Surrendered Control (The Control Series Book 1)

by Anna Edwards

  "I will tell him later. Matthew has gone to collect him from work."

  "I will leave you two alone tonight. You need some time together. Why don't you get a takeaway of your choice and just relax?"

  "I would actually like to go out for dinner with him. It is not something we have done yet."

  "Then tell him that. Amy, I know my son can be a little full on at times, I have no idea why, but his heart is kind. If you are not happy with something he wants to do, don't let him dictate to you."

  "Do you stand up to him?" Amy bit her lip. She hadn't meant to ask the impertinent question, but it just seemed to roll off her tongue. Things often did. She really needed to learn to control that.

  "It is alright Amy; I know that I am speaking of something that I don’t often do myself. My son changed a few years ago. He wasn't always this closed off. He was attacked. I don't know the full details but I think it scared him. I am sure he will tell you about it, but he hasn't exactly been forthcoming with me. For now, though, you just need to know that, in all of this, you must keep to your strengths. That is what attracted him to you in the first place. You have a strong sense of your own wellbeing. If you want to go out to dinner, tell him. And make sure you choose the restaurant as well. I know that he seems to think he must do everything for appearances, but actually, he loves the simple things in life."

  An idea suddenly hit Amy, she knew just what she was going to do and where she was going to take James for dinner. It was traditionally British but with an elegant flair. She got up from her seat and gave Miranda an immense hug. "I know exactly where I am going to take him. Matthew should be bringing him home soon, tell him I want him dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and ready to go by six-thirty." Amy set off back to her room as she spoke. "Oh and Miranda. He is to leave his wallet at home."

  "I can't promise that last one, but I will tell him."

  CHAPTER TEN

  Amy

  At just gone seven, Matthew pulled the car up outside a vintage fish and chip just by Liverpool Street Station. Amy was so excited she was almost bouncing in the car as they drove. James had a scowl on his face, Amy had heard him grumble at his mother when she had told him that he was to leave his wallet at home. As soon as she had appeared in her long jumper and leggings with knee high boots, James had quietened and reluctantly agreed. Miranda had given Amy a wink of good luck as they had left the building.

  "What is this place?"

  "It is a compromise."

  "Compromise?"

  "My treat for dinner. I would have taken you down to the coast for fish and chips, but that would be a long drive."

  "We could've gone to the coast for dinner. That is what I have Matthew for. To drive us wherever we want to go." Matthew groaned at the front of the car. James got out of the car and held his hand out to help Amy from her seat.

  "Matthew has already driven out that way today." Amy was going to tell him when they had gotten to the table, but the mood he was in, maybe outside in the open was easier.

  "Why?" James didn’t let go of her hand but lead her towards the restaurant.

  "I went to where I grew up." Amy stopped just outside the entrance. "It would have been my mother's birthday today, we often went to a park together, and I wanted to go there to remember her." She bowed her head, this was crazy, she was feeling guilty for lying, "I...um...I got a train there." James' hand clenched tighter on hers.

  "Alone?"

  She nodded.

  "I know."

  Amy looked up and straight at James. His eyes were soft and full of affection for her. "You know? Matthew told you?"

  "No, I saw you there."

  "What?"

  Amy let go of his hand and stepped back. He was there? He had been watching her?

  "I don't understand."

  "Matthew brought me down when I saw where you had gone. I thought you might need me when I realised it would have been your mum's birthday."

  "But when Matthew found me, you weren't with him?"

  "I got a train back to London."

  "Why didn't you come to me?"

  "Because you needed that time to yourself. It was a part of your grief and reflection on the last few weeks."

  "It was."

  James pulled her closer to him and brushed his hand through her hair.

  "I know this is all still new, and we are getting to know each other, but you can talk to me about things like this. If you had mentioned it, I would have come with you but given you the time you needed to be alone." Amy kissed him lightly on the cheek. "So are we eating? I haven't had proper fish and chips for a long time now. I must have been a kid on Hasting's seafront the last time." James led Amy into the restaurant, and he allowed her to order for them. She had a glass of white wine, he had a beer, and they both had beer-battered fish with chips.

  "Do you look like your mother?" James asked as he sampled the mushy peas.

  "I do."

  "Sophie is the spitting image of my mum as well. I think I have too much of my father in me."

  "When was the last time you saw your dad?"

  "I would rather not talk about him. He hurt my mother badly, and I need him out of my life forever."

  "Alright. How about a favourite subject at school then?"

  "What?"

  "Come on, allow me some questions. You have a whole file on me of information, but I have to find out about you the old-fashioned way."

  "History."

  "History? I wouldn't have guessed that."

  "Why?"

  "I would have thought craft, design and technology."

  "I like learning about people's pasts. How they lived."

  "You are somewhat of an enigma. Shock me again?"

  "With what?"

  "Something else that I wouldn't expect from you?"

  "There isn't really a lot to tell. What you see is what you get."

  "I don't believe that for one minute. Come on? There must be something."

  "Really, there isn't."

