“And he calls it playing? Like, whatever happened to chess? Or cards? Or tag?”

“He liked to touch, she realized. In bed, he kept his arms around her or a hand on her like now. The way he played with her breasts, or just touched her, or ran his hands over her body, made her feel so...so beautiful, Desirable.”

“I want my glasses.""No." The absent way he said it, as if she didn't have a choice, set off an odd shimmer in her bones. He regarded her soberly. "You're scared without them? More than being bound to a table?""I'm trying not to think about bondage," she said grumpily.He grinned, swift and wonderful."And yes, I'm scared. What if something happened, like a fire?" She wouldn't be able to find her way out. "Or a terrorist attack. Or zombies."He chuckled. "I do like submissives with imagination.”

“What are you doing?”“Whatever I want.”

“Whatever demon invented stiletto-heeled boots should roast in hell...”

“What are you doing?” Her voice shook.“Whatever I want, sweetheart.”

“This is the owner of Dark Haven. Master Xavier. Call him ‘my liege.’”Xavier sighed. He had no idea who’d first given him that title, but the submissives took such delight in it, he’d allowed it to continue.”