Page 7 of Vienna Betrayal

Robes, rolled blankets, lotion, aspirin, and bottles of water were all in there.

Not everything was solely for post-scene care. There was also lube, gloves, alcohol wipes, black silk ties, and two crops, one long, one short. He pulled out the short crop, a pair of gloves, and alcohol wipes.

He tore open an alcohol pad and wiped down the crop, stuffing the black plastic gloves into his pants pocket.

When he turned back to Alena she looked uncertain, and had her arms crossed over her stomach.

He raised the crop, swished it through the air. “The scene begins now.”

Her eyes widened, and when he brought the tip whistling down to strike a nearby ottoman, she jumped.

Alexander raised a brow. “A crop is not by default heavy impact.”

“It can leave a welt.”

“A long crop, yes.”

“I’m sure you could use all those muscles to make it hit hard.” She gestured at his arm.

She liked his muscles? There was no way she could see them through his tailored shirt. False compliments to manipulate him into being gentle?

Plenty of women had complimented him in the past. As a matter of fact, people rarely did anything but compliment him, yet Alena’s words made him feel good. Maybe because she’d sounded disgruntled, and that added authenticity to her statement.

Alexander stalked towards her, holding the crop slightly raised. Not a threat, but the hint of one.

She dropped her hands to her sides, changed her mind and folded her arms, then pressed her lips together as if firming her resolve, and dropped her hands once more.

Her uncertainty was delightful.

Alexander placed the tip of the crop under her chin, nudging her face up until their gazes met.

“Leave now,” he murmured.

“Why would I do that, Sir? I want to be here.”

“You’re ready to submit? To me?”

In response, Alena closed her eyes, her shoulders relaxing, her lovely face still tilted up. He wanted to taste her lips, but he couldn’t. No fluids exchange was her other rule, and a common enough one it hadn’t been worth mentioning.

No fluid exchange meant he couldn’t lick her pussy without a dental dam, or ask her to lick his bare cock.

And it meant he couldn’t kiss her.

Alexander leaned in, let his mouth hover over hers. He closed his eyes, imagined the kiss, and then pulled back. Now was not the time for tenderness, even if her rules had allowed it.

“Once you kneel, you’re mine for the night.” It was a final warning, but not enough. He should have explained to her that he could be sadistic. It was, perhaps, his true nature.

He should tell her exactly how deep into the darkness he could fall, how his refined exterior, crafted by his upbringing and position, were a veneer for a dangerous, feral creature inside.

But he’d never warned a submissive about it before. He didn’t know why he felt like he should with her.

“I’m not looking for an out, Sir.”

He hoped she could handle him, because though he hadn’t started the night with a feeling of disquiet, ever since he’d pushed back her hood, his sexual appetite had skewed towards the darkness.

“Kneel, Alena.”

She obeyed.

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