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He shifts in the bath so that he's facing me, causing the water to lap over the sides onto the floor. He places his arm around my shoulders, resting on the ledge of the bath.
"Persistent aren't you?" he murmurs, a trace of irritation in his voice. "Life, the universe - business. Anastasia, Mrs. R and I go way back. We can discuss anything."
"Me?" I whisper.
"Yes." Gray eyes watch me carefully.
I bite my bottom lip, trying to curb the sudden rush of anger that surfaces.
"Why do you talk about me?" I endeavor not to sound whiney and petulant, but I don't succeed. I know I should stop. I am pushing him too hard. My subconscious has her Edvard Munch face on again.
"I've never met anyone like you, Anastasia."
"What does that meanAnyone who just didn't automatically sign your paperwork, no questions asked?"
He shakes his head.
"I need advice."
"And you take advice from Mrs. Paedo?" I snap. The hold on my temper is more tentative than I thought.
"Anastasia - enough," he snaps back sternly, his eyes narrowing.
I'm skating on thin ice, and I'm heading into danger. "Or I'll put you across my knee.
I have no sexual or romantic interest in her whatsoever. She's a dear, valued friend and a business partner. That's all. We have a past, a shared history, which was monumentally beneficial for me, though it f**ked up her marriage - but that side of our relationship is over."
Jeez - another part I just can't understand. She was married as well. How did they get away with it for so long?
"And your parents never found out?"
"No," he growls. "I've told you this."
And I know that's it. I cannot ask him any further questions about her because he will lose it with me.
"Are you done?" he snaps.
"For now."
He takes a deep breath and visibly relaxes in front of me, like a great weight is lifted from his shoulders or something.
"Right - my turn," he mutters, and his glare turns steely, speculative. "You haven't responded to my email."
I flush. Oh, I hate the spotlight on me, and it seems he's going to get angry every time we have a discussion. I shake my head. Perhaps that's how he feels about my questions, he's not used to being challenged. The thought is revelatory, distracting, and unnerving.
"I was going to respond. But now you're here."
"You'd rather I wasn't?" he breathes, his expression impassive again.
"No, I'm pleased," I murmur.
"Good." He gives me a genuine, relieved smile. "I'm pleased I'm here too - in spite of your interrogation. So, while it's acceptable to grill me, you think you can claim some kind of diplomatic immunity just because I've flown all this way to see youI'm not buying it, Miss Steele. I want to know how you feel."
Oh no...
"I told you. I am pleased you're here. Thank you for coming all this way," I say feebly.
"It's my pleasure, Miss Steele." His eyes shine as he leans down and kisses me gently.
I feel myself responding automatically. The water is still warm, the bathroom still steamy.
He stops and pulls back, gazing down at me.
"No. I think I want some answers first before we do any more."
More There's that word again. And he wants answers... answers to whatI don't have a secret past - I don't have a harrowing childhood. What could he possibly want to know about me that he doesn't already know?
I sigh, resigned.
"What do you want to know?"
"Well, how you feel about our would-be arrangement, for starters."
I blink at him. Truth or dare time - my subconscious and inner goddess glance nervously at one another. Hell, let's go for truth.
"I don't think I can do it for an extended period of time. A whole weekend being someone I'm not." I flush and stare at my hands.
He tips my chin up, and he's smirking at me, amused.
"No, I don't think you could either."
And part of me feels slightly affronted and challenged.
"Are you laughing at me?"
"Yes, but in a good way," he says with a small smile.
He leans down and kisses me softly, briefly.
"You're not a great submissive," he breathes as he holds my chin, his eyes dancing with humor.
I stare at him shocked, then I burst out laughing - and he joins me.
"Maybe I don't have a good teacher."
He snorts.
"Maybe. Perhaps I should be stricter with you." He cocks his head to one side and gives me an artful smile.
I swallow. Jeez, no. But at the same time, my muscles clench deliciously deep inside.
It is his way of showing that he cares. Perhaps the only way he can show he cares - I realize that. He's staring at me, gauging my reaction.
"Was it that bad when I spanked you the first time?"
I gaze back at him, blinking. Was it that bad I remember feeling confused by my reaction. It hurt, but not that much in retrospect. He's said over and over again it's more in my head. And the second time... Well, that was good... hot.
"No, not really," I whisper.
"It's more the idea of it?" he prompts.
"I suppose. Feeling pleasure, when one isn't supposed to."
"I remember feeling the same. Takes a while to get your head around it."
Holy hell. This was when he was a kid.
"You can always safe-word, Anastasia. Don't forget that. And, as long as you follow the rules, which fulfill a deep need in me for control and to keep you safe, then perhaps we can find a way forward."
"Why do you need to control me?"
"Because it satisfies a need in me that wasn't met in my formative years."