Page 194 of The Donovan Dynasty

“You’re right.But it doesn’t have to be a long talk.It can be informal.And the more you’re with a particular person, the less you need to go over.”

A part of Sofia couldn’t believe she was standing in Cade Donovan’s barn—in his dungeon—having this discussion.

“As I said a minute ago, a sub will have a safe word.Because it’s easy to remember, many choose the word red.But if you want to go any further with me, you can use anything you wish.I prefer that my partners let me know if they need to talk about something, even during a scene.You can say yellow to get me to pause or to let me know something is too much or to take a short break.Green lets me know everything is okay.”

Cade looked at her, captured her gaze, mesmerized her.She wasn’t sure she could have looked away, even if she’d wanted to.

“Are you ready to continue?”

Her gaze was continually drawn toward a pretty pink paddle.It appeared to be sturdy and made of wood.It reminded her of something she’d used when she’d played ping pong.“I don’t see how anyone gets pleasure out of that.It looks as if it’s meant to hurt someone.”

“It certainly can.It doesn’t have to be used that way, though.If you’d like to experiment, take it down and give it to me.”

His vocal chords were taut, and his tone held no trace of humor.

She hesitated, and she was reminded that, once again, she hadn’t said no.Thunder ripped apart the atmosphere but even it didn’t drown out the sound of her heartbeat.

Realizing she may not get this chance to be with a Dominant ever again, Sofia put down her things then removed the pink paddle from its hook and offered it to him.

“Very good,” he said, thrilling her.

Rather than instructing her to bend over, or at least turn around, as she expected, he mesmerized her by tracing a callused finger down the side of her cheek, then he gently outlined her lips.“Tell me what you want to use as a safe word.”

Right now, she had a hard time remembering her own name.“The colors are fine.”

“Close your eyes,” he said.

For the first few seconds, all she could think about was the fact he towered over her and held an implement of pain.

Then he fisted his hand in her hair.“I’ve been thinking about this since Saturday night.”

He had?The knowledge that she’d affected him melted the last of her resistance.She exhaled a breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding.

Cade eased her head back.She could open her eyes, but keeping them closed enhanced her other senses.

He touched her lips with his and she moaned.

“You’re beautiful,” he said.

Sofia knew she wasn’t, but his tone was so serious that for a moment she believed him.

He deepened the kiss and she responded, tasting the freshness of spearmint.He smelled of the elements—rain and wind—and she felt consumed.

He ran two fingers down the column of her throat then paused at the hollow.She’d never felt this gloriously alive.

By slow measures, he pulled back from her then eased his grip on her hair.

“Continue to keep your eyes closed.I’m going to turn you around.”

It took some trust, but she gave it.

His grip was light on her shoulders as he turned her.Then he slid his forearm across her chest.

“Stick out your rear a little more for me.”

Nerves almost failed her.

“You can say no,” he said.From his tone, she knew he wouldn’t judge her if she did.“Or yellow.Or red.”