“Yes, you’re definitely a master at what you do.”
A harsh look darkened Bennett’s face. “I don’t have a playbook. I’m not thinking, if I stroke her pu**y fourteen more times she’ll cream on my hand.”
Ainsley knew he’d intentionally used crude language to drive home his point. “I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant. I meant you should have that designated Master title because…well, you are a master at this stuff. It’s a compliment.”
When she looked at him, Bennett was gone. Seemed strange to think of him as two separate personalities, but he really did have a switch that turned Ben, the easygoing rancher, into Bennett, the intense Dom.
“I ain’t gonna lie. I want more of that with you. I’ve been kicking this idea around all day.”
“What idea?”
“I want you as my submissive.”
He wasn’t joking. She narrowed her eyes. “I’ll never be a lifestyle submissive like Layla.”
“And I’d never demand that of you.”
“What would you demand?”
“Time alone with you. Conditioning you to learn to let go. Showing you how satisfying it is to entrust me to give you what you need. Proving this is what you’ve always wanted and who you are.”
“I don’t know enough about this lifestyle to commit to anything long-term, Ben.”
He gave her a considering look. “How about if you commit to it—to me—for one month?”
That was a workable timeframe.
“A month of you turning all control and decisions over to me.”
Her heart rate spiked. “I need to clarify that you mean all control and decisions…aside from my job.”
“I have no intent of controlling your career, Ainsley. That’s yours. Everything else would be mine. If you agree to this, we’ll skip the club scene for the month. Especially since I know you’ve no interest in adding exhibitionism or other players into the mix. No need to drive to Gillette when we both live in the same town, is there?”
“I suppose not.” Ainsley twisted her fingers together. “Can you give me a for instance on your ‘all control and decisions’ comment?”
Ben shook his head. “I set all the parameters when we’re alone together. I’m not looking to turn you into a slave to perform household chores, if that’s what’s put the wrinkle in your brow. I’m only interested in your submissiveness on a sexual level.”
“So I’d get no say in anything?”
“Sexually? No. If you can’t agree to that, well, there’s nothin’ else to discuss. Because that’s the basis of a Dom/sub agreement.”
No surprise he’d taken a firm stance. But was he offering her what she needed? Or taking what he wanted?
“I don’t expect you to make a decision on the spot tonight. I’ll give you a day to think it over.”
“A day is all?”
Ben smirked. “I can see if you agree to this you’re gonna try and argue with me. And the key word in that sentence is try.”
“You do that big, bad wolf bit very well.”
“I’ve had a lot of practice, but I guarantee I ain’t all bark and no bite. I’m lots of bite.”
She wondered if it was too late for a drink.
He held out his hands to help her up from the couch. “I know you’ve had a long day and I figure you’ll replay this discussion in that pretty head of yours long after you leave here.”
“You sending me home?”
“Mmm-hmm.” He pushed her hair back from her face. Then the ragged pad of his thumb traced her bottom lip. “I like seeing your mouth swollen from mine.”
Talk about a punch of lust. At that moment Ainsley wanted to drag him to the floor and ride him until she was sweaty, sore and gasping for air.
Ben growled, “Goddamn I love that f**k me now look in your eyes.”
“But you aren’t going to act on it?”
“Nope. You need to make the decision about what’ll happen between us, from your head, not your cunt. Because if I take you to my bed, I know which answer will win.”
She laughed. “I’d say you were overly confident, but I know you’ve got the juice to back up that claim.”
He held her arm to steady her as she slipped her heels on. He helped her put her coat on. He gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek after he walked her out to her car.
Ainsley buckled her seatbelt. When she turned, Ben was peering in her window. She rolled it down. “Did you change your mind about trying to sway my decision?”
“Huh-uh. I just wanted to say I had a great time with you tonight.”
“Me too.”
“I’ll hear from you tomorrow? Either way?”
“Yes.”
“Drive safe, angel.” He tapped the side of the car twice and stepped away.
On the way home she considered all that’d been said. A couple of phrases kept tripping her up.
I’m not a master. I’m just a simple rancher.
Right. Bennett McKay was the most complex man she’d ever met.
Chapter Eleven
What were the odds the first time Ben had lunch in town in months, he’d run into Ainsley?
Pretty high, given a town the size of Sundance.
Since she was having lunch with the mayor, he didn’t approach her. He took the first empty booth in Dewey’s Delish Dish and positioned himself to observe her. She laughed more than he’d expected. Whatever she’d said cracked the mayor up several times.
He tore his gaze from her as Dalton and Tell slid into the opposite bench seat. “If it ain’t Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum.”
“Fuck off. Didja order for us? We’re starved.”
“I should’ve since you guys are always dragging ass.”
“Not our fault this time,” Dalton said. “Brandt showed up late this mornin’.”
“Again,” Tell inserted. “It puts us behind every damn day. Them two are gonna have to do something different than splitting their time between Jessie’s place and Brandt’s place. Every time they stay at Jessie’s, he’s late.”
“I’d bet Jessie is late the mornings she’s gotta drive from Brandt’s to her job at Sky Blue.” Ben slid his menu to the edge of the table. “What’s the holdup on them getting one place together?”
“Money, probably. And Dad hasn’t exactly been helpful.”
Like that was news. His uncle was an ass**le most days. “What’s Uncle Casper been doin’ in his retirement? My Dad never says much about him.”