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  It was very much like Club Twist; people were dancing below us, just like a normal nightclub, but if I leant to the side slightly, I could see two small stages containing sex shows. On one was a woman performing a simple striptease, and on the other a man was receiving a rather competent blow job from a blonde-haired woman as another girl writhed about on his face, seeking her own pleasure. I watched in aroused interest for a moment or two, before sitting back and laughing at how this type of sight no longer shocked me.

  Luckily, Oliver had been distracted ordering drinks from a waiter, and so hadn’t seen my interest in the sex shows, otherwise I would no doubt be subject to a flurry of teasing and suggestive comments. Once our drinks arrived, we sat back, sipping the cool white wine and both watching what was going on around us. Just as I found myself relaxing into his company, Oliver turned in his seat and landed me with one of his penetrating stares. I still had no idea quite how he managed to pour so much intensity into these looks, but God, he really did. Even his posture managed to show how focused he was on me, and I found myself holding my breath as I waited for whatever statement or question he was about to throw at me.

  ‘So, I know you’re single, but tell me about your past lovers.’

  My eyes widened, and a lump of nerves formed in my throat that felt like I’d swallowed a tennis ball. My past lovers? Really? God. This was not a subject I was comfortable discussing. I struggled to talk about this type of thing with Chloe and Sasha, let alone Oliver.

  Tilting his head, Oliver observed me with a small smile. ‘Have I been too blunt again?’ He didn’t look at all embarrassed at all about his line of questioning.

  ‘Uh, yeah, a little. I’m British, we’re kinda reserved when it comes to subjects like this.’

  Oliver indicated around us with a sweep of his arm and then smiled at me. ‘Ah, but we’re in Spain now, Robyn, and we have no such issues. What’s the cause for embarrassment? It’s just sex. Yes?’

  Just sex.

  Sex, which I had always found unsatisfying and fumbled. ‘Um. Yeah, I guess.’

  Oliver didn’t say anything further, but from the gaze he was giving me, he definitely expected an answer. Pulling in a long sigh, I fiddled with the hem of my dress and gave a casual shrug. ‘I’ve dated a few guys over the years, but, you know, nothing serious.’

  ‘A few?’ Oliver queried, clearly wanting a precise number. I suspected mine would be way smaller than his but, luckily, I wasn’t going to be asking how many lovers he’d had – we were still at the “just friends” phase, so it didn’t really seem appropriate. Not for me, anyway, but clearly Oliver had no such issues with his personal questions.

  ‘Five,’ I blurted out, immediately taking a giant swig of my drink to cover my self-consciousness.

  ‘Just five?’ he murmured, sounding surprised.

  I nodded, my eyes darting around as I did everything within my power to try to avoid his curious gaze.

  ‘And all vanilla?’

  How could he be so casual discussing this? This was mortifying. ‘Hmm. Yes.’

  He absorbed this information with a small nod and a marginal narrowing of his eyes, as if he were slightly irritated by the thought of my past boyfriends, but I must have misread it, because that surely couldn’t be the case.

  I finally plucked up the courage to meet his eyes, and as I strayed over his handsome features I wondered again how many lovers he’d had during his life. My stomach churned at the thought. It would make me way too jealous, not to mention self-conscious, to try to compare myself to them.

  Seeing as he had broached such personal subjects, I might however, find out a little more about why he didn’t date.

  ‘So, um, you said before that you don’t date, does that mean you never have?’

  Oliver raised an eyebrow at me in apparent amusement, then nodded. ‘A fair question. I used to date, yes.’ Was that all he was going to give me? I’d disclosed the number of people I’d slept with; I thought it was only fair that he gave me a bit more than that!

  ‘But not any more?’ I pushed.

  Oliver sighed, but relented. ‘No. When I was a teenager I dated a little. I had a fairly serious relationship with a girl called Abi when I was eighteen, but we had certain … issues … and spilt up. I haven’t dated since.’

  ‘Issues?’ I asked, curious now as to what could have occurred between them to put him off dating for life.

