Page 43 of Dark Bonds

“When he originally talked about me becoming his sub, we both made it abundantly clear that we weren’t looking for a vanilla relationship. No hearts and flowers.”

“And now?”

“Now, I’m not so sure I feel the same as I did then. I’ve never met anyone I’ve wanted to have a relationship with. With Jason, I’m starting to question that. Everything is just so easy with him.”

“Does it seem like you guys are having just a Dom/sub relationship?”

“How the fuck would I even know, Sasha? We’ve done things that I think are more vanilla, but maybe they’re actually just part of it.”

“Like what?”

“Well, he took me to his house. He told me that he’d never let a sub there, that they’d only ever been in his dungeon.”

“What else?”

“There was the day he took me shopping, but it was to a sex shop. Maybe he always takes his subs there. He paid for almost everything. I’m so fucking confused right now.”

“Have you changed your mind about what you want with him?”

“Maybe. It doesn’t matter, though. He made it clear what he was looking for. I enjoy my time with him too much to risk fucking it up.”

“Maybe he’s changed his mind too,” she shrugged.

“I doubt that. I’m sure after the number of Dom/sub relationships he’s had, he knows what lines to cross.”

“That’s kind of a bullshit response. He’s never wanted more than that kind of relationship, same as you. The thing is, he has done things with you that he’s never done with his subs before. I can say that for certain. I’ve known him for years, Leah. I’ve seen him with the other subs and I can promise you, he’s not behaving the same way he usually does where you’re concerned.”

“Okay, but what would you have me do? Tell him I want more? What if he tells me to go fuck myself?”

“Maybe he’s afraid of the same thing. Just talk to him! I think you’d be surprised.”

“I think I should figure out what I want first before I take that chance.”

“It seems to me that you already know what you want now. Is it really good for you to get even more attached by waiting too long to talk to him?”

“I think it might already be too late for that,” I said sadly. “I have no fucking idea what to do. Ugh… this weekend is supposed to be about having fun and relaxing. Can we stop talking about this?”

“Fine, just one more thing. I think you would be happier if you have that conversation with him,” she said cryptically.

“I’ll think about it. Have you ever been to a spa before?”

“Not for anything other than a massage and a mani-pedi.”

“Same here. I’m thinking of doing my client’s next manuscript for free. I saw some of the prices at the desk and for the room and spa services we’re getting, it’s like a grand a night. I knew it was extravagant, but holy fuck.”

“That’s fucking insane. I earn a pretty good living, but two grand for a weekend? There’s no way!”

“Right? I’d need to work for a year to have that much excess money for this kind of weekend.”

“Well, there’s one good thing about the weekend.”

“Oh?”

“Yup. It means your client is doing well with her writing.”

“That’s very true. Either way, I feel the need to do something for her.”

“And I feel like I should contribute too,” she laughed.

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