Beneath the Scars (Masters of the Shadowlands #13)(70)

The thing over her clit rubbed slightly, but wasn’t uncomfortable. Just…odd.

Holt led her down a quiet path they hadn’t taken before. The Capture Gardens contained several spectacularly landscaped acres of winding paths between tall shrubs and trees. There were hidden nooks and unexpected flower gardens. Fountains of various sizes were scattered here and there, adding the sound of flowing water to the music from the mansion.

“What did you want to talk about?” Holt asked.

“I’m just curious. The Master title implies you’re very experienced, but you can’t be much older than me.”

“Thirty-one, and yes, I’ve a fair amount of experience.” He kissed her fingers in an absent-minded gesture. “Looking back, I realize my parents lived a D/s lifestyle, so maybe dominance runs in the genes. But I didn’t know that when I discovered the lifestyle in college. At the time, BDSM was exciting and different…and then it became essential.”

Essential. “I, uh, I know some of the members only play…” They walked over a tiny bridge with a gurgling stream beneath it.

“During sex. Yes, many people enjoy a bedroom-only power exchange.”

From one clearing came distinctive noises—wet sounds, slapping flesh, a man’s moan.

Josie felt herself dampening even more. Why in the world had she started this conversation in this place? But she couldn’t stop. “And…and you? What do you want?”

“I stay in charge during sex.” Releasing her hand, he curved his fingers around her nape, sending a rush of heat down her spine at the firm grip. “I’m also more than happy to take control outside the bedroom, too, if my partner consents.”

Despite the way her mind blurred when he touched her, she had to wonder how the “outside the bedroom” stuff worked.

After pulling something out of his pocket, he leaned forward and kissed her slowly. His beard-stubble was a soft rasp over her skin, his lips warm and questing.

Something tingled against her clit, and she jumped. What? Her mouth dropped open. “That thing is a vibrator? Seriously?”

He gave her a Look, and she realized her misstep. “Sorry, Sir. But we’re out for a walk, not—”

“No worries, sweetheart, you’re going to enjoy the walk, and when we get a bit farther, I’ll enjoy the walk, too.”

His evil smile couldn’t be mistaken. He intended to have…sex. With her.

Every hormone in her body broke into a happy dance, warming her core. She swallowed. “Oh.”

His low chuckle sent more heat through her, and he leaned down. His kiss was deep and forceful—and a hand behind her back held her still as he fondled her breasts. Her nipples were already tender, and he deliberately pulled and pinched, adding an exquisitely pleasurable edge of pain.

Oh, God.

He kept her pinned against him as the vibrator sped up.

At the increased hammering on her already swollen, sensitive clit, she tensed. The vibrations weren’t hard enough to make her come, but oh, she really, really wanted to.

“Feel that, do you?” Smiling slightly, he moved his hand down and pressed the vibrator more firmly against her clit. The burst of sensation made her almost moan.

His gaze stayed on her face as he ran his thumb over her lips, making them tingle. “More questions?”

How could she think when he was doing this stuff to her? “Have you had…um, D/s relationships, then?”

“My wife was submissive,” he said softly, guiding her down the grassy path, “as have been the three long-term relationships I’ve had since.” He ran his hand up and down her arm. “Pet, you don’t need to look as if you’re poking through someone’s underwear drawers. These are questions you have a right to ask.”

She shook her head. “I don’t—”

“Josie.”

“We’re not…”

He stopped and turned her to face him. “You know better than that. What we have at the moment isn’t defined, but there’s something between us. We just have to see what.”

Oh. My. God.

No, wait. She didn’t even date. She didn’t want any relationships.

Only…she did. She wanted him.

“Now, I have a question for you. Do you notice how I’m being a kind Dom and giving you a choice?” Arm around her waist, he turned another corner and lifted a hand to a Dom wearing a gold-edged vest. “Jake.”

The Dom glanced at her, smiled, and nodded at Holt. “See you tomorrow.”

“Say hi to Rainie for me.” As the Dom strolled away, Holt veered off the path into a quiet niche filled with the scent of night blooming jasmine. “I’m going to take you now. Your choice is the location—here in the Gardens or back on the lawn where more people can watch.”

Her heart thumped her ribs hard enough to make her gasp. “You wouldn’t.”

“Mmm, yes, I would.” Drawing her down onto a hard stone bench, he kissed her slowly. “Where?”

“Not the lawn,” she said quickly. The Gardens would be…kind of private.

He reached behind the bench and drew out his leather toy bag and a thick soft blanket. “I had a feeling you’d choose here. I had Peggy drop my bag off.”

Studying her face, he waited for her to respond.