My heart beat a million miles a minute and my already sweaty palms grew so clammyIwas grossed out by it, but before I could make my excuses or come up with some lame reason for what I'd said about becoming obsessed with him, he spoke up.
"Come," he invited me inside by taking a step back, allowing me to pass.
My feet moved before my brain caught up.
Inside, the room was warm, lit by a single standing lamp in the corner. It made it seem almost... intimate.
When the door closed behind us with a soft snap, I jumped at the unexpected noise.
"Master," I started, but the words I'd been practicing dried up, and I couldn't think enough to form a proper sentence.
His breath caught before a low rumble filled the air, and I realised it was coming from him. It was almost like a purr.
And I swore it went straight through me, down to my core. My very needy, aching, wet core.
I was in so much trouble.
He stepped closer, his shadow coming over me, untilhewas just over me and I could feel the warmth of him brushing my skin.
"Tonight, we will start with the basics."
My heart thundered.
"O-okay," I stammered.
He lifted an eyebrow before taking a deep breath as if gathering patience.
"When responding to me, you will always complete your sentences by properly addressing me. Do you understand?"
Again—why was that so damned hot?
"Yes, Master," I responded, unable to control the tremor in my voice.
"Good girl," he rumbled as he lifted a hand to brush a knuckle down my cheek. The touch was shockingly gentle for someonewith hands as large as his. Yet I knew, if he wanted to, he could snap me in half.
"You're trembling," he murmured. "You've no need to fear me, Jolie. Do your job, and do it well, and I'll reward you beyond measure."
"It's not you, sir," I somehow found the courage to respond. "I've just never done anything like this before."
His gaze darkened as he stared at me intently. "What do you mean, pretty flower?"
I swallowed down my nerves. "I-I mean, that to-touching you, will be the first time I touch another person likethat."
Another low rumble filled the air, and I had to physically restrain myself from moving those last few inches and plastering myself to him.
"You'll learn." His thumb grazed along my jaw, tipping my chin up. "I'll teach you everything you need to know."
I breathed in sharply, my chest tightening against the sudden intensity of his gaze. He moved past me, toward the table where a thick dark cloth had been laid out with a large metal bowl filled with water.
"Come here," he ordered.
I instantly obeyed, because my body refused to do anything else.
"Wash your hands in the bowl," he told me.
I quickly rushed to do as he bid, first rinsing my hands then drying it on the dark cloth.
While I'd been doing that, he'd moved closer again, his large frame right behind me.
