Moving with the plug in was difficult. Having him up there couldn't possibly be any worse than this. She untied his shoes, and he dutifully lifted each foot in turn so she could remove them. She stuffed his socks inside each. Then she undid his belt and lowered his zipper. His already-hardening cock protruded through his boxers. Watching her with the plug was clearly a turn-on for him. At least that was something.

She quickly removed his pants then she awkwardly stood-trying not to shift the plug-to unbutton his shirt. He would have thrown it aside, she knew. She laid it on the bed.

"Condom is on the nightstand."

He could have easily reached it.

"Crawl," he said.

She was ready to gnaw off the tip of her tongue.

"Now put it on me."

After she did, he added, "I recommend you lube up my dick."

Even his tone was different from earlier today. Being so disrespectful had changed something between them, and she would do anything to take it back. He was colder with her, harsher, clipping out orders. She'd told him how much she despised that. She could do anything as long as she felt connected to him. "Sir, I really am sorry," she whispered, looking up at him.

He remained implacable. His lack of response made her insides a ball of knots. Knowing she couldn't take back the last ten minutes, she pumped some lube onto him and smeared it around with her hand.

"Remove your plug and place it on the nightstand."

Imagining she was on a beach in the Bahamas drinking rum, she did as he said. Pretending to be elsewhere was the only way to survive some of these humiliations.

"Bend over the bed."

Fear made it feel as if the room temperature dropped several degrees.

"Your ass is stretched so wide," he said when she'd displayed herself, parting her ass cheeks without being told. "You look so fuckable, girl. I'm going to do you hard."

She felt his cockhead seeking entrance, and she wasn't sure she'd ever endured anything worse than this.

He took hold of her left shoulder and drove himself a little deeper, and slid his other arm beneath her midriff.

"Push out," he told her.

It hurt, but she didn't object. She wanted his flesh, rather than the cold and impersonal piece of moulded glass. She craved his possession. "Yes," she said.

He continued to ease in and pull back. Within seconds, she discovered having him inside her wasn't as bad as she imagined. It was different. A plug snuggled in, but a cock kept her spread.

"Sexy sub," he murmured.

The sound of his pleasure made her heart skip. "More, Sir."

"Are you sure you're ready?"

"I want your cock, Sir. Take me."

He held her more tightly and jerked his hips, burying himself up to his balls in her ass.

She released her hands when his thrusting forced her deeper into the mattress. She sobbed, and the sound was muffled by the bedcovers.

"Chelsea?"

"Oh my God! This is so good." Her reaction surprised her. She'd never felt more complete. His rigidity in her most private part filled her, awed her. Sensually, she was drowning. "I want to come, Sir."

"Do," he told her.

He lifted her upper body slightly off the mattress. That changed his angle slightly, and he penetrated even deeper. She couldn't breathe. It was as if electricity singed her skin. She rose onto her toes and arched her back. "Sir!"

"Come," he urged.

Her body trembled as the orgasm swamped her. "Never... I never experienced anything like that," she managed, her chest heaving.

"Damn, girl. I may never let you go."

"Don't." She didn't know whether she was asking him to keep her or whether she was begging him not to say that. All she knew was that nothing, other than this moment, existed for her.

He continued to fuck her hard, and a second orgasm teased her as he surged, cock thickening right before he ejaculated.

Obviously still aware of her, he moved one hand and unerringly found her clit. He stroked her, sending her over the edge one more time.

He collapsed on top of her. If this was what submission was like, about, she wanted more. This joining had not existed with anyone else.

She was barely aware of the world around her as he withdrew his spent cock and went into the bathroom. She somehow managed to crawl up onto the bed and turn onto her side.

Moments later he pressed something warm and damp against her rear.

"Shh," he told her.

She didn't protest as he cleaned her with a washcloth. The water soothed her burning skin. A few moments later, the bed sagged beneath his weight. He eased her against him, and held her tight. She stiffened.

"I'm not open to negotiation, Chelsea. Freaking relax."

He smoothed her hair as he tucked her under his chin. Despite the fact her overnight bag was still in her car, she'd refused to spend a night with him. That spoke to an intimacy she didn't want with him. But now, here she was, in his house, his bed, his arms. And she wanted to stay. She gave herself permission to stay where she was for five minutes. That couldn't hurt anything. Right?

When she woke, it was the middle of the night.

She started to get out of the bed only to have him pull her tight. She knew he wasn't awake, so his grip was instinctive and domineering, but she didn't want to struggle against him and risk a confrontation.

Before she'd sorted through all of her thoughts, his warmth and strength lulled her back to sleep.

The scent of coffee brought her to consciousness. When she opened her eyes, he was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at her and holding two cups of coffee. She propped herself on her elbows. "Are both of those for me?"

"I was hoping you'd share."

"If I'm feeling generous," she said. She scooted to a sitting position and rested her shoulders against the headboard. She accepted a cup and inhaled deeply. "Thank you." She took a sip. He'd added the perfect splash of cream, and the beverage was hot and strong. "If you spoil me like this, I might never leave."

"What makes you think I was hoping you would?"

Their gazes locked. She looked away first. Damn. She had to stay focused on her goal. And her goal was not to play with him. It was to snare Master Evan C.

"I'd like to leave for the Den by five o'clock," he said. "Do you mind meeting here since I'm closer?"

