“Some people like being tied down, kept from moving while their partner pleasures them.”

She managed not to squeak.

“Your body likes that idea.”

Another pause and she realized she was rubbing her thighs together and stopped immediately. Tied up for sex. Being ordered around was one thing, but restrained with ropes or handcuffs? Too much. She hadn’t liked the idea at all when Buck had tried it. “No,” she said shakily. “I think you’re wrong.”

“Let’s see.” He touched his lips to hers, kissed her sweetly, thoroughly, his tongue tangling with hers. When he drew back, she smiled with pleasure.

“That’s called vanilla sex,” he murmured.

Suddenly he gripped her wrists with hard hands, holding her so she couldn’t move. “And this is nonvanilla sex.” He took her mouth again, plunging deeply, possessing her ruthlessly. When she tried to move, his grip tightened on her arms, holding her in place.

She couldn’t move. Every nerve in her body shocked to life as if lightning struck her. Arousal seared through her. She bit back a moan.

He released her, quirking a cynical eyebrow.

Deep inside, her body shook like a palm tree in a tropical storm. What was happening to her? She pulled in a breath. “That didn’t…” Her voice trailed off. She was lying to herself and to him. “You’re right.”

“I like your honesty.” Wrapping his arms around her again, he stroked her back. Her cheek rested on his bare chest. His heart beat in a slow, relaxing rhythm, and her own pulse slowed as the claws of desire unhooked from her.

“On your last night, you’ll have to take a look at the costumes the members wear,” he said conversationally. It’s pretty amazing some of the things people put on. Of course, since it’s beginners’ night, tonight’s attire is pretty sedate.” As he talked, he slid one hand into her dress again, nestling up against her breasts, the other resuming its place just under her collarbone.

“You know, some people like a little pain now and then: spanking, pinching, tiny punishments.”

It was as if he were having this conversation with himself, except the images he was putting into her head were just… A man spanking her bare bottom? Jeez, no. And yet, she actually felt herself dampen.

“Mmm-hmm, yes, I think you’ll need a little reprimand now and then.”

Her breath hitched. He wouldn’t really, now would he?

He rubbed his chin against the top of her head. “You smell good, little sub. Like soap and flowers and…woman. And your hair is as long and silky as any man could want.”

Okay, she’d just lie here all night, snuggled into his naked chest, and let him talk to her with that low, low voice. Listening to him was better than having sex with—with anyone she’d ever been with before.

“You know, some people like more pain: being whipped hard, pins inserted under their skin, hot wax dripped on them.”

She froze. That… He wouldn’t. She shoved against his chest, tried to get free.

“No, that’s not for you. Definitely not.”

Body stiff, she tried to slide off him.

One arm held her tight against him as his other hand stroked her hair as if he were petting a cat, settling her down. “Truthfully, Kari, I don’t like the hardcore S and M either. Real pain doesn’t turn me on, and I can see you feel the same.”

She took a breath and let herself relax. A little. “Do people really do that? Here?”

“Yes. You’ll see some of that, maybe on Wednesday, definitely on Saturday. It’s not something you need to do if you’re not into it.”

“Well, that’s good. Thank you.” He was so warm and his arms so comforting that when he tilted her head back for another kiss, she didn’t resist at all.

Pulling back, he looked her in the eyes and said, “If anytime, anything I do or we do goes beyond what you can stand, then you say ‘red,’ and everything stops. That’s your safe word, sweetheart. Red. Make sense?”

Cool. She could stop everything when she wanted. The sense of relief mingled with confusion. That didn’t seem like she was giving up much control.

He kissed her again, and his big hand slid up to cover her breast, his thumb brushing across her nipple. Each touch sent zings of intense sensation spearing through her until she was squirming again.

“Kari, the safe word is for pain. Or something you absolutely can’t stand. You use it for anything less, and the night is over. I pack you up, and you go home.” His intent gaze trapped hers. “I am going to give you what you want, not what your mama told you is proper. I’m going to push your limits, sweetie.”

He nuzzled her until his lips were against her ear. “And you’re going to scream as you come over and over again.”

