Page 185 of Zero Chance

My face flamed hot as I glanced away in mortification and mumbled, “Of course.”

“Try it now,” he insisted, sitting up suddenly, no longer the unrecognizable, maudlin Keene he’d been when I’d walked in the door.His eyes were alight with that glow of life I’d fallen for eleven years ago.

“Uh.”I sat up way more reluctantly.“But—what if you don’t like it?”

He scoffed.“Not possible.But you know what, if Idon’t, I’ll tell you, and I’ll trust you not to try it again.Just like you can trust me with the same.”His gaze seared into mine.“Right?”

I nodded.“Right.”

“Exploring is good,” he said with a reassured nod.“It helps us learn what we do and don’t like.So let’s explore.”Grinning suddenly, he rubbed his hands together with boyish excitement.“What’re we exploring tonight?”

“Oh God,” I groaned, unable to believe he was getting me to say this out loud.Only Keene, I swear.“Are you sure?”I asked one last time.

“Oh, darlin’.”His smile was threatening to split his face right in half.“I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”

“Okay, but…” I winced and added, “It…involves a whip.”

His eyebrows perked up in surprise.“No shit?”I’m sure my face was nearly purple by now as he lifted a curious finger to ask, “So am I whipping you, or are you whipping me?”

“I—” I had to pause and collect the last of my courage before saying, “I’m using it on you.”

He laughed.“Damn, Mistress.My baby wants to try the dom life, huh?Okay.Alright.I’m in.Let’s do this.”

I blinked and sent him a dismayed glance.“Really?”

He shrugged.“Hell, yeah.Why not?”He lifted one eyebrow and leaned close, murmuring, “And after that, maybe you’ll let me try it on you.”

I looked into his eyes and went sopping wet.“Okay,” I whispered.

43

WAVERLY

Neither Keene nor I had an actual whip, but we tried to make do with the softest belt he could dig out of his closet.

From there, I went first.He stretched out naked on his bed, stomach-down with his pillow tucked under his armpits, chin propped in his hands.

“Okay, give ’er a whirl,” he instructed, glancing over his shoulder at me to let me know he was ready.

Suddenly hesitant and shy, I cringed.“Are you sure about this?”

“I’m sure I’m ready to try it,” he swore.“I’ll let you know after the first whack if I’m sure whether Ilikeit or not.Now, spank me, baby.I’ve been a bad, bad boy.”

I laughed, unable to help myself, before I shook my head and murmured, “Okay.”

Here went nothing.

Holding my breath, I wound my arm back and flicked the belt forward, catching him right on the ass, and making the globes momentarily jiggle.

On the bed, Keene laughed.

I rolled my eyes.“You’re not supposed tolaugh.”

“Sorry, sorry.”He lifted his hands in apology.“I just—I don’t know.Sorry.Go ahead.Go again.”

I shook my head and swatted him again, putting a little more pressure into it this time so it didn’t tickle.

But he snorted and buried his face in the pillow, trying very unsuccessfully to muffle his howls of amusement.

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