I amitchingto get to work, but this has to be done right. She went straight into subspace last time, whether or not she realized it or even knew what it was—I want to replicate that. Both of us maintaining some level of calm is essential to that.
“Ember,” I say calmly. “I need you to take a few deep breaths with me. I’m not going to do anything that will break you. I’m not even going to be that hard on you. I’m mad for the shit you pulled, but I don’t want to extinguish you, Flame. Only stop you from turning that fire on me.”
Her eyes flare. “I willneverstop—”
“You will,” I cut off calmly. “Not because I force you to, but because you’ll want to.”
“You make many assumptions about me all while knowing nothing about who I am.”
“I know everything about who you are—or who youwere.”
“I’m willing to bet I’m a very different person from the girl you knew.”
“That’s true.” I nod. “But this new persona was founded on the building blocks of who you were, whether or not you remember her.”
“You’re free to live in delusions. I, however, prefer to subscribe to reality.”
Her sharp tongue is all the confirmation I need that she’s calmed down. She’s no longer frozen or bordering hyperventilation—though her chestisheaving with labored breaths of anger.
I want it to heave with something else. I want to watch unbearable desire build in her expression until it’s all she feels. The list of things I want to do to this incredible woman is endless, and more, I want to show her how much she’ll like them.
She proved to be a natural sub when I spanked her the first time.
“Let’s go over some ground rules,” I say.
“You have even more of them? Haven’t you learned that I’m not very obedient?”
I wrap my hand around her slender, elegant neck. “I’ll make you into my good girl yet. Just wait and see. Now, these rules are only applicable when I’m punishing or playing with you.”
“I’m not a toy to play with.”
“Youaremy toy—sometimes. This is one of those times. Cut the sass, seal those pretty lips, or I’ll assume you want me to fill them with something.” Her lips promptly close, and I hide a smile. “You will address me assir.”Ignoring her disbelief, I go on. “If you want me to stop something, you don’t command; you beg, and make the begging good. I’m a hedonist, Flame, and I intend to enjoy youthoroughly.”
Her brows furrow. “You’re not a hedonist; you’re an imbecile.”
I arch an eyebrow at her. She has the good sense to shut the fuck up. “Don’t mistake my care for leniency. Icanbe lenient, but only if you earn it. Thus far, you’ve been nothing but a brat. I don’t care to punish your backtalk unless you’re deliberately trying to rile me, but Iwillpunish you when you do stupid things. Sassing to Cain? Incredibly stupid.”
I’m amazed he didn’t choke her to death, but then again, he knows as well as I do the sort of respect Viper commands in our world. Viper is known as the assassin boogeyman, the malevolent force other assassins whisper about in dark rooms. I’m still shocked—and incredibly fucking proud—that Ember is Viper. The disbelief wore off as soon as I looked in the mirror; she worked me overgood. One of my eyes is black, my cheek is blue, my nose is swollen, and there are bruises covering my body. If I hadn’t seen her coming, I’m not too proud to admit that she probably could’ve taken me.
“You don’t get a safeword, but you will getmyword that I intend to watch you very closely, and I’ll pull back before pushing you too far. Make no mistake, I’ll push the hell out of you, but I have no desire to break you.”
“I don’t believe you.” Her words are soft, almost resigned. They tug at my heart, but so does the need to prove her wrong. To show her that I’mnotlike the other men who hurt her, and the distinguishing difference is that I care about her. I’vealwayscared about her, and I always will.
She’s my first everything—except for fuck. First kiss, first time cuddling with a woman, first time caring about someone else more than I cared for myself. She was one of my absolute favorite humans… until she disappeared.
I trail my hand down her neck and to her breasts, cupping each one and testing their weight. They’re not the largest, but not small, either. They’re elegant and demure. The perfect handful. I’ve never particularly cared about the size of a girl’s tits; I care more about them being natural and perky, with sensitive nipples I can play with and torture to my heart’s content.
I fill both my hands with Ember’s breasts, letting her get used to the feeling of me handling them. She looks serious and withdrawn at first, but slowly, as I start massaging them, she relaxes. Swallows. Her brows pinch in confusion, and I watch her every reaction, soaking it up like fresh glacier water.
I don’t think she understands her own sexuality. It’s clear nobody’s ever introduced her to the pleasures of the flesh, and I ammosthappy to be the first.
When I think she’s ready, I start brushing my fingers over her nipples. Lightly, at first, but with increasing pressure as I see flickers of pleasure and desire cross her expression, though she does her best to hide them.
When I begin pinching them, a barely-audible whine escapes her throat. I pinch harder; she tugs at her hands, and her thighs clench. She’s a sensitive little thing, and I’d bet a limb that she’s growing wet. I can see the arousal in her eyes.
She might be inexperienced, but she’s not unreceptive.
I reach for the clamps. She’s so caught up in the new sensations, she doesn’t notice until I firmly pinch her nipple, and close the teeth of one of the clamps around it.
