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  “That’s unethical.”

  “I figured that,” I said. “It hasn’t stopped them from accepting his case or suing me.”

  “What land did you purchase?”

  “Portsmouth Inn.” I grinned. Thinking of my family’s resort, which was now mine, always did that to me. “I own it now.”

  His brows rose and his jaw went slack. “That’s a large resort.”

  I smiled wider. “You’ve heard of it?” I shouldn’t have been surprised. Portsmouth Inn was one of the oldest resorts along the eastern coast of Lake Michigan. Grand Rapids was thirty minutes away from Denton, but we were still well-known.

  “Spent summers on the beaches and sliding down sand dunes on the coast,” he said. “It’s hard not to have heard of it or seen it. It’s changed a lot over the years.”

  “It’s been in my family for generations,” I admitted, pride suffusing my voice. “My dad did most of those renovations. When I first mentioned I was finally thinking of leaving him, they sprung their retirement plans on me and offered to help me buy them out. Looking back, I think they wanted to retire years ago but were holding out hope I’d come back.”

  “That’s quite an impressive undertaking for someone as young as you.”

  I scowled. I was twenty-seven, not exactly young and I definitely wasn’t inexperienced when it came to the resort. “I’ve worked that resort since I could lift a cleaning brush. I learned accounting and economics in the front office. I’m more than qualified to run it.”

  Jensen laughed softly. “I wasn’t trying to imply you couldn’t, Haley. Merely pointing out that it’s impressive.”

  His eyes glimmered with sincerity and I flashed him an apologetic grin.

  Perhaps I’d become too defensive. When I quit my job in Ann Arbor and told Timothy as well as my old co-workers my plans, all of them had essentially laughed in my face, proclaiming there was no way I could handle the responsibility.

  Whatever. They could all suck it.

  Jensen took a drink from his Scotch.

  The waitress returned with my chicken salad. After I assured her there wasn’t anything else I needed, she left.

  Jensen leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. “Now, I won’t be taking your case, but I called Ron Bauer. That’s why I was late. I gave him a heads up that you’ll be calling him first thing tomorrow morning and he needs to clear his schedule for whenever it’s convenient for you to come in. If you have files, timelines of everything that has occurred, along with your purchase agreement and anything that might be helpful, have that ready.”

  Relief immediately flooded me and my shoulders relaxed for possibly the first time since I’d opened that envelope.

  “Thank you,” I breathed out.

  “So you really weren’t kidding the other night when you said you’re busy with work. I imagine you work almost twenty-four hours a day.”

  He was close.

  As I took my first small bite of salad, my stomach growled in appreciation. Ignoring it, I answered him. “I have a fantastic staff that knows how to run everything. When I took over, I kept all the employees my parents hired and most of them have been there for years. But I’ll most likely be on-call at all hours during the heavy tourist months. Right now is our slow season, and while we’re not at capacity on weekends, we still have a decent amount of business.”

  I tucked into my salad while Jensen continued peppering me with questions about the resort and my life there. I told him about the house that I was living in on the property and my favorite things about growing up in that sort of environment. My childhood had been normal, but I always thought better than others.

  I had friends all summer long, even if the friends always left when their vacations were over. But I had the opportunity to meet people from all over our country and a handful of others.

  While we spoke, Jensen never once took his eyes or attention off me, and the flutter in my stomach became more frequent. He was so different than any man I’d ever met—intense and focused on whatever was in front of him.

  I hoped it was more.

  I hoped it was me.

  When I placed the last bite of my salad into my mouth, Jensen surprised the hell out of me by saying, “Now, let’s discuss those limits of yours.”

  I choked on my lettuce.

  Jensen

  Damn. She was adorable, which was a word I never thought I’d use to describe anyone over the age of ten. Haley had an air about her, though, that attracted me to her from the first moment we spoke. Before that, it had undeniably been about her beauty. Even now, sitting across from her, watching her speak, I could hardly pull my eyes off her. Her lush pink lips, a perfect, thin nose that tipped up a bit at the end, and those eyes.

  They were so large and open. She didn’t hide anything behind them. I figured most women her age would be embarrassed or run down at telling someone their marriage failed. Not Haley.

  As with everything else I had gathered about her, she knew who she was and what she wanted and she wasn’t the type of woman to settle...at least not for long.

  I gave her a moment to take a drink of her water after I flustered her.

  I enjoyed it. I enjoyed seeing the crimson stain her high cheekbones and the way her lips crinkled.

  “My limits?” she asked.

  I leaned forward and clasped my hands together, resting my forearms on the table. Tilting my head, I reviewed what I remembered from the other night. As I spoke, the crimson on her cheeks crept down to her neck.

  “This embarrasses you. Tell me why?”

  Her eyes flickered around the restaurant and she lowered her voice. “I suppose I’m not used to talking about this in public, or at all yet, really.”

  Made sense. I’d pushed her boundaries so far past what she’d ever imagined being a sub could be, that soon, she’d answer and ask questions regardless of where we were, or who we were around.

