Page 44 of Master My Love

What-if scenarios filled her head, each one more anxiety provoking than the last. What if he had changed his mind about her? What if she was too inexperienced and too timid? Or too old and out of shape?

“Stop,” Eric ordered as he closed his office door behind them. “I can see the wheels turning in your beautiful head. What I have to discuss isn’t bad. At least I don’t think it is. Your response remains to be seen.”

His cryptic statement did nothing to put her at ease. She rolled her lips inward and bit down to keep them from trembling, wishing fervently that he would get to the point quickly.

“Valerie, this isn’t nearly as bad as you’re making it out to be.”

He positioned himself behind her, his hands curving around her shoulders, as he guided her to a chair. Once she was seated, he propped his butt on the edge of his desk, crossed his arms, and gazed down at her, still looking quite serious.

“You’re breaking it off with me,” she blurted out, her mind leaping to the worst-case scenario. “Not that we’ve really started. A scene and a dinner aren’t exactly a lifelong commitment. We haven’t even had sex, not really, but I thought—”

“No,” he interrupted firmly, crouching in front of her, like he did when she was bound to the spanking bench. He covered her trembling hands with his own. Big, warm, and slightly roughened, they provided small reassurance. “I’m not breaking anything off, Val. Breathe,” he said in a low, steady voice.

“Sorry,” she replied quietly, trying to do her mindfulness exercises and failing miserably.

“Don’t apologize,” he said, gently nudging up her chin. She had to look at him. “You obviously want to be with me, and I want to be with you. It’s that simple.”

“It is?” she breathed, not thinking any of this was simple at all.

“Yes, which brings me to Saturday. It’s your last class. Afterward, it’s traditional for students to stay and enjoy the club while it’s open, giving them a chance to observe, mix, and mingle. Usually, this falls on a weeknight when we aren’t at full capacity, but because of a scheduling mishap, graduation is on the same night as a special event.”

Shaking her head, she showed her confusion.

“I mentioned I often do demonstrations. I’m slated for one of them. It was planned long before we met with a pre-arranged partner.”

A sharp pang gripped her chest. She should have known it was a pipe dream for a man of his experience, who was in demand and surrounded by beautiful, eager, mostly younger and slimmer women, to commit to only one.

“The wheels are still spinning. Let me finish.”

She closed her eyes, preparing for yet another blow, but he wouldn’t have it.His grip on her chin tightened as he spoke sternly, making it clear disobedience wasn’t an option. “Valerie, look at me.”

Her lashes swept up, prepared to take it like an adult.

“Since we’re building something, I asked you here to see if you’d take her place.”

She blinked then squeaked, “Really?”

“Yes, really,” he replied, much more softly. “It’s a big step, and I understand if you don’t feel ready—”

“I’ll do it,” she exclaimed without a moment’s hesitation.

He grinned at her eagerness. “Don’t you think you should find out what it entails before you agree?”

“I trust you.”

Those three little words ignited a fire inside him. Rising, he pulled her from her chair into his arms. With a hand cupping the back of her head, his lips covered hers. He was like a furnace, emanating intense heat that coursed from him through her. His other hand slid over her bottom, molding to it as he drew her in closer, the length of him pressing insistently into her belly.

After several long minutes spent in a feverish clinch, Eric broke for air. His lips brushed hers as he uttered, “Can you feel how badly I want you?”

“I want you, too, master. Will you come for dinner again tonight? I’ll be the dessert.”

“I want to,” he growled. “But, damn this case, I’ve got to work. But it’s winding down. Once it’s over, I’ll have more time for dinners and lessons and exploring with you. Pack a bag for Saturday. We’ll play, do the demonstration at ten then afterward, we’ll head upstairs and celebrate your graduation, only the two of us. I promise.”

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