Read Online Rush by Maya Banks - Free Book Online Page B

head. “Let me finish. There was a part that said condoms would only
     be used by…others. I don’t understand what that means. But if it means what I think
     it does, then I want to reserve the right to refuse. Being given to someone else on
     a whim freaks me out. It scares me,” she corrected.
    Gabe’s expression softened and he reached out to touch her face, sliding his hand
     down to her jaw. “Mia, listen to me. The contract is a little misleading in that it
     states I’m given all powerand complete and utter control over you. To a point that’s accurate. But I can assure
     you that I’m never going to do something that I feel you are absolutely uncomfortable
     with. My job is to be in tune with your wants, needs and desires. I’m not worth much
     as a man if I can’t do that for the woman in my care. The ultimate power rests with
     you. Because you control my actions. I want to please you. It’s very important to
     me that I please you. I want you to be satisfied. I want you to be so spoiled, pampered
     and cherished that you don’t want to be anywhere but with me all the time.”
    She swallowed, barely stifling the sigh of relief that threatened to burst free.
    “Were there other concerns?” he asked.
    She nodded.
    He let his hand fall from her face. “Let’s hear them.”
    “There’s not a safe word,” she blurted. “I know enough about these kinds of…relationships…to
     know that most people use a safe word. But there’s nothing about it in the contract.”
    “I wonder what you’re imagining I’ll do to you,” he murmured.
    “There were words like
bondage
and
pain
,” she pointed out. “It’s a reasonable fear.”
    “Yes, it is,” he conceded. “But there is no mention of a safe word because for me,
     it’s as simple as you saying
no
.”
    Her brow furrowed. “The contract was pretty clear that I don’t have that ability.
     That if I sign, I give up any right to tell you
no
.”
    He sighed. “I’m not some monster bent on abusing you, Mia. You’re right in that I
     don’t like the word
no
very much. But my hope is that you won’t be using it often. I’d rather reserve that
     word for rare occasions when you are truly frightened or uncomfortable. I don’t want
     it popping out of your mouth just because you’re uncertain and the idea strikes you
     wrong before you even give it a chance. But if you truly find yourself in a situation
     that you do not want to be in,
no
is sufficient for me to stop. I may not like it, but I won’t ignore that word. Ever.
     You have my word onthat. We’ll discuss what made you uncomfortable and we’ll either address it and soothe
     your fears, or we’ll move on and leave it behind.”
    “So just don’t cry wolf,” she said.
    “Exactly.”
    She was starting to lighten, some of the worry evaporating. There was a tinge of excitement
     that tugged at her as she contemplated being so close to something she’d desired ever
     since she’d been a teenager on the cusp of womanhood.
    “Is there anything more?” he asked, staring expectantly at her.
    She nodded and then drew in a deep breath. He may or may not take her next condition
     well. But it was something she refused to budge on.
    “There’s an entire paragraph devoted to the issue of my fidelity. However, there’s
     nothing about you being faithful to me.”
    Amusement glimmered in his eyes. “That’s important to you.”
    “Hell yes,” she said with more force than she intended. “If that contract says I’m
     yours, then by God it’s going to say you belong to me.”
    He threw back his head and laughed. “All right. I have no issue with adding that clause.
     Now, are we done?”
    Slowly she shook her head. “There’s one other thing. And it’s pretty huge. The most
     important part of any agreement we strike.”
    He leaned back a bit, his brows coming together as he studied her. “It sounds like
     a potential deal breaker for you.”
    She nodded. “It