Page 51 of Under Their Protection

Rowan moves to my other side, making me surrounded by them. “I am uncomfortable,” I laugh nervously.

“Why?” Theo asks.

“Because I’m surrounded.”

“Do you understand why we think this is the most effective way for you to open up without further traumatizing you?” he asks.

“Yes.”

“Why?” Theo questions.

“Because being in a role where I am being dominated by people I trust, I am willing to open up whereas outside of that role, I resort to trauma responses too quickly.”

“For example?” he asks.

“Running away instead of just telling you I was self-conscious.”

“You are still being punished for repeatedly disobeying Max,” he states.

“I know.”

“And we are going to fuck that little attitude of yours out. Self-degrading comments are punishable,” Theo leans in close and whispers in my ear before gently nipping at my earlobe. I moan softly at the feeling of his mouth on my body. He takes my reaction as encouragement and bites my neck with more force, making me groan in need.

“We need verbal consent, Anika,” Max says.

“Yes,” I say without hesitation.

“Yes, what?”

“Yes to whatever it is that you three want to do. I trust Rowan and Max to not put me in an unsafe situation so I trust you,” I explain.

“Your trust is not very easily earned,” Theo states.

“It’s not, but they earned it a long time ago.”

“What are her limits?” Theo asks, still looking at me.

“Nothing involving the face, excluding oral. No intentional permanent marks or bruising. Nothing involving bodily fluids. Nothing extreme, like fisting. No extreme degradation. She is pretty open otherwise,” Max explains.

“Birth control?” he asks.

“She missed the last four days but she’s back on it,” Rowan says.

“So, you might be pregnant?” he asks me seriously.

“Yeah. Rowan’s Mom, as well as Mia and Emma, think I am,” I say.

“Should we get going then?” Theo asks, breaking eye contact to look at Rowan.

“We should,” Rowan nods. Theo nods and steps away from me. I go to walk with everyone but Max grabs me first.

“If you ever run from me like that again I will bend you over and fuck you to tears. Do you understand me?” he says as Rowan and Theo watch.

“I understand,” I say softly.

“Are you going to do it again?” he asks.

“Yes,” I say with a smile.

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