Leaning back in my chair, I pursed my lips together while my mind rushed to process everything I had just seen and heard. My gaze was glued to the woman only a few rows in front of me, following the lines of rope that bound her. She looked perfectly content, her vibrant, yellow hair held back from her face. Her hands were bound before her, and I rubbed my palms together as my chest tightened.

“What do you think?” Tearing my eyes off her, my nervous smile was all Nash needed before he nodded firmly. His mask was different from the others, only covering half his face.

His was the only one that was gold, creating the perfect scape to highlight his dark eyes.

“I- I don’t think I would go too far… but-“ Trailing off, I let out a shaky laugh as discomfort swarmed my chest. “I don’t know. There’s a lot of things that I don’t seem to know when it comes to this.”

“That’s perfectly okay, Peaco. There’s no shame in learning.” Draping his arm across the back of my chair, Nash tugged gently on my hair before opening his mouth. The quiet conversation of others did nothing to drown out his voice, but I still leaned closer to listen. “I don’t find tying you up attractive. It’s not part of my kink. I learned very early on that no two people’s preferences are the same, though they may be similar.”

“So, what is your… kink…?” Red flushed my cheeks as I stumbled over the word, still getting used to such casual language. Sighing, Nash lifted his shoulder in a half shrug before slouching slightly.

“I enjoy using my hands. I want to feel your pulse racing without having to shuffle around rope of handcuffs. Compared to some, I’m fairly docile in that respect. Truthfully, though, the sex is secondary to what really boils my blood.” Stiffening as his lips caressed my ear, my breath caught in my throat at the warm air that tickled my skin. His tongue sneaked out to drag along the crest, and his tone was lower, rougher, when he spoke up again. “I like slaves. I like to take women like you that have the weight of their world on them and break them down to the core. Women that aren’t used to being ordered around but want it. Women that would never be caught dead in public being told what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. I want you to learn to trust that I would never make you do something that goes against who you believe is yourself. And then, I want you to submit to me knowing that no one will ever be able to shake that belief.”

My pupils widened at that, and shivers raced down my spine even as Nash took my chin in his free hand. His face was so close; his breath racing down my nose and flecks of gold shining from his eyes. Holding my breath, I opened my mouth only to close it again until he smiled in understanding.

“The goals of a master and a slave aren’t physical pleasure, Pe-“

“Natalie-“ Cutting Nash off with a whisper, I gulped down the lump in my throat and clutched my bag tighter. “My name is Natalie.”

Goosebumps washed my arms and chest, and Nash spread his fingers along my jaw. His mouth moved, silently rehearsing my name in the intense silence I had created. God- I’m an idiot. Why did I tell him my name?

“Natalie… very pretty. I am more than happy to have you naked and thrashing underneath me- but there’s more to this life than that. This is about trust, respect, and giving. It’s a real relationship.” Every ounce of blood in my body rushed to my head, and he gave me a shit eating grin before releasing my face. My skin tingled where he’d touched, and I leaned back into my seat with a big sigh.

“I- I haven’t been in a relationship in a while. I’ve been so busy… I don’t even know where to start.” Nibbling my lips, I stared at my lap until Nash stood up in my peripheral. Holding out his hand, he waited patiently as the weight of the situation settled on my shoulders. My gaze narrowed on the rumples in the old, used faux leather of my purse, and I furrowed my brows. His fingertips sat on the edge of my field of vision, outstretched and speaking louder than anything else.

This- this is where to start. I heard it clearly, tantalizing and sweet, and I carefully released my bag to reach for his palm. Nash didn’t immediately wrap his fingers around mine, waiting until my smaller hand was firmly above his. My heart pounded against my ribs, blood rushing in my ears to drown out the sounds and conversations around us.

Leading me out of the dining room and a staircase at the back of the kitchen, Nash didn’t rush me even as a sense of urgency swathed my body. Ascending to the second story of the house, I followed in a blur of creams and light browns that coated the tunnel like hallway. Softly knocking on a closed door, he pushed open the barrier when no one sounded in protest to tug me inside.

Alone, I clutched my bag to my chest as Nash’s height and build really became apparent. At least 6 feet tall, his form was clothed in a dark gray, silk shirt and black dress pants that seemed tailored. He didn’t give me much time to ogle him, carefully taking my bag to set it on the floor at the end of a bed I hadn’t even noticed.

“Sit on the bed.” Blinking at the commanding undertone in Nash’s voice, I tensed and ground my molars together. The surge of defiance that swept through me was quelled by the expectant glint in his eyes, and I slowly climbed onto the bed to sit in the middle. My low heels threatened to puncture the dark green duvet, but before I could reach for them his hands were there.