  “I’m typically a busy man,” I said, getting to the heart of the matter. What she wanted. What she expected. “And you obviously can’t be at my beck and call, so we’ll need to determine what days work for you. And when.”

  I’d already made the decision to train her. Fuck getting involved with a client. I didn’t have to worry about mixing business with pleasure anymore. Ron handled all property dispute cases, anyway, and was one of the first lawyers I brought on to the firm when I took over after my father died. I was young and naive and a bit green around the collar, but Ron already had twenty years’ experience of being a partner at another firm. He coached me more in business than anyone else and I trusted him.

  He’d also become much like a pseudo-father to me, and had known my dad for years before he passed away. Which was why I was late in getting to Haley. He’d immediately been suspicious of why I was demanding he take a case.

  Her nose scrunched a bit. “This sounds so technical.”

  “I’m training you, not dating you, Haley.”

  She flinched. “Oh. Right.”

  I tried to soften my voice. “I will not be your boyfriend, Haley. Unless I demand it or need company for an event, we will not date. But even then, don’t think of those as dates. They’re training or play sessions. As my sub, you understand that you’re to be there for me, when I expect it, correct?” At her timid nod, I continued. “I will make allowances for your job, of course, but make no mistake, if you’re mine, you’re mine when I need you or want you. If you refuse at any time except for a previously agreed-upon reason, you’ll be punished.”

  Her eyes flashed.

  Hell, she liked the idea of being punished.

  I was pushing this harder than I would with most new subs. Maybe it was because I’d been out of the life for so long. Maybe it was just her. Regardless, I needed the reminder of what our relationship was just as much a
s she needed to know it up front.

  My heart was not available for the taking.

  “You understand this?” I asked again.

  Disappointment flickered in her eyes and she looked at the table briefly before lifting her head and facing me. “I understand.”

  “Good. Then we start tomorrow. I’ll come to your place.”

  “What?”

  I shrugged. Although the location didn’t matter, I couldn’t remember the last time I went to a sub’s house. “Tomorrow, I’ll email you a list of my favorite activities and tools. Let me know what you’re most interested in, what you’re slightly interested in, what you think you’re not ready for, and I’ll bring whatever’s necessary to begin.”

  Her pulse fluttered at the base of her neck.

  I had to fist my hands in my lap to keep from reaching out and caressing her soft, porcelain skin that looked so pure and beautiful.

  Tomorrow, I’d mark it. I’d tan it and turn it red. Already by the way she responded to the suggestions, I couldn’t wait.

  “Why my house?” she asked, her voice trembling.

  “Because as your Dom, it’s my job to take care of you. You’ve already stated that you’re busy and it makes more sense this way.”

  Plus...then I could leave her place, and I wouldn’t have to worry about hurting her feelings when I kicked her out of mine. It seemed kinder, given our beginning.

  “Are you ready to play, Haley?” I asked, lowering my voice and taunting her.

  Her nod was her answer, one I took and pushed her further. “You will remember, right now, that for the rest of the time we play, your orgasms belong to me. You will want to...but you will not make yourself come unless I’m there, or am the one demanding it.”

  Her lips parted, accompanied with a small gasp. One that hit me straight in my dick. “Don’t disobey that order, Haley. If you don’t think I can tell you’re already thinking about taking that edge off before tomorrow, you’re sorely mistaken. Understand?”

  She gaped at me, her mouth opening and closing, but no sounds came out. Pride suffused my blood. I’d made the confident woman speechless.

  Hell, I wanted her. I wanted her now. But I needed to maintain my control, follow the rules I’d always lived by. I was breaking enough of them already.

  Steeling my features, I dipped my chin. “Very good then. You may leave, and I’ll see you tomorrow. Seven o’clock. Be ready.”

  She blinked rapidly, licked her lips to wet them. Every minute movement showed her excitement, her nerves, and more than that, her obedience.

  After she slid out of the booth, she reached back down for her purse. “See you tomorrow, Jensen.”

  Then she was gone.

  I picked up my phone and dialed Dylan’s number.

  He answered on the second ring, his voice full of amusement as if he’d been expecting my call. “She’s got you twisted in knots already, doesn’t she?”

  I bit back a growl. “I hate you for this.”

  “She’ll be good for you.”

  She would. She’d be an excellent sub. And despite my earlier warning to her, I already knew I was on the precipice of throwing the rest of my rules out the window. “She’s eager,” I responded.

  My head was spinning. Never had a woman affected me so early on...not even Courtney.

  “And how does she play?”

  I closed my eyes and imagined what tomorrow would be like. What implements would she be most interested in using? The flogger, definitely, based on her reaction to the show last weekend. The anticipation of flogging her made my cock go hard.

  “Will find out tomorrow,” I answered.

  He chuckled through the line. “Have fun,” he said before his tone went deep and serious. “Treat her well, Jensen.”

  It was a warning—one that made my spine prickle. “I would never do anything less.”

