How to Discipline Your Vampire(116)

            It took some time before we came down from the high. William untied me gently, and pulled my gown back down politely. I nearly laughed at his chivalry. He licked the wound on my throat, and held me close until I was able to speak again.

            “Wow. That was . . . ,” I said, trailing off, “something else.”

            He nodded, eyebrows raised. “That’s an understatement,” he said.

            I frowned, annoyed with his noncommittal phrasing. “So?” I asked, wondering if he enjoyed it.

            “Each and every experience with you is something special, memorable, and mind-blowingly hot,” he answered, kissing me on the forehead. “And the sentiment behind this was truly moving. I know it must have been very difficult for you to relinquish dominance like that, Cerise. I’m proud of you.”

            He was being evasive.

            “But?” I asked, clearly noticing his silence.

            He smiled sheepishly. “But,” he said, taking my chin in his hand. “I’m just not a switch.”

            I opened my mouth, searching for words. “You enjoyed it, though, right?” I asked, feeling somewhat self-conscious.

            He shrugged. “How could I not?” he said, kissing my collarbone. “All I’m saying is I’m not born to lead. That was a role—not me.”

            I nodded. “I had a difficult time controlling my Domme instincts, that’s for sure,” I said, trying to find where he was coming from. I would certainly do that again. “But it was worth it to prove my point. Was it hard for you to control me?”

            He let out a long breath. “God, yes. The only thing keeping me in the scene was the command that I not drop character. Sure, it was hot, but the entire time I was berating myself for speaking to you that way. It’s just not me,” William said, and traced my lips with his finger. “Vanilla sex is more normal to me than that.”

            “Okay,” I said, “then we’ll store away Master William for a long time. But can I keep him on the shelf for some point down the road?” I asked, clearly indicating it was something I’d like to try again.

            “Whatever you wish,” he answered, “but keep in mind how hard it is for me to do something like that to you.”

            I sat up in bed, determined to get him to see the situation clearly. “Even though the point of it was for me to submit to you, if you look carefully, you actually showed your submission to me at an even deeper level today,” I explained. “The fact alone that dominating was difficult for you and pushed your limits shows that. By dominating, you were submitting even more than you ever had. We’re challenging each other in new ways, William. With our situation, we need to get creative.”

            He pursed his lips as realization dawned on him. “I guess you’re right.”

            I laughed. “My favorite words in the English language—you’re right.”





CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

            Cerise

            The Following April

            “I can’t believe you’re not changing your name, Miss Norrel,” Colby said. “At least the class won’t be screwing it up for the next few months.”

            “We’re living in the twenty-first century, Colby. Times change,” I answered with a smirk. She didn’t know that it was William who would be taking my name tomorrow.

            “Show us a picture of your dress again!” Allie shouted.

            I did the “calm the fuck down” gesture to the class. My class. The kids I’d come to know over the past seven months and who made me smile every day. “Guys, I’ll show you pictures after April vacation, okay?”