. Just a boyfriend, then?” And hadn't the man looked steamed there at the bar. Dan automatically checked his surroundings. All clear.

“I was dating him.” She studied her fingers. “He's usually a nice man. I'm not sure why he was like that tonight.”

The idea of dominance brought out more than just true Dominants. Perverts, control freaks, and general assholes were plentiful. “You need to be careful about who you trust when you're getting into any kind of power exchange. That's why the class is restricted to this room tonight. No one goes anywhere private.” He put his arm across her shoulders, pulling her closer. Curves and softness. Delightful. “Have you ever been married?”

“No. Engaged once, but it didn't work out.” The muscles around her eyes tightened…a past hurt? Before he could quiz her, she asked hastily, “How about you? Are you married or involved?”

The unexpected question stabbed through him, and he forced his voice to stay even. “No. My wife died a few years ago. A car accident.”

“I'm so sorry.” She laid her hand on his cheek. “Do you have children?”

He shook his head. “She wanted to wait. She said she was having too much fun to want to slow down.” At times, he could be grateful he wasn't responsible for a child; other times, he ached for someone to love.

“I'm sorry,” she repeated.

“Thank you.” Her sympathy touched him inside, lightened the heavy feeling in his gut. He took her hand and pressed a kiss to the center.

She smiled at him, her eyes gentle…and pulled her hand back.

Her retreat returned him to the present. So the little miss might be shy, but not when someone needed comfort.

“Um—Mas—”

“So many worries. If 'Master Dan' feels awkward, call me Sir. Any other designation here will get you in trouble.”

She frowned. “All right, but—”

He interrupted, taking her hand. “So, Kari. We get a variety of people on beginners' nights. Some have used bondage and such at home, sometimes for years. Do you have any experience at all?”

“Not really. I…we…Buck wanted to tie my hands, and I wouldn't let him.” Her muscles tensed, and she tugged at her hand. “I probably don't belong here. Not really. I'm not—”

He chuckled but didn't release her hand or move his arm from her shoulders. “You know, if someone like Buck tried to tie me up, I'd run for the hills. All that shows is your body has better taste in men than your mind.”

She blinked. Relaxed a little.

“What does your body say about being with me?” he asked. “Do you feel safe?”

Glancing away from him, she considered, and her brows drew together. “Pretty much. Yes.” She sounded surprised.

“All right then. Now tell me about your fiancé. Did you two try anything?”

Her lips curved up. “Oh, no. The thought would have appalled him.”

He traced a finger over her plump lips, and her gaze darted to him. “So no experience at all. Why are you here?”

She looked down, pulled in a long breath, and raised those gorgeous eyes back to his. “Buck told me about domination and bondage, and I didn't realize real people do…it. I've never been that interested in sex, but when I heard about this, I was…”

“Turned on?”

She nodded. “But honestly, I don't think this will work for me. I'm very… I'm not the type of person who—”

“You're modest. Polite. Obey the rules.”

Relief at being understood showed in her eyes. “Yes. Exactly. My father was quite devout and very strict with my sister and me. Catholic girls' school, no dating in high school, no makeup. She rebelled; I was the good daughter.” She gave him a sidelong look. “I'm very repressed.”

He laughed. Not so repressed that she'd lost her sense of humor. Still, that explained a lot. Dan fingered her tight French braid, glanced at the dress buttoned to her neck. She wouldn't find this easy.

“So you see, I'm probably wasting your time. I'm very sorry.”

Now he knew about her background, he thought she'd been brave just to come here. Should he let her go? He thought about the way her eyes had heated at just a simple command. “Let's talk a little longer and see.”

Her foot pointed to the door, but her fingers still gripped his hand. She wanted and didn't want. Did she have any idea how that type of dichotomy could entice a Dom?

“All right.” She raised her chin.

“All right,” he echoed. “We've established you have no experience. How about fantasies?”

Kari felt herself turn red.

“Well, she has fantasies.” He grinned. “Good. A gorgeous barbarian chasing you down and taking you against your will? Have you had that one?”

“I—” She bit her lower lip. Was she wearing an I-have-kinky-dreams brand or something?

“I would enjoy chasing you; I wonder if you'd enjoy being caught?” His hand cupped her cheek, turning her head so he could kiss her. Ever so lightly, his mouth teased hers, coaxing her to respond. He had firm lips, but smooth, and she moved closer, wanting more. He traced her lips with his tongue, nibbled on her bottom lip, and when she opened for him, he swept inside, sending her senses reeling.

When he pulled back, her fingers were clamped on his upper arms. She fought to catch her breath. A furnace seemed to have started in her body. God, she wanted to kiss him some more.

He smiled and traced her wet lips with his finger. “Save our place,” he whispered.

Kari blinked, realized a woman stood beside the couch, her gaze on the floor. She wore a red latex corset, a short black skirt, and wrist cuffs. How long had she been standing there?

“Tabitha.”

“Master Dan, may I bring you and your companion something to drink?”

“Kari, what would you like? No, let me see how close I can get.” He studied her, and a crease appeared in his cheek with his smile. “It would have to be like you. Sweet. Not exotic, but straightforward. Honest. A screwdriver or perhaps rum and Coke?”

Her jaw dropped. “Rum and Diet Coke. How did you know?”

He nodded at Tabitha, and the young woman disappeared. “Yes, let's talk about that. Part of a Dominant-submissive relationship is—” His eyes glinted with amusement. “Ah, even the words make you blush. Such a lovely pink.”

And she could feel her face turning redder with the compliment, darn him. She'd taken her turn at teaching sex education classes and never blushed once. Why now?