Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Beau was increasingly intrigued with this girl, even if she was way too young for him. She had a delicate bone structure, angular, almost feline. He liked the twinkling diamond stud in her nose and the tiny hoops that rimmed her ears. He loved the cotton-candy hair, which added whimsy to the whole sexy package.
She exhibited a tough-girl persona, which was intriguing in and of itself. He could sense the passion beneath. There was nothing sexier in his mind than a strong-willed submissive. It made the taming even more exciting. Her husky voice, at odds with her diminutive stature, was sexy as hell.
What was his own angle in all this? Why was he pressing her about finding her inner submissive? What did he really know about her, beyond the fact she handled intensive scenes with grace and courage?
Back off, Jackson, he warned himself. You’re not her advisor in BDSM or anything else.
Lia had finished her ham quiche, the mini pizza and the corn fritter bites, and was now distracting Beau with the incredibly sensual way she was licking the custard from a tiny éclair.
Looking away before she gave him an erection, Beau asked, “So, what do you do for a living, Ms. High Achiever?”
“I have a Master’s in library science. In fact, I’m starting a terrific job in the research library at UNC-Asheville the week after next. I’m really excited about it.”
“That’s great. Though you look too young to have already earned your Master’s.”
“I’m nearly twenty-five,” she sputtered indignantly.
“I have socks older than you,” he teased. “Seriously though, library science is a terrific field.” He arched a brow, “Though I have to say, it sounds like a good setup for an erotic novel. Prim and proper librarian by day, dirty girl by night.”
Lia snorted. “Art imitating life, babe,” she quipped.
Beau laughed. He couldn’t remember when he’d last enjoyed someone’s company so much, despite the fact she was a Gen Z’er just starting her career, while he was a millennial who already had tenure.
“How about you?” she asked. “What do you do when you’re not hanging out at BDSM clubs or escorting ladies to society weddings?”
“Once again, our worlds collide,” he replied. “We have the same employer. I’m a history professor. Asian studies with an emphasis on Japan. I’ve only just transferred from UNC-Charlotte to the university here.”
“Oh, my god,” she shrieked in mock horror, hands flying to her face. “So, what, you’re like, fifty?”
Now it was his turn to be indignant, until he saw the twinkle in those tawny eyes and the grin twitching at her lips.
“I’m thirty-five,” he said. “Not quite old enough to be your father.”
“Well, that’s a relief,” she quipped, pretending to wipe the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. He couldn’t help but laugh.
“So,” she continued. “Tweed-jacketed prof by day, leather-clad sadist by night?”
“Something like that,” he agreed, still smiling.
“Do you show the students your tattoo on the first day of class, Professor?” she asked with a smirk.
He smirked back. “Uh, that would be a no. I actually got it during my year abroad in Tokyo while researching my PhD thesis.”
The smirk was replaced with what appeared to be genuine interest. “Cool. What was your thesis topic?”
“The cultural and historical context of Kinbaku. Specifically, its evolution over time and its current place in Japanese culture and society.”
“Kinbaku,” Lia repeated. “That’s like Shibari, right?”
“Yes,” he replied, pleasantly surprised she was familiar with the words. “They’re both Japanese styles of rope bondage and the terms are often used interchangeably here in the States. But there are some differences between them. Shibari literally means ‘to tie’ and is generally used to describe the art of decorative rope tying. Kinbaku is a more specific style of bondage often associated with eroticism and BDSM. The word literally means ‘the beauty of tight binding.’ I personally find Kinbaku an excellent tool for exploring the power dynamic between Dom and sub and pushing boundaries within a consensual relationship.”
He stared directly into her eyes, capturing her in his gaze. “And, of course, there’s nothing more beautiful than a naked woman bound in rope, completely at the mercy of her Master.”
A small shiver moved through Lia’s frame, her lips softly parting. Beau’s cock twitched in appreciation. Then, as if coming back to herself, she tossed her head, her eyes flitting from his.
“I love bondage,” she asserted, “but not for its beauty. I just like being tied up.” She made a face. “I don’t have the patience to let someone work all kinds of intricate knots while I just stand there.” The sass had returned to her tone. “Talk about a buzz kill. Ugh.”
“Sounds like you’ve been hanging around with the wrong guys,” Beau offered with a shrug. “When practiced correctly, Kinbaku is far from boring for either participant. It can be quite physically challenging, and highly erotically charged. It takes practice to truly let go. I’m getting the sense that might be difficult for you.”