Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten #2)(49)

She kicked off her flats and crossed the space between them. “I don’t do a lot of lap sitting. Should I call you ‘Sir’ or something?”

His eyes narrowed slightly. “Tell me you don’t read those books. Every bloody sub I know reads those books. They’re not like real life. In real life dungeons are in someone’s creepy basement. Well, unless they’re owned by multimillionaires or men who spend way too much money on dungeons.”

Oh, she would like to see one of those. “Do you play in someone’s creepy basement dungeon?”

His eyes lit up. “Not at all. I’m going to admit I know way too many of the multimillionaire types. I’ve done most of my play in lavish dungeons, but I get in because it’s part of my employment package. The multimillionaires often need security. I’m good at my job, and many of the men and women at the firm I work for are involved in the lifestyle, so they’re happy to give us access. You would be surprised at the high-powered people who enjoy playing.”

She moved in, awkwardly settling herself onto his lap, but when his arms went around her she felt her whole body relax. He was like a warm blanket, covering and surrounding her. “It doesn’t surprise me at all. Sex is an excellent way to relieve stress, and having rules and protocols would be attractive to type A personalities. I know I’ve thought about it. But I have to admit, the creepy dungeon might be fun, too.”

His lips curled up in that smirk she was coming to adore. “You might not have to wait long. Robert will likely find a house soon and start converting his basement. There’s a pervert for ya. Love him like a brother, but he’s got his quirks.”

“Do you have quirks?” She loved being so close to him. This was what they’d missed in their single encounter. They’d had all the talking and getting to know one another. Because of the nature of their location and the specifics of their situation, it could possibly have subbed for two or three dates’ worth of getting to know each other. They’d had the incredibly hot sex. But they hadn’t had the sensuality of touching and caressing and kissing before the hot sex. There was something tender about sitting in his lap, listening to the deep rumble of his voice.

“A couple,” he admitted. He looked content. His body was relaxed, as though he genuinely loved being exactly where he was. “I don’t talk about my past much. I prefer to look to the future. Couple of things you should know. I’ve never been married. Haven’t had a steady girlfriend in a long time. I work too much, drink too much.”

“I work too much,” she replied, liking his openness. “I hide too much, too. I get lost in routine. I could explain why. It’s got to do with the primal brain and comfort, but that’s also the part of the brain where addiction forms. Addiction can be to more than drugs and alcohol. It can be to patterns of behavior that hurt us. I’m worried I’m getting addicted to not feeling things.”

His hand slid up her hip. “Like pain?”

“Like anything.” It felt good to talk about it. She couldn’t with her coworkers and she didn’t want to worry her family, but this was something she’d thought about for a long time. “I feel like sometimes I’m not present at all. Even when I’m with my dad, I’m thinking about work. I’m glancing at the clock and wondering when I can go back because in that lab I don’t have to be anything but a doctor looking for a cure.”

“All right, then. Here you don’t have to be anything but a woman.” His other hand found her knee. “When we’re playing, you’re to let everything else go and concentrate on pleasing me. I’m going to do the same thing. When we agree we’re in a session, nothing else intrudes. You’re my only focus and I’m yours.”

That was exactly what she wanted. When they were together, they were together. When they weren’t, they were friends. He would be her retreat. “I assure you I’m wholly focused on you, Owen. But I would like to know the rules. I’d like to talk about them. I’m one of those people who likes to know what’s expected. I might or might not behave, but I don’t want to be caught off guard.”

That hand of his moved higher on her leg. “No high protocol and curse me all you like. For me that’s not a sign of disrespect. I’m a Dom because I like it, because I’m wired to take control, not because I need respect. If I do something you’re scared of or you find distasteful, tell me you’re yellow. I’ll stop and we’ll talk. If I hurt you in a way that doesn’t enhance your pleasure, you tell me red and it stops then and there. I’ll back off and I won’t touch you again until you’re comfortable.”

It struck her that he was offering her the best of all worlds. He would take control, but only until she didn’t want him to. She could explore how pain and pleasure and control intermingled and enhanced the sexual experience, but in the safest of ways. And he wasn’t an asshole about it. She’d read somewhere some dominant partners wouldn’t let their submissives touch them without permission. He wouldn’t do that to her. She wasn’t sure why she knew that, but she did. It made her bold, let her reach up and gently scrape her palm across his scruff. Sexy scruff.

She could swear that man purred for her.

“Affection will go a long way with me, love.” His eyes closed briefly as she rubbed a hand over his cheek and down to his neck. When they came open again she would have sworn she’d never seen blue eyes that hot before. “We’re starting now. Are you feeling all right about it?”