Page 16 of Resisting the Temptation (Broken Shelves #3)

Ben

I was feeling excited, ready to come in here and fuck someone who isn’t the curvy blonde who’s invaded every sexual thought I’ve had for the last month.

I was ready to replace the memory of how beautifully she submitted to me and came for me with the memory of someone else.

Until I walked into the main room and saw this guy’s hand on her thigh.

Apparently, my body isn’t done with her, even if my brain knows it’s a fucking bad idea.

I came into the conversation at the perfect time. What good Dom wants to throw someone new to kink straight into not only bondage but bondage and exhibition? Emma’s not ready for that.

You just don’t want someone else’s hands on her.

I ignore the voice in my head. I’m just… looking out for her. As the first person she trusted to submit to, it’s automatically my responsibility to look out for her .

You’re reaching a bit there, idiota .

Stormy blue eyes, so full of defiance, bore into mine. “Just a pretty face.”

I see how it is.

God, I want to fix that sassy attitude.

“Then I think it’s best if you leave us to it, bro. But you’re more than welcome to watch when we get in there.” Blonde guy throws a wink to Emma, who only gives a forced smile in return.

My gut is telling me she’s only doing this to spite me, and I won’t let her suffer just because she wants to be a brat.

“Em— E. A word, please?”

Emma straightens her spine. “I don’t have anything to say to you that hasn’t already been said. I’m fine. There are plenty of other submissives to choose from, go talk to one of them.”

I clench my teeth so hard I’m surprised they don’t crack. I’m clearly not going to get through to her, so I try a different tactic.

Looking at the blonde, I say, “Are you aware E is inexperienced with kink?”

He furrows his brows. “I know she’s still exploring her kinks, and this is her second time here—”

“And you want to tie her up in the exhibition room knowing that?” This guy is a power-hungry douche. I thought maybe Emma hadn’t told him she was new, which would have given him a bit of a pass.

“She’s into it!” he argues.

“Part of being a good Dominant is reading body language. Look at her right now, and tell me you think she’s comfortable.”

We both look over to Emma who has her hands clenched into tight little fists while her lips are turned down at the corners. My gaze snags on the green ribbon—available to anyone, interesting— before moving on. Her spine is rigid, and her foot is bouncing anxiously against the rung of the stool.

God, those legs need to be wrapped around my—no, Ben, focus.

The guy shrugs and throws her another flirty wink. “She looks gorgeous to me.”

He doesn’t see the way she cringes when he looks away, but I catch it.

“Of course she’s gorgeous. But her body language is screaming she’s not interested. I suggest you leave her alone before this escalates and someone does something they regret.”

The douche scoffs and stands. “Whatever, man, she’s not worth this kind of hassle.”

Wrong. She’s worth every second of it and more.

Emma relaxes the tiniest bit when he walks away, but it doesn’t last long. “What the hell was that?” she whisper-shouts. “How dare you try to—”

“Not here,” I cut her off. “If you’d like to have a conversation, follow me.”

I walk away, crossing my fingers she follows me. I hear a huff of annoyance that almost brings a smile to my face before I hear the sound of her footsteps following me down the hall.

I unlock the door and motion for her to go inside. She hesitates for a moment before entering .

Then she whips around and pokes me in the chest. “What the hell is the matter with you? You can’t just go around telling other people they can’t fuck me, Ben.”

“You clearly didn’t want to go through with his plan. I was trying to help you.”

“I’m a big girl, I can make my own decisions.”

“But you were making the wrong one!” Why is she being so goddamn difficult about this? I was helping her!

“Maybe I was! But again, it’s my choice. ”

“Why would you agree to something that extreme with someone you don’t know?”

Emma glares at me. “I let you spank me when I didn’t know you. Some people would argue that’s extreme.”

Good grief. Now is not the time to get hard thinking about that.

“You and I were paired together by your best friend for a reason. We talked about things before we even started, and set boundaries. Were you really just going to dive right off the deep end with a guy you don’t know?”

Emma's shoulders slump. “Not until you started being an alpha-hole.”

Alpha-hole? “I don’t know what that is, but you’re telling me you were going to do it out of spite?”

“Yes.”

I’m shocked speechless by her honesty, so she continues.

“I don’t enjoy being treated like a child who can’t make her own decisions. When you barreled into our conversation to answer for me, I was feeling petty.” She shrugs a delicate shoulder .

“Emma, part of kink is making safe choices. If you want to be tied up and fucked in front of an audience, you’d need to be able to trust your partner explicitly.”

“Well, the last guy I trusted ended up being my coworker who thinks I’m nothing more than a pretty face. So clearly, I can’t trust my own judgment,” she snaps.

Her words hit me right in the chest, making me feel like an ass.

“I think I’ve had enough for tonight. I’m going to go. See you Monday,” Emma mutters as she heads towards the door.

I should just let her go. I should let her walk out of here and go back to my place, or better yet, find someone to fuck to ease the tension I’m feeling.

But I don’t want to.

“Wait,” I say, and she turns back around. “Is exhibitionism something you’re really interested in?”

She gives me a sure nod.

“And bondage?”

Another nod.

I’m going to regret the next words coming out of my mouth. “Let’s make a deal then.”

Emma’s cute nose scrunches up in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“You want to explore your kinks with someone you trust. I’m an experienced Dom. Let me help you.”

She’s shaking her head before I’ve even finished. “You’re the one who was adamant about not mixing business with pleasure.”

“So, we don’t. We only meet at the club, and we don’t discuss work while we’re here. In turn, we don’t discuss anything about the club at work. I can keep the two separate. Can you?”

“I think this is a bad idea.”

Yeah, me too. But I can’t find it in myself to care right now.

I step towards her, she steps back. We continue our little dance until I have her caged in against the wall by the door. I lean in close to her ear, never touching her. “I’m sure your body remembers how good I can make you feel, Dulzura . I know mine does.”

“I don’t understand why you’d want to help me.”

“Call it a mutually beneficial agreement. You get to explore your kinks and receive pleasure in a safe space, and I get the release I need.”

Emma bites on her plush bottom lip, and I, once again, have to fight the urge to pull it away with my thumb. I won’t touch her until she agrees, even if I’m dying to feel her soft body again.

“Can I have some time to think about it?” she whispers.

I step back and put my hands in my pockets. “Of course. Take the week to decide. If you agree, meet me back here next Saturday night at eight o’clock. I’ll have them give your card access to this room. If you don’t show up, I won’t bring it up again.”

“Okay. Um, goodnight, Ben.”

“Goodnight, Emma.”

Then she leaves.

I sit in the room, trying to muster an ounce of the regret I should feel for wanting to fuck my coworker, but all I can find is anticipation.

I want her to say yes so badly.

I just don’t want to look too closely into why.