Read Online Learning the Hard Way by Bridget Midway - Free Book Online Page B

He held up his hand and splayed his fingers. “Five times.”
    “If I don’t?” She swallowed hard.
    Good. She wanted to play. She wanted to test boundaries. Always a good sign of a willing submissive.
    “I will give you the deepest, hottest, wettest kiss you’ve ever had.” He wanted to do that regardless of his forced restrictions on her.
    He knew her uptight nature wouldn’t allow for her to be that brazen.
    “Understood. Let’s go.” She marched toward the event hall.

Chapter Five
    What had Ava done? Sitting next to Troy felt like she’d made a deal with the devil.
    As promised, he held her hand throughout dinner. At first, it seemed awkward. She caught some strange looks from some of her colleagues, which made her want to break the connection. She couldn’t. Not physically. She liked the security of holding his strong hand, like he supported her, comforted her, protected her. Thankfully she’d gotten the fish and the meat had been flaky enough that she didn’t need to use her other hand to cut into it.
    The warmth of his large hand calmed her almost as much as his restrictions. Troy telling her what to do and how to do it had her stunned. She’d never been with a man who made specific demands on her. She’d done that to the men she dated. She found the restrictions freeing. As long as she knew the rules, she didn’t mind playing.
    “Enjoying your meal?” a colleague asked before taking a drink.
    Ava started to answer, but stopped. Troy hadn’t given her the signal. Until he did, she simply smiled until she felt him moving his skilled digit over the palm of her hand. The motion had her thinking about his tongue down in intimate areas of her body.
    “Um, yes. Very, very nice.” She turned to Troy.
    He acted like he didn’t notice her. He continued eating his food without looking in her direction. The difference in his reaction to her from in the car to now had her mesmerized.
    “Have I introduced you to my date? This is Troy.” Ava held her free hand up to him.
    She used his name one time. Just four more times and she would be out of the doghouse. Then she thought about the implications of not using his name for that fifth and crucial time. Would he kiss her with his full lips? What would he do with his hands? She trembled and hoped her date hadn’t caught it.
    “Troy,” she continued, “this is Dr. Allenton. She heads up our psychology department.”
    The woman with bright curly hair leaned forward. “Nice to meet you.”
    “Likewise.” He gave her one solid head nod before resuming eating his meal.
    “Troy is being very kind by joining me tonight for this academic event.” Her heart pounded the third time she’d used his name.
    It shouldn’t have gotten her this excited. She’d used his name the third time on purpose.
    “I didn’t mind.” He stared at her. “No offense to the ladies here, but she’s the best-looking woman in the room.”
    Even Dr. Allenton sighed. “I think you may have the best date in the room.” She nudged Ava with her elbow.
    “Yes, it’s about time you got out of your stuffy clothes and let your hair down,” Anson said from across the circular table.
    Ava could barely look at the man. She turned to Troy. “Troy, would you like your tea refilled?”
    “Troy, Troy, Troy.” Anson laughed. “I think we all get who he is.”
    “Do you?” Troy glared at Anson, who quickly silenced his laughter and dropped his gaze down to his plate.
    “I’m sorry.” Ava had taken this game too far. “I shouldn’t have—” She stopped as soon as she felt him squeezing her hand.
    The control this man had overwhelmed her. She brushed her leg against his. Even though he sat still, touching him excited her.
    “What does he do?” another colleague sitting across from her next to Anson asked.
    “Who?” Ava had to get out of her head. She sat there imagining her date doing unspeakable things to her body.
    “Your friend.” He nodded his head toward Troy.
    “Oh.”