  "Ok first kiss?"

  "Colette, unfortuntely. We were together when we were sixteen. Your kisses are so much better though."

  "You lost your virginity to her?"

  "No." Amy could see that he was getting reluctant to answer these questions, but she needed to know.

  "Who then?"

  "Amy, can we just enjoy this meal, please? Why don't you tell me your favourite subject at school instead?"

  "English. Now answer my question."

  "A prostitute."

  "What?" Amy screeched her answer.

  People turned to stare at them.

  "I am not proud of it. It was just the done thing amongst my mates and me."

  "Do you and your friends still use prostitutes?"

  "They’re no longer my buddies."

  The look in James' eyes changed to one of shame, and she knew that she wouldn't get another answer from him on this subject.

  "So. You like history. Have you visited any of the old houses in the country?"

  James looked straight into her eyes, the shame disappeared and was replaced by affection.

  "Lots. I really want to take you to my place in Yorkshire. It is the stuff of Pride and Prejudice."

  "I would like that very much."

  "So, you said your were into this BDSM thing."

  "Was. I am not any longer."

  "Alright, but I read Fifty Shades of Grey. They seemed to enjoy it, well in parts. I don't think that woman..I forget her name...was interested in the contract part. Is that why Colette didn't want to do that?"

  "Amy, we are having a nice meal. I really don't want to talk about my ex-girlfriend. She is out of my life, end of story." Somehow Amy didn't believe that one bit. Someone who was relaxed about ex relationships didn't change the subject every time they spoke about it.

  "We are not talking about your ex-girlfriend. We are talking about BDSM. I want to know more about it."

  "I don't do it anymore." James shoved a chip in his mouth and
frowned at her.

  "Humour me, alright?" Jesus, he could be so tetchy sometimes. She wished he would just tell her whatever it was that was buried so deep inside.

  "You don't have to have contracts. It can be mutually agreed between two parties what you do. The Dom's job is to protect the sub, and in return she gives him her submission. Sometimes this is just sexually but in some couples it extends to him choosing what she eats, wears and more."

  "So like the Dom would lay her clothes out for her in the morning?"

  "Yes but he would reward her for that by washing her all over before she dresses."

  "Would she have to wash him and get him dressed?"

  "Depends on the nature of the agreement between them."

  "Did you want this?"

  "Partly."

  "Partly?"

  "I want to take care of any woman that is mine, and I am in a position to do so. I would want to buy her the best clothes to make her look and feel beautiful."

  "That explains your insistence on our shopping trip."

  "I wanted you to feel beautiful."

  "I don't have body issues James, I have being beholden to someone issues. My entire life has been governed. I want to be able to look after myself a bit."

  "Even if it gets you into trouble?"

  "You mean my uncle?"

  "It was only a matter of time before he had an offer like I gave him, from someone that didn't have your best interests at heart."

  "I know." Amy looked down and shuffled a bit of fish across her plate. "So BDSM basically means the woman putting her day to day control into the hands of a man?"

  "Only if both parties agree."

  "Hmm. And what about the sex stuff? Is that why you won't let me come until you say I can? Or is that just you being bossy?"

  "You are impatient. Too much playing with yourself, if you ask me."

  "Hey. I don't. Well I do...but we are not talking about that." Amy couldn't believe that part of the conversation had come up.

  "Of course. Was the orgasm I gave you good?"

  "Yes."

  "Better than when you do it yourself?"

  "Yes,” she thought about it for a second and then added, “but I thought you weren't a Dom anymore?"

  "Part of it will never leave me. But the scenes and stuff I will never do again. It is wrong."

  "Scenes?"

  "Yes. There are certain clubs that you can go to and perform more exotic acts with women. You can also perform these in a private bedroom as well."

  "You mean like my uncle’s clubs," Amy rolled her eyes.

  "No, clubs where both are willing participants, and they consensually agree to engage in acts, without money changing hands."

  "Oh. You use these clubs often?"

  "Not anymore."

  "You have spanked me a couple of times when we have been playing. Is that part of it? Because I don't remember my ex-boyfriend doing that."

  "Don't mention your ex-boyfriend. I don't wish to know he existed."

  "And the spanking?" Amy was on a roll, she wasn't going to let up on her questioning.

  "I shouldn't do that. I will stop."

  "Why?"

  "I shouldn't do it."

  "What if I liked it?"

  "You don't."

  "How do you know?"

  "I just do."

  He was shutting down again. She was going to get nowhere with that question. Even if she did like the spanking.

  "Is your fish good?"

  "Yes. I will probably need to do double my gym session tomorrow but I am enjoying it."

  "Good." Amy was trying her hardest to think of more questions to get him to open up again. She knew she would probably have to do most of her research on the internet. "How long have you had the tattoo? I want a tattoo. I don't know what yet, though."

  "A few years now. If you decide you want one, I will take you to my artist. He is the best. You don't go anywhere else."

  "I don't go anywhere else?"

  "Yes."

  "Is that a Dom thing?"

  "No it is an I have the best artist thing."

