Cowboy Casanova (Rough Riders #12)(17)

up into the bluest eyes this side of heaven.


Holy Mother of God. He was striking. She could not wait to tell this man exactly what

to do to her. Her gaze slid to his lips. She had an idea or fifty on how he could use

his too-pretty mouth.


Layla interrupted Ainsley’s contemplation of his oral skills. “I’ll leave you two to

make your own introductions.”



She hoisted herself onto the barstool and thrust out her hand. “An—Angel.”


The dark-haired devil clasped her fingers, lowered his head and kissed her knuckles. “

A pleasure, Angel. I’m Bennett. Would you care for another drink?”


“No. Thank you.”


She looked at him.


He looked back at her.


Awkward.


“Before we get down to business, can I just say that you have the prettiest skin?” He

wasn’t content with that verbal caress. He dragged a rough-edged fingertip from the

inside of her wrist beneath the bracelet to the bend in her elbow and back down.


Goose bumps danced up that limb, fanning out across her shoulder. Bennett scored points

for his seductive touch but lost them when she noticed his smirk.


“So let’s set the parameters for tonight’s play.”


“Is this a negotiation?”


His teasing eyes turned shrewd. “Talkin’ about expectations is a club rule, in every

club I’ve ever been in.” His gaze lingered on her gold bracelet. “Haven’t you found

that to be true?”


“Of course I know to discuss the play rules.” The lie warmed her cheeks.


His expression didn’t change.


He kept watching her. “Stop staring at me,” she said crossly.


He lowered his eyes with a murmured, “Sorry.”


When another bout of silence stretched, she knew if she didn’t get a handle on this

situation now, she never would. “Can I ask you something, Bennett?”


“Anything you wish.”


“Why the dual role of submissive and dominant?”


“For variety, I suppose. How about you? Why the dominant role?”


“It’s a power thing.”


“Hmm.”


She didn’t like his half-cocky hmm. “What?”


“If that’s the case, I find it odd you’re a Domme.” Bennett raised those compelling

blue eyes to hers. The heat and intensity packed a punch so potent she nearly toppled

off the barstool.


Way out of your element, Ainsley.


“See, the true power in a dominant and submissive relationship lies with the

submissive. Because the sub cedes all control, it’s up to the Dom to make sure all the

sub’s needs are being met. To give the sub what she—or he—wants.”


“What do you want?”


Bennett let his gaze slowly slide down to her cleavage, then back up to her mouth. “I

want to please you.”


Had any man ever said that to her?


“In that I’ll gain my own pleasure. But since you brought up my dual sides, I’ll

admit I’m not a switch very often. In fact, I’m the lone switch here right now. So if

you want to play tonight, I’m your only choice.”