Samhain Publishing

She’ll do whatever it takes to get to the top of the professor’s learning curve.

Katrina Keens has discovered the man she longs for, Professor Derek Jacobson, is a Dom. Though BDSM is something she’s never tried, the idea of submitting to Derek is darkly arousing. All she needs is one chance to slip past the strict student-professor boundary he has been unwilling to breach.

And now that opportunity has come, a way to show Derek that she can be the woman he needs. Without waiting for his permission.

Unaware of her identity at a masked sex party, he offers Katrina everything she’s dreamed of—to be her master for the night, teasing her with a promise of intensely arousing discipline and praise.

Only Derek is a demanding master. Learning to serve his needs is a ruthless lesson in pleasure she won’t soon forget.

Warning: Contains graphic language, bondage, toys, anal play, and sexual encounters in public settings.

EXCERPT:
“Kat…Kat?” Derek knelt down in front of her desk, his deep blue eyes troubled as they searched hers. “Are you okay?”

She quickly scanned the lecture hall and, realizing it was empty except for the two of them, felt her cheeks flame. She’d never lost her focus during a lecture before, particularly not one of Derek’s, but that’s exactly what happened today. And worse than that, she’d been so engrossed in her imaginings that she hadn’t even noticed when the lecture ended so she might skate out with the other students. No, here she sat, the sole focus of Derek’s attention, wet and breathless from her desire.

His brows furrowed; his voice deepened. “Kat,” he demanded, gripping her knee.

“Der—Professor.” She surged to her feet, sending her messenger bag tumbling to the floor in an avalanche of books and folders. “Oh, God, I’m fine, I’m so sorry,” she gasped, burning with shame as she still burned from her fantasy.

“I’m just glad you’re all right.” He gathered a few of her books and handed them over to her, as she clumsily dumped them back into the bag. “You haven’t seemed yourself this last week.” Katrina shoved a folder into her bag with one hand as she reached out to take the next book Derek was handing her. “Is there anything you want to talk a—”

Her attention snapped to Derek, arrested mid-word. His face was a steely mask as he stared down at the book held between them. Her breath burst out in whoosh as though she’d taken a physical blow. Of all the books! The cover was a black-and-white close-up photo of a woman’s bare back. Her wrists were bound behind her in wide black leather bands, secured through D-rings to an equally impressive leather belt around her waist. It was BDSM erotica, a darkly sensual tale of bondage and submission that had both excited and alarmed her. She’d been aroused by the vivid imagery and poignant emotions depicted, and devoured each page, each test, each reward, until her body burned with a need to experience firsthand the act of submitting for the sole purpose of satisfying one man. What she’d read and the need it aroused in her was the very reason her mind had wandered so far from the lecture, but never far from Derek.

Abruptly he pushed the book into her hand and rose. Katrina’s gaze locked on the floor. She couldn’t look at him, was terrified to see his reaction, if he even had one.

When he spoke his tone was cool and flat. “Finish picking up your things, Kat.” She immediately gathered the rest of her belongings and stuffed them into her bag as Derek walked back around to his desk. “I was saying, if you ever need to talk, come to me. I value our relationship. You’ve been an apt pupil and an unparalleled assistant. On this track, we have a bright future together, and I won’t allow anything to interfere with that. Am I clear, Katrina?”

Lifting her head, she forced her eyes to meet his. “Yes, Professor.”

She understood exactly what he was telling her. He wouldn’t jeopardize their relationship by moving beyond the bounds of academia. Her heart felt as though it were shattering within her chest, each shard slashing at the hope she’d harbored all these years.

Throwing her bag over her shoulder she managed a quick nod and then ran up the stairs and out of the lecture hall. The door closed behind her with a loud click and she fell back against the wall, desperately trying to catch her breath, to still the shaking in her hands, quiet the screaming in her head.

It wasn’t fair. She could be what he wanted, do anything he demanded. She could make him happy. If only he wanted her to. But he’d made it clear, he would not breach the boundaries of their relationship and give her the chance to prove herself.

Damn circumstance! If they’d met in any other capacity, she would have had her chance. She knew it. Their chemistry was undeniable. It hung thick and heavy between them every time they were together. Blinking back her tears she shook off the numbing sense of helplessness that stole over her body. She wouldn’t give in, wouldn’t give up. She would find a chance to prove herself to him, she had to.