Page 19 of No Going Back

And the kind of bottom he could do unspeakable things to, if she were the kind of woman who found pleasure in having unspeakable things done to it. Maddie was truly gorgeous, and if she gave him half a chance, he’d happily take on the mission to convince her of it.

She started at the first crack of his hand on her flesh, but didn’t shriek or scream. If anything, she settled herself more comfortably over his thighs. Guy ignored the tide of renewed desire coursing through him—this was about her, not him, and giving her a gentle, arousing introduction to Domination and submission. The possibility that she could be an unawakened submissive thrilled him in a way little else had in years.

After each smack he stroked her skin, soothing the sting and spreading the warmth through her flesh. He varied his aim—left cheek, right thigh, left thigh, right cheek, mixing it up so she couldn’t predict where he’d strike next. He held back a little, too—this was a gentle introduction, after all, a taste of a different kind of pleasure. The whole idea was to show her the truth of D/s, rather than what popular fiction would have people believe.

When he reached a count of six, her skin was glowing pink, and he was as aroused as hell and in danger of going too fast. Time to slow things down. He helped Maddie up, adjusted her clothing, and gathered her in his arms to cradle her on his lap. Her head lolled against his shoulder, and her breathing was slow and deep.

“You okay?”

She nodded and mumbled a reply. It sounded an awful lot like “Yes, Sir”, but Guy couldn’t be sure. Whatever she had said, the nod confirmed she was all right, even if she was a little spaced out. Subspaced out, maybe?

“Fancy doing it again sometime?” The killer question.

Her hand came up to rest over his heart as she turned her face into his chest. Another nod, and he stopped holding his breath.

“Maddie mine, there’s no need to be embarrassed about liking what I just did to you. I enjoyed it, too, and I’d love to do it again—but only with your consent. Anything we did would only be with your full and honest consent.”

She lifted her head. “You make me feel reckless, Guy, as if I could agree to anything, and no matter what it was, you’d keep me safe.”

“I will keep you safe—you have my word.”

Her gaze was unwavering as it connected with his, as if she were studying him, assessing him. He didn’t want to be tried and found wanting, not with this woman. She was too important to him.

“I believe you.”

Her words confirmed what he already knew, in his heart, his mind and his soul—she was someone special. Although if she’d believe that after his next question was in the lap of the gods. What he was about to ask her was a fate worse than death.

“I’ve been invited to attend a charity ball, and I wondered if you would do me the great honour of accompanying me?”