Page 54 of Under Their Protection

“Okay. I need you to put your hair up so nothing catches. I would prefer your bra straps not to be in the way, but it’s fine if not,” he says.

“I’ll be faced away. I don’t mind,” she says.

“Lastly, you absolutely cannot move. I will do a few cracks close to you so you can get used to the sound before I actually make contact. I will do a few softer ones and a few stronger ones. I just want you to say what you feel. She trusts you more than anyone else in this room so tell her, not me,” he explains.

“You got it,” she smiles.

“As far as everyone else, sit on the couch and stay there,” he says. I am the first to go to the couch. Before I can sit, Rowan pulls me into his lap.

We watch as Theo sets everything up and stands Mia where he wants her. She looks ecstatic to be doing this for him. Theo pulls out the whip and it looks to get about six feet in length. Mia pulls off her shirt and bra with her hair pulled up into a bun as she faces away from us.

“Alright, Mia. The first two are not going to touch you,” Theo says.

“Got it,” she says as she stands with her hands down by her side.

Theo winds up the first one and when it cracks I jump, as does Mia.

“Wooo. Shit. Now I understand the warm-up,” Mia giggles. Theo chuckles and winds up for the next one. This time neither of us jump.

“Ten bucks she moans,” Max says as he laughs.

“Oh, no doubt,” Emma says.

“Ten bucks Anika passes the fuck out,” I grumble. Rowan squeezes me lightly and kisses my neck.

“Ready, Mia?” Theo asks.

“Whip me, doc,” she says, and Theo shakes his head as he winds up.

The whip cracks and Mia doesn’t make any reaction other than a small gasp. The next two come in rapid succession and she, again, doesn’t react. “It hardly even stings. I can feel it but it’s not bad,” Mia says.

The next one snaps across her lower back, and she gasps louder. “Oh shit. That was nice. It does sting but it is no more intense than a flogger.”

“Three all together this time. Don’t move,” Theo says and Mia nods. Theo strikes her back with more force and on the second one she lets out an audible moan.

“Wooo, buddy. You and I are going to have to get together sometime,” Mia says as she puts her bra back on.

“We can definitely work something out. Wait to put your shirt on so Annie can put salve on those marks. It will just help reduce any welts that will form,” he says. Mia comes over and sits on the ottoman in front of me as Annie applies the salve. Theo wipes down the whip but leaves it out. He is confident that I will be okay with it.

“Honestly, I prefer that to a flogger,” Mia says. “It’s very direct and I won't tell you it doesn’t hurt, because it does, but so does the flogger. I think the only reason it scares you is because of your childhood.” I sigh heavily. I have no argument against it. I have no reason to say no, and he has proven that I am safe.

“I have no logical argument against it anymore,” I admit.

“Is that a yes?” Theo asks.

“Yeah,” I say with a sigh.

“Okay,” he smiles. “Mia, you did wonderful. Thank you for letting me do that.”

“You are welcome. I am serious about getting together,” she says with a grin.

“I know. Get my number from one of them and let me know when you are free. I know Annie would love to help me with you,” he says sweetly.

“Hell yeah,” she grins and stands up to pull her shirt back on.

The girls leave and Theo gestures for me to get up and come closer. Begrudgingly, I get up and move to stand in front of him. “Are you still scared of it?” Theo asks me.

“Yes, but I recognize that I don’t have a reason to be, and I know where it’s coming from,” I say.

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