"Perfect."

Even though he invited her to use his shower, she decided to go home. With the way her emotions were in turmoil, she needed distance and space.

As she discovered after being in her apartment for two hours, it didn't help. Being alone only made her more uncertain and restless. When she'd approached Master Alexander, this had all seemed so easy. He'd train her. She'd land Master Evan C as a client and Dom. Another success in her business and her life.

The day loomed in front of her.

After tossing in a load of laundry and straightening the house, she decided to do some work. She checked her e-mails, and she was delighted to find one from Master Evan C. Finally. He said he was interested in talking to her more about her proposal, and maybe they'd have a chance to connect at the party.

She pumped her fist in the air and swivelled her chair in circles.

But when silence echoed back mockingly, she frowned. Somehow the small victory felt hollow with no one to share it with.

There was another e-mail from her assistant. Jennifer suggested that, since Alexander Monahan hadn't responded positively to the idea of a charity fundraiser, maybe they should contact his brother.

Chelsea drummed her fingers on the keyboard. She doubted Alex would approve of her going behind his back. But if her assistant did it... Well, she knew he wouldn't like that either. But a lot of good could come from the publicity.

What the hell.

After tonight, she'd likely never see Master Alexander again. And she still had a business to run. She replied, telling Jennifer to go for it, then Chelsea decided to take a quick shower before heading to the hot tub. Luckily there were no teenage boys around, and she had the area all to herself.

Despite the fact she wanted to think about business, random images of Master Alex flashed through her mind. She saw him in jeans. Wearing dress trousers. Naked. Dragging her over his lap. Showing her a flogger. Doubling over his belt.

She'd never before had trouble with getting derailed once she had a course of action, but Master Alex consumed her.

She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. And the truth smacked her. The reason she'd hesitated in contacting his brother was that she didn't want the relationship to end. Master Alex's comment about her staying in his life stopped her pulse. He might have meant it as a joke, but part of her wanted it to be true.

So where did that leave her?

Anxiety churning in her, she opened her eyes and sat up. She needed action so that she could drown out the clamour in her head.

She showered then put some gel in her hair, squeezed the locks with her fingers. Now that it was time to dress, courage deserted her.

The idea of stripping to play with Master Evan C should have made her moist with anticipation, but it didn't. She felt such angst over the fact that she might never see Master Alex again.

She dressed in a lacy black bra, a matching thong, and some thigh-high stockings. The elastic around them kept them in place without the need for a garter belt. She added a skirt, a tight-fitting top, and a pair of ridiculously high heels.

She swiped on some mascara and applied a layer of foundation before grabbing her purse and heading for her car.

At his house, she knocked as was her custom, but he shocked her by opening the door rather than waiting for her let herself in. The sight of him made her mouth water. He wore leather pants and a T-shirt that he'd tucked into his waistband. His hair was raked back from his square forehead, emphasising his piercing brown eyes. He hadn't shaved, and that left an intentional scruffy look that made him look even more masculine. Damn.

"Shall we?" he asked.

The earth shifted beneath her stilettos. She was slightly early, but he hadn't asked her to strip. He hadn't performed an inspection. It was as if they were two acquaintances sharing a ride to the same party. After the way he'd trained her to react, his behaviour left her off-kilter.

He placed his fingers lightly at the small of her back as he led her outside to his waiting vehicle.

"You look nice," he told her as if they were going out to a simple get-together, again, as if this were just two friends hanging out. Except for the leather pants. The leather pants said this wasn't an ordinary date.

Until they passed through the town of Winter Park, the conversation was mainly idle chitchat. Because she couldn't take the inanity any longer, she again suggested his company hold a charity fundraiser. She neglected to mention that Jennifer was contacting his brother about it.

"Do you just try to wear people down?" he asked.

"Is it working?"

"It might, except for the fact you'd ask me to be involved," he responded, sliding her a sidelong glance.

"What if I promised you wouldn't have to do anything other than show up?"

"You wouldn't want any approval on the venue? Suggestions on the guest list?"

"Well, I would need you to-"

"There's a dental dam in my bag," he said.

"This is me shutting up," she promised.

"About tonight," he started.

"Yes?"

"I assume Evan C knows you're coming?"

"He does. He said he's looking forward to talking with me."

"I also assume you want to play with him."

Why did it feel as if she were betraying Master Alex? He seemed to be gripping the steering wheel very tightly, but that could be her imagination. "Yes." Calling him Sir seemed strange given the subtle change in their relationship since this morning. And not calling him Sir seemed odd.

"I'll give you the privacy you need with Evan C."

Did that also mean he was going to play with some submissives? The idea made her grit her teeth, even though she told herself her possessive feelings were ridiculous. Never in her life had she felt jealous of anyone.

All too soon, they arrived at the Den. She opted to leave her coat and purse in the vehicle. A valet opened the door for her, then Master Alexander came around and offered his hand as she negotiated the uneven terrain. High heels and the Rockies were not a good mix. "But I still think it would have made a perfect photo op," she said.

He ignored her.

Once they were inside, he said, "Please stay a bit behind me. Speak only when spoken to. Address men as Sir and women as Ma'am."

"Yes, Sir." Having him give her instructions made this a bit more comfortable.

Master Damien greeted them and invited them to grab a drink from the bar downstairs, and he asked her if she recalled the Den's safe word.