Young, Allyson - Absolute Perfection [Aspire 3] (Siren Publishing Classic) Read Online Free Page B

roses like Jane’s. And he was finished with comparing the two women. There was no comparison and any similarities were merely a coincidence because no matter how poor his judgement in the past, George knew Iris was a good person. She fairly exuded it. He could hardly wait to peel all of her layers back, the better to know what she needed, if she needed him . Because he was certain he needed her.
    He got in behind the wheel and felt her watching him. “We’re going to The Bend. Do you know it?”
    “I don’t. But then I haven’t been in San Francisco for any length of time for years, actually.”
    “Haley consulted there as a chef, I understand, and it has a good reputation. I think you’ll like it.”
    “I’m sure that whatever you choose is fine.” Iris sounded totally sincere, and he again recognized how she handed control over to him. He had researched the travel company she worked for, and knew Iris was no shrinking violet if she had traveled the globe to locate different and exotic places to visit, alone. If he was her Dom, he would never have allowed it, but she was clearly a competent professional and quite able to take care of herself. However, he sensed she secretly longed for someone to take charge and take her in hand. She might not have admitted it to herself or recognized it, but it was there. George so desperately wanted to take on that role, to have her serve him, but more importantly, let him take care of her. Oh, she was so for him and to hell with this concern about moving too quickly.

    * * * *

    The evening was nothing George expected, probably because he had no idea what to expect. They were shown to a well-placed table for two, and there was no sense of awkwardness despite the fact he hadn’t taken a woman out to dinner for years. Iris let him order for her, and they chatted inconsequentially over a glass of wine, although he absorbed everything she had to say. The multitude of shades in her blonde hair glowed in the muted lighting of the restaurant, and her eyes reflected back the candlelight. He simply looked at her and enjoyed the view. Their entrees were served, and he watched her little white teeth flash behind the fullness of her lips as she tasted the fish. Each time she raised her head to look at him, his heart stuttered, and he lost track of what he was saying and forgot to eat.
    “Can we talk about that little display in my hotel room?”
    All of George’s thoughts, carnal and otherwise, screeched to a halt. He shrugged inwardly. He’d never been one to back away or mitigate a response, and they certainly needed to talk about that “little display.” This was the perfect opening to talk to her about his observations and interest.
    “I reacted to something that concerned me, Iris. I was upset because you could have put yourself at risk and I couldn’t imagine anything happening to you.”
    She worried at her bottom lip again, and he recognized it as her nervous tell. She’d been able to compartmentalize the earlier event, but it had obviously resurfaced, likely because she was comfortable with him. George liked comfortable, but he also hoped for passion.
    “I’ll give you that, Georgios. I know better. But you, uh, you pounced, and you spanked me!” Her voice was less modulated, and she visibly tried to calm herself as she looked around her at the other diners.
    “As I said, I reacted,” he soothed. “You are submissive, sweet one, and I apologized and stopped because you are not my submissive. Yet.”
    Her eyes widened and then clouded with arousal and interest. He’d been correct to put it out there. He waited patiently.
    “Yet. That’s a bit presumptuous, don’t you think?”
    “I don’t play games, sweet one. I do scenes and I’m dominant, but I don’t play games. I’m an excellent Dom, and I want you as my submissive.”
    “I don’t know that I’m submissive.”
    “Trust me, Iris. You are.”
    She didn’t demur further, and he left her to process. She