Page 58 of Guarded

“Good Girl.” He growls when I finish the bowl.

I keep my arm around him and watch as he feeds himself next. He pulls my legs up to his other thigh and rubs my barelegs as he finishes his oatmeal. When I check the clock, I see four ones staring at me.

“Oh my god, it’s 11:11. Make a wish.” I stay excited. My body bounces up, and Nero pulls me back down into him.

“What did you wish for, Manikà?” He asks, and I shrug, suddenly feeling very childish about the sentiment.

I wished for you.

But I don’t say that. For once, my mouth is shut because, by the looks of it, Nero is ready to have that intense conversation.

“We need to talk about what happened.”

Here we go. Keep it together, Ariella.

I prepare myself for the worse. For him to tell me that this was a one-time thing. To hear the regret.

“If we’re going to do this, Ari, we need to have a clear line of communication at all times.”

The relief that washes over me is surreal.

If we’re going to do this.

“Okay.” I agree, turning my focus to him.

“I’m more than happy to give you anything you need from me, but I also need you to know that emotionally, I can’t commit to you. To anyone, really. Have you ever been in something where there were no strings attached?”

“No,” I answer truthfully.

He strokes the edge of my jaw with his knuckles. My nipples harden beneath the fabric of my bra.

“I want you, Ari. I want you for me, but I’m not sure you’ll like the things I’m into.”

“Like the dominant and submissive stuff?” I ask.

“Yes, like the dominant and submissive stuff.”

“I looked it up after you told me about it. I had an idea before, well, before you know.” My cheeks flush, and he smiles at me.

“And? What did you find?” he asks.

I pause to think about it before I reply.

“I read over different kinks and fetishes. One article I read explained the roles of the Dominant and how he mostly works to gain the submissive’s trust.”

“Did any of those kinks interest you?”

He keeps his eyes on me as he continues to massage his fingers into my legs, working up to my upper thigh.

“Yes,” I whisper.

“What turns you on?” he asks, his voice low and husky.

His hand moves higher, massaging up my inner thigh, his rings slightly grazing my folds. I suck in a breath and keep my eyes on his. I think back to the hours of reading I did on Reddit while caring for him.

“There was an article on Praise Kinks. I notice you do that. Call me a good girl, or tell me I’m beautiful.” I bit down on my lower lip.

“And did you like that?” His rough hands leave my thighs. His knuckles trail down my outer calf, and he rubs light circles around my ankle.

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