  ‘Yes.’ The intensity of his stare, combined with the sharp tone, made it crystal clear that I wasn’t going to be getting any more information from him on that particular subject. We didn’t know each other well enough yet for me to feel comfortable with prying any further, so I left it, and luckily Oliver chose to fill the tense silence buy continuing his history. ‘I met Alex at a party about a year later.’

  He said the name as if I knew who he was talking about, but I didn’t. ‘Alex?’

  Oliver raised an eyebrow and gave a thin smile. ‘Alexandra. You met her briefly when we were in the bar next to Club Twist. One of the part-owners.’

  Oh – that Alex. The blonde ice queen who had given me such a vicious glare. I had a sudden suspicion that I wasn’t going to like the words that came from his lips next.

  ‘I hadn’t dated since the breakup with Abi, but I’d slept around a bit in between, like all guys that age do if they get the chance. Alex was older than me, and rather persistent. I ended up going home with her.’

  Boom. He’d slept with her. I bloody well knew it!

  A sickening feeling landed in my stomach like a lead weight, and I struggled not to let the jealousy show on my face as I drew in several shallow breaths through my teeth.

  ‘I didn’t realise it at the time, but it turned out she and I had a common need for control in the bedroom. I was just discovering my love of domination and control, so we still messed about that night, but I knew immediately that we weren’t compatible and that nothing could come of it.’ Oliver ran a hand through his hair, completely oblivious to just how much the idea of him “messing around” with the beautiful Alex was upsetting me.

  ‘She had other plans, however. When I said no to seeing her again she suggested that I join Club Twist. I did, and she’s made various moves on me over the years. Since I was young and single, I used the club to meet partners, much to Alex’s irritation.’ He chuckled. ‘It allowed me a freedom I hadn’t experienced before, so I continued with the no-dating thing. But when David asked me to take over the accounts and join the ownership team I stopped mixing with the clients.’

  She’s made various moves on him? Does that mean he still sleeps with her when it’s convenient? Or does he turn her down?

  ‘I thought she had a partner? Joshua? How come she still tries it on with you?’

  Oliver seemed amused by my interest, and as much as it might be giving away my jealousy, I still wanted to know. ‘She is with Joshua, but their relationship is what you might term as “very open”. They both sleep with other people.’

  Oh. My face must have fallen at that news, because Oliver threw his head back and openly laughed at me, then leaned across to give my hand a brief squeeze.

  ‘Don’t look so horrified, Robyn. If it concerns you, you should know that it was a one-time thing, I have never slept with her again.’ Oliver tilted his head to the side as if considering something and drew in a long breath. ‘I know you are still undecided about how our future will play out, but it may interest you to know that you are the first woman I have spent time with like this since Abi.’

  Wow. As simple as his words were, I felt ridiculously pleased by them.

  I might not know much about Abi and his past with her, but all in all, it had been quite an enlightening night.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Robyn

  Today had been another beautiful day. We’d lounged around the hotel garden eating breakfast, wandered the paths of Park Güell – the public park that contained the brightly coloured creations of the famous Spanish artist, Antoni Gau
dí – and were now showered and changed after the heat of the day, and once again sitting within Fantasia with a drink in our hands.

  I hadn’t slept that well last night, but with Oliver as company I wasn’t feeling tired at all. The reason for my sleepless night was also linked to him – I’d lain awake for an absolute age wondering if I might get a visit from him through the door connecting our suites. The unlocked door. The idea of Oliver entering my room, perhaps gloriously naked, and slipping into my bed had upped my arousal to the point where I’d tossed and turned. But no visit had occurred, and eventually I’d fallen into a restless asleep.

  Even with less sleep than usual, today had been an idyllic day. Oliver was the perfect guide – attentive, chatty, flirtatious, and knowledgeable – and I couldn’t deny that I was absolutely loving this time with him.

  Oliver’s admission last night that I was the first woman he’d actually spent proper time with since his teenage romance had solidified my intent to pursue something with him, but my problem now was building the confidence to actually tell him that.

  After two glasses of champagne to dull my inhibitions, I turned to Oliver, and decided to drop my bombshell. ‘So, I – uh, I’ve been thinking, and I want to try.’

