His word seemed to slowly reach past her suddenly erected walls of protection and she finally raised her gaze to his, although it was a very tentative movement.

"We can save that discussion for another time when you're more comfortable." He resisted the urge to reach out and lift her chin so she would meet his gaze. "But we will have to eventually discuss it so we can make sure nothing we do here will make your trauma any worse."

She nodded once, still refusing to meet his gaze. But her fists slowly unfurled and he watched her confidence slowly rebuild, layer by layer.

"I don't like to play in groups, especially large groups." As her tentative voice reached out to him she finally raised her gaze. "And although I'm interested in being trussed up and at a Dom's mercy like I saw in the main lobby dungeon, I might need to take that slow. Watching them, I could almost imagine myself in that situation, but I'm not sure how I would react to it, or if it would freak me out that I had no power. I think it would depend on the Dom."

Brent nodded, biting back the words to tell her that he would be that Dom, and she would enjoy every minute. He was pleased that she was finally openly discussing her wants and limits and didn't want to spook her into retreating again. He could work with the limits she'd mentioned to try to get her to articulate more. He made note of them, and then looked up to find her watching him as if waiting for his reaction to her preferences.

"What else turns you on to watch that you think you'd enjoy trying out, or that you know you would enjoy?"

Her jaw firmed, as if she were clenching her teeth to make sure no words escaped before she could carefully evaluate them.

He wanted to take her in hand and start helping her discover what she enjoyed and what she didn't, but forced himself to try the less hands-on approach first. "You said you were interested in being restrained and at the mercy of a Dom you're comfortable with, but you're not sure how you would react. Have you ever tried spreader bars or restraints in any fashion?"

"Master Scott did use some basic hand restraints and blindfolds. He also used spreader bars a few times, and the way he used them was t.i.tillating and arousing. He had even started to introduce me to light swatting with a flogger. But..."

Brent clenched his fists against the urge to walk around the desk and gather her into his arms, stroking her to pleasure again and showing her she could feel safe telling him her story. But he stopped himself, knowing from her reaction that she wasn't yet ready to spill all the details. He'd have to go slowly and pull the information out of her in stages.

"When Diego used them you weren't comfortable?" His blood raged, and he wanted nothing more than to have his fingers around Diego's throat. Instead, he took a deep breath and made a valiant effort not to look murderous, although he definitely still felt that way.

She nodded and he quickly changed the subject, not wanting her to retreat so far that she couldn't discuss this subject at all. He had to understand more about her limits, and he got the impression she needed to articulate them, so he would have to probe gently. "So spreader bars and possibly some restraints as long as there is trust and a slower pace might be all right?" He glanced up to gauge her reaction before he made a note to that effect on the paper in front of him.

"Are you all right with intercourse during a scene or at the culmination of a scene?"

At her suddenly dark expression he added, "As long as you aren't pushed, and the Dom pays attention to your nonverbal clues, as well as your safe words and stated limits?"

"Yes." Relief was evident in her voice, which was now a little stronger. "Under those circ.u.mstances and with a condom I would welcome full intercourse."

Condom use was fairly common practice, and here at Club Desire it was the rule on the dungeon floor even for collared subs and their monogamous Doms.

But he knew that wasn't always followed religiously in other clubs. And apparently it wasn't at Mason's if Sandra felt the need to state that as a stipulation. Brent remembered in college that when Mason had taken him to his first dungeon, Mason hadn't always used condoms during his play sessions, and it hadn't been required at that particular dungeon. Although in the past decade more and more clubs were making that a rule. Brent firmly believed it was a necessary one.

"All right. We'll explore a little more of your limits as time goes on."

Her pink tongue darted out to taste her full bottom lip, and heat streaked through him as he realized he had said "we," as in the two of them together would explore her limits. He couldn't regret the slip of the tongue, and Sandra didn't look like she minded, so he moved on with what he'd been about to say. "Let's discuss some mundane business. What's your address?" He poised the pen over that line on her information sheet.

"I don't have a place yet. For now I'm staying with a friend from high school. But I can't infringe on her hospitality for too long." She blew out a slow breath, her expression showing she was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed. "I need to find a job and either pay her rent or find my own place."

