Trace & Tori [The ShadowDance Club 4] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Avery Gale

leave the evidence of that gift and present it to me again, I’ll accept no less.” With those words, he moved to the bath and left her standing, stunned by his words, at the door.
    When she finally realized he had gone, she remembered his instructions to look around, and she enjoyed the opportunity to explore his bedroom. The room was enormous with floor-to-ceiling windows all along one side, and she could see through the windows that there must be a deck outside the French doors at the center of the wall of windows. Peering out the doors she would see the deck was large and had tiny lights highlighting the edges and steps that led down. There was a hot tub that she was sure would easily accommodate ten people and nice set of loungers with a small table between them. She could imagine him entertaining a special guest and then unwinding out here where he would have a gorgeous view of his backyard and the spectacular mountains beyond. The tiny lights looked like fairies dancing on the snow, and she didn’t even realize she was still standing mesmerized by the sight until she felt Trace’s hands on her waist.
    “Princess, this is not where you were supposed to be, but I’m willing to give you a pass on this if you’ll share your thoughts with me.” Trace had come out of the shower faster than he would have normally because he just couldn’t wait any longer to get inside Tori, so he hadn’t been surprised that she wasn’t in position yet. But he had been surprised to find her gazing out at the back deck as if lost in the view.
    He’d watched her reflection in the windows for several long seconds, and she had seemed to be focused on the lights twinkling at the wood deck’s edge. He had put the lights along the edge as a safety measure, but had often found himself standing in this very spot lost in thought with his gaze focused in the exact same spot she seemed to be watching.
    Tori surprised him when she turned and looked up at him, her pupils dilated and her expression sincere. “I’m sorry I wasn’t where I was supposed to be. I just got so lost in thought looking out onto the deck that I guess I lost track of time. It’s so lovely out there, and the lights look like tiny fairies dancing on top of the snow. I just kind of fell into that frame of thought and zoned out. I noticed the large hot tub and knew that you must entertain um…well, umm, special friends out there in the summer. I could almost see you relaxing back on the chaise lounge afterward with a drink on the table. You’d be able to enjoy what I’m sure is an amazing view no matter the season.” She tucked her chin and dropped her gaze after her sincere reply, but not before he’d seen the longing in her eyes. There was something so special about this woman, he was amazed at how connected he felt to her, and they had really only just met.
    Lifting her chin so that her eyes met his, he spoke slowly. “Princess, you are one amazing woman. Everything you said about the lights and the snow? I have had those exact same thoughts. The only thing you didn’t get right was the part about the special guests being on that deck or in this bedroom or in my home. I think this is a good time to tell you that I have not had any women, aside from the wives of friends or members of my family, in my home since my wife died, and none of those women have ever been in this room. And this house had barely gotten off the architect’s table when Nan died so we never shared it as our home.” He could feel her relax in to his arms. Aha, so my little sub is a bit possessive. Good to know, because I don’t share either. He enjoyed bringing in another Dom if he knew it was something his sub would enjoy, but any sharing was confined to scenes. Even though he had several friends who either had or were pursuing polyamorous relationships, he knew that would never be for him. “Now, let’s get you into position, I want to have a look at what you have entrusted to