“All writers have editors.” He leaned back in his chair, enjoying the lighthearted conversation. “Let’s see. If I had to replace cuddle with another word, I’d say, ‘I’ve always found it’s easier to talk when you’re wrapped together skin-on-skin and so close your bodies speak in ways your mouth can’t.’”

The wineglass she’d been drinking from was now suspended halfway between the table and her lips.

“Sasha?” he asked.

“Uh, what?” She put the glass down. “I got lost somewhere between skin-on-skin and mouth.”

He laughed. It seemed it was always easier to laugh when Sasha was around. “I’ll help you clean up the kitchen and then we’ll see if we can find a movie to watch.”

•   •   •

She woke the next morning, not surprised to find the bed empty. He’d told her he was an early riser. What was surprising was that they hadn’t done anything the night before. When they made it to bed, he’d simply pulled her to him and whispered that they had plenty of time.

She stretched, still feeling the slight aches and pains of the day before. He’d told her what her morning routine was to be, so she scurried out of bed, made it, and freshened up in the bathroom.

Naked, she walked to the large picture window in the bedroom that overlooked the backyard. She took only a second to glance outside and in doing so, noticed Cole on the patio. Without looking to see if he was watching, she knelt down and started her new morning ritual of meditation.

She’d never meditated before, but Cole had told her all he expected was for her to spend time in quiet reflection and he’d let her know when her time was up. That she could do.

But on her knees, she discovered it was hard to still her mind. Numerous questions popped up, one after another: what were they going to do today, what was he doing outside, did she oversleep, what about breakfast?

Switching tactics, she focused on her breathing and took a deep breath in and slowly let it out. In her mind, she heard Cole’s voice praising her, “Good girl.” After a few cycles, her body settled into the quiet peacefulness she’d anticipated. She focused on Cole and how excited she was to be with him for the next few weeks.

The shuffle of footsteps worked their way into her consciousness. Cole was back; her time must be up. She waited in stillness for him to say something.

But he continued moving silently and he came to a stop in front of her. His feet were bare. That was the only part of him she saw with her head down. And still he didn’t say anything.

Finally, he moved. He shifted his feet so they were farther apart. In the next second, his jeans slid down around his ankles.

That probably meant what she thought it meant, but would he want her to assume or wait for instructions? She clenched her fists in exasperation. She didn’t know because he didn’t tell her.

He cupped her chin and lifted her head slightly so she was eye level with his erection. “Did you enjoy your quiet time this morning, little one?” he asked in a whisper.

“Yes, Sir.” She licked her lips, hungry for the taste of him.

“Elaborate.”

“I first focused on my breathing and it was almost as if I heard you giving me instructions. Once my mind settled down, I was able to think about this week and seeing you. Serving you.”

“And you still want to continue?”

“Very much, Sir.”

“Thank you, little one. I’m glad to hear that.” He shook first one leg and then the other, removing his pants completely. He grabbed a handful of hair and moved her head closer to his groin. “Show me.”

She didn’t want to just give him a blow job, she wanted to lavish his cock with everything she felt at that moment. Tentatively, she placed her hands on his upper thighs and engulfed his length in her mouth. First taking him as deep as possible, then pulling away and swirling her tongue around his tip. With both hands, she worked the base.

His fingers tightened, giving her hair a slight pulling. “Mmm, little one. That’s right. Worship that cock. Show me how much you love it. What it does to you.”

His words of praise filled her with warmth. She took him down her throat and didn’t move, allowing him to enjoy the feeling of being inside her that way. With her whole being she paid homage to his cock using her lips, her tongue, her hands, and, most importantly, her mind.

It had the desired effect on him. His breathing grew raspy and his fingers held an almost painful grip on her hair. He was close and she was ready. She wanted to taste the evidence of how much she’d turned him on.

But right when she thought he was going to come, he stopped completely, and jerked out of her mouth. She dropped back so her butt rested on her heels and looked at his feet.

“Eyes on me, little one. I do enjoy watching you swallow, but right now I’m going to come all over you. Lift your head higher. I’m not going to come on your face yet.”

Damn. That meant he would eventually, right?

She didn’t want to admit how much that thought turned her on.

Once she’d lifted her head, he worked his erection and within seconds, he painted her chest and shoulders with his come. It felt feral kneeling before him as his release slid down her skin. She shouldn’t like it. She should be disgusted. But she wasn’t. She loved it. Loved that it was like he’d marked her. That he gave that part of him to her.

He offered her a hand and helped her to her feet. “I’m going to enjoy eating breakfast with you wearing nothing but my collar and my spunk.”

It was an unusual breakfast to say the least. Cole didn’t have her sit across from him at the table, the way she thought he would. He told her he wanted her in his lap and proceeded to feed her from his plate.

“You really can’t cook?” he asked.

She swallowed the bite of omelet she had in her mouth. “I really can’t.”

“Nothing?”

“Nothing.”

“It’s not that big of a deal for me, but if you do want to enter into a Master/slave relationship at some point, there are Masters who require domestic service.”

“I make a mean pot of coffee.”

“You’re not that bad with tea, either.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

He held the glass of orange juice up to her lips and she took several sips.

“Speaking of cooking,” Sasha said, “I’m having a package delivered here today. It’s perishable. If you let me know when it gets here, I’ll take care of it.”