“We could arrange that.”
She laughed. “A month here would cost my entire year’s salary. And the dogs would be hell on the hardwood.”
“Maybe an occasional visit, then,” he said.
A knock on the door interrupted them, and the bellwoman brought in Brandy’s bag.
“We shouldn’t be bothered again. How hungry are you?”
“For what, Sir?”
“Good answer.”
He led her towards the bar and she gathered his intent. “Finishing what you started in the elevator?” she asked.
His eyes had darkened.
Feminine fascination unfurled through her.
This far above the ground with no other skyscrapers near, they’d be away from voyeuristic eyes.
He pulled off her shirt while she stripped from the waist down.
He undressed with a frantic energy she relished. Their clothes fell in untidy heaps.
“Hold onto the bar.”
She heard, rather than saw him grab a condom from a pocket. He ripped open the package and dropped it on the floor. She knew him to be restrained and thoughtful, so his lack of control thrilled her. “Do me,” she said. “I’m still wet for you.”
“On your toes.”
Because of their height difference, he had to bend his knees, and he parted her buttocks.
He took her in one stroke that pitched her forward and made her gasp. “Sir!”
“I’ve thought about you all week.”
“I’ve been craving this,” she confessed, her whole body on fire.
He pumped his dick in her, almost pulling all the way out before surging with unleashed power.
Being fourteen floors up, looking at the mountains, made the whole thing surreal. Even if they didn’t see each other after this, even if her heart was in a million pieces when their affair ended, this moment was worth the risk.
He reached around to toy with her clit, and she balanced on the edge of an orgasm.
“Are you close already?”
“Sir, I’ve been like this every hour of the day for the entire week.”
“Good.”
He pinched her clit.
The exquisite pain made her jerk, and he moved forward at the same time, impaling her on his dick.
He turned her head and captured her mouth in an awkward kiss that swallowed her scream.
She trembled and shook.
“Squeeze my dick with your pussy,” he said.
Still riding her orgasm, she somehow managed to do what he commanded. His arms went around her like steel bands, holding her still. After a few thrusts, he froze. Then he shuddered, ejaculating his load with a grunt of pure, male satisfaction.
Surprising her, he held onto her for a long moment, resting his head against hers. She’d never had any man—Dom or not—engage in this kind of intimacy after sex. She wished the moment could last forever.
His flaccid cock slid out, then he picked her up and carried her from the room.
“If you keep doing this, I’m going to forget how to walk, Sir.”
“As long as you can crawl when I want you to, it’s fine with me.”
She grinned, turning towards him.
“Do you want a shower or to freshen up? We’ve got a bidet.”
“A bidet?” she asked. “Really?”
“For freshening up,” he warned her. “This weekend, your orgasms belong to me.”
“Yes, Sir,” she agreed, kissing his cheek.
The bathroom was another treat, with its clean lines, art deco inspired tile floor, double sinks, designer faucets, tub and shower and private water closet. He set her down and she adjusted the bidet’s water.
“Are you going to watch?” she asked.
“I am.”
It shouldn’t bother her. They’d had anal sex, she’d submitted to him, he’d brought her off in the elevator. But this, with him looking at her as if there were no one else in the world, unnerved her.
Knowing he wanted this gave her all the courage she needed to straddle the bidet and wash herself in the stream of warm water.
“Let me help,” he said, squatting next to her and parting her labia.
His touch and the jet on her swollen pussy were dizzying. She began to sway as arousal unfurled in her.
“You’ve got a gorgeous pussy, Brandy.”
She didn’t respond. She was lost…
“I think you like this.”
“Yes.”
Abruptly he released her and shut off the water.
“What?” She opened her eyes in time to see him grab a hand towel and offer it to her. “Sir,” she protested.
“You’ve had a week of deciding when to come. Today, tomorrow, I choose. I think I’ve already been generous.” He raised his eyebrows in question.
“More than, Sir,” she agreed, remembering her place. Master Niles wasn’t an ordinary man, he was an unremitting Dom. “Thank you.”
“Much better.”
He helped her to stand, and she was grateful for the support.
“There’s a robe in the wardrobe,” he told her. “Feel free to wear that while we have lunch. Would you like a glass of champagne?”
“Please.” Because of her relationship with Reyes, she wasn’t gaga over finer things like she used to be, but this, on a Friday afternoon, seemed decadent.
While he turned on the shower, she went into the bedroom.
The eclectic décor continued there. Geometric black and white patterns were interrupted by splashes of vibrant red. She’d never be bold enough to try a palette like this, but she loved the way it came together.
She unpacked and hung up her dress next to the tuxedo he had hanging in the wardrobe. Her mouth watered at the idea of seeing him in it. On so many different levels, he appealed to her, and this was just one more to add to the dynamic fire he lit in her. At least for tonight, he was all hers.