“Ehm- so… why is everyone else wearing red masks and you’re wearing a gold one?” Posing my question, I bit my lip when Nash dragged his fingers along my ankle and down my foot. The sensation flexed my toes, and a shiver lodged between my shoulder blades. Heat slithered up my leg, and I closed my eyes to fend off the almost unnoticeable pulse from my abdomen.

Stop that, idiot. It’s been a while, but you don’t fuck on the first date. This isn’t even a date. What are you doing? Silently berating myself, I took a breath before opening my eyes to find Nash’s on my face, a slight smile tilting his mouth.

“They’re simply preferential, Natalie. Red is uniform for experienced doms and subs, but it’s not mandatory. When was the last time someone pleasured you? I can’t imagine you’re that responsive, right?” Mortification flushed my cheeks, and I shook my head a little too hard. Removing my shoes, Nash chuckled lightly as he set them on the floor to climb up next to me. The bed was large enough that we could sit side by side, and I crossed my legs before willing my tongue to work.

“It’s been… a while. Like I said, I’ve been really busy.” I didn’t go into details, and Nash didn’t press for more information. My mind wandered back to the last time I’d even looked in a man’s direction; the memory twisted my face in distaste. “After I broke up with my last boyfriend, I kind of put guys on hold. We were together for a year, but it just wasn’t something I wanted to sustain anymore.”

“I see. With my kind of kink, ‘boyfriend’ and ‘girlfriend’ are relative terms. It’s very difficult to find someone that understands the difference between what I want and what they perceive as a relationship. Most of the time, they end up believing there’s something more when I made it very clear I wasn’t looking for that.” Humming softly, I ducked my head in a nod as my mind churned. Our situations were so opposite; Nash wanted a specific kind of relationship while I just wanted something.

Or, at least, I did before I started my bakery. But now there’s no time for men…

“Why me?” Posing my question into the ensuing silence, I tilted my head to look at Nash. His expression turned thoughtful, and I held my breath until he opened his mouth.

“If you’re in this long enough you can sense it- the person that can fulfill your kink. I’ve spent 8 years sifting through what I don’t want in a woman… I was going to approach you, but Judas got to you first. I knew that asshole would do something to turn you off, so I just had to wait.” A frown overtook Nash’s face, and my own twisted in disgust before he continued. “He calls himself that because Judas was the disciple that betrayed Jesus, and he thinks of himself as a rebel. He doesn’t care about his partner- he just wants to choke you. That’s why he left you. He found a more attractive neck.”

“That’s… that’s messed up… on so many levels.” Reaching to touch my neck, I cringed at the idea of someone’s hands wrapped around me. A solid arm slithered along my back, and Nash squeezed me lightly with a soft sigh. Goosebumps washed my chest, and my breath caught in my tight throat when he rubbed soothing circles along my shoulder blades.

“Yes, but unfortunately it’s not uncommon, Natalie. Do you have any other questions for me?” My brows came together, and I closed my eye to collect my thoughts. I’d dodged a major bullet; there was no doubt about that. Pushing the scenarios from my mind’s eye, I took a deep, stabilizing breath only to let it out in a huff.

“You said sex was only secondary, so what are we going to do up here? I can’t really wrap my head around this.” Nash’s gaze bored into the side of my face, and after a moment or two he pulled me down onto my back to hold me to his side. Cupping my cheek, he forced me to look at him as my heart started to thud harder. His expression was so intense, and I pursed my lips together before he opened his mouth.

“I also said I wanted you underneath me. Make no mistake- sex is important. It’s just not as important for me as your obedience. Are you on birth control?” Nodding, I shivered when Nash ran his fingertips sensually down my spine, a soft gasp filling what little space was between us. His words were low, a mere mumble, and his nose bumped mine to coax my eyelids shut. Holding my breath, my mind went blank as desire coiled in my abdomen.

He could play me like a fiddle, and we’d only known each other for half an hour.

“Good. You’re nervous- alert. I want to spend a relaxing night with you in this bed, Natalie, and to do that I’ll need to tire you out.” His lips brushed mine when he spoke, and I whimpered pathetically. Taking Nash’s face in my palms, I kissed him fully before he tightened his grip on me. Nudging his knee between my thighs, his acceptance sent a rush of heat to my core. Moaning softly as he pressed the fabric of my panties against my folds, I did nothing to stop his tongue plunging behind my teeth.

Our kiss deepened, and with each gyrating motion of his leg my body temperature increased. I gave no thought to the fact that this was so out of character; Hell, being at this event was something I never thought I’d do. Slipping my fingers up into his hair, goosebumps washed my arms when my hands brushed heavily over the thin ribbon that held his mask on.

Rolling on top of me, Nash pushed my legs apart to grind his thigh against my apex. Grabbing one of my wrists, he trapped my arm above my head with a groan that set fire to the embers inside me. My right arm fell before he could take it, and I tilted my hips up before tearing my mouth from his. Panting hard, I clenched my jaw tightly as he peppered hot kisses down my neck.

