"I don't expect it will be, at first. But that is why I am going to help you."

"Help me?"

"I shall train you to be mine, completely mine. One day, not too far from now, being mine will be as natural to you as breathing. You won't question yourself. You will simply obey me."

The oddest sensation leaped in her chest, up into her throat.

But she knew what it was.

Hope.

She could admit now that she had been fascinated by what Meeker had wanted from her. Her complete submission. But she'd been repulsed by his performance, unable to give herself to him in that way. She'd been able to admit the fear, the horror his methods had given her.

She had not, until this very moment, been able to admit the disappointment.

Goodness.

The revelation was a little disconcerting. It was as though layers of denial were falling away. She was seeing herself in a way she never had before.

"Easy, love." James put his lips to her neck. "We will go slow."

Delicious chills racked her.

"How will you punish me?" She needed to know.

"I might have you practice the harp."

"Oh, please no! I can no' tolerate the harp."

"You could sit on my bed, naked, and practice the harp for as long as pleased me."

"You can no' be serious."

"I am perfectly serious. I happen to find the harp soothing. I have certain favorite songs, and you will learn to play them-indeed, to excel at them."

"But I thought, I mean that you would..."

"That I would what? Spank you?"

Heated desire flooded her lower belly. "Yes, yes. That."

"I will. But I am serious about the harp as well. You need different kinds of discipline."

"Why?"

"Because you have a fine mind, one possessed of many talents, but you tend to be somewhat lazy with them. You know it, too; it makes you despise yourself at times."

She sucked in her breath, feeling suddenly naked in an entirely novel way. Her worst faults laid bare for another to see.

"But those rules?" she said, hearing her voice, all soft and girlish.

He put his hands on her hips.

She became aware that she had begun to roll her pelvis against his leg again. She was so wet, the sound was audible and luscious and indecent as she rubbed her sex on him.

"How about this-" He held her more firmly, stilling her. "I say you must be still and stop using my leg for your own shameless self-gratification."

She gave a gasping laugh. "Oh, not fair!" Another laugh escaped her. "And not very gentlemanly of you to mention it."

"Hush, you must be completely quiet as well. No impudence." He regarded her now with a stern expression.

It was easier to forget that they were playing. It sent a little leaping, half-anxious, half-excited sensation through her stomach.

He rolled her onto her back, somehow keeping his leg between her thighs. She was grateful for that. Her sex was afire and aching for the pressure he continued to give her by holding his thigh firmly to her sex.

"Hold perfectly still, and keep utterly quiet-not one gasp," he warned as he lowered his head.

The touch of his lips on her breast sent delight quivering through her. It took real effort to hold her body still. He cupped her other breast, squeezing it with increasing roughness.

She wanted his roughness.

The thrill that raced through her forced a tiny moan up in her throat. She swallowed it back and again, with extreme force of effort, kept herself still. His thumb grazed her nipple. The bud stiffened as though she stood in a cold breeze. He drew her other nipple into his mouth and sucked, lightly at first then stronger. Pure, honeyed pleasure pooled in her lower belly. The urge to grasp his head and press him closer, to beg him for more, threatened to overwhelm her.

She struggled to suppress those urges and to remain passive beneath him, accepting his lovemaking submissively as he had asked.

Then he bit at her nipple. A light yet sharp sensation, so unexpected, so thrilling that she cried out and arched her back.

He lifted his head and stared down at her, his eyes dilated as though with extreme desire. "Already, eh?" he said.

She lay with her mouth open, gaping at him, amazed that she had already failed.

That easily.

He chuckled softly, caressing both her breasts with his large hands, his thumbs grazing her hard-as-pebbles nipples.

"That was too easy for you," she said, not without some resentment. "I don't suppose I made it much fun for you."

He laughed. "You're inexperienced at this. You're actually quite inexperienced at sex in general, for that matter."

"Then you're going to give me quarter this time?" she asked, not sure whether to be grateful or disappointed.

