“Mmm,” he said, sliding his fingers around her ankle and gripping, enjoying the little catch of her breath it caused. “Too much for him, huh?”

She leaned back on her elbows, her gaze leaving heat trails over his skin in its wake. “Yes, sir.”

The simple reply pushed that button inside of him, had everything he’d kept banked all morning leaking through. “Tell me, Kelsey. Is he the type of guy you’d pick to be under your boot heel at The Ranch? Grant told me you prefer the more innocent ones.”

Her focus slid away from his face and to the horizon, a curtain falling. “Do you really want to know about that part of me, Wyatt?”

His hand slid up her calf, but he continued to watch her. The thought of her having to dominate someone for cash pissed him off. But the idea that she had that side to her was more than a little intriguing. Submitting held no appeal for him personally, but he couldn’t pretend that the image of her making other men grovel at her feet didn’t turn him on just a little—as long as those men never touched her. In those fantasies he’d weaved since finding out about her dominance, she was his. Her submissives could be lashed by her, made to beg, touch themselves, but only he had the privilege of bringing her pleasure. Maybe right in front of those very men, showing them what they could never give her.

Yes, he knew it was a caveman urge, but fuck it. His fantasies. His rules.

“I want to know about all sides of you, love,” he said evenly as the ship’s engine rumbled to life beneath them.

She continued to stare toward the open sea but relented. “I do like the gentler souls, the ones who come to me because they crave the experience and are appreciative of it. Those who aren’t just saying the right things and playing some game because they want to see a chick in thigh-high boots and a corset. Or worse, the ones who think I’m going to break my rules and let them fuck me.”

“You’ve never slept with any of your subs?” he asked, honestly curious.

She shook her head. “There are some I’m fond of and care about. And there are times I get turned on in a session. But the pleasure for me is in the power exchange and seeing how my sub responds to it. Knowing I can provide them with something they so desperately ache for makes me feel . . . valued. But there’s not this burning desire to sleep with my submissives.”

He cupped the backside of her knee, bending it and tugging her closer to him. “I can’t say I feel the same way about my submissive.”

Her lips curved as the boat pulled out of the harbor. “Or I about my dominant.”

“Hmm, good to know.” He dragged her onto his lap, loving how she offered absolutely no resistance, and then tucked her between his knees, letting her lean back onto his chest. He brushed his fingers along her bare arms. “I told Johan to take the slow route, so the trip will be about an hour.”

“The slow route?” she asked, her voice going soft and pliant, like she was already sinking under his command. His blood heated at the thought.

“Yes. I have plans for you. But for now, love, enjoy the pretty view.” He brought his fingers to the curve of her neck, caressing. “And I’ll enjoy touching you.”

And maybe, just maybe, young Johan would get more of a show than he anticipated.

* * *

Kelsey stared out over the expanse of sapphire water, watching the ripple of white-tipped waves the boat was causing in the rolling surface. “I’ve never seen water this color. The only beach I’ve ever been on is Galveston Island.”

Wyatt sat his chin atop her head, his arms still wrapped around her from behind. “Yeah, this is no Gulf of Mexico, that’s for sure.”

The sky was turning shades of pink and orange as the sun tracked its way lower toward the horizon, making the island they’d left in the distance look like it was gilded with fire and diamonds. Everything was so bright here, so clean and vibrant, like slashes of paint had been thrown everywhere. She could almost feel all that color seeping into her skin and bleeding into the dark corners that lurked inside her, chasing out the grays. It was hard to believe that some people got to see all this beauty every day.

But even with the stunning view, she was having a hard time concentrating on anything but the man behind her. Wyatt’s fingers were drifting over her skin, absently caressing her arms, her neck, the tops of her thighs. The touches were simple, but each one was stoking the embers that had been burning in her since the car ride. His promise he’d made on the dock hung heavy between them. He had plans, illicit plans, and all she could do was wait to see what those were.

She knew there was a cabin on the other side of the wooden doors at the base of the steps behind them. And undoubtedly Wyatt had paid for full use of all the boat’s amenities. She’d seen the wad of cash that had passed hands. But Wyatt didn’t seem to be in any hurry to get up and go down there.

His touch traced along the collar of her blouse, teasing at the top button, then plucking it open. Without concern for the guy steering the boat a few feet behind them, Wyatt dipped his hand inside and fondled her with a teasing touch. “You have far too many clothes on, love.”

“Maybe you should take me inside, then, sir,” she said, leaning her head back against his shoulder and relishing the little threads of anticipation that drew her nipple tight against his palm.

“And miss the breathtaking view? Not a chance.” His lips pressed against the shell of her ear. “Take your shirt and panties off, Kelsey.”

A spark of disbelief shot through her, a knee-jerk response, but an achy oh hell yes was fast on its heels. “Right here?”

“Are you questioning me, love?” he asked, that smooth, dark edge of dominance lacing his deep voice.

She dragged her teeth over her lip. “No, sir.”

“Then get to it.”

Her heartbeat climbed up into her throat, but she went to work on her remaining buttons. It wasn’t like she hadn’t been naked in front of strangers before. God knows it should be second nature to her by now. But knowing that Wyatt was commanding it, that he wanted her exposed for him regardless of who was nearby, sent hot, hungry desire pulsing through her. He’d promised her he wouldn’t share her, so she trusted he didn’t have that in mind, but he’d never promised not to share the sight of her.