  A second or two passed between us, then Oliver placed his glass down and turned to me, his movements precise and controlled, even though I could see a hint of excitement flickering in his eyes. ‘Try?’

  I was pretty sure he knew exactly what I was referring to, but my cheeks heated and I averted my eyes as I replied. ‘Yeah, us … and the … submission thing.’

  One of his eyebrows rose, and he drew in a breath so deep that his nostrils flared as he sat back and observed me for a second or two. He looked excited, but as usual, held his emotions mostly in check.

  ‘You want to submit to me?’

  I licked my lips and nodded. ‘Yes.’

  He pouted in apparent amusement. ‘You’re not playing me at my own games and teasing me, are you?’ he asked with a cautious smile.

  He thought I was joking? Didn’t he have any idea how long it had taken me to build up the courage to say this to him? ‘No, I’m serious.’

  His eyes flared, and he nodded in appreciation. ‘This makes me a very happy man, Robyn.’

  Leaning towards me, he gave me his all-consuming intent stare; the one that sucked me in and somehow left me breathless all at once. ‘You need to understand, that however I appear or sound, your welfare, pleasure, and safety will always be my paramount concern. You’re safe with me.’

  He looked and sounded completely genuine with those words, and I relaxed my shoulders. ‘OK. I’m not sure I’ll be very good at it all, though. I can be stubborn, does that mean I won’t be a very good submissive?’ I questioned cautiously.

  ‘Only time will tell, but I’ve seen significant hints of a submissive side within you, and you react to me so beautifully, so I think perhaps we’ll be a rather compatible combination,’ Oliver said lightly, but his words made me frown.

  ‘What hints?’ I asked, slightly affronted by his statement.

  Oliver laughed at my tone, and shook his head mildly. Then, as if he couldn’t resist, he lifted his hand and began to absently play with a strand of my hair. The feeling of his fingers twirling and gently stimulating my scalp was distracting, and I very nearly lost my train of thought completely.

  ‘You say you’re stubborn, but I see it more as a quiet determination, an understated strength, which is a perfect trait in a submissive. You apologise even when something isn’t your fault; you lower your eyes when you get aroused; you do things that put others before yourself, and you like to please other people. You seem to rather like pleasing me, too.’

  Wow. He was quite the list keeper, wasn’t he?

  With a casual shrug, he continued. ‘These are all indications of a submissive nature, and before you get offended, I also find them very attractive qualities.’

  We shared a heavy stare for a second or so, then Oliver steepled his fingers before himself, narrowing his eyes slightly. ‘Before we start, I need to check that this is more than just a research mission for your book?’ His tone was light, but his intense expression far from it.

  Nodding, I mimicked his body positioning and turned towards him. ‘Yes.’ I pursed my lips in a deliberate attempt at slowing my runaway mouth down. ‘This is for me … us. I won’t write about it.’

  ‘I will still help you with your research, Robyn, of course, but I’m glad to hear that your book is not your motivation for this,’ he confessed, using his hand to indicate between the two of us. Oliver took a sip of his drink, then moved his right hand and gently ran his fingertips across my exposed shoulder, sending a shiver running down my spine. ‘Now we have that cleared up, let’s start with the basics, shall we?’ He rubbed at his jaw thoughtfully. I didn’t know how he could act so casually; my body was so alive with sensations from his touch and proximity that I was struggling to focus on what he was saying. ‘I appreciate this will all be new and somewhat confusing at first, but I promise to guide you to the best of my ability.’

  ‘Thank you. I trust you, Oliver, and I’m definitely curious about it. Curious about you,’ I added, hoping not to give away quite how fond of him I was becoming.

  He flashed me a wink and leaned closer. ‘Excellent. Physical compatibility is an obvious must in a situation such as this. I think I know the answer to this question, but I shall ask it, nonetheless. Are you attracted to me physically, Robyn?’ he asked, resting his knee up onto the seat between us so his body was turned and fully facing me. ‘Aroused by me?’

