Free Shattered: by Janet Nissenson Page A

tried to describe what she thought went on in there, it was more of the “eew” factor than anything. It was kind of cold and creepy in there, all red leather and no windows, like something you’d see in a Halloween chamber of horrors. It wasn’t until we watched some of the more, er, explicit DVD’s that it became pretty clear exactly what went on in that room. Though Erika was convinced her parents were way too uptight to actually do most of that stuff, that they just liked to -”
    “Watch?”
    She nodded as Nick finished the sentence for her. “Pretty much, yeah.”
    He was grinning at her. “I assume her parents never found out that their daughter and her very naughty friends discovered their little playroom? Or furthered their sexual education by invading their stash of porn?”
    “I’m not sure about that. But they did catch Erika in there one night with her boyfriend, um, trying out some of the equipment. They changed the locks right after that.”
    Nick gave a hoot of laughter. “And cut off your Friday movie nights in the process. Though I’m guessing you’d already watched your fill by then.”
    Angela wrinkled her nose. “That’s for sure. You can only watch so many of those – God, calling them a movie is something of a stretch, isn’t it? – before they get awfully repetitive. Like my friend Lauren used to say – when you’ve seen one blowjob you’ve seen them all.”
    Without warning, he slammed his glass down on the table and cupped the back of her head, his long fingers tangling in her hair. “I suggest we change the subject,” he bit out. “Because when you start talking about blowjobs all I can think about is that sexy mouth of yours wrapped around my dick. Later on you can show me some of the dirty things you learned from watching porn, hmm?”
    She was wide-eyed and slack-jawed, unable to think of a reply, and merely nodded.
    “Finish your drink, then we’ll have dinner.”
    She picked up her glass automatically and took a sip before regarding him warily. “You do like to dole out the orders, don’t you?” she asked caustically.
    Nick chucked her almost playfully on the chin, the smile returning easily to his sinfully handsome features. “Absolutely. And I’m not used to anyone refusing me, either. Not for a very long time anyway. Does that bother you, Angel?”
    She was about to tell him yes, but was shocked to realize that she actually – God! – liked him ordering her around. Without stopping to consider how completely fucked up that sounded, she answered truthfully. “Surprisingly, no.”
    “I didn’t think it would. On the outside, you give off this cool, calm and collected Independent Woman air. But on the inside – ah, it’s just the opposite, isn’t it, Angel? You want someone to boss you around, bend you to their will. You want to submit.”
    “Jesus.” She gulped down the rest of her drink, shaken to the very core at what he had just told her in such a matter-of-fact manner. “No. Not like that. I’m not – no. I won’t -”
    “Shh. Relax.” Nick was gently massaging the nape of her neck. “I don’t mean like the bondage games your friend’s parents played around with. Or like the BDSM movies I’m guessing you and your horny little friends watched. I’m not into whips or punishments or that kind of shit. That’s a little too much on the kinky weirdo side for me. But there are many different forms of submission, Angel. And if I decide that’s what you really want, we’ll talk about it some more. But not tonight. Tonight’s about getting to know each other a little better. Or maybe even a lot better.”
    He stood then, drawing her to her feet, and signaling to the host that they were ready for their table. And just like that a waiter materialized to show them to what was definitely the most private and desirable spot in the place, set back in a semi-secluded alcove.
    Nick didn’t bring up the subjects of submission or sex or anything that