Page 29 of Beneath the Surface

“Well, Clarice, I don’t like fava beans or chianti,” he teased her.

She burst out laughing, and he smiled, loving that sound. Despite her laughter, he could see the pain behind her beautiful hazel eyes.

Their playful banter continued as their waiter returned with their dumplings and soup. They dove into their food with enthusiasm, commenting on the flavors.

Brad’s stomach growled as he filled his mouth with a bite of dumpling. “Oh wow, I didn’t realize I was so hungry.”

Isobel nodded and closed her eyes. “Yum. The soup is actually hot and sour. I’m impressed.”

Brad raised his glass. “To future culinary adventures.”

Isobel clinked her glass with his. “Hear, hear. And may we never run out of dumplings.”

They both laughed, enjoying the moment and each other’s company.

Isobel paused. “Can I ask you a question?” She looked down at her plate.

He reached across the table and, with two fingers, lifted her chin to look into her eyes. “Always. I may not be able to answer, but I can try.”

“It’s personal.” She blushed. “Um… the stuff you explained about D/s.” She looked down and played with the napkin in her lap. “Forget it, it’s none of my business.”

Brad didn't flinch, not even a hint of embarrassment crossing his face. He leaned back in his chair and caught Isobel’s gaze, her blush deepening as she tried to wave off the question. A small smile curved his lips, reassuring but direct. "You don’t have to worry about it, Belle," he said in his deep baritone. "I’m not embarrassed. But for professional reasons, I’m cautious about sharing personal information.”

He glanced around the room briefly, making sure no one else was paying too much attention before continuing. "The reason I participate in that lifestyle, D/s specifically, is because it offers a kind of connection that’s hard to find elsewhere. It's about trust and communication as much as it’s about power dynamics. And, for me, it creates a deeper sense of understanding with someone. It’s... freeing, in a way."

Isobel shifted in her seat, curiosity dancing in her eyes. She glanced at Brad, lowering her voice slightly. “So… it’s not just about a lot of sex, tying people up, or spanking, right? I mean, the boyfriend of the mom in that divorce case I’m studying told me I needed a good paddling.”

Brad pressed his lips together, shaking his head. “That’s a threat.”

“So, I know what you said at dinner and at my place, and what I’ve read in the books...but it’s not about?—"

“No, not at all,” he replied, his tone warm and steady. "That’s a big misconception. While some people incorporate those things into their dynamic, it’s not the core of what a true D/s relationship is about."

Leaning in slightly, he lowered his voice, making sure she felt at ease. “At its heart, it’s more about connection, trust, and communication than any of the physical stuff. The sexual side can be part of it, but the real focus is on the emotional and psychological aspects. It’s about how two people choose to interact, who leads and who follows, and how they build trust within that.”

Brad found himself curious about how deeply her interest ran. Did she even know what she was asking?

Isobel leaned in slightly, her voice still quiet but filled with genuine interest. "But… why are there spankings? And why do they restrain people?"

Brad wasn’t surprised by the question, but he could see how it felt foreign to her. He met her gaze, sensing she was grappling with more than just surface-level curiosity. She had a desire for deeper understanding.

"Good question," he replied. "Spankings, restraints… those are tools, really. In the context of a D/s dynamic, they serve a purpose, but it’s not just about pain or control. It’s about trust and surrender. For some people, spanking or physical discipline heightens that feeling of giving up control, letting things go, a release; while for others, it’s about sensation—both physical and emotional. It’s not about punishment in the way most people think of it."

He paused, watching her expression shift, as if she was trying to piece everything together. "And restraints? Those are a way of amplifying that trust. When someone allows themselves to be restrained, they’re giving up control completely, trusting the other person to take care of them. It can be a powerful feeling—knowing that, even in that vulnerable state, their partner is focused on their safety and boundaries."

He couldn’t help but be fascinated by her reaction. She was approaching this with an open mind, a trait he admired. The more they talked, the more he saw those quiet submissive tendencies she had. Her instinct to trust, to seek understanding in things that others might shy away from.

Brad smiled again, his voice as gentle as ever. "It’s a lot more than what people think. And I don’t mind explaining, if you want to know more."

He paused, gauging Isobel’s reaction, then continued, "I won’t lie. The sex is good—very good. It can involve things like control, power exchange, or even certain physical acts that symbolize that dynamic. But what a lot of people don’t understand is how much trust that requires. Both partners have to be completely in tune with each other’s limits, boundaries,and desires. It’s not about one person doing whatever they want. There’s a lot of negotiation, openness, and respect in it."

She listened closely, nodding slightly, her earlier embarrassment fading.

"But here’s where people often miss the bigger picture," Brad added, leaning back and settling into his explanation. "A D/s relationship doesn’t begin and end in the bedroom. Day-to-day, it can be about structure and support. The Dominant might take responsibility for guiding the relationship—making decisions, setting goals. But always in a way that’s about the good of both partners."

He gave a small, reflective smile. "For example, in some partnerships, the submissive might prefer to have their day organized by their partner—things like planning meals, handling schedules, or even guiding personal growth. It’s not because they can’t do it themselves, but because they find comfort in that structure, in letting someone they trust take the lead. The Dominant, in turn, accepts that responsibility and respects the needs of the submissive. It’s a partnership, just with different roles."

He noticed Isobel’s eyes brighten as she connected the dots.

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