“What do you mean?” I ask.

So, he’s realized pretending to forget about the whole thing didn’t work, and now he’s trying a different tack.

I’ve got to give the guy credit for trying.

“I mean, that money wasn’t . . . It wasn’t for the . . . sex, if that’s what you think. God.” Adam drops his head to his hands, looking like he’s ashamed. “I can’t believe you thought it was for that.”

“What was it for, then?” I ask flatly, expecting to hear some kind of a lame excuse from his mouth.

Well, at the very least, he knows he fucked up, and he’s admitting it now. This is progress, I suppose.

“I . . . Do you remember the bra you were wearing that night?” he asks.

“What?” I stare at him. I didn’t expect him to start this conversation by asking about underwear.

“Yeah. I . . . Uh, I think I was a little too rough when I was pulling it off you, and I made a hole in it. I just wanted to, I don’t know, cover the cost of replacing it for you.” Adam sighs. “Looking back now, I can see how it must’ve looked, from your perspective.”

I remain quiet while I consider Adam’s explanation. There was a small hole in that bra that I noticed, like, one whole week after The Succubus . . .

“Fuck,” Adam curses. “It didn’t occur to me that you might not realize what the money was for.” He lifts his face and gazes at me with frustrated desperation. “I was an idiot.”

“Are you serious?” I ask, my mind going wild as I try to remember the details of what happened that night.

I’d laugh at this crazy misunderstanding, except the getting-paid-for-sex thing really messed me up. That money made me feel dirty.

“Completely,” Adam says.

“You really thought a bra cost five hundred bucks to replace?”

“Your bra matched your panties, so I thought you were going to have to get new panties, too.”

“So,” I rephrase my question, “you thought a bra and a pair of panties cost five hundred bucks?”

“They don’t?” Adam asks with a sheepish smile.

“I guess some designer brands do sell them for that much. But no, generally, an underwear set doesn’t cost five hundred bucks.”

“Well, you looked like a million bucks in them, kitten,” Adam says.

I laugh at his attempt to be funny and smooth at the same time. I’m glad he’s taking this well.

Adam smiles as he gazes deep into my eyes. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think you were going to see it that way. It was dumb. But I was nervous. It was the first time I ever went into a private room.”

“Really?” I ask incredulously.

“Really.”

“You could’ve fooled me.”

Adam laughs and dimples appear on his cheeks. “I’ll take that as a compliment. Thank you.” He reaches out to touch my hand. “And again, I’m sorry.”

“I don’t remember you being this nice that night,” I say.

“Well, that night was different. I saw you, and—” his eyes glint with desire as he speaks “—I had to have you. It was this . . . overwhelming need. And you were just such a perfect little submissive.”

I blush.

The way his fingers tighten around my hand, the way his voice gets just a little bit hoarse . . . I believe him.

I believe he really wanted me. He didn’t just pick any random girl in the club.

“What’s different about now?” I ask.

“Now, there’s a lot at stake. There’s my son—our son—to protect and look after. And also . . .” Adam smiles a little smile at me. “You seemed angry at me. Now I know why. But I didn’t want to make you completely hate me, so I had to play it safe.”

“It almost sounds like you actually sat down and came up with a battle strategy.”

Adam chuckles. “Strategy is the most important key to winning the battle. A good strategy can make up for almost any flaw.”

“So the masked man I met at The Succubus . . . That was just part of a strategy to you? The way you’ve been acting today, you don’t even seem like the same person as the man from the club that night.”

“Nah, that’s because you’re not like you were that night either,” Adam says.

“Are you calling me fat?” I ask with a pout, pretending like I’m angry.

“Never.” Adam laughs. “I’d never call the mother of my child ‘fat.’ That’s just wrong.”

I smile as his thumb caresses the back of my hand.

“What I’m saying is,” he continues, “what we shared that night . . . That was because I asked of you, and you gave me what I wanted. You trusted me to take control.”

My face heats up.

That night . . . That night I wanted him to take control. I wanted him to dominate me. I wanted him, period.

I didn’t think I’d feel that way about him again. But right now, I don’t know . . . It doesn’t seem impossible.

He’s just spent a whole day carting William and me around town, and we didn’t even get to carve any of the pumpkins we bought, even though Adam said he was excited to do that.

Apparently, he never had a chance to really celebrate Halloween when he was a little boy, himself. Despite his polished appearance and mannerisms, there seems to be more to him than meets the eye. There’s more depth to him than I originally expected.

He’s a guy who used to go to a sex club, yes. And he left money on the nightstand after we’d had sex at the aforementioned sex club—that’s true, too.

But there’s more to him. He’s also someone with what seems to be a difficult childhood; he’s close with his mom; he doesn’t give up easily; and so far, he seems like he’d be a good dad.

The first time I met Adam, I was intrigued by how mysterious he was with his mask and his refusal to answer my questions.

