Page 45 of King

Book club may have ended, but she had a feeling the most exciting part of her evening was about to begin.

Ella followed King into his apartment, her heart pounding so hard she swore he could hear it. The door shut behind them, startling her and sealing them into the private space.

Her fingers trembled slightly, her nerves tangling inside her. Sheknewtonight was different.Knewthey were about to take their relationship to a new level. She wanted it, wantedhim, but fear gnawed at the edges of her excitement. What if she messed up or was terrible at sex? What if she couldn’t please him?

King turned to face her, his dark eyes scanning her expression carefully. He could sense her hesitation. He could read her so easily.

“You’re nervous,” he murmured.

Ella swallowed hard and nodded. “I… I am.” She hesitated before admitting, “I’m worried I might be bad at it.”

King’s brow furrowed slightly. “Why would you think that, baby?”

She shifted on her feet, hugging her arms around herself as she lowered her gaze. “I’ve only done it once,” she confessed. “And it was… rushed. Quick. Not really a positive experience.” Her cheeks burned as embarrassment crept in.

For a moment, King didn’t move or say anything. Then, slowly, he reached out, his warm, calloused hands settling onher arms, rubbing soothing circles into her skin. His touch was grounding, steady.

“Look at me, Little one.”

Ella paused, then lifted her gaze to meet his.

“You don’t have to worry about that with me. I don’t want to rushanythingwhen it comes to you.” His fingers trailed down her arms before his hands settled at her waist, pulling her a little closer. “I’m going to take control, baby. All you need to do is obey me. And if it becomes too much, you say red.”

A shiver ran down her spine, her breath hitching at his words and the way he spoke, deep and commanding. She loved this man’s confidence.

“Do you trust me?” he asked, his thumb brushing the fabric of her dress.

Ella exhaled shakily, but she didn’t hesitate this time. “Yes, Daddy,” she whispered.

A slow, proud smile spread across King’s face. “Good girl.”

Then, he kissed her.

It started softly. Gentle and coaxing, like he was giving her time to adjust. His lips moved against hers, his hands sliding up to frame her face, holding her exactly where he wanted her.

Ella whimpered softly, her body melting against his, her nerves slowly fading as warmth spread through her.

She didn’t have to be scared.

Not with King.

He would keep her safe.

Ella melted into the kiss, her hands gingerly resting against his chest. He was slow, deliberate, taking his time with a patient kind of hunger. It was like he had all the time in the world to savor her. And maybe he did.

When he finally pulled back, his breath was warm against her lips. “That’s my good girl. Fuck, you taste like candy. If I weren’tso focused on something else right now, I’d be questioning how much sugar you ate during book club.”

She grinned up at him, glad he wasn’t asking because they’d all had more than they should have.

When he traced along her jawline with his thumb, she swallowed hard. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”

“You don’tneedto know what to do, dollface. That’s my job.”

A small whimper escaped her throat as his grip tightened.

His lips found the corner of her mouth, teasing her with feather-light kisses before trailing them down her neck. “All you have to do is listen to me. Obey me. Letmetake care of you.”

Ella’s breath hitched. She could do that.

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