Expecting blowback from my harshly worded speech, I braced myself for it, but it didn’t come. Gabrielle surprised me yet again, as if my rant couldn’t faze her in the slightest. Interesting.

Instead, she offered me a small tilt of her head before lowering her lovely eyes in deference to my wishes, her submission crystal clear.

The effect of such a lovely gesture raced straight to my cock, by way of my heart. Then the beauteous Miss Gabrielle Hargreave with the green eyes and the mahogany hair, the goddess art specialist from the University of London, the fiery little sexy kitten who needed to be tamed by a master who understood her worth, the extraordinary woman whom fate had dropped directly into my path for a third time, followed it up with an encore. Perfectly wonderful words of her own.

“Agreed. No invitations then. It can be just me for now… my lord… Rothvale.”

Words that would seal the deal for me.

Challenge in her green eyes, she was fully aware what the last directive might do to me. Such a naughty kitten. Making me fall in love with her just little bit more than before.

I moved my hands from her shoulders where I’d been holding her and slid them up her neck to stop at cupping her cheeks. “Does that mean what I hope it means? An agreement to what I proposed to you earlier?” Bringing both of my thumbs to her neck and pressing them over her pulse points, I was desperate to feel the beat of her heart as she told me something good and wonderful. Just fucking desperate.

Kitten is going to say yes.

Add to that the sight of my hands on her neck? Exquisite.

“Yes, Ivan, it means yes. I’ve considered it, and I want to be here, and be with you, while I evaluate the Donadea collection. I’ll go behind the door and give to you my submission once said door is locked and we are alone together. Which also means no exhibitionism for me. No club scenes either, I won’t do that or go to one of those places. I’m a private person and have zero interest in putting on a sex show for anyone other than my partner… ever. If that will work for you, then my answer is yes.”

It’s been a lifetime since I’ve felt the need for confession. I’d love to confess to Gabrielle right now, on my knees with a complete unburdening of my many sins. I won’t, but I’d fucking love to. Instead, I appreciate what she just told me.

I too, am a private person. Also, it’s already been established I don’t share well. Imagining anyone else witnessing your submission? To me? Out of the motherfucking question, you silly kitten. Your submission is mine. For my eyes and my pleasure only. And yours too, of course. I already need to kill the cocksucker who hurt you before. Nobody will ever watch us fuck… except me and you.