Training the Dom Read Online Free PDF

fact.”
    “Thank you.”
    I lifted his chin with the crop and waited for him to correct his mistake.
    “Thank you, Mistress.”
    Yeah, I could get used to this.
    “I’ve noticed you’re not very good at listening. I plan on teaching you how to be better at it. What do you have to say about that?”
    Gareth didn’t say anything. Okay, not exactly the response I wanted, but I couldn’t let his stubborn streak get to me. “See, this is exactly what I’m talking about. Not listening. I asked you a question. I’m waiting for a response.”
    He kept his eyes up and locked on to mine. There wasn’t the normal calm I was used to seeing in him. Holy shit, he actually looked a little freaked out. I knew I was supposed to stay in character, but I couldn’t, not with him barely keeping it together. I reached down and cupped his face in my hands, letting the crop fall to the floor.
    “We can stop this, right now.” I leaned in and kissed his forehead. Gareth sucked in a sharp breath, but he didn’t otherwise move. “I…I probably got this all wrong. I got the impression you might enjoy having someone else in charge for once. Give you a bit of a break.”
    I pulled back enough to watch him swallow. His eyes were filled with unshed tears and his hands were shaking as they hung limp by his side. Dammit, this wasn’t right at all. I couldn’t believe I’d screwed things up so badly this fast.
    “Gareth, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. Let’s just forget that I—”
    “Thank you.”
    I was so surprised I’m sure I gave an excellent gaping fish impression. “What?”
    He reached up and placed his hand over mine. “I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone do something so…generous for me before.”
    That’s right, that’s me. Good old generous Liz. “ What? ”
    Gareth chuckled, but he made no move to run away screaming. Hell, he somehow went from looking panicked to relaxed in the space of a few heartbeats.
    “Liz, you’re not a Domme.”
    “Believe me, I know. But Stephen said you needed to have things shaken up a bit, and Connie wanted me to ask you to participate in an orgy, but I was pretty sure you wouldn’t be into that. I thought things might be better if I tried this. So I bought the outfit and borrowed the crop and I really wanted to give you a special night as a thank-you for everything you’ve done for me.”
    Whoa, he didn’t interrupt my tirade.
    He wasn’t saying anything in fact.
    “Gareth?”
    “Yes, Mistress?”
    Okay, so if I thought I was wet before, having this in-control, domineering man call me Mistress had me nearly coming on the spot.
    “Do you want me to continue?” I gave his cheek a gentle squeeze. He was always doing that to me, touching and caressing. It settled me in a way I hadn’t realized contact could. If luck was with me, it would do the same for him. “Because for a minute there it looked as if you were freaking out. I need you to say the words so I know I’m not forcing this on you.”
    Gareth didn’t have the same tells that I did. He didn’t lick his lips or bite his cheek when he got nervous. But surprisingly, he would drop his gaze. An odd thing given what he enjoyed doing in the bedroom. Though I’ve come to the realization that who we are when the door closes doesn’t encapsulate everything about us as people.
    Currently, Gareth was staring at a spot on my chest—probably my cleavage. It was a really nice corset and did its job spectacularly.
    “Yeah, I think I do.”
    There was that internal Snoopy dance going on again.
    “What’s your safeword?”
    “Book.”
    “Book? Really? That’s very— book ?”
    “Don’t make fun of the safeword, Liz.”
    “Right. Sorry. Book it is.”
    I had to step away then and give myself a minute to get back into character. I also knew that he’d need a few moments of quiet himself. It really is a different headspace when you’re doing a scene, even if it is with someone you care about. Especially then.