He hoped he’d finally elicit a different type of hunger.

Anticipation bit through him in sweet agony and stiffened his cock. Their negotiations over this night still turned him on. He’d never met a woman so worthy of pleasure. The sharpness of her intellect was as much of a turn-on as her luscious body. A body she didn’t know how to use or to take pleasure in. The dom in him howled to release such a prize and claim it for himself.

The possessiveness surprised him. He’d shared women before without a thought—not to hurt them but to make sure he didn’t restrain them with false expectations. Sawyer realized long ago he’d never be whole enough for a healthy, long-term relationship. With a past filled with abuse, neglect, and mental games, there was nothing pure or good in him to offer. He made sure women knew there was no future going in so he never gave fake hope. But since Julietta, his inner caveman broke out with a primitive impulse to mark her as his.

He’d just have to get over it.

Still, he couldn’t believe he’d persuaded her to spend the night. When she calmly informed him he’d only get a few hours and she’d leave before dawn, the need to claim her till morning shocked him to the core. Usually it was the other way around. A rueful smile touched his lips. Guess he got a taste of the other side. And it sucked.

A knock sounded on the door.

His fingers tingled as he opened it and wondered if she’d obey his first request. His scrawled note with the gift box probably intimidated her. Had he gone too far? Sawyer flung open the door.

Instead of a trembling lover, he faced a pissed-off ice queen.

A scowl settled on her brow. “you actually think women like wearing this crap? Do you know how humiliating it is to have people think you’re not wearing anything under your coat? I got stares from the taxi driver and doorman.”

She stalked in wearing a short cream-colored wool coat.

Stiletto heels. Black stockings. And not much else.

Loose mahogany waves fell past her shoulders and continued to her waist, emphasizing the nakedness of her col-larbone, teasing an onlooker to try to take a peek. Her skirt was so short it disappeared under the hemline and gave the impression of erotic hide-and-go-seek.

oh, yeah. She obeyed perfectly. His gaze roved over her with pure greed, even as he fought a grin at her entry. She was so different from any other woman—he was endlessly fascinated by the twist of confidence and vulnerability she exhibited.

“you didn’t like the stares of the other men?” he chal-lenged. “Doesn’t it make you feel desirable? Sexy?”

“Dirty,” she quipped, dropping her purse on the chair and glancing around. She obviously wasn’t ready to lose the coat. “Puttana?”

He poured her a glass of champagne and crossed the room. The scent of rich coconut and mocha drifted from her skin. “Slut, huh? Ah, you are judging by society’s expectations again. Why shouldn’t a powerful woman want to be a slut in her own bedroom? Such a negative connotation for a woman who demands pleasure and will do anything to get it.” His words caused a delicate shudder to rip through her body. Good. She liked the verbal images, and it reached her on a deeper level.

She dived into a change of subject. “I don’t know if I feel comfortable at this hotel.”

“Why?”

She nibbled at her lower lip. “The rooms are close.

People may hear us.”

He handed her the delicate flute. God, she was ador-able. one moment a lioness, the next a shy virgin. “I’m glad you’re thinking you’ll enjoy yourself enough to scream, but I’ve taken care of the problem.”

“How?”

He smiled. “I bought all the rooms on this floor. We are completely alone.”

She blinked. “oh. Good thinking.”

“Thank you.” He dropped his voice. “And necessary.

Because you will be screaming, Julietta. A lot.”

Her fingers tightened on the stem of the glass, but she refused to cower. She tipped the glass up and took a long sip. Then met his gaze. “If you’re lucky.”

“Why don’t you take off your coat?”

“Not yet. So, tell me, Sawyer. Is this what men fantasize about women wearing? Because I’m here to tell you it’s uncomfortable as hell and not much fun. This thong is rid-ing up my rear in a permanent wedgie. And my breasts are held so tight together it’s hard to breathe. Not the best way to get me in the mood.”

He reached out and touched a glossy wave. The heat from her body burned and pulled him in, making a mockery of her calm demeanor. oh, yeah, she was definitely aroused.

She just didn’t know what to do with it and hoped to lock it up in a neat little closet. He looked forward to causing her much discomfort in the next few hours. His cock twitched in his pants.

“you’re not pushing past the surface,” he murmured.

“Behind the vague discomfort is the opportunity to let your body take over. The corset I picked out for you pushes your breasts out and makes your nipples more sensitive. every breath you take is controlled and earned, so you’re aware of the rush of air in your lungs.” He kept up the slide of his fingers over her hair, tugging gently to wake up her scalp.

“When you’re aroused, your nipples will harden and poke against the lace. The scratch will be a reminder of what my stubble may feel like against your breasts. The edge of your panties separate the globes of your buttocks and barely skim your mound. As you get wet, you’ll be aware of each sensation. Discomfort brings awareness, Julietta. It’s all part of eroticism.”

Her pupils dilated. yes. He knew she dampened at the stroke of his voice, her body finally letting go enough to make the connection with her brain. He imagined the tightness of her nipple under his tongue and the sweet arch of her hips as she opened for him. But first, he needed to strip all of her mental defenses.

