Chapter Ten
Alittle after six-thirty,Alexander’s phone buzzed. Setting down his coffee mug, hesmiled.
Did you sleep well? Pretty sure I passed out, but I kept dreaming about what you did tome.
He anguished over his reply, finally settling for the simple:Do you regret ourplay?
Twenty of the longest minutes of his life passed as he headed for the athletic club. Elizabeth had captivated him, body, mind, and heart, so much that if she couldn’t fulfill his needs in the bedroom, he’d probably give serious consideration to becoming a monk. By the time her message came in, he was nervous as hell and almost ready to call off the squashgame.
No. What does that say aboutme?
Thank God. He sank back against the leather seat and tried to force his shoulders to relax as his fingers flew over the screen.That you trust me. That you enjoyed a submissive role, at least once, and mightagain.
Her quick reply didn’t reassure him.The last time I gave up control, I ended up Darren’s pet. One he tired of once it no longer came with apedigree.
Once again, Alexander wondered how mad Elizabeth would be if Darren ended up with a black eye and a broken nose. How could anyone make this beautiful, strong woman feel anything but cherished and loved. He stared out the limo’s window for several miles before he decided on a reply.Darren was an idiot. Being a Dom is who I am. But that doesn’t mean I will ever disrespect youor impose control over other aspects of yourlife.
Her response drew a chuckle:I want to trust you. To trust that. But you don’t take no for ananswer.
Tapping the screen, he called her, hoping his voice would convey all the emotions he was bungling over text. “You walked out on me several times, Elizabeth. I’m not used tothat.”
“That just proves my point.” She sighed. “I can’t let a man control my lifeagain.”
Alexander wished he could see her face, but as she’d just accused him of being an arse, he feared she wouldn’t be receptive to a video call. “I don’t want to control you. Only your pleasure in the bedroom. I’d never ask you to sacrifice your spirit, your spark, or your strength. Keep those qualities in business, in life…even with me in the rest of our relationship. But in the bedroom, put yourself in my hands and let me care for you. Can you dothat?”
“Will you always be so…so…?”
“Dominant? This is who I am, Elizabeth.” The uncertainty in her voice put her solidly on the edge, and he didn’t know how to comfort her. If he wasn’t careful, he’d lose her. “When we play, I willneverask you give up your power. Only your control. In every way that counts, the submissive has the truepower.”
A hint of bewilderment crept into her tone. “I don’tunderstand.”
The limo rolled to a stop, and Alexander glanced out the window to see Nicholas tapping his watch. “I wish I’d canceled my squash game and taken you to breakfast instead. My brother is glaring at me, and I think this discussion might be easier in person. I’d like you to be able to look into my eyes when I explain. May I pick you up attwo?”
“Are you going to win thegame?”
Though the humor in her voice sounded a bit forced, he’d take it. “I alwayswin.”
“Then yes, I’ll be ready attwo.”
After a quick goodbye, Alexander tossed his phone in his bag and leveled a stern gaze at his brother. “I have a lot riding on this game, Nicholas. Are you ready tolose?”
His brother raised a brow. “Bring it,Alex.”
Elizabeth paced back and forth across the well-worn floors. Running clothes, her best business suit, three changes of underwear… As she ticked items off on her fingers, she rushed back into her bedroom for a couple of pairs of fleece pants and asweatshirt.
River meowed and jumped in the suitcase. “I know, sweetie. But I don’t have a choice.” Elizabeth’s lawyer had called her only minutes after she’d hung up with Alexander, and after a frantic few minutes online, she’d booked a last-minute ticket to Seattle to meet withhim.
Already, dozens of variations of the conversation she’d have to have with Alexander played on an endless loop in herhead.
Not today. Not now.Give me one last good day before he dumpsme.
If she accused CPH of tax fraud, which probably wasn’t an if but a when, Alexander would find out, and he’d never forgive her for not mentioning it to himearlier.
His brisk knock set loose a storm inside her: elation, fear, and arousal churned in her stomach. But the sight of him took her breath away. A green V-neck sweater the same color as his eyes, a crisp white collar open just enough to expose his Adam’s apple, and black jeans screamed casualandwealthy. Elizabeth’s cheeks flushed as she glanced down at the hole in the knee of her thermalpants.
“Every time I see you, Elizabeth, I want you all the more.” Alexander cupped her ass, and when he squeezed gently, she laughed and twistedaway.
“We’re skating, remember. Not tearing each other’s clothesoff.”
