She had never wanted anything more in her life than what he was talking about. And the way he said it! His words were fluid, sure. He knew exactly what he was talking about, had experienced it, lived it.
“And the Dom has to be willing to accept the gifts a sub is offering.” Liam went on, his voice soft, and she focused on him, entranced. “It’s a precious thing, when someone is willing to give themselves to you that way. It takes trust beyond measure. It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.”
She nodded, feeling tears prick her eyes, and she quickly blinked them away, turning to her margarita and hiding behind it as she sipped. She wanted to give herself, wholly, completely, had wanted it for so long-and now… now she knew she’d found the man she wanted to give herself to. It seemed so simple, but her heart ached as she looked at him, fearing his rejection still, feeling as if she was at some sort of “submissive tryout,” trying to say and do the right thing, walking on eggshells.
“But a Dom has to be worthy of such a gift,” he reminded her. “And he has to feel worthy of it.”
Katie’s eyes widened. “That’s really Patrick’s problem.”
“Yes,” Liam agreed. “That, and his damned pride.”
He looked up as the waitress approached. She was the bright, shiny sort of pretty Katie always wished she could be-bubbly and blonde, she smiled easily and flirted with her customers, moving with a natural grace.
“Tiramisu,” Liam ordered.
“Two?” she asked, putting pen to pad.
“Just one.”
Katie opened her mouth to protest-dessert sounded delightful! — but she argued with herself that she’d had more than enough as the waitress continued to flirt with Liam, exchanging some pleasantries about where she was going to school, what she was studying. Katie hadn’t been paying close attention-she’d been too focused on how the girl flipped her hair and flashed her smile, the way her hips swayed under her black skirt when she walked away.
“But you can read all this in the book.” Liam sat back in his chair as the waitress departed, taking his napkin from his lap and putting it over his plate. “Didn’t you say you learn best from books?”
“I like hearing it from you.” Katie watched the waitress stop and take plates from another table, balancing them easily, even in heels.
“You’re jealous.”
“What?” Katie coughed, reaching for her water.
He chuckled. “I can almost hear the voices in your head.”
“I hope not,” she muttered, gulping water. Of course, he was right.
“You don’t need to be.”
She put her glass on the table, not looking at him. Instead she looked out the window where the sun was setting over the city. The view was stunning from this high up, snow falling steadily, melting into the lake far below.
“Do you always flirt with waitresses?” she finally asked.
“You can label it as you like.” He shrugged. “It’s really just an energy exchange.”
“Is that what you call it?”
“All relationship is about energy exchange. I’m sure you’ve read about Total Power Exchange? ”
She nodded. Of course she had-the 24/7 Dom/sub relationship. “Have you ever done that?”
“Once.” He didn’t offer any more information and Katie didn’t ask. “Ah, here we are.”
He sounded pleased and Katie looked longingly at the layered dessert while he thanked the waitress, picking up the spoon as she left. Liam glanced over at her as he slid the spoon through the creamy layers, smiling at her expression.
“You’re distracted.”
She licked her lips. “That looks yummy.”
“You want it.”
“Yes.” Looking between him and the dessert, she wasn’t sure which she wanted more.
Liam smirked. “That’s why I ordered it.”
“For me?” She brightened.
“Close your eyes.”
“Here?” Katie glanced around the restaurant. It was a Friday night-they were packed. When she looked back at Liam, she understood her mistake immediately. He’d given her an order and she had refused to follow. Stupid. She chastised herself, closing her eyes instantly, both to comply and to hide from his dark gaze.
“Open your mouth.”
This time she did as she was told and was rewarded with a delicious bite of tiramisu, incredibly rich and creamy, with that dark hint of mocha and a lovely finish of chocolate.
“Keep your eyes closed.”
He’d anticipated her opening them and Katie only got a brief glimpse of him before she squeezed her eyes shut again, chewing and swallowing the delightful confection.
“How does that taste?”
“Like… mmm…” She licked her lips, already craving more. “Coffee… and chocolate… oh heaven… light and fluffy…”
“No words.” Liam brought the spoon to her lips, urging her to open, and she took another blissful bite. “How does that taste?”
“Mmmmmm.” The ladyfingers in the dessert were moist and sweet against her tongue. They made fantastic dessert here! She’d have to remember this restaurant-although she probably couldn’t afford to come here on her salary, even alone.
“I think you can do better.”
Liam fed her another bite, smaller this time. Katie was far too aware of the sounds of the restaurant around her, the clinking of glasses, the scrape of utensils on plates, the sounds of laughter and conversation reverberating in her head. She didn’t want to make so much noise she called attention to herself, but that was clearly what Liam was encouraging!
“Ohhhhhh.” She took his next offered bite with more enthusiasm and he gave her an even larger one. “Nnnnnnngggg!”
“More?”
She leaned forward, mouth open like a baby bird, eyes still firmly closed. “Mmm mmm mmm!”
Liam continued to feed her, encouraging her noises, and Katie soon forgot where she was. The chocolate and coffee and cream melted in her mouth, the taste so delicious she couldn’t get enough. And it was sexy, she had to admit, Liam feeding her dessert, watching her pleasure-and she knew that was exactly what he was doing. Her belly protested, but her tongue wanted more, more, until she was making noises she knew would rival Meg Ryan’s orgasm in When Harry Met Sally, with Liam rewarding her, bite after bite.
“That was the last one.”