Page 187 of Solanum

I watched her, stroking her cheeks while her gaze locked on mine. Imagining Nora in sensual, erotic curves while my intricately tied knots supported her body brought the ache of arousal to my core. Of course I wanted to see her in a full artistic display, but after what happened to her and the ropes that still haunted her nightmares, I couldn't bring myself to discuss it with her until then.

"How about this…" I glanced between her and Samirah for a moment. "While we have dinner, the three of us can look at some photos of Shibari together, and if you still want to do it, we will try."

"Okay," she agreed right away, the palm of her hand pressed against my cheek. "Because I'm still starving."

We both laughed at that and I kissed her hand. "And now you have damp panties to sit in for the meantime, too."

"Nuh uh." She snickered. "I'm not wearing panties. Do you even know me?"

I cracked up and Samirah wasn't a beat behind. Nora's proud grin broadened, and she pulled me into a kiss after twisting her finger around the top of my T-shirt. Samirah whistled and both of us smiled against each other.

"Two happy hotties nearly in my lap." Sam swooned, pretending to fan herself. "Best night ever."

"As if it's any different than your last Saturday night." I narrowed my eyes at her, and she laughed.

"I mean, true…"

"C'mon." I held my hands out to Nora. "Let's go get ourselves ready."

"Yay." Nora took my hands and sprang into my arms when she stood, her arms around my neck.

I kissed her all over her face and she melted against me, her body burning with the embers of her desire. She brushed her lips over my shoulder, and I whispered, "Ready to play, Kitten?"

"Always ready for you," she said, her voice a husky croon.

The three of us shared dinner together before heading into the playroom. My stomach flipflopped with excitement while Nora's anticipation rolled off her in waves of cute that I could drown in. She fiddled with her nails, wiggled in her seat, and toyed with her hair while she watched Samirah and I set up the suspension rig. Like last time, I rolled through a few reps of pullups while Samirah hung beside me, testing the heavier weight just in case.

"Can you swing?" I asked and she obliged.

"Solid setup," she said, standing of her own accord again when I jumped down. "We're good."

"Nor, come stand here." I held my hand to her, and she scurried over, placing her hands on the bar right away. "Can you do a pullup?"

She narrowed her eyes at me. "I may be your Kitten, but I'm still Quantico material."

Nora brought chuckles to both of us, and we watched as she pulled herself up with graceful ease. She didn't hang out there as long as I did, but her demonstration appeared much more sensual.

"Hang there a little bit," urged Samirah, her hand on Nora's back while I stood in front of her. "So you can feel the distance and balance."

Nora listened, and lifted her feet while her eyes locked on mine. She stood up quickly and dropped her grip.

"Does it hurt your shoulders?" I rubbed her arms when she moved to me.

"A little tender," she said, leaning against me while staring at the contraption. "But it's okay."

"You'll have to be one-hundred-percent honest with us, Nora," said Samirah, catching on to Nora's hesitation. "We can't proceed if we don't trust that you're going to tell us if you're uncomfortable."

"I will tell you," she answered right away while looking between us. "I promise."

I stroked my finger under her chin so that she'd meet my gaze. "Even if you think you might be uncomfortable with it later down the road. Even if you're unsure of how you will feel."

"I promise." She nodded, taking both of my hands. "I will, Car."

I cupped her face in my palms while stroking her cheeks. To believe her, to know she wouldn't put herself at risk because she wanted to please me became my biggest worry. She held on to my wrists, both thumbs caressing my skin. Determination narrowed her eyes and, as always, I felt myself crumbling to her.

"Okay," I whispered. "Okay."

A smile curved her lips, and the twinkling returned to her eyes. Our promise, as deep-seated as our experiences together, hung heavily between us. Despite my reservations, I would have to trust that Nora could make safe decisions for herself, and in a controlled situation, it became the perfect opportunity for me to build on that foundation.

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