Pawn of the Billionaire(38)

“That's really uncomfortable, James.” She wriggled uneasily. I felt amused, since she'd be a lot more uncomfortable in a moment.

“Yes I know, but it is something you get used to. You're doing very well, and adapting to your new life. I'm really pleased with you.” And I watched the adorable blush color her cheeks.

“Now, I want you to keep still regardless of what I do to you. Remember, it's just us here, nobody will disturb us until we are ready, and I will respect your privacy.”

I saw her tremble as she processed the words and wondered what would happen.

“Don't worry, sweetheart, I don't bite.” I reached for the silken negligee, and in one move slipped the thin shoulder straps over her arms and dropped it so that it pooled around her ankles.

“All right, back in the position you were.” I watched carefully as she moved her feet, straightened her body, and looked straight ahead. God, she looked wonderful. She looked as if she had been born and bred to confident posture. Her naked body and fair complexion gave her the appearance of a marble statue.

I reached for my black bag and saw her head turn to see what I was doing.

“Eyes front,” I growled. She swung her head back, little angry red spots appearing on her cheeks. Then I moved in front of her, so that she could see the midnight blue silk fabric in my hands.

“I'm going to blindfold you now, Toni. I need you to concentrate on what I’m telling you to do, and on what you’re feeling. You'll keep still, and you'll do what you are told.” I grinned. “Oh, and you are not to come until I give you permission.” I watched as a tremor of excitement ran through her.

I needed to prepare her. “Remember, if at any stage this is bothering you, tell me, and we’ll talk it through.” I went behind her and reached around with the silk fabric, feeling the tremors in her body.

“Trust.” I said, as I lifted the fabric, folded carefully. “This is an exercise in trust. You have to trust me here, in the same way I trust you to keep our privacy.” I pressed the fabric over her eyes and tied a knot at the back.

Then I moved around and checked that her eyes were completely covered and that no stray chinks of light could hint my shadow to her.

“How’s that?” I asked. “Is it comfortable, not too tight?”

She nodded. “It’s okay.” Her voice contained the same tremor as her body had.

“Don’t be frightened, Toni. This is training in self-discipline, it’s not a punishment.”

“Could’ve fooled me.” Her voice had a hint of sarcasm.

“I can do both to show you the difference, if you like.” I didn’t think she’d like that, and I was right, her muscles tensed.

“All right, I’m going to begin. Remember, I want you to maintain this posture as much as you possibly can, no matter what I do.”

She didn’t answer me. Her muscles were tense.

I moved around her slowly. Close, I let my body just barely touch hers occasionally as I circled her. She was aware of me. Her body sensed where I was, and I could see it angling toward me, so slightly that it wasn’t a conscious thing.

I moved away, got an upright chair from the desk, and set it down silently in front of her. Then I sat down to examine her beautiful body.



* * *



She was growing on me. More and more she was growing on me. Her responsiveness and arousal to whatever I tried with her made me want to possess her, make her mine. Of course, there were times when she drove me to distraction, and part of me would scream to just put her on a plane and let Edward and Father sort her out, train her up. But I couldn’t do it. The thought of giving her to Edward — I felt a shudder rip through me.

No. The choice wasn’t there at all.

I’d been still long enough. She began to shift uncomfortably.

“James? Are you still here?” she asked, a note of panic in her voice.

“It’s okay. I’m here. I’m just admiring you.” I let the smile color my voice, and saw her blush again, and her posture dropped, her shoulders bowing in the classic trying to be invisible posture of a tall, shy teenager.

“Oh, no, you don’t!” I jumped up. “Toni. That’s exactly the posture that you have to give up. You mustn’t slouch. You look like you’re wishing the ground would swallow you up.”

“Well, you’ve got that right then. I do.” Her voice quivered. It was time to move on.

I shuffled the chair forward until I was close to her body. “I’m here, Toni.” And now that she’d heard me and knew where I was, I could touch her without startling her.

“Now, Toni, as I said, I’m asking that you maintain your posture no matter what is going on around you. Even if you’re really uncomfortable, or you wish you were somewhere else, I want you to keep still. Utter self-discipline. That’s the lesson today.” I reached for the small bag, and made sure it was within reach for when I needed it.