Chapter 7: An Open Book

"What do you mean, I have it all wrong?" His prior words leave me feeling more confused than I already feel.

"A Dom can only be in control when transference of power has been granted willingly by the submissive party. And I do not wish to control you or take away your free will. It does not work that way, at least, not for me. However, I will tell you that I am just as attracted to you as you are to me," he says, lightly caressing my cheek.

"I'm n-not . . ."

He silences me by placing two fingers over my lips.

"I know what you are thinking and feeling. You are an open book. Would you like me to tell you what I know?"

"Do I have a choice?" My eyes roll, and I scoff.

"But of course. You will always have a choice."

"Fine, tell me."

"Lie back and close your eyes, and I will both show and tell you," he says, kneeling before me.

He places both of his hands on the sofa beside my knees, making me hypersensitive to his proximity.

I peer at him, then scoot against the back cushion of the couch, never breaking eye contact.

"Close your eyes. I will tell you what I am doing beforehand, so as not to make you uncomfortable."

Drawing in a deep breath, I contemplate his words and all of the prior content discussed, then close my eyes.

"Okay." My heart picks up speed, racing in my chest.

"I am going to ease my body between your knees, but I will not touch you inappropriately. However, I will touch your arms. Now, relax and breathe for me," he commands.

His hands slide over my knees, prying them apart.

My breath hitches in the back of my throat. The warmth of his body against the inside of my legs, causes an involuntary shiver.

Alexandre slides his hands from the top of my shoulders down to my wrists. The contact makes me pull my knees tighter against his kneeling frame. His fingers wrap around my wrists, holding them in place.

"Breathe, ma chere. I will stop if you tell me to," he whispers, softly in my ear. "Right now, you must relax your legs because your knees are digging into my sides."

The warmth of his breath on my neck makes me shiver.

"Oh, sorry about that," I say with a nervous chuckle.

Forcing my body to relax, I pull my knees outward, away from his warm frame.

"I'm going to kiss you."

His mouth lightly brushes against the closed lids of my eyes, and I draw in a deep breath. Slowly, his lips trail a path over my cheekbone and down my jaw.

I strain and pull against the hold he has on my wrists, which results in him tightening his grasp.

"Relax, I will not hurt you." Gently, he nudges me with his head to gain access to my neck.

When I tilt my head to the side, he nibbles on the nook of my neck and ear.

A soft moan passes between my lips, surprising me.

"Open your eyes and look at me," he commands. My eyes flutter open, and he smiles. "Was that unpleasant?"

"No, not at all," I say blushing, then turn away from his intense gaze.

He releases my wrists and then cups my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes.

"Did you feel as if you were trapped and could not get away?"

I shake my head and say, "No, because you said you'd stop if I asked you to."

"So, in other words, you trusted me to do what I said I would do, no?"

"Yes," I say, staring at his mouth.

He licks his lips. "Shall I tell you what I see?"

"Sure, um, okay." I reply, moving my hands from the couch cushion to my lap. "What do you see when you look at me?"

"Your body tells me that you enjoyed my touch, even as brief as it was, because of the way you responded."

"What do you mean?" Curiosity now tugs at me, drawing me in.

"Your eyes dilated and the pulse in your neck increased. Plus, your lips darkened and swelled slightly because of your state of arousal," he says, grinning, then he peers down at my breasts. "Shall I point out other factors of arousal you experienced?"

"No, I think you covered them fairly well, thank you, very much," I reply turning a crimson shade of red.

He strokes his chin and chuckles.

"Alexandre, are you going to kiss me again?"

He raises a brow and asks, "Do you want me to?"

I nod my head, not fully trusting my voice. He smiles and then lowers his head, claiming my lips again.

Sliding my hands around his neck, I lace my fingers through his hair, pulling him closer.

It's odd to think how comfortable I feel in his presence - in his arms. I've just met him, so the comfort level leaves me a bit puzzled and confused.

Groaning, he eases me onto the couch cushions, pressing me against the length of the couch.

His lean frame molds to my body as if we're two sides of the same coin. He loops his fingers around my wrists and gently eases them above my head.

"Do not move your hands," he commands, peering into my eyes. "No matter what I do, do not move them."

I nod my head.

"If you want me to stop at any time, you need only to tell me to stop. Do you understand?"

I nod once more, not even bothering to blink.

"I need a verbal response, ma chere." He holds me spellbound with his sky-blue gaze. "Now, do you understand?"

"Yes," I squeak the single word out.

"And what do you understand, ma chere? Tell me."

"That I'm to keep my hands above my head." I swallow hard, focusing on the words I'm speaking. "And that if I want you to stop, I tell you."

"That is correct."