Chapter 8: Ruby’s Thoughts

Ruby could barely think straight anymore.

Everywhere Master William Steele walked, the atmosphere around Him seemed to shift effortlessly. Conversations softened. Eyes followed Him. Dominants acknowledged Him with respect while submissives reacted to Him with visible nervousness and desire.

And somehow…

He kept focusing on her.

It was unnerving in the most intoxicating way imaginable.

Ruby sat beside Him now in one of Fantasy’s quieter lounge areas tucked partially away from the main dungeon floor. Low amber lighting wrapped the corner booth in shadow and gold while distant music and muffled sounds of scenes drifted softly through the club around them.

But Ruby barely noticed any of it anymore.

Not when Master Steele sat across from her looking like temptation itself.

His silver-gray eyes held terrifying intensity beneath the dim lighting, watching her with calm focus that made her feel completely exposed. Every time His gaze lingered on her lips or slowly traveled over her body, heat bloomed violently low in her stomach again.

No.

Lower than that.

A deep throbbing warmth pulsed insistently between her thighs every time He leaned closer or lowered His voice.

And the worst part?

He absolutely knew what He was doing to her.

Watching Him move through Fantasy with such effortless confidence had stirred fantasies Ruby didn’t even know she was capable of having. The way people responded to Him. The way control wrapped around Him naturally. The restraint He carried despite obvious power.

It made her imagine sinful things.

Things involving His hands.

His voice.

His commands.

Things that made her pulse race harder every minute she sat beside Him.

Steele lifted His bourbon glass slowly while studying her over the rim.

“You’re thinking very loudly right now.”

Ruby nearly choked on her own breath.

“I—I’m not—”

A slow smile touched His mouth.

“You blush every time your imagination wanders somewhere inappropriate.”

Heat exploded across her face instantly.

God.

That smile alone should have been illegal.

Steele leaned back slightly against the leather seating, perfectly composed while she internally unraveled in front of Him.

“What are you imagining, Ruby?”

Her breath caught.

The question was smooth. Calm.

Yet unbearably intimate.

Ruby stared at Him helplessly for a moment.

“You ask very dangerous questions, Sir.”

“I prefer honest ones.”

The low timbre of His voice sent another sharp pulse of heat through her core. Ruby crossed her legs instinctively beneath the table, trying desperately to regain composure.

Steele noticed immediately.

Of course He did.

His eyes dipped downward briefly before returning to hers with devastating calm.

“That affected you,” He observed softly.

Ruby swallowed hard.

“Yes.”

His expression darkened slightly with satisfaction.

“Good.”

The single word tightened every nerve ending in her body.

Steele set His glass aside carefully.

“You respond strongly to confidence,” He said. “To control.”

Ruby nodded slowly.

“Yes.”

“And restraint.”

Another nod.

Steele watched her quietly for several seconds before speaking again.

“Do you know why restraint matters?”

Ruby shook her head faintly.

“Because anyone can take,” He said softly. “Very few people have the discipline not to.”

The words wrapped around her like silk and chains simultaneously.

Ruby’s thighs pressed together harder beneath the table.

Steele’s gaze sharpened subtly as He noticed.

“Tell Me something honestly.”

Her pulse fluttered wildly.

“When you watch scenes here… what excites you most?”

Ruby’s lips parted softly.

“The reactions,” she admitted quietly. “The surrender. The way submissives look when they stop fighting what they want.”

Steele held her gaze steadily.

“And what do you want?”

The question struck straight through her.

Ruby’s heartbeat thundered.

Because suddenly this didn’t feel theoretical anymore.

This felt personal.

Dangerously personal.

She looked down briefly before forcing herself to answer.

“I think…” Her voice softened. “I want someone strong enough to take control without making me feel unsafe.”

Silence settled heavily between them.

Steele studied her with unreadable intensity.

Then slowly…

He moved closer.

Not enough to touch.

Just enough for the scent of whiskey, cedarwood, and masculine heat to surround her completely.

Ruby inhaled sharply.

Her entire body reacted instantly.

Steele lowered His voice.

“You would never be unsafe with Me.”

The words sent a fierce wave of desire straight through her body so suddenly she nearly gasped.

Steele saw it happen.

Saw the tiny tremble in her breathing.

The way her pupils widened.

The way desire softened her entire expression.

And Christ…

William Steele wanted to kiss her.

Not roughly.

Not carelessly.

He wanted to take His time discovering exactly how responsive she became beneath slow temptation and controlled pressure. Wanted to hear the sounds she’d make when she finally stopped trying to hide how badly she wanted Him.

Ruby looked at His mouth before she could stop herself.

Steele noticed that too.

A dangerous silence stretched between them.

Then finally…

“Careful, Ruby,” He murmured softly.

Her pulse stumbled.

“Why?”

His silver eyes darkened slightly.

“Because you’re starting to look at Me like submission is becoming a very tempting idea.”