around her wrists, binding her to the ring above, and covered all the way down her arms.
He had instructed Bella to prepare herself, and she had clearly gained the help from one of the assistants who worked at the castle. Her effort paid off. She had pleased him. Desire to take her engulfed him.
Once he approached her, he settled at her back, and the glow from the candlelit room made her creamy skin appear more delectable. Every line of her body was utter perfection.
Sliding his fingers down her torso, he caressed her side and down her hip. He inhaled, catching a waft of her cinnamon scent mixed with aroused woman. “You look lovely. Stunning, in fact."
"Thank you, Sir,” she rasped.
Grasping her hip, he spun her around, and the metal ring holding her screeched as she turned. He scanned over her breasts, the taut nipples that awaited him, and the lines of her stomach that moved with her deep breaths.
When he looked back into her eyes and found them rich with desire. He grinned his approval, then slapped her thigh with a light hit. “Beautiful."
He turned away from her and strode to the tray of items he requested the assistant leave for him. He took the black crop, then returned to Bella. Her focus was on the crop for a mere second before her gaze returned to his. Oh, how the sub sizzled.
He slid the crop over each nipple, and she sighed and trembled, which made his cock jump. But as he stared into her pretty eyes, she appeared conflicted. She had clearly done some thinking since she left him at the hospital last night.
"I see questions on your mind, Bella.” His voice was low as he intended. “Now is the time to ask them."
A pause followed, her expression thoughtful before she finally said, “How will this work? I mean with us...will we...do I...?"
He chuckled. “I don't want a slave, Bella. But you will learn when I demand submission. Good indicators would be when we're in the castle or in the bedroom. At all other times, then I'm Kole. Not Master Kole or Sir."
"Okay, well, that's good.” She drew in a sharp breath, looked down, and avoided his gaze. “Do you have other submissives, Sir?"
He tapped the crop under her chin. “Eyes on me, Bella.” She immediately lifted her head, but her features were tight. “There are more, yes."
Darkness seeped into her features before her focus went back to the floor. “I see, Sir."
"Is this something that displeases you?” He hit under her chin, harder this time, and she jerked her head up. “Speak freely, Bella."
She flinched from the hit; her voice held a slight tremble. “I don't want there to be anyone else, Sir."
He ran the crop over the swell of her stomach and enjoyed when she sucked in a deep breath. “You prefer me to give them up?"
Her gaze zoned in on him, focused and intent, and the Bella that he'd grown fond of appeared, the strong woman who knew what she wanted and dived headfirst to snatch it up. “I would, Sir."
That's my girl . This Bella in front of him was who he adored. Not the frightened one who ran from him.
"You're interested to see where this goes, then?” He tapped lightly along her thigh, and her muscles tensed. “You want to be exclusive?"
"Yes, Sir."
"What you ask of me is not to be taken lightly.” He ran the crop up her thigh, along her pelvis, tapping her clit with the flat part of the crop, and she moaned. “Tell me, why I would place my subs with another Dom for only you?” He intended to, but she needed to understand what it meant for him to do that.
Another hit had her drawing in a breath through her teeth. “Because there's something between us—something special—and I think we need to explore this."
He marveled at her strength. “You're much more beautiful when you're honest. And I agree with you, but Bella, you've already proved to be disobedient when you weren't truthful in our last scene together."
"I was unaware, Sir."
He moved the crop lower down to rest at her entrance. With his free hand, he