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“Do not be ashamed of that. It is good for me to know,” he coaxed, staring intently into her eyes. “That means I am leading you properly.”

He then leaned down and kissed her softly on her lips, immediately dispelling all of her agitation.

“Come,” he commanded, tracing his hand from her throat to her fingers. “Let us get you inside. We must be quick, but I will explain while you change.”

Change?Helena thought, as excitement shooed away the last of her querulous disposition. Once inside Morgan’s library, he quickly led her over to the fireplace, then moved over to a large box that rested on the table.

Helena gasped as she watched him lift anexquisite,black-beaded, floor-length gown from it and bring it to her. It reminded her of her black nightgown, but the embroidery had been created with much finer silk, and there were no sleeves. Instead, straps hung from the top of the gown, which dipped into a lowVat the front and back. The beads, glittering little jewels that caught the light and refracted it, were sewn into a reflected hourglass design.

“Tonight we are not carrying out our lesson here,” Morgan explained calmly as he stopped just a few paces away from Helena.

“Now, take off that lovely pink gown for me.”

Helena blushed, feeling the familiar scurry of shame and excitement, but obeyed his command and removed her cloak.

“Where are we going then?” She asked as she undressed.

Morgan waited until she stood naked before him to answer. Even then, he took in a long, possessive look before he did so.

“I am taking you to aDevil’s Masquerade.Arms up.”

Helena’s eyes grew wide with surprise as she raised her arms. In truth, she had completely forgotten about her night with Teresa and had lost all interest in going back. What she had found with Morgan was far more satisfying.

Morgan lifted the dress up high and slowly lowered it down Helena’s body, smoothing the thin, beaded fabric over every dip and curve.

“Beautiful,” he murmured, tugging the dress this way and that until it fitted perfectly over her form.

For a moment, Helena became lost in the freedom of being cared for. She did not move as Morgan took control of her needs. She stayed still for him, fascinated, as he took her hair out of its clasp and loosely braided her curls into a long tail.

“How do you know how to do this?” she asked, fascinated by how expertly he weaved the strands.

“I do not do this for every woman,” he stated matter-of-factly. “The trysts most women and I find ourselves in are usually brief. But there have been instances where I have trained for a longer dynamic — and, in such cases, a Dominus must be able to take care of every detail for his Submissus.”

“Why is that?” Helena asked curiously, familiar with the two Latin words from her books.

Morgan stepped away a pace and smiled seductively. “Because a true Dominus can turn his Submissus’s mind into a melted concoction of primal need until they cannot make even the most basic decision for themselves.”

Helena blushed at his taunting tone and alluring words as he walked back to the box and retrieved a black, glittering fox mask and a thin, wide leather-bound box. Was he going to make her feel that way at the party? In front of others? Suddenly, she was no longer interested in going to theDevil’s Masquerade.

“What if I do not wish to go?” she asked as he carefully placed the mask over her eyes.

“Tell me why you do not want to go and we will discuss it,” Morgan answered calmly, tying the mask into place.

Because I do not want to be with another man. Not yet.

They had discussed the specifics of her list during her first lesson, and Morgan had not blinked an eye when she brought up the possibility of being kissed by two men at once. But right now she did not relish the idea. Even if Morgan was one of them.

“Well, what will we be doing there?” she inquired

Morgan smirked as he opened the leather-bound box and pulled out a thick, black, velvet choker with a large teardrop diamond dangling from its hem. Helena gasped at the beauty of it.

“Are you mine?” he asked, his gaze holding hers.

Helena struggled to swallow. She knew he only meant for the night, but still her mind ventured a tad further. Keeping that part to herself, she nodded.

“Just yours,” she managed to breathe.

Morgan gave her a look of pure approval as he walked toward her with the collar.