Total pages in book: 767
Estimated words: 732023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3660(@200wpm)___ 2928(@250wpm)___ 2440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 732023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3660(@200wpm)___ 2928(@250wpm)___ 2440(@300wpm)
Alena swung her legs to the floor and stood.
He closed his eyes, as if he didn’t want to watch her walk away.
Alena straddled his legs, knees beside his hips, her still-aching ass perched on his leather-clad knees.
Alexander’s head whipped around and his brows were halfway up his forehead in surprise that she was sitting on his lap.
Smiling at the shock on his face, Alena cupped his cheeks. “Seems like you might need some aftercare. A scene should make you feel good.”
And just as he had before, he leaned his cheek into her hand. They stayed that way for several moments, and Alena let the silence wrap around them. She wouldn’t rush him.
“You’re the type of sub I should never partner with.” His words were soft and grim, but during the extended quiet his expression had relaxed.
“And what type of sub am I?” She rubbed his temples then ran her fingers back through his hair.
“The captured queen.”
Alena blinked in surprise. “Come again?”
“You’re…regal. Know your worth. Even if a Dom puts you on your knees and makes you lick his boots, you wouldn’t be humbled.”
“I don’t lick boots.”
“No monarch would.” His hands cupped her hips, and the first hint of a smile tightened the skin at the corners of his eyes.
Alena swayed forward, her breasts nearly brushing his face.
“Even when I had you strapped down…helpless…”
His breathing turned heavy as he spoke, his voice deepening, and Alena had to bite back a moan of desire.
“…there was a part of you I couldn’t touch. A sense that even as I used you, you were in control.”
“Now hold on just a minute. I didn’t top from the bottom.”
“No,” he agreed. “But you possess a sense of…reserve. A core of power that will never submit.”
You think I’m reserved, but really I’m lying to you.
Planning to betray you.
Alena rubbed his cheekbone with her thumb. “And that makes you…?”
“It makes me want to do terrible things to you.” He whispered the confession, then rested his forehead against her breastbone.
Alena stroked his hair. “I meant, does that make you the king, or maybe the knight sworn to protect the queen?”
The black knight was in play, sliding across the board, unaware of the hand that guided it.
“I think maybe you haven’t made peace with your Dominant needs.”
His only reply was to wrap his arms around her waist. Though his head rested between her naked breasts, there was nothing sexual about how he held her.
Alena made soothing noises and stroked his head and shoulders.
They stayed that way for a long time, Alexander’s breath fanning her belly, her fingers rhythmically raking through his hair then sliding along swells of his shoulders and down the flat plane of his back.
They couldn’t stay this way forever, and no matter how much she might want to, it was impractical to change her plan. Alena took a deep breath and closed her eyes; when she exhaled she’d firmed her resolve.
“Alexander, why don’t we go change, then maybe we could have a drink, do some aftercare that way.”
He lifted his head. Once more he looked younger than she knew he was. “I’d like that.”
Alena slid off his lap. He stood and picked up one of the large, soft bath sheets, wrapping it around her shoulders.
He escorted her to the submissives’ changing room, his hands on the small of her back.
Alena opened the door, then looked back at him, smiling saucily. “See you soon?”
Alexander’s defeated, vulnerable aspect had shifted to the confident, slightly aloof manner she associated with her quiet man.
Rather than reply in words, he bowed slightly, looking up at her from behind the lock of dark hair that had fallen forward over his forehead.
Alena slid into the changing room and closed the door, her smile gone, replaced with grim resolve. She went to her locker, pulling out the outfit she’d chosen specifically for this moment.
It was time for her to use Alexander Wagner, and if her heart hurt at the idea, well…that was something she’d just have to live with.
Chapter 10
Alexander waited for her just outside the subs’ dressing room. He’d changed from his leathers and t-shirt into his gray slacks and button up shirt. Before changing, he’d detoured into the main dungeon to get his kit and her discarded dress.
The dress was tucked into a pocket in his kit. He had no intention of giving it back—instead he’d wrap it around his cock and use it to jerk off while remembering their time together.
And when he was done, he’d think about how it had felt to hold her, to rest his head against her while she’d petted him.
The door opened, and Alexander straightened.
Alena stepped out, and for the first time he saw her in street clothes.
She wore slim black slacks that stopped at the ankle. Her shoes were black flats with a red toe, while her blouse was a creamy white with long sleeves and a tie at the neck.