At this news, she seemed to ease.
“Some Masters would not even think of telling their submissive about this kind of scene, but I do have my point.”
Meredith gazed up at him so open, so vulnerable, so on fringe of falling completely apart that he knew he needed to step carefully. At the same time, he had to be direct and candid.
“My point is: don’t, ever, lie to me or manipulate me, Meredith. If you want something, ask. If I deny you, well, you’ll deal with it. But the surest way to bring on my anger, and that is not a pretty thing, is to attempt to manipulate me. You understand that?”
“Yes, yes I do!”
“I’m not sure that you do. I have a sadistic streak beyond anything you’ve ever seen. As much as you may be a masochist, you won’t want to bring that sadist out in me.”
“I won’t. I prom