Tonight, though, there’s a sense of familiarity that’s starting to brew between us, and it’s making me want the same thing I did on that first night.

“So what you’re saying . . .” My heart jumps up into my throat, making it hard for me to speak. “What you’re saying is, the only thing that’s different is how much I trust you?”

“Yeah. For some reason, you trusted a masked stranger in a sex club more than you now trust the father of your child,” Adam says in a teasing tone. “I’m just kidding. I know you have good reasons not to trust me.”

“You do?” I ask, surprised.

“Of course. You have a son to think about. You can’t just go around trusting strangers, who could potentially bring harm to William.” When Adam smiles, the skin around his eyes crinkles. “I’m actually really glad you’re less trusting now. That can only be a good thing for William.”

“Thank you,” I say softly as my heart hammers violently in my chest. It’s been so long since the last time I had any attention from a man.

“You’re a good mom, Katie,” Adam says.

“Thanks.” I smile, even though I already know that. William’s the center of my life and I’d do anything for him.

I’ve been so busy being a mom I’ve forgotten what a joy being a woman can be. But tonight, sitting here, sharing a couch with Adam as we chat, I want to remember.

I want to remember what it’s like to be a woman, and I want him to be the one to remind me.

“There’s one thing I want to know,” Adam says. “After that night, I came back often to The Succubus, sometimes even multiple nights consecutively, but I never found you. How long did you work there for?”

“Actually, I quit after my first night.”

“That explains it.”

“Yeah.”

Adam goes quiet as he studies my face. “I have to ask. Was it because of me?”

“Kind of,” I admit.

“Damn it. Was it really that bad?” Adam grimaces.

“No. It was the opposite of bad. It was so good I got scared I was going to do it again—have sex for money, I mean.”

“God. I’m so sorry,” Adam says again.

“Don’t worry about it.” I smile. “It was just another job.”

“No wonder you hate my guts.”

“I don’t,” I say quickly. I lean forward, inching closer toward him. When Adam raises a questioning eyebrow, I add, “I mean, I did. But I had the wrong idea about you. Now, I’m starting to see what it was like, for you.”

A smile slowly spreads across Adam’s gorgeous features as he reaches out to touch my face. “You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear that.”

“It’s true. I judged you unfairly. I see that now.” I nuzzle against the warmth of his palm.

Adam stares at me with wonder in his eyes, like he can’t quite believe what he’s seeing.

Then, without saying another word, he leans in and takes my lips—gentle, tentative, exploring. I let my eyes flutter shut and kiss him back.

It’s been, what, three years since the last time I kissed someone who’s not related to me by blood?

This feels amazing. I feel like I’m tasting a comfort food I used to eat in childhood but haven’t come across in a long time.

I miss this—not just kissing in general, but Adam’s kiss in particular, I realize with surprise. Somehow, he managed to be firm and gentle at the same time, respectful and persistent at the same time.

“Your lips taste just as sweet as I remember,” Adam says, pulling away just enough to speak.

I say nothing. We’ve said a lot of words today, but now’s the time for something different.

I press my lips against his again, and he kisses me again--harder this time, almost like he wants to crush and bruise my lips. My insides heat up, and I feel tingles in my core.

Adam puts one hand on the back of my skull as he pulls me closer. He's messing up my hair, but I don't care.

It's been a long time since I shared my sexual side with anyone, it feels strange to find myself getting wet from a man's touch. In a good way.

Adam’s hand slides down to my back. As he kisses me more and more insistently, I let myself lean back on his strong hand and allow him lay me down on the couch.

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to kiss you,” Adam says breathlessly.

My hands are grabbing onto his muscular arms like it’s my only remaining anchor to reality. My world’s spinning as Adam hovers over me, reminding me how good it feels to have a man’s weight on me. He drags his lips over my throat, making me sigh with desire.

“Do you trust me?” Adam rests his hand on my waist, dangerously close to the bottom of my dark sweater.

I nod.

“Good. That’s what I wanted to hear,” Adam says, smiling at me with a wicked glint in his green eyes.

The warm light from my floor lamp casts a yellow glow on his face, while the rest of his body lies in shadows.

He slips his fingers under my sweater and runs them up my body. Without even thinking about it, I arch my back, trying to get more contact with Adam’s skin.

“Good girl,” he says in a dark voice laced with arousal. It’s the kind of voice that makes my blood rush and my heartbeat quicken.

He called me a good girl that night, too. And I loved it. I’ve heard the phrase a hundred thousand times in my fantasies; it was starting to sound silly, but there’s nothing like a live performance to remind me how good the real thing really is.

“Thank you, Sir,” I say tentatively.

Did I really say this and not sound ridiculous at the club? It sounds so weird now.

But Adam doesn’t seem to notice anything weird about it. His eyes light up as he smirks.

