Free For the Sub by Sierra Cartwright Page A

you,” he said. His body responded to hers the way it did every time they stood close. He’d be a gentleman if she wanted him to be, but his cock was voting in favour of her asking him to stay.

Chapter Four
    Deep inside, nerves and anticipation collided, merged, then arrowed up Brandy’s spine.
    All day, she’d been thinking about this moment. When he’d accepted her invitation to the party, she’d hoped he would stay. It had been difficult to keep moving forward with preparations when all she’d wanted to do was indulge in adult-themed fantasises.
    Still, now that the moment was here, she realised this was a monumental step. Not for him, she was sure, but for her. Master Niles was a self-assured Dom whose resources allowed him to have a different woman every day of the week if he wanted.
    On this small plot of mountain land, she’d created a sanctuary. She’d invited no one to share it with her.
    She’d thought she could have him over, have a scene and be casual the next morning, but she was finding out it wasn’t so easy for her.
    Master Niles was more complex than she’d believed him to be from their few meetings at the Den. If she were honest, she would admit that part of her had been surprised when he’d shown up prepared to grill.
    His barbecue skills were only a few steps above dismal. He seemed to give people two choices in how they liked their burgers cooked—burnt or charred. Still, he’d shocked her by seeming at ease. He’d had a couple of beers, rather than expensive cocktails, and when she’d checked on him through the windows, he’d been engaged in conversation. By the end of the evening, he’d shaken John’s hand. Brandy liked that Master Niles didn’t scare easily.
    But wanting to work together after her guests had left…that took the relationship to a new, uncomfortable level.
    He’d made light of her observation that he wasn’t behaving like a Dom. If he’d stay within the lines of her preconceived boundaries, things would be easier for her. She wore submission like a comfortable blanket. It kept her warm and safe. But taking it off revealed the real, vulnerable person beneath. She’d vowed to keep that person hidden and protected.
    Master Niles continued to say nothing, and he eased away from her, giving her space. He took the last drink from his beer then slid the empty bottle onto the countertop.
    His words still hung between them, ripe with expectation.
    Why the hell had he gone and complicated things?
    He didn’t rush her decision, and she appreciated that he would respect anything she decided. She knew she was flirting with danger. Despite that, she wanted to be back in his arms. If he left, the loneliness would be worse than the potential emotional risk. “I’d like you to stay.”
    He captured her hand and raised it to his lips with old-world elegance. “My pleasure,” he said.
    With his touch, awareness skittered across her nerve endings. Oh yes. She’d made the right decision. Her imagination provided half a dozen scenarios for what they might do later, and each image was more evocative than the previous one.
    “Now, about your refusal of my help with the dishes…” He released her and grabbed a hand towel. With focused intent, he made small circles with his wrist, wrapping the towel round and round.
    “Oh no you don’t,” she said, dancing a few steps away from him. She never knew what to expect from him, from playful and teasing to thoughtful and kind and back again. “That’s for high school boys in a locker room.”
    “It’s also for subs who argue with their Doms.”
    “No, no!” Her gaze was riveted on his hand. She wanted him to smack her with the whirling towel. Alternately, she knew it would hurt. Most of all, she wanted this light moment to continue and chase away her fears. “Come on, Master Niles, I was trying to be a good sub. I wanted you to relax like you deserve. I was being nice to you.”
    “Uh-huh.” He took a deliberate step