Page 76 of Black Light: Cured

“As I was saying,” Master Aiden continues as the waiter walks away. “You can ask me anything,

and I’ll be as honest as I have been about wanting you. I’ve known I wanted you from the moment I

saw you trembling in Dillon’s ropes, and I think I’ve made it clear I plan on pursuing you—even if I

screwed up our first official meeting.”

“But you don’t know me.”

“No. I don’t. But I want to. I want to get to know the one woman that can both infuriate me and

turn me on. The woman that’s bold enough to stand up for herself yet crumples when told to see to her

own needs. I want to know the woman that haunts my every waking moment and drives me mad with

need. I want to know you, Lila. And I want nothing more than the privilege to be your Dominant, your

Master, your Owner—whatever term you choose to use.”

Once more, he extends his hand, and this time I take it, needing his strength for a moment. “I want

that too. But please understand, I’ve never been in a relationship with this dynamic before. I’ve

played, but that’s it. This is all new to me and I don’t want to mess it up.”

His thumb slides over my knuckles in a comforting gesture. “The only way you can mess it up is

by lying to me, by keeping things from me, especially when it comes to your wellbeing.”

“And the money?” I know I keep coming back to that, but I need to know that he’s not trying to buy

my affection or use his money to influence me.

“I don’t care about money. I wanted to take you on a nice date tonight and I wanted you to feel

comfortable, so I gave you some money to get what you needed, but I don’t want or need it back. I

don’t even need to know what you spent it on.”

“But I don’t need the rest of it?” I say, looking at the stack of twenties and other change that he

seems completely uninterested in.

“Are you trying to tell me there isn’t anything you could think to spend it on?”

“Well, of course.” A soft chuckle escapes my lips as I finger the money. “But that doesn’t mean I

need to spend your money on frivolous things.”

“Humor me.” He tilts his head to the side, as if trying to study me.

I’m not sure what exactly he’s looking for. Is he not used to women refusing to take advantage of

him? In his line of work, I’m sure he makes more than enough to keep me as a kept woman, but for me,

there’s no integrity in that. There’s no honor. I was raised to provide for myself and never live outside

my means.