She gasped, could feel her nipples harden, and so could he, considering his hand was right there on her breast. He chuckled, sucked on her earlobe, and sent chills chasing across her skin.

“Ahem.” Behind them, a woman cleared her throat. Kari jerked to a sitting position, embarrassed at her behavior in public. What had she been thinking?

A DM in a gold-trimmed black bustier and black latex leggings stood by the couch. “Sorry to interrupt,” she said, her lips curving up.

Sir sighed. “Olivia. You, as always, have a crappy sense of timing. What?”

“Z said you are to participate in the newbie class. Both of you. Raoul’s waiting for you.”

“Well, hell. We’ll be there.”

Sir looked at Kari. “Up you go,” he said briskly, pushing her to her feet. “You’ll enjoy this, I think. At least the last part of the class.” He buttoned her dress, his fingers sliding into the gaps, teasing her sensitive skin, making her regret the interruption.

When he was finished, he ran his knuckles across her breasts, up and down over her jutting nipples. He grinned and murmured, “Guess you’re just cold, huh?”

She couldn’t keep the laugh bottled up.

They joined the thirty-or-so beginners milling around at the end of the bar. To Kari’s surprise, the couples included not only male-female, but also gays and lesbians. With one heterosexual couple, the man wore cuffs and a collar. So men could be submissive? Too strange.

Then a gleam of blond hair caught Kari’s gaze, and her eyes met Buck’s. Grinning, he started toward her and then spotted Master Dan. A scowl darkened his long face, but he stopped.

Even as Kari breathed a sigh of relief, guilt welled within her. She’d arrived with him; she should still be with him.

“All right, people, let’s get started.” The dungeon monitor teaching the class was an inch or two shorter than Sir, but so thickly muscled he looked like he could pick up her car without breaking a sweat. “Master Dan,” he said. “I’ve got a shy crowd here, and I want to run through some basic bondage. Bring your sub up here.”

What?

Sir’s arm tightened, and he swept her along, despite her attempt at planting her feet. “Don’t worry, sweetling. This is show-and-tell with all your clothes on and no sex.”

Well, she was used to being in front of people, if teenage students counted as people, something she rather doubted. She shouldn’t have a problem with this.

Master Dan nodded at the teacher. “Kari, this is Master Raoul.”

She smiled at the man. Was she permitted to talk? Sir hadn’t said.

As if he’d read her mind, he murmured, “Say hello, sweetheart.”

“I’m very pleased to meet you,” she said.

“Hello, Kari.” The DM gave her a slow, appreciative look before frowning at Sir. “You always were Z’s favorite.”

“I know.” Master Dan flashed a wicked grin. “So get moving. I have other things to do tonight.”

“I bet.” Turning back to the class, Master Raoul picked up a pair of metal handcuffs from the bar top. “This is the basic handcuff. Adequate, but if you get your sub excited and she yanks on them, she’ll have nasty bruises for a few days. And it’s easy to get them too tight. With these, as with all restraints, be sure you check the circulation frequently. Doms, this is a biggie; if you restrain someone, you never leave them alone.”

He set the handcuffs down and held up leather wrist cuffs with buckles. “Much more comfortable and safer for circulation. If your sub deserves it, you can even buy lined ones. Master Dan, if you would demonstrate.”

Master Dan took the cuffs and held out one hand. “Give me your wrist, Kari,” he said.

Her heart gave a hard thud, and she hesitated.

His eyebrows rose. “Now, Kari.”

Her hand plopped into his before she’d come up with all the reasons she should say no.

He buckled first one, then the other cuff on, running a finger under to be certain they were snug but not tight. Pulling her wrists in front of her, he hooked the cuffs together. The commanding look in his eyes and the feel of his firm hands on her arms made her stomach quiver and heat pool in her lower half.

When he finished, he stepped back, studying her face. His lips curved in a hard smile.

Trying to ignore the dampness seeping between her thighs, she yanked at the cuffs. She definitely couldn’t get free of them, but still, this wasn’t all that scary. Her hands were in front of her; she could defend herself.