Free Mastered 2: Ten Tales of Sensual Surrender by Saskia Walker, Portia Da Costa, Opal Carew, Jennifer Leeland, Madelynne Ellis, T.J. Michaels, Emily Ryan-Davis, Cynthia Sax, Evangeline Anderson, Avery Aster, Karen Fenech, Ruby Foxx

she just kidding herself?  Seeing what she wanted to see?
    “Good morning, sweetheart.”  His hoarse, sleep-roughened voice melted through her.
    “Good morning.”
    His arms tightened around her, and she felt cherished.
    Last night, he had promised to grant whatever it was she had come to ask for.  But he didn’t know.  It would cost his company a lot of money.  And embarrassment.  And it could send a wrong message to others, letting her brother-in-law get away with his carelessness.  Maybe he hadn’t stolen the money, but he had been irresponsible.
    He kissed her forehead.  “What’s wrong?”
    She smiled at him.  “Why do you think anything’s wrong?”
    “Well, I can feel the tension in you.”  His gazed locked on hers.  “And remember, I’m very good at reading people.  Tell me.”
    She pursed her lips.  She didn’t want to ruin this time together.  Because she was sure when she finally told him what she wanted, whether he did it or not, he would resent her for putting him in this position and would end it with her.
    And she didn’t want it to end a minute sooner than it had to.
    “Why don’t we wait until after breakfast to discuss it?” she suggested.
    He chuckled.  “First you’re mad because our talk gets put off, now you’re the one deferring it.”
    She gazed at him, stroking his cheek.  “I’m sorry.  I should have known you would keep your word.”
    “Yes, you should have.”  He kissed her gently.  “That’s why I punished you last night.”
    She grinned.  “I enjoyed that.  I didn’t know I would but the flogging, and the spanking.  They were so sexy.”
    “Yes, I could tell you liked it.  But that’s not what I mean.”
    “What then?”
    “Taking control like I did.  Pretending I was mad.”
    “You weren’t really mad?”
    “Mad, no.  A little hurt…”
    Her eyes widened.  “I hurt you?”  Her heart ached at the thought.  She rested her hand on his raspy cheek.  She never thought she would have the power to hurt him.
    He took her hand and drew it to his lips, then kissed her palm.  “You are very special.  I knew that the first moment I saw you.  I might have played games with you, but not because I didn’t value you.  I like challenges, and you are one I embrace.”
    She stroked his cheek.  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
    “As I said, the trip took longer than I expected, but as soon as I knew I would be back, I sent you flowers, and an invitation to join me at the poker game.”
    “Flowers?”
    “Yes.  Pink orchids.  I know you like those.”
    Orchids.  She remembered the delivery man walking through her apartment lobby with orchids.  Those were for her.  From Race.
    Her eyes widened.  “How did you know the flowers I like?”
    He smiled.  “I make a point of knowing everything I can about the people who are important to me.”
    She smiled, but her heart grew heavy.
    He tipped her onto her back and pushed her wrists over her head.
    “So talk.  What’s bothering you?”
    She pushed against his restraint.  Not to escape, but to more fully feel the vulnerability of her position.  Knowing she was totally safe under his control.
    “Last night, you told me that you would grant my request, no matter what it is.”
    “That’s right.”
    As she gazed at him, her lip trembling, the light faded from his blue eyes.
    “You don’t believe it.”  He released her wrists and she felt… abandoned.
    “No, that’s not it.  I do believe it.  And I don’t want you to.”  As much as she worried about her sister, she couldn’t let him do this out of obligation.
    His eyes narrowed.  “Why?”
    She locked gazes with him, her eyes wide.  “Because I don’t want you to do something that’s wrong for you because of me.”  She stroked his cheek.  “I don’t know if what you and I have between us is enough for you to want to keep seeing me… but I’m afraid if you’re forced into doing this, that you’ll