Read Online Rich Tapestry by Ashe Barker - Free Book Online

your evening. Which is it to be? Do you want me to stay—or not?”
    I don’t answer at first. I can’t. I can only stare, mesmerized by his deep brown eyes, every bit as intoxicating as the brandy they remind me of. At last I hear it. A small voice. Quiet, but firm. My voice. “Yes. I’d like you to stay. But I won’t call you Sir.”
    He chuckles. “We’ll see. But Dan’s fine for now.”

Chapter Four
     
     
     
    “Well, Summer, I’m waiting.” He reaches for his drink again, watching me over the rim as he takes a sip. He replaces his glass on the table, and this time the urge to straighten the mats is irresistible.
    “Sorry…?” I glance up at him as I reach across to turn his coaster so that the straight edge is parallel with the edge of the table, and just six inches in. The exact same position as mine. Mirror images. Perfect.
    He watches my movements closely, looks slightly puzzled then clarifies his request. “So we’ve established that Freya’s transport home was your excuse for coming here. What was the real reason, though?”
    Ah, right. That again. And as he ruthlessly peels away my defenses and smokescreens, the underlying truth is starting to emerge. Even I can’t deny it for much longer. I give up trying.
    “I was curious.”
    “I see. What were you curious about, Summer?”
    If he’s surprised by my admission, he doesn’t let that slip. I daresay he’s not in the least surprised—he knew all along.
    “About all this.” I wave my hand to indicate the room at large. “This place. What it was that Freya found so fascinating. She loves coming here—I couldn’t even start to imagine why. So…”
    “So you thought you’d tag along? Dressed as though you were on your way back from the supermarket, just to set you apart. Well, apart from the shoes. Those are very nice, by the way. But still…you’re dressed to make sure no one could possibly imagine you’d be interested in a bit of healthy kink? I wonder why that is, since we both know you’re aching to try it. You were giving off all the signals two years ago, when we first met, and you’re still doing it now.”
    “I am not. And you call this healthy? I hardly think so!”
    “How would you know, Miss Jones? And please, don’t pass judgment till you’ve tried it. You never know. You might even like our little games. If you let yourself.”
    “Not in this lifetime…” I mutter my reply under my breath.
    “Now you’re just being rude. I really can’t advise that.”
    So, he did manage to catch what I said.
    I was rude, and I’m immediately contrite. “I’m sorry, Mr Riche. Dan. I didn’t mean that.”
    “I’ll be happy to accept your apology, Summer, but here, saying sorry always comes after the punishment has been administered.” He leans back, his fingers laced together, steepled. He regards me over his hands, his face inscrutable as he waits for my reaction.
    He gets it. Unambiguous, defiant. “You are not punishing me.”
    “No? Well in that case, this conversation seems to be over.” He reaches into the back pocket of his jeans and pulls out a small card, about the same size and shape as a bank card. He places it on the table in front of me. “Your guest pass. Enjoy your evening, Miss Jones.”
    He starts to get to his feet, and I panic. Suddenly, it’s the most important thing in the world that he stays with me. I don’t want him to leave. I’ll do whatever I have to do, agree to whatever he wants, to make him stay.
    “Wait! Please, wait…”
    He’s standing now, but he doesn’t walk away. He doesn’t speak either, just waits for me to continue. He doesn’t have to wait long.
    “I’d like you to stay. Please.”
    “You understand how that would happen? What you’d need to do?” His voice is calm, matter of fact.
    “I… Yes, I think so…”
    “You’d let me spank you?”
    I can’t actually bring myself to say yes, but I nod. He sits down again, but says nothing for a few moments, wisely