Brandy wrapped herself in a robe then went into the living room. Two glasses were filled with champagne, and she picked up one. Then, realising she hadn’t eaten anything at all today, took a piece of cheese that had a toothpick sticking out of it.
She stood near the window, admiring the view. She enjoyed a piece of cheddar then sipped from the flute of bubbly and wondered if life could possibly get any better.
Then it did.
“You’re more delicious than the chocolate,” Master Niles said, walking towards her with only a towel wrapped around his lean hips.
“I started without you. I apologise.”
“Don’t.” He picked up a glass and tilted it towards her.
“To you, Sir,” she said.
“To us,” he replied, clinking the rims together.
They each took a sip then he filled a plate for her with various cheeses, crackers, vegetables and dip.
“You’re spoiling me.”
“You deserve it.”
She slid onto a chair at the bar, and he sat next to her.
“Thank you for being here.”
“When you get the credit card bill, you might not be so pleased with yourself.”
“I think I will.”
A cherry tomato halfway to her mouth, she paused. He was looking at her with those all-knowing hazel eyes. And she knew he meant what he said.
“Your massage is at two,” he said. “Don’t worry about the bill or the tip. It’s been taken care of.”
“Really, Sir—”
“Please.” He placed a finger on her lips. “Let me.”
“I don’t want to feel like I owe you.”
“This is pre-payment,” he said. “You’re going to earn this.”
“Your aunt is that horrible?”
“Worse than you can imagine.” He shuddered.
She laughed and popped the tomato in her mouth. “Can I bill stuff to the room?” She glanced at the tray. “As ominous as that sounds, I may need more chocolate.”
He brushed his fingertips across her jaw bone. “Anything you want, Brandy.�
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“Anything?” She glanced at his towel.
“Especially that.”
When she reached for him, he captured her hand. “Later.”
She sighed.
“I have work to do and you have a massage and pedicure scheduled. Insatiable wench.”
After checking the clock, she excused herself to get dressed.
“I’ll see you back here for cocktails,” he said.
Confusing her, he kissed her before she left the room. It would be so easy to think they had a relationship, so easy to believe…
* * * *
She spent the afternoon being pampered and telling herself not to fall in love with Master Niles while alternately praying it wasn’t already too late.
When she returned to the room, her body feeling like melted butter from the massage, he was on the phone.
He raised a hand, promising to be with her soon.
Captivated by this new side of him, she looked at him for a moment. Wearing wool slacks as he had earlier, this man didn’t at all resemble the Niles who’d cooked burgers at her house. Nor would anyone recognise him as the Dom who put subs into the direst bondage imaginable on video.
As he spoke on the phone, his tones were clipped, not at all like anything she’d ever heard from him.
With her, with subs, he could be gruff. With the people at her party, he’d been conversational. But now, he sounded as if he wanted to buy a country.
Giving him a quick smile, and not wanting to be guilty of eavesdropping, she indicated that she was going to take a bath.
When he walked in, she was soaking up to her chin, feeling grateful the hot water heater hadn’t run out like it might have at her house.
“Mind if I join you?”
It hadn’t taken her long to learn there was no such thing as privacy with this Dom. If she were truthful with herself, she’d admit that was one of the things she enjoyed about this kind of interaction.
“You do know what day this is?”
“Friday,” she said. “Why?”
“We talked about you bathing me becoming a Friday night ritual.”
“We did. And if you want me to, Sir, of course I will.”
“But you look too relaxed to move.”
“It’s your fault for treating me like a princess.”
“I’ll treat you like something different later,” he said.
“I’m honestly not sure I’ve ever been this relaxed in my entire life, Sir.”
“I’d say you’ve earned it. Can I get you another champagne?”
“Only if you want my undying gratitude.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.” He produced a glass from behind his back.
“You’re full of tricks, Master Niles.” With a squeal of delight, she accepted it and took a sip.
“And now,” he said dramatically, “for my next trick…”
He dropped the towel. His cock was erect, and it made her suck in a breath. “That’s hardly a trick, Master Niles. It seems like it’s more of an everyday occurrence. Maybe every hour.”
“A little appreciation, if you please, Your Majesty?”
“It’s impressive, even if it happens all the time,” she said with a giggle.
Proving he was full of surprises, he left the room for a minute before returning with a glass for himself. Then he climbed into the tub with her.
“You don’t have work to do?” she asked, moving to make room for him.
“Nothing is more important than you.” He took a drink from the flute he’d brought for himself. “How was your afternoon?”
“Amazing, Sir. Yours?”
“Glad you were here waiting when I finished that call.”
“Frustrating?” she asked.
“Amazingly. I had information on my website, or at least I thought I did, and my potential client couldn’t find it.”
“A few days ago, I sent you an email through your website. Thanking you, letting you know you were wearing me down.”
“If it had been working correctly, I would have responded.”
“You could let your webmaster know you have an issue.”
“I think I just did.”
“I…” She blinked. “What?”
“Write up a contract. You’re hired.”
