As I process his words, I’m shocked to discover that the possibility of exploring the kinkier side of sex doesn’t scare me in the least. It excites me, especially knowing that it’s Matt who will be with me every step of the way.

“I’d like that,” I reply softly.

“Do you remember when I told you that I’m a member of a club?” he asks quietly.

I nod, wary of where he’s taking this conversation.

“I’d like to take you there this weekend.”

I swallow hard, watching his face. He’s waiting patiently, watching me, his big hand petting me soothingly.

“Why?” I whisper.

“Because I want to share that part of my life with you, Nic.” He frowns and glances up as though he’s trying to gather his thoughts. “I can show you things that will excite you. Some might scare you. Turn you on. You don’t have to be interested in all of it. In fact”—he grins wolfishly—“you might not like most of it. But some of it might interest you. I’d love to show it to you.”

“Is it like the erotic festival where we met?” I ask.

“Not really. It’s easier to show you than try to describe it to you. But I guarantee you this”—he pulls me closer, wraps his arms around me and nuzzles my nose with his own—“if you are uncomfortable at all, all you have to do is say so and I’ll take you out of there. I’ll be right beside you every second. I promise you’ll be perfectly safe.”

“I always feel safe with you,” I reply honestly. “What would I wear?”

“The outfit you wore to the festival is perfect. Is that a yes?”

“Yes, I’ll go with you.”

He kisses me deeply, but before I can lean in and take it further, he pulls back, picks up the tablet and continues with the story.

She couldn’t verbally respond because her breath was locked in her chest…

Chapter Nine

What am I doing here?

Matt parks the car, cuts the engine and takes my hand in his, laces our fingers and pulls in a deep breath while watching me closely.

“Look at me.”

I bite my lip and find his bright blue eyes with my own.

“How do you feel?”

“Like I’m about to dive into a shark tank.”

He laughs in surprise and smiles warmly at me. “Well, at least you’re honest.” He kisses my knuckles tenderly. “What are you scared of?”

I shrug and look out the window toward the seemingly harmless house to my right. It’s a large house, but other than being big, it looks fairly normal. It’s set back in the trees, away from nearby neighbors. There are about a dozen cars parked in a small lot to the left of the building, ranging from expensive Mercedes to simple Toyotas. For all anyone would know, a Tupperware party could be going on inside.

If only.

“I won’t ask you again.” His voice has hardened in warning, and it makes my stomach clench in warmth.

Jesus, I enjoy riling the man up.

“I’m not sure,” I reply softly. “Maybe I’m just nervous because I don’t know what to expect.”

“You can expect to see people having sex. Some are into hard-core fetishes. Others just like to watch. Look at me,” he repeats, and I comply immediately. “While we’re here, you’re mine to take care of implicitly. I won’t leave you, not for a minute. Your safe word is ‘red.’ And it’s important that you do as I say, not because I’m on a power trip, but because it could be for your safety.”

I swallow and nod, watching his hard, stern face.

God, he’s hot when he shifts into his role as Dominant.

“If you have a question, you ask me. I won’t make you kneel tonight. My name is Matt, not sir or master.”

“But you said…”

“Fuck what I said, Nic. This is you and me. Every relationship is different, remember?”

I nod and relax as I realize that I don’t have to play a role I’m not comfortable with. Our dynamic won’t change when we get inside.

“Will you want me to do…stuff?” I ask.

“I will want you to do whatever you’re comfortable with. With me. I don’t share, remember? And I’m not much of an exhibitionist.” He clicks us out of our seat belts, pushes his seat back and pulls me into his lap, holding me closely against him. “This is not meant to scare you, little one. We’re here to have fun, and if it’s not fun, or interesting to you, just say the word and we’ll go home.”

“I want to make you happy,” I admit and bury my face in his neck, breathing him in.

He’s dressed in a black button-down and slacks, much like he was the night I first met him. He smells clean and fresh and like Matt, soothing me.

“You do make me happy, baby. After tonight, if this is something you can’t or won’t do, we don’t ever have to come back.”

But the thought of him coming here on his own freaks me the fuck out!

“Stop,” he commands and tilts my face up so I have no choice but to meet his gaze. “I don’t ever have to come back.”

“But…”

“Enough talk for now. Let’s go in.” He smiles widely and kisses my forehead. “Trust me.”

“My trusting you is the only reason I’m here.”

He stills for a moment and then kisses me softly, longingly. My thighs clench as he pushes his fingers into my hair and holds on tightly. Finally, he withdraws and rests his forehead against my own.