“Fuck- you smell ready… It really has been too long, Natalie?” My loud moan bounced off the walls in answer, and I arched my back when Nash sucked gently on my collar bone. “I bet you’re already wet for me…”

Unbuttoning my blouse with practiced movements, Nash inhaled sharply to suck the warmth from my chest. Against the light green lace of my bra my nipples hardened, tightening into peaks that ached for his attention when he hadn’t done more than look. Harsh pants filled the room, and his palms slid heavily down my arms to peel back the cups.

A split second of insecurity washed over me, a memory breaking through the red haze in my mind. My hands moved automatically to cover myself, but Nash was faster. Jerking my wrists back above my head, he grabbed my chin to squeeze. Forcing my eyes open, they widened at the fierceness that met them, and my heart jumped into my throat.

“Don’t cover yourself. You’re beautiful no matter what anyone says. Repeat it- ‘I’m beautiful no matter what anyone says’.” Leaning up to my face, Nash bore his weight down on me as he hot breath flowed across my cheek. Cotton coated my tongue, and I opened my mouth only to produce silence. “… You don’t need anyone to validate you, Natalie. Just say it…”

“I- I’m beautiful…” Rasping, a gasp tore from my dry throat when he released my face to palm my breast. “-n- no matter… what anyone says.”

“Good girl.” Murmuring softly, Nash gave me a chaste kiss before tweaking my pebbled nipple. Leaving my face, he gripped my breast to lick the peak heavily. Arching into his mouth, my silent plea didn’t go unnoticed before he started to nibble and suckle.

“Ah-h-… pl- please- Nash-“ Moaning, I ground my hips against Nash’s leg as his tongue and teeth sent bolts of pleasure to my core. Twisting with desire, my abdomen clenched to spill my dampness onto my panties, and he released my wrists to reach down. Unfastening my shorts, he slid underneath them to prod my clit with experimental fingertips.

“So wet- just like I knew you would be.” Parting my flushed, aching folds with his middle finger, Nash spread my juices up my slit to circle my nub. “Fuck-“

“Oh sh-h-it!” Plunging two fingers into my channel, Nash’s loud groan mingled with my squeal to make a beautiful sound that echoed in my ears. Writhing as he curled and retreated only to surge back in, I spread my legs wide in wanton abandon. His mouth traveled the valley between my breasts, leaving a trail of thick saliva that burned my skin.

Tilting my hips to the rhythm of his hand, I clutched the pillow above my head to arch my body. Nash’s fingers stretched my channel, making ready for the hard length that gyrated against my thigh.

Retreating from my channel, Nash’s wet fingertips slipped up to my clit to rub furiously, and my thighs quaked. The harsh fabric of my shorts scraped my legs as he pulled them down roughly, and I kicked out my feet to send the material flying. Spreading my legs as far as I could, I trembled at the heat of his gaze on me as he leaned back on his knees.

“You look even better naked, Natalie.” Gasping when Nash gripped my thighs, I bit down on my bottom lip to crack open my eyes. His shirt was unbuttoned to reveal the lightly toned planes of his chest, and his pants were hanging off the foot of the bed. Blinking slowly, I barely managed to wonder when he’d taken them off before the spongey head of his cock slipped along my slit.

Flying to Nash’s face, my eyes widened at the rapture I found there as he watched himself become slick with my juices. His was an expression that burned into my memory, never to be washed away.

In one easy thrust Nash plunged into my depths, and our cries mingled in the open air. Dropping onto his elbows, he trapped me beneath his hot body to crash his lips on mine. My moans were muffled by his mouth, his tongue delving behind my teeth to tangle with mine.

Setting a steady pace, Nash tangled his hands in my hair to hold me down as the pleasure of his assault threatened to send me into the clouds. With each thrust his grunt flowed down my throat, and I clamped down on his length. The sharp ridge of his cock caressed my walls, delivering the sensations I had been denied for so long.

“Cum, Natalie- let me feel it.” Mumbling against my lips, Nash’s low command was the thing I needed to fling myself over the edge. With all of my strength I squeezed his cock, my eyes rolling slightly from the force. Pleasure washed over me, body spasming as he bore down on me. His hips stuck to mine as he rode my orgasm, and I ground my teeth together as my heart slammed against my chest.

“Fuck- fuck- fuck- fuck- fuck!” Pressure built behind my eyes, and my breath left my aching lungs in a gust when I fell back. Flexing his hands in my hair, Nash released a heavy breath of his own before ducking his head into my neck with a groan.

“You cum so beautifully. I’m going to fuck you until you can’t make that face anymore.” Thrusting his hips, he drew a rasping gasp from my lips even as I nodded furiously.