Page 92 of Plaything

“Are we talking about punishment?” Niko grinned as he chopped tomatoes.

“I’m not worried about anything like that,” I admitted. “I’m a serial rule follower,” I assured. As much as I’d like to be someone who lived on her own terms or wasn’t scared of anything, I wasn’t.

“On the contrary, you haven’t heard our rules,” Niko argued.

“Enlighten me?”

“No touching yourself without permission.”

“No covering yourself.”

“No lying.”

“Drink at least two bottles of water a day.”

“If you brat or tease us in public, expect a punishment when you get home.”

“Being a brat in general.”

“Not telling us where you are.”

“No more apologies.”

“No skipping meals—coffee is not a meal, Cariño.”

“Backtalk and arguing unless it’s justified.”

“You must tell us when somethings wrong.”

Both of them were rapid-firing me with their rules and preferences. I raised my eyebrows. “Should I be taking notes?” I joked. That was a lot all at once. I didn’t disagree with anything they said, but some of those things weren’t easy for me, like telling them if something was wrong. I wasn’t good at intimate conversations.

Aiden smiled at me, “The only thing I want you to write right now is a safe word,” he said again. “Something short, something you’ll remember.”

“She already wrote one,” Niko interrupted, twirling his finger to indicate that we should flip the paper back to the front.

“Swan?” I thought. If I’d drunkenly written down a word, that was what it’d be. When I was younger, I’d always thought I was the long-lost swan princess because of my name. It was short, memorable, and pretty sounding.

Aiden nodded, “If that’s what you want,” he agreed.

Niko stopped chopping for a moment. We made eye contact, and he smiled at me, “Clever.”

“What about aftercare?” Aiden changed the subject, obviously not getting the reference like Niko did. His brows fell as he read my answer, almost looking disappointed by it.

I shrugged. I knew what this was, too; it was just how someone is cared for after sex. “I don’t need that,” I dismissed.

They both seemed annoyed at my answer. “I just don’t need any special treatment, that’s all?” I defended.

Aiden cocked an eyebrow at me. “Do you really think that, or are you just uncomfortable with someone actually wanting to take care of you?”

“Aiden...” Niko gave him a stern look. “Filter.” He turned to me, his expression more worried than annoyed now. “Aftercare isn’t special treatment, Cariño. It’s how we make sure you’re okay after an intense scene. It’s something that we want to do for you. So whether you like it or not, it’s happening. Okay?” He left no room for argument as he slid a sandwich in front of me.

I still thought it unnecessary, but I wouldn’t argue if they insisted. “Okay.”

“Good girl, now eat up; you’ve still got a lot of homework,” Niko winked at me.

Aiden stood up, “I’ve got more to grade,” he kissed my head before walking out of the room.

He seemed off. Irritated? Frustrated? “Did I say something?” I asked Niko.

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