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“What is it? I can practically hear your mind spinning.”

She tried to pull her hand from mine but I tightened my grip. We were better connected in some way for this conversation. “It’s none of my business,” she said, her voice hoarse and practically a whisper. “I mean, we weren’t even together, but did you do that often? Play with other men’s women?”

“Not often, but sometimes, yes.” I released a harsh breath, one that stung my lungs. “I don’t share, if that’s what you’re thinking. But some men get off on seeing their women touched by others. I don’t fuck subs or slaves that belong to others, most Masters and Doms I know don’t even allow that as an option, but playing or touching or pleasuring...it happens sometimes.”

She nibbled her bottom lip and turned to me. “We’ve never really talked about Luminous and what it means to you. This isn’t bad information you’re giving me. I appreciate your honesty in preparing me, I guess. But what about Luminous?”

“What about it?”

“How important is it to you? Do you plan on going back?”

Her unasked question was did I want to take her, and the answer to that was an unequivocal yes.

She’d laid a minefield. One wrong step and she’d be rushing out of the car and running to her house, bolting herself inside. I’d lost her once over a miscommunication.

Treading lightly, I softened my voice. “I enjoy Luminous. I enjoy playing. I like knowing I can go there, and take what I want in a way that gets me off and the woman. And yes, I’d like to go back someday.” While I let that settle, but before she could bolt, I pulled her to me so our hands were in my lap. Wrapping my other hand around the side of her neck, I held her firmly, made her look directly into my eyes. “Only when it’s your idea. I don’t need it. I don’tneedto get off in front of other people. It’s a lifestyle I enjoy and respect, but it’s not a necessity.”

She chewed on her lip some more and nodded. “Okay. Can we eat now? I’m really hungry.”

I searched her gaze, for anything, but she gave me nothing. No hint of what she was thinking. No hint that I’d terrified the shit out of her or turned her on. For the first time since I’d laid eyes on Rebecca, her expression was blank.

“Rebecca—”

“I’m okay.” She covered my hand on her neck with hers. “It’s a lot of information, and I guess it gives me something to think about. But I trust you and I know you’re simply being honest. I just... I don’t think I’d ever considering going back there.”

“I don’t need it,” I repeated.

But hell if I wouldn’t enjoy taking her there, having her on my arm. Having her kneel while we watched other people. With as open as she’d been last night with the nipple clamps, I wanted her to see more.

“Okay,” she breathed. Still shaky, her expression softened. “I want some time to think about it, but I’m not running if that’s what you’re worried about. I really do want to go eat Shawn’s rack of lamb.” She grinned. It was wobbly, her nerves still obvious.

I leaned closer and kissed her, a mere brush of my lips over hers. “Okay. Promise me something.”

“Anything.”

“Ask whatever questions you have, whenever you have them. You don’t want to go, we won’t. You want to experience something like that and not at the club, I can set that up in a more private setting. Anything you want Rebecca, I’ll give it to you if it’s in my power to give it. Got it?”

She kissed me, then, seekingly, like she was searching for that connection only I could give her and I did. We made out in my car, kissing wildly until the windows fogged and my dick was hard and she was panting like she could come at any moment.

I pulled back before I took it that far. With her eyes still glazed over from pleasure, I shifted the car back into drive and went to Shawn’s.