Winne Auston tightened her grip on the glass of bourbon, her nails pressing against the cool surface. The soft hum of jazz music filled the dimly lit lounge, the kind of place where secrets felt safe. She was waiting, as he instructed. Adam Sly was never late. The waiting wasn't a test of time - it was a test of her patience, her resolve, her willingness to bend when the moment came.
When the door opened, her pulse quickened before her eyes even moved. She could feel him before she saw him. His presence filled the room like an incoming storm - calculated and unapologetic. Adam's tailored black suit was an extension of his power, every inch of him screaming dominance without having to say a word.
"You've been drinking," he said as he slid into the chair across from her, his voice low and deliberate.
Winne lifted her chin, defiant, even as her heartbeat betrayed her. "One glass."
Adam's eyes were like dark pools, bottomless and unrelenting. He leaned forward slightly, his fingers brushing hers as he took the glass from her hand. The touch was brief, electric, and purposeful. He turned the glass in his hand, inspecting it like a man assessing the worth of something fragile. "One glass," he repeated, his tone unreadable. "And yet, here you are breaking my rule."
Winne swallowed hard, the weight of his gaze making her feel bare, exposed, even though she was fully clothed. "I didn't think - "
"No," he interrupted sharply, his voice cutting through the haze of her thoughts. "You didn't. Thinking is something we'll work on, Winne." He placed the glass down firmly, the sound reverberating between them.
She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from speaking out of turn. Adam thrived on control, and Winne was discovering just how much she craved his structure, even if it terrified her. The fear wasn't of him, but of herself - of how far she was willing to go to feel the kind of connection that stripped away every mask she wore in the outside world.
"Stand up," Adam commanded softly, his voice like silk over steel.
Winne hesitated for half a second before obeying. The chair scraped slightly against the floor as she rose. Her knees felt unsteady, but she held her ground, locking her gaze with his.
Adam stood too, towering over her. He reached out, and for a moment she thought he might touch her, might offer some reassurance, but he didn't. His hand stopped inches away from her face, the promise of contact more powerful than the act itself.
"Do you know why I asked you to meet me here tonight?" he asked, his voice almost a whisper now.
"To punish me?" The words slipped out before she could stop them, a mix of guilt and exhilaration lacing her tone.
Adam's lips curved into a faint smile, one that sent shivers down her spine. "Not tonight," he said, his hand finally brushing against her cheek. The touch was gentle, almost tender, but it carried a weight that made her breath hitch. "Tonight is about trust, Winne. About boundaries and how far we can push them."
She nodded, unable to find her voice.
"Good," Adam said, his thumb tracing her jawline before he withdrew his hand. "Now, follow me."
---
The corridor outside the lounge was quiet, the muffled chatter from inside fading as Adam led her away. His hand rested lightly on the small of her back, guiding her with a possessiveness that sent heat racing through her veins. They reached a private room at the end of the hallway, the door marked only by a small gold plaque that read "Reserved."
He opened the door, and Winne stepped inside. The room was minimalist but intimate, lit by the warm glow of recessed lighting. A leather chaise sat in the center, flanked by a small table holding a carafe of water and two glasses. The air felt heavy, charged with unspoken promises.
"Sit," Adam instructed, closing the door behind them.
Winne obeyed, lowering herself onto the chaise. She crossed her legs, trying to appear composed, but her hands betrayed her, twisting nervously in her lap.
Adam moved to stand in front of her, his expression unreadable. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a silk blindfold, letting it dangle from his fingers. "Do you trust me?" he asked.
Her heart pounded. Trust was the foundation of everything he demanded, but it wasn't something she gave easily. Yet, with Adam, it felt inevitable. "Yes," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.
"Good." He stepped closer, tilting her chin up with a single finger. "Then close your eyes."
She did as he asked, her lashes fluttering shut. The world around her dimmed, her senses sharpening to every sound, every shift in the air. She felt the smooth fabric of the blindfold as he tied it securely around her head, blocking out even the faintest hint of light.
"Can you hear me?" Adam's voice was close, intimate.
"Yes," she whispered.
"Good. Now, I'm going to touch you, but only as much as you allow. Say 'red' if you want me to stop. Do you understand?"
"Yes," she replied, her breath catching.
The first touch was featherlight, his fingertips grazing the back of her hand. It was almost maddening in its restraint, a stark contrast to the intensity of his presence. He trailed his fingers up her arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake.
"Breathe," he murmured, his voice grounding her as her chest rose and fell unevenly.
She exhaled slowly, letting the tension in her body melt away. Trust, she reminded herself. This was about trust.
Adam's hands moved to her shoulders, his grip firm but not forceful. He kneaded the muscles there, coaxing her into a state of surrender. Her mind began to quiet, the chaos of the day fading into the background as she focused solely on his touch.
"You're doing well," he said, his praise sending a ripple of warmth through her. "But I need more from you, Winne. I need you to let go."
Let go. The words echoed in her mind, both a challenge and a promise. Could she truly surrender to him, to this? The answer came not in words but in the way her body softened under his hands, the way her breathing deepened, the way she stopped trying to control the moment.
Adam's hands moved lower, skimming the curve of her waist before stopping just above her hips. "Perfect," he said, his approval like a balm to her insecurities. "You're learning."
For the first time that evening, Winne smiled. She was learning, and with Adam, she knew the lessons would only grow more intense - and more rewarding.
