Private Delights

Chapter 14 continued...

 Hard footsteps sounded on the carpeted hallway and Joanne ducked into one of the ladies rooms on that side of the building. Hiding in a stall wasn’t cool, but the only way to escape questioning.

 The main door remained shut and she relaxed enough to leave the stall and dry her tears. Once composed, she stepped out into the corridor.

Derek’s big body propped up the wall across the hall.

She stopped short, not sure what to say and wondering why he was so obviously waiting for her.

He pushed his body off the wall and turned with a sharp, “Follow.”

With that tone of voice, how could she not?

A swipe of his keycard popped the door’s lock. He held open the door to a private playroom and ushered her inside.

“Why were you hiding?”

Oh, no, he was not going to Dom her into giving him everything and sharing nothing of himself. “Why did you come to my house last night?”

His stare unnerved her. Heat crept up her chest and across her cheeks, a physical reminder of what she wanted from him.

“On your knees, Joanne.”

“No.” She stood her ground, unwilling to forget the conversation she’d overheard. If he was leaving, she wanted the words to come from him.

"When are you leaving?”

“What are you talking about?”

Liar. She wouldn’t let him lie to her. “I heard you. Your conversation with Master Mark was loud enough that it was probably heard in the back parking lot. Tell me.”

Hands on hips, she waited while he stared.

The quick snatch at her arm put her off balance and he spun her around to capture both hands behind her back. Too strong for her to resist, he controlled her wrists with one hand and reached for a nearby drawer. Something soft wrapped around her wrists and tightened until she couldn’t separate her hands.

“Let me go.”

“Do not tell me no, Joanne.” The voice in her ear was dark, lusty, and urgent. “You are mine. Don’t forget that fact. Submit to me or use your safe word.”

The word hung on the tip of her tongue but she refused to give it voice. If he left her, she’d have this moment to remember afterward. If this was all he could give her, she’d take and cherish it. She bit back a reply but writhed in his grip. She wouldn’t make it easy for him.

“Eavesdropping isn’t a good idea. You might hear things you shouldn’t.” A tug on the short length of leather between her wrists pulled her back against him. “On your knees or use your safe word.”

 With only two choices, she went to her knees.

Derek stood before her and growled deep in his throat when she met his eyes.

“I expect submission, Joanne. Don’t make me wait. I’m not in the mood to go easy on you.”

She dropped her chin and waited. The pressure of his hand on her crown soothed more than it hurt, but the tension in his body put her on edge. Something bothered him enough to want to leave and she didn’t know how to help him.

He paced around her, a touch here, a touch there, while she waited for a word or a clue as to his intentions. He stopped behind her and she drew in a rough breath. Fear of the unknown was more powerful than the fear of a man she trusted. In this moment, she feared more for Derek and what was happening in his head than what he would do to her.

 

“Will you obey, or will you use that word? Tell me.”

 

“I will obey, Master.”

“You will not run from me.”

She quivered, her heart a sharp thump in her chest at every command. The change in his demeanor had her off center and confused while she tried to figure out what he wanted from her.

“No, Master.”

“Joanne. Look at me.”

His hand swept over her shoulder and lifted her hair, wrapping his hand in the locks. ”Joanne.”

His sandpaper over velvet voice sent a shiver down her spine. Something had happened last night, but she didn’t have a clue as to what. The pressure on her scalp increased and she lifted her chin to look into his eyes. They were dark, rich with emotion and bald need.

“I’m yours, Master.”

 

His fingers dug into her scalp and she stood ready for whatever he had in mind.