  "Why the angel?"

  "I liked the design."

  "Did it hurt?"

  "A lot."

  "How long did it take?"

  "Three sittings. How is your book coming? Have you had any more time to write it?"

  And that was the end of that. He had shut her down again. Still, she had gotten more out of him than previously. Amy was determined, she wasn't going to stop.

  They finished the rest of the meal. When it came to the bill, Amy snatched it before he could pay and went straight to the cashier. She felt smug until, the next morning, she found the money had been transferred to her bank account. He may deny he was into BDSM, but Amy had a feeling that he was more into it than he realised.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  James

  James could not believe that Amy hadn't walked out on him.

  When he'd told Colette what he wanted sexually, she'd laughed at him and ended their relationship. She had insulted him, and he had had to buy Colette off to prevent her from selling stories about him. He had forked out a good million. It had nearly broken him. Thankfully they had signed contracts and she could not come at him for any more money when his business didn't falter but prospered.

  James longed to try new things with Amy. She was under his skin and in his head. She tested his control but took him entirely when he demanded it.

  James shook his head. He was at his desk in the middle of his London office, and he was fantasising about her. James hadn't invited Amy to his office. He had wanted to protect her from any scrutiny at the hands of prying employees—well mainly his secretary—but he picked up the phone and pressed the quick dial for home.

  "Hi, James. You alright?"

  "Are you dressed?"

  "I have a towel around me. I can dress in a few minutes. Why?"

  "Just a towel? You want to send me a picture...without the towel."

  "Mr North, I hope your work calls are not monitored."

  "Miss Jones, I am the chairman of the company. I will have them erased."

  She giggled playfully. His cock jumped.

  "Hush and listen." She instantly hushed. "I want you to bring my lunch to the office. Bring some for yourself. I don't have many meetings today. I want to show you around." She was silent, had he said something wrong? "Amy?"

  "What should I wear?"

  "What you usually wear." He chuckled as he answered. "Jeans, jumper, boots."

  "You sure? I have a smart skirt and jacket I can wear."

  "Amy, come as you."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Yes. Don't forget my favourite pickle."

  "That stuff makes your breath stink."

  "You planning on kissing me in public?"

  "Not if you eat the pickle."

  "Amy."

  "I will be there in half an hour."

  She put the phone down. James pulled up his instant messenger and quickly typed.

  Actually, wear the skirt...no knickers.

  J

  She replied instantly with a picture of her middle finger. He laughed.

  Amy arrived pretty much on the half hour. Matthew escorted her up, and when his secretary tried to stop them, Matthew just scowled at her and said that Amy was Mr North's girlfriend. His secretary's face was a picture. James suppressed a chuckle and stood to greet them.

  "Marie, it is fine. I asked Matthew to bring Amy up. Amy this is my secretary Marie. Marie, my girlfriend, Amy. Marie gave the best-nonplussed greeting she could muster and Amy reciprocated with all her sweetness. James nodded to Matthew,

  "Thank you. I will call you when Miss Jones is ready to leave." His bodyguard left. "Amy, this way?" He placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her into his office, shut the door behind them and flicked a switch to turn the glass opaque.

  "She fancies you."

  "I hadn't guessed." He chuckled.

  "That was
mean. You should have told her I was coming before I appeared."

  "She will live. She has read far too many romantic books where the millionaire boss falls for his secretary. She wants a fantasy; the reality is very different." She raised her eyebrow at him and he motioned for her to lay out his lunch.

  "You shouldn't lead her on."

  "Are you jealous?"

  "No."

  "She is excellent at her job, and part of that is probably because she wants to please me. What is the harm in that?"

  "Just watch that she doesn't send you to all the wrong meetings tomorrow."

  They both laughed.

  "Did you follow my instructions?"

  Amy opened her bag and laid out sandwiches and a salad on the table.

  "What?"

  "You are wearing a skirt, but what is underneath?"

  She sighed heavily and slid her hands down the silky fabric of her skirt. She gripped the end of it and pulled slowly up to reveal her slender, toned thigh. Amy rolled it even further, watching him the entire time, awaiting his reaction but he gave nothing away. Finally, she pulled the skirt all the way up and revealed to him that she was indeed not wearing any underwear. He ran his tongue over the back of his teeth as he savoured her neatly trimmed pussy.

  "Satisfied?"

  "Not yet. Touch yourself, Amy."

  "Not here."

  He switched on the authority in his tone.

  "Touch yourself, Amy."

  Her hand went between her thighs. James watched as she slid a perfectly manicured finger over the folds of her sex.

  "What would you like me to do now?"

  "I want you to make yourself come."

  "Do you have security cameras in your office?"

  "Of course I do."

  "Monitored?" She moved her hand away from herself.

  He reached out and pressed a button on the phone. It rang twice before it was answered.

  "Mr North? How can I help?"

  "I want all the cameras switched off in my office immediately."

  "Sir?"

  "Please, Harry."

  "At once, sir." There was a small background noise. "All done, sir."