Brent's lips tightened into a hard line. A friend from high school. He would need to tell Sandra who he was before he ever met her roommate. Although, unless the friend came to the club or frequented the kink or fetish scene, it was unlikely they would meet. Besides, anyone who knew him in high school would be hard pressed to recognize him now. Satisfied that it wasn't yet the right time to tell Sandra the truth, he moved on. "What's her address?"

Sandra pulled a cell phone out of a deep pocket in the side of her skirt before reading off the address to him.

He noted it, and then asked for Sandra's cell number and added that to her profile.

"Emergency contact information?"

She looked distinctly uncomfortable for a moment as if searching for someone to list in that capacity, but then her expression cleared and she straightened and lifted her chin. "I don't have any family, so use my roommate, Mich.e.l.le Emery."

Brent nodded. He remembered Mich.e.l.le. She had always been quiet and ran in the popular crowd with Sandra. She had been peripherally aware of him, but he didn't think they'd ever spoken during the entire four years of high school. Which had been rare for the more popular kids. Most of them had gone out of their way to spew their disapproval on him purely for being an outcast and not enough like them to be one of the popular kids. But not Sandra, and not Mich.e.l.le.

"What type of work are you looking for?" he asked, wondering if any of his contacts could be of use in this situation.

She cleared her throat. "I have a bachelor's degree in Business from NYU. I've worked on and off for different companies as an office manager. When I finally decided to leave New York and come back to Phoenix, I gave notice and got the h.e.l.l out of there." A dark shadow crossed her expression and she blew out a long breath before continuing. "I had spent six long months dealing with...well, it was time for me to leave, and I figured I could find a job here doing something similar, but the Phoenix job market seems rather tight right now."

Brent filed through his mental Rolodex and nodded to show Sandra he had heard her as some likely names came to mind. "I have a few contacts who are always looking for talent in that area. If it's all right with you, I can give them a call on Monday and see if any are looking for an office manager or something similar."

Her throat worked as if she were deciding what to say. "I'd appreciate it if it's not too much trouble."

He pulled a notepad closer and jotted down a note, even though he knew he wouldn't forget one bit of their conversation, or any nuance of her entire time spent here tonight. He'd always had the natural ability to remember minute details. It had served him well in business, but sometimes wreaked havoc on his personal life since he could relive every moment of things like his tormented high school existence. He returned his attention to Sandra.

"No trouble at all. I'll call you when I know more. Until then, perhaps you'd like to come back tomorrow night and meet the rest of the Doms? I'm sure you'd like to get to know them and see if you click with any of them enough to feel comfortable playing some scenes." He took deep breaths against the urge to tell her she wouldn't be playing any scenes with anyone but him.

She would make her own choice, and he would let her.

Even to himself that didn't sound very convincing.

He glanced down, realizing his fingers were curled into tight fists and he was close to breaking the fountain pen he still clutched between his fingers.

She cleared her throat in what sounded like a self-conscious gesture. "I would enjoy meeting the other Doms, and I'm not sure if it's even an option, but I've already clicked with you, and I think I would enjoy playing some scenes with you."

Brent's blood surged. She had asked specifically for him, and he now had no reason to disagree. "I'm honored, Sandra." He forced himself to treat this situation exactly like he would with any other sub, and he switched out of his Dungeon Master role and into his Dom mode effortlessly. "As I said before, I encourage honest feedback from my subs. If I push you too hard or too fast, I expect you to yellow or red until you decide on more personal safe words. And then we'll discuss in aftercare if any of your limits need to be updated. I also expect you to take good care of yourself. Make sure you eat and rest before you come to the dungeon, and don't come here at all if you're not feeling well."

He watched her as he spoke, and her features relaxed as if a heavy weight had suddenly been lifted off her shoulders. "Are we clear?"

When she didn't answer, he reminded himself that he couldn't punish her like he would his other subs. Spanking her wasn't an option at this juncture, but he would find other effective ways. "Sandra?" he snapped, and captured her gaze as she looked up to meet his. "When I ask you a question I expect an answer. Are we clear?" He put unmistakable command in his voice.

She raised her chin and a small smile played at the edges of her lips. "Yes, sir. I'm sorry, sir. I hadn't expected to find such a strong connection to a Dom on my very first night. In fact I wasn't even sure I'd be granted membership."

He walked around the desk to stand in front of her.