He released her hair and took a deliberate step back.

“Now, back to my original request. Take your coat off.”

Surprise flickered across her face. “I’m cold.”

His lips twitched. “I’ll warm you up soon. For now, let this be a gentle reminder to the terms of our agreement.

Full command. Full surrender.”

His queen rallied. Crap, she was magnificent. Her eyes snapped cocoa brown heat and her fingers tugged open the buttons. “This is ridiculous.” one. Two. “I can’t believe I agreed to this sex scene. Just so you know, this is not turning me on, so I hope at least you get a thrill from this episode.”

Three. Four. She shrugged off the barrier and threw it on the velvet chair to cover her purse. “Satisfied?”

Oh, yeah.

He took in the fine black lace of her corset, which nipped in at the waist, squeezed her breasts, and lifted them up like a gift to the gods. The minuscule black skirt barely covered her ass. Her skin was flawless and a golden brown that begged for a man’s touch. endless legs clad in sheer black hose ended in a pair of four-inch fuck-me heels where her fire-engine-red toenails peeked out in rebellion.

Time to reel in his stubborn lover-to-be. He switched to his dom voice, which vibrated with a confident power, and whipped through the room like a lash. “Turn around.”

She jerked. Blinked. But obeyed immediately, turning in a full circle so he could feast on the full globes of her rear, where the wisp of fabric hugged her most intimate body parts. His fingers clenched to touch the lush flesh and warm it to a nice pale pink. Instead, he crossed his arms in front of his chest and studied every inch of her. A delicate flush bloomed in her cheeks. Good. She was aware of his full attention and was off balance. “Have you ever had a man look at you like this, Julietta?”

She shook her head.

“Answer me, please.”

Pure resentment and something deeper flickered. “No.”

“When I ask a question, I want a verbal answer.”

“Fine.”

He kept the humor from his face and continued his ap-praisal. “A man is a visual creature. When a woman takes off her clothes, she’s stripping her barriers and giving a precious gift. Her vulnerability. Do you know how that makes me feel?”

“How?”

“Honored. Aching. Like the anticipation of opening up a present, peeling off the paper and bow and uncovering a treasure. Let me tell you what I see when I look at you.”

His voice deepened and he let the yawning want for her show on his face. “I see breasts that are already swelling and peaking, begging for my fingers and tongue. your belly is quivering ever so slightly. I’d run my tongue down your stomach and over that tiny piece of lace. Feel your heat and wetness and smell your arousal. your legs are long and graceful, and I can imagine them wrapped around my hips and squeezing tight as I thrust inside you.” Her chest lifted as she sucked in air. “I want to discover every hidden secret of your body and a thousand ways to make you scream my name.” His eyes glittered and he moved forward. “A reminder of the basic rules. Do everything I say. No talking unless I ask a question. And absolutely no thinking. I’ll do that for both of us tonight.” He paused so his words had a moment to sink in. “Let’s begin, shall we?”

…

Julietta burned. Her skin prickled as if she stood near to a raging fireplace while wafts of heat hit every exposed part of her body. She squirmed in discomfort and tried to lock onto the strange feeling that her body had separated from and left her mind behind. Her nipples ached behind the constricting binds of the corset, and the thong between her legs emphasized an achy pulsing between her thighs. odd, she’d been aroused before. even believed she neared climax a few times. But never had she been so turned on by a man who hadn’t even touched her yet.

He stalked her slow and steady, letting her know she’d be under his command in a few minutes and there was nothing for her to do to stop it. A thrill shot through her.

There was no one on this floor, and nobody knew she was here tonight. She was completely at his mercy for him to do anything to her body. Utter any outrageous comment he felt like. She had no clue what his next move would be—if he’d be gentle or cruel.

The knowledge turned her on. Big time.

He was still fully dressed, in a snowy white button-down shirt, tan chinos, and bare feet. She ached to touch the mass of honey waves that framed his face, a fascinating mixture of white to dirty blonde. She wanted to see his bare chest and run her hands over his skin. Was he covered in light hair or bare? He smelled of a mix of rich scents that made her dizzy: coffee beans, spice, and musk.

Julietta kept her position and refused to back down. If this was the beginning of round one, she’d be damned if she’d make it easy. He settled his palms on her naked shoulders and stroked down her arms, as if checking the muscles of a racehorse he contemplated buying. The thought helped ground her. “Do I pass muster?” She managed to keep her voice calm and cool.

“A broken rule already? No speaking unless I ask you a question.”

She snapped her mouth shut and glared. Humor lit whiskey-colored eyes, but he kept his face impassive as he touched her. He interlaced his fingers with hers and pulled each one in a sensual massage. Her muscles tensed, waiting, but he took his time. He moved from her fingers to the swell of her breasts that pushed out to meet him. Caressed the erratic pulse at the base of her throat. The curve of her cheek. The sensitive line of her neck. every inch exposed to his view was explored by his fingers until a melting sensation dropped in her belly.