“Bugger it. Can we simply chat? I have several social obligations this morning, none of which promise to offer me anything stimulating in the way of conversation. Being needled by my mother’s friends is not my idea of a rousing good time. You are a bit of sunlight amid all of this dreary rain we are having in London. And I’d hoped that you would agree to have lunch with me on Monday when Ireturn.”
“That’s not a good idea,” she saidquietly.
“Lunch is almost always a goodidea.”
Elizabeth couldn’t stop herself from laughing at the matter-of-fact tone he’d used. “Touché. Skipping meals isn’t usually a good idea. Still, what are you expecting fromme?”
“I enjoy hearing you laugh. Will you stay up for a bit? I realize it’s latethere.”
“I don’t have a job. There isn’t exactly a reason for me to get up early in the morning. Why will your mother’s friends needleyou?”
“Because I am thirty-five and have not had a relationship that lasted more than three dates in almost a decade. My mother feels as if she is entitled to a grandchild. Neither my brother nor I are inclined to give herone.”
Elizabeth set aside her laptop.“Your brother isolder?”
She slid down so she was curled on her side with River tucked against her,purring.
“Yes. Nicholas just turned forty. We both have certain...unconventional requirements in a partner. Nicholas needs a woman with an extreme submissive nature. He currently lives his life as a Master. You know what that is,yes?”
“You’re talking about BDSM.” Something in Elizabeth’s core warmed at the thought. She’d always preferred her sex vanilla and quick. Orgasms were nice, but they were messy and usually left herwanting.
“Yes. But while Nicholas has a complete power exchange with his current slave, I don’t want that. I prefer a true partner. One who enjoys my silks, the tools I use as a Dom, but who does not wish me in control of her life outside of thebedroom.”
His voice oozed heat, and Elizabeth squirmed under her cheap cottonsheets.
“Oh.”
“Does this frighten you,Elizabeth?”
“No. But I’m not a submissive, Alexander. Once or twice, I’ve thought it might be fun to be blindfolded, but that’s as far as I’d ever takeit.”
“You are indeed a submissive,chérie. I knew it the very first time I spoke to you. When I return, I will show you the truth of your nature if you will allow it. I admit that the vision of you in my silks has haunted my dreams each night since we met. Perhaps this is why I have not slept.” He sounded amused. A knock echoed through the phone. “I’ll be a moment, Elizabeth. I believe my breakfast hasarrived.”
Elizabeth hung up on him. How dare he? She was no one’s plaything or wet dream. Especially not his. She fired off a quicktext.
If you’d like to “chat” as friends, that’s one thing, but nothing will ever come of it. No more talk of sex, or submissives, or whatever the hell your silks are. And stop fantasizing about me when you jerk off. I’m going to bednow.
The phone rang, but Elizabeth sent it to voice mail. A text flashed on the screen a momentlater.
Please do not deny me the only light I have had in my days, Elizabeth. Your voice, your wit, your sense ofhumor.
And thenanother.
I am sorry that I have offended you. You unsettle me. A feeling I am quite unusedto.
Foregoing an answer, she turned the phone offcompletely.