  ‘God, yes.’ I winced as soon I heard the desperate words that had poured unrestrained from my lips. Damn it! I cleared my throat, embarrassed by my overly keen admission, but Oliver’s lips quirked into a dark smile, as if thrilled by my runaway words.

  ‘Perfect. I can assure you the feeling is completely mutual. You have sparked feelings within me that I thought had been lost forever. I’ve been drawn to you from the first time I saw you. To say I am attracted to you is an understatement …’ he admitted in a low raspy tone.

  Wow. Yet another deep declaration. But the relief I felt at his words was immense, because in my more self-conscious moments this week I had wondered if I was merely a business transaction to him, another notch on his bedpost or something like that.

  ‘Me, too,’ I replied, which sounded so inadequate compared to his statement that I felt a need to say more. ‘When you’re near me it’s like the air around me thickens and stops me being able to breathe …’ I stopped myself and snapped my teeth together. God, I sounded pathetic. If I wasn’t careful I’d scare him off with my blabbing before we even got started.

  Instead of mocking me, or looking horrified by my honesty Oliver simply nodded and leaned forwards. ‘Same,’ he murmured, before leaning closer still, until his lips brushed my earlobe. ‘And you’re turned on by it? The idea of giving yourself to me?’ I gulped at his blatant words, and he was so close that it must have been loud enough for him hear. Who was I kidding? It was probably loud enough for half the frigging customers to hear.

  ‘Yes,’ I admitted softly, causing his eyes to flash with desire.

  Clearing my throat, I tried to push aside my lust and get the answers I needed, before I ended up throwing myself into something I didn’t fully understand, and perhaps regretting it later. ‘Will you explain a little more about what it would involve? What you would expect from me?’

  ‘Of course, but first, just out of interest, what do you think it involves?’ Oliver asked, turning my own question back around to me.

  Pausing, I considered this for a moment, and thought about all the various things I’d seen on the internet when doing my research. ‘I’m not sure, really. I suppose you want me to be subservient to you …’ A frown creased my brow as I thought more deeply about what that might actually mean. I’d only thought about potentially having some hot sex with Oliver; it hadn’t really occurred to me un
til now what else might be included. The thought of being his little slave wasn’t an appealing one.

  My troubled expression was mirrored in Oliver’s when I turned back to him. ‘No. I have no wish to demean you. That’s not how I get my kick,’ he said with a shake of his head. ‘Although the thought of you on your knees does hold quite an appeal,’ he confessed, his eyes darkening. ‘All dominants will be different, but for me it’s about control over a shared experience. I want you to totally submit control to me. I have to know you trust me and respect me enough to do whatever I want, whenever I want.’

  I nodded, somewhat relieved by his answer. I could kneel for him as long as I wasn’t going to be some sort of sex slave.

  ‘Think of it as a game with a few rules you have to follow,’ he said simply.

  ‘I’m not sure getting on my knees sounds much like a game,’ I muttered, my nerves briefly overwhelming my ability to control my tongue.

  It was immediately apparent that Oliver didn’t appreciate my tone, because in response he merely narrowed his eyes, a wicked smile lingering on his lips as he chastised me for my petulance without even using one word. It was quite incredible just how powerful his expression was, and I quivered in my seat as I felt the full force of his stare travel through me.

  ‘Sorry,’ I mumbled, quite taken aback by the authority he managed to place in a simple glance. ‘Please continue.’

  He flashed me a pleased wink, then loosened off his neck and nodded. ‘As I was saying, it’s like a game with rules that you follow. I am in control of you and your safety, so you don’t need to worry about making any decisions, you simply trust me and do as I ask without hesitation.’

  ‘OK … that sounds all right, are there any other rules?’

  ‘I don’t tolerate lies, so honesty between us at all times is another rule.’ He sipped his drink as he continued to think and nodded. ‘As I mentioned last time we spoke about this, I would very much like it if you called me Sir when we are playing. I appreciate that you are new to all this, and might find that a little awkward in public places like here, or back in Club Twist, but I would expect it when we were together in a scene. Or together sexually.’