Her pupils dilated and her lips parted as she openly stared at his c.o.c.k, which was now at eye level. He could tell she wanted to reach out and touch him, and he smiled. He had found his effective means of punishment when needed. He had also found an incentive for her. He wondered if she'd had punishments for behavior violations from Master Scott before he left. Brent wouldn't even consider Diego a proper Dom.

"Let's begin. Were you ever asked to a.s.sume a submissive position and wait?"

"It's been a while." She looked sheepish, glancing up at him from under her lashes.

"When I tell you to a.s.sume that position I expect you to get on the floor like you were on all fours and then lean back and sit on your calves with your knees spread. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir." Her breathing became deeper and slightly faster.

"Good, and when you come to the dungeon floor make sure you aren't wearing anything that you don't want ripped or stained. Also don't wear anything flowing or too tight fitting that will get in the way of our play. Understood?"

"Yes sir. What would you like me to wear, sir?"

Brent reveled in her easy acceptance of him as her Dom, and in the fact that she was his, at least for their playtime in the dungeon. And until she decided if she'd like to play with more than one Dom, he reminded himself.

He clenched his jaw against telling her there would be no other Dom. He hadn't completely lost his control. Any sub he took on deserved his best protection for her highest good, and if it was for Sandra's highest good to split her playtime between him and another Dom or several other Doms, he wouldn't discourage her.

"A thong and tank top, or even nothing at all would be best for our purposes." He watched her frown at his last suggestion and added, "Although you need to decide what you're most comfortable with. If you prefer something else within those limits, we'll work with it. But if you choose shorts or a short skirt or something like that, don't bother with any panties underneath. You won't need them, and you certainly won't be wearing them long."

"Yes, sir." Her expression looked nothing short of ravenous, and it made his b.a.l.l.s tighten and his c.o.c.k jerk to see her staring up at him like that. He took a deep breath and mentally shook himself. He couldn't let her shatter his concentration and control like this. It wouldn't be good for either of them. But no other sub and no other woman had ever affected him like this, and while he couldn't regret that his fantasies regarding Sandra were about to come true-at least some of them-he knew playing with her would test every bit of discipline he'd worked to develop over the years to fulfill his duties as her Dom.

"a.s.sume your submissive position and wait. I'll be right back."

He took the opportunity to go into the restroom that connected with his office through a door in the back corner. He quickly changed out of his dress slacks and dress shirt and into the leather pants and black T-shirt that he wore on the dungeon floor during play.

When he returned to his office Sandra was on the floor in the submissive position he'd outlined, and wore only her thin bra. He fisted his hands to keep from grabbing her. He needed to do this right.

"You've been a good sub. I think it's time for a small reward."

She looked up at him, surprise flashing across her features.

"A reward, sir?"

Her voice was so tentative, he wondered if she'd only been given punishments in her other play sessions. He would have to talk to Mason about his club's philosophies and oversight. Very few people could speak to Mason in such a way about his club and retain his friendship, but Brent knew he was on that short list.

"Sandra, I've caught you several times staring at my c.o.c.k. What were you thinking about doing with it if given the chance?"

She sucked in a breath as she met his gaze. "Sir, I wanted to stroke it, to rub my thumb over the tip to feel the creamy wetness of the pre-come there. To take it in my mouth and down my throat, to see what you taste like."

Brent adjusted his stance as his c.o.c.k twitched and his b.a.l.l.s tightened hard against his body at the erotic picture she painted.

Apparently her rewards would be his, and her punishments would also be his.

"Then you'll have to remember to be on very good behavior if you want to have all of that."

"Yes, sir." Her face shone with happiness and her tongue darted out to moisten her full bottom lip, making Brent wish he could take her right here on the floor.

But not only did she deserve better, she needed to be eased into things, and he wanted the first time he took her to be something she would always remember. Something that had taken her higher than she'd ever gone.

"For now, how about we start with you taking my c.o.c.k out and stroking it. You are allowed to explore, but not to taste...yet. Do you understand your limits?"

She nodded and reached for him, and after a telling long second she dropped her hand back to her side. "Yes, sir."

"Good, Sandra. Very good. You may continue."

Chapter 7.

Sandra swallowed hard. She reached out slowly and laid her hand over the large bulge at the front of Master Brent's leather pants. Even through the smooth material she could feel the heat pulsing off the hard outline of his c.o.c.k.