“That’s right,” he says. “I’m glad to see you remember how to address me correctly. Now, let’s see if you still know how to behave and follow my instructions like a really good girl.”

Adam grabs my breasts with his hand, pushing my sweater up to reveal my pale skin. I was worried he’d be put off by my stomach, which isn’t in bad shape but definitely not as tight as it used to be.

But Adam doesn’t seem to have any problems with my body. His appreciative gaze roams over my body hungrily as he pulls my sweater all the way off.

“Take off your bra, kitten,” he orders. Smirking, he adds, “I don’t want to put another hole in another one of those.”

“Yes, Sir.” I smile as I slip my hands underneath my back.

“Mmm . . . Yeah, you look good like that,” he says as he stares at my tits, which are pushed up for him to see when I arch my back to unhook my bra.

“Thank you, Sir.” I take off my bra and let it fall onto the floor.

In response, Adam flashes me a smile before he dives down and assaults my breasts with his hands and mouth, kneading, licking, and nibbling on me.

I let my lips part as my breathing grows heavy. I wrap my arms around him, resting a hand on his head. His hair feels soft and silky to the touch.

I know how inane this sounds, but I can’t help wanting to live up to Adam’s expectations of “a really good girl.”

Under normal circumstances, I’d be slapping myself awake once I start thinking this way. But right now, it’s like I’m in an alternate reality where Adam is the reigning ruler of everything, who deserves all my adoration and obedience.

I guess this is what Adam meant when he said the thing about me trusting him.

Keeping his searing gaze on my face, Adam slides his hand down over my belly button and starts to unbutton my jeans. “Lift up your ass for me.”

When I do as he says, Adam pulls my jeans and my panties down until they’re off my legs and I’m bared before him.

I can’t help but smile when I see the look on Adam’s face. He can’t take his eyes off my body. It’s flattering, but I can’t help feeling self-conscious. I rest my hands on my stomach, trying to conceal the part of me I dislike the most.

“Don’t do that,” Adam growls. “Let me see all of you.”

He gathers my wrists in one hand and looks around the living room. He grabs the piece of blanket resting on the back of the couch, then he lifts my hands over my head and ties them together with the soft fabric.

“Keep them there,” Adam says as he presses my wrists down against the couch cushion.

“Yes, Sir,” I whisper.

My heart’s racing as I let myself be completely vulnerable to Adam. With my hands immobilized, I feel helpless, which only fuels my desire.

With a lopsided smile on his face and a sinful glint in his eyes, Adam drags his fingers up my bare thighs, making me tense my muscles and hold my breath as my whole being focuses on what he’s doing.

“You wanted to know what trust has got to do with it?” Adam asks. “I’ll show you, kitten. I’ll make you see how good it can be. You just have to trust me. Okay?”

I nod. “Yes, Sir.”

“Good girl. Spread your legs for me.”

Under Adam’s watchful eyes, I part my legs and bite my bottom lip as he finds my petals and plays with them.

“You know what I’ve always regretted?” Adam asks.

I shake my head, unable to say a word because it’s hard enough trying to stop myself from moaning loud enough for the neighbors to hear.

“I’ve always wondered how you taste.” Adam shoots me a wicked smile before he grabs my legs and start kissing up my thighs.

I gasp when he reaches the top and sucks my lower lips into his mouth. His stubble feels rough on my inner thighs. His tongue laps at my pussy, grazing over my clit lightly, driving me wild with desire.

The muscles in my pussy are clenching, gripping air. I feel empty, and I need to be filled up. My clit’s throbbing, and I need Adam to play with it using his tongue.

My body makes more and more demands as Adam’s teasing becomes more incessant. He’s deliberately making it so I stay at the edge of my arousal, not letting me come down—or come at all, really.

“You taste really good.” Adam smiles without taking his lips off my pussy, making me squirm with every syllable he utters, with every breath he takes.

“Adam, please . . .” I moan softly. My own voice surprises me. I sound so needy, so desperate . . . so sexy.

“What do you want, kitten?”

“I want . . .” I look up at him from under my eyelashes, biting my lip. “Would you make me come . . . please, Sir?”

“Of course, I’ll make you come,” Adam says, licking my clit to make his point. “But not yet. Be patient. You taste real good, and I want to take my time.”

I throw my head back when Adam devours my pussy like a starved man, making happy little grunts as he buries himself between my legs. But as soon as I start to shudder, he pulls back and slows down, making me groan with frustration as I fail to reach the peak again.

Every time Adam ruins my orgasm, it makes me want it even more, and he knows it. He definitely knows it.

I can tell by the way his eyes darken with lust whenever I whimper with disappointment. He enjoys being the one to control my orgasms. He likes letting me know exactly who’s in charge.

But he’s already told me he’s going to make me come, and I believe him. I know it’s going to be worth all the wait and frustration.

I guess I trust him, after all.