Page 17 of Marking Micah

But tonight he needed to put all of that aside—his feelings for her, his insane attraction to her—and simply be there for her. As an experienced Dominant, that was usually second nature to him, but he knew with her it was going to present a challenge. But this was more than play. It was Micah, and he’d do whatever he could to keep her safe, and to help her past the obstacles trauma had put in her way.

He kept his hand on the small of her back as they moved into the main Dungeon area. They’d arrived fairly early, and no one else was using it yet. But the lighting was already dimmed and music played, a haunting, meditative beat that created the perfect atmosphere, along with the amber and purple lights that shifted gently with the music. The Dungeon held every imaginable piece of equipment: St. Andrew’s crosses, padded tables, spanking benches, steel cages in all shapes and sizes, stockades, other pieces of beautifully made kink furniture he’d seen when he’d come to give his workshops and had toured the place. And of course, heavy duty steel suspension frames.

“You okay?” he asked her.

“Yes.” She nodded. “Yes, Sir,” she amended with another small nod.

She seemed so fragile to him right now, even though she was such a strong woman, although he knew she wasn’t always aware of it herself. But she was so damn vulnerable as they walked the perimeter of the Dungeon floor, and it hit him like a blow to the chest.

Have to take care of her.

Yes.

He could see she was sinking into subspace already. It was a good sign. It would help her get through the evening. But seeing her like this, forhimfor the first time, made her feel delicate to him, somehow. And even in his head, he didn’t mean it in a way that took away anything from who she was: an intelligent, capable woman who had already lived through something that would have completely crushed most people. But at the same time, he knew she was a woman who needed help with getting past all she’d been through, and he intended to do his absolute best for her.

He gave her narrow waist a reassuring squeeze through the satin of her short, black robe, trying to ignore the way her bodyfelt under the sleek fabric—the body he was about to see in a state of undress. It wouldn’t be the first time, by any means, but it was the first time she was his to command, the first time she’d be in his hands, and thinking about it made his stomach go tight in anticipation.

Keep your shit together.

“Come on. We’re going to a private play space where it’ll be just the two of us.”

She nodded again, and he guided her across the smooth, polished concrete floors with metallic flecks that caught the shifting lights. They passed a series of armoires he knew held a variety of implements, the supply stations with cleaning gear and first aid kits, past a scattering of loveseats for those who wanted to watch, or to lounge on during aftercare.

“This way,” he said, directing her toward a hallway.

Luna was there to greet them, dressed in a short plaid skirt, a black leather corset, and thigh-high black boots, her mermaid hair cascading over her bare shoulders.

“Good evening, Master Arrow,” she said with a nod and a smile for Micah. “Your play room is right this way.” She led them to the end of the hall and pushed open the last door. “Enjoy your evening. And if there’s anything you need, just press the button on the wall by the door and one of our Dungeon attendants will be right in.”

“Thank you, Luna.”

“Thank you,” Micah said quietly, and Luna answered with a smile.

He appreciated that Luna knew not to disturb Micah’s headspace. But he wouldn’t have expected anything less here at the Ranch.

He’d seen some of these private play rooms on his last visit, and this was one he’d requested. While most of the others were themed—there was a Medieval room, a medical room, aVictorian parlor—this one was simply a dungeon room in black and purple. The walls were painted black, and the St. Andrews Cross, the spanking bench, and the double-wide armchair were all upholstered in black and purple leather, as well as the padded table at one end of the room. Even the suspension cuffs hanging by long chains from the ceiling were purple leather. And along one wall was a row of hooks with a number of toys hanging from them: purple and black floggers, a purple single-tail whip, black leather paddles, a variety of wooden paddles with the handles wrapped in black and purple leather. And on that same wall was a cabinet, which he knew held smaller items, as well as the safety and first aid kits. A row of water bottles was lined up on the cabinet, and aftercare blankets were folded over the back of the chair. They really did think of everything here.

He gestured her to the chair.

“Sit,” he said.

“Oh, but I?—”

He whipped around to face her, making certain to catch her eyes. “Micah,” he said, his tone intended to make sure she knew exactly who was in charge. “There’s no talking unless I tell you to, other than using your safewords, or to answer when I check in with you. The scene starts now. We are in role. You are to call me ‘Sir’. Is that understood?”

She bit her lip, then nodded.

“Tell me you understand. I need to hear the words.”

“I understand, Sir,” she said, her voice soft.

He could see she was startled by how quickly he’d shifted his tone, her long lashes cast down, brushing her high cheekbones. Lord, she was beautiful. Even more as she sank into subspace, deeper by the moment. But he knew she wasn’t quite there, and that it was going to take some time for her to really go under.

“Wait here,” he instructed her, then turned back to the wall of implements, choosing a few and laying them on a small tablenext to the long padded table, then adding a couple of items from the cabinet.

He went to her and squatted before her, taking her hands in his.

“I see you’re nervous. That’s okay. We both knew you would be. And to some degree, you being nervous is a good thing.”

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