"Why?" Her voice was weak, and she nibbled her bottom lip.
"Because I've thought about you hundreds of times in the last ninety-three days. I've never gotten you out of my mind for a full day. I masturbate to your image. And to make matters worse, the moment you stepped back into my life this evening, I realized you're even better in person than the imaginary woman I've envisioned all these weeks.
"So, unless you completely disagree with that assessment, I think we need to consider the chemistry, exchange phone numbers, and go on a real date."
Her mouth fell open and then closed. Her eyes were wide pools of ocean. "You could do that? Go on a real date?"
He was confused. "Of course. Why not?"
"You're so bossy. I get the feeling you don't exactly date. Seems like you're more into ordering women around for your own sexual gratification than anything else. Why bother with dinner and a movie first?"
He jerked back several inches. "Shit. That's harsh."
She shrugged.
He needed to straighten her out on a few things. "I don't know where you got that idea, but it's not true. Yes, I'm a Dominant. Not going to deny that. But you already knew it. And you liked it. You like it right now too." He let his gaze roam slowly down her body to take in her stiffness, her flush, her fisted hands, the way she was shaking slightly.
And then she licked her lips. God almighty.
He leaned forward a few inches, feeling more confident. She'd undoubtedly done some research or at least asked around, but she was misinformed if she thought he needed a slave. "Lily, I'm a sexual Dominant. It doesn't extend beyond that. It doesn't mean I don't have meaningful relationships that include dinner and dating." Although he hadn't for a very long time. But that was because he hadn't met the right person. It had nothing to do with his dominance.
She narrowed her gaze and crossed her arms. "How does a guy your age become so educated in BDSM?"
He smiled. "Back to my age again."
"Yes." Her face remained serious.
He took a breath. Was he going to lay all his cards on the table in the front seat of her car right this second? Yep. It needed to be done. "Well, if you want to know the whole story, I'll explain."
She lifted one eyebrow, waiting.
"I've been playing ball my entire life. By the time I was twelve, I stood out as a pitcher. By the time I was sixteen and a junior in high school, major league teams were already sniffing at me. I didn't lose my touch. My dad and my coaches were smart. They never let me pitch more innings than a kid my age should. Saved my arm. Made it possible for me to keep playing as an adult."
She nodded, listening intently.
So he continued. "It's tough at that age. It went to my head. I got cocky. After two years of junior college, I got drafted into a farm team. I was twenty when I left home to play in the minors. I drank too much. I partied too hard. It was no longer girls who hung around me, it was women. They threw themselves at me. I was out of control."
"What'd you do?"
"It was Xavier who really saved my hide. He's our third baseman. You might have met him at my house the night of the football party. Anyway, he took me aside one day when I got called up and first got to Miami. Gave me a lecture. Warned me I was going to piss it all away if I didn't get my head on straight. He thought I might benefit from channeling my energy at a club. Hooked me up with a good friend of his who owns Zodiac. Lincoln. I owe that man everything."
She nodded again. "And going to a BDSM club caused you to straighten up? I don't get the connection."
"That's really what happened. I realized if I could control that aspect of my life entirely, the rest would calm down. I went there several nights a week, learned everything there is to know about the lifestyle, found out what I like and don't like. I basically traded carousing around and drinking all the time for practicing dominance. It's embedded in me now."
"And you saved your career."
"Yes."
"Do you dominate everyone you date?"
He chose his words carefully. "I haven't dated lately. But yes. It's a part of who I am. It's something I enjoy." He leaned closer. "The best part is making a woman come completely undone by submitting to me." He watched her closely while she processed what he said.
She held his gaze, squirming slightly in her seat, and then she licked her lips again.
That was it.
He lurched forward, grasped her biceps with his hand, and hauled her closer to take her lips.