Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 21157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Instead, he remained seated, though he leaned forward, his eyes fixed on her. “Stand up,” he directed.
Dahlia got awkwardly to her feet, relieved to be off her knees. She faced him, heart pounding, mouth dry, sweat prickling in her armpits.
“Hands at your sides,” he directed.
Dahlia realized she’d been twisting her fingers together, a nervous habit she thought she’d outgrown. She dropped her hands, trying to calm her jittery nerves.
“It’s natural to be nervous,” he said, his tone gentler now. “Close your eyes.” He waited until she had obeyed.
“Focusing on your breathing will help you to calm down. I want you to take in a deep breath through your nose and let it out slowly.”
Again, he waited until she had complied. “Good. Now, do that again, but this time count slowly to three as you inhale, hold it for another three seconds and then exhale to the count of three. Keep your eyes closed and keep breathing that way until I tell you to stop.”
Dahlia did as he directed, feeling mildly ridiculous standing in front of this man doing breathing exercises with her eyes closed. Yet it did help her racing heart to slow. Her shoulders, which she hadn’t realized she’d been hunching, relaxed a little.
Feeling calmer, she opened her eyes and smiled. “Thanks. That did help.”
He frowned. “I didn’t tell you to stop, Dahlia. Or to speak. You will continue until I say so.”
She very nearly protested that she was fine. They could move on. But she caught herself in time, remembering the rule about obeying him to the letter. She closed her eyes again and refocused on the breathing exercise.
In, one, two, three… Hold, one, two, three… Out, one, two, three…
Finally, he said, “Open your eyes and look at me.”
She did so, both eager and nervous for whatever came next.
“From this moment until the session is over,” Hayden said, his voice deepening, “you will not speak unless I ask you a direct question. The only caveat is if you want to end the session. Understood?”
Her first impulse was to protest. How did one learn without asking questions? But she reminded herself she’d agreed to this, and she was determined to see it through.
“Okay. I got it. No speaking unless spoken to.”
“Good. Next directive: for the duration of the session, you will address me in a respectful tone, answering only what I ask, without embellishment or commentary. And you will address me as Sir when you respond. Do you understand?”
Dahlia was thrilled and scandalized in equal measure by this command. How did she reconcile this new version of Hayden with the progressive, sensitive man she knew? Did he really expect her to address him as if he were her boss—as if he owned her?
Just do it, she counseled herself. Stop second-guessing him and just obey.
“Yes…Sir,” she managed, unable to stop the heat from rising yet again into her cheeks.
He nodded. “Good girl. I sensed your struggle just now. While I know it’s tempting, don’t overthink things. Don’t anticipate or dissect. Just do exactly as I say, how and when I say to do it. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
She had a sudden, crazy impulse to salute him and shout, “Sir-yes-sir!” like an army recruit. She’d often resorted to sarcasm when she was uncomfortable. This time, she needed to keep her mouth shut.
“Now, please remove your boots and socks if you’re wearing any, and your pants. Place the boots and socks under that chair”—he waved toward one of the chairs—“and place your pants on the seat.”
It suddenly crossed her mind that this whole thing might just be an elaborate setup to get her naked. But, no, she would have happily gotten naked and fallen right into bed with this guy, despite her own personal rule of no sex on the first date. And she had a feeling he knew it.
Whatever his motives, she’d committed to this, and she was determined to see it through. If this was the price of admission, bring it on.
Striving for a calmness she didn’t feel, Dahlia bent down, unzipped her ankle boots and stepped out of them. She pulled off her socks, tucking them neatly into her boots. Feeling extremely self-conscious as Hayden watched her with those sexy, hooded eyes, she undid her pants and slid them down her thighs. She was glad for the momentary reprieve as she folded and draped them over the back of the chair.
“Now, resume your position in front of me,” Hayden directed, the reprieve over. “Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and place your hands on your head.”
Phew. At least he hadn’t made her get all the way naked—yet.
As she assumed the position, she couldn’t help but wonder what he was going to do next.
It’s just a test, she reminded herself. To see how well you can follow orders. It’s not like he’s asking you to bend over and spread ’em.