"Certainly not. Training is training, even for a green girl such as yourself." He moved away from her and sat on the edge of the bed.

Delicious fear tingled through her.

He patted his lap, indicating that she ought to come there.

She stared at him, frozen in place. Afraid to do what he bade. Yet excited madly about the idea.

"Cat." This time there was an edge in his voice.

It sent thrills slamming into her pelvis.

It made her unable to even think of disobeying. If he was still playacting, well, he was a very good actor! She crawled to where he sat.

It was awkward.

He helped her, pulling her in place. Easily shifting her body on his lap.

As he moved, she was aware of his powerful, hard-muscled thighs. Of his large, strong hands.

"Put your hands flat on the floor," he said.

She obeyed and quickly saw how to balance herself. But she still felt awkward, a little embarrassed at the position. She couldn't help tensing. She had no idea what to expect with him.

He stroked her buttocks for a few moments.

She became aware of how vulnerable she was, how opened to his view, his touch.

"Ready?" he asked.

She sucked in her breath. "I am ready."

She wasn't at all sure she was ready...

But she had longed for this. She had to at least find out what it would be like.

He laid a swat on her buttocks. There was a slight sting. More of a shock that rocked through her. He set up a rhythm, slapping one cheek and then the other and then back again. The slight sting built into a tingling heat that was most...interesting. Thrilling. Tingling fire.

Tingling fire that spread straight to her sex. Her nub throbbed and her channel clenched hungrily. She was getting so wet. She wiggled against his thighs.

He gave her several more spanks.

It was just as titillating as she had ever imagined.

Naughty. Forbidden.

He struck her with more force. She gasped, more at the sharp sound. A stronger, more fiery burning sparked over her buttocks, the sensation flaring deep inside her sex, her belly. He struck her twice more, each time a little harder.

"Enough-for this first time." He stroked her heated flesh, reigniting the sting.

She caught her breath.

"Your arse is a lovely shade of pink, love." He traced his hand between her legs. "God, you are so wet."

She released her breath, her face heating as she realized he was quite correct.

She was dripping for him.

He slid a finger into her wetness and she clenched around it. He moved his finger and suddenly, inexplicably, her sex contracted and released again and again, an explosion of near painful pleasure. Despite the powerful release, she was still writhing, arching her pelvis against his thighs, begging him.

"Hush," he said, easing her from his lap. Picking her up and laying her on the bed.

He walked away and she cried out, softly.

"Hush," he said, returning to her. He held something in his hands.

Silk rope.

She began breathing very fast. "What is that?"

"Hush." He knelt by her on the bed, taking her hands, pulling them above her head. Tying them together.

"I don't know..."

He paused and looked her in the eyes. "You want to halt?"

Something hot and dark and forbidden pooled deep in her stomach. She had longed for this. Would she allow last-moment fears, baseless fears, to prevent her from experiencing what she wanted most of all from him?

She shook her head.

"Say the words."

"I want to continue."

"I am going to tie you up, very simply this time. I am just binding your hands above your head. I want you to become used to the idea. The feelings." He gave the rope a slight tug. "There, see for yourself."

She pulled at her hands. They were bound firmly together, however, she could still move her arms somewhat. She could have brought them in front of her instead of leaving them above her head.

But she felt more vulnerable with them above her head.

And that vulnerability aroused her more than anything ever had in her life. Her breath came in little pants. Her nub beat like a second heart. And she was wetter than ever.

He took her legs and parted them, holding them apart, giving her no choice but to be spread wide to his view. "I am just going to take you this time. I am going to allow you to experience what it is like to be taken whilst you are bound. Whilst your arse is burning from my hand."

She swallowed and nodded.

"Tell me that you understand."

"I understand."

He pushed himself into her.

She was so wet that he slid to the hilt swiftly.

He groaned and then began thrusting, still holding her legs firmly, shifting her body to suit his desires. "You're here to serve my needs, do you understand?"

"Yes," she said, remembering to speak and not to nod.