Carefully, she moved her hand behind Natalya’s back, where she knew the marks continued. The act made her lean closer to Natalya. Made Evie’s breasts brush against hers. As was her intention.
Natalya looked amused. “I thought I wore you out.”
“I don’t mean me.” She turned fully around, leaning against Natalya. “You.”
Natalya’s expression turned serious again. “Evie, you don’t have to.”
“I know. I want to.” Evie stopped, suddenly remembering what Natalya had said. She hadn’t been with anyone like she’d been with Evie, not since before she was bound by that Whitlock man. And while bound, she’d been…
Evie remembered all too vividly the fears that had consumed her own thoughts about feeling the touch of another. Memories that were cold and sharp and painful. Even with Natalya, the first time, Evie had to stop her when the present intersected with her memories.
She quickly leaned away. “Not if you don’t want to. I didn’t mean to push you. I just wanted…”
She didn’t know what shewantedother than to give Natalya some of the same pleasure she’d given Evie. She hadn’t thought of what that could mean until just then.
“Why do you want to?” Natalya’s eyes were narrowed. Suspicious.
“I don’t know…” Evie looked away, embarrassed and searching for the words that matched what she was feeling. Calm, safe, and filled with an indescribable warmth. She yearned to dosomethingfor Natalya, not because she was expected to, but because she would delight in making her happy.
“I want to make you feel good too.”
“You’re very sweet.” Natalya stroked Evie’s cheek. “But I don’t need anything. Having you submit like you just did… That was plenty.”
“Yeah, but…” Evie tried to find the words to communicate what she meant. She managed to locate some, but she wasn’t sure they were entirely right. “Is it that you don’tneedto or that you don’twantto?”
Natalya tilted her head. She regarded Evie with newfound interest, looking her over intently.
“You’re keen on pleasing me. Aren’t you?”
Evie nodded. Maybe a bit too eagerly by how Natalya smiled. It was a brief thing.
“It’s been a long time since anyone has touched me like that. Know that the safe words I gave you are mine as well. If I use them, I expect you to honor them. Understand?”
“I understand,” Evie said.
Natalya’s brow furrowed, her eyes glinting and hard. It was shocking how fast her energy could change. How easily she invoked her chosen honorific.
Evie’s breathing quickened. Shelikedthat energy.
“I understand, Mistress.”
Natalya let out a satisfied hum. She leaned in close, leaving a light kiss on Evie’s lips, and the touch produced a surge of alertness. Everything became more noticeable, more detailed. Every feeling sharper and more enhanced.
Natalya glanced at the foot of the bed. “Get on the floor.”
A spark of excitement rushed through Evie’s body at the change of tone. Stern, commanding, confident. It was like the air in the room changed with Natalya’s demeanor.
Evie was still worn out, so getting to the floor was a slow affair. Natalya moved to sit at the edge of the bed. She threw a pillow at her feet, and Evie knelt on it.
“You want to please me.” Natalya trailed her foot along the side of Evie’s thigh, making her skin tingle. “Consider this a reward for being so sweet. I’m going to let you do what you want. Let you touch me anywhere.”
A teasing smirk returned to Natalya’s face. “Anywhere you can reach, that is. As long as you remain on your knees.”
If Evie sat down fully, she would be eye-height with Natalya’s stomach. If she rose herself up, she would be by Natalya’s chest.
“I may guide you or tell you where to go. If I do, I expect you to follow my directives.” Natalya trailed her foot up to Evie’s waist. “You look pretty when you’re on your knees. You look even prettier with that pleading look in your eyes.”
The words made Evie’s cheeks go warm. She had been staring at Natalya, feeling an eagerness to touch her she hoped hadn’t been visible on her face.
