They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, before Mike wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Is it okay if I ask you some more questions?”

Charlotte fought the urge to grin. His submissiveness was shining through, loud and clear, though she doubted he was aware of it. “Of course, Michael. What else would you like to know?”

“Well, this is sort of a big one.” He took a deep breath and let it out in a rush. “It’s about the whip. Is that something you’ll want to do with me? Because, honestly, just the thought of it freaks me out.”

She let the question hang in the air for a moment as she speared a honey-glazed carrot and ate it. With most of her dinner gone, and her stomach full, she set the fork down, picked up her wine spritzer, and leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs. Charlotte decided to give Mike some of her background before answering him. “During my junior year of college, I was dating a guy for a few weeks when he finally confessed he was a submissive and drawn to my dominant nature. Up until that point, I didn’t know I had a dominant nature. As you just said, it freaked me out when he told me he was into pain for pleasure and wanted me to use a crop on him. But after my initial shock, I decided to keep an open mind and let him take me to a munch, so I could talk to others in the lifestyle and see if it was for me. While, eventually, he and I went our separate ways, I’d found a home in the community. Things I didn’t know were deep inside me came to the surface, but once they did, I couldn’t figure out how I’d done without them until then. So, I began to research everything I could find. I asked several Dominants to mentor me—first as a submissive and then as a Mistress. To put it in a way for you to really understand, it’s like starting to learn a business from the ground up. I remember you saying here one night that when you started working for your father, your first job was as a dishwasher. Then when you mastered that you moved on to busboy, then waiter, then the chef’s assistant and bartender. He made sure you knew every job necessary to make this a successful business.”

Mike grimaced. “Yeah, he might have been a bastard when it came to being a father, but he knew how to run a restaurant and trained me well. One of the few good things he did for me.”

Charlotte’s heart skipped a beat, and she fought the urge to comfort him—he wasn’t ready for that and might mistake it for pity. Instead she complimented him. “And you’ve done a wonderful job with the place. You took what he taught you and then added to it, making it even better than it was.” She knew it was because of Mike the place now had computerized ordering, new menus and dinner choices, a softball team with the pub’s name on their uniforms, and Monday and Tuesday night dart teams. Sean Donovan had apparently hated change and had turned down every suggestion his eldest son had made to upgrade the place. Charlotte hadn’t known the older man and had never been in the pub until after he’d died, and Mike had taken over but, from what she’d heard from longtime customers, the changes had been welcome improvements.

“Thanks.”

Damn, she loved that sweet blush on his cheeks. It was clear he wasn’t used to taking compliments—when they started to play, she planned to rectify that. Part of being a Domme was to make sure the sub knew their worth, and never in a negative sense. Charlotte had a feeling it would take much subtle and direct coaxing on her part for him to realize he was a very fine man in every way.

“You’re welcome.” She took a sip of her drink. “Now, back to what I was talking about. Training to be a submissive before becoming a Dominant goes beyond knowing the ‘jobs’ of a sub. It helps a Dom learn what a sub will be thinking and feeling during play, and that will help build a crucial connection between the two. The lifestyle isn’t just about mastering the physical aspects between a Dom and sub, but also the emotional ones that only a few can hope to achieve. If anyone tells you they’re in the lifestyle because of their physical needs only, then they’re in it for the wrong reasons. Mental and emotional satisfaction should always come before physical satisfaction. That’s what many people don’t understand.”

She paused a moment to study his non-verbal response to the information. It appeared he was still following her and not confused, so she continued. “Now, despite what many submissives at the club think, what I want them to think, I’m not as much of a sadist as I portray. Yes, I know how to dole out pain for pleasure, but I mainly learned so I could give my submissives what they needed. Not everyone is wired that way, Michael. I need to give my sub what he needs, and if that involves pain, then that’s what I’ll give him. As for punishments, that’s something different altogether. I’ve learned to get creative. There are plenty of alternatives for discipline that I’ve come up with that don’t involve pain. In fact, I’m quite sure once you’ve experienced some of them, you’ll be looking for ways to earn more punishments.” She smiled and winked at him. Curiosity and lust flared in his eyes, fueling her own desire. “I see you’re eager to learn what those are, but I’ll keep them to myself for now.”

She loved the mind games involved in BDSM—they heightened the attraction between her and the submissive, and the anticipation of what was to come was one of the biggest aphrodisiacs she’d ever known. Picking up the papers she’d taken from her purse, she handed them to him. “Before we start to play, I want you to fill out the limit list. Green is for activities you’re willing to participate in without any hesitation. Yellow is for ones you’ve never tried or have had limited experience with, that you’re willing to explore. Red is for hard limits—those you have no desire to engage in. Don’t overthink this, Michael. There are things on this list that don’t appeal to me either. We’ll go over my list after you’ve completed yours. I don’t want my soft and hard limits to influence you while you’re going through these. Be honest with yourself—and with me. If there are any items on the list you’re not sure about and want to discuss before assigning a color, then leave it blank for now. Understood?”

His gaze skimmed the top page before he nodded. “Understood.” He hesitated a moment before adding, “So . . . what happens now?”

Damn, he’s so cute. His uncertainty had her wanting to take him into his office and blow his mind, among other things. But that would have to wait. Standing, she hooked her purse onto her arm and moved next to him. She knew the moment he realized she was leaving, and before he had a chance to get to his feet, she grabbed a handful of his hair and yanked his head back. Excitement coursed through her when she saw shock and pain morph into lust and need in his eyes.

Bending down, she gently brushed her lips against his, her hold on his head preventing him from closing the distance between them. She was in control, and it would take time for him to immediately surrender to her whenever she demanded it. As his education continued, he’d learn the benefits and rewards of prompt submission. “Tomorrow night, you’ll come to my house at 7:00 p.m., sharp—not a minute later—and we’ll go over your limit list, which I want you to complete tonight before you go to bed. During the day tomorrow, I want you to do some homework.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “Yes, my dear, homework. I want you to research what happens when a male orgasms. When you report to me tomorrow night, you’ll need to be able to explain exactly what happens in the male body—physically, emotionally, and mentally—before, during, and after his sexual release. Understood?”

When he tried to nod, her grip prevented it. “No, Michael. I insist on a verbal answer any time I ask you a question, followed by my title—Ma’am or Mistress, if we’re alone or in the club. In public, where we won’t be advertising the dynamics of our relationship, you may call me Charlotte. While you’re my submissive you will also not refer to me as Mistress China—that title is for those I’m not in a contracted relationship with. Now, let’s try this again. Do you understand what your homework assignment is and what I expect you to explain to me tomorrow night?”

He swallowed hard before answering, his voice rasping across every nerve of her skin, causing them to tingle. “Yes, I understand, Mistress.”

She skimmed her lips against his again. They were soft and supple, and it took all her strength to pull away and not ravage him. “Very good, Michael. I’ll see you tomorrow then. Have a good night, and remember, that hard-on you’re currently sporting is mine. You’re not to touch it unless I allow it. I’ll know if you do, and you won’t like the punishment.”

Letting go of his hair, she turned on her heel and walked out the door, smiling to herself.