He tapped it. “Don’t think I won’t still do it.”

But you were mean to me. I shouldn’t get a scolding on top of that.

“You’ll get more than that if you’re mine.”

She stilled, stared at him. Did he mean . . .

When he didn’t say anything more, she let out an impatient noise.

“Think you’ve figured it out already, but I’m going to be clear. I’m a Dominant. And if you were mine, then I’d want to make rules for you. And punish you if you broke them.”

Holy fuck. Her entire body felt like it was on fire. Thank God she was wearing a loose hoodie because her nipples felt like hard pebbles.

“Well, you haven’t run screaming or slapped me,” he said dryly, watching her intently. “Not sure if you’re horrified, shocked, or a combination of both.”

Not horrified.

“Okay, that’s good. You know much about BDSM?”

Only what I’ve read.

He raised an eyebrow. “Might want to see those books.”

Looking for pointers?

He grinned. “Never too old to learn something new.”

I dunno, you are so very, very old.

“Brat. I am not.” He gave her a mock-stern look. “Someone has their sassy pants on.”

No way was she showing him any of her stories with hardcore Doms in them. No need to give him ideas.

“Tomorrow, you’re going to show me your entire collection.”

Her eyes widened.

He nodded. “Then you can choose your favorite. We’ll read it together.”

Oh fuck.

“Juliet? You okay?” Concern filled his face. “Too much? Too fast?”

She shook her head.

“Sure?”

She nodded.

“I can tone things down. We can go as slow as you want.”

We might need to go slow. But I . . .

She chewed nervously on the end of the marker. Reaching out, he lifted her chin. “You what?”

I don’t want you to tone anything down. I think I need your Dominant side as much as you need to let it out.

He studied her words for a long moment. “You ever been with a Dom?”