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“I’ve noticed a few relationships might not be quite what I thought at first.” Her voice is soft, subtle, submissive.

God, the image of tying her wrists together, holding her in place as I explore the things she likes done to her has heat expanding through me. My skin tightens with anticipation.

If she can give over her trust to me… Fuck, I’ll ensure that she feels good, make it so she wants to come back for more.

“How do you mean?” I take another bite to keep her moving, to be sure she doesn’t get stuck in the fear driving her right now.

Sofia swirls her fork in the mashed potatoes, using them to stall her answer. She half laughs, half sighs. “It sounds conceited when I say it in my head.”

“Tell me.” The command isn’t a harsh one. Nothing more than I would say in my office, but we’re not in my office. It lands differently.

A new blush creeps across her cheeks, over her throat as she swallows. “That some of the… men in my life… look at me differently than I thought before.”

“Differently how?” Usually, silence is my go-to, but I want her to say it.

Her shoulders wiggle uncomfortably before she peers up at the ceiling, as if praying for strength. “Like… they might be attracted to me.”

I maintain my stare until she meets my gaze. “Has that altered your perspective in any way? Are you picking up on more of those subtleties around you?”

Have you noticed the way you breathe fire into me? Into your father’s friend? Into that golden boy professor?

Can you see my all-consuming desire to dominate your body and demand your pleasure when I look at you?

“Yes and no.” She swirls her wine again, finishing it.

“Would you like some more?”

Sofia shakes her head. Her plate is mostly cleared. Mine is by half, and I don’t think I can wait much longer. Leaning back, I give her my undivided attention. Most have a strong reaction to it. Usually, it’s not a positive one.

But after a minute, Sofia turns toward me, staring back, those camera glasses picking up everything I’m feeling.

“Is this making you uncomfortable?”

Another shake of her head. I’m not used to seeing her so submissive. So quiet and demure. It’s like she knows what I want from her, and she’s trying to give it to me in her own way.

“What do you see when you review our meetings?” It’s a bold question, the one that will give me my next move—wrap this up and escort her out or push her to discover her every little fantasy I know I can provide.

Her gaze drops to my mouth. “Sometimes, I’m not quite sure.”

I stand abruptly, taking her plate and my own into the kitchen. Her gaze follows me, concern etched across her features. Her coyness is self-preservation. But I want her to trust me enough to be honest.

Spotting her bag on the end of my couch, I stop nearby and peer down at it, finally making my decision. I turn back to her and command, “Come here.”

I point between my feet.

After only a second of hesitation, she’s on her feet, sauntering toward me. The space between us disappears, but I don’t touch her yet. I let her simmer in the tension that’s swallowing me up.

My resistance is strained, cracked, broken. I tuck her hair away from her face, sliding my finger around the back of her ear as she shivers. Then, I tip her chin up and slowly descend to take the kiss I’ve been craving these last few weeks.

Her mouth parts automatically, a siren call to the darker parts of myself.

I sweep in and take what I want, feeling her grow pliable against me as I tug her closer. My arm snakes around her waist, holding her tightly. Let her feel the way my cock grows hard between us.

Her hands lift to run over my arms and shoulders, and I delve deeper into her. When her grip tightens at the open collar of my shirt, her hips wiggle against mine, and I must take control.

Sinking my fingers into her hair, I hold her fast, restraining her movements as I give her one last taste of my tongue before I pull my mouth back from hers. Her breath has her breasts heaving against my chest. The sight has me nearly growling.

“Tell me what you want, Sofia.”