The worry had eased from his expression,but I could tell that it was weighing on him. “I had fun playing with you theother day, but I wanted to make sure we would really work before I took thatstep.”
I forced my body to relax back in the seat.He needed to see I wasn’t upset, not just hear the words. I wasn’t sure if itwas a Dom thing or just something about Simon but he seemed to rely on bodylanguage more than words.
As I watched him, now looking relaxed andnot just saying it, he smiled and his hand came up to touch my face again.“I’ve been looking forward to tonight since we made plans Sunday.”
Leaning into his touch felt a bit silly atfirst, but the way his body responded and the scent of his desire said he likedit. And if he liked it, maybe showing my submission in little ways like thatwasn’t ridiculous.
“At first I was pretty sure it would beterrible, but you’ve proven me wrong.” I scoffed when he laughed. “What? You’dprefer that I lie?”
“Absolutely not.” He slowly unbuckled hisseat belt and inched closer. “One of my favorite parts of your wonderfullyinteresting personality is your unfailing honesty.”
I’d never had a man say that was hisfavorite part of me.
It was usually my ass.
No one appreciated honesty or goodsarcastic wit any longer.
“You’re aware of how very strange you are,right?” I didn’t feel bad about the question, especially when he started tolaugh.
“Yes.” He shrugged like it was no big deal.“Living up to everyone else’s idea of being normal can be exhausting. So Iavoid it whenever possible.”
I couldn’t argue with that.
“Then what about my kiss?” I wanted to makesure we felt right together before we continued. Just because he knew how toget me off didn’t mean he’d know how to kiss. Those were two very differentskills.
He inched closer but still didn’t kiss me.“Does this mean that you want the rest of the evening to be about exploring theBDSM side of things? If a date is usually ended with a kiss, does the scenestart next?”
He asked entirely too many questions.
There was a perverse part of me that wantedto wait him out and see what he would do, but I was a bit worried he’d win…andthat was the last thing I wanted.
“Yes.” Admitting that took a weight off myshoulders I hadn’t realized was there. “I want to explore that side of thiswith you.”
I might not be able to say I loved the guyor anything like that, but there was something about him that pulled at me. Iwanted to see what would happen between us. I’d met a lot of guys who flirtedand teased with omegas like Austin or even Wade when he was looking sweet andshy, but never me.
I got practical offers for dinner or forfinancial mergers that would require a contract and rings if I was amicable tothat archaic symbol. Shit. If anything got close to looking like a realrelationship over the past few years, the guy was usually borderline insane.
Austin attracted drama, but I attractedassholes with mental illnesses.
Simon’s fingers trailed softly down mycheek. “I don’t want any misunderstandings here. When we go in, you want tobegin exploring BDSM together?”
When I nodded, he continued. “You want meto take control of the rest of our evening? And you know that your safewordsstop everything?”
“A lack of good experience does not implyI’m uneducated.” I raised one eyebrow when he smirked. “I understand that in ahealthy BDSM…partnership, I’m choosing to submit and asking you to take thecontrol I relinquish.”
He chuckled and finally closed the gapbetween us. As his lips brushed mine, I expected him to deepen the kiss, but hepulled back just enough to smile again. “Do you have any idea how turned on youmake me when you’re in an asshole mood and trying to pretend you’re not dyingto throw yourself at me and beg for a spanking?”
“Ass—” Before I could finish, he cut me offwith another kiss. That time it was heated and passionate. He nibbled at mylips before taking it deeper, stroking his tongue against mine. When he finallypulled back, we were both breathless. I was ready to curl into him, but hesmiled.
“You are the most fascinating, sexy,intelligent man I’ve ever met.” Then he gave me a peck on the lips. “Thank youfor a wonderful first date, but I have to admit, I’m looking forward to therest of our evening just as much.”
Would I be too much of a dick if I said I’dbeen looking forward to this part more?
Probably.
“I’m an ass, but this is the part I’ve beenwaiting for.” I shrugged when he chuckled. “I can get good conversation andattention from the guys. Austin loves going out to dinner and Wade is goodcompany, but this connection and being able to let everything go is something Ican’t get from them.”
Surprisingly, he gave me another quickkiss. “I like knowing you’ll get something from me that no one else can giveyou. It keeps it from feeling like a competition.”
