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“Good question.” Kaley shifted in her position. Anthony still held her hand, and she enjoyed the feel of his skin against hers. “I was looking for a place to belong.”

“You could have joined a book club or any other public group. Dig deeper for me.”

She took a deep breath. “I wanted a place where I wasn’t judged on my appearance or lack of money. I wanted to be accepted for who I was.”

“May I?” Anthony lifted his free hand. “I’d like to do more than hold your hand.”

“Okay.”

He ran his fingers over her cheek before curving them around the back of her neck. Her nerves awakened at his touch. His hand kneaded tight muscles, and like magic, she relaxed.

“No one should ever make you feel unacceptable. If they do, it’s their failure to see the real you.”

“That’s a nice thing to say, but reality doesn’t always work that way.”

“You’re right; it doesn’t.” He tugged her braided hair.

Her breath caught in her throat. It wasn’t a strong pull, but damn if that didn’t make her insides clench in delight.

Anthony smiled. “Hard limits?”

“It’s probably quicker to tell you what I will do.”

He raised his eyebrow.

She stiffened. “I told you: I’m new.”

He laughed and tugged at her braid again. “You like me tugging on your hair, don’t you?”

“For some reason, yes.”

“Good. Go on. What will you do?”

“Light bondage and hands on my body.”

He dipped his head closer to hers. “Spanking?”

“I don’t know. It’s a soft limit.”

“Good. Since you’re new to this, how about tonight I caress you, learn your body? Clothes on, unless you feel comfortable undressing.”

Kaley’s heart stopped for a second, then pounded in her chest. “I’m not ready to undress in public.”

Anthony smiled. “This isn’t really public, sweetheart, but I get it. How about we go to the massage table, and you let me show you?”

Could she do this? Yes, her body screamed. “Just touching?”

“Touching you all over and maybe an occasional swat to your ass. Is that acceptable?”

“Yes, Sir.” Her words were breathless, airy, filled with nerves. But no fear. Kaley wasn’t going to give herself time to back out of this. Wasn’t this one of the reasons she’d come to Wicked Sanctuary? Plus, Noah had touched her, so this wasn’t any different. She almost laughed out loud. Of course it was; Noah had been her instructor, Anthony was going to be a man she played with. Besides, Noah never made her blood heat the way Anthony did.

“Very good. Safe words?”

“Red to stop, yellow to slow down, and green to keep going.”

“Excellent.” He withdrew his hand from her neck, and Kaley instantly missed his touch, but he stood and helped her to her feet. Keeping hold of her hand, he led her across the club to the massage area. “Wait here.” He let go of her hand and mounted the small stage.

She watched him clean the station, grab a blanket, and place it on the chair before coming back to her. He put his arm around her waist and guided her to the stage.

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