“You’re—”
“Serious,” he finished. “Yes I am.”
“You don’t know my price.” If she weren’t in the tub, she’d be doing a jig in the bathroom. That wouldn’t be professional, but then again, neither was negotiating a deal in the bathtub.
“I saw your mock-ups. I think I told you I was impressed not only with what you did, but the fact you took the initiative.”
She tried not to squeal. Adding his company to her résumé would give her some much-needed credentials.
“Red.”
She blinked. “Red?”
“Betting you chose red for your toenails.”
“How in the hell do you do that? Juggle twenty things in your mind at once? And I take it that’s the end of the business discussion.”
“Am I right?”
She lifted her right leg.
“With a flower on the big toe. I wouldn’t have guessed that.”
“Do you like it?” She looked at him, trying to gauge his reaction. “I hope you do. You paid for it.”
“Ms Hess, no matter what you chose, it would have been perfect.”
Instead of letting her emotions spiral out of control, she reined them in and asked, “Is your aunt really that bad?”
He took a drink. “This has nothing to do with Mame.” He took Brandy’s flute and set both glasses aside before pulling her against his chest.
She was straddling him, and she felt his erection. Brandy expected him to enter her, and she would have liked that, but he didn’t. Instead, he held her. In the moment, she felt safe, protected, as if the two of them could take on the world—folly, her practical side warned. She could make her own way in the world, and how foolish would it be to fall for a man who’d sworn never again to risk his heart?
“I’m glad you’re here,” he said.
“Me too.”
“As much as I’d like to hold you all day, we’re expected to meet my aunt.”
Reluctantly she eased away.
He climbed from the tub first and offered a towel to her. When she refused it, he grinned. His expression turned to a frown when she wrapped herself in the robe again.
“I’d keep you naked if I could.”
“Chained to a wall?”
“Could work.”
She laughed.
Niles excused himself to answer a few emails, returning ten minutes later with the champagne. He topped off her glass while she styled her hair.
“I’ll be honest,” he said. “I wanted to look at you.”
She tilted her glass towards him in acknowledgement. “Now, Sir, get out of here, otherwise we’ll be late.”
“At this point, I’m willing to take the risk.”
“Out,” she said, closing the door behind him.
Half an hour later, she smoothed down the dress then slipped into the stilettos and joined him in the living area.
From his place by the window, backlit by the setting sun, he looked up.
His jacket hung from one of the bar stools, and the sleeves of his white shirt were turned back. The ends of his tie hung loose. He looked dashing in his dishevelled state.
“Turn around,” he said.
Slowly, she did so, the material swaying with her movement.
When she faced him, he said, “Stunning. Everything I imagined and more.” He held out a hand and she went to him. “Thank you,” he said, kissing her hand.
She lowered her gaze then glanced up at him through her lashes. “No, Sir. Thank you. For everything.”
“I have one more gift for you this evening,” he said.
“You’ve done too much as it is, Sir. I can’t possibly—”
“Indulge me.” He release
d her hand and went behind the bar.
He returned carrying a jeweller’s box.
“Sir, really, I can’t accept anything else.”
“Open it,” he said, voice brooking no argument. “I hope you like it.”
Her heart stopped as she took it from him and removed the lid. A silver necklace lay there, its pendant a circle. She immediately recognised its significance. Friends and acquaintances who knew him as Master Niles would also garner its meaning. Others, though, would think it was a stylish piece of jewellery. “Master Niles, I’m speechless.”
“Thank you is the customary response when you receive a gift,” he said wryly.
“It’s more than a gift,” she said. It wasn’t a collar. It wasn’t gold. And there were no diamonds.
“It will look beautiful with the dress.”
“You’re right about that.” The neckline called out for adornment, and now she realised why he’d selected this particular dress.
“It doesn’t have to mean anything more than you want it to. It’s a stunning accessory. It also says you’re with me. I want you to know how much you mean to me. And I want you to wear it, but I’ll understand if you choose not to.”
With him standing so close, she could hardly think. She ached to feel its weight on her, but was worried about its implications if she agreed to wear it. He’d never suggested they make their relationship anything more than friendship, and even if he did, she couldn’t dare accept.
“What do you say, Brandy?”
Chapter Seven
Niles watched different reactions cross her face. When he’d offered the box, she’d kept her hand at her side, making a fist. He’d hoped for delight or joy, not suspicion.
Then when she’d seen the necklace, she’d started to smile, but the expression had faded as she’d taken in its shape.
Niles had selected the piece with great care. When he’d entered the jeweller’s, he’d been uncertain what he was looking for, just something suitable to go with the dress. When he’d seen that particular necklace, nothing else would do.
He was a Dom. Nothing would change that. Call it passion or possession. She was with him tonight, and he wanted to be sure everyone knew it. Although it wasn’t a collar—he’d never collar a sub again—it did have multiple meanings.
He waited. Her response mattered more than he’d thought it might.
For The Sub (Mastered) Page 14