Her mouth watered and she had to forcibly remind herself she couldn't taste him. At least not yet. But that was just more incentive to learn how to be his sub, and learn it quickly.

She slipped open the b.u.t.ton on his pants and then slowly pulled down Master Brent's zipper. The metal slid effortlessly open and gave her a better view of the cloth-covered bulge that outlined his erection.

She glanced up to find him watching her.

Heat seared through her at the raw hunger in his steady gaze. Reluctantly breaking that contact, she returned her attention to her task. She slid her fingers inside the fly of the boxer briefs and sucked in a breath at the hot, firm feel of him.

Her mouth watered as she tried to imagine what Master Brent tasted like. She'd found that she really enjoyed having a nice, hard c.o.c.k in her mouth. The spicy or even sweet and salty taste bursting over her tongue, and the thrust of it in her throat as she took all that was offered, always made her p.u.s.s.y ache to be filled. And now even the thought of all of that with Master Brent had the same effect, only more intense.

d.a.m.n, she really needed to come again. But not willing to risk a punishment, she took a breath and firmed her resolve to be the best sub Master Brent had ever had.

She explored his thick length, stroking him as much as she could within the confines of his open pants and his boxer briefs. "You have a very nice c.o.c.k, sir. I can imagine having it inside me...in several different scenarios."

Impossibly, he hardened further in her hand as she continued to stroke him. She glanced up to find his intense blue gaze on her and lost herself in the command she saw there. Only then did she look back at his c.o.c.k and allow herself to trace her thumb up and over the wide tip to find the drop of creamy pre-come she had known would be there.

She thrilled at the slick warmth of it and took a moment to enjoy spreading it over the swollen head and causing a rumbling sound of need in the back of Master Brent's throat.

Her entire body ached, and she reached down with her free hand to stroke her c.l.i.t as she continued to slide her hand up and down his thick shaft.

Master Brent leaned forward and closed his hand over hers and pulled it away from him.

Confusion churned, and she glanced up to find his stern expression pinning her in place.

"Did I give you permission to touch your c.l.i.t?"

Her mind raced, and she huffed as she realized she'd overstepped her permissions, quickly followed by the knowledge that she wasn't cringing away from Master Brent's punishments as she had with Diego. She trusted him to take care of her. "No, sir. I'm sorry, sir. I got caught up in the moment."

He nodded. "You'll learn to stay within your bounds. You'll learn that when you do I will always take care of your needs. Remember that."

She blew out a slow breath as disappointment arrowed deep. She badly needed to come, but knew that she would now have to wait until she got back to Mich.e.l.le's apartment and went to bed. Her p.u.s.s.y clenched at the loss of what could have happened tonight, but she consoled herself that there would be many other nights. Many more possibilities, and she vowed to learn to be the best sub Master Brent could ever hope for. She would be so good at it that he would forget every other sub he had ever played with.

"Sandra?" Master Brent's voice was laced with both concern and censure, and Sandra realized she'd let herself become distracted. "Yes, sir. I'm sorry again, sir." She scrambled to remember the last thing he'd said...that he would always take care of her needs if she was a good sub. She thrilled at the thought. "Yes, sir. I will definitely remember that."

"It's time for our play to end, and for you to rest. Will you be here at the Club tomorrow night?"

She nodded quickly, hoping she didn't look too needy or desperate, even though she was feeling both right now.

"I'll see you tomorrow then." He zipped up, and a sharp stab of disappointment a.s.saulted her.

He tapped her gently on the end of the nose and she couldn't help but smile. Master Brent seemed to always know when she needed to smile. "Don't forget to eat and take care of yourself, and bring back the contract with any questions. I'll meet you in the locker room waiting area tomorrow evening at seven?"

She thought about the day she had planned-laundry and cleaning house-her payment to Mich.e.l.le for letting her stay there until she found a job. She had also promised to make lasagna. She could do all of that and be here by seven p.m. to meet Master Brent. She nodded up at him with antic.i.p.ation churning through her. "Yes, sir."

Master Brent nodded, reached into his desk drawer, and pulled out a combination lock and a small slip of paper before laying it in her palm and closing her fingers over it.

"Stand up and come here."

Sandra pushed up from the floor and straightened in front of him.