Page 109 of On His Terms

“I saw the way you reacted to the sound of my voice. You wanted to kneel.”

“No.” She shook her head.

“Another three spanks for every lie you tell, sub.”

Aware of time ticking, and voices growing louder from the lobby area, she brought her chin up. This was not the time or place for this. But she doubted he’d agree. “You want the truth? Fine. I’ll give it to you straight up. Yes. That was my intuitive reaction to the sound of your voice.” Hating the sudden lump in her throat, she swallowed frantically. His presence, the raw, masculine scent of him made her dizzy. “I’ve realized a lot of things.”

Folding his arms across his chest, he waited without speaking, as if inviting her to go on.

None of this was going the way she’d practiced. “I no longer fight against the idea of submission. You were right initially. I did think BDSM was about feathers and playful swats on the ass, maybe a few scarves for bondage. To me now, it’s so much more. It’s a mindset and caring enough about someone else that their needs become paramount.”

“Have you been playing with anyone else?” he demanded.

“What?” She exhaled. Why would it matter if she had. “Our agreement ended, which makes it none of your business.”

Fury flashed in his eyes.

And because she cared—even though she didn’t want to—she answered him. “I haven’t been with anyone else.” Hadn’t even considered it. “I do like kink. As you suggested, it’s different from subjugating your own will. My submission needs to be earned by the right man. And the right man is someone I love.” She set her chin. “Someone who loves me in return and wants forever.”

“Is that all?”

He cupped her shoulders.

When she tried to pull away, he tightened his grip. She’d all but confessed her love, and he responded with that?

“You’re not the only stubborn one,” he confessed. “I told myself I didn’t want another submissive after Liz. But I learned a thing or two, especially after I saw you with Evan C. Liz would have surrendered to him, no matter how brutal he was, and she would have enjoyed it. Seeing you at the Den, your strength, resolution, determination, it all taught me something. You stood up for yourself.”

His grip turned more reassuring. She struggled to hold herself back instead of leaning into him.

“Of course you should only offer your submission to a man you love, and a man who loves you in return. And I’m asking, humbly, for your submission.”

Suddenly the room spun.

To steady her, he captured her upper arms.

Their first guests spilled into the room.

“Alex!” a woman called from across the room.

“This isn’t the right time or place. We’ll continue this conversation later,” he promised, leaning forward to capture her lips.

In the distance, a camera flashed.

“You’re mine.”

With those mind-numbing words, he released her.

At that moment, Jennifer joined them. “Sorry to interrupt, Chelsea, but the mayor is here.”

She watched him walk away and she clutched the clipboard close as if it were a lifeline on a storm-tossed sea.

Then she couldn’t think at all.

“Are you okay?”

Chelsea shook her head to clear it. Then she remembered that Jen had promised to look out for her. “I appreciate your rescuing me.” Before I said, or did, something stupid.

“Actually, the mayor is here. And you should probably meet her and glad-hand.”