Simon walked through the common area towards their room, his heart beating wildly in his chest. What was he doing? For that matter, what was Kaylee doing? He’d told her to strip naked, wait for him, but what if she’d thought better of it? Maybe thought he was being too pushy, trying to be something he wasn't … He paused at the entrance to the room. What if she wasn't there?

He slid open the door.

There she was, lying on their bed, her head on the pillow. Her hands were making little pyramids of the sheet beneath her, and her toes were curling and uncurling, her feet rubbing together. And between, her bare flesh was glowing in the light, scorching him. Already her nipples were hard peaks, tipped strawberry.

“Thought you weren't coming,” she complained, smiling at him.

“Hush,” he said, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. “You’re not to speak. Not until I tell you.”

“But I –“

He put a finger to his lips. “Quiet.”

She closed her mouth and looked at him with shining eyes. She wriggled slightly, making her breasts move.

“Lie still,” he ordered. No, he couldn’t do this if she was gazing at him like that. He’d never be able to control himself if he could drown in those eyes. He pulled open one of the drawers and found what he was looking for. Turning back he ran the silk scarf he’d bought her for her last birthday through his fingers, and Kaylee trembled.

He leaned over her, careful not to touch her, not yet, and wrapped the scarf around her head, her eyes well covered, but leaving just one layer over her mouth. Lifting the layer to make sure she was going to be able to breathe, he leaned a little closer and touched her lips with his. Her head lifted, trying to prolong the kiss, her tongue reaching for his, but he pulled back.

“Simon …” she said.

This time he touched her lips with his finger. “No. You don’t talk. Or I’ll go away. Understand?”

She nodded, a little stiffly, and lay back.

“There are rules,” Simon went on. “My rules. You are t