Vulnerable Read Online Free Page A

remove it.”
    Elise felt the blood roaring in her ears. She thought her legs would fold under her and fought to answer him.
    “There is no answer required, Elise. Simply compliance.”
    Elise reached down for the hem and pulled the dress over her head and stood there uncertainly. Ross motioned to the hall tree in the corner and she numbly walked over and hung the garment up. The built-in shelf bra in the dress had negated wearing her usual staid choice of that article of clothing, so now she was wearing only her lace briefs and her sandals. She felt both exposed and incredibly sexy and wondered if he could read her. Of course he could. That was his role, and he had said he was good at what he did. She believed him.
    “Come here, Elise. Your safe word is journey .”
    She forced herself to turn and face him, and the look of intense desire on his features nearly had her reaching for her clothing before she saw another expression in his eyes. He somehow knew what this was costing her and was proud of her for taking the chance. She walked to him. He had removed his shirt, and his cut torso and muscled arms spoke to her. Ross motioned for her to stop just in front of him and reached out to touch her nipples, just a brief graze on each with his forefinger. They instantly hardened even more and actually ached. Elise closed her eyes and held back a whimper.
    “Open your eyes and keep them open and on me, Elise.” Ross’s voice cracked like the whip he wore around his waist.
    Elise instantly complied and met his gaze. Those light-blue eyes now shone with passion and something else she couldn’t identify. He looked so dominant and determined, and Elise wanted to touch him. She tentatively lifted a hand.
    “I didn’t give you permission to touch me, Elise. You will wait until I do.”
    For a brief moment, Elise rebelled and felt her mouth set in a thin line. All dissenting thoughts fled, however, when Ross leaned into her, dipping his head, and closed his mouth over her left nipple and bit down, just to the point of pain. Elise couldn’t contain her whimper this time, and Ross used his tongue and teeth to greater impact. Elise wondered if her knees would hold her and actually swayed when he switched his attentions to her other breast. His hands came up to her waist and held her steady, and Elise gave herself up to the sensations, her head lolling on her shoulders. She moaned in protest when he stopped. She felt him slide her briefs down and willingly stepped out of them.
    “Kneel.”
    Elise dropped to her knees before him without giving it a thought. It just felt like the right thing to do.
    “Knees apart, shoulders back, hands on your thighs, palms up.”
    Elise held the position while Ross walked around her, making minute corrections to her posture with gentle taps. She was surprised at how natural it felt and how sexy and proud it made her feel.
    “This is the position you will take every time we meet in a situation like this, Elise, regardless of who is in the room with us. Am I clear?”
    Elise took a deep breath. She wanted to believe that Ross would never embarrass her or put her at risk, but she really didn’t know him. She was pushing every boundary right now, actually, he was, and she couldn’t process what it would mean if someone else were with him.
    “Elise?”
    “I want to agree…” she began.
    “I am not asking for your agreement. This is not about negotiating. This is about putting your trust in me and accepting that I won’t put you in a position you can’t handle or one that will humiliate you.” Ross’s voice was like a cold January morning, and Elise shivered.
    “Yes,” she said, hearing the arousal and anxiety mixing in her voice.
    “Yes what?”
    “Yes, Sir.”
    Ross’s voice softened. “You are doing very well, Elise. Now go and sit on the end of the bed, feet on the floor, knees apart.”
    Elise did as she was told, taking his offered hand to help her stand, then perching on the high