She spread the blouse open and off her shoulders, leaving her in her demi-cup lace bra. Then she slipped her hands beneath her flouncy knee-length skirt, hooking her fingers in the sides of her panties and tugging them down. She had to get to her feet to work them fully off and when she stepped out of them, the warm ocean breeze swept beneath her skirt, kissing and caressing all the warm, wet parts of her. Shivers tracked across her skin. She turned toward Wyatt and caught sight of Johan sneaking a peek over his shoulder.

When he realized she’d seen him, she gave him a pointed look and he lowered his gaze and turned back toward the wheel. That’s right, she thought with satisfaction, her own dominance simmering at the surface. You haven’t earned that look yet, pretty boy.

Wyatt gave a chuckle there at her feet, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he took her hand and guided her back down to him. “I have to say, love. Dominance looks hella sexy on you. After a look like that, that poor kid’s either terrified or hard as a rock, depending on his persuasion.”

She settled down on Wyatt, straddling his legs and examining his expression, surprised by what she saw there. “Well, look at you. You like the idea that he might be turned on, don’t you?”

He drew his big hands up along her waist, skating them up her sides until he was cradling the lace cups of her bra. “I may have a bit of an exhibitionist streak, truth be told.” His thumbs circled her nipples, teasing them. “But I have a feeling you share that inclination.”

She curved her back, pressing into his touch, her bared sex rocking against his soft linen pants. “Would’ve never survived dancing if I didn’t, but I wouldn’t have suspected it of you. You’re so private.”

He slipped his hand behind her bra, unhooking it with a quick flick of his fingers. Her bra fell away, and he scraped his stubble over her tender pink points. “I’ve lived my life always being aware of my family’s position, of who was watching, who would gossip. I don’t have the luxury of being indiscreet. But if it wasn’t for that, I’d have no problem spreading you across my conference table and fucking you right in the middle of a board meeting.”

She rubbed her lips together, the image both filthy and enticing. Who would’ve ever thought that the quiet businessman could shock her? “Wyatt Austin, how did I ever miss seeing this side of you? You are one down and dirty pervert.”

He laughed and nipped at the soft underside of her arm. “Guilty as charged. You probably don’t want to see inside this head.”

“Oh, I think I do,” she said, grabbing for his hair as he lowered his head and took her nipple fully in the hot cavern of his mouth, sucking hard. “I really, really do.”

He pulled off with a soft popping sound and sent her a smile dripping with sin. “Let’s see about that.” He tilted his head, looking back over his shoulder. “Johan.”

“Yes, sir.” Johan swiveled in an instant, his pale green eyes going wide as he took in the spectacle. His tongue swept over his bottom lip, nervous . . . interested.

“You think we can stop and drop anchor here for a few minutes?” Wyatt asked, turning back to Kelsey, wicked smirk still in place. “I don’t want you crashing into the rocks, trying to see behind you.”

Johan’s gaze darted to Kelsey’s, then downward, his tawny cheeks darkening as he took in her near nudity. “I, uh, yes, sir. Whatever you need.”

Kelsey smiled, Johan’s bashful reaction reminding her of Hawk’s first time in her dungeon. He’d been so halting, respectful in the way only Southern men could be, but there had also been a keen desire underlying that layer of shyness. A hungry space to be filled.

“You don’t have to watch anything if it makes you uncomfortable, Johan,” she said gently, drawing her hair forward to cover her breasts. “We don’t mind you looking, but it’s your decision.”

If Wyatt thought she was overstepping her bounds by taking control of the situation with Johan, he didn’t say anything. His hands just stroked the small of her back, his cock growing hard against her spread legs.

Johan turned fully around, his board shorts looking a little tighter in the front and his fingers fiddling with the braided leather bracelet on his wrist. “I think I’d do just about anything to watch. As long as it’s okay with you.”

Wyatt lifted an eyebrow at Kelsey, a question mark. “Your call, love. I won’t command you on this one.”

“Drop anchor, Johan,” she said without tearing her gaze away from Wyatt.

Wyatt’s full lips curved. “Get on your knees, love, and face the side railing. Time for me to fuck you.”

“Yes, sir,” she said, feeling that rush that came when he used that tone.

She climbed off Wyatt and crawled on her hands and knees to the side railing, the Caribbean stretching out in front of her, an endless blue horizon. Johan scrambled around, hitting buttons and causing a loud grinding beneath them as the anchor dropped. But Kelsey was no longer paying attention to him. Not when Wyatt sidled up behind her and stroked her waist.

“Put your hands on the bottom rail,” he breathed against her ear.

She did so without hesitation, her blood quickening in her veins. He pulled cuffs from the duffel bag he’d brought with him, ones with soft, supple leather and a little chain between them. With deft movements that belied his I-haven’t-done-this-in-a-while experience, he locked her to the railing, leaving her chained and resting on her forearms, her nipples brushing the canvas of the cushion she was perched on and her ass in the air. The wanton position probably should’ve made her self-conscious, but instead a surprising stillness bloomed inside her, intense calm.