Destined for the Dom (Masters of Submission, #2)(9)

“I want you to feel at ease here, Zo?.” He could sense she was becoming apprehensive. “Your happiness is very important to me. I want you to feel relaxed. This is your home from now on, Peaches.”

She nodded as she looked anxiously around. He guessed it was a lot to take in. “Come, I’ll show you to your room.” He took hold of her hand, and led her back to the stairs.

On the first floor, he pointed to several more doors. “Those are all bedrooms. You can choose whichever one you want, but I suggest you take this one.” He twisted the door handle. “It has a balcony leading to a small yard.” He stared into her beautiful green eyes, judging her response. “It’s totally private, and great for naked sunbathing.”

Zo?’s eyes widened as he pushed the door fully open, and beckoned her into the pale-blue room. All the colors in his home had been chosen to create a feeling of peace and tranquility, something in short supply during his time in the Marines. This was one of his favorite rooms.

“It’s beautiful, Hunter. I’m gonna take your advice, I pick this room.”

“Good, girl. I’ll help you get your things from the car.”

As they walked down the hallway, she asked, “So where’s your room, Hunter?”

“That’s mine down there.” The large oak-paneled door to his room stood like a barrier across the end of the hallway.

“Aren’t you gonna show me?”

“Curious aren’t you?”

“I’m a woman, of course I’m curious. I just want to see what your room’s like, that’s all.”

“Why?” he asked, a knowing grin spread across his face.

“I’m just being nosy, Hunter, nothing else. If you don’t want to show it to me, that’s just fine.”

He took a deep breath. “Very well, since you won’t rest until I do.” He led her down the hallway, and slowly opened the large oak door. Hovering on the threshold, Zo? just peered inside. “Go in if you dare, little girl,” he teased.

She shook her head. “No. I’m just fine right here, thank you.” She nodded appreciatively as she tentatively scanned the room from the doorway. “Very tasteful.”

“You like the colors?”

“Yeah, I like the way you have that restful green on the walls. It’s very soothing.”

She turned and smiled at him, and he realized the color was almost the same shade as her beautiful green eyes. Had he chosen it subliminally?

Zo? began walking back down the hallway. “Right then, I’d better start unpacking.” She paused at another door. One he hadn’t mentioned. “So what’s through here?”

“Nothing, that’s private.”

“Private, oh?” Her hand clasped around the door handle, and she flashed him a smile.

“Zo?, I’m warning you.” Before he could stop her, she’d pushed open the door and flicked the light switch.

He guessed she’d been disappointed that his bedroom was so ordinary, and figured as a Dom, he’d have something more exciting hidden away. He watched her come to a complete and sudden standstill.


“Hunter, it looks like a dungeon.”

“I prefer to call it my playroom.”

She glanced in his direction. “Is this where you practice your D/s lifestyle?”

“Sometimes.” He’d forgotten, Zo? always did have a way of finding out his most intimate secrets. As a teenager, and to his acute embarrassment, she’d always been able to prize them from him. But he wasn’t a kid anymore. He felt proud of who he was and what he’d achieved. Instead of running away, like most women who’d enjoyed an easy life would have, she moved further into the room.

The playroom was designed to his exacting standards. Painted in dark red and black, the walls featured ornate ironwork torches. They flickered eerily, casting their authentic-looking shadows over the walls. Their menacing glow created exactly the atmosphere he was looking for, when entertaining a sub.

“So much kinky stuff, Hunter.” Zo?’s fingers began skimming across the pieces of bondage furniture that filled the playroom. She grinned at him, and he knew she was teasing.

“So how does this one work?” Her fingers glanced across the sawhorse, as her eyes connected mischievously with his.

Hunter folded his arms across his chest, and leaned back against the wall. “I think you’re intelligent enough to come up with a few ideas of your own. After all you weren’t born yesterday, Zo?.”

“And this?” She touched the bondage table, with thick leather straps attached to each leg. A large naughty grin developed on her face as she smoothed a hand over the display of whips and crops that hung from the walls. “I see you like to choose your weapon of submission. You have an impressive collection, Hunter.”

He wagged a finger at her. “You are a naughty, naughty girl, Peaches. Keep pushing, and you’re gonna find yourself in a lot more hot water than you bargained for.”

“Mmm, promises.” She stood by the St. Andrew’s cross, and spread herself over the wooden structure, exactly mirroring the large X with her arms and legs. “Is this how it works?” she asked, already knowing the answer. Her beautiful elfin face looked a picture of innocence, but underneath, she was anything but. Maybe it was time to give the little tease a taste of her own medicine.