Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 90114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
My thoughts slip away. I should be more careful. Take more time to outline these terms. But I need this. Now. "Sit."
She does.
I move toward her. Drop to my knees to help her into her heels. The right. Then the left.
She shudders as my finger skims her ankle. I let my hand drift to the back of her calf.
I'm cheating, I know, but I'm too far gone to care about sportsmanship.
"Outside." I want to do this in the fresh air. Where someone might see.
I stand, move onto the balcony, motion come here.
She does. She looks down at her feet, almost surprised they're moving. Then her eyes go to mine. She holds my gaze as she closes the distance between us.
It's a beautiful night. Warm, clear, with that classic New York City blue. Barely dark enough to qualify as night.
The river is visible here. The moon bounces off it, casting subtle highlights all over Hell's Kitchen.
Casting a glow over her tan skin.
She's so fucking beautiful. With her heels, she's only a little shorter than I am. Our bodies nearly line up.
If I turn her around, pin her to the wall—
The angle is perfect. I should surprise her. I should take her now.
But she isn't ready for that. We've barely discussed terms.
"You've never played before," I say.
"I've read things." Her posture stays proud. She's naked, and I'm fully dressed, but she's still holding herself like she has all the cards. She's a natural.
"Some people use a stop sign. Red, yellow, green. I prefer a safe word."
She nods.
"Do you know what a safe word is?"
"I wasn't born yesterday."
"It seems easy, but sometimes, when people are caught up in the scenario, they don't want to use it. Or they're too scared. It's too much. Too real." My head goes there. Again. It always does. That reminder that I'm a sick fuck acting this out. But it's the only thing that works. "I don't usually play non-consensual scenarios."
Her eyes go wide.
"It's a common request."
"I don't think… that's not for me."
"I need to know you're prepared to use a safe word. That you feel comfortable enough."
"How am I supposed to know that?"
I guess I have to test her. It's been a long time since I've done this with someone inexperienced. Longer since I've done it with someone—No, I've never played with someone I fucked normally. Whatever normally means. "I'll start gently."
"I don't need gentle."
"What do you need?"
"I've never really thought about this."
"But you liked what happened in the coat room?"
"Yes."
I raise a brow.
"Yes, sir." She takes a half-step toward me. "I liked all your ideas too."
"I meant what I said."
Her chest heaves with her inhale. She stares at me, daring me to elaborate.
"I'm not touching you until you beg."
"Are you going to define touch?"
"No."
"Or beg?"
"No."
"So it's all by your terms."
"Our terms. My limits. Your limits. Everything is within those bounds."
She nods. After years working in finance, she understands contracts. "What are your limits?"
"I always initiate."
She nods in agreement.
"You only touch me if I demand it."
"Anywhere?"
"Anywhere." I bite my tongue, praying she won't ask me to explain. A lot of women do. The more eager ones understand immediately. They love the idea of letting go completely. Others find it strange. They're used to men begging for their touch. They aren't used to earning it.
"When we're playing or always?"
It's a good question. "When we're playing. With other people around—"
"We're pretending?"
"Yes."
Her expression gets curious, but she still nods. "This is all your demands?"
"You following my demands. Is that what you want?"
Her breath hitches. "I think so. I haven't done that before. But I like the idea."
"Good." My eyes drop to her chest. Fuck, I probably should have waited to order her out of her clothes. There are too many things I want to do to her. "It sounds selfish. I'm sure you think of me as selfish. Maybe I am. But not here. I'm reading you, making sure I give you what you need."
She nods with understanding.
"What about your limits?"
"I've never thought about it."
"Would you like to be tied up?"
Her eyes meet mine. "Yes."
"Slapped?"
"Not on the face."
"Will you crawl?"
"Crawl? Why would I crawl?"
I'm moving too fast for her. There's too much she doesn't know. "To show obedience."
Her pupils dilate. "Maybe."
I need to keep this simple. In terms more familiar. "Is there anything you don't like?"
"Nothing that will leave a mark."
Smart. I nod.
"I'm not sure I'm into pain."
"You're not? Or you're not sure?"
"It doesn't appeal right now. But I've never tried."
Pain isn't my preferred method, but I'm still hesitant to write it off. I want my options open. I want as much of her as I can have. "I'll keep it light." My eyes flit to her chest. "You like authority."
She doesn't quite follow.
"Calling me sir, following my orders, proving you obey like a good girl."
Her eyes go wide at the term.