A little whimper escaped her throat, and she dropped her head. What they’d done last night carried no promises or even implications for a future, but when Sophia had showed up in a little black dress that showed the most delicious expanse of her smooth shoulders, she’d hoped that offered at least favourable inferences for the night ahead. Now a sinking suspicion that Sophia had returned to toying with her seeped through her libido-laden haze. “I seem to remember mentioning after our last dinner together that I’m not fond of games.”

“And your message was received. But you caught me off guard with your commanding performance last night. Don’t get me wrong. That little display of prowess and power you carried right on through to this morning did not go unappreciated.” Sophia sank her fingers into Vic’s hair, and this time tilted her head back far enough to expose her jugular. “But deep down nobody wants to be in charge all the time, and you’ve been in charge entirely too long, darling.”

She didn’t know where this was going. One minute it seemed as though she could have whatever she wanted from Sophia, a feeling she found intoxicating, then other times it felt as if the world had tilted under her feet. She had enough wherewithal to understand those shifts should make her nervous enough to flee. Instead, she stayed still and silent in anticipation of whatever Sophia would declare next.

“Tonight, I’m in charge, and your only job is to let go.”

“Let go?” Vic asked.

“Of your responsibility, of your title, of your deep, noble sensibility.” She gave her hair another little tug. “For tonight, you’re pledged only to your own pleasure.”

Her breath came fast and shallow as blood roared in her brain.

Sophia leaned down so low the open buttons on her silk shirt offered Vic a flash preview of where her pleasure might lead her first, but the sharp nip of teeth on her earlobe stole her attention once more. “Do we have an understanding?”

“Yes.” It was the only word she could muster, but it must have been enough, because Sophia released her and stood back, playfully tapping each one of her shoulders with the riding crop as if she’d conferred some sort of sexual knighthood upon her.

“You may rise,” Sophia said with her subtle smile, “and then claim your reward.”

Vic was on her feet in one fluid movement, pinning Sophia to the table as she kissed her fully. Finesse gave way to the ferocity of her need. In the space of a minute, she’d lifted Sophia onto the edge and moved into the space between her knees. Elaborate place settings rattled as she thrust her hips forward, spreading Sophia’s legs wide enough to push the dress to its limits around her bare thighs.