Free Perception by Nicole Edwards Page B

her. It was
her turn to get answers. “Remember that night at Kink when you volunteered to
let Mistress Desiree demonstrate on you because no one else had the balls to do
it, how did that make you feel?”
    “Like I
was in someone else’s body,” he told her, his answer surprisingly honest.
    “Then you
know exactly how I felt, X,” Mercedes stated firmly.
    “When are
you going to stop lying to yourself, Mercedes? To us both?” he argued, his
voice low, his tone even. “I was with you, remember? You came apart at the
seams when we were together.”
    Yes, she
did. Against her will.
    Ok, no,
not really. But still. 
    “And you
think that’s all I need? An orgasm?” Mercedes tried to pull away again, but
Xander held her wrists more firmly.
    Xander
opened his mouth. Closed it.
    She
wanted to know what he had to say. But then actions replaced words and Mercedes
found herself giving in to something she’d dreamed about since the moment
Xander put his hands on her last night.
    As he
looked into her eyes, he tightened his grip on her wrists just as little and
moved his free hand up, his knuckles lightly grazing her nipple as he did. Then
he was sliding his fingers into her hair, cupping the back of her head, as he
leaned down, pressing his lips to hers.
    He was
kissing her.
    For the
very first time.
    And sweet
mother mercy, the man could freaking kiss.
    Mercedes
was pretty sure her knees were going to give out.
    Contrary
to the heated argument they were having, Xander’s lips were soft, his hand
gentle as he held her. 
    She
hesitated only briefly before she gave in, kissing him back with delicious
intent. Her legs weakened, her body ignited with sensation as the kiss
penetrated her bloodstream, moving through her entire body in a rush.
    It didn’t
take long before the passion of the moment overwhelmed them both.
    Holding
her head firmly, Xander controlled the kiss, and she let him. It would serve no
purpose to try to top him. He wasn’t going to allow it. And, truth be told, she
wanted to remember what it felt like to be dominated, to let go of the control,
to concede to someone else for even a brief moment.
    Just this
once.
    She
pressed up against him involuntarily, unable to stop herself. What this was
between them wasn’t normal. It wasn’t run of the mill. And dammit all to hell,
it wasn’t only about sex although it would appear that way from the outside
looking in.
    But what
most people didn’t realize about her was that she used her Domme status to keep
her distance from people. The habit had been ingrained in her since she was a
teenager, growing up in an abusive household with an overbearing father, then
reinforced time and time again through a series of bad relationships when she
was older.
    Being in
control meant she didn’t have to give up anything, didn’t have to answer to
anyone, and being a Domme in the lifestyle she coveted meant she could be
satisfied physically without ever having to give too much of herself. As far as
emotional ties, there weren’t any. Because she didn’t allow them.
    But this
was Xander. Her friend. A man she admired, a man she suddenly craved which
meant she would want more. Nothing about Xander was easy, and if she gave in to
him at all, even one tiny bit, she feared she’d lose a part of herself that
she’d been holding on tightly to for as long as she could remember.
    The kiss
lingered, the passion between them fanning the flames as she was engulfed by
the same overwhelming sensations that Xander had instilled in her last night
when he’d used nothing more than his hands and a flogger to send her careening
into the abyss.
    Seemingly
unwilling to let go, he consumed her, tasting, teasing, seeking all that she
was willing to give him.
    And she
let him.
    Long
minutes later, when he pulled back, Xander remained steadfast, holding her
wrists, palming her head gently as he stared down at her. Why that made her
feel good, she didn’t know.
    But she
did. She felt… safe