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“I’m sorry I haven’t been very… reachable recently.” Stephanie rubs her hand on my chest, plucking apart buttons before I have the chance to touch her at all. “Busy, you know. Been filming a movie out of state. But I’m here now.”

Her voice sounds so sweet. So approachable. So… submissive.

I guess she liked the taste she got after all. I flash my best domineering smile, my thumb wiping some liquid from the corner of her mouth.

“You’re a surprise.” I walk away, taking my now empty glass to the kitchen. Stephanie’s eyes follow. “Didn’t think I would hear from you again after what happened.”

That rattles her a bit. “Don’t worry about it. You’re not the first to do that.”

Women say that a lot. I’ve been saying that a lot. Damnit, Ira, what is it with you and fucking up during sex? And why does it always come back to Kathleen?

Don’t do it. Don’t think about her right now. Remember what happened last time? Yeah.

“It was rude.” I approach her, my hand dusting her bangs out of her face. She does have a superstar’s visage. Beautiful jawline. Wide eyes. Cheekbones to die for. Her glistening browns will often get covered up with blue contacts, but right now I’m enjoying how lovely she is just as she was born. Classic beauty. Don’t think she’s had any work besides her teeth done– yet. I hope it stays that way. “It’s rude for anyone to do. I’m sorry that happened. Willing to give me another chance, are you?”

“About that.” She’s smiling, blushing a little. Stephanie thinks she’s playing coy, but she’s a terrible actress around me. That’s fine. I don’t want an act. I want the real thing, real reactions. That’s especially important to me in a submissive partner. “I’ll give you another chance, but only if you do something special for me.”

“Oh?”

Her bashful smile turns into a look of sheer determination. “I want more of what you were offering me that night. I think I like it.”

“You make a beautiful, natural submissive.” I’m not lying. I’d love to see her obey my commands. Not just get into position for me. I want to hear her call me Mistress and respond to the way my hand smacks her skin.

And so much more.

“You think so?” She flutters her eyelashes at me. “I think I’d like to try it out… ma’am.”

Ah, there it is.

“I still prefer Mistress, if it’s all right with you.”

“Of course, Mistress.” Stephanie May gives me her full attention. Full cheeks, too. Bedroom eyes. Prominent posture. If I were packing, I’d be very aware of it. Shit. Suppose I should go get it. She’ll be expecting it. “The only one who could get me to call them that.”

I put my hands around her cheeks and go in for the kiss. This will be easy. She walked right into my place and is practically throwing herself at me. Everything I want.

Almost.

The door buzzes again, and we’re interrupted. Stephanie implores me not to answer it, but once again, if someone makes it to my door, it means it’s probably important.

I tell Stephanie to hang tight. Hopefully, this will only take a minute.

No.

It will take all night.

Because it’s Kathleen Allen, looking at her feet and squaring her shoulders for a fight.

Chapter 21

Ira

“We need to talk.”

No one likes hearing that under any situation. Even if she’s the one uttering them herself. Those words? They don’t mean anything good.

Especially coming from a woman who turns your heart upside down when you see her.

I’ve almost forgotten about Stephanie. She’s leaning against my couch, buffing her nails and probably thinking about work and my body. I’m too distracted right now to fantasize that it’s 100% my body.