"Ma'am," she prompts him, flicking his Adam's apple hard with her finger. She doesn't mind that he chose her title, but he'd damn well better remember it and use it. "I meant: have you ever acted as a submissive before?"

Not that it's a particularly harsh offense, but the fact that he assumed the question incorrectly and forgot his manners has her standing up gracefully, stepping away from him. Just as touch is a reward, distance is a punishment, both of them subtle but effective with enough time and exposure. And if he performs well for her today, Natasha sees no reason for their acquaintance to end.

She walks around behind him, toying with the knife as she goes, and when she's standing where he can't see her, she stops. Her hand comes down on his head, pushing forward, directing his eyes to the floor.