  “You wouldn’t mean to,” he said, and I bit back a growl. “But you have the ability to without realizing it. She’s not a typical new sub and you know it.”

  I did. Besides being confident in what she wanted, even through her nerves, something told me Haley wouldn’t be able to keep her heart out of the equation. I had to train her and ensure that part of her stayed out of it. A tricky balance for the most dedicated Dom. For me, it had the potential to be a disaster.

  “Point taken,” I told him as the waitress slid the bill onto the table. I hung up on Dylan without giving him time for another well-meaning lecture.

  I’d received enough in the last two years.

  Chapter Seven

  Haley

  I’d been skittish all day long. Maria had sent me more than one concerned look throughout the day. I had snapped at one of the housekeepers for a simple mistake. I messed up a food order for the main kitchen. I completely forgot about the check-in we had that day for a married couple who were taking a baby-moon vacation before the arrival of their first child.

  It was amazing I’d been able to get anything accomplished.

  At least I’d remembered to call Mr. Bauer, who said he was available to meet with me first thing tomorrow. I’d almost been shocked at the way he quickly opened an appointment for me, but perhaps I shouldn’t have been. Jensen had assured me the man would meet with me, and while Mr. Bauer sounded kind on the phone, there was still no mistaking the fatherly tone in his voice when he asked how I’d met Jensen.

  I didn’t think hearing how I met Jensen at a sex club...had masturbated for him, willingly and excitedly, at his command...would go over well, so I told him we met through a friend.

  All day long, Jensen’s warning from the prior night reverberated in my mind.

  This was not a date. This was a session. I already knew I’d have a hard time keeping my heart out of this, but I wanted to explore this side of me badly enough, I was willing to risk the broken heart I was sure to have when this was all said and done.

  Jensen hadn’t given me timelines. He hadn’t demanded how many days a week he’d see me. He had though, given me one instruction for the night: wear whatever you’re most comfortable in.

  And when I went through the list he’d emailed me, which had popped up in my computer email as soon as I logged in that morning, I had spent the rest of the day teetering on the edge of arousal. I was already throbbing with need as I paced my small living room, constantly watching the clock.

  Any minute.

  Fear lodged in my throat and I pressed my hand to my neck, trying to calm myself.

  This was really happening.

  I had listened to his one instruction even though I hadn’t been prepared for it. I was in my favorite worn yoga pants and a cute yellow tank top. Underneath, I had on a simple, white satin bra and thong. After I got home from work I’d showered, shaved, and plucked to perfection but in keeping with his command, I was also makeup free.

  This was me. Simple and relaxed. There was an undeniable, unexplainable urge to please him before he stepped through my door. Hopefully, it was enough for him.

  My phone buzzed with a text alert from the kitchen and I rushed to it, pressing a hand to my abdomen to settle the butterflies fluttering madly deep inside. Was he canceling? Running late?

  Laughing to myself when I read the text, a sense of relief sliding through me.

  It was only Anya.

  I still don’t understand, but I hope tonight goes well. Be safe and love you.

  I grinned. I was truly lucky to have her as a friend and I typed back a Will do, love you too, text before continuing my pacing and watching my clock.

  Anya had been my friend for years. But we were so very different. She was married to a guy who’d grown up next door to her. Legit. They’d known each other their entire lives, born only months apart. What had started as a friendship when they we
re toddlers grew into something more when they turned sixteen. They’d been together ever since, going to the same college. Anya taught preschool, volunteered in her church’s nursery, and couldn’t wait to have children of her own someday. Her husband Lance was an electrician who’d recently launched his own company. Their life was simple and good, the perfect Norman Rockwell painting. They’d even waited until they were married to have sex, their faith being important to them.

  It meant the world to me that while Anya didn’t agree with my choices all the time, she was always there, loving me through them.

  Thinking of her helped calm me. Whatever happened, I would always have her, and when this potentially blew up in my face—Jensen’s warning and declarations last night that we weren’t in a real relationship vividly clear in my mind—Anya would be by my side, helping me through it.

  That calmness evaporated as soon as three quick raps on my front door echoed on my side of the house.

  He was here.

  Closing my eyes, I pushed down all my fears and doubts, along with my concerns, and moved to the door.

  When I opened it, my breath was immediately stolen from my chest.

  Jensen was beyond attractive. When I first met him at the club, it had been undeniable that he was sex-personified with his dark hair and eyes, olive skin, and a body that was tall and lean, muscular and fit without being bulgy, and curved in all the right places.

  Standing in front of me now, dressed in a black suit, black dress shirt and black tie...he was formidable.

  I wanted to melt at his feet and declare myself unworthy.

  “Good evening,” he said, his dark blue eyes void of emotion or appreciation.

  It chilled my blood as I stepped back and waved him in. “Good evening, sir,” I said, hoping I was getting this right.

  After speaking to him last night, calling him by his given name felt like the natural thing to do. Tonight was not the same kind of night, though, and I had to remember that.

  “Good job,” he said, his eyes lighting.