Page 34 of Trained Royal
“First, do you know the traffic light system that’s used in BDSM?”
“Yes. Red for stop, yellow for slow down and green for keep going?”
Patrick smiled. “Perfect. That’s what we’ll use. If we find this is something you enjoy, we can always choose something else later if the traffic lights don’t work for you.” He drank some water and replaced the cap. “You mentioned you didn’t like the idea of pain but weren’t sure. What I usually suggest for newcomers is spanking, to begin with. It might sound rudimentary, but it does work to find out if pain is something you enjoy or not. And if it’s not, that’s fine. It’s not for everyone.”
Kieren nodded and inhaled. Talking about this in the cold light of day—or the dim lights of the club—had his cheeks heating, but if he couldn’t talk about it, then how could he let Patrick do anything to him? “I liked what I saw last weekend. I might not have understood why Cecily needed to feel the pain, but I can see the beauty of it.”
“I think of it as playing instruments. Finding the right note, the right tempo, the right combination of elements that make a melody work is a similar process as it is for learning how a submissive wants me to play with them.”
A question had been niggling in the back of his mind since the previous visit, and he braved voicing it. “What do you get from it? Because from what I saw, you received no release from the scene.”
Patrick tapped his thumbs against the bottle, staring down at it, and Kieren opened his mouth to take his question back when Patrick answered, “For me, it’s not sexual. My enjoyment of the scene comes from the people I play with getting what they want from it. I don’t need a sexual release.” He cleared his throat. “Whether it changes tonight, I don’t know,” he murmured.
Kieren tilted his head. “What do you mean?”
Patrick huffed a laugh. “You would’ve thought with the number of times I’ve had this discussion with people, I’d be used to explaining things, but with you…” He inhaled. “I’m attracted to you. You and I both know that. If this turns out to be something you enjoy, I honestly don’t know if I will stay true to form or if I will get aroused by it. I apologise in advance.”
Kieren stared at him. “You don’t need to apologise. I think I’d like it if you were right there with me,” he whispered.
Their gazes met and held, the same frisson of awareness tingling through him as it did every time. More so when they’d come together in the gym that time. How would it feel to have Patrick’s hands on him with the intent to give him pleasure and pain?
“Do you have any questions?” Patrick asked, breaking the silence.
“I don’t think so.”
“Are you ready, then?”
“Yes.” He paused. “Sir,” he added, remembering hearing other people say that.
Patrick licked his lips and exhaled. “Come on.” He stood and held out his hand. Kieren hesitated before taking it. Patrick led the way through the doors to the main area of the club, keeping a tight hold of his hand. It kept Kieren grounded but also sent a wave of awareness through him about what they were about to do. As they hustled through the crowds, he took in the sounds and sights of their surroundings. His breathing increased, and he pursed his lips, wondering if he’d made the right decision.
Patrick paused at a door, unlocked it with his fingerprint and led him inside. When the door was closed, he faced Kieren.
“We can stop at any time. This is not supposed to embarrass or humiliate you.” Patrick smirked. “At least, this time.” He grinned, then became serious again. “It’s to educate you like you said. Unless you know what they experience, it’s difficult to understand the why of it. Do you still want to do this?”
“Yes. Sir.”
Patrick smiled. “Sir works well in this scenario.” He took Kieren’s bottle from him and wandered over to the bedside table, placing both bottles down, and faced him again. “If it was anyone else, I would be taking over now and telling you what to do, but with you, I’m unsure. Not how a Dom is supposed to be.”
Kieren inhaled and exhaled. “Treat me as you would anyone else. I need to understand, don’t I?”
Patrick studied him for a long time before he nodded. “Colour?”
“Green, sir.”
“Come here.” Kieren stepped closer. “Undress.”
Kieren swallowed but lifted his hands to the hem of his T-shirt. He’d kept on the clothes he’d arrived in, whereas Patrick had changed into a black shirt and some leather trousers. Kieren pulled the T-shirt over his head, folded it in half and placed it on the chair to his left. He swallowed hard again, then unfastened his trousers. As he did, Patrick unbuttoned and removed his shirt, and it temporarily distracted him. At least until Patrick cleared his throat and raised an eyebrow at him. Kieren pulled the trousers from his legs, leaving him in his boxers.
“Do I…?” He pointed at his underwear.
“Remove those as well.”
Kieren’s heart thudded, but he did as asked while Patrick climbed onto the bed and rested his back against the headboard with his legs stretched out.
Patrick patted his lap. “Lie over me, on your stomach.”
Face heating, Kieren crawled over until his stomach was resting on Kieren’s thighs.
